Myth of the Male Divine

Myth of the Male Divine
By: Mike Vignapiano
HUM/105 - World Mythology
24 April 2010
Patricia Waggener History describes many gods. In polytheism, there are different gods representing different aspects of life, such as Apollo (God of light), Ares (God of war), Hades (God of the underworld), and Poseidon (God of horses, earthquakes, and) best known as God of the sea (Hassam, 2010). In the monotheism myths (Christianity, Judaism, Islam…), the God Krishna is the father of all existence. He is the lord of ruin and also the lord who bears liberating wisdom. Many elements of these myths correspond to one another in their messages. Whether you are reading about a polytheism or monotheism based myth, you are able to see that the basic function of a myth is to “explain natural phenomena, bind a clan, tribe or nation together, to set examples for people’s behavior and even to justify a social structure…” (Teachers, 1998, para. 2). Myths about the male divine often tend to describe them according to the offices they hold. These myths will always involve the beginning of mankind. The male divine will father life. Because of the power they have, they are able to impose their will on the universe (Leonard & McClure, 2004, p188). This is how the gods establish a connection between the everyday world of the humans they created and the supernatural world of the God(s). This also establishes the pecking order of life in the universe. Humans are held in regard as above the animals and plants, which whom they share the earth, but are subservient to the gods and other supernatural beings within the universe. Gods will dwell “in unapproachable majesty in the heavens, far from the toil and tears of his earthly creations” (p189). As with the Lord of the Hebrew and the Heavenly Father of the New Testament, we know they both are never approached except through a mediatory. “No one comes to the Father, but through me,” said Jesus (John 14:6) As we can clearly see, gods usually create off-spring(s) to assume the responsibility of ensuring their commandments, principles, and laws, to organize, and to direct his creations (humans). In the myths that center on the father, all seek his love and approval while at the same time, are living in fear of his wrath.

REFERENCES:

Leonard, S., & McClure, M. 2004, Myth & knowing: An introduction to world mythology. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Mythical Gods And Creatures, Hassam, Copyright © 2010 Hubpages Inc, http://hubpages.com/hub/Mythical-Gods-And-Creatures
Teachers ' Plan for Kids on Campus 1998, McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014, Retrieved 04/17/2010, http://webinstituteforteachers.org/98/www4teach/teams/Muses/plan.htm

References: Leonard, S., & McClure, M. 2004, Myth & knowing: An introduction to world mythology. New York: McGraw-Hill. Mythical Gods And Creatures, Hassam, Copyright © 2010 Hubpages Inc, http://hubpages.com/hub/Mythical-Gods-And-Creatures Teachers ' Plan for Kids on Campus 1998, McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, Illinois   60014, Retrieved 04/17/2010, http://webinstituteforteachers.org/98/www4teach/teams/Muses/plan.htm