Summary Of Battling The Gods By Tim Whitmarsh
Whitmarsh, Tim. Battling the Gods: Atheism in the Ancient World. Vintage Books, 2015. Throughout Battling the Gods: Atheism in the Ancient World, author Tim Whitmarsh redefines classical history through the lens of the often neglected and demonized perspectives of Atheists. Through these perspectives, Whitmarsh emphasizes the significance of atheism in classical history, with a clear intention of opposing the frequent neglect atheists and atheist history receive from influential historians and educators. To this end, Whitmarsh aims to disprove the misconception that religion is inherently natural in humans, thus recognizing and acknowledging atheist history as equally significant to religious history. Such a platform is consistent …show more content…
Characterized as capricious, selfish, and often comical, the Greek gods and goddesses hardly served as moral precedents, as can be seen through Zeus’ various exploits and Ares’ violent and cruel tendencies (Whitmarsh 31-32). To this end, the Greek gods and goddesses served as symbolic manifestations of all aspects of humanity, embodying the urges, ingenuity, hardships, and faults of all people (31). Consequently, the Greek people tended to criticize divine elements in Homer’s and Hesiod’s works, undermining, questioning, and even parodying the adventures of the heroes (36). A significant instance of this can be found within the writings of Palaephatus, a skeptical Athenian. Regarding the mythological creatures known as centaurs, Palaephatus writes, “... it is impossible. Horse and human natures are not compatible, nor are their foods the same …show more content…
As an example of this, Whitmarsh cites one of historian Thucydides’ most prominent works, the History of the Peloponnesian War. Having studied pre-Socratic philosophy to the extent in which he was rumored to be an Atheist, Thucydides solidified his position through his historical account of the infamous war between Athens and Sparta (Whitmarsh 82). Unlike many historians of his time, Thucydides actively rejected divine or supernatural interpretations of the war, endeavoring to only record naturalistic causality while deliberately criticizing the invocation of deities in alternate accounts. Consequently, the History of the Peloponnesian War serves as the earliest known “Atheist narrative” of history
A Voyage Long And Strange Analysis
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How Did The Peloponnesian War Be Unbiased
577 Words | 3 PagesThucydides is the author of Peloponnesian War. The Peloponnesian War was a direct and indirect conflict between Sparta and Athens that lasted from 460-404 BCE. Thucydides fought for Athens during the Peloponnesian War and was later exiled by Athens. Thucydides was writing about something that he participated in and the Peloponnesian War became the first contemporary history. Thucydides also made use of eyewitness reports from people who were participants in the war.
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932 Words | 4 PagesSinners in the Hands of an Angry God was written by Jonathon Edwards. He wrote about how everybody will go to hell one day, and God holding you over a great bottomless pit with a slender rope. Puritans from the 18th century would take his sermon seriously. I would not have taken his sermon seriously at all, and thought of it as an ordinary piece of writing. Edwards used resources of a language to give his audience a sense of fear and anguish.
Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God By Jonathan Edwards
757 Words | 4 PagesJonathan Edwards’s sermons, “Sinners in the hands of an Angry God” describes a vivid imagery of a powerful God to be feared. His way of teaching Gods word while providing graphic images of hell and a fiery death that follow if not obeyed. Manipulation got others to follow him without a question. Mostly followed and believed without a doubt, for the fear of God and eternal damnation seemed to real and had no other options, because we are all naturally sinners and belong in Hell. Being raised as Christian we were not given terrifying images of Hell.
Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God By Jonathan Edwards
669 Words | 3 PagesJonathan Edwards, and early American pastor, is remembered today for his speech, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Edwards’s sermon was one of the greatest awakenings or events that occurred in early America. “Next to the Pilgrim’s first Thanksgiving, Edwards’s preaching of this sermon is one of the most famous events in colonial history.” (Kessee and Sidwell; 63) Jonathan Edwards was a man ‘on fire for God’ and his sermon effected the lives of many individuals. While “Sinners in the Hands of and Angry God” may have seemed like and extreme way of painting the position of unsaved man.
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440 Words | 2 PagesJonathan Edwards had a certain way of influencing society. He Preached in a common style ,but this style was used to preach to prisoners and Edwards used it on church goers. He didn’t stand up on stage and say, ask forgiveness and you'll be answered. No, Edwards says what will happen to you if you don’t, and explained it in details. This preaching method changed people's perspective to seek forgiveness, and make a choice to except God.
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938 Words | 4 Pages“This is the case of every one of you that are out of Christ: That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone, is extended abroad under you…” This excerpt is from Jonathan Edwards’ acclaimed sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” In this sermon he used descriptive, truthful words to deepen the understanding of God and Man, to show there is redemption. Edwards was a major player in The Great Awakening; he preached with conviction, with power. The Holy Spirit was upon him to give this message to these people.
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How Does Greek Mythology Influence Modern Society
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