The Comparison of Egyptian, Hebrew, and Indian Religions Religion has played a vital role in developing civilizations. There are many reasons as to why religion has played such a significant role in people’s lives. Religion emerged as a way to explain the universe and our purpose as human beings. The beginning of religion is very similar, it starts as a polytheistic belief, meaning the civilizations worshipped many gods. The religions often had many similar ceremonies and rituals to honor their gods. The religions started becoming more complex as time went on. The religions helped unite the civilizations. Religions also often correlated with the government of the civilizations. The religions of the Ancient civilizations were very similar. I …show more content…
I will prove the importance of religion through the comparison of the Egyptian, Hebrew, and Indian religions. The Egyptians were one of the first known civilizations. “Religion played a very influential role in the life of the Ancient Egyptians, leaving it’s impress on politics, literature, architecture, art, and the conduct of daily affairs.” (Page 56) Throughout their history as a civilization their religion changed from polytheistic to monotheistic and then back to polytheistic. The beginning religion focused on the importance of the sun god, Re. This “solar faith” didn’t offer any spiritual blessings for its followers. Following this solar faith was the cult of Osiris. He was portrayed as a nature god that rose from the dead. Osiris also portrayed human like qualities and Osiris’ death gave the people the promise of an afterlife. This belief is what started the idea of mummification and that people could take their worldly possessions with them into afterlife. These ideas were all merged together. The …show more content…
There were stages in the Hebrew religion which started as polytheistic like the other ancient civilizations. The Hebrews then converted to monotheism but also recognized the existence of other gods. Their god was called Yahweh and had human characteristics. The Hebrew people worshipped Yahweh and the set of rules he sent down to Moses. These set of rules would become known as the Ten Commandments and these set of rules not only affected individuals but ultimately the entire community. This created the idea that people were all equal and to act morally. God expected his people to act in good character and if they did they would benefit from it. The Hebrew religion was the first to have “prophets”. These prophets taught the word of their God and can be closely compared to preachers. There were three major doctrines that made up the core of the prophets’ teachings, which included: Yahweh is the ruler of the universe and that other gods are false, Yahweh is a god of righteousness and that evil comes from humanity, Yahweh demands ethical behavior from his Israelite followers. (Page 82) The final stage of Judaism was the idea of an “end” and what will happen at the end of time. They believed that God would send them a messiah that would lead to a world of peace. Jesus was considered the messiah by many people and his followers would become known as Christians. However, there were Jews that believed he was
Religion has greatly influenced western civilization. Religion is a way to express ourselves in our own way. To be able to choose who or what we believe in freely. This gives us a sense of individualism and helps our civilization to grow and develop each religion. Just about every ancient culture practiced religion in some way. They were either monotheist, polytheist, atheist, or believed in “magic”. Western civilization was impacted by religion in more ways than one. Every religion contributed in their own way. Some religions even worked together to help create a stronger, more structured civilization.
Religion comes from religare, which means have a reunion. Aneel Baquer says that humans have a need to connect with others, the ability of myths and thoughts of religion is a desire that humans need to bond. In most civilizations, religion is the reason why civilizations are successful. Religion give, people a motive to survive or do what they do. Sometimes the religions actually make their civilization expand and even more successful. not only does religion give us a motive to survive. Still today, religion is one of the biggest factors in modern civilizations. In several religion motives are used for example, christianity. In christianity to meet with god, you must do good. Religion can change a persons personality by aiding from stress, to giving hope. Religion can also reduce the fear of death. In ancient civilizations, egyptians did not fear death. In their religion they believed that living on earth was the beginning of life. Once dead it sends you to the beginning of happiness or horrible. Religion can also expand. If you have a strong connection to your religion, some people spread the word of their religion to other people. It also teaches manners and the difference between the good, and the evil. Vikings were such a significant civilization than any other because of their religion. Religion for the vikings have given them motivation to expand territories, learn between the good and the bad, and not to fear death but to welcome death; reasons why are from being taught was from viking mythology, heroic people and their warlike god.
I believe that Religion was a vital part of every Egyptian’s life. Egyptians understood that their Gods had already finalized each task, and their job was to embrace it and give thanks. The Egyptians believed that in the beginning, there was Nun. Nun was believed to be swirling chaotic waters. Next, a hill emerged from the waters. This hill is known as Ben Ben. Atum, who was believed to be the first God, stood on the hill, and created the God of air and the goddess of moisture. Their names were Shu and Tefnut .
Throughout history and over time in civilizations, religion has played a major role in the development of civilizations. Religion has been here since the beginning of time and will continue to grow and spread throughout the world by various means. I'm here to argue that the role of religion in ancient civilizations was a way of life. Religion played a big factor in the daily life of late Rome and the citizens. They thought of themselves as highly religious people and their archaic religion is basically the foundation of the Roman identity.
Religion provides a model for living. It upholds certain ideals and values. The believer uses these ideals and values in his life. Religion can help youth generation to become morally disciplined and socialized citizens of society. Organization like temples and churches also control the behavior of individuals.
Religion is a phenomenon that has caused wars, death and love. With almost every culture worldwide having some form of religion, there are many different types of religion all around the world, some similar streams and others vastly different. Every religion has four main aspects: Belief and believers, sacred texts and writings, ethics and rituals, and ceremonies. These form the basis of each religion and set them apart from the rest: each branch of religion vastly different.
Religion has existed since the dawn of civilization and over time has evolved into the religions we have today. Today the most prominent religions are monotheistic, having one omnipotent god, and despite having many differences they share basic tenets of respect and kindness. Religions, such as Judaism, give explanations for the unknown, provide hope, and bring about a sense of community.
The religion in Egypt was part of ones life; they believed and worshipped many gods. The faith they held in the gods were big and religion was bound up with their everyday life. The Egyptians are known as one of the most religious people in the world. Usually they turned to the gods to seek advice, help, and approval in decisions and even to assist in childbirth. The Egyptians had many festivals that they celebrate and it was believed that there was a god for every important event. Some of the gods and goddesses were Osiris (one of the best known), Isis, Anubis, and Set…
Religion is an ever-growing idea that has no set date of origin. Throughout history religion has served as an answer to the questions that man could not resolve. The word religion is derived from the Latin word “religio” meaning restraint in collaboration with the Greek word “relegere” which means to repeat or to read again. Religion is currently defined as an organized system of beliefs and practices revolving around, or leading to, a transcendent spiritual experience. Throughout time, there has yet to be a culture that lacks a religion of some form, whether it is a branch of paganism, a mythological based religion or mono/polytheistic religion. Many religions have been forgotten due to the fact that they were ethnic religions and globalizing religions were fighting to be recognized, annihilating these ancient and ethnic religions. Some of these faiths include: Finnish Paganism, Atenism, Minoan Religion, Mithraism, Manichaeism, Vedism, Zoroastrianism, Asatru, and the Olmec Religion. Religion is an imperative part of our contemporary world but mod...
The Egyptians believed very much in life after death. As Taylor states in Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt, “It is often observed that they appear to have devoted greater efforts and resources to preparing for the afterlife than to creating a convenient environment for living” (Taylor, 2001:12). The Egyptians viewed life on earth as one stage and death as the beginning of another. They believed that, “human existence did not end with death and that survival of the body played a part in the new life” (Taylor, 2001:12). One of the key elements in the Egyptian culture and religion was the preservation of the body. The body was the most important aspect because it was like a portal through which an individual could continue to live after death (Taylor, 2001:46). The Egyptians began building tombs for these bodies to keep them from decaying.
The Egyptian religion was a combination of practices; it was “part totemism, part polytheism, and part ancestor worship.” The gods lived invisibly in the mortal realm and were able to influence the world through people, animals, or objects. Spirits of the dead were also able to guide the living. There were numerous gods, but the most prevalent and lasting gods were Ra, Ma’at, Isis, Horus, Osiris, Bast, and Bes (Gods and Mythology).
On an individual level, religion can give people a community to be apart of, growing and worshiping together as fellow followers. Religion also can motivate people in their lives and their values, and beliefs that reflect the practices of that certain religion. Personally religion has helped me identify with people all across the world, and encouraged me to be a better person in my own religion. Not only does it provide faith in something, but compassion and love for those who love the religion such as themselves. Although there are religions all over the world,
Religion in Ancient Egyptian society was often used to explain cosmic phenomena and unexplainable events. Their religion used metaphors based on natural cycles and understandable experiences to explain everyday occurrences. All aspects of Egyptian culture and civilization were manifestations of religious beliefs. Astronomy, medicine, geography and art are just a few of the things explained trough religion. In our now modern society it may seem silly to ask why the sun rises, but Egyptians had asked this very question. In order to make sense of the world around them they had decided that the sun god Ra is responsible for the sunrise. With each unexplainable event was the birth of a god and so the Ancient Egyptian religion was created.
Three monotheistic religions rose from the Middle East; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Believed by many to be unrelated, these three Abrahamic religions draw from a common ancestor and history, the prophet Abraham. The history of Judaism begins with the Covenant of Abraham. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham obediently led his son to the altar, but God stopped Abraham. God explained that the command was a test of Abraham faith and obedience. Abraham’s submission to God’s will would become the core belief of the religions to follow. Jews, Christians, and Muslims all agree that Abraham was tested and his son was to be sacrificed; however, Jews and Christians name Isaac, and the Muslims name Ishmael, as the son to be
Religion is the one element of life that has connected the races and societies of the world for hundreds of years. It has given meaning to lives that may seem otherwise hopeless. Religion has provided for a universal language and culture among those who believe in a higher power. The spirit or being receiving the worship and praise may not be the same, but the practices are usually similar and serve the same purpose--to give direction, insight, courage, and a divine connection.