Download or read book Ancient Gods Modern Sects written by Alexander Campbell Ingersoll, Jr and published by . This book was released on 2020-08-07 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Ancient Gods, Modern Sects" supports and expands the centuries-old idea that pagan religions morphed into modern religions. Other than a new look at the previous information, what makes this idea of interest again is the fact that the idea that the ancients created pagan religions based on observations of natural phenomena seen in the sky of their day has received substantial support since the latter part of the 20th century. Images from natural plasma auroras, meteors, and comets the ancients saw in the ancient skies inspired pagan religions. All of the pagan gods and their actions resulted from natural events. No alien or supernatural causes were needed.The ancients did not create mythology only from their imaginations or because they were on drugs. The ancients were a scientifically illiterate people who described natural activities they saw occurring in the sky, but used unscientific terms and associated the events with the supernatural. The visible gods disappeared when conditions changed. People no longer saw those images, but they retained the religious ritual parts. Perhaps in order to maintain jobs, and to keep control over people, religious leaders claimed the gods still existed but were now ethereal unseen gods that were still watching and still demanding.Images in the laboratory from plasma physics and images from mythology and religion are extremely similar if not identical. After one realizes that the ancients could have seen images in the sky that are not there today, it is an easy step to realize that those images were also the inspiration for religion. As more scientists pursue the difficult path of creating models based on ancient data, the more it becomes obvious that modern religious sects and even the characteristics of modern gods, such as dying and being reborn, angels, the devil, a virgin birth, the star in a crescent, the cross, and the trinity are based on activities the ancients saw in the sky.If you consider ancient art and writings as data about the ancient sky, you immediately realize that modern religion is a subset of mythology. Many religious leaders know that, but do not want to advertise it, and many people reared in a religious society do not want to consider that possibility.Ironically, some religious people do believe the ancient sky was different. Those people look at the data and claim that the ancient sky was different because they mistakenly believe the claim supports religion or supports creationism. At the same time some scientists claim the ancient sky was not different and mistakenly believe that merely expressing that view will convince people that religion is unfounded. As more scientists adopt the approach that the ancient data are useful, they are demonstrating that the natural events were the foundation for modern religion.Changing viewpoints is not easy to accomplish. The advertised idea is that scientists are very open-minded, and generally they are. Unfortunately, there are outside influences. In governments or universities, if you influence others through funding, awards, or degrees, you ensure those people do not change, or they do not receive the funding, awards, or degrees. Whether certain conclusions are correct often may not be the major influence.The problem is compounded when religion influences the government. The government then influences the scientific community and scientific results have at least the possibility of sometimes becoming very unscientific. This happens even in the United States where there is supposedly separation of church and state. A recent example is a state that wishes to define a whale as a fish instead of a mammal because the Bible calls a whale a fish. Problems such as this are compounded when the government wants to teach Intelligent Design in schools. That is a waste of time and money for everyone."Ancient Gods, Modern Sects" addresses all of the previous issues, how they are related, and why it matters.
Download or read book Ancient Greek Cults written by Jennifer Lynn Larson and published by Psychology Press. This book was released on 2007 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Using archaeological, epigraphic and literary sources, and incorporating current scholarly theories, this volume offers an accessible account of the Greek gods for undergraduate students.
Download or read book The Ancient Gods written by Edwin Oliver James and published by Phoenix. This book was released on 1999 with total page 422 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This account of the development of religion in the Middle East, Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Aegean, Greece and Asia Minor shows how the emergece of the deities and their cults was linked to nature, agriculture and the seasons, fertility, and the struggle for existence.
Download or read book European Paganism written by Ken Dowden and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-05-13 with total page 391 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: European Paganism provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of ancient pagan religions throughout the European continent. Before there where Christians, the peoples of Europe were pagans. Were they bloodthirsty savages hanging human offerings from trees? Were they happy ecologists, valuing the unpolluted rivers and mountains? In European Paganism Ken Dowden outlines and analyses the diverse aspects of pagan ritual and culture from human sacrifice to pilgrimage lunar festivals and tree worship. It includes: a 'timelines' chart to aid with chronology many quotations from ancient and modern sources translated from the original language where necessary, to make them accessible a comprehensive bibliography and guide to further reading
Download or read book The Gods of Generation written by Jacques-Antoine Dulaure and published by . This book was released on 1933 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Gods of Reason written by Timothy Jay Alexander and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2007 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Modern Hellenismos is a religious movement that reconstructs the ancient Greek religion in a modern context. It is one of many Polytheistic Reconstructionist religions today, and it acknowledges the existence, nature, and worship of ancient Greek gods and their divine involvement in both the universe and human life.
Download or read book Did the Greeks Believe in Their Myths written by Paul Veyne and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 1988-06-15 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An examination of Greek mythology and a discussion about how religion and truth have evolved throughout time.
Download or read book Romanising Oriental Gods written by Jaime Alvar Ezquerra and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2008 with total page 507 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The traditional grand narrative correlating the decline of Graeco-Roman religion with the rise of Christianity has been under pressure for three decades. This book argues that the alternative accounts now emerging significantly underestimate the role of three major cults, of Cybele and Attis, Isis and Serapis, and Mithras. Although their differences are plain, these cults present sufficient common features to justify their being taken typologically as a group. All were selective adaptations of much older cults of the Fertile Crescent. It was their relative sophistication, their combination of the imaginative power of unfamiliar myth with distinctive ritual performance and ethical seriousness, that enabled them both to focus and to articulate a sense of the autonomy of religion from the socio-political order, a sense they shared with Early Christianity. The notion of 'mystery' was central to their ability to navigate the Weberian shift from ritualist to ethical salvation.
Download or read book A Comparison of World Religions written by Mary M. Saurer and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2005-11-22 with total page 179 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Human beings have inhabited the world for millions of years, and the oldest religious art found in caves and on bones dates as far back as 30,000 years. From earliest times, and still today, people share their ideas and form a group with others who have drawn similar conclusions about the meaning of life and the ultimate reality. They might call their group a religion; others might call it a cult. But the name they give to their concept of God does not mean that they worship a different god, only that they hold a different concept of the Source and Power of that which was, is and always will be. Every religion serves as a way of life, an opportunity to practice ones accepted beliefs, and a way to socialize with those who hold similar views. Religions can be dictated, but beliefs cannot. They are private and unique to the individual. It is ones own experience with that which he or she perceives as God that prompts the acceptance of a belief system, quiet endurance when there seems to be no choice, or the withdrawal from religion altogether. Public and personal wars have been fought in the name of righteous indignation in support of different belief systems that came from efforts to answer the questions of life. Many individuals have lived lives of frustration and confusion as a result of the commonly accepted belief system of the culture into which they were born. In this study we look briefly at the historical and geographical conditions related to the emergence of specific religious views, and the situation of the people whose lives are influenced by them. Our intent is not to determine which religion is right or wrong. Using a comparison point chart, we examine the basic premises of each belief system and how the holding of a premise impacts the lives of those who live it as if it were true.
Download or read book Mystery Cults of the Ancient World written by Hugh Bowden and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A richly illustrated history of antiquity's secret religious rituals This is the first book to describe and explain all of the ancient world's major mystery cults--one of the most intriguing but least understood aspects of Greek and Roman religion. In the nocturnal Mysteries at Eleusis, participants dramatically re-enacted the story of Demeter's loss and recovery of her daughter Persephone; in the Bacchic cult, bands of women ran wild in the Greek countryside to honor Dionysus; and in the mysteries of Mithras, men came to understand the nature of the universe and their place within it through frightening initiation ceremonies and astrological teachings. These cults were an important part of life in the ancient Mediterranean world, but their actual practices were shrouded in secrecy, and many of their features have remained unclear until now. By richly illustrating the evidence from ancient art and archaeology, and drawing on enlightening new work in the anthropology and cognitive science of religion, Mystery Cults of the Ancient World allows readers to imagine as never before what it was like to take part in these ecstatic and life-changing religious rituals--and what they meant to those who participated in them. Stunning images of Greek painted pottery, Roman frescoes, inscribed gold tablets from Greek and South Italian tombs, and excavated remains of religious sanctuaries help show what participants in these initiatory cults actually did and experienced. A fresh and accessible introduction to a fascinating subject, this is a book that will interest general readers, as well as students and scholars of classics and religion.
Download or read book From the Bodies of the Gods written by Earl Lee and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2012-05-16 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The origins of modern religion in human sacrifice, ritual cannibalism, visionary intoxication, and the Cult of the Dead • Explores ancient practices of producing sacred hallucinogenic foods and oils from the bodies of the dead for ritual consumption and religious anointing • Explains how these practices are deeply embedded in the symbolism, theology, and sacraments of modern religion, specifically Christianity and the Eucharist • Documents the rites of Cults of the Dead from the prehistoric Minoans on Crete to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Hebrews to early and medieval Christian sects such as the Cathars Long before the beginnings of civilization, humans have been sacrificed and their flesh used to produce sacred foods and oils for use in religious rites. Originating with the sacred harvest of hallucinogenic mushrooms from the corpses of shamans and other holy men, these acts of ritual cannibalism and visionary intoxication are part of the history of all cultures, including Judeo-Christian ones, and provided a way to commune with the dead. These practices continued openly into the Dark Ages, when they were suppressed and adapted into the worship of saintly bones--or continued in secret by a few “heretical” sects, such as the Cathars and the Knights Templar. While little known today, these rites remain deeply embedded in the symbolism, theology, and sacraments of modern religion and bring a much more literal meaning to the church’s “Holy Communion” or symbolic consumption of the body and blood of Christ. Documenting the sacrificial, cannibalistic, and psychoactive sacramental practices associated with the Cult of the Dead from the prehistoric Minoans on Crete to the ancient Egyptians and Hebrews and onward to early and medieval Christian sects, Earl Lee shows how these religious rites influenced the development of Western religion. In particular, he reveals how Christianity originated with Jesus’s effort to restore the sacred rites of Moses, including the Marzeah, or Feast for the Dead. Examining the connections between these rites and the mysterious funeral of Father Sauniere in Rennes-le-Château, the author explains why the prehistoric Cult of the Dead has held such power over Western civilization, so much so that its echoes are still heard today in our literature, film, and arts.
Download or read book The Gods and Religions of Ancient and Modern Times written by De Robigne Mortimer Bennett and published by . This book was released on 1880 with total page 850 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms written by Gerard Russell and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2014-11-20 with total page 470 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite its reputation for religious intolerance, the Middle East has long sheltered many distinctive and strange faiths: one regards the Greek prophets as incarnations of God, another reveres Lucifer in the form of a peacock, and yet another believes that their followers are reincarnated beings who have existed in various forms for thousands of years. These religions represent the last vestiges of the magnificent civilizations in ancient history: Persia, Babylon, Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs. Their followers have learned how to survive foreign attacks and the perils of assimilation. But today, with the Middle East in turmoil, they face greater challenges than ever before. In Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms, former diplomat Gerard Russell ventures to the distant, nearly impassable regions where these mysterious religions still cling to survival. He lives alongside the Mandaeans and Ezidis of Iraq, the Zoroastrians of Iran, the Copts of Egypt, and others. He learns their histories, participates in their rituals, and comes to understand the threats to their communities. Historically a tolerant faith, Islam has, since the early 20th century, witnessed the rise of militant, extremist sects. This development, along with the rippling effects of Western invasion, now pose existential threats to these minority faiths. And as more and more of their youth flee to the West in search of greater freedoms and job prospects, these religions face the dire possibility of extinction. Drawing on his extensive travels and archival research, Russell provides an essential record of the past, present, and perilous future of these remarkable religions.
Download or read book Goddess Worship Witchcraft and Neo Paganism written by Craig Hawkins and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 2016-09-06 with total page 96 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The twentieth century has seen a remarkable revival of "the Old Religion," as adherents of New-paganism call the native religious traditions of Europe and tribal traditions from North America that predated Christianity. Many neo-pagan groups identify with Celtic (Druidic), Egyptian, Native American, Norse, or Roman traditions; others with modern science-fiction motifs; and still others with witchcraft. Neo-paganism is occultic in nature. A central figure in much of Neo-paganism is the Mother Goddess, who has been introduced and worshiped among certain feminists even in some mainline Protestant churches. Why this series? This is an age when countless groups and movements, old and new, mark the religious landscape in our culture, leaving many people confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, these books provide essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys. Each book has five sections: - A concise introduction to the group - An overview of the group's theology -- in its own words - Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group - A bibliography with sources for further study - A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group -- The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help us discern religious truth from falsehood. This is an age when countless groups and movements, new and old, mark the religious landscape in our culture. As a result, many people are confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, the Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements series provides essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys. The second wave of books in this series addresses a broad range of spiritual beliefs, from non-Trinitarian Christian sects to witchcraft and neo-paganism to classic non-Christian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. All books but the summary volume, Truth and Error, contain five sections: -A concise introduction to the group being surveyed -An overview of the group’s theology — in its own words -Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group -A bibliography with sources for further study -A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group -- Truth and Error, the last book in the series, consists of parallel doctrinal charts compiled from all the other volumes. Three distinctives make this series especially useful to readers: -Information is carefully distilled to bring out truly essential points, rather than requiring readers to sift their way through a sea of secondary details. -Information is presented in a clear, easy-to-follow outline form with “menu bar” running heads. This format greatly assists the reader in quickly locating topics and details of interest. -Each book meets the needs and skill levels of both nontechnical and technical readers, providing an elementary level of refutation and progressing to a more advanced level using arguments based on the biblical text. The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help readers to discern truth from falsehood.
Download or read book Mystic Cults in Magna Graecia written by Giovanni Casadio and published by University of Texas Press. This book was released on 2009-09-01 with total page 391 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Vergil's Aeneid, the poet implies that those who have been initiated into mystery cults enjoy a blessed situation both in life and after death. This collection of essays brings new insight to the study of mystic cults in the ancient world, particularly those that flourished in Magna Graecia (essentially the area of present-day Southern Italy and Sicily). Implementing a variety of methodologies, the contributors to Mystic Cults in Magna Graecia examine an array of features associated with such "mystery religions" that were concerned with individual salvation through initiation and hidden knowledge rather than civic cults directed toward Olympian deities usually associated with Greek religion. Contributors present contemporary theories of ancient religion, field reports from recent archaeological work, and other frameworks for exploring mystic cults in general and individual deities specifically, with observations about cultural interactions throughout. Topics include Dionysos and Orpheus, the Goddess Cults, Isis in Italy, and Roman Mithras, explored by an international array of scholars including Giulia Sfameni Gasparro ("Aspects of the Cult of Demeter in Magna Graecia") and Alberto Bernabé ("Imago Inferorum Orphica"). The resulting volume illuminates this often misunderstood range of religious phenomena.
Download or read book The Mycenaean World written by John Chadwick and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1976-03-25 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: John Chadwick summarizes the results of research into Mycenaean Greece.
Download or read book Greek Gods Goddesses written by Britannica Educational Publishing and published by Britannica Educational Publishing. This book was released on 2014-01-01 with total page 158 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Giving Western literature and art many of its most enduring themes and archetypes, Greek mythology and the gods and goddesses at its core are a fundamental part of the popular imagination. At the heart of Greek mythology are exciting stories of drama, action, and adventure featuring gods and goddesses, who, while physically superior to humans, share many of their weaknesses. Readers will be introduced to the many figures once believed to populate Mount Olympus as well as related concepts and facts about the Greek mythological tradition.
