A Unique Structure Discovered in the City of David – The Only One of Its Kind Found in Jerusalem, Used for Ritual Practices, During the Time of the First Temple

Amazing stuff! Religion and wine, what a combination made in heaven! 😊

From the abstract:

"This paper presents the finds retrieved from a unique series of rock-cut rooms found on the eastern slope of the City of David. These rock-cut rooms stand out in terms of their architectural features, as well as the artifacts discovered within them, all of which reflect on their function as a cultic complex, likely constructed in the Middle Bronze Age, with its final stage in Iron Age IIB. This complex offers profound evidence for the diversity of cultic practices in the capital of the Kingdom of Judah."

A New Study Determines: A Unique Structure Discovered in the City of David – The Only One of Its Kind Found in Jerusalem, Used for Ritual Practices, During the Time of the First Temple "A unique structure, uncovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority on the eastern slope of the City of David, within the Jerusalem Walls National Park, features eight rock-hewn rooms containing an altar, a standing stone (masseba), an oil press, and a winepress. In a new article published in the scientific journal ‘Atiqot, excavation director Eli Shukron suggests that the structure was used by the residents of Judah for cultic/religious practice."

Credits: Researchers Uncover Ancient Worship Site Near First Temple in Jerusalem

Evidence of Worship in the Rock-Cut Rooms on the Eastern Slope of the City of David, Jerusalem (open access)

An oil press and a winepress nearby: used for producing small quantities of oil and wine for ritual purposes.

Proposed reconstruction of the ritual structure

Perhaps, the worst ever mistake of Christianity

Caution: Food for thought! No offense to Christian believers or any Christian church intended.

The mistake: To make Christ/Jesus into a god or god's son. This mistake was all too human. Or how to make one religion stand out from others. This mistake is also known as anthropomorphism.

The two other Abrahamic religions did not make this mistake. The latecomer, Islam could have even opted to follow or copy the Christian example, but Islam did not.

Jesus famously said one of you will betray me. Actually, all Christians may have betrayed him ever since in my opinion.

One may speculate, had the humble prophet Jesus foreseen he would become a god after death, he might have chosen to disappear without a trace.

No human (or animal) can probably ever become a God who created the universe and all live in it. Or how many sons and daughters does God possibly have all over the universe? 

Are we all made in the image of god (imago dei), hopefully not. E.g. I can not and will never believe that e.g. Hitler or Stalin and their henchmen were made in the image of god rather than in the image of the devil.

Does God even need sons and daughters? I don't thinks so.

P.S. I believe, I am myself a deeply religious person as probably my blog can attest to. I do respect all major religions. Can we all get along in peace and harmony please!

P.S. I am not and I do not claim to be an expert on religion or the history of religions.

Over 130 dead in Pakistan sectarian clashes between Shiite and Sunni Muslims

The Ten Commandments also apply to Muslims! These are all sinners of the worst kind!

What is the significance of the Jewish New Year 5785

For the Jews, the New Year 5785 has just began!

Will Christianity ever reach this year?

For the Muslims it is only the year 1446! Too many Arabs/Muslims are too hateful, suicidal, and seeking martyrdom! If they continue on this path, I seriously doubt they will ever reach the year 5785.

Which of these three Abrahamic religions has been more successful to advance humanity? Of course, the religion of be a 'Mensch'!

Then there are many newer phony and pseudo religions like climate change! Their lifespan can be measured in in years or decades!

Steps where Jesus said to heal a blind man unearthed in Jerusalem

Amazing stuff!

"Steps were uncovered at the Ancient Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem, which haven't been seen in over 2,000 years, reports said on Thursday. ...
This was as the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel National Parks Authority and the City of David Foundation announced earlier this year that the Ancient Pool of Siloam would be open to the public for the first time in 2,000 years. Until recently, only a small section of the location has been completely excavated and this is accessible to the public. The site was at one point 1.25 acres, according to the Times report. It is expected that more of the site will become accessible over time as more areas will be unearthed, as the site holds importance to both Christians and Jews ...
The Pool of Siloam was built approximately 2,700 years ago, Fox News reported. It was used as part of Jerusalem's water system. ..."

Steps where Jesus said to heal a blind man unearthed in Jerusalem - The Jerusalem Post The discovery was made by archaeologists during excavation work on the Pool of Siloam. Approximately eight steps were unearthed.

Steps where Jesus walked and healed a blind man unearthed for first time in 2,000 years New archeological discovery unearths steps into the Pool of Siloam

Abrahamic Religions Each Share Their Own Decalogue

I did not have time to read the whole article, but nobody should underestimate the immense and paramount importance of the Ten Commandments in the history of human civilization!

These Ten Commandments plus some other attempts of ancient civilizations at codification and the rule of law (e.g. Code of Hammurabi, Edicts of Ashoka) are some of the central tenets of human civilization! Without them we would still be more like the great apes!

Abrahamic Religions Each Share Their Own Decalogue – OpEd – Eurasia Review