Odd Religious Architecture

[Harel13]

I do not see any reason to condemn Swastika for what Hitler did.

If it helps, the swastika is condemned in Judaism for a number of reasons:
1. Like all pagan symbols, it's not allowed.
2. When the cross became a Christian symbol, it became problematic to draw or use crosses (again because of the paganism problem).
3. Hitler, the Holocaust, etc (No need to explain that one).

 

[Aupmanyav]

If it helps, the swastika is condemned in Judaism for a number of reasons:

But in many ancient synagogues, you find Swastika.
Where in the World: Israel - Pro-Swastika

 

[Harel13]

But in many ancient synagogues, you find Swastika.
Where in the World: Israel - Pro-Swastika

Interesting. Most of these pictures are from non-jewish buildings, so they don't count to your question. In regards to the other buildings, I would say that they were probably built before Jews knew that the Swastika is a pagan symbol and before the cross became a widespread Christian symbol.

 

[Native]

If it helps, the swastika is condemned in Judaism for a number of reasons:
1. Like all pagan symbols, it's not allowed.
2. When the cross became a Christian symbol, it became problematic to draw or use crosses (again because of the paganism problem).
3. Hitler, the Holocaust, etc (No need to explain that one).

Doesn´t the "paganism problem" in Judaism and Christianity derive from the prohibition of worshipping images in general?

Many ancient/pagan images and symbols is in large are connected to the Stories of Creation and its astronomical and cosmological contents. Unfortunately the prohibition of worshipping ancient images and symbols lead to a loss of the astronomical and cosmological knowledge and the religious content became dogmatic and personalized.

The ancient/pagan Swastika symbol represents IMO the galactic swirling motion in especially the swirling barred galaxies as seen here.

 

[Harel13]

Doesn´t the "paganism problem" in Judaism and Christianity derive from the prohibition of worshipping images in general?

Within that prohibition is the prohibition of making idols and idolatrous images/symbols, even if you don't worship them. So for example, a Jew couldn't make a living from making and selling idols.

 

[Aupmanyav]

In regards to the other buildings, I would say that they were probably built before Jews knew that the Swastika is a pagan symbol and before the cross became a widespread Christian symbol.

I would say that ancient Jews used Swastika as a decoration and had no problem with it. Hating Swastika came after the Nazis, which is understandable. But Hitler is in the dustbin of history. Jews need to realize, and some do, at least those who were in India since King Solomon's time, that Swastika in East means welfare of people. To us, it does not make any difference since, both, the Swastika and the Seal of Solomon are considered auspicious.

"The Malabar component of the Cochin Jews, according to Shalva Weil, claim to have arrived in India together with the Hebrew King Solomon's merchants. The Cochin Jews settled down in Kerala as traders. The fair-complexioned component is of European-Jewish descent, both Ashkenazi and Sephardi." History of the Jews in India - Wikipedia

Cochin synagogue on right, living happily and peacefully together for more than of 2,000 years and never blimp. Visited the place last year.

"Indian rulers granted the Jewish leader Joseph Rabban the rank of prince over the Jews of Cochin, giving him the rulership and tax revenue of a pocket principality in Anjuvannam near Cranganore, and rights to seventy-two "free houses". The Hindu king gave permission in perpetuity (or, in the more poetic expression of those days, "as long as the sun and moon exist") for Jews to live freely, build synagogues, and own property "without conditions attached"." Cochin Jews - Wikipedia

Is not the hexagram and the Star of David a pagan symbol?

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Forget about Hitler, Christine, He is dead and gone. The anti-clock Swastika is Buddhist and in Hinduism it symbolizes Tantra. Swastika was not Hitler's, he violated it. It belongs to pagans and is revered.

Regardless, the Nazi's ruined the symbol with their hijacking of it.

Due to their hijacking of it, most people, especially in "the west", will instantly connect it with nazism rather then anything else.

To be honest with you, I even have the same with the german language.
My first introduction to german, was seeing speeches of the little mustache dude screaming it.

Now when I hear German, I hear Hitler.

The guy ruined the language for me.
Just like he ruined the swastika.

I'm aware of it though, so I don't hold it against german speaking folk OR swastika wearing folks (if they were it for the right reasons, off course).

But I can't help it...
I see the swastika, I think nazi.
I hear german, I think hitler.

It's an engrained association, very hard to get away from.

 

[Harel13]

Jews need to realize

No, I don't think so. But that's a whole 'nother topic.

You got me with the Cochin synagogues. What I first wrote is what I was taught all my life. Still, now I wonder why the Cochin Jews thought it was okay to use a pagan symbol in their synagogues.

 

[Aupmanyav]

The synagogue does not have the Swastika symbol, it is the Hindu neighbor on the left. I mentioned 'Synagogue on the right'.

It's an ingrained association, very hard to get away from.

I understand, but don't hold it against Germany or Hindus and the people of the East. Time to move ahead.

 

[ChristineM]

I have just been reminded of this by hubby

Some years ago just after we began looking for property in mainland Europe we viewed a house the loire valley.

To reach the house you had to pass through the entrance to the land which was a 2000 year old Roman archway and cross over a small river by a Roman bridge. The archway was plain, stone as was the bridge.

But cross the bridge and turn immediately left, look at the side of the bridge you see a weathered carving of Mithra wrestling a bull. Turn right took it the other side of the bridge was a more weathered (north facing) carving of Minerva

So not on a religious buildings but old carvings of Roman gods which no doubt had a deeply religious meaning to the original land owner

 

[Aupmanyav]

The Indian Mitra (Sun God), Goddess Aditi's son, never fought a bull. They were known as Adityas in Vedic mythology, initially eight but later their number increased to ten and then twelve.The Vedic Chief of Gods, Indra was many a times referred to as a bull.

 

[Harel13]

The Indian Mitra (Sun God), Goddess Aditi's son, never fought a bull

See Mithra - Wikipedia, Mithraism - Wikipedia
As opposed to Mitra - Wikipedia

 

[Aupmanyav]

Yeah, mythologies undergo changes over miles and millenniums.

 

[ChristineM]

The Indian Mitra (Sun God), Goddess Aditi's son, never fought a bull. They were known as Adityas in Vedic mythology, initially eight but later their number increased to ten and then twelve.The Vedic Chief of Gods, Indra was many a times referred to as a bull.

Mithra was a Zoroastrian sun god, adopted by Rome as a god of loyalty to the emperor, reaching cult status in the roman military.

I am assuming the builder of the archway and bridge was either someone big in the Roman military, maybe a quaestor or a centurion who took his severance pay in Gaulish land

 

[Revoltingest]

Traditional Revoltifarian sacred building...

It embodies what unifies all of mankind.

 

[ChristineM]

Traditional Revoltifarian sacred building...

It embodies what unifies all of mankind.

And the symbol on the door truly signifies its importance

 

[Jedster]

Within that prohibition is the prohibition of making idols and idolatrous images/symbols, even if you don't worship them. So for example, a Jew couldn't make a living from making and selling idols.

So Abraham ruined his father's business? (Oy gevalt!)

 

[Straw Dog]

As a deliveryman, I’ve seen a lot of odd architecture. I’ve visited many random churches and residences alike, each with their own history. When I get stressed, especially around this time of year, I remember to stop for myself and breathe in the atmosphere around me.

I’ve seen mansions with fountains and peculiar symbols. I’ve seen a hodgepodge of different cultural influences. I think that a symbol only has meaning within the particular context of its definition.

I met an Israelian baker downtown on a delivery I’ve made a few times and he gave me an authentic Sufganiyah. It was delicious. I conversed with him for a few minutes about life. Perhaps I could ask him his opinion on the symbol in question as I have no firm opinion in isolation. It all depends upon context..

 

[Aupmanyav]

Mithra was a Zoroastrian sun god, adopted by Rome as a god of loyalty to the emperor, reaching cult status in the roman military.

Not really. I would say Mithra was an Indo-Euroean \ Indo-Iranian God, adopted by many people. The Mittani and the Medes were not Zoroastrians, Zoroastrianism developed later. Hindus worship Mitra without being Zoroastrians.

"yamo mitraśca bhagavānīśvarau lokapūjitau l imaṃ me pratigrihṇītāṃ baliḥ mantrapuraskritam ll"
“O Yama and Mitra, the gods who are adored by all the worlds, accept this my best offering.”
Mitramantra, Mitra-mantra: 1 definition

 

[ChristineM]

Not really. I would say Mithra was an Indo-Euroean \ Indo-Iranian God, adopted by many people. The Mittani and the Medes were not Zoroastrians, Zoroastrianism developed later. Hindus worship Mitra without being Zoroastrians.

"yamo mitraśca bhagavānīśvarau lokapūjitau l imaṃ me pratigrihṇītāṃ baliḥ mantrapuraskritam ll"
“O Yama and Mitra, the gods who are adored by all the worlds, accept this my best offering.”
Mitramantra, Mitra-mantra: 1 definition

Mithraism, the worship of Mithra, the Iranian god of the sun, justice, contract, and war in pre-Zoroastrian Iran. Known as Mithras in the Roman Empire
Mithraism | Persian religion