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Greek Mythology and Christianity - Coggle Diagram
Greek Mythology and Christianity
Origin
However, we should not be surprised that they are similar, as many of our modern day religions actually came about during these Greco-Roman dominated times. But, unlike Christianity, the gods and heroes involved in Greek myths were endowed with flaws rendering them more relatable to the average person.
In this way it is similar to Christianity, using as it does, stories or parables to inform the believer; teaching how moral lessons contained in the story can be useful and applicable in everyday life
Although ancient Greek myths are now told as stories that show how the Greeks explained the workings of the natural and scientific world, we tend to forget that these stories were the oral textbook of morality that acted essentially as a religion, guiding how the Greeks should live their life.
Gods
As we all know there are many major gods in Greek mythology and they all control a different aspect of life. This makes Greek mythology a polytheistic religion (it has multiple gods).
On the other hand, Christianity only has one God, making it monotheistic. Albeit, Christianity has multiple saints, who are patrons of different aspects of life, it is important to note that these saints do not control as much as they act as intercessors between man and God.
Christians pray to a specific saint to ask God to help them with a particular problem. In Christianity, the written text of the New Testament, centres on the life and works of Jesus Christ, who is God made man and as such represents the earthly form of the same montheisiastic God..
Greeks would communicate with their gods in temples, praying to them. They would also give sacrifices to the gods, or sometimes even throw entire festivals to honour them. All of this was to try to please the gods so they would not get angry and seek revenge against the humans.
Another difference between the two religions is that the Greek gods had flaws that made them more similar to humans. They had tempers and they often held grudges. This made the followers of the religion not want to be like them but, instead learn from them and their shortcomings, frequently through fear. In contrast to the flawed gods of Greek mythology, Jesus is portrayed as a man who is to be aspired to, more so than the Greek portrayal of a god; who the audience learns from, rather than listens to
Important Gods
Greek mythology: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Hermes...
Christianity: The father (God himself), the son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit
Roles of Religious Leaders:
One of the main roles of priests were to communicate with the gods. But in our times the priests get worshipped but in Ancient Greece the priests didn't look to get worshipped.
The role of a priest wasn't always full time. Each priest would have a god they worshipped, the priests were also in charge of running all of the rituals on holy days. Usually the priests would also have another job other then being a priest. other then asking the gods for advice people would go to the priests.
This is because they could communicate well with the gods and gave very wise advice. The ancient Greek people would build temples, large buildings, statues and even the most simple of objects just for the gods. They would also hold large festivals in honour of them. But one of the most common gift to the gods was a sacrifice.
The people thought that sacrificing one of someones life would make the gods give them something in return like good luck or if there was a drought water and food. The main role of the Greek gods was to support the people of their land and to take care of them. Many people would turn to their gods and still do today.
Ceremonies and worshipping:
Greeks worshiped their gods at temples (the Greek word for temple is Naos- meaning dwelling place of the gods). The temple was the place where on special occasions; the religion took on a more formal tone. In all major Greek communities, gods were worshiped at temples or other sacred sites. The ceremonies were carried out by priests and their attendants.
At first, sacred sites were merely a simple altar in a designated area, but over time, huge temples were built in honour of a particular god. The temples often had a statue of the deity they were built for, for example the famous statue of Zeus at Olympia, which still stands today. Oftentimes, smaller temples for lesser gods were built around the main temple, creating a large sacred complex.
Despite the large amount of effort that went into building and maintaining temples, they weren’t actually used for religious practices. These were carried out at an altar outside of the temple. Historians do not know much of the ceremonies that happened in Ancient Greece, because interestingly, Greek authors show reluctance to give details of religious ceremonies, as if they were to sacred to be published. However, we do know the most common rituals were sacrifice of animals and libation (the pouring of wine or other liquid in honour of a god.)
Christians, like their Islamic brothers and sisters, pray to God regularly. Much like Islam, the most important Christian prayer is praise and thanksgiving given to God. Christians pray morning and evening, either alone or with others, and at meals.
Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth, who taught throughout Galilee and Judea and who died on a cross, was raised from the dead by God in order to reveal the full extent of God's love for all human beings. Jesus reveals God's saving love through the Christian Scriptures (the New Testament) and through the community of those who believe in him, "the Church," whose lives and whose love for their fellow human beings are meant to be witnesses and signs of the fullness of God's love
Each of the sacraments is fundamentally an action of worship and prayer. Ideally, each is celebrated in a community ritual prayer-action in which everyone present participates in worshipping God. There is not space here to set forth the full meaning and significance of these ritual celebrations. But the basic elements and functions of each will be described.
The Seven Sacraments are: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Ordination, Marriage, Reconciliation, and The Anointing of the Sick.