Ok. I have read two science fiction/fantasy books in the past year where religious fundies (in one book it is Christians in the other it is Jews) are trying to breed and/or genetically create a pure red heifer (a young female cow - as a young female horse is called a filly) with a perfect body.
Both groups seem to think that the birth and eventual ritual sacrifice of said animal at the Temple site in Jeruselum, will force the Messiah (though the two groups would interpret said figure in very different ways) to return to Earth/reveal Himself.
Where can the prophesies about the red cow be found? Are they generally believed by most Jews and/or Christians?
(I know I have never heard of this at any time in any church service I have attended, though that means very little -and I also have as little to do with fundie Christianity as I humanly can, so if this is a belief followed/taught in fundamentalist churches I have not been exposed to it).
Do many people think that the birth of the cow to be a sign of the coming of a Messiah - or a way to force God's hand, so to speak?
I'm super exhausted today, so I hope this post makes sense. Please also note that I am not intending to pick on anyone's religious beliefs here.This post is intended purely to solicit information about said prophecies, that I have not heard of until the two novels in question. I am simply curious.
edited for spelling, though I am sure I have still not caught all of the errors.
