| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"johac" |
| Date: |
02 Apr 2004 01:32:30 AM |
| Object: |
Re: In the News: Hordes flocking to 'miracle' lamb |
In article <XqCac.277$H4.33@www.newsranger.com>,
Robibnikoff <nospam@newsranger.com> wrote:
In article <fmpl60hdoffjb0ra7448s6mu9icjn1vs0k@4ax.com>, Elroy Willis says...
W. Syme <Winston.Syme.superstitions@fastmail.fm> wrote in alt.atheism
Elroy Willis <elo@airmail.net> had the following opinion:
Atrash is supposed to have told Reuters the timing was "Clear evidence
of God's existence."
Wow, just wow. TQOTM for sure.
The whole story, or just the above sentence?
Is it just me or was this sheep born sometime LAST year too? This is
definitely
not the first time I've read about something like this. Hmmmmmm....
I recall reading something like that happening in Uzbekistan about two
years ago or so. I wonder if it's the same story just recycled:
http://www.muslimuzbekistan.com/eng/ennews/2002/04/ennews13042002_2.html
---
April 12, 2002
By Khalmuhammed Sabirov and Miassar Umarova in the Fergana valley
IWPR
The birth of a lamb early this spring in the Ferghana with holy
inscriptions emblazoned on its flanks, is being hailed as a miracle,
attracting thousands of devout Muslims from the Central Asian nations
that abut the fertile valley.
The lamb, born in the village of Durmen in the Akhunbabaev region of
Uzbekistan, has a black fleece with white spots, which look like the
Arabic for Allah on one side and Mohammed on the other. Many believers
consider this "holy" lamb to be a symbol sent by God, heralding the day
of reckoning.
Pilgrims have flocked to the village from all over the Fergana valley,
as well as from other regions of Uzbekistan and neighbouring countries
since the miracle was reported on the local Margilan TV station. Muslims
have come from as far away as Turkey, China and Arabic countries in
order to see the lamb, touch it, make donations and pray to Allah.
Neighbours of the lamb's owner Khudoiberdy Ochilov, 40, say he has
already made a large amount of money out of the lamb - they say the
daily income from visitors is over 300,000 sum (200 US dollars). One
foreign pilgrim is said to have offered to buy the animal for 8 million
sum (almost 5,500 dollars).
Ochilov is in no hurry to part with his "golden lamb". He has built a
small enclosure with a low fence for the convenience of visitors.
He describes the birth of the lamb with its holy inscriptions as a gift
from God. There are few inhabitants of the Fergana valley - social
activists, scientists and the imams from mosques included - who would
disagree with him.
"It is the will of Allah, Allah himself gave Khudoiberdi this joy," said
the chairman of the Durmen village council, Abdulla Akhmedov. "It was
meant to be."
The clergy at the local mosque have no explanation for the phenomenon
other than to agree with the public's view that it is the will of God.
"I've seen the lamb. It's simply a miracle, a sign from above," said
Imam Sultan Mohammedkhon Umarov.
Only the radical Islamic organisation Hizb-ut-Tahrir, which is banned in
Uzbekistan, challenges the view that the lamb is blessed. In its
opinion, elevating a humble animal to such heights contradicts the
central tenets of Islam. "It is not the lamb that is holy, but he who
created it - we should worship Allah not the animal," said a member of
the organisation.
The authorities in the Fergana valley, traditionally the most religious
area of Uzbekistan, are not trying to stop the cult status growing up
around the miracle lamb.
The area has been facing growing problems - unemployment, a fall in
living standards and the repression of Islamic groups such as
Hizb-ut-Tahrir - and the authorities would clearly prefer the locals
worship an innocent lamb than become involved in more dangerous areas of
religious extremism.
In the eyes of the locals, who are tired of their problems, the animal
signals a hope that Allah has touched their homeland and happiness and
prosperity will follow its birth.
It has already improved the material circumstances of many in the
Fergana valley. Enterprising people have started to sell photographs and
postcards bearing the image of the lamb. And new bus routes have even
been introduced to service the pilgrims from various locations in the
valley. Their names are simple enough: "Kokand-Lamb", "Kuva-Lamb",
"Shakhrikhan-Lamb".
---
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Men become civilized not in their willingness to believe, but in
proportion to their readiness to doubt." - H. L. Mencken
.
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| User: "Robibnikoff" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Hordes flocking to 'miracle' lamb |
02 Apr 2004 08:48:02 AM |
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In article <jhachm-FA36FA.23323001042004@news-60.giganews.com>, johac says...
In article <XqCac.277$H4.33@www.newsranger.com>,
Robibnikoff <nospam@newsranger.com> wrote:
In article <fmpl60hdoffjb0ra7448s6mu9icjn1vs0k@4ax.com>, Elroy Willis says...
W. Syme <Winston.Syme.superstitions@fastmail.fm> wrote in alt.atheism
Elroy Willis <elo@airmail.net> had the following opinion:
Atrash is supposed to have told Reuters the timing was "Clear evidence
of God's existence."
Wow, just wow. TQOTM for sure.
The whole story, or just the above sentence?
Is it just me or was this sheep born sometime LAST year too? This is
definitely
not the first time I've read about something like this. Hmmmmmm....
I recall reading something like that happening in Uzbekistan about two
years ago or so. I wonder if it's the same story just recycled:
http://www.muslimuzbekistan.com/eng/ennews/2002/04/ennews13042002_2.html
Ha! I thought so. Strange sheep they have out there ;)
Robyn
Resident Witchypoo & EAC Spellcaster
#1557
.
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| User: "Elroy Willis" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Hordes flocking to 'miracle' lamb |
02 Apr 2004 09:30:48 AM |
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Robibnikoff <nospam@newsranger.com> wrote in alt.atheism
johac says...
Robibnikoff <nospam@newsranger.com> wrote:
Is it just me or was this sheep born sometime LAST year too? This is
definitely
not the first time I've read about something like this. Hmmmmmm....
I recall reading something like that happening in Uzbekistan about two
years ago or so. I wonder if it's the same story just recycled:
http://www.muslimuzbekistan.com/eng/ennews/2002/04/ennews13042002_2.html
Ha! I thought so. Strange sheep they have out there ;)
How can such superstitious pattern-matching be discouraged if so
many people keep flocking to the sites to catch a glimpse for
themselves? I don't know if it can, do you?
Since the pattern-matching gene is obviously so prevalent to
most people, it seems the only logical alternative is to take
advantage of it somehow, eh?
For money or for tourism or for personal fame, or just for getting
along and surviving each day... those are what you have to decide
on...
The miracle lamb and red heifer stories are just too much for me
to swallow, though, and I can only manage to make fun of them,
instead of taking them seriously.
--
Elroy Willis
EAP Chief Editor and Newshound
http://web2.airmail.net/~elo/news
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| User: "johac" |
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| Title: Re: In the News: Hordes flocking to 'miracle' lamb |
03 Apr 2004 02:30:34 AM |
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In article <k51r60p7o8hhnf030e1eg57pa6vd7dvu0c@4ax.com>,
Elroy Willis <elo@airmail.net> wrote:
Robibnikoff <nospam@newsranger.com> wrote in alt.atheism
johac says...
Robibnikoff <nospam@newsranger.com> wrote:
Is it just me or was this sheep born sometime LAST year too? This is
definitely
not the first time I've read about something like this. Hmmmmmm....
I recall reading something like that happening in Uzbekistan about two
years ago or so. I wonder if it's the same story just recycled:
http://www.muslimuzbekistan.com/eng/ennews/2002/04/ennews13042002_2.html
Ha! I thought so. Strange sheep they have out there ;)
How can such superstitious pattern-matching be discouraged if so
many people keep flocking to the sites to catch a glimpse for
themselves? I don't know if it can, do you?
Since the pattern-matching gene is obviously so prevalent to
most people, it seems the only logical alternative is to take
advantage of it somehow, eh?
P. T. Barnum would have approved of these guys.
For money or for tourism or for personal fame, or just for getting
along and surviving each day... those are what you have to decide
on...
The miracle lamb and red heifer stories are just too much for me
to swallow, though, and I can only manage to make fun of them,
instead of taking them seriously.
People are always looking for 'signs and wonders' to bolster their shaky
faith.
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Men become civilized not in their willingness to believe, but in
proportion to their readiness to doubt." - H. L. Mencken
.
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