The Evolution of the Idea of God: An Inquiry Into the Origins of Religion (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

How belief began: from corpse-worship to modern gods

This scholarly study traces the roots of religion by examining practices like ancestor worship, burial rites, and myth. It argues that early corpse-worship may be the primal spark of religious thought, with folklore acting as the protoplasm of myth and theology. By comparing beliefs across civilizations, the author shows how ideas about gods, kings, and the dead evolved together as cultures grew more complex. The work also explores how later religions, including Christianity, borrowed from and reshaped these ancient patterns, while offering a clear framework for understanding religion as a long, shared human project.

• Tracks how primitive rites and stories become the building blocks of belief
• Connects burial customs, kingship, and god-forms across multiple cultures
• Explains how folklore and myth influence theology and sacred practices
• Compares ancient ideas with later religious developments to reveal common threads

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