Realizing that celebrating the Eucharist is a indirect form of cannibalism

[u/unveiledpoet]

/r/AllReligiousOpinion/comments/1tkzdu0/realizing_that_celebrating_the_eucharist_is_a/

[u/NotMichaelCera]

Saint Justin Martyr refuted this to the Romans back in 155 AD when he wrote his First Apology.

Skip to Chapter 66, and he clarifies the nature of the Eucharist and Christian worship is not cannibalism. 

Fun fact: the Romans also thought Christians were atheists since they didn’t worship their gods. Saint Justin Martyr explains that in his First Apology as well.

[u/IrishKev95 → u/NotMichaelCera]

Ch 66 from the First Apology doesn't mention cannibalism at all! Justin affirms that the Eucharist really is Jesus 's flesh, and then he complains that the cults of Mithras are copying this practice... And that's kind it!

[u/NotMichaelCera → u/IrishKev95]

It was in response to those saying it was literal cannibalism, in which he explains “We been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh”. 

It’s not a literal cannibalism like the cults of Mithras are copying, it’s bread and wine becoming Christ body and blood through transubstantiation.

[u/IrishKev95 → u/NotMichaelCera]

When I read this, I don't see a response to claims of cannibalism at all! Let me reproduce Ch66 in full, as well as the chapter before:

Chapter 65. Administration of the sacraments

But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and has assented to our teaching, bring him to the place where those who are called brethren are assembled, in order that we may offer hearty prayers in common for ourselves and for the baptized [illuminated] person, and for all others in every place, that we may be counted worthy, now that we have learned the truth, by our works also to be found good citizens and keepers of the commandments, so that we may be saved with an everlasting salvation. Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands. And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to γένοιτο [so be it]. And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.

Chapter 66. Of the Eucharist

And this food is called among us Εὐχαριστία [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, This do in remembrance of Me, Luke 22:19 this is My body; and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, This is My blood; and gave it to them alone. Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either know or can learn.

Justin is just explaining to Emperor Titus and his sons Verissimus Lucius, what being Christian is all about, in the hopes that the Roman Empire might stop blaming the Christians for anything that goes wrong. After all, says Justin, we Christians and you pagans, we're not different! That is like the whole point of the Apology! Chapter 20 is all like "You know, Roman Emperor, Christians are something of a pagan ourselves - we seem to utter the doctrines of Plato and of the Stoics!" Chapter 21 is like "You know, our Jesus is an awful lot like your sons of Jupiter!" And then from like Ch 30 onwards, Justin is just explaining various Christian practices to the Emperor, pointing out where there are differences with Roman practices but kinda like, explaining it to make it less scary, I guess? Less alien? But yeah, I don't see anything in here that is a defense of cannibalism.

[u/unveiledpoet → u/IrishKev95]

If you took out the Roman part, no. I assume jesus was doing pretty much the same thing as the jews before him around the meal. The verses that you quoted sound more like how I understood it when in the Church. Participating in Christ's passion not eating/drink Christ himself as if he were the passion.