Religions, From Mesopotamian Civilization to Hebrews

Mesopotamian Religion

3000 BCE

Religion was central and foundational; all other human activity was subordinate.

Egyptian Religion

1570 BCE

Religion was Polytheistic (gods took various forms), it emphasized afterlife. Included tombs and pyramids, funerary practices, and hieroglyphics. At first, Pharaohs are the only immortals, but later included royal families. Interred with objects for use in afterlife. Believed the world is not a place of unhappiness, They do not yearn for death nor seek martyrdom.

Greek Religion

700 BCE

Greek religion is mixed and varied, there are no prophets and no scripture. General recognition of the Olympian gods, but each city-state had its own local god or gods and rituals. The religion was more social than is was spiritual. Cults included the Dionysus and the Eleusis.

Polis

700 BCE

There are no divine rulers, they are not religious and laws were human in origin, not divine. They are rational, not theocratic.

Religion of the Near East

336 BCE

Religion touch everything, like art, law, science, literature, war and politics.

Hebrews (Monotheism)

515

Yahweh controlled everything. There were local gods, relating to a clan or tribe. No animosity toward other gods. There is no association with the sun, moon, river, or any other physical place or entity. Yahweh was good and expected goodness out of people. He could be punishing or forgiving. Attentive of human needs. Humans are god's images. Prophets were commanded by God to speak.