This differs sharply from the popular idea that current religions were created by divine command and without any preceding basis in human culture. The ancient religions of Rome and Egypt had many points in common. 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. On the third day after he had died he rose from the grave and went back to Heaven. 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. We believe that He is the creator of all things and He is the One keeping watch over everything that happens on earth. They often fought over these similarities to … the Pantheon of gods are the most famous but they also had many lesser known gods and even demigods such as Hercules. For an idea of how utterly different Roman religion originally was from Greek religion, see for example Dumezil's Archaic Roman Religion. All ancient European cultures-i.e., the Etruscans, Greeks, Romans, Gauls, Celts, etc. But he carried the weight of our curse on his shoulders and our sins were forgiven. Christianity, on the other hand, is a monotheistic religion, meaning we worship one God. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. This rule has been broken of course as all rules are but for the most part, it is stuck to in Christianity. 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. The ancient Greeks believe in many, many gods. The Bible specifically states that there are to be no graven images of God constructed. The similarities between Christianity and ancient Egypt are almost endless. Although Christianity does not practice rituals like animal sacrifice or libation, the symbolic concept behind these rituals is present in the Christian religion. Change ). Kalisha is regarded as the home to shiva and remains top world pillars. The first major difference between these two belief systems is the presence of polytheism in Greek religion. Today, those stories are viewed as a part of mythology, and not religion. ( Log Out /  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. Classical Greek mythology and religion did not spring fully formed from the rocky Greek ground. Similarly, the ceremonies were lead by priests. Similarly, many Americans today see their nation as rooted in the deeds and promises attributed to Jesus in the New Testament. Olympus is viewed as home to many ancient Greek gods. 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. Swastikas have been found on ruins across ancient Europe. 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. > What is the difference between Greek mythology and religions such as Christianity and Islam? For some people in ancient Greece, mythology was religion. There are many similarities between the written medieval Irish myths and Greek legends. What's the Difference Between Religion and Spirituality? Readers only offer: Get additional Rs 200 off on 'The Better Home' powerful natural cleaners. 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. 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? They had gods for just about everything you could imagine. The ancient Egyptian religion predates Christianity at least 2,000 years. 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. 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. In both the Hindu and Greek, Kailasha and Olympus are mountains that exist in reality. An Atheist's View of the Christian Right's Agenda and Beliefs, 10 Common Arguments Used by Opponents of Gay Marriage. Sometimes, this can exist in the modern, day for example with holistic healers. Namely, the erection of graven images. 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. Widespread similarities between religious mythologies include the following: … Thanks for the A2A. Then again, perhaps their exclusiveness is precisely what deserves the most attention and critique because this separates them from ancient religions. 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. Similarities: Like Christianity, the Greeks worshiped their gods at temples, or sacred buildings. 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. As you know, the ancient Greeks worshipped many gods. 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. History of Humanism With Ancient Greek Philosophers, Religious References on the Definition of Religion, What is Aesthetics? The two mountains are essential parts of Hindu and Greek religion and mythologies, respectively. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The first major difference between these two belief systems is the presence of polytheism in Greek religion. The ancient Greeks believed in a variety of different gods and goddesses, who were capricious and easily offended. Hindu and Greek similarities. 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. 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. The differences between religion and mythology can be less discernible when examining mythology's history in ancient Greece. Thus, non-narrative elements of religion, such as ritual, are not myths. The second major difference between Christianity and traditional Greek religion is the conduct of the gods. Keeping that in mind, let us find more information about Ancient Greek and Modern Greek. And if humans do something against their will they must be appeased by sacrifices. While certain Christian teachers were certainly influenced by Hellenistic philosophy (Origen was one … Similarities: Greek medicinal beliefs were linked to their 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. Get an answer for 'What are some similarities between current American society and ancient Greece with respect to art, architecture, and politics?' India and Greece both have rich, ancient civilisations. THE ONE AND THE MANY The main similarity between ancient Egyptian religion and modern Hinduism is their polytheistic nature. Similarly, the ceremonies were lead by priests. The Romans used to worship a lot of various gods. Austin Cline, a former regional director for the Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures extensively about atheism and agnosticism. The Byzantine Empire and Ancient Romans’ cultural ideas, religion, & dependence on lower class portray commonalities between these two civilizations. Through time, there has been many theories as to how this ancient Hindu religion could share so much resemblance to the ancient Greeks. In Greek religion, the gods must be called upon if their help is desired. 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. 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. Modern Greece is predominately Christian today but ancient Greece had a very different belief about religion. In ancient religion it was spread among many beings. 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. There really are no similarities between the ancient Greek religions and modern Christianity. The most significant difference between Ancient Greek and Modern Greek is the pronunciation. This technically contradicts Christian theology because Christianity is supposed to be a universal religion in which national and ethnic distinctions are supposed to disappear. 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. 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. Many lesser known gods and goddesses, who were capricious and easily.! 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