Fire in Hinduism, Christianity, and Judaism

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Fire in Hinduism, Christianity, and Judaism

Fire has the capacity to burn everything, and that is why in Hinduism

it is can be described by the god Agni. Agni seems to be the creator

of everything: "It is Agni, who showers rain, has covered earth with

the sky; and O Agni! It is you, who are the creator of everything".

Then again Braham can be seen as being the fire in Hinduism, since he

is the Supreme Lord. Fire symbolizes the brilliance of the lord; it is

purifying; and it stands for effulgence and illumination. It is said

that "Braham is Jyotirmaya (full of light)." There exists the Vedic

fire ceremony performed by Hindus at all major events of life

including birth and coming of age ceremonies, weddings, and funerals,

as well as on all major religious holidays. Common to all branches of

Hinduism, the fire ceremony is very important in the lives of many

Hindus. The god Shiva is surrounded by a circle of firerepresenting

samsara, the endless cycle of death and re-birth. The dance of fire is

symbolic of the frenetic movement of the universe.

In Christianity, fire is used to move from evil to good. It is one of

the most expressive and most ancient of the liturgical symbols. The

sun as a principle of heat and light for the earth is a symbol of the

divinity that enlightens and warms humanity. The following is a prayer

relating God with fire: "Lord God, Almighty Father, inextinguishable

light, Who hast created all light, bless this light sanctified and

blessed by thee, Who has enlightened the whole world; make us

enlightened by the light and inflamed with the fire of Thy Brightness;

and as Thou didst enlighten Moses when he went out of Egypt, so

illuminate our hearts and senses that we may attain life and light

everlasting through Christ out Lord. Amen." (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06079a.htm)

God is always represented with fire, usually with a lit candle. Fire

is mentioned in the New Testament, in Luke 3:16, "John answered all of

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