Man's Relationship With God In The Neolithic Age

Since the dawn of man he has looked up toward the heavens with curiosity and wonder. In an effort to explain the natural phenomenon occurring in the environment around him, the sun, the moon, the stars, the wind, the rain and even his very existence, he created the concept of God. Whether the ideology be that of polytheism or monotheism the concept was similar, if what was happening was beyond man’s control or understanding then that action would most likely be attributed to God(s). As man began to accumulate knowledge the ideas and rituals surrounding God(s) became more intricate and complex. The purpose of this paper is to explore how man’s relationship with God(s) has shaped his views regarding his self, society nature and the world.

In the Neolithic age some of the earliest examples of God(s) were created to pay homage to fertility. The rise of fertility cults in Ancient Near East seemed to coincide with the dominance of agriculturally based societies as thousands of fertility statutes have been unearthed in southeastern Europe and the Aegean Sea (29). In the Neolithic Age, childbirth must have seemed like magic as the mechanics and biological processes behind

Salvation may be achieved as a result of free will, through the intervention of god, or through personal redemption, sacrifice and prayer. Often combinations of all of the previous methods mentioned are required. Christianity offers redemption through the act of accepting Jesus Christ as your lord and savior. Those who accept Jesus Christ will be cleansed of their sin and secure their place in heaven. Those who do not are damned to an eternity of suffering and torment in hell. This philosophy had a significant societal impact as it served to disassociate a person from this world and classify man and nature as two distinct