The Holy Alligator

[Sepka]

A Holy Alligator, to join the Holy Carp and Holy Aubergine:<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2006-07/24446148.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><br>http://www.southflorida.com/news/chi-0607190265jul19,0,330718.story?coll=sfe-guide-headlines2<br>-Sepka the Space Weasel <p></p><i></i>

[yathrib]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/ ... car372.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--> <p></p><i></i>

[yathrib]

I posted the picture, but I can't seem to fix the link. Here it is:<br><br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1700465,00.html">www.guardian.co.uk/uk_new...65,00.html</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br><br><br>Sorry if you've seen this already. <p></p><i></i>

[4911]

thats some nice photoshop work <p></p><i></i>

[yathrib]

Pretty sure it's not photoshopped, although I wouldn't convert to Islam or make any other major life decisions on the basis of it, even if it could be proven 100% legit. <p></p><i></i>

[4911]

well no, like i took it as the "GOD" alligator being the christian answer to to the moslem "ALLAH" fish. Come on. Who art thou kiddingst? <p></p><i></i>

[Sepka]

I'm inclined to think that they're all real. For the faithful, such displays are unnecessary, for the unfaithful, they're just random events anyway. There's nothing to be gained by faking something like that, unless it's to sell it to the Golden Palace Casino (who make a practice of buying things like toasted cheese sandwiches with the image of Jesus on them). <br><br>This sort of thing seems to have been in the news far more than usual over the past year, though. It makes me wonder whether reporters are just on the lookout for this type of story now; whether people are more inclined to call the media when they see something like this; whether it really is happening more often; or some combination of the above.<br><br>-Sepka the Space Weasel <p></p><i></i>

[4911]

Why would god choose a reptile for his advertising? He certainly is laughing in satans snaky face.<br><br>Allah using a fish..hm...dont know much about Islam, did Mohammed place as much value on fish as Jesus did? <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p216.ezboard.com/brigorousintuition.showUserPublicProfile?gid=4911>4911</A> at: 7/21/06 5:34 am<br></i>

[Sepka]

Sorry - I meant that they're real in the sense of actually existing, rather than being image manipulations or hoaxes. I'm by no means convinced that this sort of thing represents any special occurence or miracle.<br><br>-Sepka the Space Weasel <p></p><i></i>

[4911]

like isnt the fish a symbol of christianity?<br><br>And isnt a reptile the christian symbol for satan? <p></p><i></i>

[Sepka]

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr> like isnt the fish a symbol of christianity?<br>And isnt a reptile the christian symbol for satan?<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>The fish is a symbol of Christianity dating from the first century AD. There's controversy as to exactly why. Wiki has a good discussion of this at <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_fish">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_fish</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br><br>I'm unaware of alligators in particular or reptiles in general having any special Christian significance. Snakes have often been used as the symbol of Satan, but have also seen lesser use as symbols of Christ or His followers, because of their habit of shedding their skins and thus being 'reborn'.<br><br>In general, though, so many different sects have used so many different symbols over the years that nothing would really surprise me. It's important as well to remember that symbols are chosen for their spiritual meaning to an individual or congregation, and have no inherent meaning apart from that assigned to them. Symbols need to be standardized only when they're to be used (as the fish once was) as part of a "secret language". Personal symbols of devotion can, and probably should, be all over the map, reflecting the psychology of that particular adherent.<br><br>-Sepka the Space Weasel<br><br>Editted for spelling. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p216.ezboard.com/brigorousintuition.showUserPublicProfile?gid=sepka>Sepka</A> at: 7/21/06 1:14 pm<br></i>

[Joe Hillshoist]

Fortean Times has hundred of photos of the leader looking like Lima beans, I mean Allahs name appearing in potatoes, bread toast, and Allah knows what else. Maybe not hundreds, but more than a few. <p></p><i></i>