The Afterlife 4,000 Years Ago



It seems humans have feared death since way back. The ancients, like those of us today, dealt with that fear by manufacturing in their minds an afterlife. While we don't know about what all the "afterlives" were like, usually they were better than the present life. A human mind that can make up gods surely can make up afterlives as well. And, those who want to control humans in real life can do well by demanding they behave in a way that benefits the shaman. Maybe you have heard of sin.

The link describes pieces of casket found in Egypt dated around 4,000 years ago. The caskets were engraved with detailed maps explaining the routes to the afterlife so the dead would know how to reach them. Our current version of this practice is found on the internet. Every week or so it a new article written by someone who is a self appointed expert in what to expect in heaven. My many dozens of time I, myself, have been admonished about what I am to expect in the afterlife.

When I am admonished and warned of what to expect in the afterlife it is done to control what I write on this blog. I can only assume from this that is what some Egyptian had in mind when he made up the version of afterlife popular 4,000 years ago. Behave in a good way you get a carrot, in a bad way a stick. Probably using the afterlife as a club is as old as humans.

I think it would be helpful if Sunday School classes covered ancient beliefs as well as current. That way children could see that current beliefs are no better than those of ancient times.

They are just what happens to be popular at this time in history.

Comments

  1. Matt NoahJanuary 1, 2020 at 5:30 PM

    Mark 16:15-16
    And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jon LindgrenJanuary 1, 2020 at 8:14 PM

      Matt "And he said to them..."

      The real question is, why did those unknown people who wrote the Bible include this statement. Did they do it to control those who read or heard this message? It is used now for this purpose.

      Delete
    2. Matt NoahJanuary 2, 2020 at 5:14 AM

      The real answer is Mark remembered and then recorded the words of Jesus Christ. The same or similar can be found throughout the New Testament.

      You can conclude it is a form of control. Others can conclude it is wisdom, a guidepost along life's journey. If Jesus stood before you today and uttered those 2 sentences, you might be inclined to follow what He says and be thankful for the advice. It's up to you. No one is forcing you to believe anything or do anything.

      Delete

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