Were ancient civilizations smarter than modern fundies?

Question

Many ancient civilizations worshipped the sun as their main god. I would honestly say that this is the closest tangible thing to a god that we have. It may not have created us, but gave us the means to develop and survive. Its energy provides 99% of the total energy used by life on our planet. Without it, there would be nothing. So while modern fundies pray to some make-believe deity, at least these people were praying to something which exists in REALITY.

marius:grow up? I am simply making a point. If you can't handle the truth, then do not read my questions. There is only one star that keeps life on Earth possible. I am grown up, and I have used my years to attain an education. I suggest you do the same.

Answer 1

And don't forget our Mother Earth. She shelters and nurtures us! ; )
Blessed Be...the ancient knowledge.

Answer 2

Actually, in all of the Near Death Experience accounts that I have read over the years, the thing that is curiously missing from the accounts is anything about worship.

When souls encounter the Deity, they don't fall down on their face in worship like one might expect.

Some are taken into the "arms" of the Deity and infused with such a love that they are in a bliss beyond anything they experienced on Earth.

Others are allowed to keep their distance and ask any questions they might have.

But I can't remember any instance where the thing we conceive of as worship takes place.

A lot of interesting things happen in NDEs and this barely scratches the surface.

I frankly think that the Creator does not expect to be worshiped, that He really doesn't demand anything from us.

I know that may be hard to fathom, but if you read the NDE literature, you will understand.

Answer 3

I think that a belief in a higher power is built into the DNA of humans.

In ancient civilizations, most people were unaware of the scientific reasons for our existence and the interplay of the diverse entities which make up our universe. Because of this unawareness, humans tended to create multiple deities to explain the unknown.

In addition, as civilizations evolved, it became apparent that human behavior is modified if other humans are watching. Humans react differently if they think they are alone or if they think mama may be watching.

So, religion has tended to evolve into monotheism to attempt to instill morality and justness into people by reminding them that there is a higher authority watching them.

Of course, the above rant was only a simplistic explanation of a complex subject.

I'm only paraphrasing the words of others who attempt to put a scientific spin on the evolution of religion.

Google Darwin's Cathedral to learn more about this concept.

Answer 4

Later religions just added a step.

Early civilizations worshipped the elements, sun moon stars, rain. The next step was putting a god in charge of each element. Eventually someone consolidated it to one guy controlling it all.

Answer 5

The sun is a created thing. I worship the God Who created the sun, not the sun itself. That makes more sense to me.

I'm smart enough to know that I can't prove His existence to you. I'm also smart enough to know that you cannot prove your assertion that the God I believe in is "make-believe."

Answer 6

Well, I'd say most "fundies" couldn't build a pyramid with ancient tools, but then neither could I...does that make me stupid? ****.

Answer 7

They weren't smarter... they just have more realistic mythology. That's probably why there are more Christians today than lots of other religions - because they're trying to escape reality.

Answer 8

Who knows, the fundies burned all the ancient civilaztions books when they conquered them.

Answer 9

Very interesting idea. Sounds like a thesis subject.

Answer 10

so, with sun but not water we would still survive? or without air...?? those are means to survive, but not a god. wheter you are an atheist or not, please, don't worhip stuff... also, know that faith is believing in what can't be seen.