the long rode to success with its tenets
A Comp arison: Sumerian and Hebrew Views of the Afterlife For centuries religion has been a significant and intricate part of human societies. Some would say that religion is as important to mankind as food and water. While food and water keeps us going,religion provides a reason and purpose for that life. In short, religion is man's attempt to understand the world around them and their place in it. Furthermore, religious values maintain order and a code of how mankind should behave among their peers and families. As religion is man-made, it can reveal much about a society's standards and sense of self. So, religion is both a shaper as well as a reflection of society. The ancient Sumerian and Hebrew societies both held detailed religious beliefs which shaped their different perspectives. Each society also, under the canopy of their own religion, had a belief in and perception of the afterlife. Hense, their different beliefs in that afterlife can be seen as an explanation for the ways in which they perceived and lived life. The Sumarians pursued life with voracious thirst and believed in enjoying life to the fullest, savoring all human pleasures. On the other hand, the Hebrew religion stressed the importanc
The Hebrews religious beliefs and perspective on life greatly contrasts to that of the Sumarians. Upon his search he encounters Siduri, "the woman of the vine" (33), and she tells him, "When the gods created man they allotted to him death. Two opposite mentalities, each the product of their own religious beliefs dictating the way these civilization lived and in the end, died. The Hebrews religion, though more repressive, is also much more promising than that of the Sumarians as there is no finality, but only a passage from one world to, hopefully, a better one. This mentality is a direct result of their perception of the afterlife. Furthermore, they believe in many traditions which help to purify them of their sinfulness and redeem them in the eyes of God. Hense all their decendents would be imperfect, separated from God, and ultimately die. (34) Regardless of Siduri's advise Gilgamesh continues his search for Utnapishtim undetered. e of traditions and accordance with repressive laws that pleased their God, believing that their real life was after death in heaven. Works Cited Mack, Maynard, eds. The Hebrews then predict that if they keep their tradition and abide by the restrictive laws of their God that they will be allowed to join him in the afterlife. So, the Hebrews focus is on abiding by the laws of their God, and hense being righteous and avoiding sin. The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Old Testament of the Bible provide good sources for the comparison of these different civilization's perceptions of life and death. In line with Sumerian belief, Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh to enjoy life while he can because for all mankind, "There is no permanence. So, he goes out on his search for everlasting life.
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Acceptance Essays
