HIST 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Taoism, Polytheism, Chichen Itza
Document Summary
500 years ago, it was not a choice for not having a religion. All of them had some kind of religion or belief that they believed in. Religious identity were not fixed at times, people were born in religious society and died in that kind of society. Got exposed in another religion and converted. Or had exclusive religion -> only one belief. Some religions die or emerge as time pass. Some people are attracted to new religion. Christianity: on going involvement of god with human"s destiny. Divine revelation? (religious leaders receive message from divine presence. Salvation of soul? (future destiny of the soul) Involves various of acts of worships: songs, sacrifice, materialistic etc. Images of god(s) or other objects of veneration. Encouraged or permitted by some branches or sects. Strictly forbidden (how can you know the appearance of the god, one could not imagine how the god looks like) Temple of heaven (beijing) -> emperors worship for good harvest.
