I was raised Roman Catholic, and all through that time there were a few things that I never really quite understood, no matter who I asked or how hard I listened during sermons and Sunday School. Interestingly, the two biggest things sort of went hand in hand.
Let's assume that we agree that the definition of cannibalism is the act of eating the flesh of a being that is the same as the ones doing the eating. Let us also assume that we agree that Jesus, before the time of his death and Resurrection was, despite his divine father, was human. During the Last Supper, we were taught (and are reminded of each week at mass) that Jesus stood before his Apostles and said (to paraphrase) "here's my blood, here's my flesh, take a sip and take a bite", then passed around bread and wine.
Now, one of the things that is part of the Roman Catholic sect is that there is a belief in the practice of transubstantiation. Basically, this is the belief that the bread and wine, once blessed, in actuality becomes the flesh and blood of Jesus, even though the appearance of bread and wine remains. In magical terms, that would be considered transmutation, the creation of one thing out of another.
Put those two things together, and when stated in a way that is not referencing any specific religion, you have the following: A respected member of the community, possessing of magical powers, transforms mere food and drink into the actual flesh and blood of the human child of their deity. Then, the gathered people eat and drink of the physical body of said son, in an act of ritualized cannibalism.
So what is the actual difference between magic and miracle, and cannibalism and taking part of the Holy Communion ritual?
Let's assume that we agree that the definition of cannibalism is the act of eating the flesh of a being that is the same as the ones doing the eating. Let us also assume that we agree that Jesus, before the time of his death and Resurrection was, despite his divine father, was human. During the Last Supper, we were taught (and are reminded of each week at mass) that Jesus stood before his Apostles and said (to paraphrase) "here's my blood, here's my flesh, take a sip and take a bite", then passed around bread and wine.
Now, one of the things that is part of the Roman Catholic sect is that there is a belief in the practice of transubstantiation. Basically, this is the belief that the bread and wine, once blessed, in actuality becomes the flesh and blood of Jesus, even though the appearance of bread and wine remains. In magical terms, that would be considered transmutation, the creation of one thing out of another.
Put those two things together, and when stated in a way that is not referencing any specific religion, you have the following: A respected member of the community, possessing of magical powers, transforms mere food and drink into the actual flesh and blood of the human child of their deity. Then, the gathered people eat and drink of the physical body of said son, in an act of ritualized cannibalism.
So what is the actual difference between magic and miracle, and cannibalism and taking part of the Holy Communion ritual?
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