[scottinalaska]

Heidi,

Allow me to respond to just a couple of your quotes. Much of what you read is true, but if a few words are changed, as they are, OR broadly interpreted, you run into error. No one denies that killing something in the ritualistic sense described in the Old Testament really knocks at one's senses. It seems crazy and unnecessary. But God(a presumption unto itself, I know), stated that without the shedding of blood, there is not forgiveness. Without forgiveness, eternally knowing your creator(another presumption)will be impossible. Thus, instead of slaying people at every turn, He offered an alternative, as gross as it sounds.

Now, Quote: Jews like the Hindus taught that the animal’s soul was in the blood. (Leviticus 17:11)
Come now, let's all go to the source and read Lev.17:11 without blindly giving credence to the statement because it is notated for us- "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
The ONLY soul being spoken of is the HUMAN soul. Animals do not have souls(another presumption, sorry cat lovers; but sometimes I think my cat is special too, but still without soul...but she can sing!)
That said, we can observe the author you quoted as being rather presumptive and frankly, interpreting the Judeo belief with the filter of beliefs from the Druids, Celts, Hindus, and others. We both know that isn't fair, nor is it accurate if you LOOK at the text- a sorely lacking element in our present day matrix.
As for Communion and cannibilism and the bread and the wine? I have heard that Catholics do indeed believe it is magically, through the priest, transformed.
But in Jesus' words: "Do this is as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." Remembrance. It is not the event, it is the symbol. That is what memory is - not the actual event(the sacrifice), but the symbol of it. Sure Jesus said, "this is my body, this is my blood. But considering the OT prohibitions on drinking blood and cannibilism, I seriously doubt that the disciples figured, "Oh, Jesus was SO consistent in his teaching on the Torah these past few years, but tonight, he's really saying, 'Dump that teaching, let's guzzle and chow down!' Maybe we'll get some bacon too!"
Your extensive quoting is interesting, but I must take exception to blanket embracement of the research.
Just some thoughts.
Scottinalaska
Oh, thanks for doing the rather simple research on Jesus claiming Godhead for Stu.