Nepal Airline Sacrifices Two Goats To Sky God

Nepal Airline Sacrifices Goats Sky God - Culture, Family, Travel, Consumer Reviews - Posted: 7th Sep, 2007 - 3:08pm

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Faced with technical problems on an aging Boeing 757 aircraft, Nepal Airlines' representatives told local media the sacrifices were made to appease Akash Bhairab, the Hindu sky god
6th Sep, 2007 - 1:42pm / Post ID: #

Nepal Airline Sacrifices Two Goats To Sky God

It may seem unusual in our culture but this more common than we think. Sacrifices of this type are a common occurrence in some parts of the world but in an airline?

QUOTE
aced with technical problems on an aging Boeing 757 aircraft, Nepal Airlines' representatives told local media the sacrifices were made to appease Akash Bhairab, the Hindu sky god.

"The snag in the plane has now been fixed and the aircraft has resumed its flights," said Raju K.C., a senior airline official, without explaining what the problem had been.

Sacrificing goats may seem unusual, at least to Americans, one airline veteran said it's not outlandish in some cultures.

"It's not that unusual to see a sacrifice going on," said Capt. Robert Norris, a former United Airlines pilot of 30 years who has gone climbing in Nepal.

"We may say a small prayer ourselves when we take off. It's just a part of their culture," he said.
Ariel Glucklich, a professor of theology at Georgetown University, said that animal sacrifices go back to the beginnings of Hinduism.

The idea of sacrifice is you offer something valuable as a way of placating the god," said Glucklich. Still he said that kind of animal sacrifice by airline officials wouldn't be likely in India, another predominantly Hindu nation.

"The separation between religion and the state is a lot fuzzier in Nepal," said Glucklich. "I"m really stunned that airline officials would subscribe to that."

Not everyone agrees with that sentiment.

"It may be one of the most effective things they"ve done" to fix the planes, said John Adams, a visiting scholar at the University of Virginia who has flown on Nepal Airlines before.


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6th Sep, 2007 - 1:55pm / Post ID: #

God Sky Goats Sacrifices Airline Nepal

When you mix modern industrialization with tradition / religion then I have to wonder where they are heading. I hope they do not sprinkle goats blood on the plane to ward off spirits too.



6th Sep, 2007 - 2:40pm / Post ID: #

Nepal Airline Sacrifices Two Goats To Sky God Reviews Consumer & Travel Family Culture

When we have a new process start-up in Korea, there is what I call the "Pig Head" ceremony. This is where we bow and give a offering to this pig's head (yes, it is real a dead pig's head). This and other parts of the ceremony are supposed to give long life to the process. The offerings (money) is collected and there is a massive drinking party the day that the process starts up.



6th Sep, 2007 - 3:22pm / Post ID: #

God Sky Goats Sacrifices Airline Nepal

I guess the sacrifice would be disturbing to many here but to them it is no different them when we say a pray to bless our food each meal. I am just glad the found the actual mechanical problem. The only benefit to the sacrifice would be the self confidence and the putting at ease of the mechanics that did the work. Who knows maybe the frame of mind it put them in allowed them to fix it faster.

As to your comment about mixing technology with religion JB I think they do mix well. A relaxed mind that is at ease is one that can function better, and I believe that God does answer all prayers and is the master mechanic (He can guide the mechanic to the problem and show the person how best to fix it.). I do not want to debate validity of one religious belief over the next as that is a personal belief and is covered else where.



Reconcile Edited: krakyn on 6th Sep, 2007 - 3:29pm



6th Sep, 2007 - 6:21pm / Post ID: #

God Sky Goats Sacrifices Airline Nepal

QUOTE (Krakyn)
As to your comment about mixing technology with religion JB I think they do mix well.

I did not say technology, I said "modern industrialization". In other words, taking a commercial enterprise and applying religion to it. This Board is not about Religion, so I will not go in depth there, but my point is that this is a commercial airliner not a religious bus.

Rather off topic, but...
I do agree with technology applied to religion, we show it right here within this Community. We also have specific Threads about it in the General Religions Board.



7th Sep, 2007 - 1:23pm / Post ID: #

Nepal Airline Sacrifices Two Goats To Sky God

QUOTE
JB
taking a commercial enterprise and applying religion to it.


Perhaps I am unclear in my thoughts but I see this just meaning If I am a Christian then as the operator of a commercial business I will apply my values to it as well as my rituals. I agree doing so would look odd in todays world.

One example is a Christian School that is run privately though not a high technology that we are really referring to here.

I know of several manufacturers in town that are owned by strong Christian men but I do not think they pray or bless things in their day to day activities as a manufacturing practice. You have shown me an idea that bucks me deep down as wrong but I am struggling to place my finger on the why. The big reason I see to the why not is you look strange to most doing it and a result you may limit your cliental, which is never a great move, from a business sense.



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7th Sep, 2007 - 1:34pm / Post ID: #

Nepal Airline Sacrifices Goats Sky God

I personally would welcome the Christian values, but that is because I am Christian, but would your perception change if the values were Satanic? Supposed the ritual was to ensure all Canadian have bad luck? Do you get my point? Religion on a commercial airliner where people form all walks of life are going to board just does not tickle my bones.

Rather off topic, but...
You can see other evidence of the point I am trying to make by looking at one of the latest Threads in the Studies of Islam Board where they will not let you walk on with so much as a Bible on the plane - do you agree with that too?


We often will allow something if it is palatable to us, but if it goes against our beliefs then we will fight it. To avoid that and create a 'neutral' zone - leave religion out. The only thing I can see as a change to this is if you purposely advertise yourself as a 'x' religious business, but even there it is debatable.



7th Sep, 2007 - 3:08pm / Post ID: #

Nepal Airline Sacrifices Goats Sky God Culture Family Travel & Consumer Reviews

I see your concern now and why you suggest keep them separate. For me, I was too focused on it can be done. Overall the goal I was missing is a company should not create severe conflict by its practices, for best survival. I will have to pop by the tread you mentioned thanks.

Reconcile Edited: krakyn on 7th Sep, 2007 - 3:08pm



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