Theology Bridge
The practice of sacrifice was quite common not only among Khongso tribe but also among other tribes of Chin. Especially it was practiced and found in primal or tribal religion. It is true that in the minds of every human being there is a conscience of fear and respect to the god whom one worships and who can protect him/her from troubles and give blessings. In the same way in every community there is their own way of system to solve any problem when something happened among the community. Likewise, Khongso also believed that the god whom they worshipped would forgive their sins, protect them from diseases and give a better living, pardon, riches and fame, so they sacrificed the blood of animal to the spirits when one committed sin against any gods or failed to care and preserve the rituals.
According to the tribal religion of Khongso, there were two kinds forgiveness of sin in the shedding blood of animal. The first practice was done in order to appease the wrath of the evil spirits by pouring the blood of an animal upon the tree or stone where it was believed the spirits were indwelling. By which they thought that the committed sins will be forgiven, and then they would be made not to be affected from different kinds of disease. When they had a guilty feeling in their mind, they had to appease the evil spirits and ancestral spirits, so that they would not be harmed by those spirits. Therefore, the blood sacrifice has become a part of their religious life. And also, they had to offer it at different occasions such as during the time of sowing seed and harvesting. Some sacrifices were made by individuals, some by families and other sacrifices were made by the entire community or village. The second one was done so that when there was a problem between human beings, in order to have reconciliation the blood of animal was shed. They partook together the meal of animal. After that they would forgive each other and resume to have a good relationship. Unless the blood of animal was shed, there would not be forgiveness and reconciliation between the offender and victim but rather enmity and hatred would remain throughout their lives. Then revenge system would continue till the person was killed. Especially in the traditional custom of Khongso, reconciliation was conducted by the chief leader of local people.
Since the Khongsos have a belief in the power of blood it was accepted as an important religious practice in primal religion and used mainly in the sacrificial offerings. Because they were seeking forgiveness of sins through the shedding blood of animal to spirits and offended person, reconciliation and propitiation could be made so that their committed sins would be forgiven judicially. The reason is, through sacrifice, the shedding blood brings peace, forgiveness, blessings and happiness from Sithaw (God). When they offered blood sacrifices to appease spirits and deities, blood represents the solemn presentation of life to God, whereby sacrifices become effective by virtue of the death of the animal or fowl. Therefore, Khongso believed that blood prepares a way to communicate with gods and spirits to receive a pardon and forgiveness when it was invoked accidentally. This practice of blood sacrifice among the Khongso might have contributed to their ability to relate to the gospel and the Christian tenet that there is no redemption without shedding blood (Hebrew 9:22) which was the shadow of Christ’s death on the cross.
The document directly bridges the Khongso practice of blood sacrifice with later Christian understanding by stating that this background may have helped Khongsos relate to the gospel teaching that there is no redemption without shedding blood.