Taomeow Posted Monday at 11:16 PM 24 minutes ago, Nungali said: EH ???? Ergo ( to me ) it (anti-Semitism) means any one that shows anti ..... anything ..... to all of them . When a Jew is persecuting an Arab, that is anti-Semitism . And I certainly see there is such a thing as that - on both sides ... which is weird as as far as human relationships go , both groups are virtually siblings ! ( yeah, I know, I am weird ) Ethnically, culturally and religiously Russians and Ukrainians are way closer than Arabs and Israelis... doesn't mean a thing in political conflicts. Much less in political conflicts created by third party players. Reinterpreting the term "antisemitism" the way you do doesn't seem justified to me at all, but, yes, better not to go there in the light of a ban on current events discussions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted Tuesday at 12:08 AM Indeed ! I suppose the 'real' first 'original sin' (in the story ) was when one brother murdered the other . So much for 'family' ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taomeow Posted Tuesday at 12:42 AM (edited) 33 minutes ago, Nungali said: Indeed ! I suppose the 'real' first 'original sin' (in the story ) was when one brother murdered the other . So much for 'family' ! That one was indeed the origin of all conflicts, but not so much because they were brothers as because Cain was a sedentary farmer cultivating grain crops -- the new lifestyle -- while Abel was a nomadic shepherd raising livestock, a traditionalist. Their father, obviously also a traditionalist, preferred shish kabob to flatbread... which is why he favored Abel, which is why Cain murdered him. And so it went from that time on. I have always maintained that sedentary grain agriculture is the root of all our troubles. Edited Tuesday at 12:42 AM by Taomeow 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanity Check Posted Tuesday at 06:19 AM 5 hours ago, Taomeow said: That one was indeed the origin of all conflicts, but not so much because they were brothers as because Cain was a sedentary farmer cultivating grain crops -- the new lifestyle -- while Abel was a nomadic shepherd raising livestock, a traditionalist. Their father, obviously also a traditionalist, preferred shish kabob to flatbread... which is why he favored Abel, which is why Cain murdered him. And so it went from that time on. I have always maintained that sedentary grain agriculture is the root of all our troubles. Cain being a farmer & laborer, was physically powerful. While Abel's shepherd lifestyle led to him being weaker and less athletic. What lifestyle do large and physically powerful men have? They often become bullies oppressing weaker men around them. Murdering thy brother is an oppressive bully move Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taomeow Posted Tuesday at 05:54 PM 11 hours ago, Sanity Check said: Cain being a farmer & laborer, was physically powerful. While Abel's shepherd lifestyle led to him being weaker and less athletic. What lifestyle do large and physically powerful men have? They often become bullies oppressing weaker men around them. Murdering thy brother is an oppressive bully move Who knows. I haven't read that story in a very long time so I may be missing out on some details, but don't think it was about physical strength. Especially considering shepherds, with their constant low-intensity high-diversity physical activity, such as walking long distances on steep uneven paths, are notorious for their stamina, have great cardiovascular health and longer lifespans than do people who work in the fields, whose toil is often backbreaking and involves repetitive monotonous movements. To say nothing of their respective diets. If it was a fair fight rather than a cold-blooded murder of the unsuspecting brother, who knows what the outcome would have been. Cowboys usually prevailed over everybody else in a fight, at least according to Hollywood. )) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanity Check Posted Wednesday at 12:15 AM 5 hours ago, Taomeow said: Who knows. I haven't read that story in a very long time so I may be missing out on some details, but don't think it was about physical strength. Especially considering shepherds, with their constant low-intensity high-diversity physical activity, such as walking long distances on steep uneven paths, are notorious for their stamina, have great cardiovascular health and longer lifespans than do people who work in the fields, whose toil is often backbreaking and involves repetitive monotonous movements. To say nothing of their respective diets. If it was a fair fight rather than a cold-blooded murder of the unsuspecting brother, who knows what the outcome would have been. Cowboys usually prevailed over everybody else in a fight, at least according to Hollywood. )) In wrestling, combat sports and the UFC, there is something known as "farmer strength". There are men and women who grew up working on farms, who are acknowledged as freaks in terms of strength, athleticism and endurance. The bible mentions the brothers of King David being bigger and presumably stronger than him. Which indicates the role of shepherd was not best filled by the biggest or most athletically gifted member of a tribe. It has also been claimed Alexander the Great and many other conquerors were sons of farmers. When Cain's sacrifices are not respected, it could be an indication branches of farming were not unlike a mark of Cain. They would lead to a rise of conquerors and assorted bullies whose achievements and path of bloodshed would not produce much benefit to humanity. Like you said there is also the issue of grain. Which may have led to overpopulation, mass species extinction and other crisis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites