Animism and Mythology

Re: # 6 Khurram

Well title of this article is ``Animism and Mythology`` ... To discuss religion would require another article ... So it depends ... if I ever write it then shall try to share.

Regards!

Dear Khuram (with a single `r`) ,

Why did your article stop so abruptly? Why not go the next logical step and talk about religion?
Specifically, what about God? Is this another childish story invented by uneduated masses?

``In Anthropology, these ‘approaches’ are generally classified as:

1- Animism
2- Mythology
3- Religion
``

Much of the classification and calling ``religion`` as an ``advancement`` to pagan-animistic thought is nonnsense. Simply because the body/spirit dualism is the basis of all religions.

Take this ``animistic`` thought away from these religions and you find all the great religions from Christianity, Islam to Hinduism falls falt like a pack of card.
All religions are animistic, anthropomorphic and superimposes human qualities on an external non-material entity called God/Almighy/Allah/Ishwar etc etc. This dualism of world/god is same as in the animistic dualism of body/mind or body/spirit.

Infact this dualism is very ancient and has been the basis of Platonic and Greek Matter/Form dualism.

Now consider the anthropomorphic bearings of the ``Classical `` religions. We superimpose the human emotions and attributes on the divine entities. What do you mean by ``infinite`` mercy/compassion/knowledge/understanding/power??? What do we mean by something happening because of the almighty`s ``will``? This is pure and classical animism that tries to explain a material event by taking recourse to a non-material cause (the ``Spirit`` or the ``Will of Almighty``)

The anthropomorphic bearings of the animistic classical religions becomes evident the more we read it and find the ``infinity`` speaking in our ears!!!

Khurram Sahib,

The fundamental issue that stumps human beings is death. Death is such an irrational, unexplainable phenomenon that humans just cannot accept it as an abrupt end to each person`s existence. The rationale is how can something as sophisticated as a complex, intelligent life form simply stop functioning one day and return to dust. We have got to be part of some cosmic scheme, some universal purppse. This conviction leads to the search for an explanation along the lines that you describe.

Each culture and civilization, from the most primitive to the most advanced, have attempted to understand and explain death. Almost everyone of them have rationalized that death is not an end but just a transition to an after-life. Hindus formulated cycles of rebirths which in turn resulted in the setup of the caste system. Christians have the whole after-life concept with heaven and hell. Muslims have extended the christian concept of after-life even further to promote the concept of detailed bookkeeping of human behavior which will be evaluated on the Day of Judgement. In fact, muslims formulate their partnership with God or Allah virtually as an exclusive partnership, a cosmic connection that overrides all worldly matters. The suicide bombers in the middle-east may be desperate youth but they are also absolutely convinced that they are doing God`s work. In fact, it is the perfect example where humans have lost their fear of death, such is their conviction that a higher cosmic force is guiding them.

The secular progressive movement in the West, India and the far-east (China), is moving towards the other extreme where they no longer want to find any explanations. They have gone through the search phase and have concluded that it is futile to search for explanations. There is no cosmic connections or higher purpose and death is simply the point in time where neurons stop firing in our brains. Hence the only objective becomes maximization of our happiness on earth while laws are setup to avoid harming other`s happiness. It is no wonder that the US constitution promotes life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. We will never hear any hindu saint or muslim pir advocating the pursuit of happiness as an objective in itself.

At the end of it all, we still do not know any better. Is the search for a cosmic master plan based explanation, as manifested in its extreme by Islam the answer? Or is the answer simply to stop looking for explanations, as is evident in the West? From a sheer physical comfort point of view, the western approach is awesome. From an emotional, spiritual perspective, the religion based approach provides answers. The jury is out.

khurram

You are being too modest. Sure, some of it may not be ``completely original,`` but the rest of it completely turns conventional wisdom (or what people thought was wisdom) on its head. A tour de force, signaling Chowk`s arrival as a platform for showcasing innovative intellectual work. Best of luck.

Thanks Kaalchakra for such nice words of appreciation. This article does contain some of my original views also like humans always need to get ``theoretical explanations`` of every ``observed phenomenon``, and they do it because they are rational BY ESSENSE. And since they do possess essence so I am expressively going against the philosophy of ``Existentialism`` which denies the presence of pre-given human essence by emphasizing on slogan: ``Existence Precedes Essence``. Secondly my explanation of the notion of ``Children`s World`` is also original. The rest of the article is a synthesis of Sir James Frazer`s ``Golden Bough`` and Syed Ali Abbas Jalapuri`s ``Insan Aur Kainaat``. Syed Ali Abbas Jalalpuri Sahib has discussed only animistic form of magic. But the study of many examples of magic, as mentioned in ``Golden Bough`` would lead to the conclusion that pure magic was older than Animism.

Thanks again … and obviously I shall consider your advice of sending it to peer reviewed journals.

Regards!

Absolutely brilliant, Rafique Sahib. Have you submitted a copy to refereed jounals?