Is there an intimate connection between the concepts of heroism and human sacrifice?

[howard112211]

Think about it: Who gets the most praise in America? Soldiers, right before they are sent to the front lines to get slaughtered, are probably number one. Then there are historical people like Martin Luther King, or mythical people like Jesus of Narzareth.

There seems to be a pattern there. I think, even in ancient cultures the practice was the same: A person gets singled out, gets praised, gets offered all the good stuff society has to offer, and then is cast into the volcano to please the gods.

I am caucious about it, whenever someone gets placed onto a pedestal. It might be that this person is just being prepared as a sacrificial lamb.

It's almost like we need individuals who we can project all our hopes or fears onto. And more than often these individuals end up dying a violent death.

[DonCoquixote]

1. Bingo

Truth be told, we are still savage, and the ones who act the most "modern" are the ones who are often the most barbaric. Take a look at both Russia and America during the 50's, how many young did both nations offer to appease their philosophies, hopes, fears and appetites, which after all, is all any God ever is.

[Bonobo]

2. Sacrifice = to make sacred

Giving the blood of heroes to the GODS.

[leveymg]

3. This is the "mimetic scapegoating" that Rene Girard, an anthropologist, has identified

Take a closer look:

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1.
René Girard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This organization also organizes a yearly conference devoted to topics related to mimetic theory, scapegoating, violence, and religion. René Girard is ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/René_Girard - Cached - Similar
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RENE GIRARD'S THEORY OF VIOLENCE, RELIGION AND THE SCAPEGOAT
Such studies provide support for Girard's theory of mimetic conflict and sacrifice in that they ..... "Rene Girard on Job: the Question of the Scapegoat. ...
www.jeramyt.org/papers/girard.html - Cached - Similar
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Rene Girard - Mimetic Rivalry and the Scapegoat - Ridley Melbourne ...
I'm currently reading as much as I can about Rene Girard's theory of mimetic rivalry and the scapegoat mechanism. I came across it in our leadership and ...
www.ridley.edu.au/.../rene-girard-mimetic-rivalry-and-the-scapegoat/ - Cached
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Touchstone Archives: Violence & the Lamb Slain
Rene Girard is both one of the twentieth century's most prominent ... While mimetic violence divides each against each, scapegoating violence unites all ...
www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-10... - Cached - Similar