From Earth Spirits to Sky Gods

From Earth Spirits to Sky Gods PDF Author: Bruce Lerro
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 9780739100981
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 362

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Book Description
In this thought-provoking new book, Bruce Lerro offers a speculative reconstruction of the sacred beliefs and practices of cultures existing between 30,000 and 500 B.C.E. Lerro describes how material changes in various social formations--including hunting-gathering bands and horticulturalists in villages--were responsible for the shift from magic to realism, from the belief in earth spirits to faith in sky gods. Drawing from such diverse theorists as Marx and Engels, Vygotsky, Piaget, and George Herbert Mead, Lerro critiques and transforms mechanical, humanistic, new age, and countercultural perspectives on the history of sacred traditions. This study of comparative religion and mythology has important applications for the fields of archaeology, evolutionary anthropology, sociology, political science, and comparative psychology.

From Earth Spirits to Sky Gods

From Earth Spirits to Sky Gods PDF Author: Bruce Lerro
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 9780739100981
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 362

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this thought-provoking new book, Bruce Lerro offers a speculative reconstruction of the sacred beliefs and practices of cultures existing between 30,000 and 500 B.C.E. Lerro describes how material changes in various social formations--including hunting-gathering bands and horticulturalists in villages--were responsible for the shift from magic to realism, from the belief in earth spirits to faith in sky gods. Drawing from such diverse theorists as Marx and Engels, Vygotsky, Piaget, and George Herbert Mead, Lerro critiques and transforms mechanical, humanistic, new age, and countercultural perspectives on the history of sacred traditions. This study of comparative religion and mythology has important applications for the fields of archaeology, evolutionary anthropology, sociology, political science, and comparative psychology.

Earth, Sky, Gods and Mortals

Earth, Sky, Gods and Mortals PDF Author: Jay B. McDaniel
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1606089129
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 229

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Book Description
In this innovative volume, Jay McDaniel creatively weaves various strands of contemporary theology into a vibrant pattern for an ecological spirituality. Influenced by process theology, the author synthesizes core insights of feminism, liberation theology, creation theology, and world religions. He focuses this varied knowledge around the central theme of an ecologically sound and nurturing faith. The work is strengthened by provocative study questions, an insightful appendix on the role of silence in ecological spirituality, and a comprehensive, annotated bibliography.

The Thinking Past

The Thinking Past PDF Author: Adrian Cole
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0199794626
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 577

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Book Description
"This book takes an analytical approach to world history. Instead of proceeding through history descriptively, it looks at several major questions and ideas, such as the role of technology, the development of universal religions, global trade, or participatory politics. If this sounds thematic, it is. But it also progresses chronologically, analyzing these themes as they apply in certain eras. We use both primary sources in-text, and the latest scholarship as secondary source. These we use frequently in each chapter both to employ the voices of scholars where they say things better than we could, and footnote them for students' reference. We also hope to convey the sense that all this content is part of an ongoing debate amongst historians--and scholars from different disciplines. Finally we attempt to keep the text accessible by focusing on narrative elements of history, and keeping in mind that the readers are undergraduates, often with little exposure to the subject matter. However, the level of ideas remains high"--Provided by publisher.

West African Religion

West African Religion PDF Author: Geoffrey Parrinder
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1498204929
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 221

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Book Description


Dictionary of Nature Myths

Dictionary of Nature Myths PDF Author: Tamra Andrews
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0195136772
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 302

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Book Description
Comprehensive and cross-referenced, this informative volume is a rich introduction to the world of nature as experienced by ancient peoples around the globe. 51 halftones.

African Mythology A to Z

African Mythology A to Z PDF Author: Patricia Ann Lynch
Publisher: Infobase Publishing
ISBN: 1438119887
Category : Mythology, African
Languages : en
Pages : 137

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Book Description
Designed specifically for young readers, the Mythology A to Z series explores the world's most important myths and legends in an accessible and entertaining manner. Each volume includes vividly written entries on the major figures, places, stories, objects, and themes of a given mythology. A vast continent, Africa is the home of the first humans and the birthplace of many cultures, ranging from nomadic bands to farmers to sophisticated civilizations. With four major language families and myriad peoples, Africa is also the source of a diverse and engaging body of myth. African Mythology A to Z is a clearly written reference guide to this lore. Containing 42 illustrations, two maps, a time line, a bibliography, an index, and extensive cross-references, African Mythology A to Z is a comprehensive and accessible reference guide for anyone interested in learning more about various African myths, traditions, and beliefs.

Peak Everything

Peak Everything PDF Author: Richard Heinberg
Publisher: New Society Publishers
ISBN: 0865716455
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
Transitioning gracefully from the Age of Excess to the Era of Modesty.

The Deities Are Many

The Deities Are Many PDF Author: Jordan Paper
Publisher: State University of New York Press
ISBN: 0791483622
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
The Deities Are Many is a lively and learned introduction to polytheism. Drawing from both his scholarly research and his personal experience, author Jordan Paper is the ideal guide into this milieu. Paper was drawn to polytheism through his love of nature, seeing it as a source of the divine. In this book he focuses on Chinese and Native American religious traditions, as well as West African, African-Brazilian, Hindu, Polynesian, and circum-Polar traditions, to describe the theology of polytheism. The book provides a topology of polytheistic deities, focusing on the cosmic couple, Father Sky and Mother Earth; animal, plant, and mineral deities; ancestral spirits; divine ghosts; and culture heroes and tricksters. Paper also shows how monotheists misunderstand polytheism and provides a polytheist perspective on what it means to be human when the "deities are many." This is a fascinating, illuminating book, especially for those raised in monotheistic societies.

The Akan Doctrine of God

The Akan Doctrine of God PDF Author: J.B. Danquah
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136971696
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 233

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Book Description
First Published in 1968. Danquah's desire with this title is to expound Akan thought in such a way as to make it comprehensible to western thinkers and to demonstrate that it is comparable to their system. In pursuance of this objective, he calls forth his philosophical training and indulges in metaphysical and ethical speculation. The effects of this are evident in the whole book, whether in his discussion of the nature of the supreme Being or in his exposition of Akan ethical thought.

Gods in the Sky

Gods in the Sky PDF Author: Allan Chapman
Publisher: Channel 4 Book
ISBN: 9780752261645
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 342

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Book Description
Most histories of astronomy start with Copernicus, Galileo and Columbus, But this text shows that in the colourful mythology of the ancients lay a surprisingly accurate understanding of celestial movements. A radical prefiguring of modern astronomy can be found throughout history. Two millennia before Columbus set sail for America, Pythagoras conceived the world was round. In 3rd century BC, Erasthones calculated the approximate size of the Earth, and long before Galileo's heretical science upset Christian orthodoxy, our 365.25 day calendar had been more or less finalized by Julius Ceaser as a variation on that of the Egyptians. Gods in the Sky is more than a history of astronomy, it explores the inextricable links in ancient civilization between astronomy and astrology, mythology, religion, philosophy, architecture, art, agriculture and navigation, to illuminate the history of the ancients.