No Equality Amongst Gods

[Nakosis]

In most divine pantheons there is usually a head honcho. One God to rule them all.

This being the general case, where does the concept of equality come from?

Does any religion teach equality? At least among humans.

 

[Rival]

Most ancient Pagan systems were heavily hierarchical and had no concept of equality at all, as far as I'm aware. The notion of equality comes from the idea of imago dei from Judaism and Christianity.

 

[Nakosis]

Most ancient Pagan systems were heavily hierarchical and had no concept of equality at all, as far as I'm aware. The notion of equality comes from the idea of imago dei from Judaism and Christianity.

The word "Jewish" turns the vision and meaning of the Mishnah upside-down. If only a Jewish life is worth an entire world, then perhaps a non-Jewish life has different value. Perhaps, to misquote Thomas Jefferson, "not all men are created equal"...

...Shall the Jewish community, the community that invented the idea that "all people are created equal" be the only community to teach its children and grandchildren that some are more equal than others? And shall the pledges of the Declaration of Independence wait unfulfilled another year?
https://www.thejc.com/judaism/features/how-the-talmud-s-idea-of-equality-got-lost-1.32936

 

[Nakosis]

The word "Jewish" turns the vision and meaning of the Mishnah upside-down. If only a Jewish life is worth an entire world, then perhaps a non-Jewish life has different value. Perhaps, to misquote Thomas Jefferson, "not all men are created equal"...

...Shall the Jewish community, the community that invented the idea that "all people are created equal" be the only community to teach its children and grandchildren that some are more equal than others? And shall the pledges of the Declaration of Independence wait unfulfilled another year?
https://www.thejc.com/judaism/features/how-the-talmud-s-idea-of-equality-got-lost-1.32936

Apparently some scribe thought it important to add the word "Jewish" to this teaching.

 

[Rival]

Apparently some scribe thought it important to add the word "Jewish" to this teaching.

Yeah that stuff can also be found, but the idea of equality ultimately comes form the idea of people being made in God's image.

 

[PureX]

In most divine pantheons there is usually a head honcho. One God to rule them all.

This being the general case, where does the concept of equality come from?

Does any religion teach equality? At least among humans.

"Equality is not an issue, usually, because the 'demigods' are all different manifestations of the same source 'Godhead'. The "sea god" is not better or worse or more important than the "mountain god" or the "sun god". Nor is a "fertility god" more important than a "hunting god". These demigods are all just representations of the many manifestation of God-hood. One would simply focus on the representative demigod most appropriate to their circumstances.

 

[Windwalker]

In most divine pantheons there is usually a head honcho. One God to rule them all.

This being the general case, where does the concept of equality come from?

Does any religion teach equality? At least among humans.

Yes, surprisingly actually the Christian religion does. At least in its early years. That theme of equality is something that comes up in cultures in cycles. Images of God always reflect that cycle. I believe Jesus and the message of social and spiritual reform reflects that desire for equality against political and religious hierarchies.

Of course as cycles go, Christianity too becomes institutionalized and oppressive itself full of male-dominated hierarchies, and such. That desire for equality I believe is primal in our species, as well as the desire to dominate others. Those both exist at the same time, but cycle through periods of predominate waves.

 

[stvdv]

In most divine pantheons there is usually a head honcho. One God to rule them all.

This being the general case, where does the concept of equality come from?

Does any religion teach equality? At least among humans.

Sai Baba teaches this. Most important Teaching He taught in my understanding

 

[Nakosis]

Yes, surprisingly actually the Christian religion does. At least in its early years. That theme of equality is something that comes up in cultures in cycles. Images of God always reflect that cycle. I believe Jesus and the message of social and spiritual reform reflects that desire for equality against political and religious hierarchies.

Of course as cycles go, Christianity too becomes institutionalized and oppressive itself full of male-dominated hierarchies, and such. That desire for equality I believe is primal in our species, as well as the desire to dominate others. Those both exist at the same time, but cycle through periods of predominate waves.

Honestly, one of the major teaching I felt from the story of Jesus was that of equality.
When I was church goer however, I don't recall any focus on this.

 

[Nakosis]

"Equality is not an issue, usually, because the 'demigods' are all different manifestations of the same source 'Godhead'. The "sea god" is not better or worse or more important than the "mountain god" or the "sun god". Nor is a "fertility god" more important than a "hunting god". These demigods are all just representations of the many manifestation of God-hood. One would simply focus on the representative demigod most appropriate to their circumstances.

My initial thoughts were perhaps there is no equality in polytheism because is simply something humans can not conceive of.
Why not a conglomerate of Gods democratically voting on what is right and wrong?

 

[PureX]

My initial thoughts were perhaps there is no equality in polytheism because is simply something humans can not conceive of.
Why not a conglomerate of Gods democratically voting on what is right and wrong?

Of course we humans personify our 'demigods' and their community as a reflection of ourselves. What else could we do? It's all we know. And in that sense there may be greater and lesser gods according to the mythology. But I think it's important in terms of discussion to remain aware of the fact of mythology, and not get drawn into debating the myths.

 

[syo]

Does any religion teach equality?

Paganism.

 

[Sundance]

My initial thoughts were perhaps there is no equality in polytheism because is simply something humans can not conceive of.
Why not a conglomerate of Gods democratically voting on what is right and wrong?

That would be anachronistic, to say the least. Besides, if each god and goddess has their own will, their own desires, how could you get them to come to any kind of an agreement without something greater to unify them? Or how could morality and ethics be figured out if there is no singular standard from which not even the gods are exempt?

 

[Nakosis]

That would be anachronistic, to say the least. Besides, if each god and goddess has their own will, their own desires, how could you get them to come to any kind of an agreement without something greater to unify them? Or how could morality and ethics be figured out if there is no singular standard from which not even the gods are exempt?

Exactly, we could not conceive of it working any other way.
But on the other hand, divine reality might be beyond us.