Before going into the rise of monotheism it is important to understand polytheism. Not in the standard dictionary sense, but in the context of the time. Our meaning of religion today compared to the meaning of religion back then are two totally different things. This same conclusion was made when famed egyptologist Jan Assmann while recalling writing a book about the religious practices of ancient Egypt,” … I consciously avoided using the term “religion” because I felt very strongly that there was a major difference between the term “religion” as it was understood in the Western tradition, with all of its biblical implications, and I was about to describe with regard to the ancient Egyptian world.” ( Assmann, Jan. Of Gods and Gods: Egypt, Israel, and the Rise of Monotheism. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, 2008., 10). Because in ancient times the way the gods were worshiped was more in style of a cult than how we think of a religion. So comparing monotheistic practices to polytheistic practices would distort the whole meaning of …show more content…
In Egypt the law was not a sacred institution nor was it a medium to satisfy the gods. It was more along the lines of communicating with the gods instead. The way to live our life in favor of the gods wasn’t by helping the world i.e. saving orphans and rescuing the poor, but by giving sacrifices and praying to the gods. The relationship between the gods and mortals in ancient Egypt was cold. Because of this the gods didn’t play a role in political aspect of egyptian society. Now talking about the Fertile Crescent, the gods played a huge role in the political world. Since they were higher beings and did many things for the people why not having them involved in the dealings of the people. Gods would be called upon in Mesopotamia to have treaties and laws backed up. Sort of like a godly gold
The political structure of Ancient Egypt was made of a government structure that was more enforced whereas the pharaoh was the Devine ruler, who the people perceived as a god and could not address while directly looking at him in the face (Backman). Noblemen appointed into the political structure were relatives of the pharaoh and upon his death, his son was to succeed him (Connan, 33-50). It was believed that Pharaoh descended from the gods and had the ability to ensure prosperity and controlled rituals which granted continued flow of river Nile that enhanced irrigation (Connan, 33-50). There was a high rate of bureaucracy in Ancient system influenced by this political structure and most people were illiterate peasants, they were highly regulated (Backman). On the contrary, Mesopotamia consisted of states that governed themselves before the proclamation of Sargon the great as the king in 2370BCE (Backman). The king here was not considered as divine and the majority of those who served in the political structure were just noble men from noble families with no blood relations with the ruling class (Connan, 33-50).
Monotheism is the agreement that there is “a single God” and that he is “the creator of all things” and one of the very first religions to adopt this theism are the Hebrews, which, in turn led the way for many other religions such as Christianity and Islam to believe in one single God. Early on in the development of Judaism, the Hebrews were not always a monotheistic religion, in fact, they went from being polytheistic to monolatry and then finally decided to become monotheistic. The earlier sets of Hebrews were mainly a polytheistic group, meaning that that honored more than one God, some of these Gods ranged from Azazel, a nature spirit to “Ba’al and his wife Asherah, a fertility goddess” . In fact, some Gods were so highly praised that
Polytheism was practiced in ancient Greece. Apollo, the god of music, light, and order, was the son of Zeus. "The gods were considered all powerful, all controlling and all knowing" (Scott 9). The Oracle of Apollo was the most steadfast and consistent prognosticator in all of Greece. People would traverse over long distances and in some cases wait for months on end just to seek advice from the sibyl (Scott 9). The questions
When it comes to politics, things aren't so different. Both Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt connected religion to their Government. Its laws had control over all people. The Mesopotamians and ancient Egyptians would pay their taxes to the government with goods and hard labor.
Monotheism and polytheism are two very different belief systems. Monotheism is the belief in one god and polytheism is the belief in more one than one god. The concept of morality can and does exist within cultures that have only one god, as well as cultures that have multiple gods. Without morality, the world would be a place of extreme chaos and pandemonium. However, the foundation for morality within polytheistic religions is quite contradictory to the foundation for morality with monotheistic religions. Morality within polytheism is somewhat inconsistent and relative; whereas in monotheism, morality becomes more consistent and absolute.
In modern times when one thinks of Monotheism, the first religion that comes to mind is Christianity. But what is Monotheism? Monotheism is the belief that there is only one god. But is Christianity the first group of people to believe in one god? The answer is no, monotheism comes a long way. Zoroastrianism was the first monotheistic religion approximately 3500 years ago. The religion was founded by Prophet Zoroaster in ancient Iran. The second monotheistic religion known to man kind is Atenism founded by the Pharaoh Akhenaten. And the third Monotheistic religion is Judaism.
Originated in eastern Mediterranean throughout the life of Jesus Christ, in addition to it becoming the major religion of the Roman Empire by the end of the 4th century
Ancient polytheistic and Judaism are two of the most opposite beliefs possible. Polytheistic belief is the belief in more than just one god. Polytheism was brought to this world by the ancient Egyptians and the ancient Greeks. The Greek gods often took on the form of being humans while the Egyptian gods were the main cornerstone to their beliefs and religion. Judaism or the belief of Monotheism is the belief in one main god. Monotheism we brought to the world by the Jewish culture. It was originated from the Hebrew bible and is one of the oldest religions still living today. Judaism was a monotheistic religion of the Jews having its spiritual and ethical ideas embodied mainly in
The first amendment of the US states that there shall be no governmental establishment of religion, which is to say that the government cannot hold any religion above another, or provide any unjust intuitional advantages to certain religions. The although the phrasing of “Almighty God” is normally connected the Christian, Jewish, or Muslim religions, it does not provide any unjust advantage of one religion over others. The polytheistic religions my not have one specific Almighty god, but this clause would still protect them to worship each, and every, god they believe in, even if it were to be considered heretical to other members of the same polythetic religion. As for the protection of atheist individuals, as they do not belong to a certain
In “From Monotheism to Pantheism: Liberation from Patriarchy in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple,” a literary essay by Stacie Lynn Hankinson, the author argues the effect shifting religious views have on character development. It was Celie’s experience with religion that caused her to allow herself to be abused most of her life.
Christianity and Islam are both monotheistic religions, meaning that they are based on the following of one god or heavenly being. The followers of Islamic belief, which was founded by the prophet Mohammad, are called Muslims. Christians, who are followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ, believe that Jesus was the Messiah sent by god. Each religion has a book that includes stories and teachings of their respective gods. For Muslims, this book is known as the Qur'an and teaches ideas such as "The Five Pillars". The Christian equivalent of this book is known as the Holy Bible.
When it comes to politics, things aren't so different. Both Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt connected religion to their Government. Its laws had control over all people. The Mesopotamians and ancient Egyptians would pay their taxes to the government with goods and hard labor.
Religion had a very significant role in ancient civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Ancient Israel. The religious system in both Egypt, Mesopotamia were polytheist, meaning they recognized more than one god, and Ancient Israel was monotheist meaning only one god. Yahweh was the chief god to the Hebrews, but by no mean the only one.Yahweh however was reinstated as the only god in all province by the Judea Jews. The chief god for Egypt was gods of the sun Amun and Ra, which was later joined together to form Amun-Ra, Osiris was god of life after death. In Mesopotamia some of the most important gods are Inanna goddess of love, Marduk king of
Judaism as well as its offshoot and formation into the Christian religion both place great emphasis on the notion of their monotheistic God as revealed in the early scriptures. To them God has revealed Himself as the one Lord of all. Evident in the first Commandment that was
The rise, development, and spread of monotheism (the belief in one God), is one of the most significant and fascinating dimensions of human civilization. The three major monotheistic faiths are Judaism, Christianity and Islam, these religions have spread to other kingdoms throughout the world by use of missionaries.