Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The Sphinx Played An Important Role In the Ancient … They had gods for just about everything you could imagine. The development of a recognizably Greek religion is characterized in large part by conflict and community. Ancient Greek mythology involved stories of gods and creation combined with various rituals. It provided a balance to the society. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. For example, in the early modern period, distinguished Christian theologians developed elaborated witch mythologies which contributed to the intensification of witch trials. Sometimes, this can exist in the modern, day for example with holistic healers. This, in turn, may help chart the development of religion and culture not just in the ancient world, but also the ways in which those ancient religious beliefs continue to be reflected in modern religions. > What is the difference between Greek mythology and religions such as Christianity and Islam? In ancient religion it was spread among many beings. Both cultures were polytheistic, meaning that they both worshiped many gods, rather than one. They have a belief of life after death, punishment for sins, and a similar creation, that is, both religions claim that the world was created in seven days. Atheists are labeled "intolerant" for daring to criticize Christianity, but can you imagine Christian churches incorporating Muslim practices and scriptures in the way that Greeks incorporated foreign heroes and gods into their own rituals and stories? In order to appease a certain deity, Roman people conducted special rituals to make gods are goddesses merciful towards them. ( Log Out / This situation, which appears odd to most modern eyes, forces us to reconsider what it means to talk about a "religion" and what is essentially "religious" about modern religions like Christianity and Islam. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Change ). The ancient Greeks believe in many, many gods. Whereas the Greeks seemed quite willing to accept foreign religious beliefs - even to the point of incorporating them into their own cosmology - modern religions like Christianity tend to be highly intolerant of innovations and new additions. Doubtless, you have heard that story countless times if you are a Christian but it is a beautiful thing, and Christianity is the only religion where a god comes down to earth to save us instead of humans bending over backward to appease them. Thus, non-narrative elements of religion, such as ritual, are not myths. The gods of Olympus are extremely famous and there are plenty of things based on them. What this means is that aspects of contemporary religious beliefs are ultimately dependent upon ancient cultures that we no longer have any access to or knowledge of. We can find very similar concerns in modern religions and in the stories which Christians today tell each other - though in this case, this is likely due to how these are issues which are a community to humanity as a whole rather than through any direct cultural influence. How was Greek Religion Different from Today's Religions? Today in religion all of the power rests on one being. The Oxford Companion to World Mythology provides the following summary and examples: Most definitions of “myth” limit myths to stories. This difference leads to other differences between ancient religions and modern world religions. What this means is that aspects of contemporary religious beliefs are ultimately dependent upon ancient cultures that we no longer have any access to or knowledge of. Although it may be common to speak of a Greek "religion," in fact the Greeks themselves didn't use such a term and might not have recognized it had someone else attempted to apply it to their practices. Similarly, the ceremonies were lead by priests. The first major difference between these two belief systems is the presence of polytheism in Greek religion. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The ancient religions of Rome and Egypt had many points in common. There really are no similarities between the ancient Greek religions and modern Christianity. Similarities between different religious mythologies Given any of the above definitions of "myth", the myths of many religions, both ancient and modern, share common elements. Despite their variety of beliefs and rituals, though, it is possible to identify a set of beliefs and practices that distinguish the Greeks from others, allowing us to talk at least a bit about a coherent and identifiable system. Thanks for the A2A. But he carried the weight of our curse on his shoulders and our sins were forgiven. And if humans do something against their will they must be appeased by sacrifices. The Romans used to worship a lot of various gods. The final difference I am going to mention has to do with the way God approaches his people. The ancient Greeks believed in a variety of different gods and goddesses, who were capricious and easily offended. This rule has been broken of course as all rules are but for the most part, it is stuck to in Christianity. Mesopotamian religion refers to the religious beliefs and practices of the civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia, particularly Sumer, Akkad, Assyria and Babylonia between circa 3500 BC and 400 AD, after which they largely gave way to Syriac Christianity.The religious development of Mesopotamia and Mesopotamian culture in general was not particularly influenced by the movements … However both religions have a choice as to which deity they chose to worship in this role. Their religious elements are certainly undeniable, but religious systems typically serve the political community -- and in ancient Greece, this was true to a greater degree than one usually sees. To the Greeks, the battle between god and the dragon, their Zeus verses Typhon, was the religious turning point of the Greek religion, it was the establishment of Olympianism. Austin Cline, a former regional director for the Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures extensively about atheism and agnosticism. How the gods are worshiped is another deviation of these religious practices. If we see ancient Greek religion as representative of some of the social functions which religion was created to serve, though, then the behavior and attitudes of Christians in America begin to make sense because they simply stand in a long line of using religion for the purpose of political, national, and ethnic identity. What were the similarities between Ancient Semitic religion and Ancient Greek religion? Philosophy of Art, Beauty, Perception. In ancient Greece, many things were done outside of what is typically considered worship for Christians. The Ancient Greek Olympic Games is perhaps the most renowned example of the inclusion of physical contests in a religious festival. Readers only offer: Get additional Rs 200 off on 'The Better Home' powerful natural cleaners. According to the Greek myths and documents concerning their gods, the deities are constantly committing adultery, flying into passionate rage, or doing other irrational human-like things. This is the most obvious difference between ancient and … Although Christianity does not practice rituals like animal sacrifice or libation, the symbolic concept behind these rituals is present in the Christian religion. They often fought over these similarities to … These similarities are probably why it was so easy for the Egyptian people to accept Christianity when it was brought to them early in the first century A.D. The differences between religion and mythology can be less discernible when examining mythology's history in ancient Greece. Instead, we were blinded by our sin and they cried for him to be crucified. ( Log Out / Classical Greek mythology and religion did not spring fully formed from the rocky Greek ground. – practiced the same high spiritual religion of Hinduism, from where the swastika symbol originated. The most significant difference between Ancient Greek and Modern Greek is the pronunciation. Similarities: Greek medicinal beliefs were linked to their religion. The earth, the sea, the mountains, the rivers, custom-law (themis), and one’s share in society and its goods were all seen in personal as well as naturalistic terms. Greek mythological stories which everyone is familiar with are defined to a great extent by conflicting forces while Greek religion itself is defined by attempts to reinforce a common sense of purpose, civic cohesion, and community. All ancient European cultures-i.e., the Etruscans, Greeks, Romans, Gauls, Celts, etc. Similarly, the ceremonies were lead by priests. Nowadays, Greek and Roman mythology are considered fiction, but once upon a time they were known as very serious religions. This differs sharply from the popular idea that current religions were created by divine command and without any preceding basis in human culture. The Bible specifically states that there are to be no graven images of God constructed. Many traits of the similarities include: the ancient language of Sanskrit and Greek writings, the connections in their polytheistic deities, and even in the stories and legends of the two separate religions. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. They had gods for just about everything you could imagine. We believe that He is the creator of all things and He is the One keeping watch over everything that happens on earth. To the Greeks, the battle between god and the dragon, their Zeus verses Typhon, was the religious turning point of the Greek religion, it was the establishment of Olympianism. The Byzantine Empire and Ancient Romans’ cultural ideas, religion, & dependence on lower class portray commonalities between these two civilizations. Christianity, on the other hand, is a monotheistic religion, meaning we worship one God. ( Log Out / We can discuss, for example, what they did and did not regard as sacred then compare this against what is considered sacred by religions today. As a Christian, you pray to only one God for all things you need help with. The Olympians had to defeat the giants, whom they called “the Titans” before they could establish their own suzerainty, and Typhon fought on behalf of the giants. Hindu and Greek similarities. 6. While certain Christian teachers were certainly influenced by Hellenistic philosophy (Origen was one … Namely, the erection of graven images. Although the treatments and beliefs are less extreme, the main concept of the Asclepions is present today. TL;DR: practically nothing apart from the bare fact that both practice animal sacrifice, if you’re talking about Judaism. In both the Hindu and Greek, Kailasha and Olympus are mountains that exist in reality. Christianity teaches that God sent His only Son to live on earth and give us a chance to follow Him and turn from our wickedness. Modern Greece is predominately Christian today but ancient Greece had a very different belief about religion. Perhaps when discussing Christianity and Islam as religions, we should look more closely at the beliefs about what is sacred and holy and less at their exclusiveness (this is precisely what some scholars, like Mircea Eliade, have argued). Despite the similarities between the two, such as their gods, origins, and beliefs, they were known as enemies. “If you did not want much, there was plenty.” – Harper Lee, Comparison of Christianity and Traditional Greek Religion. Widespread similarities between religious mythologies include the following: … Religion was very different from modern religion. Through time, there has been many theories as to how this ancient Hindu religion could share so much resemblance to the ancient Greeks. The first major difference between these two belief systems is the presence of polytheism in Greek religion. The Olympians had to defeat the giants, whom they called "the Titans" before they could establish their own suzerainty, and Typhon fought on behalf of the giants. Kalisha is regarded as the home to shiva and remains top world pillars. Modern Greece is predominately Christian today but ancient Greece had a very different belief about religion. He does not do anything ridiculous like falling in love with a human and killing her husband because He is not capable of sinning. This, in turn, is critical for anyone who wants to engage in a sustained critique of religion and religious beliefs. The Greeks fashioned tons of statues and structures depicting their gods. THE ONE AND THE MANY The main similarity between ancient Egyptian religion and modern Hinduism is their polytheistic nature. The ancient Greeks believe in many, many gods. Just as modern Christianity and Judaism have been significantly influenced by the ancient Greek religion, the Greeks themselves were heavily influenced by the cultures that came before. Similarities of Ancient Hebrew and Greek Religion ... To the Greeks, the battle between god and the dragon, their Zeus verses Typhon, was the religious turning point of the Greek religion, it was the establishment of Olympianism. However, the most important observation one can make despite these differences is that Ancient Greek is not so alien to Modern Greek as Latin is to Spanish or French. The idea of the “Asclepions” was actually the first form of health spa or retreat. You would do well to remember that there were very few similarities between Roman and Greek religion until the Romans began borrowing from the Greeks. Ancient Greeks closely connected sport and religion, but the athletic competition was a part of their religious ceremonies, and that type of association between sport and religion is nearly extinct in the modern world. It's difficult to accept the idea that the Greeks were completely secular and irreligious, however. Similarities: Like Christianity, the Greeks worshiped their gods at temples, or sacred buildings. There are many similarities between the written medieval Irish myths and Greek legends. Hero cults, both in ancient Greece as well as contemporary religions, tend to be very civic and political in nature. What's the Difference Between Religion and Spirituality? For some people in ancient Greece, mythology was religion. They come down to earth of their own accord on occasion but it is usually on errands of mischief rather than peace. Christians believe that God is perfect and does all things out of justice and love. The Differences and Similarities between Christianity and Roman Religion How Many Gods Do You Believe in? Today, those stories are viewed as a part of mythology, and not religion. Just as modern Christianity and Judaism have been significantly influenced by the ancient Greek religion, the Greeks themselves were heavily influenced by the cultures that came before. The religion practiced by ancient Egyptians and modern Christianity have many of the same basic beliefs and practices, but there are also many glaring differences between them. The similarities between Christianity and ancient Egypt are almost endless. Swastikas have been found on ruins across ancient Europe. In Greek religion, the gods must be called upon if their help is desired. If we mean by "religion" a set of beliefs and behavior which are consciously chosen and ritually followed to the exclusion of all other alternatives, then the Greeks didn't really have a religion. Then again, perhaps their exclusiveness is precisely what deserves the most attention and critique because this separates them from ancient religions. Today Christians, Jews, and Muslims worship only one god (Hindus of course have many gods, and Buddhists have none). Hindu mythology and Greek mythology is also very similar in a number of ways — read on to see how. This just seems silly. Both religions have one Supreme Deity, who is seen as the creator of all life. This technically contradicts Christian theology because Christianity is supposed to be a universal religion in which national and ethnic distinctions are supposed to disappear. India and Greece both have rich, ancient civilisations. An Atheist's View of the Christian Right's Agenda and Beliefs, 10 Common Arguments Used by Opponents of Gay Marriage. They saw their gods as having human failings, they are greedy, cruel, lustful, etc. The second major difference between Christianity and traditional Greek religion is the conduct of the gods. On the third day after he had died he rose from the grave and went back to Heaven. To a certain extent modern Greece is a continuation of ancient Greece, as the latter survived and changed in the years of the Byzantine Empire. They were, instead, amalgams of religious influences from Minoan Crete, Asia Minor, and native beliefs. For an idea of how utterly different Roman religion originally was from Greek religion, see for example Dumezil's Archaic Roman Religion. Greek religion - Greek religion - Beliefs, practices, and institutions: The early Greeks personalized every aspect of their world, natural and cultural, and their experiences in it. Greek religion was far more philosophic, enabling its worshippers to question the nature and authority of the gods, while Christianity is far more akin to a monarchy with God being the "king" that no one disobeys or questions. Similarly, many Americans today see their nation as rooted in the deeds and promises attributed to Jesus in the New Testament. One other difference is that today God has to be everywhere and has to be all knowing. Get an answer for 'What are some similarities between current American society and ancient Greece with respect to art, architecture, and politics?' Is Israel a Religious or a Secular State. The ancient Egyptian religion predates Christianity at least 2,000 years. ( Log Out / To better understand the similarities and differences of the Byzantine Empire and Ancient Romans one must look at each civilization’s cultural ideas, religion, & dependence on lower class. The two mountains are essential parts of Hindu and Greek religion and mythologies, respectively. Allegiance to sports teams can unite groups of people, but the fans often tend to be segregated by geography, and this is much less true of religion. Veneration of a hero bound the community together around a glorious past and it was here that the roots of families and cities could be identified. Keeping that in mind, let us find more information about Ancient Greek and Modern Greek. He suffered although He was sinless and died. the Pantheon of gods are the most famous but they also had many lesser known gods and even demigods such as Hercules. This is why a better understanding of Greek religion helps illuminate the nature of religion generally as well as the nature of religions which continue to be followed today. History of Humanism With Ancient Greek Philosophers, Religious References on the Definition of Religion, What is Aesthetics? This is a comparison of the differences between Christianity and ancient Greek religion. In ancient Greece, if you were having trouble as a fisherman then you would call on Poseidon or if you needed help with love then you called on Aphrodite. Olympus is viewed as home to many ancient Greek gods. As you know, the ancient Greeks worshipped many gods. If, however, we mean by religion more generally people's ritual behavior and beliefs about sacred items, places, and beings, then the Greeks most certainly did have a religion - or perhaps a set of religions, in recognition of the great variety of Greek beliefs. 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