Friday, December 22, 2017

The Story of God: a National Geographic TV miniseries

The Story of God
National Geographic Series
Morgan Freeman, narrator
Three DVDs

Several reasons moved me to get this set from the library.  One was that I've always been fascinated by the subject of comparative religion. I think it's an excellent demonstration of humanity's creativity and imagination.  The second reason was that I was curious about National Geographics' handling of the subject.  I was hoping that they would go beyond the major religions and look at some of the lesser-known ones, and I wasn't disappointed.  The third was that Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors, and I was looking forward to him as the narrator, and I wasn't disappointed there either.

The format is very straightforward:  each segment is devoted to a specific issue or topic, ones that are common to most religions, and then four or five examples of the ways in which this topic is treated by various religious or cultural groups.

THE TOPICS:

The Afterlife

 The Apocalypse (the end of days)

The Ways Several Religions View their God(s).

The Problem of Evil

Miracles

Creation

The Chosen One

Heaven and Hell

Proof for God's existence.


Along with the five largest religions--Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism--other religions are covered, to a lesser extent of course:  Navajo, Australian Aborigine, Taoism, Maya, Zoroastrianism,  Yoruba, Cherokee, and the Sikh. Scientific evidence is also introduced where appropriate.

This is not an extensive or in-depth study of the issues or topics.  What are presented are the significant elements for each topic as perceived by four or five religious groups.  In my view, it is an excellent overview of the topic and the various religious expressions or perceptions of that topic.  It also provides information about the lesser known religions and is an starting point for further research if you find a particular topic or religion interesting.

I had been aware of the Zoroastrian religion for some time, but I knew knew little about them.  I
thought they had disappeared, but according to the film, there are still groups in existence in Iran, India, and a small group in Southern California.  So, on my Futures List, is a note to do some looking around for Zoroastrianism.

What I find fascinating in this subject is the distinction between the questions and the answers.  The questions--where did the universe come from? where did I come from and where am I going? why am I here? is there a plan or a purpose to all of this or is it chance?--are what Aldous Huxley calls the perennial questions.  They've been around for thousands of years and are common to all humanity, not just the property of one or two groups.  It's almost as if they are hardwired into the human brain.

On the other hand, the answers vary widely and wildly from group to group--a marvelous example of human creativity and imagination--the diversity of human perspective.  One simple example:  the Creation stories range from one god creating the universe out of nothing to the existence of blind, unknowing chaos out of which the gods emerge who then create the universe and its inhabitants.   And not to be ignored is science's big bang theory.   The universe is a marvelous place, however it got here. 


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18 comments:

  1. If we ever have all the questions answered, would we go on living? Why would we? Long live the questioning!

    I’ll look for this one at my library. Thanks, Fred.

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    1. R.T., What would happen if all the questions were answered? Not that I believe that could happen, but if it did?

      Stagnation, I think.

      Or, we have to make up new questions?

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    2. Oh, I don't think we're going to run out of questions in the foreseeable future!

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    3. CyberKitten, at least not for a while anyway. Answering a question seems to lead inevitably to two more questions.

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  2. Oh, if you're looking for something on Zoroastrianism you might like to check out 'In Search of Zarathustra - The First Prophet and the Ideas that Changed the World' by Paul Kriwaczek (2002). It's been on my shelf (unread) for a while so I can't say how good it is but it might be a place to start.

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    1. CyberKitten, thanks for the information. I shall look around for it.

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  3. probably an interesting topic, religion, but a bit out of my range, as it were... i used to play in churches quite a bit when young, but haven't had much to do with it since... i guess i preferred my own fantasies... but what you all have to say about it will be appealing, i'm sure...

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    1. Mudpuddle, I find parts of religious traditions fascinating. I enjoy others' fantasies also--SF/F, for example.

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  4. This sounds like fascinating series, I also find comparative religion a very worthy topic. You make a good point that these stories are a testament to human creativity. It is neat this this goes beyond the major religions.

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    1. Brian, I have found it fascinating over the years. I wish they had spent more time on the less well-known religions.

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    2. I find that as I get older I become less and less interesting in religion. I've come to the conclusion - years ago - that it's all just opinion even if some of the speculation is of moderate anthropological interest. With limited time and especially limited book time I'd rather my focus was elsewhere.

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    3. CyberKitten, that's where I am also--my interest is cultural or anthropological.

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    4. Then I have another book recommendation for you: The Buried Soul – How Humans Invented Death by Timothy Taylor.

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    5. CyberKitten, is this to do with the ritual burials, perhaps as early as Neanderthal times?

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    6. It's certainly to do with human death rituals at least as 'modern' as Viking ceremonies. I'm afraid I can't remember the full details.

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    7. CyberKitten, OK, thanks. I'll add this to my Search List.

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  5. Fred, I struck out at the library. Perhaps Netflix.
    BTW, here is my return to blogging:
    https://informalinquiries2ndedition.blogspot.com/2017/12/marcel-proust-and-quite-bit-more-for.html

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    1. R.T., I hope you have better luck with Netflix.

      See you over there.

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