Saba Religion

**Teleklos Archelaou** · 10-19-2007, 04:47

I think we'd rather rely on archaeology and south arabian inscriptions and what they have to tell us about their religion. Stories about the queen of Sheba, related by hoopoe birds to king Solomon, are not quite as reliable in most of our opinion. (though if any team members disagree they are welcome to say so here

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**tapanojum** · 10-19-2007, 05:02

She was a Buddist Monk!

**Ozymandias** · 10-19-2007, 05:15

Oh, ok.

**Megas Methuselah** · 10-19-2007, 06:37

Dang... I think the witch/"queen" should burn at the stake.

**Mouzafphaerre** · 10-19-2007, 07:09

Originally Posted by Teleklos Archelaou

I think we'd rather rely on archaeology and south arabian inscriptions and what they have to tell us about their religion. Stories about the queen of Sheba, related by hoopoe birds to king Solomon, are not quite as reliable in most of our opinion. (though if any team members disagree they are welcome to say so here

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There's no problem in using positively available data, on the contrary it's the better way to go whenever possible. However, while talking about a story that's essential to some of the greatest religions, such expressions may sound, or transmit as derogatory and pejorative.

The right not to believe does not include humiliating believers.

Oh, I'm not meaning that you're humiliating Teleklos! But I know many trolls at these very ORG fora that qualify.

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**Teleklos Archelaou** · 10-19-2007, 07:13

Well, we aren't justifying or confirming or denying the importance or validity of religion or religious beliefs of modern day individuals, just putting forth some of the main criteria we use in assessing ancient south arabian religious practices. What I said does seem pretty accurate in regards to that.

**Mouzafphaerre** · 10-19-2007, 08:35

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That's all OK. I was referring particularly to the hoopoe birds part.

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**Teleklos Archelaou** · 10-19-2007, 14:28

I didn't make the bird part up. That's in the Koran and might be in the Targum. Solomon tells a hoopoe bird to tell him about the queen and that's where he gets the 411.

Just search 'hoopoe solomon' and you'll find it. Here's a nice pic of the queen and bird chatting:
http://artscenecal.com/ArtistsFiles/...nOfSheba3.html

**Mouzafphaerre** · 10-21-2007, 04:23

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I know the story pretty well. Actually...

Never mind, I failed to make my point clear enough. Let's move on for Almakah's sake.

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**Jaywalker-Jack** · 10-21-2007, 15:11

At the time Semitic religions were not as rigid as they would later become. Before the Hebrews became truely monotheistic they worshipped (or at least accepted the existance and validity of) other Semitic gods, such as Baal, together with Yahweh. If the queen of Sheba adopted Yahweh as her primary deity it would not have meant a huge doctrinal change for her people or indeed for her.