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October 28, 2007
monotheism, polytheism, Greek, and Germanic/Norse
Mary Lefkowitz, professor emerita at Wellesley College, wrote a very interesting article in the Los Angeles Times, where she notes deficiencies in the world caused by dominant monotheistic religions, and discusses how a polytheistic religion might be just the palliative the world needs. She discusses Greek religion, but in Europe and the U.S., which is predominantly Germanic/Scandanavian, a religion around the Norse/Germanic Gods would be most appropriate.
So in her article, mentally substitute "Norse" for "Greek", and the appropriate Norse God names for the Greek God names, and you will get the best intent.
The separation between humankind and the gods made it possible for humans to complain to the gods without the guilt or fear of reprisal the deity of the Old Testament inspired. Mortals were free to speculate about the character and intentions of the gods. By allowing mortals to ask hard questions, Greek theology encouraged them to learn, to seek all the possible causes of events. Philosophy -- that characteristically Greek invention -- had its roots in such theological inquiry. As did science.
Technorati Tags: religion, spirit
Posted by keg at October 28, 2007 7:45 PM
