Mini-paper on Tribal and Ancient Religions by Renée Yelle

Renée Yelle
February 19, 2007
Mini Paper 1



Tribal and Ancient Religions

When asked to assess these religions, would one actually believe in and strictly follow them, in the year 2007? I am not too sure of that. When focusing in on the tribal religions, there are some definite aspects that could be used today and probably still are being used. There is some strength that I find extraordinary, and there are also some weaknesses within the religious structure, that could be done with out them.
On the tribal front, their strengths for sure would be their ability to survive. The way that they spilt up gatherers and hunters and how they noticed the different seasons. They were very nature friendly and they respected what they were given or how they needed to get what they needed. They would try to predict events and were successful at it. Also their afterlife focus is fascinating. They were very thoughtful when it came down to being buried and their thoughts on it. Mostly everything these people did was well thought up and had deep sincerity with everything they did.
Some of the weaknesses were the magic aspect to it. Maybe it’s just me but sorcerers and witches and all of that just doesn’t seem to fit in this religion. The way that I look at it is they have myths and shamans totems and high Gods and whatever else, but I feel that there are too many ‘religions’ all in one. I feel that since they were one of the first to be around, maybe they were playing around a bit with all these different ideas and just seeing how each fit into their lives. I don’t feel that they used and did all that was talked about in the book. They probably did at one time, but by the end of the tribal period, they probably had it narrowed down to a high God and the myths, or the trickster and the witch.
I think that their meaning of life is sacred and they take great pride in that. Their meaning of life is way different than our meaning of life in the year 2007. Their focus was on surviving, and agriculture, and their Gods. Our life is money, jobs, home, families and cars. If everyone was to convert to the tribal religions then it would do us a great deal in 07. But for just a community or even a state was to convert, they would have a hard time surviving in this world.
There is no way I would be able to be apart of this religion now a days. I feel that it’s not reality. If I used it to deal with my family situation, work situation or any situation, I would only be hurting myself. Way back then I feel that their religious beliefs kept them alive. It worked for back then when they only had to focus on what they were going to eat next. Life right now at this time is way too complicated for this religion to survive. I respect and could honestly believe in most of it a great deal, like their views on life but in general as a whole, it would not work for this time period or work for me.

From the ancient religion part, there are some definite changes between the tribal front and the ancient religions part.
Some of their strengths would be that they are more civilized (from the year 2007 standard) than the tribal people were. They didn’t just do the bare minimum to stay alive. They went beyond that. Just from looking at page 59 in “Ways to the Center” one would see just by looking at the chart that being compared to the tribal front, they took it a step or two more than the others did. They were evolving as a community, as being civilized.
Everyone had a job in the ancient times. Unlike the tribal which had hunters and gatherers, the ancient civilizations had multiple jobs for multiple people. So in that aspect they were very organized and attentive. They knew what needed to get done, and who and how they were going to do it. As for religious places, at first it was go trade and then while you’re there worship. By the end of this ancient period, people were traveling just to worship then trade. The tables turned on instead of trading, following the law codes and doing anything that a newly civilized group would do, eventually the worshiping came into play. The ‘government’ and the religion went hand in hand during these times. They also developed some type of writing which is called cuneiform.
Some weaknesses are the myths which include Gilgamesh and Enkidu. I understand that during that time, they really believed in and got into it. But some of the stories between these two I just can’t fathom. I would never believe in something to that extreme, as they did. Their stories about how things came about seem much exaggerated. As well as in the Greek times, when they had so many Gods I wouldn’t even be able to name them all. How are people supposed to be worshipping these Gods when there is so much going on between the Gods? Let’s put this into perspective. Let’s say there were about 5 Gods and Goddesses. How am I supposed to look up to for guidance and help when 2 of the Gods are physically fighting each other, one God’s wife is having an affair with his father who is really his brother. See where I’m going with this? There ultimately is too much going on, and too much to follow, while trying to get guidance at the same time.
To be honest I don’t really know what these religions could offer me with the meaning of life or their world views even, I think that that it is too Jerry Springer for me. It’s also unrealistic for me as well. I would not be able to follow this and have it apply to my every day ordeals within myself, and others. I feel bad being so negative within in this religion but there is nothing really that sticks out as great, besides the civilized part. There is religion in here as well, but I feel for the most part it was just the tribal religions becoming more civilized and less religious.
If I were to pick one or the other, I would go with the tribal religions. I feel that they are more believable and more reassuring. I would be able to apply some of their knowledge and beliefs to some situations but for the ancient religions I really don’t know if I could apply anything to my life now.