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Devil Worship: The Sacred Books and Traditions of the Yezidiz
Book
"This is one of the only public domain sources of information on the religious beliefs of the Yezidi, a small group originally from the northern region of Iraq. Although they speak Kurdish, they are a distinct population from the Kurds. The Yezidi are notable because they have been described as devil-worshippers, which has, unfortunately, led to constant persecution by the dominant Islamic culture of the region. Yezidi religious beliefs upon closer examination appear to be a mixture of Gnostic cosmology with Muslim, Christian and other influences. They have many unique beliefs, such as that the first Yezidi were created by Adam by parthenogenesis separately from Eve. They believe that there was a flood before the flood of Noah. They also have a set of food taboos which include meat, fish, squash, okra, beans, cabbage and lettuce.
Do they really worship the devil? In fact, you could just as well say that they worship angels, and this might be the best way to spin this for people who aren't interested in theological nuances, or have no experience with such a radically 'different' belief system." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)
Table of
Publisher’s Preface; Introduction; The Translation Of The Arabic Text; Preface; Al-jilwah (the Revelation); Chapter I; Chapter ii; Chapter iii; Chapter iv; Chapter V; Mashaf ReŠ (the Black Book); Appendix To Part I; The Poem In Praise Of ŠeiḪ ‘adÎ; The Principal Prayer Of The Yezidis; Seven Classes Of Yezidis; Articles Of Faith; The Critical Discussion Of Yezidism; The Religious Origin Of The Yezidis; The Christian Tradition; The Speculative Theories Of Western Orientalists; The Dogmatic view Of Mohammedan Scholars; The Essential Elements In Yezidism; The Deity Of The Second Degree; Šeiḫ ‘adÎ; Yezid; Other Deities And Festivals; The Day Of Sarsal; Sacraments, Religious Observances And Sacerdotal System; Some Other Religious Practices; The Sacerdotal Orders; Their Customs; Funerals; Nationality; Locality; Dwellings; The Language; Occupation; List Of The Yezidi Tribes; Persecution; Bibliography; Endnotes
About the
Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, Esoteric and Mythology. www.forgottenbooks.org
Forgotten Books is about sharing information, not about making money. All books are priced at wholesale prices. We are also the only publisher we know of to print in large sans-serif font, which is proven to make the text easier to read and put less strain on your eyes.
"This is one of the only public domain sources of information on the religious beliefs of the Yezidi, a small group originally from the northern region of Iraq. Although they speak Kurdish, they are a distinct population from the Kurds. The Yezidi are notable because they have been described as devil-worshippers, which has, unfortunately, led to constant persecution by the dominant Islamic culture of the region. Yezidi religious beliefs upon closer examination appear to be a mixture of Gnostic cosmology with Muslim, Christian and other influences. They have many unique beliefs, such as that the first Yezidi were created by Adam by parthenogenesis separately from Eve. They believe that there was a flood before the flood of Noah. They also have a set of food taboos which include meat, fish, squash, okra, beans, cabbage and lettuce.
Do they really worship the devil? In fact, you could just as well say that they worship angels, and this might be the best way to spin this for people who aren't interested in theological nuances, or have no experience with such a radically 'different' belief system." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)
Table of
Publisher’s Preface; Introduction; The Translation Of The Arabic Text; Preface; Al-jilwah (the Revelation); Chapter I; Chapter ii; Chapter iii; Chapter iv; Chapter V; Mashaf ReŠ (the Black Book); Appendix To Part I; The Poem In Praise Of ŠeiḪ ‘adÎ; The Principal Prayer Of The Yezidis; Seven Classes Of Yezidis; Articles Of Faith; The Critical Discussion Of Yezidism; The Religious Origin Of The Yezidis; The Christian Tradition; The Speculative Theories Of Western Orientalists; The Dogmatic view Of Mohammedan Scholars; The Essential Elements In Yezidism; The Deity Of The Second Degree; Šeiḫ ‘adÎ; Yezid; Other Deities And Festivals; The Day Of Sarsal; Sacraments, Religious Observances And Sacerdotal System; Some Other Religious Practices; The Sacerdotal Orders; Their Customs; Funerals; Nationality; Locality; Dwellings; The Language; Occupation; List Of The Yezidi Tribes; Persecution; Bibliography; Endnotes
About the
Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, Esoteric and Mythology. www.forgottenbooks.org
Forgotten Books is about sharing information, not about making money. All books are priced at wholesale prices. We are also the only publisher we know of to print in large sans-serif font, which is proven to make the text easier to read and put less strain on your eyes.
- GenresReligion
183 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1996
6 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 22, 2023
A very significant book for anyone who is trying to decipher the many ambiguities of Yezidiz, their origins, the doctrine and their rituals. The author verifies, even through the title, that they worship Satan, which is almost explicitly mentioned in their holy book. Personally, I was appalled at how anti-feminist this religion is, women are terribly degraded. I also didn't like the amount of hate that's very clearly mentioned and directed against Christians and Muslims, I believe that any religion should show the minimum amount of possible tolerance to others. That's a good book and it helped me immensely in my search for some clarifications about this doctrine.
December 27, 2019
The Yazidis are a mystery. While this book was more detailed than the last one that I read about the Yazidi people and religion, a lot of the theories about them still seem to be based on conjecture by people who don’t understand them. But, the book was written in 1919 by an academic, so the Western attitude toward a Middle Eastern tribe permeates it.
I think my biggest disappointment was the continued reference to the Yazidi people as the “Devil-worshippers.” The author went to great lengths to investigate theories about whether the Yazidi religion was a sect of either Islam or Christianity, but he never bothered to move beyond the theory that Melek Ta’us is Lucifer. The only reason that I gave the book three stars was due to some of the interesting information about Yazidi customs.
In the end, a lot was written about the Yazidis, but it was not meaningful or helpful in trying to understand these persecuted, maligned people. It might help if someone bothered to spend enough time with them to get some insight in their religion and culture. I have one additional book about the Yazidis that was written after the latest genocide. Hopefully, it will be more enlightening.
I think my biggest disappointment was the continued reference to the Yazidi people as the “Devil-worshippers.” The author went to great lengths to investigate theories about whether the Yazidi religion was a sect of either Islam or Christianity, but he never bothered to move beyond the theory that Melek Ta’us is Lucifer. The only reason that I gave the book three stars was due to some of the interesting information about Yazidi customs.
In the end, a lot was written about the Yazidis, but it was not meaningful or helpful in trying to understand these persecuted, maligned people. It might help if someone bothered to spend enough time with them to get some insight in their religion and culture. I have one additional book about the Yazidis that was written after the latest genocide. Hopefully, it will be more enlightening.
October 31, 2019
The author covers essential areas that give a vivid and complete description of this people group. I've met Yezidi individuals, and spent time on Mount Sinjar and other Kurdish locations, but I never did, nor would be able to, know the them as well through personal interaction as I do from reading Joseph's experience and studies. I think that if the author could see their plight today he would be disheartened, but not surprised.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews