Post by Ophiuchus on Mar 16, 2014 13:18:56 GMT -6
This may turn into a rant...
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, a people who I owe much of my own heritage. Born in 5th century Britain of Romano-British heritage he is most noted for his expeditions to the Emerald Isle with mission of conversion. He famously over came regional adversity, and with steadfast commitment began the christening of Ireland. Many legends surround this "hero" but one it particular I wish to address here.
Legend has it (traditionally, lets leave science and symbolism for later in this thread) upon his return to Ireland Patrick was fasting for 40 days on a beautiful hilltop where he was attacked by serpents. This began a "noble" crusade to drive all the snakes from the island. In an overview it is typically recalled he drove them into the sea through the power of God and his unwavering faith. One story speaks of a particularly stubborn snake who refused to obey. The snake was not intimidated by the Saint or his deity, so clever Patrick devised a cunning plan. He constructed a box, and invited the scaly antagonist into it. The snake resisted, it insisted the box was to small for he was a impressive and large snake. This disagreement led to an argument between priest and serpent, finally the snake agreed to enter the box if only to prove it was to small. Of course our hero St. Pat shut the deceived creature in and chucked the box into the cold northern sea.
For starters let take his story at face value. Christians have a long history of villainizing snakes, I suppose this goes back to the Garden of Eden and the temptation of Eve. The religion needed a material whipping boy I suppose, so why not find a distinctively alien looking reptile, cold, legless and with a bite that can cause sickness and death. Patrick who is apparently a parseltongue,( he speaks to snakes like Harry Potter) would clearly see a benefit of clearing these devious tempters off this island he wishes to "save". For those who know me you can probably predict my dismay, I'm a bit of an ophiophilist, I absolutely adore snakes, in fact adore may even be an understatement, perhaps revere is more appropriate. So I ask why, why would a man of God destroy a creature of their own creators making? Possibly turn an eco system on its head, not to mention the entire enterprise stinks of animal cruelty.
Oh but wait! Science is on the scene. No snakes where present upon Patrick's arrival to Ireland. In fact no snakes appear anywhere in the fossil records of the island at all., at least since the glaciation of northern Europe.
So what did he do? Why only incite a large scale extirpation of the indigenous religions! Christianity doesn't spread itself, By this time most of southern Europe was converted along with many other cultures. The snake it is said is merely symbolic of the Druids and other pagan practitioner of St. Patrick's time. They didn't go down with out a fight and Patrick himself didn't have the luxury of witnessing the populace of Ireland bend before the yolk christendom, but he did start the movement and is credited by those who followed. The proud pagans of Ireland resisted St. Patrick as they did the Roman attempts at suppression that proceeded him. In some areas pagan practices are known to have persisted until the 7th century, and some say later than that.
So who are you celebrating on March 17th? An oppressor, a red handed religious usurper, a hypocrite, and a possible murder. So think twice before you put on that green. A movement is need here to stop the celebration of these awful historical figures, propagated by lies, attributed with heroic feats that never where. Tyrant bullies with greed and lust in there hearts seeking power and subjugation over the free and different.
Wear black this St. Patrick's day, for the "snakes" who wanted nothing more than to worship their own gods.
Thank you,
Ophiuchus
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, a people who I owe much of my own heritage. Born in 5th century Britain of Romano-British heritage he is most noted for his expeditions to the Emerald Isle with mission of conversion. He famously over came regional adversity, and with steadfast commitment began the christening of Ireland. Many legends surround this "hero" but one it particular I wish to address here.
Legend has it (traditionally, lets leave science and symbolism for later in this thread) upon his return to Ireland Patrick was fasting for 40 days on a beautiful hilltop where he was attacked by serpents. This began a "noble" crusade to drive all the snakes from the island. In an overview it is typically recalled he drove them into the sea through the power of God and his unwavering faith. One story speaks of a particularly stubborn snake who refused to obey. The snake was not intimidated by the Saint or his deity, so clever Patrick devised a cunning plan. He constructed a box, and invited the scaly antagonist into it. The snake resisted, it insisted the box was to small for he was a impressive and large snake. This disagreement led to an argument between priest and serpent, finally the snake agreed to enter the box if only to prove it was to small. Of course our hero St. Pat shut the deceived creature in and chucked the box into the cold northern sea.
For starters let take his story at face value. Christians have a long history of villainizing snakes, I suppose this goes back to the Garden of Eden and the temptation of Eve. The religion needed a material whipping boy I suppose, so why not find a distinctively alien looking reptile, cold, legless and with a bite that can cause sickness and death. Patrick who is apparently a parseltongue,( he speaks to snakes like Harry Potter) would clearly see a benefit of clearing these devious tempters off this island he wishes to "save". For those who know me you can probably predict my dismay, I'm a bit of an ophiophilist, I absolutely adore snakes, in fact adore may even be an understatement, perhaps revere is more appropriate. So I ask why, why would a man of God destroy a creature of their own creators making? Possibly turn an eco system on its head, not to mention the entire enterprise stinks of animal cruelty.
Oh but wait! Science is on the scene. No snakes where present upon Patrick's arrival to Ireland. In fact no snakes appear anywhere in the fossil records of the island at all., at least since the glaciation of northern Europe.
So what did he do? Why only incite a large scale extirpation of the indigenous religions! Christianity doesn't spread itself, By this time most of southern Europe was converted along with many other cultures. The snake it is said is merely symbolic of the Druids and other pagan practitioner of St. Patrick's time. They didn't go down with out a fight and Patrick himself didn't have the luxury of witnessing the populace of Ireland bend before the yolk christendom, but he did start the movement and is credited by those who followed. The proud pagans of Ireland resisted St. Patrick as they did the Roman attempts at suppression that proceeded him. In some areas pagan practices are known to have persisted until the 7th century, and some say later than that.
So who are you celebrating on March 17th? An oppressor, a red handed religious usurper, a hypocrite, and a possible murder. So think twice before you put on that green. A movement is need here to stop the celebration of these awful historical figures, propagated by lies, attributed with heroic feats that never where. Tyrant bullies with greed and lust in there hearts seeking power and subjugation over the free and different.
Wear black this St. Patrick's day, for the "snakes" who wanted nothing more than to worship their own gods.
Thank you,
Ophiuchus
