Religious roots of trees branch into many faiths

[rug]

The Episcopal Church Center of Utah.

By Lisa Schencker| Religion News Service, Updated: Friday, July 27, 2:41 PM

SALT LAKE CITY — Whether churchgoers realize it or not, the trees in their churchyards have religious roots.

Those tall, thin-branched trees on the corner of this city’s , Purple Robe Black Locusts, were probably named after a biblical reference to John the Baptist eating locusts and honey.

Nearby, the crab apple tree just outside the Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Mark produces a small, sour fruit used by 15th-century monks to treat diarrhea, dysentery and gallstones.

And the flowers of a nearby dogwood tend to bloom around Easter.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/religious-roots-of-trees-branch-into-many-faiths/2012/07/27/gJQAqplDEX_story.html

[dimbear]

1. Since you mention Utah, you remind me of the miracle of the crickets, and the details on insects:

Clean and Unclean Flying Insects

20 “All winged insects that walk on all fours are to be detestable to you. 21 But you may eat these kinds of all the winged insects that walk on all fours: those that have jointed legs above their feet for hopping on the ground. 22 You may eat these:
any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, and grasshopper.
23 All other winged insects that have four feet are to be detestable to you.

Leviticus, of course, as we all know.

Scoffers remark that insects have 6 legs. Just details.

[rug]

2. I prefer Luke.

Luke 12

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

[dimbear]

3. One wonders why He chose to mention ravens, intelligent birds but of poor character.

It would have been so useful to Mormonism if He had gone for seagulls, but I'm afraid they're unknown in the Bible.


edit: make that practically unknown in the Bible.

[rug]

4. Maybe it speaks directly to readers who are intelligent but of poor character.