Importance Of Hammurabi Religion
The importance and extent of involvement of religion and/or spirituality in fostering unity within a complex society is best demonstrated throughout early ancient history. From Hammurabi's Babylon to the ascetic Buddhism of India, religion has always played a key role in the development of cultural unity and tradition. In 18th century B.C., king of Babylon, Hammurabi improved his kingdoms unity with a code of law purportedly handed down to him from the gods themselves. Hammurabi used this sacred law to not only control his people but to promote a sense of well-being and justice for those under his rule. He claimed “that the gods had chosen him 'to promote the welfare of the people, to destroy the wicked and the evil...to light up the land'”
(Traditions and Encounters pg11). The people system of the Babylonian people were used to promote a centralization of government, and a common ideal of right and wrong. Alternatively, the Chinese Zhou dynasty's displacement of their predecessors in 256 B.C. was morally excused by claiming sanction from the “heavenly powers” (Traditions and Encounters pg53). Over one hundred years later, Emperor Han Wudi used named Confucianism as the official ideology in order to adopt a successful educational system for his government (Traditions and Encounters pg108). Confucianism provided a foundation of unity for the Chinese people that would aid them in many a future conflict. In a similar vein, Indian Emperor Ashoka adopted Buddhism in 260 B.C. to “lend unity to his culturally diverse and far-flung realm” (Traditions and Encounters pg126). The budding philosophy of the Buddhists presented a caste-free belief system while simultaneously promoting a peaceful, magnanimous existence. The spread of Buddhism allowed for unity of people who were unsatisfied with the current social climate, yet would not instigate in them a desire for violent change. While it is probable that Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism was sincere, the fact that it was a politically shrewd move is undeniable (Traditions and Encounters pg126). Just as a common enemy or shared language wields great power to unite differing groups of people, so religion has been utilized since the beginning of recorded history. The fact that the trend of using individual hope of betterment and salvation has been a tool of authority for so long should certainly be a lesson for the future.
(Traditions and Encounters pg11). The people system of the Babylonian people were used to promote a centralization of government, and a common ideal of right and wrong. Alternatively, the Chinese Zhou dynasty's displacement of their predecessors in 256 B.C. was morally excused by claiming sanction from the “heavenly powers” (Traditions and Encounters pg53). Over one hundred years later, Emperor Han Wudi used named Confucianism as the official ideology in order to adopt a successful educational system for his government (Traditions and Encounters pg108). Confucianism provided a foundation of unity for the Chinese people that would aid them in many a future conflict. In a similar vein, Indian Emperor Ashoka adopted Buddhism in 260 B.C. to “lend unity to his culturally diverse and far-flung realm” (Traditions and Encounters pg126). The budding philosophy of the Buddhists presented a caste-free belief system while simultaneously promoting a peaceful, magnanimous existence. The spread of Buddhism allowed for unity of people who were unsatisfied with the current social climate, yet would not instigate in them a desire for violent change. While it is probable that Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism was sincere, the fact that it was a politically shrewd move is undeniable (Traditions and Encounters pg126). Just as a common enemy or shared language wields great power to unite differing groups of people, so religion has been utilized since the beginning of recorded history. The fact that the trend of using individual hope of betterment and salvation has been a tool of authority for so long should certainly be a lesson for the future.