B Y THE SAME A UTHOR

TWE L VE Y EAR S I N A MO N AS TE R Y
I n p a p er c ove r , 9 d
b y p o s t 1 1 d ; c l o th , l s 6 d n e t , b y p o s t l s 9 d
.

C RI SES

HI

I N THE
S TO R
inl an d o stag e 6d

net

Y OF

net ,

THE PAPAC Y

C lo th , 1 0s 6d
.

C AN D D H S TO R Y OF THE JESU TS
i nl a nd p o stage 6 d

C lo th , 108 6d
.

ne t ;

THE

B AN KR U PTC Y

po sta ge 6d

OF R EL I G I O N

C lo th , 5 s

ne t

; inl a nd

THE POPE S AN D THEI R C H U R C H : A C ANDID AC C OU N T

C lo th , 68 n e t i nl an d pos t a ge 6 d
.

L o ndo n :

W ATTS

CO

17

J o hnso n

C o urt , F le et Stre et , E C 4
.

THE G ROW TH OF R EL IG ION

'

A STUDY OF ITS OR IG IN

DEVEL OPMENT

BY

JOSEP H

M C C AB E
The B a nkrup tc y of R eligion

( Au t hor of

I S SU ED F OR

T HE

e tc

R ATI ON AL I ST P R E SS A S S OC I ATION . L IMI TE D

L ON D ON 1
A TT S

1 7 JOHN SON S C OU

RT F L EET
,

19 1 8

STR EET, E C 4
.

PREF ACE

the very l arge litera tu re w h ic h we n o w ha ve c o ncer n

in g t h e ori g in a n d d eve l o p m ent of re li gio n t h e r e is e i t h e r
t o o ge n ero u s a n e l e m en t of S p e c u l a t ion o r t h e fa ct s a re
a rr a n ge d in a n o r d e r wh ic h d o e s n o t p l a i n l y s u gge s t t h e
a c tu a l o r d er of e vol u t i o n
I n t h is wo r k a n a t te m p t is
m a d e t o d ist r ib u te the kn own fa c t s in s u c h s u cce ssi o n
t h a t the y d o pre s en t a s fa r a s p ossibl e th e re a l c hro
n o lo gic a l d eve lo p m ent of hu m a n c u l t u r e
The m os t
pr i m i t ive fr a gmen t s of o u r r a c e a re ri go r ou sl y s ep a r a te d
from h i gher t r ibes a n d t h e s t a ge o f r eli gi o u s devel o p m en t
In th e
a t w h ic h the y li n ger is v e ry c a r efu ll y d ete r m i n e d
s ele ct ion of the se p ri m i t i ve p e op l e s the te a c h i n g of m o d er n
a n thro p olo gy is clos e l y followe d a n d m a n y tr i b e s w h ich
a re u s u a ll y q u o te d a s pr i m i t iv e a re w i t h he l d u n t il a l a te r
s t a ge B y t h is pr oce dure a vi ew of t h e o r i gi n of re li gion
is r e a c h e d wh ich d i ffer s fro m t h a t p re s ente d in t h e
m a jo r i t y of r e c en t wo r k s o n t h e s u bje c t
V a r iou s gro u p s of p e o p l e s a t s u cc ee d i n g s t a ge s o f c u l tu re
a re the n s t u d i e d a n d a n a tte m p t is m a d e t o d e term i n e
t h e d evelo pm en t of t h e r eli gio u s s en t i ment o r beli ef o r
pr a c t i c e fro m the ger m w h ich t h e p r i m i t ive l ev e l a ffo rd s
B ut a n en c y clo p ae d i a o r a wor k re a c h in g the d i men sio n s
of an en c y c lo paadia wo u l d b e req u i re d if one so ugh t t o
a r r an ge a ll the p e o p l e s of the e a r th in th is e vol u t io n a ry
IN

vi

PR EF A C E

rde r a n d the a uthor h a s t o be co ntent t o p urs ue t h e

s ubjec t in t h e fo rm o f a n e ss a y o r s ket ch which a t le a s t
o u t line s the re a l c ou rs e of develo p m en t Fo r t h is pur
p os e s ep a r a te r egi on s o i t h e e a r t h h ave been c h os en a n d
the a u t h or h a s sought t o s h o w h ow fr o m the pr i m i t iv e
l eve l wh i c h gen er a ll y li n ger s in a few b a c kwa rd p eo p l e s
of e a c h regio n t h e reli giou s beli ef a n d pr a c t ic e h a ve
n a t u r a ll y d eve lo p e d u nt il t h e y r e a c h t h e form i n w h ic h
we n d them i n the civili z at ion wh ich d o mi n a tes t h e
region Th u s fo r A si a a n d A m er i c a t h e a im is t o s h o w
h o w t h e pr i m i t ive r e li gio n grew i n t o the e l ab o r a te cu l t s
o f C h i n a a n d I n d i a Mexi c o a n d J a p a n
Fo r E uro p e a n d n e a rer A si a the stre a m s a re fo l
l o we d wi t h s pe c i a l rega r d t o t h e i r u l t i m ate un io n
in t h e r iver o f C hr is t i a n t r a d i t ion
Th a t C hr is t i a n i t y
1s but
t h e l ates t n atu r al d evel o p m en t of t h e e v o lv
in g r e li gi o u s s en t i m en t h a rd l y a n a u th o r i ty o n t h e
s ubjec t wou l d n o w q u e stion ; b ut few c a re to a rr an ge
t h e m a te r i a l of co m p a r a t ive re li gio n s o a s to give
pr o m in en c e t o th is cu l mi n at in g fac t of t h e i n q u i ry
He re a ga i n the a u t h o r s k et ches w h a t he b eli eve s to b e
t h e a c tu a l o rd er of d eve l o p ment a n d fo llows t h e met h o d
wh i c h h e deem s mo re sci en ti c The wo r k is s ub s tan
t iall y a co mp il a t i o n o f f a ct s fr o m th e b e s t o r i gi n a l a u th o ri
t ies o n e ac h p eo p l e ; t h e a u th o r c l a i m s onl y th e m eri t of
a rr a n gi n g t h e m in a m o r e n a t u r a l a n d m o r e i n s t r u c t iv e
o rde r t h a n is u s u a ll y d o n e
Th e a u t h o ri t i e s a re q u ote d
in t h e i r r e s p ec t ive p l a c e s a n d nee d n o t b e gathered in t o
a n i m p os in g b iblio gr a ph y
o

C O NTE NT S
PAG E

PR EFAC E
C

HAP

THE EV O L U T

I ON O F

R EL

I G I ON

I E ST T R AC E S OF R EL I GI ON
III THE ME AN I N G O F THE F A C T S
I V THE TH I C K ET S O F S U P E R ST I T I ON G R o w
V THE L E SSON O F A FR I C A
V I THE R E L I G I ON S O F A ME R I C A
V II THE R E L I G I O N S O F A SI A
II

EAR L

V III THE FATHE R S O F EUR O P E

.

I G I ON O F THE F IR ST C IV I L I Z ATI ON S
X THE W OMB OE C H R IS T I AN I T Y
XI THE S T O R Y O F C H R I ST IAN I T Y
IX

THE R E L

XII

THE F

A ST AN D THE

FU T U R E

I NDE'

v ii

19
53

77
1 10
1 36
1 67

1 99
223

2 44
2 70
2 93

C H A P TE R I
T HE EV O L U T I O N

OF

ELIG I ON

the y ear 384 there occ urred o n e of the l a s t

at t em p t s o f the o ld R o man re ligio n t o s tem the
F o r f t y y e a r s the l ead i n g
a d v an c e o f C hr is t i a n i t y
R o m an s h a d s een the i r lif e i n v a ded i n c re a si n gly b y
;
the new re ligio n T he E m p er o r s were n o w C hr is
t i an and th o u g h the y rare ly liv ed at R o m e i t wa s
f e l t that the p a th t o the i r f a vo ur l a y thr o u g h the
C hr is t i a n C hur c h
T he m o re so ber and m o re c u l t i
v a t e d of the R o m an s s a w w i th re g ret the p a ssi n g o f
the i r ol d go d s C ert a i n ly the y be li e v ed n o lo n g er i n
the c h il d is h l e g end s o f the ad v enture s of J u pi ter a n d
V enu s ; n o r had the y an y v e s t ig e o f the be li e f o f
the i r f a ther s th a t the ha ppi ne ss o f a h o me de p ended
u po n due re sp e c t fo r i t s L a re s and Pen a te s and the
we lf are of the S t a te u po n the w o r s h ip of the g reater
go d s I f the y be li e v ed at a ll i n go d s the y follo wed
e i ther E pic uru s wh o lig ht ly pl a c ed the s e th i n and
d isp utab l e s hade s i n a rem o te re gio n of sp a c e and
s a i d that the y were ent i re ly i nd i fferent t o man s
a ffa i r s o r P l at o wh o s a w o n e g reat i n visi b l e spi r i t
br ok en ly re e c ted a s the s ett i n g s un is u po n the
we s tern clo ud s i n a ll the i d ols and l e g end s o f the
p e opl e
B ut men s a i dW 6 under s tand i t we ll fo r man y

IN

THE EV OLU T ION

OF

R ELIGION

da y

j u s t the s a m e th i n g t o
th a t the R o man
S t a te wa s I rre pl a c e a b ly b u il t u po n the ol d re ligio n
and w o u l d f a ll i nt o r u i n if th a t fo u n d a t io n were
re m ov ed In the y ear 384 there fo re when a f re s h
en c r o a c hment u po n the o ld re ligio n wa s co ntem
pl a ted the R o m a n S enat o r s s ent the i r m os t d is t i n
m
u s t o M il an t o pl e a d fo r
i
o
r
t
o
r
S
y
m
a
c
h
h
a
u
s
e
d
g
the go d s D o n o t a sk where S y mm a c hu s th o u g ht
the thunderb ol t s Of Ju pi ter were th a t he S h o u l d be
co m p e ll ed t o u s e h is poo r human e loquen c e t o
p re v ent the b a n is hment of the go d O n c e m o re
i n o u r t i m e the hea v en s are sil ent wh il e th o u s a n d s
o f t o n g u e s a n d p en s pl e a d fo r the retent io n of de i t y
S y mma c h u s wr o te a n d de liv ered a m a g n i c ent
o r a t io n R o und the b oy E m p er o r V a l ent i n i a n wh o
mu s t ha v e under s t oo d v er y li tt l e of i t were g rav e
s tate s men and br o n z ed sol d i er s wh o lis tened t o and
s ee m e d t o f a vo ur the pl e a B ut beh i nd the thr o ne
o f the fo urteen y e a r ol d E m p er o r w a s S t A m b r os e
the g re a te s t Chr is t i a n l eader si n c e Pau l ; and i n a
s h o rt t i m e the an s wer of A mbr os e ci r c u l ated thr o u g h
It a ly and e x t i n g u is hed the l a s t h op e of the Pa g an s
It w a s a remar k ab l e an s wer F ift y y ear s a go the
C hr is t i an C hur c he s were co n fr o nted w i th wh a t is
c a ll ed the d oc tr i ne o f e vol ut io n and fr o m Lo nd o n
t o M osco w fr o m N ew Y o r k t o Sa n F ran cisco the y
e x e c rated and r i d ic u l ed i t A f ew sci ent i c men
fo u g ht fo r the truth and o n e b y o n e the v ar io u s
d e p artment s o f nature p a ss ed under the d o m i n io n
T he s tar s had been g radu a lly
o f the n e w ru l er
fo r m ed o u t of loos e clo ud s of cos m i c du s t ; the r ocks
ha d be e n co mp a c ted dur i n g million s o f y ear s o u t o f
s ay

THE EV OLU T ION

OF

R ELIGION

th is i n g athered mater i a l ; the an i ma ls and pl ant s

had slo w ly a sc ended a v a s t sc a l e of o r g an iz at io n ;

man h i m s e lf it w a s at l a s t i rre sis t i b ly s h o wn wa s

b u t the p re s ent o wer of that a ge lo n g de v e lop m ent
B ut when sc h ol a r s went o n t o c la i m that man s
be li e fs and i n s t i tut io n s had been S i m il ar ly e volv ed
and n o t co mmun ic ated f r o m an o ther w o r l d the
s t o rm o f O pposi t io n r os e t o a g a l e
A nd dur i n g a ll the s e y ear s there wa s unread b y
an y i n the M ig ne coll e c t io n o f the wr i t i n gs o f the
?
C hr is t i an F a ther s the f a m o u s ar g ument b y wh ic h
A mbr os e had sil en c ed the Pa g an s i n the y ear 384
I t w a s i n e ffe c t the e vol ut io nar y ar g u ment
It
wa s an a pp ea l a g a i n s t co n s er v a t is m t o the co n s tant
c h a n g e f u l ne ss a n d p r og re ss o f nature A mbr os e
look ed r o und the w o r l d fo r what we s h o u l d c a ll
i n m o dern l an g u a g e the l a w s o f nature and he
fo und that the s u p re m e l aw wa s nge Wa s
re ligio n a lo ne he a s Ee RTtO be an Exc e p t io n t o the
l aw ? Were the y t o cli n g t o o ld r i te s a n d l e g end s
when the voic e o f nature o n e v er y si de spok e o f
c han g e ad v an c e the death of the o ld the b i rth o f
the new ? A mbr os e w o n ; and Eu r op e e v er si n c e
h a s fo r go tten h i s ar g ument and ad op ted that o f
S y mma c hu s and the Pa g an s
T he rhet o r ic a l ar g ument o f A mbr os e ha s n o w
be co me a sci en c e o r a p h ilosoph y T he m os t co m p re
h e n s iv e the m os t co n spic u o u s the m os t ill u m i nat i n g
l aw o f nature is e vol ut io n F r o m the at o m o f matter
t o the s tar fr o m the li tt l e Alg a s w i mm i n g i n the po nd
t o the o r c h i d f r o m the w o rm t o the human be i n g
fr o m N i ag ara G o r g e to the Alps f r o m the co rr o bo ree
-

THE EV OLU T ION

OF

R ELIGION

of

a g r o u p o f A u s tra li an s a v a g e s t o a sy m ph o n y
f r o m the p r i m i t i v e life of a co m m u n i t y of B u s h

men t o the civiliz a t io n of th e U n i te d St a te s a ll

w a s e volv ed
Whether th i n gs were e volv e d qu i te
g r a d u a lly o r b y sp u rt s whether n a t u r a l s e l e c t io n

ha d a l a r g er o r s m a ll er p a rt i n the p r oc e ss in o ther
w o rd s whether the co rre c t w a y t o co n c e iv e the
e vol ut io n i s L a m a r ckis m o r D a r w i n is m o r W e is

m a n n is m o r M en d e lis m m e n m a y d isp u te ; b u t
the fa c t and un iv er s a li t y of e vol u t io n n o ne d isp u te
R e ligio n f a lls u nder the l aw
I t w a s e volv ed
SO f ar a g a i n there i s n o d isp u te
T h e v a r io u s
re ligio n s o r re ligio u s s e c t s wh ic h r a is e the i r te m pl e s
am o n g u s t o d a y o r are p re s e r v e d i n the te m pl e
ru i n s a n d s a c red b oo k s o f y e s ter d a y were e volve d
T he a i m of the sci en ce of co m p a r a t iv e re ligio n
t o da y i s t o arr a n g e the m a ll i n o n e v a s t e v o lu
t io n a r y f a m ily ; t o tr a c e the i r co m m o n r oo t s i n the
m i nd of p r i m i t iv e m a n a n d s h o w h o w e a c h re ligio n
of s a v a g e tr i be o r of p re s ent o r p a s t ci v iliz a t io n is
a b ran c h of the g reat tree
Here n a tura lly there a r is e the d i f c u l t i e s and
d isp ute s wh ic h clo u d e v er y sci en c e i n its i n fa n cy
We ha v e i n the r s t pl a c e the d i f c u l t y of
de sc r i b i n g ear ly s t a g e s wh ic h b e lo n g t o a rem o te
p er io d of the p a s t I n a g re a t me a s u re the s a v a g e s
o f t o da y wh o are the p r i m i t iv e men o f y e s terda y
p re s er v e the s e s t a g e s fo r u s B ut the v er y e a r li e s t
s ta g e s o r g erm s o f what i n the br o ade s t s en s e i s
c a ll ed re ligio n be lo n g t o a p ha s e of human de v e lop
ment wh ic h i s p re s er v e d i n n o livi n g r a c e o f men
B etween the h ig he s t an i ma ls and the lo we s t e xis t i n g
,

THE EV OLU T ION OF R ELIGION

5
h

human be i n gs i s a dee p cl e f t O n c e the c h a lk cli ffs

of F ran c e were co nt i n u o u s w i th th os e o f E n gl and
D ur i n g the lif et i m e of h u m a n i t y the s e a ha s s e v ered
them and i t i s o n ly by the u s e of the sci ent i c
i m a gi nat io n th a t we c an co ndent ly re u n i te them
S o i t i s w i th m a n a n d the h ighe s t o f the lo wer
an i m a ls
T he v a r io u s p h a s e s of ear li e s t human
de v e lop ment the h u ndre d s of th o u s and s of y e a r s of
e vol u t io n wh ic h li e between the m a n lik e a p e Of the
M ioc ene p er io d and the a pe lik e man o f the O l d
S t o ne A g e ( wh o s u r viv e s i n o u r lo we s t s a v a g e s ) are
d issolv e d a n d b u r i ed i n the m o u l d of the earth It
w a s i n th a t los t w o r l d th a t re ligio n w a s b o rn and
we w ill t a k e e sp e ci a l p a i n s i n the ear ly c ha p ter s o f
th is w o rk t o re co n s tru c t the p r oc e ss of de v e lop m ent
B u t n o o ne n o w d o u b t s that i t w a s a natur a l and
g r a d u a l de v e lop m ent F o r a t i m e there were th os e
wh o pl eaded fo r a p r i m i t iv e re v e l a t io n T he si tua
t io n w as j u s t a re p et i t io n of wh a t i t had been i n the
d a ys o f D arw i n and Hu xl e y When the ologi an s
were co n vi n c ed that there h a d been e vol ut io n the y
s t ill m a i nt a i ned th a t the rs t lo w fo rm s of lif e had
been c reated N O sci ent i c a uth o r i t y i n the w o r l d
n o w ad m i t s that ; a n d o ur re ligio u s wr i ter s are be i n g
t a rd ily awak ened t o the hu m o ur of the i r pi tt i n g the i r
O pi n io n s o n a q ue s t io n of k n o w l ed g e of nature a g a i n s t
the u n i ted a u th o r i t y o f sci ent i c men In the s ame
w a y the y pl e a ded th a t the r s t g er m s o f re ligio n
were d ivi ne ly i m pl anted i n the soil o f the h u man
m i nd
A nd the sci ent i c auth o r i t y o n re ligio n
s m il e s and s a ys : I d o n t s e e the need
We s ha ll
s e e the s e c rude p r i m i t iv e i dea s i n the n e x t c ha p ter
-

THE EV OLU T ION OF R ELIGION

and we s h a ll under stand the s m il e It is i n f a c t

n o w g ener a lly a d m i tted b y re ligio u s wr i ter s that
p r i m i t iv e fo r m s of re ligio n were e volved
In tra ci n g the de v e lop m ent o f the s e p r i m i t iv e
re ligio u s fo rm s we S h a ll a lso ha v e the an s wer t o
th os e wh o w o u l d a sc r i be t o m a n a sp e ci a l re ligio u s
s en s e o r re ligio u s fa c u l t y
Th e i dea of
fa c u l
t i e s is n o t i n f a vo ur i n m o dern psyc h ology W h a t
u s ed t o be c a ll ed f a c u l t i e s a re s o m an y a sp e c t s o r

S p e ci a l a pplic at io n s o f the m i nd I f th is re ligiou s

s en s e mean s th a t the h u m an m i nd o n ly a s d is t i n c t
f r o m the d o g m i nd o r a p e m i nd i s c a p a b l e of co n
s tru c tin g re ligio u s i dea s
we a g ree B u t i t is we
.

s en s e the m o ra l s en s e o r the ae s thet ic s en s e I f

an y p er so n i s d ispos ed t o s e e an y p art ic u l ar me a n i n g
i n the fa c t that the s e a re a ll spi r i tua l po wer s
we m a y re m i nd h im th a t m a n s d is t i n c t io n is j u s t
a s m ar k e d o n the m e c han ic a l si de
T he s e are
mere ly so man y d i fferent a sp e c t s o r mea s ure s o f h is
g ener a l menta l s u p er io r i t y t o the lo wer an i m a ls
We s h a ll s e e th a t th is g ener a l s u p er io r i t y i n i nte l
lige n c e i s en o u g h t o a cco unt fo r the o r igi n o f
p r i m i t iv e re ligio u s id e a s
I f i t be ur g ed th a t there is at l ea s t so me p e c u li ar
sig n i c an c e i n the f a c t th a t a ll k n o wn p e opl e s ha v e
re ligio u s i dea s we mu s t co n c e iv e p re cis e ly what we
mean
What i s re ligio n ? In the a pp e n d ix t o
Pr ofe sso r L eub a s P s yc ho lo gi c a l S tu dy of R e li gi o n
there are ft y d ifferent an d g enera lly co ntrad ic t o r y
den i t io n s o f re ligio n F ift y o ther s m ig ht b e ad d ed
t o the coll e c t io n
T he s e den i t io n s are i n man y
,

THE EVOLU T IO N

O F R EL I G I ON

c a s e s fr a m ed b y men wh o s t a rt w i th the a ss um p t io n
th a t a ll m e n h a v e re ligio n a n d the y there fo re m a k e
the i r d en i t io n s v a g u e en o u g h t o e m bra c e the i d e a s
o r p r a c t ic e s of wh a t the y u n d er s t a nd t o b e the lo w e s t
sp e ci m en s of human i t y k n o wn t o the a nthr opologis t
We S h a ll s ee h o we v er th a t i n near ly e v er y c a s e
the s e wri ter s ha v e f a il ed t o s tu d y the rea lly lo we s t
p e opl e s k n o wn t o u s and the i r a ss uran c e that a ll
p e opl e s ha v e re ligio n i n the i r s en s e o f the w o rd is
i na cc u r a te
I h a v e j u s t ment io ned the adm i rab l e w o r k o f
Pr ofe sso r L euba a li bera l and co n sci ent io u s wr i ter
o n re ligio n and I a m tem p ted t o ill u s trate m y poi nt
fro m i t
It is n o w g enera lly co n c eded Pr of e sso r

L eub a s a ys ( p
that a s o n e a pp r o a c he s the
o r igi na l co nd i t io n s o f the ra c e re ligio u s p ra c t ic e s
dw i n d l e a w a y wh il e ma gic a l beha vio ur i s e v er y where
i n e vi den c e
H e at o n c e a s m os t wr i ter s w o u l d
d o q u o te s the A u s tra li an ab o r igi na ls B ut we s ha l l
i n the ne x t c ha p ter co n si der a ha lf d oz en p e opl e s
wh o are c u l tura lly lo wer th a n the A u s tr a li an s and
adm i tted ly nearer t o the o r igi na l co nd i t io n s o f the
ra c e ; and we s ha ll nd that so me o f them at l e a s t
are n o t a cq u a i nted w i th m a gic al behavio ur ~P ro
fe s s o r L euba is m o re s er io u sly m is tak en and h is
err o r is the m o re re g rett a b l e i n that i t w ill s er v e the
p urpos e o f a c erta i n t yp e of re ligio u s co ntr ov er si a lis t
w i th wh o m he i s n o t i n sy m p ath y when he go e s o n
t o cl a i m that e v en the lo we s t k n o wn p e opl e s be li e v e
i n so me ki nd o f a G o d H e s a ys
,

is a n
entert a i n s
It

o ld

p i n i o n th a t even t h e lowe s t s av a ge
b e li ef in a Supr e me B e in g h oweve r
o

THE EV OLU T ION

OF

R ELIGION

di m l y c o n c e i v e d a n d li ttle r ever en c e d
A l th o u gh
t h is o p i n io n s u ffe r e d te m p o r a ry d is c r e d it fr o m t h e
d is c o v e ry t h a t in s e v e r a l i n s t a n c e s t h e a lle ge d
m o n o t h ei s tic b eliefs r e a ll y pr o c eed e d fr o m t h e
te a c h in g o f m is s io n a r i e s
re c e n t a n thr o p o l o gic a l
r e s e a r c h e s fu rn is h s u f c i e n t e v iden ce t o wa rr a n t a
1
retu rn t o t h is vi e w
,

H e i n s tan c e s a s is u s ua l A u s tr a li a A f r ic a and
Me l ane si a where we d o n o t t o u c h the lo we s t
hu m a n l e v e l ; a n d he co n cl u de s w i th the d og m a t ic

s tatement that
there e xis t s a m o n g the m os t
p r i m i t iv e p e opl e s n o w livi n g the n o t io n o f a g re a t
go d h ig h a b ov e a ll o ther s t o wh o m is u s u a lly
a ssig ned the f un c t io n of c re a t o r
Dr Je v o n s Dr M en zi e s and o ther wr i ter s o n
co m p a r a t iv e re ligio n m a k e the s a me s t a tement w i th
l e ss d isi ntere s te d ne ss but I p re fer t o ill u s tr a te the
poi nt fr o m s o i m p a rt i a l a wr i ter a s Pr of e sso r L e u b a
T h e S t a te m ent is i n a cc u r a te
Th e f a c t s i n re g a r d t o
A u s tr a li a n b e li e f we S h a ll s e e l a ter b u t a t l e a s t i n
the c a s e of s u c h p e opl e s a s the w il d Ved d a h s an d
s e v er a l o ther s there is n o be li e f i n a S u p re m e B e i n g
of a n y ki n d wh a tev er a s w ill b e s h o wn i n the ne x t
c h a p ter There fo re if re ligio n is d ene d t o m e a n a
be li e f i n o r w o r s h ip of go d s i n the m os t li b er a l
s en s e of the w o r d i t is untr u e th a t a ll p e opl e s h a v e
I f b y re ligio n is m e a nt so m e so rt Of
a re ligio n

c u l t of o r de p en d en c e u po n spi ri t s there a re a
f ew p e opl e s wh o m u s t b e de sc r i b e d a s de s t i t u te o f
i t I f i t is red u c ed t o a b e li e f i n a v a g u e i m per so na l
,

P 100
.

2
.

P 1 03
.

THE EV O L U T I O N OF R EL IG I O N

10

he s t a rt s w i th a coll e c t io n of f a c t s t ak en fr o m
p e opl e s a t v er y d i fferent l e v e ls o f c u l t u re a n d q u i te
co m m o n ly t a k e s a s e co n d a r y o r e ven te rt i a r y l e v e l
o f re ligio u s de v e lop ment t o b e the lo we s t k n o wn t o
u s We s ha ll nd a s e t of fa c t s be lo w the s t a rt i n g
poi nt of near ly a ll the s e wr i ter s a n d we w ill pos t
po ne the o r y and den i t io n unt il we hav e s t u d i ed
them
We s ha ll then ta k e the f a c t s re l a t i n g t o a s e co nd a r y

l e v e l the Au s tr a li a n s M e l a ne si a n s A fr ic a n s a n d s o

ou
wh ic h a re g ener a lly a n d i m p r op er ly m a de the
s tart i n g poi nt i n s te a d of the s e co nd p h a s e of d is
c u s s io n
Here go d s and p r i e s t s a n d s a c red pl a c e s
and r i tua l o f dim a n d g r o te squ e s ha p e s be gi n t o
ar is e We mu s t attem p t t o tr a c e the co nt i nu i t y o f
the s e th i n gs f r o m the c r u de ear li er l e v e l and follo w
i t i nt o the r ic h v ar i et y o f re ligio u s fo r m s wh ic h
w ill s u cc eed A t th is s t a g e we h a v e n o d i fferen c e Of
O pi n io n i n p r i n cipl e A ll a dm i t that s a v a g e re ligio n s
re p re s ent v a r io u s S t a g e s o f de v e lop ment o f the
p r i m o r d i a l g erm s o r fo r m s d i re c ted a n d d is t o rte d
b y the sp e ci a l envi r o nment of the tr i be s am o n g
W h o m we nd them t o d a y
N o r i s there an y f unda m enta l d ifferen c e o f O pi n io n
unt il we re a c h the s t a g e where the h is t o r ic re ligio n s
o r the be li e fs and p ra c t ic e s o f civiliz ed p e opl e s a r is e
H ere a g a i n we ha v e a p ara ll e l t o the co ntr over sy
a b o ut b iologic a l e vol ut io n T h e the ologi a n o n c e
cl a i m ed that the r s t g erm s of re ligio n lik e the
r s t g erm s o f lif e were c re a ted F e w i n fo r m e d
the ologi an s w o u l d n o w cl a i m th is but the y h ol d
the i r posi t io n m o re o b s t i nate l y at the o ther end o f
or

THE EV OLU T ION

OF

R ELIGION

11

the e vol ut io nar y sc a l e In e ffe c t the y n o w g enera lly

s a y that e v er y fo rm of re ligio n w a s e volv ed e xc e p t
the i r o w n T h e Hebre w rabb i w ill g ener o u s ly
g rant that a ll c reed s e xc e p t the Hebrew c reed
re p re s ent a slo w a n d b l u nder i n g human de v e lop
ment ; that e v en C hri s t i an i t y i s b u t a ma ss o f
m a ter i a l b o rr o wed f r o m J u d a is m and o ther re ligio n s
a n d m o u l ded i nt o a n e w s ha p e i n the co ur s e o f the
r s t c entur y B ut hi s c reed wa s re v e a l ed t o m a n
T he Chr is t i an the olo gi an w ill n o w u s ua lly adm i t
th a t J u da is m is a p r o du c t o f e vol ut io n but w ill
em p hat ic a lly a ss ert that hi s c reed i s the g rand
e xc e p t io n t o the l aw o f human de v e lop ment T he
M o hammedan tea c her i n an E gyp t i an o r H i ndu
coll e g e thr o u g h wh os e w i nd o w s there n o w co me
the e c h o e s of Eur op ean tea c h i n g p r o te s t s that h is
c reed i s the o n ly g enu i ne e xc e p t io n t o the l aw o f
n a tura l de v e lop ment A nd if th is d oc tr i ne of e v o lu
t io n were p re s ented t o a Par see o r B rahm a n ic
tea c her o f Ind i a a l ama o f T h i bet o r the h ead
o f a B u ddh is t m o n a s ter y i n C h i na he w o u l d w i th
the s ame i m p re ssiv e a cc ent o f co n vic t io n a ss u re
o
u
that
i
t
wa
s
i
mmater
i
a
l
t
o
h
i
m
whether
yo
u
y
a sc r i bed a ll o ther re ligio n s i n the w o r l d t o the de vil
o r t o e vol ut io n but hi s c reed wa s re v ea l ed
We ha v e t o s ee h o w ea c h o f the s e h is t o r ic
re ligio n s i n cl ud i n g C hr is t i an i t y e volv ed fr o m the
neb u l a of p r i m i t iv e re ligio n Here we hav e a s e co nd
g enera l de fe c t o f the li terature o n the s ub j e c t As
soo n a s i t a pp r o a c he s the c r o wn i n g p art of it s w o r k
the e vol ut io n o f the re ligio n wh ic h to da y lls the
civiliz ed w o r l d and is there fo re ent i t l ed t o e sp e ci a l
.

THE EV OLU T ION

12

OF

R ELIGION

attent io n i t be co me s t i m i d and e v a siv e We s ha ll

gl ad ly n o t ic e the f ew wr i ter s wh o fran kly d isc u ss
the q ue s t io n but the y are f ew It is p r o bab l e that
at l ea s t n i ne o ut o f ten of the m o dern wr i ter s o n
the e vol ut io n o f re ligio n o r co m p a rat iv e re ligio n
ha v e n o t the l ea s t sy m p a th y w i th the be li e f th a t
there is an y th i n g re v e a l ed i n C hr is t i a n i t y B u t
the y a v a il them s e lv e s of the c t io n of the neutr a li t y
o f sci en c e and the y g ener a lly draw u p a sc he m e of
the e vol ut io n o f re ligio n i n s u c h fa sh io n th a t a
C hr is t i an reader m a y co nt i nue t o be li e v e that h is
c reed d o e s n o t f a ll under the co m p rehen siv e l aw
Here the f a c t s w ill be g a thered and s tated w i th
ent i re c a nd o ur T here wa s n o arre s t o r d iv er sio n
o r m i ra c u lo u s i n c rea s e o f the s tre a m o f re ligio u s
de v e lop ment n i neteen hun d r ed y e a r s a go It o w s
qu i te e v en ly thr o u g h the re co rd s o f the rs t
c entur y R C and the r s t c entur y A D
One
c a nn o t e ven s ay that at th is poi nt a bran c h o f the
g reat s tream entered r a pi d s and underwent a
re m a r k a b l e natur a l t r a n sfo r m at io n of i t s c h a r a c ter
It is o w i n g o n ly t o the t i m i d i t y of h is t o r i a n s a n d
wr i ter s o n co m p a rat iv e re ligio n that th is i de a i s s t ill
Th e f ew c entur i e s b e fo re a n d a f ter
s o w i de ly he l d

C hr is t the p er io d o f the G ree k and R o man civi

liz a tio n s were f r o m ci r c u m s t a n c e s wh ic h W e w ill

co n si der p e c u li a r ly fru i t fu l i n new re ligiou s dev e lop
ment s M an y re ligio n s a s n ov e l a n d a s e l e v a ted i n
s ent i ment a s C hr is t i a n i t y a r os e The y p r os e ly t iz ed
and thr ov e e qua lly i n the G r es co R o m an Em pi re
T hen f r o m f urther ci r c um s tan c e s wh ic h we w ill
co n si der C hr is t i an i t y o bta i ned a p r ivil e g ed po s itio n
,

THE EV OLU T ION

OF

R ELIGION

la nd de s tr oy ed e v en the v er y re co rd s

13

of

i t s r iv a ls
T hu s a c t io n o f un iq ue d is t i n c t io n and m i ra c u lo u s
g r o wth wa s c re a ted i n the m i nd o f E urOpe : a
m o dern h is t o r y i s fa r l e ss co ur a g e o u s i n a ss a ili n g
th a t c t io n than wa s h is t o r y i n the der i ded da ys o f
the G e o r g e s a n d Vic t o r i a Here there is n o rea so n
fo r ret ic en c e
C los e ly co nne c ted w i th th is is the q ue s t io n of the
re l a t io n Of the e vol ut io n a r y a cco u nt o f re ligio n to
the v a li d i t y o f re ligio u s be li e fs T he fe w wr i ter s
wh o v ent u re t o i n cl ude C hr is t i a n i t y i n the i r e v o lu
t io n a ry sc he m e h a s ten t o p r o te s t a s a ru l e that the y
a r e n o t thereb y ra isi n g an y p re j u d ic e a g a i n s t the
truth of Chr is t i a n d oc tr i ne s Al m os t a ll wr i ter s o n
th is s ub j e c t de cl a re at the o ut s et th a t the y mu s t n o t
b e under s t oo d t o q u e s t io n the v a li d i t y o f the be li e fs
and p r a c t ic e s the y de sc r i be One soo n nd s that
th is re s er v e ha s li m i t s T he l e g end s and p ra c t ic e s
of un civiliz ed p e opl e s and e v en Of the G ree ks and
E gyp t i a n s the y do n o t fo r a m o ment p r of e ss to
re g a rd a s possi b ly v a li d ; n o r d o the y ho w v er y
re v erent ly be fo re the tenet s o f T a ois m B uddh is m
o r M o hammedan is m It is the C hr is t i an d oc tr i ne s
and the f undament a l d oc tr i ne s o f a ll re ligio n wh ic h
the y re fu s e t o j ud g e T he w o r k o f sci en c e is the y
s a y de sc r ip t io n n o t the a pp re ci at io n o f v a l ue s
In th is s en s e the p re s ent w o rk is n o t sci ent i c
It is ent i re ly ba s ed u po n re s ear c h i n the re cog n iz ed
auth o r i t i e s fo r ea c h re ligio n wh ic h is n o t ic ed an d
the auth o r is b ol d en o u g h t o cl a i m that the mater i a l
thu s g athered is arran g ed m o re sci ent i c a lly fo r the
p ur pos e o f dedu c t io n than i n n i n e o ut o f te n o f th e
.

THE EV OLU T ION OF

14

R ELIGION

a c adem ic w o rks o n the s ub j e c t B ut he d o e s n o t

co n si der h i m s e lf b o und b y a n y l aw o r c u s t o m of
neut r a li t y an d he d o e s be li e v e th a t the m a jo r i t y
Of reader s a re at l ea s t a s d ee ply i ntere s ted i n the
q u e s t io n Of the truth of re ligio n a s i n the qu e s t io n
o f the de v e lop m ent Of re ligio u s be li e fs a n d p r a c t ic e s
H e is e ven co n vi n c ed that the e vol u t io n of re ligio n
thr o w s m u c h li ght u po n t h e v a li d i t y of re ligio n a n d
a co n si der a t io n of th is m a y t e rm in a t e the i ntr o d u c t o r y
c h a p ter
I t is a t o n c e a pp a rent that a co m pl ete b e li e f i n the
e vol u t io n of re ligio n is i n co n sis tent w i th the fo r m a l
te a c h i n g of e v er y bra n c h o f the C hr is t i a n Chur c h
a n d the em p hat ic co n vic t io n o f n i ne o u t of ten if
n o t fo rt y n i ne o ut of ft y Chr is t i a n s I f C hr is t i a n i t y
wa s e volv ed fr o m p re e xis t i n g re ligio u s m a ter i a l the
Chr is t i an cl a i m of re v e l at io n and s u p ernatur a l a c t io n

f a lls I f C hr is t wa s mere ly a m an wh o b y if yo u

pl e a s e h is m o ra l g en i u s r a is ed the re ligio n of h is
t i me and co u ntr y t o a h ig her l e v e l the o f ci a l c reed
o f the C hr is t i an C hur c he s and the be li e f o f the ov er
whe l m i n g m a jo r i t y of Chr is t i an s a re i na cc ur a te
N o w I d o ubt if o n e in te n of o u r m o dern auth o r i t i e s

F r a z er L an g
o n the s ub j e c t of co m p arat iv e re ligio n
R o th Hart l and C raw l e y Marett F arne ll Ti e l e
Preu ss R e i na c h L oisy Ma rillie r K i n g L eub a
B r i nt o n Toy Ac he li e R o sko ff D Alv ie lla Wundt
R evill e J e vo n s and the i nnum erab l e wr i ter s o n
sp e ci a l re ligio n s be li e v e s that there is an y th i n g
re v ea l ed o r s u p ernatura l i n C hr is t i a n i t y P ossi b ly
the wh ol e o f the ab ov e w rite rg w i th o n e e xc e p t io n

w ou l d say t hat the d oc tr i ne o f the u niquism

.

THE EV OLU T ION

OF

R ELIGION

15

B r o wn p ut s it o f

a s m y fr i end Bis h op W M
C hr is t i a n i t y h a s been aband o ned
It ha s n o d o ubt
been a b a nd o ned b y the we ll i n fo r m ed f ew i n the
C hur c he s but i t i s c ert a i n ly s t ill c h er is hed b y the
ov erwhe l m i n g ma ss o f the l a i t y and the g reat
m a jo r i t y of the cl er gy h ig her and lo wer
On that a cco u nt i t s eem s i nad vis ab l e t o sl ur ov er
th is m os t m a ter i a l poi nt o f the e vol ut io nar y sc heme ;
t o i m ply o r t i m i d ly s u gg e s t that the C hr is t i a n
re ligio n i s a n a tura l bran c h o f the g reat f am ily o f
re ligio n s but giv e the poi nt s o li tt l e p r o m i nen c e
th a t the majo r i t y o f reader s w ill co nt i nue t o c her is h
an ill u sio n wh ic h the sci en c e o f co m p a rat iv e re ligio n
ent i re ly d isc red i t s T he cl a i m o f pop u l ar C hr is t i an
wr i ter s o n beha lf of th e ir ,r e ligio n i s a s o b sol ete and
p ar oc h i a l a s the cl a i m wh ic h man y o f them s t ill
p re ss that man s m i nd wa s n o t e volv ed fr o m the
m i nd o f a lo wer an i ma l
T he o n e i s j u s t a s
de cisiv e ly d isc red i ted b y m o dern c u l t u re a s the
o ther
O nt s Su C h
s tre nuo u s ta s s a s o ur s d o e s an age ig whic h
.

'

m s a pi t y t o p r olo n g the lif e o f

b y t i m i d co m p r o m is e o r p rudent
e v a siv ene ss
T he pl an o f th is w o r k is there fo re re vea l ed I ts
c h i e f amb i t io n is to thr o w f urther lig ht o n the
o r igi n o f re ligio n and t o ma k e pl a i ner t o the g enera l
reader h o w a ll the h is t o r ic re ligio n s i n cl ud i n g C hr is
tian ity were e volv ed o ut o f the c ruder mate r i a l o f
ear li er re ligio n s W i th i n the li m i t s wh ic h a re
i m pos ed mu c h o f the w o r k mu s t be d o ne sk e t c h il y
.

THE EV OLU T ION

16

OF

R ELIGION

is n o t the l ea s t p reten c e o f m aki n g an

e xhau s t iv e s t u d y of e a c h p h a s e o r a sp e c t of re ligio n
o r ea c h
tr i ba l o r n a t io n a l e m b o d i m ent of the
re ligio u s s ent i m ent B u t sp e ci a l c are w ill be gi v en
t o the s tu d y of the e a r li e s t a n d m os t p ri m i t iv e t ra c e s
o r r u d i m ent s of re ligio n
a n d t o the e vol u t io n of
C h r is t i a n i t y i n p a rt ic u l a r
Th e v a s t w o r l d of
de v e lopi n g fo r m s wh ic h li e s b et w een th os e tw o
e x tre m e s w ill be tre a ted o n ly i n s o fa r a s i t is
ne c e ss a r y i n o rder t o giv e the re a der a sy n op t ic
vi ew of the re ligio n s of the w o r l d a s s o m a n y
bran c he s i n d ifferent s t a g e s of de v e lop ment of o n e
g re a t tree
Whether th e re s u l t w ill a ffo rd the re a der a n y
posi t iv e lig ht o n the v a li d i t y of re ligio u s b e li e fs m a y
be l e ft t o h is e xp er i en c e M a n y p e opl e c a nn o t
s ur v e y th is p r oc e ssio n of re ligio n s thr o u gh the a g e s
w i th o ut f ee li n g th a t i t is i n the w o r d s of P r ofe sso r

S er gi
a p a th ologic a l p hen o m en o n
a
d is e a s ed
g r o wth p ara si t ic a l u po n m a n s vi t a li t y That i m
p re ssio n c a nn o t be s an c t io ned a s a co n vic t io n unt il
i t is c he ck ed b y a s e v ere a u d i t of the a cco u nt s of
re ligio n ; an i m p a rt i a l e s t i m at io n of the benet s i t
ha s co n ferred o n man i n s tr ic t re l a t io n t o the
ener gi e s and re so ur c e s p ut at i t s d ispos a l b y man
T h is ki nd of soci a l b ookk ee pi n g c a nn o t be atte m p ted
here It be lo n gs t o h is t o r y T here fo re I d o n o t
v enture here t o s a y whether th is po rtent ou s p hen o
men o n o f re ligio n dawn i n g i n the m i nd of p r i m i t iv e
man and g r o w i n g u nt il i t lls and enthra ls the
w o r l d ha s been w o rth wh il e S o me da y when
co m p arat iv e re ligio n and h is t o r y hav e co m pl eted
There

THE EV OLU T ION

18

OF

R ELIGION

d i d men sp eak i n an ci ent A then s a n d R o me ; and

th u s d o the y sp eak t o da y When the pop u l ar
b e li e fs at l en g th d is a pp e a red the s e d iplo mat ic co n
si derat io n s be c a me the p h ilosop h ic b a s e o f a new
re ligio n In s h o rt a n ic he fo r a n i d ol had been
co n s tru c ted i n the e co n o m y o f hu m an lif e and
there were po wer fu l b o d i e s i ntere s ted i n s ee i n g that
the n ic he w a s ne v er l e f t em p t y There were a lso
p h il a nthr opis t s We remember h o w the w ick ed
He i ne e xpl a i ned the p h ilosop her K ant s p r og re ss
fr o m h is ear ly p r o m is e of Ag n os t icis m t o h is l ater
T he is m H e had br o u ght the i d ol d o wn i n ru i n s i n
h is s tud y T hen he fo un d h is a g ed s er v ant L am p e
wee pi n g over the ru i n s o f h is go d and fr o m ki nd ly
fee li n g he p ut the fr a g ment s t og ether a g a i n and
p r ovi d ed a new p ede s t a l
It c ann o t be d o ubted that th is a sp e c t o f the
g r o wth of h ig her re ligio n s be g et s a sc e p t ic a l tem p er
T went y edu c ated men be li e v e i n twent y d i fferent
go d s ; and o f twent y wh o be li e v e i n the s ame go d
the ar g ument s are ent i re ly d i fferent and often co ntra
T h e e vi den c e c han g e s i n ea c h g ener a t io n ;
d ic to ry
the go d d o e s n o t One is d ispos ed t o th i n k that the
p re ss ure is i n the envi r o nment R e ligio n e xis t s so
we mu s t nd rea so n s wh y i t o u g ht t o e xis t T he
re a l rea so n s wh y i t e xis t s are i n th is s t o r y o f re ligio u s
e vol u t io n wh ic h I p r opos e t o te ll B ut the s e co n
si der a t io n s w ill ar is e m o re free ly when the s t o r y is
t ol d a n d m a y be pos t po ned
-

C H AP TE R II
THE

E AR L I E S T

TR

A C E S O F RE L I G I O N

O M p a ssi n g remarks i n the p re vio u s c ha p ter the

reader w ill ha v e g a thered th a t I p r opos e a new
p r oc edure In i n v e s t ig at i n g the o r igi n o f re ligio n It
i s ad vis ab l e t o s t a te at o n c e the nature o r the
mea s ure o f th is new de p arture I p r opos e n o new
meth o d but a s tr ic ter u s e o f the meth o d wh ic h h a s
been em ploy ed i n the l a r g e li terature o f the s ub j e c t
thr o u g h o ut o u r g enerat io n
T hat meth o d i s to
s tud y the re ligio n of p r i m i t iv e p e opl e s and a ss ume
that the c rude re ligio u s fo rm s we nd am o n g them
are s urviv a ls o f man s r s t b l under i n g e xp er i ment s
i n re ligio n T he de fe c t o f m os t o f the li ter a ture o f
the s ub j e c t is i t s eem s t o me that the wr i ter s do
and m os t p r i m i t iv e
n o t be gi n w i th the ear li e s t
p e opl e s and s o the y q u o te co m p arat iv e ly ad v an c ed
de v e lop ment s a s the neare s t cl ue s we c an g et t o the
re ligio n o f p r i m i t iv e m an T he y are n o t a s a ru l e
anthr opologis t s and the y ha v e n o t p a i d s tr ic t atten
t io n to the c ul tur a l te s t s b y mean s o f wh ic h the
a nthr opologis t arran g e s p e opl e s a cco rd i n g to the i r
de g ree o f p r i m i t iv ene ss I th i nk i t is possi b l e to
co rre c t th is
T he i ne xp ert p ub lic fo r wh o m I wr i te ma y need
to be rem i nded o f o r tau g ht the rea so n s wh y we

19

20

THE EAR LI ES T TRA C E S

OF

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atta c h s o mu c h i m po rtan c e t o the be li e fs o r p ra c t ic e s

o f the lo we s t I w ill n o t s a
s
a
v
g
e
s
fo
r
the
y
are
a
y

a s a ru l e n o t s a v a g e the lo we s t p e opl e s T here is

a s I s a i d i n o u r re co rd s o f the p r oc e ss o f life
de v e lop m ent o n th is glo be a co m p a r a t iv e ly br o a d
g a p between the M ioc ene man lik e a pe and the
e a r li e s t k n o wn a p e lik e m an E ven when we be gi n
t o nd the b o ne s and i m pl ement s o f e a r ly m a n we
ha v e nat u ra lly n o tra c e of h is i de a s His S k u ll is
s o i m p er f e c t ly de v e lop ed the i nte llig en c e he be s t o w s
u po n the maki n g of the e a r li e s t i m pl e m ent s is s o
feeb l e h is b o d y is o f su c h a n a ture th a t we k n o w
he wa s de v e lop ed fr o m so m e br a n c h o f the a pe
w o r l d B u t the tran si t io na l fo rm s ha v e p e ris hed
a s s u c h fo r m s g enera lly d o and there rema i n t o d a y
o n ly the man lik e a p e wh ic h r o ugh ly re p re s ent s h is
M ioc ene an c e s t o r and the f u lly d e v e lop ed man
A
los t w o r l d li e s between the tw o
We ha v e h o we v er so me tr a c e s o f th is w o r l d
T o ward s the end of the O l d S t o ne Ag e m a n be g a n
t o draw a n d p a i nt and the s e p r oj e c t ion s o f h is i dea s
are fo und t o d a y i n the c a v ern s of S p a i n and
so uthern F r a n c e Unh a ppily we nd here n o th i n g
that c a n co n d ent ly be u s e d i n the p re s ent s tud y
C erta i n p ebb l e s ha v e been fo un d the m a r ks o n wh ic h
are i nter p rete d b y so m e a s h a vi n g a m a gic a l o r
re ligio u s sig n i c a n c e T h is is v er y un c ert a i n a n d
I ig n o re the m a tter
We ha v e f u rther the cl a i m
th a t e v en the ear li e s t men of wh o m we h a v e tr a c e
bur i e d the i r dead a n d th is s eem s t o i m ply a be li e f
i n co nt i nuan c e after de a th Wr i ter s o n o ur s ubj e c t
s eem t o h a v e ov er look ed th is e vi den c e th o u g h
,

THE

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21

Pr ofe sso r K e i th cl a i m s that

y ear s a go a
ra c e o f men m o re p r i m i t iv e th a n an y n o w livi n g
bur i ed i t s d e a d
T here is h o we v er s o mu c h
d isp ute ab o ut the s e ear ly sk e l et o n s and the i r bur i a l
that I a g a i n ig n o re the cl a i m N o r d o I th i n k a s
so me wr i ter s o n the s u b j e c t d o that o b s er v at io n of
the c h il d he lps u s m u c h T he c h il d i n i t s de v e lop
ment c ert a i n ly p a ss e s thr o u g h t h e de g ree s o f i nte l
lige n c e thr o u g h wh ic h o u r a n c e s t o r s a sc ended but
the en vi r o n m ent i s so d i fferent that i t is d i f c u l t
t o d is t i n g u is h between the n a t iv e w o rki n g of the
c h il d m i nd and the sp r o ut i n g o f i m p arted i dea s
T h e s ure s t a i d i s o bt a i ned f r o m the lo w ly ra c e s
t o d a y Man of the O l d S t o ne Ag e is n o t
H e liv e s i n l a r g e n u mber s of p e opl e s t o da y
so me c a s e s the s e p e opl e s hav e been s o far s h i e l ded
fr o m i n oc u l at io n w i th the i dea s o f l a ter a n d m o re
ad v a n c ed ra c e s that the y re p re s ent t o u s h o w man
lived a hundre d possi b ly tw o h u ndred th o u s and
y ear s a go
It i s p r o bab l e th a t hum a n i t y wa s
de v e lop e d a t o n e c entre and th is s ee m s o n p re s ent
e vi den c e t o hav e been i n the we s tern p art o f the
Ind i a n O c ean where there wa s then m o re dr y l and
th a n there n o w i s F r o m that c entre man wandered
i n e v er y d i re c t io n and the s u cc e ssiv e wa v e s o f
m ig rat io n re p re s ented s u cc e ssiv e l e v e ls o f c u l ture
In the m o re th ickly pop u l ated p art s he made p r o
g re ss As ea c h new ra c e i n turn ov er s t ock ed i t s
re gio n i t sp read ; and i n f r o nt of i t were dr iv en t o
l

Th e s e l e t o n i n q u estio n ( G a ll e y
The An ti qu i ty of Ma n , p 1 85
Hill) i s pro ba bly la ter than ro fess or Keith re pre se n t s
1

P
.

22

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the end s o f the earth the re p re s entat iv e s o f the

ear li er and c ruder ra c e
L e t me giv e an ill u s tr a t io n f r o m a s tr o n o m y
At
a c erta i n poi nt i n the s k y are v e o r s ix s tar s clos e
t og ether wh i c h we k n o w a s the P l e i a de s O ur
i n s trument s d isclos e that the y a re the br ighter
member s of a g r o u p o f s e v er a l th o u s a nd s tar s wh ic h
we re g ard a s th e c rys ta lliz a tio n of a v er y l ar g e
neb u l a N OW when we t ak e a lo n g e xpos u re p h o t o
g r a p h o f the g r o u p we nd w isps a n d s tre a m er s
and clo ud s o f the o r igi n a l nebu lar mater i a l lyi n g
bet w een the s tar s o n e v er y si de T he lo wer ra c e s
o f o ur t i m e are the rem a i n s of the nebu l ar mater i a l
o ut
of
wh ic h the civiliz at io n s o f t o da y hav e
c rys t a lliz ed
It is s u p reme ly i m po rtant i n s u c h a s tud y a s that
o n wh ic h we are en g a g ed t o arr a n g e the s e lo w ly
T h is is d o ne b y '
p e opl e s i n the i r p r op er o rder

s tud yi n g the g enera l f eature s of the i r c u l ture the i r

i m pl ement s l an g u a g e clo th i n g o rnament s h o u s e s
l e g end s d i et i nd u s tr i e s and s o o n A p eopl e that
ha s n o tr i ba l o r g a n iz a t io n n o p er m anent h o me s o r
clo th i n g ( ha vi n g re g ard t o cli m a te) n o a g r ic u l t u re
o n ly r o u g h s t o ne o r w oo den we a po n s few o r n o
l e g end s and a l a n gu a g e wh i c h h a rd ly o r n o t at a ll
e xp re ss e s a b stra c t i de a s is a li tt l e c han g ed remnant
o f th e men o f the m i dd l e o r ear ly O l d S t o ne A g e
T he y a re
S u c h are the p e opl e s I a m a b o ut t o t ak e
re cog n iz ed i n a nthr opology a s the lo we s t e xis t i n g
p e opl e s A t the ne xt l e v e l wh ic h is that o f the
A u s tra li an s a n d p urer Me l a ne si a n s we s t ill ha v e
s t o ne wea po n s li tt l e o r n o clo th i n g and h o me s
,

'

THE

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TRACE S

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23

p erh a ps n o a g r ic u l ture and a v er y i m p er f e c t t o n gue

but the wea po n s and l an g u a g e and c u s t o m s a re
h ig her and there are better meth o d s o f hunt i n g
tr i ba l o r g a n iz at io n s co m pl e x m a rr i a g e s r ic her
l e g end s and s o o n At a th i rd l e v e l we g et s ett l ed
a g r ic u l ture the u s e of meta l et c a s i n Afr ic a In
s tud yi n g hu m an de v e lop ment we mu s t p a y s tr ic ter
attent io n than is u s ua lly giv en t o the s e g rade s o f
g enera l c u l ture
It is of i ntere s t a lso t o gl a n c e at the posi t io n o n
the ma p of the s e lo w ly p e opl e s wh o m I co n si der i n
th is c ha p ter T he y are the Vedd a h s Of C e ylo n the
A nda m ane s e I sl ander s the A et a s o f the Ph ilippi ne
I sl a nd s the S eman g o f the M a l a y Pen i n s u l a the
T a s m an i an s the B u s h m en o f S o uth A f r ic a the
Yah g an s o f Ti erra de l F ue go and c erta i n p e opl e s
i n the i nter io r o f S o uth A mer ic a One s ee s at a
gl a n c e th a t the y are j u s t i n s u c h posi t io n s (isl and s
o r the t ips o r fo re s t i nter io r s o f c o n t ing nj s ) a s we

s h o u l d e xp e c t t o nd s he l ter i n g f r a g ment s o f the

ear li er ra c e s o f men Exc e p t where the y ha v e
fo und re fu g e i n an isl a nd lik e C e ylo n the y were
dr iv en o nward and o u tward b y the ad v an ci n g l a ter
ra c e s w i th better wea po n s and m o re po w er fu l
p h ysi que t o the end s o f the earth T here h a ppily
fo r sci en c e the y ha v e p re s er v ed the f eature s o f life
i n v ar io u s p ha s e s o f the O l d S t o ne A g e u nt il o u r
t i me
It w ill h o we v er be under s t oo d that the isol at io n
T he y ha v e
o f the s e p e opl e s i s f ar f r o m co m pl ete
i n e v er y c a s e lo n g been i n p art i a l co nta c t w i th h ig her
r ac e s T he y s eem to ha ve e xp er i en c ed li tt l e o r n o
,

'

an u

a -n

In d

THE

24

EARL I E S T

TRACE S

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R ELIGION

i nterna l de v e lop ment wh ic h is the u su a l p r ic e o f

isol a t io n but we h av e t o w a t c h c are fu lly fo r fo re ig n
i m po rt a t io n s i n the i r i de a s O n c e I look ed d o wn
fr o m the c r e s t of the h ills u po n th e we s tern co a s t of
the S o uth I sl a nd of N ew Z e a l a n d Th e we s tern
slop e s w i th the i r m illio n s of tree f ern s and r ic h
v ar i et y o f m oss e s s ee m ed t o be a s e c t io n of the
an ci ent C o a l F o re s t s fen c ed Off a n d p re s er v ed fo r a
l ater g ener a t io n T h e ea s tern slop e s a n d the co untr y
be yo nd were r ic h w i th pl a nt s and o wer s wh ic h
had i n s eed co m e o n the w i nd an d w a v e f r o m the
Pa ci c E ven the we s tern SIOpe s of the h ills were
i nv a ded S o i n the h u man w o r l d Yo u w ill nd
a n a t iv e t o da y t ippi n g h is arr o w w i th a b i t o f gl a ss
f r o m a b o tt l e of E ur op ean mak e I f yo u look clos e ly
yo u m a y d iscov er th a t b e lo n g a go t ipp e d h is p r i m i t iv e
be li e f w i th a s h o w y fr a g ment f r o m so me ne igh
b o u rin g h ig her tr i be o r l a ter
so m e Chr is t i an
m issio n a r y
In the c a s e of the p e opl e I tak e r s t the Veddah s
we h a v e a m pl e ill u s tr a t io n s o f thi s ; y et we ha v e a lso
the goo d fo rtune t o poss e ss an e xc e p t io n a lly c are f u l
and i t i s
a n d disc rim in a t in g s tud y o f the p e opl e
re m a rk ab l e h o w li tt l e the re s u l t is t a k en i nt o
a cco unt b y sp e c u l a t o r s o n the o r igi n o f re ligio n
T he V eddah s wre ck ne a r ly e v er y g ener a liz at io n
ab o ut the re ligio n o f p r i m i t iv e folk The y ha v e
n o t o n ly n o go d s a n d n o c u l t b ut the y d o n o t
cl ear ly p ra c t is e m a gic and the y hav e n o den i te
b e li e f i n a lif e a fter d eath and n o co n c e p t io n o f an
i m p er so na l po wer p er v ad i n g n a ture
T here are o n ly between tw o and thr ee th o u s and
,

'

THE EA R LI ES T TRACE S

26

is

OF

R ELIGION

of

so rud i mentar y a de sc r ip t io n that i t co nta i n s n o

numer a l be yo nd o n e T he i r we a po n s ( ax e s lo n g
b o w s a n d i r o n t ipp ed a rr o w s of ne m ak e ) are m o re
ad v a n c ed th a n the re s t o f the i r c u l ture b u t the
l m e ta l t ip betra ys the i r i nde b tedne ss t o the h ig her
ra c e It a lso p u t s u s o n o u r g u ard i n re g ard t o
the i r re ligio n In the sixteenth c ent u r y m os t of
them were i n co r po r a ted i n a C in gh a le se ki ng d o m
and f ew ha v e e sc a p ed i t s i n u en c e
T he br o ther s S a r a si n co n cl u d ed that the y hav e n o
re ligio n and n o den i te p ra c t ic e o f m a gic T he y

a
re g rd i t a s c ert a i n and the poi nt is n o t d isp u ted
that the V eddah s d i d n o t o r igi n a lly b u r y the i r d e a d
but p r o bab ly p ut ov er the b o d y a fe w br a n c he s of tree s
and pl a c ed a s t o ne u po n i t s c he s t T he y a voi d the
spo t fo r y ear s a fterw a rd s and we sh a ll nd th is
co m m o n p r a c t ic e cl ear ly taki n g a s u p er s t i t io u s fo rm
i n l a ter p e opl e s ; bu t th o u g h the Sa ra s in s d o n o t
a ss ent t o th is i t s ee m s t o m e th a t the p utre f a c t io n
When the y
o f the b o d y i s a s u f ci ent e xpl a n a t io n
e v ent u a lly ret u rn t o the c a v e the y c are l e ssly a n d
c a llo u sly i n g o u t the b o ne s T he Sa ra s in s s u gg e s t
th a t the cov er i n g o f the co r ps e w i th tree s and a
s t o ne is t o p re v ent the so u l l e a vi n g the b o d y but
th is d o e s n o t s ee m co n sis tent w i th wh a t follo w s
and the V eddah s them s e lv e s k n o w n o e xpl anat io n
E v er y V eddah sp e aks o f the dead a s a y a ka
i
s
r
n
s
a
a
pl
ura
l
and
the
co
n
s
tant
ly
tran
sl
te
h
S
u
a
a
)
(
y
th is spi r i t a n d re p re s ent the Vedd a h a s b e li e vi n g

that he co n sis t s of sou l and b o d y

T he y add

h o we v er that the w il d Ve d dah s hav e e i ther n o o r

a v er y v ag ue i dea o f the c o nt i nued life o f the s o u l
,

THE

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27

at the pl a c e where he d i ed and the y mak e n o

o ffer i n g t o h is ma n es
T he ov erwhe l m i n g ma jo r i t y
Of the Vedd a h s d o O ffer r ic e and o ther foo d t o the
h
a
n ;
but th is p ra c t ic e we are t ol d the y hav e
y
b o rr o wed f r o m the C in gh a le se
O f the p urer
V eddah s wh o m the auth o r s q ue s t io ned ab o ut the i r
re ligio n ha lf an s wered that the y ne v er o ffered an y
gif t s o r attent io n s t o the ya ku and the o ther ha lf

an s wered l a u g h i n g that the y follo wed the re ligio n

of the T am ils and o ffered r ic e t o the y a kn Man
a f ter m a n o f b o th w il d and s em i civili z ed V eddah s
s a i d when a sk ed if a man s ya ka liv ed o n that the y
d i d n o t k n o w ; the y had ne v er co n si dered the matter ;
the y o ffered r ic e o n ly if the y o ffered i t at a ll i n
mem o r y o f the i r dead fr i end s U n l e ss o n e p re fer s
the f ant a s t ic h ypo the sis that sc e p t icis m ha s s e t i n
am o n g th is lo we s t o f p e opl e s we mu s t a ck n o w l ed g e
that here we rea c h a s tratum o f human i t y wh ic h
ha s n o nat iv e be li e f i n man s dua li t y o r s ur viv a l
When we a re f urther t ol d that ya ka is a slig ht ly
m o d i ed C in gh ale se w o rd we are co nrmed i n th is
the o r y T he p ure s t V eddah s d o n o t k n o w that man
T o the m y a ha s eem s t o mean o n ly a
h a s a d o ub l e
dead man
In re g ard t o nature w o r s h ip the y are j u s t a s
p r i m i t iv e T he y S h o w a rud i mentar y awe o f th e

and m oo n e sp e ci a lly the m oo n but where

sun
th is a pp r o a c he s a c u l t the Sara s in s d iscov er Ind i an
i n u en c e T he y ha v e n o i dea whate v er of an
i m p er so na l fo r c e Th e m o re o r l e ss ma gic a l c hant s
,

V o l iii ,
.

498

28

THE

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wh ic h so me u se are T am il and the s u ppos ed

sp e lls
wh ic h p ure Ve d d a h s u s e a g a i n s t w il d
bea s t s are mere y e lls t o fr ig hten them
Th e
S e lig mann s ( wh o m I q u o te p re s ent ly ) fo rtunate ly
add that the o n ly be a s t the y hav e t o fe a r is a
sp e ci e s of be a r wh i c h a voi d s man ( and s o need s
li tt l e i nt i m i d a t io n) a n d th a t the c harm i s m ere ly

a s hr i e k
of s u c h a p hra s e a s B e go ne ene m y
T he y ha v e h o we v er a re g a rd fo r c ert a i n o rna m ent a l
T he y dan c e r o und
a rr o w s wh ic h looks lik e m a gic
o n e o f the s e wh ic h i s s tu ck i nt o the g r oun d ; the y
s t ick o n e i nt o the g r o u nd when a c h il d is b o rn ;
and the y a fterward s f re q u ent ly l ea v e th is near the
b abe a s if t o p r o te c t i t B u t si n c e the y s a y that
the y hav e n o m o re rea so n th a n c u s t o m fo r th is we
c an se e n o cl ear ma gic a l o r re ligio u s sig n i c an c e i n
i t L et u s s a y that i t is the g er m of m a gic
Su pe r c ia lly we s eem t o ha v e a q u i te d ifferent
a cco unt o f the Ved d a h s i n the m o re re c ent vol ume
o f Pr of e sso r and M r s S e lig mann Th e V e d d a s
H ere the c u l t o f the spi r i t s of the dea d i n the fo rm
o f o ffer i n g them r ic e a n d coco nut m ilk is re pre
s ented a s the den i te re ligio n o f the V eddah s We
are t ol d that the y a voi d the spo t where a man d i ed
be c au s e the y f ear the y a hn w ill thr o w s t o ne s at
them ; th a t e v er y f am ily h o n o ur s i t s ya hu and
o ffer s foo d t o them ; that h i red s h a man s l ead the m
i n c hant i n g i n voc at io n s t o the i r y a hu ; that the
a u s e d is ease
b
o
und
e
v
er
y
si
de
and
ma
y
c
a
o
h
u
n
a
y
and that there i s a m
o n g them a g reat y a ka K ande

Ya k a
L o rd o f the Dead
t o wh o m the y p a y
e sp e ci a l v enerat io n O f ma gic the S e lig mann s nd
,

'

THE

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29

n o tra c e e xc e p t an o ld p ra c t ic e o f killi n g a man and

therea fter c arr yi n g ab o ut a b i t o f h is liv er w i th the
v a gue i dea that i t i n c re a s e s the i r s tren g th
B ut the S e lig mann s are here sp e a ki n g o f the
majo r i t y o f the V eddah s and a s the y warn u s
there are few V edd a h s o f p ure nat iv e c u l ture l e ft
t o da y T he y o b vio u sly re g ard the c u l t o f the ya kn
a s a s tr ic t ly V eddah de v e lop ment but at t i me s the y
t o u c h that s tratum o f v a g ue and m o re rud i mentar y
i dea s i n wh ic h I ha v e su gg e s ted we ha v e the
o r igi na l c u l ture T he y met o ld men w h o w o u l d
n o t adm i t that o rd i nar y folk be c ame ya hu at death
Part ic u l ar ly gif ted V eddah s m ig ht but n o t the
co mm o n run T h is is t o t a lly i n co n sis tent w i th the
g enera l c u l t o f the dead ; the g enera l be li e f that a
man s ya ka go e s af ter death t o a sk a c erta i n g reat
k
a
a
i n the v a g ue o ther w o r l d if he m a y a cc e p t
y
o ffer i n gs When we remember that r ic e and the
coco nut were n o t k n o wn o r i g i na lly t o the V eddah s
and that man y o f them t o da y offer n o th i n g whate v er
t o y a kn we return t o the posi t io n i n wh ic h the
Sara s in s l e ft u s
T h e unt a i nted V eddah s ha v e n o
i dea o f man s s ur viv a l T he y d o n o t under s tand
the w o rd ya ka wh ic h the y h a v e ad op ted T he i r
K ande Ya k a i s re g a rded b y so me auth o r i t i e s a s a
m o d i c at io n o f the C in gh a le s e go d S c a nda but i s

i n an y c a s e a cco rd i n g t o the i r p er sis tent s tate

ment s mere ly a cl e v er Veddah of m a n y g enera

t io n s a go wh o m the l e ss p ure V edd a h s hav e p ut

u po n the h ighr o a d t o de i t y When we co nne o u r
attent io n t o the f ew s ur vivi n g p ure V edd a h s we g et
a co n sis tent me ss a g e T he y d o n o t k n o w if an y th i n g
,

THE EAR

30

LI ES T

TRACE S

OF

R ELIGION

of

a man s ur viv e s death ; i n o ther w o rd s i t is n o t

the i r trad i t io n T he y d o n o t h o n o ur the dead ; th a t

is
the T am il re ligio n
T he y k n o w n o th i n g o f
spi r i t s o r ma n a ; and the y d o n o t w o r sh ip su n o r
m oon
I tak e ne x t the T a s m a n i an s wh o ha v e lo n g been
re p re sented a s the lo we s t k n o wn sp e ci m en s of the
human r a c e th o u g h the reader w ill n o t ic e that the y
are o r were sc ar c e ly a s p r i m i t iv e a s the w il d
V edd a h s L ik e the V edd a h s the y a re a p art o f
o n e o f the e a r ly wa v e s of human d is tr i b u t io n th o u g h
a pp a rent ly n o t the s ame wav e F r o m the c rad l e o f
the ra c e i n o r near the Ind i a n O c ean the y wandered
so uthw a rd i nt o the co nt i nent o f A u s tra li a U po n
them i n the co ur s e of t i me fe ll the s e co nd w a v e o f
d is tr i but io n the so m ewhat m o re ad v an c ed b l a cks o f
A u s tra li a ; and the s urvivo r s of the m o re p r i m i t iv e
p e opl e t ook re fu g e i n the so uth ea s tern p r oj e c t io n
o f t h e co nt i nent
T he s e a then c u t o ff th is terr i t o r y
fo rm i n g o f i t the isl and o f T a s man i a ; and the si m pl e
p e opl e were thu s p re s er v ed i n isol at io n and u n pro
r
e
s
s
i
n
v
e
t
o
unt
il
the
ur
op
ean
s
c
ame
e x term i nate
e
s
s
E
g
them The y c ea s ed t o e xis t ha lf a c entur y a go
It i s v er y un fo rtunate that t h e T a s m an i an s were
e x t i n g u is hed be fo re an y co m p etent auth o r i t y had
s tud i ed t he i r remark ab l e life The i r S k u lls S h o w an
e x treme ly lo w de v e lop ment o f b ra i n and the i r br o ad
n os e s l ar g e lips and s ma ll retre a t i n g c h i n s betra y ed
the i r lo w ly t yp e T he i r l an g uag e wa s si n g u l ar ly
e l ementar y T he yhad n o w o rd s t o e xp re ss ab s tra c t

i dea s a poi nt that ma y be co mmended t o the p h ilo

sop her s w h o pl a c e the d is t i n c t io n o f m an i n the
,

THE

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31

i dea s

of

poss e ssio n
ab s tra c t
and the i r sp ee c h wa s
s o i m p er f e c t that the y are s a i d t o ha v e fo und i t
d i f c u l t t o co n v er s e w i th e a c h o ther when the s u n
s ank Dur i n g the d a y g e s ture and f a ci a l m ov ement
a ssis ted the c rude w o rd s T he y were hab i tua lly
n a k ed i n the tem p erate cli me o f T a s man i a th o u g h
man y w o re ski n s i n w i nter T he y had re p r o du ci n g
s t icks but s ee m to ha v e b o rr o wed the s e fr o m the
A u s tr a li an s T he y had n o tr i be s n o c h i e fs n o
t o tem s n o a g r ic u l ture n o met a ls n o d o me s t ic
an i ma ls n o vill a g e s and o n ly a few c rude hut s
o r bre a kw in d s t o p r o te c t them f r o m the occ a sio na l
col d o f the T a s man i an w i nter Ha vi n g m ys e lf fe l t
the k een so uthern w i nd s that at t i me s s wee p ov er
T a s man i a I s h o u l d s a y that the i r ba ck wardne ss i n
clo th i n g h o u si n g and the u s e of re is a s p r i m i t iv e
a fe a ture a s the co n c retene ss o f the i r sp ee c h T he i r
s t o ne wea po n s were s o c rude that so me hav e p ut
them i n the E oli th ic ( o r E ar li e s t S t o ne) Ag e
S i n c e th is p r i m i t iv e p e opl e v an is hed i n the v er y
i n f an cy o f anthr opology we hav e n o c are fu l s tud y
s u c h a s the Sa ra s in s ha v e made of the Veddah s
T here i s h o we v er a co n sci ent io u s if n o t ent i re ly
Sci ent i c a cco unt o f the i r be li e fs and p ra c t ic e s i n
J B o n w ic k s D a i ly L ife a n d Ori gi n of the Ta s
m a n i a ns
and a l m os t a ll the re feren c e s to

them a we i rd and co ntrad ic t o r y ma ss are g athered

t og ether i n Mr H L i n g R o th s The A bo r i gi n es of
Ta sma n i a ( 2 n d c d
O ther wr i ter s often
co n fu s e the T a s man i an s and A u s tra li an s and the y
mu s t be read c are fu lly
Mr Bo nw ick q u o te s w i th a pp r ov a l the v erd ic t o f
.

32

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the r s t Bish op o f T a s man i a Dr N ixo n

No

tra c e c an be fo und
the p re l ate s a ys
of a n y
re ligio u s u s a g e o r e v en s ent i ment am o n g the m
un l e ss i ndeed we ma y c a ll b y that name the dre a d
o f a ma lig nant and de s tru c t iv e spi r i t wh ic h s eem s
to ha v e been the i r p red o m i n a nt if n o t the i r o n ly
fee li n g o n the s u b j e c t
M issio n a r i e s a re n o t u s u a lly
p r o ne t o s tate that tr i b e s ha v e n o re ligio n and th i s
ma y s eem a further c a s e th a t g enera l wr i ter s o n
re ligio n hav e ov er look ed
but the dread o f a
ma lig nant spi r i t i s n o w fu lly adm i tted t o be a
re ligio u s s ent i ment and we mu s t e x am i ne the fa c t s
I p ut t og ether the s t a tement s o f Bo nw ick wh o k new
the T a s m a n i a n s we ll and the s tatement s o f o ther
wr i ter s wh ic h Mr L i n g R o th a goo d anthr opologis t
re g ard s a s re li ab l e
F r o m the s e i t is cl ear that the T a s man i an s h a d
f a i r ly ad v a n c ed ma gic a l p ra c t ic e s and re ligio u s
be li e fs T he y had w iz ard s o r med ici ne men but
n o p r i e s t s o r s a c red pl a c e s ; the y be li e v ed i nten s e ly
i n the spi r i t s of the de a d but had n o th i n g a pp r o a c h i n g
t o go d s o r i d ols ; the y re g arded the s u n m oo n and
s t a r s w i th an e l ementar y f ee li n g of awe but d i d n o t
v ener a te the m T he y i n f a c t p e opl e d the s had o w s
a n d c a v e s and w oo d s o f the i r b eaut if u l isl a nd w i th
S pi r i t s and the i r wh ol e life wa s ov er c a s t b y a co n c ern
a b o ut the ma lig nan cy o f m an y o f the s e When a
m a n d i e d the y w o u l d sp end the n ig ht b y the co r ps e
and i t is s u gg e s ted that the i r p u r pos e wa s t o p re v ent
e vil S pi r i t s fr o m s te a li n g i t T he y then b u r i ed the
co r ps e a n d be li e v ed th a t the m a n s s hade had go ne
t o a better w o r l d ; th o u g h i n the l a s t i n s t a n c e we
.

THE

34

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R ELIGION

wh olly d i e but h is s hade o r d o ub l e liv ed o n i n

T a s man i a a n d w a s e vil o r ki nd ly a s i t h a d been i n
the e s h T h e spi r i t s wh ic h ll ed the i r w o r l d at
n ight s eem t o hav e been the s e s h a d e s o f the dea d

T he y were s tr ic t ly pe rs o n al th e y were men n o t

an i m p er so n a l po wer ; and there w a s n o g reat spi r i t
T he y were n o t v enerated o r pl a c ate d Th e m ov e
ment s o f n a ture s ee m t o hav e i n spi red i n them
n o sp e c u l at io n S o m e ha v e re p re s ented that the y
v ener a ted the s u n a s a g reat goo d spi r i t a n d
a pp ea s ed the m oo n a s the g re a t e vil spi r i t of the
n ight R oth den i e s th is and s a ys that the men
mere ly c h os e m oo n lig ht n ig ht s fo r the i r s e c ret
dan c e s be c au s e the y dre a ded the dark T he y h a d
n o art i ci a l lig ht It mu s t be remembered h o w
e v er that the i r a tt i tu de t o w a rd s the s un i s co n s tant ly
de sc r i bed a s so m eth i n g lik e a w e
T he i r m a gic wh ic h i s s u spicio u sly lik e that o f the
Au s tra li a ns i n m a n y re sp e c t s s ee m s t o ha v e been
Th e
a s e p ar a te and n o n re ligio u s de v e lop ment
med ici ne men were mu c h so u g ht and the y c ured
d is e a s e b y tw i r li n g o n a s t ick an ov a l pi e c e of w oo d
Bo ne s and
o r b y ratt l i n g the b o ne s of d e a d m e n
ha i r were p r o m i nent i n s tr u m ent s of the i r m a gic
I f the y w is hed t o d e s tr oy an ene m y the y go t a few
o f h is ha i r s wr a pp ed the m i n fa t an d s e t the me ss
be fo re a re t o m e l t The s e p r a c t ic e s d o n o t i nvolv e
a b e li e f i n a n i m p er so na l po wer lik e m a n a and are
n o t a s s u c h co nne c ted w i th the i r be li e f i n spi r i t s
N o w l et u s p a ss t o A fr ic a
F r o m the c ra d l e of
the ra c e i n o r ar o und the I nd i an O c ean an ear ly
g r o u p w o u l d soo n wander i nt o Afr i c a a s the a p e s

not

THE

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35

had p re vio u sly d o ne

L ater arr iv a ls o f m o re
ad v an c ed ra c e s w o u l d dr iv e them i nt o the fo re s t s
o f the i nter io r o r t o ward s the so uth
Pr o bab ly we
hav e man y remnant s o f the s e ear li e s t n o m ad s i n the
c entra l fo re s t s T he P yg m i e s are co ndent ly
g arded a s a v er y p r i m i t iv e s t ock s he l ter i n g i n the
fo re s t s o f C entra l Af r ic a In h i s Uga n d a P ro tec to ra te
( 1 9 0 2) S i r H J o hn s t o n te lls u s that the y ha v e n o
v er y cl ear ly m ar k ed re ligio n but that the y bur y
the i r dead i n h is hut s e t u p a c rude w oo den i ma g e
and aband o n the spo t W iz ard s ab o und
of him
am o n g them and are e sp e ci a lly v a l ued a s ra i n
mak er s B ut i n that c r o wded re gio n c u l ture s hav e
ov er l a pp ed s o mu c h that we s ha ll d o we ll to a voi d
th is li tt l e p e opl e T he y ha v e b o rr o wed the ent i re
l an g ua g e of the h ig her b l a cks and he w ho b o rr o w s
a l an g ua g e b o rr o w s i dea s We w ill rather p a ss t o
the so uth o f Afr ic a where the B u shmen hav e
rea c hed the l a s t term o f the i r lo n g wander i n g
Dr G Mc C a ll T hea l ( Ye llo w a n d D a rk S ki nn ed
P eop le of Afri c a So u th of the Z a mbesi 1 9 1 0) and
Mr G W S t o w (N a ti v e R a c es of So u th Afri c a
1 9 0 5 ) ha v e co m pl eted o u r k n o w l e d g e o f th is lo w ly
p e opl e
Dr T hea l th i n ks them re l ated to the
N e g r i t o e s o f the A ndaman I sl and s and the Ph ilip
pi ne s wh o m we w ill t a k e ne x t T he y s tand o n
the a v era g e ab o ut 4 feet 9 i n c he s i n he ight and
the y hav e the v er y lo w c ran i a l c a p a ci t y of
c ub ic
c ent i m eter s wh ic h i s li tt l e h ig her than that o f the
V edd a h s T he y are g enera lly nak ed and the y liv e
i n c a v e s o r under r ock S he l ter s o r mat s sp read o n
lig ht f rame s T he y ha v e n o c att l e n o a g r ic u l ture
.

THE

36

EAR L IE ST T R AC ES O F

R ELIGION

and n o metals
T he i r l an g u a ge ha s n o numera l
h igher than three B ut i n m a n y re sp e c t s the y are
Es u p er io r t o the o ther p e opl e s I hav e de sc r i bed
th o u gh lo wer than the A u s tra li an s and M e l ane si an s
T he y hav e tr i b a l d ivisio n s and c h i e fs a few si m pl e
mu sic a l i n s trument s c rude p a i nt i n gs a goo d dea l o f
S he ll and f eather o rna m ent a t io n t o b a cco pip e s and
re s t icks a li tt l e c rude po tter y and mat s ; and
the i r p r i m i t iv e hut s o r fr a me s so met i me s fo rm
vill a g e s o f m o re than a h u n dre d f am ili e s The y
co rre spo nd t o a l ate p art o f the Pa l e oli th ic A g e
and the y ma y be ta k en a s the h ig he s t l e v e l of th a t
dee p s tratum o f re ligio u s lif e wh ic h we e xplo re i n
th is c ha p ter
I ma y b e gi n b y q u o t i n g the c are f u l v erd ic t o n
th e ir re ligio u s be li e fs and p ra c t ic e s o f Dr T hea l
the be s t auth o r i t y
.

'

i
o
n
re li g
th at

E veryt h i
c o nne c te d wi t h t h e i r
is t h e i r dr e a d o f s o m eth i n g o u t s id e o f a n d m o r e

n
p o we rfu l t h a t h em s elve s w a s v a gu e a n d u n c er ta in
Th e y c o u l d gi v e n o exp l a n a tio n s wh a te v e r a b o u t it
a n d t h e y d i d n o t a ll h o l d t h e s a m e o p in i o n s o n t h e
s u bje c t S o m e of t h em s p o k e in dee d o f a p o werfu l
be i n g t erm e d K a a n g o r C a gu b u t wh en q u e s t i o n e d
a b o u t h im t h e i r r e p l ie s s h o we d t h a t t h e y h e l d him
t o b e a m a n l ik e t h e m s e l v e s t h o u gh p o ss e s s in g
p o we r Ma n y a re s u pp o s e d t o
c h a r m s o f gre a t
h a v e h a d a v a gu e b elief in imm o r t a li t y be c a u s e
t h e y b u r i e d a d e a d m a n s we a p o n s w it h h im a n d
l a id th e c o rp s e w it h its fa c e to wa rd s t h e r isi n g s u n
o i n t of t h e li t t l e
a n d t h e i r c u s t o m o f c u t t in g o ff a j
n ge r w a s i m a gi n e d t o b e d u e t o a b e li ef t h a t by s o
do i n g t h e y wo u l d s e c u re a n a b u n d a n c e o f fo o d in th e
ng

.
I

3
/

th o u gh t to

day

su c h a m atter Th e wa n t s o f th e pre s en t
wer e s u f ci en t to o cc u py a ll t h e i r a tten t i o n
.

T h is p a ss a g e fa i r ly a pp re ci ate s the p r o m i nent tra i t s

o f the B u s hm a n s lif e f r o m o u r poi nt o f vi ew and
co rre c t s m a n y o f the s t a tement s that ha v e been
ma d e a b o ut h is re ligio n
H is K aan g ha s been
qu o ted a s j u s t i c a t io n i n h i s c a s e o f the s t a tement
th a t a ll r a c e s a ck n o w l ed g e a S u p reme B e i n g We
l earn m o re ab o ut i t f r o m S t o w w h o q u o te s an e a r ly
m issio nar y Arbo u s se t T he y t ol d Arb o u s se t th a t
the y d i d n o t p ra y t o the i r de a d an c e s t o r s but th a t if
a man s a w a c add i e w o rm when he went o u t t o hunt
he w o u l d o b s er v e i t clos e ly and g a ther f r o m the
m ov ement s of i t s head whether the y w o u l d o r w o u l d
n o t nd foo d
O ther s h o we v er s a i d that the y
p ra y ed t o the w o rm s a yi n g :
K aan g l e a d me to
I lik e m u c h t o h a v e m y be lly ll ed
a ma l e g nu

O ther s a g a i n q u o ted the p ra y er : 0 C agu O C a gu

are we n o t yo ur c h il dren ? D O yo u n o t s e e o u r
T he y added that K a an g
hun g er ? G iv e u s foo d
wa s the r s t be i n g and had a w ife and wa s the
mak e r o f a ll th i n gs Where he wa s the y d i d n o t
k n o w th o u g h the e l and s k new S o me re g arded
h i m a s an e vil be i n g O ther s s a i d that he w a s a t
r s t goo d but had be co me i ra sci b l e thr o u g h g ht i n g
s o man y th i n gs
We cl ear ly ha v e here n o t a S u p reme B e i n g b u t
a v er y i ntere s t i n g bran c h o f v a g ue re ligio u s fee li n g
i n that d i re c t io n It is t oo often remar k ed that the

a ge

50

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38

EAR L I E ST

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R ELIGION

s a v a g e w ill n o t te ll h is be li e fs C erta i n ly so me o f
the B u shmen wh o th i nk K a an g m a lig n a nt w ill

n o t sp eak o f h i m ( T a lk o f the de vil

but
o ther s sp ea k free ly and i n the i r v a g ue and co ntra
d ic to ry s tatement s we ha v e a f a i th f u l re e c t io n o f
the i r m i nd s
Th e m a nt i s ( p r a yi n g i n s e c t) and
c add i e w o rm are b o th a d d re ss ed a s K a a n g o r
Th e b l a ck m a n h a s
re p re s entat iv e s o f K aan g
n o t i n h is m i nd the s e ne d is t i n c t io n s wh ic h we
mak e B ut S t o w te lls u s tw o th i n gs wh ic h we
ma y nd i n s tru c t iv e H e rem i nd s u s r s t h o w
the un c ann y a pp e a ran c e o f the m a nt is and c add is
w o r m w o u l d a ttr a c t the i m a gi n a t io n o f the b l a ck
man ; a n d he te lls u s s e co nd ly that the p urer
B u s hmen o f the h ills c a ll K aan g the g re a t c h i e f
and a pp ea l t o h i m t o s end r a i n o r foo d I w o u l d
v ent u re t o co nne c t the s e th i n gs Th e B u shmen
be li e v e we are t ol d that there wa s o n c e a m o re
po wer f u l ra c e o n the e a rth a n d so m e of them
re g ard K aan g a s of th i s ra c e T he y hav e i n o ther
w o rd s p art ly de i ed an a n c e s t o r and hav e co me
v a g ue ly t o co nne c t h is po wer w i th the we i rd li tt l e
an i m a ls o f the i r re gio n S o m e s a y that t o them
K a a n g is ha lf man and ha lf m a nt is

As t o h is c re a t i n g a ll th i n gs o n e h a s o n ly t o
gl an c e at the i r l e g end s t o s e e h o w a c rude and
c h il d is h f an cy ha s been turned b y m issio nar i e s i nt o
a be li e f i n a s u p ern a tura l be i n g T he B u s hmen are
v er y i ma gi nat iv e and i n an e l ementar y s en s e po et ic
.

See Spec i men s

C Ll o y d
d
m a n y re f ere n c e s t o th em re p re se n t
a nd

h
m
a n F o lk lor e
u
s
B
f
Th e l e ge n s a re m u c h

by W

si

m pler

a nd

J Bl e c k
c ru d e r t h a n

THE EA R LI ES T TRACE S

OF

R ELIGION

39

T he y free ly a sc r i be sp ee c h t o an i ma ls and re g ard

them a s li tt l e d ie re n t fr o m m e n In the s ame
c h il d lik e w a y the y co n c e iv e the m aki n g o f th e s u n
and m oo n and s tar s T h os e m o re po wer f u l be i n gs

o f the o l d r a c e
n o t K aan g a lo ne m ade them
A gi r l o ne d a y threw so me a s he s i nt o the sky and
beh ol d the M ilky W a y
K aan g d i d n o t lik e the
dar k an d s o o n e d a y he threw o n e o f h is S h o e s i nt o
the sk y and beh ol d the m oo n A n o ther o f the s e
be i n gs fo und a m a n a sl ee p o ne da y and threw h i m
i nt o the sky a n d beh ol d the s un T he y hav e n o

S u p reme B e i n g
K a a n g is o ne of the m o re
po wer f u l o f the e a r li er men and so m e th i n k he c an
i n u en c e the ra i n and foo d so the y be g h i m t o
d o so
In sh o rt the y be li e v e i n a v a g ue wa y that man
s ur viv e s the g ra v e
T he co r ps e i s bur i ed c ere
m o n io u s ly and the m a n s hut burned
His wea po n s
a re bur i ed w i th h im a n d the lo we s t s e c t io n o f h is
li tt l e n g er is c u t o ff We mu s t n o t ha s t ily co n cl ude
f r o m the bur i a l of the wea po n s that the y be li e v e he
h a s entered an o ther w o r l d a n d ha s u s e fo r them
We s ha ll se e i n s tan c e s where th is is d o ne si m ply
N o r mu s t we co n cl ude
o u t o f re g ard fo r the dead
fr o m the hea p of s t o ne s p ut ov er the g ra v e that the y
thu s s ee k t o re s tr a i n h is spi r i t f r o m wan d er i n g
T here are h y en a s t o be t a k en i nt o a cco unt
E v en
the p ra c t ic e wh ic h the y hav e o f c a s t i n g a s t o ne u po n
an y g rav e the y c han c e t o p a ss i s n o t ne c e ss ar ily an
o ut co me of s u p er s t i t io n n o r is i t pl a i n ly abo r igi na l
si n c e i t i s co n spic u o u s am o n g the i r H o ttent o t
ne ig hb o ur s It i s cl ear and a g reed o n ly t h at the y
,

THE EA R

40

LI ES T

TRACES

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R ELIGION

m os t o f the m th i n k bur i ed men liv e o n i n so me

v a g ue w a y and c an he lp o r i nj ure them ; th o u g h
o n th is poi nt the w o rd s o f Dr T hea l
the l ead i n g
auth o r i t y warn u s t o re g ard the be li e f a s e x treme ly
v a g ue and rud i ment a r y It is f urther cl ear that
the y q u i te g enera l ly be li e v e i n a re l at iv e ly po werf u l
be i n g c a ll ed K aan g wh o is c erta i n ly n o t a livi n g
B u s hman H e is o ne o f a cl a ss Of earli er be i n gs
wh o s eem t o b e the i r an c e s t o r s and the l e g end s
ab o ut h i m ha v e be co me c h il d is h ly co nne c te d w i th
tw o s tran g e li tt l e a n i ma ls o f the co untr y I hav e
re ferred t o the i r un c ann y a pp earan c e I remember
we ll the S h ock I exp er i en c ed when I r s t i n m is tak e
u
t
an
o
rd
i
nar
y
n
glis
h
c
add
i
w
o
r
m
under
m
y
E
e
p
m ic r oscop e Dr T hea l rem i nd s u s a lso th a t the s e
an i ma ls ha v e p r o te c t iv e colo rat io n and the i r a pp arent
s udden emer g en c e fr o m n o th i n g ne ss when o n e d o e s
at l a s t p er c e iv e them at clos e quarter s w o u l d s tr ik e
the s a v a g e a s a ki n to the nature o f h is dead wh o
are s t ill a liv e y et i n visi b l e
H ere are the g erm s o f de is m and t o tem i s m As
t o ma gic c harm s sp e lls and w i t c h c raft are h igh ly
d e v e lop ed a m on g the B u s h m en
In so me re sp e c t s
the m a gic is clos e ly co nne c ted w i th the re ligio n
Dr T hea l w h o i s sc e p t ic a l ab o ut the i r be li e fs
ne v erthe l e ss te lls u s th a t when the y d ig a water
h ol e the y p ut i nt o i t a pi e c e o f meat o r o ther foo d
t o p r opi t i a te th e spi r i t s wh ic h m a y d w e ll i n the
water Mr S t o w s a ys that the m ed ici ne men wh o
c ure d is e a s e b y r oo t s and c harm s a re g enera lly
c h i e fs T h is is a poi nt t o be b o rne i n m i nd i n
co nne c t io n w i th S i r J G F ra z er s the o r y o f the
or

THE

42

EAR L I E S T

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the y s eem t o hav e b o rr o wed

I n a w o rd the i r
c u l ture is n o t wh olly a nat iv e de v e lop m ent
S o i t s eem s t o be w i th the i r re ligio n
T he y ha v e
a q u i te e xplici t be li e f i n the co nt i nu a n c e of lif e a fter
death I f a c h il d d i e s the y b u r y the li tt l e b o d y o n
the si te of the i r he a rth and the m o ther pl a c e s be si de

i t a s he ll of her o w n m ilk t o n o u r is h the spi r i t

Wi th adu l t s the y b u ry a s he ll of water a n d the
p er so n a l poss e ssio n s of the d e a d a n d the y qu i t the
S po t fo r three m o nth s A s u dden de a th is a sc r i bed
t o the e vil spi ri t s wh ic h h a unt the s e a a n d the
j un gl e a n d a t the f uner a l a m a n a tt a cks the s e w i th
sp ear and arr o w s s h oo t i n g i nt o the a ir Th e sou l
is red I t i s n o t the s ha d o w b u t the d o u b l e Of
o ne s e lf s een i n the po n d o r s tream
It p a ss e s

un l e ss i t be the so u l of a m u rderer o r g re a t

c r i m i na l i nt o a better lif e a ki n t o th is but free

f r o m ills ; a n d si n c e the y go o n t o ta lk of a re s ur
re c t io n we m a y se e i n th is a n i n l tr a t io n o f Chr is t i a n
te a c h i n g To the s ame so u r c e we m a y tra c e the i r
be li e f i n c reat io n a p r i m i t iv e g arden of b liss a n d a n
ear ly de l u g e
It is e qu a lly i m possi bl e t o d is ent a n gle the Chr is t i a n
and nat iv e e l ement s i n the i r l e g end of a g re a t spi r i t
P ulu ga wh o is etern a l i n visi b l e a n d a ll s ee i n g but
liv e s i n a s t o ne h o u s e i n the Sky w i th a w if e and
c h il dren ; wh o r o a r s i n the thu n d er a n d the s t o r m
a n d ma k e s lig htn i n g b y c a s t i n g b u rn i n g logs f r o m
h is re ; wh o made a l l th i n gs e xc e p t the i nnumerab l e
,

re c e n t

au t

th e m o n so o n s
a nd

No

ho ri ty re ga rd s
Se e F

o lk lo r e

P u l u ga a n d
(S e t , 1 9 09 )

co

a nd

m p a n io n

po wer a s

Ma n ( 1 9 1 0

No

THE E A R

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43

e vil S pi r i t s B ut there s eem s t o be a n a t iv e g erm of

nature w o r s h ip th o u g h n o a c tua l w o r s h ip o f a n y
th i n g Th e s u n is mere ly the m oo n s w ife the s tar s
h i s c h il dren ; but the y w ill n o t w o r k between d a wn
and s unr is e l e s t the y o ffend the l a d y ( the s un) T h e
m oo n s an g er the y f ear e v en m o re A S i t (o r he )
a pp r o a c he s fu ll the y e x t i n g u is h a ll the i r re s k ee p
S il ent and a voi d w o r k H e w a nt s a ll the i r attent io n

All e l e m ent s a re i n fa c t f u ll o f spi r i t s p er so n a l

spi r i t s and a ll e vils co m e fr o m the m

I f th is e vi dent ly a du l ter a ted c u l ture is o f li tt l e u s e
t o u s the l e ss t a i nted be li e f o f the A eta s i s o f li tt l e
m o re Us e be c au s e i t ha s been s o S lig ht ly s tud i ed
A
f ew th o u s a nd o f the s e p r i m i t iv e ne g r i t o e s s t ill li n g er
o n the f r i n g e o f the Ma l a y pop u l at io n o f the Ph ilip
pi ne s and Pr ofe sso r D G B r i nt o n ( The P eop le of
the P hi lipp i n es) s ummar iz e s fo r u s the li tt l e that i s
k n o wn a b o ut them
T he y a v er a g e ab o u t 4 f eet
1 0 i n c he s i n he ig ht and the y ha v e the a bn o rm a lly
lo w c ran i a l c a p a ci t y o f ab o ut
c ub ic c ent i meter s
T he y hav e n o tr i be s o r c h i e f n o x ed ab o de s a g r i
c u l t u re o r po tter y ; but the y are e xp ert re mak er s
and ha v e the b o w a n d arr o w When o n e o f them
d i e s th ey a ttr i bute the death to the
m a gic a l
po wer o f a Ta g a l a ( Ma l a y) and the y tr y t o kill o n e
o f the l atter ; but a s a v a g e s be li e f i n the s u p er io r
po wer s o f a h ig her ra c e is n o t ne c e ss a r ily a be li e f i n
m a gic
When the m oo n is f u ll the y bu il d a re
and dan c e r o und i t ; b u t the y a sk n o th i n g o f i t and
Dr B r i nt o n is n o t j u s t i ed i n c a lli n g i t the i r c h i e f
de i t y
T he y ha v e n o de i t y Indeed m os t tra v e ll er s
Pr ofe sso r F
s a y c urt ly that the y ha v e n o re ligio n
.

44

THE EA R

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TRACE S

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R ELIGION

Bl u m entr i tt o n e o f the c h i e f auth o r i t i e s o n them

s a ys that p ra c t ic a lly n o th i n g i s kn o wn o f the i r

n a t iv e re ligio n
In a l eng th y a cco unt o f them
a n o ther auth o r i t y
M r D C W o r c e s ter nd s o n ly
M an y
o n e tra c e o f what m ig ht be c a ll ed re ligio n
and the y S ay i n e x pla
o f them are head hunter s
n a t io n that if the y d o n o t t a k e o ne head a y ear the y
w ill i n c ur d is ea s e i n j u r y o r death The y bur y foo d
w i th the h ead a n d Mr W o r c e s ter s u gg e s t s th a t th is
i s i n o rder t o p r opi t i a te the e vil spi r i t
B ut a s the y
liv e i n co n s t a nt t o u c h w i th the M a l a y head hunter s
and are s o v a g ue ab o ut the e xpl anat io n i t s eem s
p r o bab l e that the y hav e b o rr o wed the head hunt i n g
p r a c t ic e a s the y h a v e b o rr o wed the ute the met a l
k n ife and the occ a sio n a l p ra c t ic e o f a g r ic u l ture
W e c ann o t draw a n y rm co n cl u sio n f r o m them
b u t ma y tak e n o te o f the i r p art ic u l ar attent io n t o
the m oo n
A n o ther remnant o f th is p r i m i t iv e ne g r i t o r a c e
wh ic h h a s th u s wandered f r o m the c rad l e of human i t y
t o the ea s t of Asi a i s fo u nd i n the M a l a y Pe n i n s u l a ;
b ut w e hav e e ven cl e a rer e vi den c e here o f a du l
T h e S a k a i w h o are so met i me s q u o ted i n
t e ra tio n
th is co nne c t io n are n o w g enera lly re cog n i z ed t o be
a m ix ture o f the p r i m i t iv e ne g r i t o and the Ma l a y
and the i r c u l ture w ill n o t in te re s t u s B ut i n the
s ame re gio n are the a l m os t p ure ne g r i t o S eman gs
and i n the l earned w o rk o f W W S keat and C O
Bl a g den (P a g a n R a c es of the Ma la y P eni nsu la 1 9 0 6)
,

The N a ti o na l G eo gr ap hi c a l
1 9 1 2 , a n d N o e m be ,

Ma ga z ine Ma rc h
,

1 9 1 1 , S e te m be

THE

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45

we hav e a v a l uab l e s ummar y o f a ll that is k n o wn

co n c ern i n g them and the i r re ligio n
I fear that i t thr o w s li tt l e lig ht o n the p re s ent
p ha s e o f o u r sil bje c t th o u g h i t ha s mu c h i nd i re c t
i ntere s t T he y ha v e i t s eem s a v er y p r o n o un c ed

be li e f i n spi r i t s but
remar k ab ly f ew tra c e s o f
dem o n w o r s h ip v er y li tt l e f e a r o f g h os t s of the
de c ea s ed and s t ill l e ss o f an y so rt o f an i m is t ic

be li e fs ( p
T he y hav e
a ki nd of de i t i e s

c a ll ed K ar i and P le th o u g h there i s p ra c t ic a lly

n o tra c e o f an a c tu a l c ul t
K ar i i s a
thunder
d
o
a be i n g of s u p ernatura l siz e and er y breath
g
He c re a ted a ll th i n gs e xc e p t the b o d i e s o f men
wh ic h h is s ub o rd i nate P l e made K ar i is an g ere d
b y e vil co ndu c t and i s the s u p reme j ud g e o f so u ls
b u t P l e i nter c ede s fo r men
Human s a c r i c e is
occ a sio na lly demanded b y K ar i and o n that occ a sio n
o n ly p ra y er is o ffered t o h i m T here i s n o c u lt o f
P l e T here are be si de s h os t s o f spi r i t s i n e v er y
e l ement o f nature T he human spi r i t is a s ma ll
red s ub s tan c e wh ic h dwe lls a f ter death i n the water
o r the s t o rm Ma gic and l e g end are r ic h ly de v e lop ed
F r o m th is p e opl e th ou g h i t is i n i t s e lf und o ubted ly
p r i m i t iv e we c an draw n o co n cl u sio n whate v er Th e
S eman g ha v e l a rg e ly ad op ted the Ma l a y l an g u a g e
and M a l a y c u l ture and i t w o u l d be i d l e t o d o u b t
t hat a s o ur auth o r s s a y the y ha v e a lso b o rr o we d
re ligio u s i dea s V au g han S te v en s o n e o f the l ea d i n g
auth o r i t i e s den i e s that the y be li ev e i n spi r i t s ; b ut i n
th is he is sc ar c e ly co n sis tent T he i r p r i m i t iv e c u l ture
is h o we v er s o r ic h ly an d o b vio u sly ov er g r o wn w i th
M a l a y i dea s that we mu s t l e a v e i t o u t o f a cco unt
.

46

THE

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We p a ss t o A mer ic a where fra g ment s o f the r s t

hu m a n a rm y wh ic h i nv a d ed the We s tern w o r l d
(p r o b a b ly f r o m Al a sk a) a re s t ill fo un d i n the
B ra zili an fo re s t s a n d i n the isl an d of T i erra de l
F ue go
Pr ofe sso r K vo n den S te i nen h a s m ade
f
a c a re fu l inW
p
e
opl
e
s
o
W
B ra zil and h is w o r k Un ter d en N a tu rv Olkern
Z en tr a l B ra si li en s
co nta i n s goo d m a ter i a l
I
is
a
v
a
l
u
a
b
l
e
s
t
u d y i n fo rmed
H
t
e
s
by an e qu a lly sy m p a thet ic a n d sci ent i c i ntere s t

T he s e tr i be s
the y ha v e re a c hed the l e v e l o f
tr i ba l o r g an iz a t io n a n d ha v e c h i e fs of li tt l e po wer
hav e vill a g e s a g r ic u l ture po tter y ute s co mb s
and a p r i m i t iv e art ; b u t the i r l a n g ua g e wh ic h ha s
n o coll e c t iv e n o un s S h o w s th a t m u c h o f th is is a
fo re ign i ntru sio n o n a v er y lo w l e v e l The y hav e
an i m plici t be li e f i n the d ua li t y of m a n a n d the
co nt i nu a n c e o f h is s had o w a fter death In the i r
c a s e th is is cl ear ly co nne c ted w i th the i r be li e f i n the
rea
li
t
y
Th e ad v enture s of the dream are
o f d re a m s

r
rea l ad v enture s and the y ev en li e t o e a c h o ther t o
g a i n p re s t ig e b y w o nder fu l dre am s In the drea m
o r when the y a r e s t u pe e d b y t o b a cco the s h a d o w
Death m ere ly m e a n s
o r d o u b l e l ea v e s the b o d y
that i t h a s n o t go t b a ck i n t i me t o the b o d y T he y
l wa i t unt il the six th da y be fo re bur yi n g the co r ps e
and then t h e y co n cl u d e th a t i t w ill n o t return
T he y b u r y the w o m a n s h o u s eh ol d i m pl ement s o r
the man s wea po n s w i th the co r ps e h ol d i n g th a t
the y w ill be Of the s a m e u s e i n the co nt i nue d b u t
i nvisi b l e lif e Here the y s h o w a t i n c tu re o f C hr i s t i a n
i n uen c e (the tra v e ll er te lls u s) fo r the y s a y that
,

'

THE EA R

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47

the dead hen c e fo rth liv e w i th the i r an c e s t o r s i n

hea v en
In co nne c t io n w i th the s e an c e s t o r s the y s eem t o
hav e b o rr o wed f r o m h igher tr i be s i dea s lik e th os e o f
the B u shmen and a s we s h a ll se e the Au s tra li an s
T he y ha v e n o w o r s h ip o r re ligio u s c erem o n i e s but
c ert a i n an c e s t o r s K er i a n d K a m e h ol d a v er y pro
m i nent pl a c e i n the i r l e g end s and are c red i ted w i th
ha vi n g c reated re a n d the r iv er s and p ra c t ic a lly

e v er y th i n g
S o m et i m e s a pOin t t o be c are f u lly

n o ted the y p ut K er i a n d K a m e i n the s un and

m oo n but the i r f urther sp e c u l at io n s a b o ut the s u n
and m oo n warn u s a s e v er n o t t o e xp e c t cl e a r and
p re cis e i dea s Th e s u n i s a g re a t ba ll o f feather s
the y s a y cov ered w i th a po t a t n ig ht an d tak en
r o und t o the ea s t a g a i n b y a s nak e It wa s a n
ent i re ly new i dea t o them when the tra v e ll er a sk ed

h o w a er y b o d y co u l d be a ba ll of f e a ther s
It
m ig ht be m a gic
the y s u gg e s ted pl a i n ly a s an
a fterth o u g ht Th e s t a r s w ere f eather s h ol e s i n a
ute s eed s o r head s of s h i n i n g pos t s The y had
a r ic h n o n re ligio u s cos m ogo n y o f the c rude s t
de sc r ip t io n
M a gic wa s un iv er s a l and un c ea si n g T h e med i
ci ne men were b e n e c e n t o r m a le c e n t and an y
man co u l d q ua lify fo r the o f c e b y fo ur m o nth s
f a s t i n g a n d r igo r o u s d iscipli ne O ften a man s h o wed
h is tne ss o r po w er b y feat s of dr i n ki n g o r s m oki n g
T he wh ol e b u s i ne ss had n o th i n g t o d o w i th re ligio n

44)

v r

E hre n re ic h (Z ei tsc hrift fur

s

u ni e s a l

o ws

in Am eri c a ,

e e
so

my

s,

E thno lo ie

In c u

ng

he y w ere pro ba bl y

1 90 5 Su
e ri a n d

b o rro

wd
e

le m e n t ,

Ka m e

a re

48

THE EA R LI ES T TRACES

OF

R ELIGION

T he w ick ed med ici ne man of o n e vill a g e wa s h i red

t o br i n g d is ea s e ( e sp e ci a lly b y the u s e of poiso n s b ut
so met i me s by c harm s ov er h is ha i r o r b loo d) u po n
so me man i n an o ther vill a g e Th e goo d med ici ne
man wa s then h i red t o ght the d is ea s e S i m il ar ly
w i th a be li e f i n wh ic h we ma y s ee a g erm o f to te m s
The y drew n o s har p d is t i n c t io n between men and
an i ma ls A med ici ne man co u l d c han g e h i m s e lf o r
o ther s i nt o an i ma ls and so me tr i be s were s a i d t o
hav e de sc ended f r o m a n i m a ls
A n o ther v er y p r i m i t iv e B r a zili an p e opl e the Bolo
c u d os is de sc r i b ed b y Dr A H K eane
T he y are
nak ed n o mad s w i th o ut a g r ic u l ture o r meta l th o u g h
the y hav e tr i ba l o r g a n iz at io n The i r l an g ua g e ha s
n o numera l be yo nd o n e All be yo nd that i s man y
S o me tra v e ll er s de cl a re that the y hav e n o re ligio n ;
o ther s that the y re g ard the s un a s a goo d p r i n cipl e
but d o n o t w o r sh ip i t and the m oo n a s an e vil
p r i n cipl e a n d an o bj e c t of p r opi t i a t o r y w o r s h ip
T h is s eem s t o be an e x a gge ra tio n o f a s ent i ment
a ki n t o that o f the ra c e s we hav e e x a m i ned
b ut
Dr K eane s a ys th a t i t is at l e a s t c erta i n that the y

a ttr i b ute e vil i n uen c e t o the m oo n ( the

n ight
wh ic h c au s e s re s and b y occ a siona lly fa lli n g
u po n the m o unta i n s oo d s T he y be li e v e that there
are spi r i t s i n the s t o rm and the y shoo t arr o w s a g a i n s t
i t T he y pl a c e n o we a po n s w i th the dead b u t the y
light a re and are s a i d the e vi den c e is n o t giv en
t o d o th i s i n o rder t o sc are awa y e vil spi r i t s
Th e B ra zili an tr i be s are be li e v ed t o be a ki n t o the
-

'

On th e

I ns ti tu te , '

III

B o to c u d o s
,

1 88 4

Jo u r n a l

t he R

oy a l

An thr op o

wg ic a l

50

THE EA R LI E S T TRACE S

OF

R ELIGION

fri tu re ; t h ey h a v e n e i t h er h o pe n o r fe a r bey o n d t h e
gr a ve ; fo r t h e m th e r e i s n e i t h e r G o d n o r go o d n o r
e v il n o r s p i rits to fe a r a p a r t fro m t h e ph a nto m s
w h i c h m a y i nju r e t h e m in t h is wo r l d ; d e a th is t h e
e n d o f exis te n c e a n d t h e y h a ve n o i d e a o f a S p i r i t u a l
life o r o f th e c o m p o si t i o n o f m a n fro m a b o dy a n d a
soul
S u c h te s t i m o n i e s ha v e been s tran g e ly ov er look ed
b y wr i ter s wh o g enera liz e o n the re ligio n of p r i m i t iv e
p e opl e s ; n o r c a n i t be s a i d i n th is c a s e that the
nat iv e s were re l u c t a nt t o te ll the i r i dea s I f i t be
s u gg e sted a s p erh a ps Mr Andrew L an g w o u l d ha v e
s u gge s te d that the i r re ligio n ha s de c a y ed we s h o u l d
ha v e a re m a rk a b l e i n s t a n c e t o s ubm i t t o th os e wh o
p rea c h the soci a l i ne vi tab ili t y of re ligio n i n h a rd
B ut we nee d n o t sp e c u l ate
co nd i t i o n s of life
Th e re f eren c e of B r i d g e s t o
o n the s e m a tter s

p h a nt o m s
p r icks o u r c ur iosi t y a n d p re s ent ly
we nd Hy a de s a n d D e n ih e r s a yi n g th a t the y h a v e

d iscov ered c erta i n i dea s that m ig ht be re ferred to

S u p er s t i t io n th o u g h the i r o r igi n wa s the fear o f
p
T he w o men
m ale c e n t i nd ivi d u a ls
(
de cli ne t o s e v er the u m b ilic a l co rd a t b i rth and
the y e v entu a lly b u rn the co rd and the pl a c enta
We s h o u l d be ha s t y i n attr i but i n g th is t o a s em i
re ligio u s n o t io n but we s eem t o be nearer re ligiosi t y
when we l earn that the y burn h a i r s that ha v e f a ll en
o r been p u ll ed o ut th a t the yo un g w o men of a h o u s e
mak e dar k li ne s under the i r e y e s when the m il k
co me s i nt o the brea s t o f a m o ther and that ver y
soo n a fter co nne ment e ven i n the col d w i nter a
,

a ge

25 3

THE EA R

LI E S T

TRACE S

OF

R ELIGION

m o ther

51

bathe s c erem o n io u sly i n the se a T he y c an

giv e n o e xpl a nat io n o f the s e th i n gs
It i s the
c u s t o m The y pl a i n ly d o n o t atta c h a n y spi r i t
mean i n g t o the r i tua l
N earer s t ill a re we t o re ligio n if n o t q u i te w i th i n
its o ut lyi n g m a r s he s when we l ea rn that ill ne ss and
death are a sc r i bed t o c erta i n fanta s t ic be i n gs wh o
liv e i n c a v e s a n d i n the de p th s o f the fo re s t s T he s e
w il d men of the w oo d s are n o t spi r i t s T he y are
g enera lly in v iSib le but the f ew Ya h g a n s wh o s hudder
in gly b o a s t Of h a vi n g s een them de sc r i be the m a s
o n e e y ed m o n s ter s ba l d h o rr o r s and s o o n
The y
a re ma lig nant
In
a n d so m et i m e s s te a l c h il dren
fa c t the y are m o re lik e the Ce l t ic f a i r i e s than the
spi r i t s o f the A nda m ane s e
Th e a uth o r s un fo rtun a te ly l ea v e u s un c erta i n o n
the v er y i ntere s t i n g q ue s t io n of the o r igi n o f the s e

Since
W il d men
(a s the nat iv e s c a ll them )
h o we v er th is v a g uene ss is p r o b a b ly a f a i th fu l re
e c tio n o f the nat iv e m i nd i t i s i n s tru c t iv e
On
the o n e hand the Yah g an s ha v e n o t an e xplici t
be li e f that the y liv e o n a fter death T he y bur y the
dead de c ent ly and burn h is hut T he y e ven c a lci ne
h is bo ne s SO that n o p art ma y be i rre v erent ly u s ed
i n maki n g h a r poo n s B ut th is i s n o t ne c e ss ar ily a
p r oof o f m o re th a n so rr o w and a ffe c t io n and the y
p r of e ss n o be li e f i n a future lif e T he y are liv e ly
dreamer s y et atta c h n o S ig n i c a n c e t o dream s O n
the o ther hand the y re g a rd the h ig her i nhab i tant s
o f the isl and w i th dread and awe and o ne s u sp e c t s
that the s e ab l er and m o re a gg re ssiv e tr i be s men are

the rea l o r igi na ls o f the i r w il d men

Per io d ic a lly
.

THE

52

EAR L I ES T T R AC ES O F

R ELIGION

the y are thr o wn i nt o a viol ent co mm o t io n and p an ic

a t n ight and the y s a y that the w il d m e n are co m i n g
f r o m th e we s t t o kill them Hy a de s a n d Den ik er
s ee m t o re g a rd the s e a s spi r i t s of the d ea d y et

Th e
a li tt l e l a ter (p 2 5 5 ) the y e xp re ssly s a y :
F u e gi an s co mm o nl y be li e v e th a t the s e w il d men
the Alak o lu fs ( the m o re dre a ded of the i r
a re
ne ig hb o ur s)
We a pp e a r t o have here an e xc e p t io n a lly i ntere s t i n g
p ha s e o f the maki n g o f re ligio n Th e livi n g A l ako
lu fs are a l read y ha lf s u p ernatur a l i n the h a zy m i nd s
s T he y a re o n the wa y t o be co me
o f the Yah g a n
what a m issio nar y w o u l d c a ll e vil S pi r i t s
It is
the s a m e w i th the i r ma gic if we c an g ra nt them
s u c h a th i n g at a ll T he ol der m e n are a ll m ed ici ne
m e n and the y dr a w d is e a s e o u t o f a m a n b y u si n g
I t i s n o t s a i d th a t the w il d
s e t fo r m s of w o rd s
men c a u s e d is ea s e th o u gh the y ma y c a u s e de a th ;
but i t w o u l d tak e li tt l e further de v e lop ment t o giv e
the Yah g an s a be li e f i n m a lig nant i n visi bl e be i n gs
wh o c au s e a ll the i r ills
It i s o n e o f the m os t
i ntere s t i n g c a s e s o f embr yo n ic re ligio n and magic
s t ill s e p arated fr o m ea c h o ther
,

'

C H AP TE R III
T HE

M EAN I N G OF

T HE F A C T S

S are the ear li e s t tra c e s of re ligio u s s ent i ment

T HE E

o r p ra c t ic e wh ic h we nd am o n g livi n g ra c e s o f men
T he p e opl e s c h os en fo r i n v e s t ig at io n are the lo we s t
k n o wn t o the anthr opologis t and I ha v e s e p arated
them s h a r ply fr o m e ven the A u s tra li an s and Me l a
w i th wh o m sp e c u l at io n o n the o r igi n o f
n e s ia n s
re ligio n is t oo a p t t o be gi n T he y are n o t a ll at the
s ame l e v e l of c u l tu r e Th e O l d S t o ne A g e wh i c h
liv e s i n them w a s i t i s often fo r go tten a p er io d o f
c erta i n ly m o re th a n possi b ly tw o o r three t i me s as
mu c h a s a h u n d re d th o u s and y e a r s It had a d oz en
d i fferent s ta g e s o f c u l t u re an d the s e lo w ly p e opl e s
l e f t the i r fe llo w s an d fe ll i nt o an a l m os t co m pl ete
s t a g nat io n a t d i fferent s t a g e s M an y of them ha v e
si n c e b o rr o wed i dea s o r we a po n s ; i n o ther s spe ci a l
ci r c um s tan c e s ma y ha v e s t i mu l ated a slig ht n a t iv e
de v e lop ment B ut the y d o coll e c t iv e ly re p re s ent
the lo we s t s tratum of re ligio u s life k n o wn to u s
and the y are the p r op er ba sis o f sp e c u l at io n
T h e reader mu s t n o t h o we v er e xp e c t that the y
are goi n g t o s u gg e s t t o u s so me ent i re ly n ov e l the o r y
o f the o r igi n o f re ligio n
T h e s ub j e c t ha s been t oo
lo n g and t o o k een ly deb a ted t o l ea v e mu c h r oo m fo r
o r i gi nali t y and the s e f a ct s are a fter a ll o n ly m o re
.

53

THE

54

MEAN I N G OF THE FAC T S

rud i mentar y fo rm s o f the better k n o wn f a c t s B ut

we are n o w i n a posi t io n t o c h oos e m o re j ud icio u sly
between the co n ic t i n g the o r i e s
F o r m y p art I
ha v e de cli ned t o sp e c u l ate unt il I h a d e xplo red th is
lo we s t s tratum q u i te a p art f r o m l ater de v e lop ment s
M y b i a s wa s t o ward s the vi ew that the m o re s tr i k i n g

m ov ement s o f nature the p r og re ss and re o f the

sun
the ru s h o f w i nd and r iv er a n d s o o n had
r s t e vok ed the s u p er s t i t io u s i n the i m a gi nat io n o f
ear ly man Th e fa c t s at o n c e co rre c ted that b i a s
and I n o w endeavo u r p at i ent ly and i m p art i a lly t o
i nter p ret the i r me ss a g e

Th e o ld the o r y o f L u c ret i u s that

fear made the
go d s wa s f a vo ured i n the d a ys when men be g an t o
d isc ard the o ld i dea s o f a d ivi ne o r a de m o n i c in s pi
rat io n o f re ligio n It i s cl e a r fr o m the co ntent s of
the l a s t c ha p ter that there is mu c h truth i n that
vi ew o r g ue ss Th e mere rud i ment o f re ligio n
wh ic h we nd am o n g the Ya h g an s is p red o m i nant ly
i n spi red b y fear and the s ent i ment of terr o r is s tr on g
and ra d ic a l i n o ther c a s e s B ut we s a w that fear i s
n o t at a ll the S i n gl e o r e ven the p re po n d erat i n g
i n g red i ent o f a ll ear ly s u p er s t i t io n T h e v er y p r i m i
t iv e Veddah ha s li tt l e o f i t ; the T a s m an i an o r the
B u s hman is e qua lly a liv e t o goo d and bad i n h is
rud i mentar y re ligio n P erh a ps we s ha ll nd f e a r
m o re i n uent i a l i n l ater s t a ge s of de ve lop ment
Pr i m i t iv e man is n o t s a v a g e ; a n d m a n mak e s go d s
to h is o w n i ma g e and lik ene ss
In the m i dd l e o f the n i neteenth c entur y m o re
sci ent i c the o r i e s o r vi ew s ba s ed u po n posi t iv e
e vi den c e were pu t fo rward Ma x M ull er s t a rt i n g
.

THE

THE

MEAN I N G OF

FAC TS

55

f r o m the re ligio n o f the ear ly V eda s i n wh ic h the

s un and m oo n re and water are the o ut s tand i n g
de i t i e s s u gg e s ted that re ligio n be g an w i th the
p er so n i c at io n o f the s e
H e be li e v ed that the
ear li er H i ndu s had r ig ht ly co n c e iv ed the s e natura l
o b j e c t s but that thr o u g h the v a g uene ss o f the i r
l a n g ua g e a l ater g enerat io n t ook the trad i t io na l
name s t o be p er so n a l
N O o ne n o w adm i t s th i s

d is ea s e o f l a n g ua g e ; but si n c e the e l ement s a r e

p er so n i ed i n man y re ligio n s the c h i e f i dea is
o b vio u sly so und H o we v er i t rem a i n s t o s ee if th is
p er so n i c at io n o r an i m at io n a s is n o w s a i d wa s
an e a r ly o r a l a te de v e lop m ent
A g a i n s t th i s the o r y Herbert S p en c er wh os e vi ew
i s e l ab o rate ly e xp a nded b y G rant All en i n h is
E v o lu ti o n of the I d e a of G o d co ntended that
re ligio n be g an w i th a be li e f that man s s hade
s ur viv ed death and the c u l t that wa s awarded t o
the s e s ur vivi n g s hade s S i n c e the lif e a fter death
of the s a v a g e i s li tera lly a co nt i nuan c e o f th is life
the c h i e f rema i n s a c h i e f and is du ly h o n o ured ;
the g re a t o r f am o u s c h i e f reta i n s h is s u p er io r po wer
and i n the mem o r y o f the tr i be o r ra c e r is e s
t o ward s the posi t io n of a de i t y a m i d the c r o wd o f
the dead
S i r E B Tylo r i n h is P ri mi ti v e C u ltu re
bro u g ht attent io n ba ck t o the m ov e m ent s o f nature
and fo unded the the o r y wh ic h is k n o wn a s A n i m is m
F r o m dream s and tran c e s and sp e c u l at io n ab o ut
death p r i m i t iv e man is s u ppos ed to hav e g athered
the i dea o f an an i mat i n g spi r i t and t o hav e a ppli ed
th is at o n c e t o nature
B eh i nd the s t o rm the
,

THE

56

MEAN I N G OF

THE

FAC TS

t o rrent the re o r the earth quak e he s aw so me

p r o d igio u s but ha lf human c reature
and he
g radu a lly ll ed the w oo d s and the a i r the water s
and the S ki e s w i th i n visi b l e spi r i t s wh ic h w o rk ed
the f rame o f nature a s h is o w n spi r i t w o r k ed the
me c han is m o f the b o d y
A th i rd t ypic a l the o r y wa s p ut fo rw a rd b y the
auth o r o f The G o ld en B o u gh S i r J G F r a z er
E v en
be li e v e s that ma gic p re c eded re ligio n
p r i m i t iv e men he th i nks were at l a s t co n vi n c ed

of
the i nh erent f a ls eh oo d and barrenne ss o f
ma gic and the f a il u re o f the i r e ffo rt s s e t the m
th i n ki n g whether there m ig ht n o t be an o ther o rder
of a g ent s m o re po wer fu l than them s e lv e s beh i nd
the f rame o f nature T h is bego t re ligio u s be li e f

To the s e m ight y be i n gs wh os e han d i w o r k he

tra c ed i n a ll the go r g e o u s and v ar i ed p a g e a ntr y of
nature m an n o w a d dre ss ed h i m s e lf h u mb ly co n fe ss
i n g h is de p en d en c e o n the i r i nvisi b l e po wer and
be s ee c h i n g them o f the i r mer cy t o f urn is h h im
w i th a ll goo d th i n gs
On the s e fu ndamenta l h ypothe s e s o r so me m o d i
c a tio n o f them a ll l a ter sp e c u l a t io n ha s sp ent
i t s e lf T he em i nent F ren c h auth o r i t y S R e i n a c h
sou ght a s ta g e be fo re ma gic and be li e v e s that he

h a s fo und i t i n t a bu
M a gic is he s a ys
the
mark o f a b ol d offen siv e o n the p art o f man a g a i n s t
the p er ils wh ic h be s et h i m and the m is er i e s he

endure s
S u c h b ol dne ss d o e s n o t s eem co n g ru o u s
w i th the t i m i d i t y and ig n o ran c e of ear ly man and
,

Orp heu s ( 1 909)

an d

C u lts ,

Myths

a nd

R e ligions

THE

58

MEAN I N G OF

THE

FAC TS

is
at r s t v a g ue i m p er so na l undened but is
g radua lly d i fferent i a ted a n d p er so n i ed
M r R R M arett ha s p erha ps p ut the new
the o r y i n i t s m os t pop u l a r fo rm H e a lso co ntend s
that the be li e f i n an i m p er so n a l a ll p er v a d i n g fo r c e
o r po wer p re c eded
the be li e f i n p er so na l spi r i t s
o r go d s
B e fo re man be c am e An i m is t ic he had
nu m er o u s d i m ly lig hted i m p re ssio n s of the aw fu l
T h is v a g ue awe of s urr o und i n g po wer s wa s the
co mm o n pl a s m o u t of wh ic h re ligio n and m a gic p r o
c e e de d
Man e xp er i en c ed i t e sp e ci a lly i n d rea m s
tran c e s a n d d is e a s e and i n the p re s en c e of death
T h e po wer he d i m ly p er c e iv ed wa s so m eth i n g lik e
the m a n a o f the M e l ane si an s Viol ent m ov ement s
i n nature e v en c ur io u s s t o ne s o r an i m a ls s u gg e s ted
i t Th e i dea o f p er sona l spi r i t s w a s o n ly g ra d ua lly
e volv ed o u t o f i t Irvi n g Ki n g a lso arg u e s fo r th is
p r i m i t iv e be li e f i n an i m p er so n a l po wer a n d poi nt s
o u t that i t is c hara c ter is t ic o f the A m er i nd s wh o
ha v e s e v era l name s fo r i t a s we ll a s the M e l ane si an s
On the o ther hand Dr L R F a rne ll i n h is
pl a c e s the
v a l uab l e E v o lu tio n of R e lig io n
c h i e f s tre ss o n p r i m i t iv e man s h o rr o r of b loo d
He coll e c t s mu c h e vi den c e wh ic h s h o w s p r i m i t iv e
man s co n c ern ab o ut the shedd i n g o f b loo d and
ab o ut death a n d he th i nks that the s e p hen o mena
ma y ha v e ear ly i n spi red the i dea o f co n ic t i n g goo d
a n d e vil p r i n cipl e s
Mr E C r a w l e y s u gg e s t s ( The
Tr e e of L ife 1 9 0 5 ) that p r i m i t iv e re ligio n wa s a
g enera l att i tude t o ward s o r co n s e c rat io n o f life an d
,

1
2

T he Thre s ho ld of R e li gion
T h e D e ve IOpme n t of R e li gi on

THE

M EAN I N G OF THE FA C TS

59

d o e s n o t ne c e ss ar ily i n volv e a be li e f i n go d s o r spi r i t s

A D i eter ic h ( Mu tter E r d e 1 9 0 5) s tart s fr o m an
a na lysis o f ear ly G ree k re ligio n and co n cl ude s that

m o ther earth wa s the r s t o b j e c t o f c u l t and

i n spi rer o f re ligio u s f ee li n g Pr ofe sso r L euba ( The
P s yc ho lo gi c a l S tu d y of R e li gi o n 1 9 12 ) s h o w s a m o re
c ath olic att i tude H e d o e s n o t be li e v e that re ligio n
wa s i n spi red b y a p a rt ic u l ar s et o f p hen o mena All
m an s unu s ua l o r m o re s tr iki n g e xp er i en c e s dream s
d is ea s e death h ys ter i a the f a c t s o f co n sci en c e the
m ov ement s o f nature the need t o e xpl a i n th i n gs
h a d a si mu l tane o u s s hare i n i t
Pr ofe sso r J T
S h o twe ll i n ne ha s so me c are fu l and sy m p athet ic
p a g e s o n the o r igi n of re ligio n i n h i s w o r k ( The
R e li gi o us R e vo lu ti o n of To d a y
and offer s u s
a f re s h and n e ly e xp re ss ed v er sio n o f the Pre
An i m is t ic h ypo the sis
T here i s a s I s a i d li tt l e r oo m fo r o r igi na li t y if
o n e had the amb i t io n to be o r igi na l wh ic h i s o ne o f
the m os t d is turb i n g e l ement s i n the sci en c e o f o u r
da y Ev er y possi b l e so ur c e o f the i n spi rat io n o f
re ligio u s fee li n g i s i n cl u ded am o n g the p re c ed i n g
h ypo the s e s and i t i s the q ue s t io n o f p r io r i t y wh ic h
c h i e y d is tra c t s and d ivi de s o u r auth o r i t i e s t o da y
S ha ll we g rant th is p r io r i t y t o t o tem s tabu m a gic
ma n a o r p er so na l spi r i t s ? O r s h a ll we re g ard a ll
o r m os t
o ut g r o wth s of the p r i m i t iv e
o f the s e
i ma gi nat io n n o t a s s u cc e ssiv e sp e ci e s wh ic h e volv e
o n e f r o m the o ther but
a s s e p arate and possi b ly
si mu l tane o u s emer g en c e s fr o m the d i m under w o r l d
o f p r i m i t iv e man s
b l urred menta l m i rr o r of h is
en vi r o nment
.

THE

60

MEAN I N G OF

THE

FAC TS

Th e

reader w ill n o w s ee pl a i n ly wh y I atta c h s o

mu c h i m po rtan c e t o be gi nn i n g w i th the rea lly lo we s t
p e opl e s It is ma i n ly a q u e s t io n o f p r io r i t y and t o
th is m o re ad v an c ed p e opl e s giv e u s li tt l e o r n o cl ue
N o w whether the i r the o r i e s p r ov e so und o r n o n o ne
o f the wr i ter s wh o m I ha v e n o t ic ed follo w th is p r o
c e du re
Ma x Mii lle r s ba sis of fa c t wa s narr o w a n d
o f co m p arat iv e ly l a te d a te
Herbert S p en c er and
G rant All en the fo rmer ne c e ss a r ily si n c e he wr o te
i n an ear ly s ta g e o f the sci en c e of a nthr opology
addu c e a s p r i m i t iv e f a c t s o f the re ligio u s life the
p ra c t ic e s and b eli e fs o f s av a g e s wh o are n o t re a lly
p r i m i t iv e In G rant A ll en s E v o lu t io n of the I d ea
o
o
r c e ly e v en a f a i nt a ll u sio n t o the
G
d
there
is
sc
a
f
p e opl e s I de sc r i bed i n the l a s t c ha p ter a n d the
a r g ument
i s ma i n ly ba s ed u po n the lif e o f the
re l at iv e ly l a te B a ntu tr i b e s of A f r ic a
Tylo r a
d is t i n gu is hed anthr opologis t co u l d n o t be a cc u s ed
but we had n o t i n h is t i m e
o f th is narr o wne ss ;
cl ear ly arr a n g ed p e opl e s a cco rd i n g t o the i r g rade s of
c u l ture o r ade q u a te ly e xplo red the lo we s t de p th s o f
p r i m i t iv e human i t y and h is a pp e a ls t o s a v a g e p e opl e s
are n o t i n fo r m ed b y p re cis e i nd ic a t io n s of the re l at iv e
p r io r i t y o f the c u l ture of th os e p e opl e s
T h is de fe c t s ur viv e s e ven i n the m o re re c ent o f
Th e p re v a ili n g
the li terature I hav e s ur v e y ed
the o r y o f Pre An i m is m ha s s e iz ed u po n c erta i n
f a c t s Of the re ligio u s life o f s av a g e s wh o a re far
fr o m the p r i m i t iv e l e v e l T he g re a t w o r d o f th i s
li terature is m a na ; the name wh ic h the Me l a
,

or ot

her c ri t ic isms

se e

Ma rilli er

Or igin s de s die u cc

THE

MEAN I N G O F

THE

FAC TS

61

n e s ia n s

giv e t o the i m p er so na l fo r c e o r i n uen c e

wh ic h the y re g ard a s p er v ad i n g nature i n cl u d i n g
them s e lv e s a l m os t i n the s h a p e o f a s ubt l e u i d
o r e l e c tr ici t y o f wh ic h o ne m a n
m a y a cc umu l ate
m o re than an o ther
B ut the M e l ane si an s are
re l at iv e ly an ad v a n c ed g r o u p o f p e opl e s ; the P oly
n e s ia n s wh o a re so met i me s addu c ed
are a v er y
a d v an c ed g r o u p
Mr Marett is c are f u l t o warn h is
reader s th a t he d o e s n o t pl a c e s o den i te a c o n
c e ptio n a s th a t o f ma n a at the v er y r oo t of re ligio n
H e pl ead s o n ly that i t is am o n g livi n g re ligio u s
i dea s the neare s t t o the v a g ue a r c het yp e B ut o f
o ther p e opl e s he q u o te s o n ly s u c h e qua lly o r m o re
ad v an c ed sp e ci m en s a s the A u s tr a li an s the Eski m o
the A mer i nd s and s o o n
B r i nt o n and o ther re c ent wr i ter s are e v en le ss
a ttent iv e t o th is mu c h needed d isc r i m i nat io n
Be
c a u s e the m a n a o f the Me l a ne si an i s fo und to
co rre spo nd clos e ly t o the m a n i to u the w a ho n da
and the a r en d a o f the v ar io u s A mer i nd tr i be s there
is a tenden cy t o th i n k that a fo rmu l a h a s been
fo und T he A mer i nd s are f ar l e ss p r i m i t iv e e v en
As to o ther wr i ter s w h o
than the Me l ane si an s
begi n w i th the a pp arent ly p r i m i t iv e e l ement s o f an
h is t o r ic a l re ligio n and s ee k s a v a g e p ara ll e ls t o i t the
p r oc edure s eem s t o be dan g er o u s a n d the p a r a ll e ls are
c h os en w i th the u s ua l l a ck o f attent io n to c u l tura l
l e v e ls
L et u s s e e what o u r p r i m i t iv e p e opl e s
te ll u s
Th e r s t l e sso n that the y pl a i n ly yi e l d is that the
m i nd o f p r i m i t iv e man wh ic h the y re p re s ent d i d
n o t p a ss thr o ugh un ifo rm o r q u i te si m il ar s ta g e s i n
,

THE

62

MEAN I N G OF

THE

FAC TS

d i fferent re gio n s A t the lo we s t l e v e l that of the

p ure Vedd a h s the Aeta s and the Yah g an s wh os e
c u l ture pl a c e s them une qu ivoc a lly be lo w a ll o ther
p e opl e s there is ne i ther d en i te re ligio n n o r den i te
ma gic ; and the feeb l e and v a g u e tenden ci e s i n th os e
d i re c t io n s a re n o t un ifo rm
A m o n g the Vedd a h s
we nd mere ly that the dead ha v e a name (y a ha
wh ic h s eem s t o me a n t o the p urer V edd a h n o m o re
than de a d
that an i m a ls are sc ared awa y b y
y e lls and th a t there i s a tenden cy t o t a k e i ntere s t
i n the s u n and the m oo n Th e Aet a s h a v e a pl a i ner
i ntere s t i n the m oo n si n c e the y lig ht re s and dan c e
when i t i s f u ll ; b u t the y d o n o t s ee m t o hav e the
g erm o f a be li e f i n co nt i nuan c e a fter death Th e
Yah g an s are t o ta lly i nd i fferent t o m ov e m ent s i n
nature o r t o the menta l p art o f the m s e lv e s b u t
the y hav e the g erm of re ligio n i n the i r a ssig nment
of we i rd s ha p e s and w o nder fu l po wer s t o c ert a i n
w il d men wh o s eem t o be a fa n cifu l co n c e p t io n
o f the i r ne ig hb o ur s
A t the ne x t l e v e l the Bo t oc ud os a sc r i be a l ar g e
e vil i n uen c e ( of a p u re ly mater i a l ki nd ) t o the
m oo n and s ee spi r i t s i n the s t o rm ; wh il e the
T a s m a n i a n s th ickly p e opl e the i r w o r l d w i th the
s had o w s o f dead men ha v e an i n cipi ent awe of the
A t the
s u n a n d m oo n and p ra c t is e e xplici t ma gic
th i rd and h ig he s t l e v e l of th is lo w ly w o r l d the
B r a zili an tr i b e s hav e e sp e ci a lly de v e lop ed the i de a
that the dream o r tran c e p a rt of a man l ea v e s the
b o d y at death and ha v e (p r o bab ly under fo re ig n
i n uen c e) giv en a p r o m i nen c e t o c ert a i n a n c e s t o r s
and c red i te d them w i th mar ve llo u s po wer s ; the
.

THE

THE

MEAN I N G OF

FAC TS

63

B u s hmen ha v e giv en a si m il ar p r o m i nen c e and

po wer t o what s eem t o be c erta i n an c e s t o r s but
a re v a g ue a b o u t the spi r i t O
f man ; the A nda m ane s e
and the S eman g ha v e s tr o n gly de v e lop ed a spi r i t
w o r l d o u t o f the deta c hab l e d o ub l e o f man and
hav e a lso p r oc eeded f ar i n the p er so n i c at io n o f t
s un and m oo n
It a pp ear s then that an y the o r y o f the o r igi n
re ligio n wh ic h w o u l d a ssig n t o i t a si n gl e r oo t
ma k e p r i m i t iv e p e opl e s p a ss thr o u g h den i te a
u n ifo rm
p ha s e s i s wr o n g Th e truth s o far
w i th Pr ofe sso r L eub a M o ther E arth is c erta i
n o t the r s t i n spi rer of re ligio n
Bloo d ha s n o
T h e e l ement s o f
better t i t l e t o that posi t io n
n a ture p r i mar y o r s e co nd a r y tak e n o g enera l p re
c e d e n c e o f m a n s i nner e xp er i en c e a s i n spi rer s Of
the awe o r c ur iosi t y wh ic h be g et s re ligio n Ma gic
d o e s n o t e xis t at the lo we s t l e v e l and i s n o t un i
fo rm ly de v e lop ed o r m o re de v e lop ed than what ma y
be c a ll ed re ligio n at the o ther lev e ls To tem is m
d o e s n o t e xis t at a ll at th is l e v e l T abu s are rare
and rud i mentar y
In p art ic u l ar i t mu s t be s a i d that there i s n o th i n g
lik e a g enera l ma na s ta g e To p ut i t m o re p re cis e ly
the the o r y that man be gi n s w i th a v a g ue awe o f
nature p a ss e s t o a be li e f that there is a g reat
i m p er so na l po wer p erv ad i n g i t and na lly s ha p e s
th is po wer i nt o p er so na l spi r i t s d o e s n o t s eem t o

co rre spo nd t o the f a c t s A t the lo we s t l e v e l the

Veddah s A eta s and Yah g an s the em o t io n wh ic h

c h i e y p r o m is e s a be gi nn i n g o f re ligio n is co nne c ted
w i th den i te p er so n s : the dead man livi n g e ne mi e s
,

THE

64

MEAN I N G OF

T HE

FAC TS
the

o r w il d an i m a ls A t the ne x t l e v e l
T a s ma

n i an s the co n c e p t io n o f p er so na l spi r i t s is mu c h
m o re p r o n o un c ed th a n the v a g ue an i m is t ic f ee li n g ;
an d e ven the l a tter tend s t o w a rd s the p er so n i c at io n
o f a f ew den i te o b j e c t s i n nature r a ther th a n a
be li e f i n a g enera l d i ffu s ed fo r c e At the h ig he s t
l e ve l the be li e f i n den i te p er son a l spi r i t s is m os t
de v e lop ed ; and there is a p r o n o un c ed A n i m is m
but n o den i te be li e f i n an y th i n g lik e a un iv er s a l
ma n a
T h is Me l ane si an d oc tr i ne s eem s t o be a l ate
de v e lop ment
Ma gic si m il a r ly c ann o t be cl a i med t o hav e p re
c eded re ligio n There i s n o m a gic at the lo we s t
l e v e ls
Th e Sa ra s in s i n sis t that the s u ppos ed
i n c antat io n s o f the p ure Ved d ah s a g a i n s t w il d
an i ma ls a re m ere terr ifyi n g s hr i e ks ; and the i r
arr o w i s n o t k n o wn t o ha v e a m a gic a l sig n i c a n c e
T he Yah g an s s a y that the y a tt a c h n o m a gic a l
mean i n g t o the i r p ra c t ic e s i n co nne c t io n w i th
c h il d b i rth ; the po wer the y a sc r i be t o the Alako lufs
c ann o t be c a ll ed m a gic a l ; and the y hav e n o med i
ci ne men Th e A et a s a re a s far a s the e vi den c e
go e s i n the s ame co nd i t io n In the o ther p e opl e s
m ag ic med ici ne men and be li e f i n spi r i t s are
de v e lop ed i n e q ua l s tren g th ; wh il e nature w o r sh ip
is cl ear ly sp r o ut i n g f r o m an i nde p endent r oo t
T hat there is n o
s u p reme be i n g o r go d at
th is l e v e l need n o t be em p h a siz ed N o t unt il we
rea c h the K a a n g of the B u s hmen the P ulu ga o f
the Andamane s e and the K er i and K a me o f the
B ra zili an s do we n d an y th i n g wh ic h e ven the m os t
re sol ute the ologi an co u l d c a ll b y that name In
.

THE

66

MEAN I N G OF

THE

FAC TS

spi r i t s and tem pl e s e v en rud i mentary hav e n o t

be g un at th is l e v e l and w ill be co n si dered l a ter
B ut i n a ll th is we a re u si n g the l an g u a g e o f the
twent i eth c entur y We are tr yi n g t o t the i dea s
o f the man o f a hundred th o u s and y ear s a go i nt o
th os e menta l b ox e s o r c ate go r i e s wh ic h a w o nder
fu lly d i fferent e xp er i en c e ha s bu il t i n o ur m i nd s

When we a pply s u c h w o rd s a s
re ligio n
and

spi r i t o r e ven ma gic t o the ha zy i ma ge s o r

fee li n gs o f one o f the s e p r i m i t iv e c reature s we are
a p t t o de l ude o ur s e lv e s Th e s u p reme l e sso n o f the
i n q u i r i e s i nt o the m i nd o f the s av a ga th at I q u o ted
i n the l a s t c ha p ter is that i t is a l m os t i m possi b l e fo r
u s t o th i n k a s he d o e s What are t o u s the m os t
o b v io u s d is t i n c t io n s d o n o t occ ur t o h i m th o u g h he
ha s liv ed a hundred th ou s and y ear s B e c au s e we
s h o u l d at o n c e de ci de between c erta i n a l ternat iv e s
s u p er ci a l tra v e ll er s th i nk that he mu s t hav e d one
the s a me and t he y s tra i n h is an s wer s i n o n e d ire c
t io n o r the o ther L et u s s e e if we c an g et a li tt l e
nearer t o h is m i nd t o the f a c t s o f p r i m i t iv e re ligio u s
life
We ma y tak e r s t the v e p e opl e s wh o m I ha v e
i n vi rtue o f the i r g enera l c u l ture (n o t the i r re ligio u s
be li e fs) a ssig ned t o the lo we s t and ne x t l a y er o f
p r i m i t iv e life H o w d o e s nature i m p re ss them ?
T he y are a l m os t a s i n s en si b l e t o i t s m ovi n g
p a n o rama a s are the bea st s wh ic h liv e be si de
them T h e Yah g an s hudder s i n the er c e so uthern
g a l e s and re p eated ly beh ol d s the g reat s ea f r o m
wh ic h he tak e s h is foo d p a ss f r o m c a l m t o s u c h
rag e a s o u r s ha llo w co a s t s ne v er w i tne ss T he
,

THE

MEANIN G O F THE F AC TS

67

V eddah y ear ly s ee s the s u n g r o w t o a tr opic a l

he co n s tant ly o b s er v e s
e rc e n e ss and si n k a g a i n
a fr i n g e o f dar k clo ud s drawn ov er the br illi ant sky
and l um i n o u s dart s s h oo t f r o m them and hear s
po rtent o u s bur s t s of thunder r oll thr o u g h h is fo re s t s
N ig ht b y n ig ht fo r a hundred th o u s and y ear s the s e
men hav e w i tne ss ed the drama of the s ett i n g o f the
s u n and the re v e l at io n o f a s tar s trewn c an opy ov er
head A nd the y h a v e ne v er w o ndered fo r w o nder
w o u l d be g et at l ea s t so me s u c h c h il d is h g ue ss e s a s the
tr i be s o f the A ma zo n o r the B u s hmen hav e made
In re g ard t o th is a sp e c t o f the o r igi n o f re ligio n
there is n o need whate v er t o go d o wn to th e an i ma l
w o r l d I f the s e men o f the O l d S t o ne Ag e between
wh o m and the a p e s is a v a s t w o r l d o f de v e lop ment
hav e n o c ur iosi t y we need go n o f arther ba ck w a rd
I ha v e s een a yo un g d og s h iv er i n i t s r s t hea vy
ha ils t o rm o r s tare when i t heard the thunder o f a
d oz en g un s T here wa s a f a i nt s emb l an c e o f w o nder
and awe B ut e v en the s e p r i m i t iv e men ha v e n o t
go t sp e ci c a lly be yo nd that s t a g e o r ad v an c ed t o
e i ther i nterr og at io n o r p r opi t i at io n s o that we hav e
n o need t o e xplo re the gloo m y re gio n o f an i ma l
psyc h ology A rud i mentar y awe is a ll that we nd
Th e ne x t s ta g e d i ffer s i n d i fferent bran c he s o f the
ra c e T he su n wh ic h o n e w o u l d e xp e c t e sp e ci a lly
t o arre s t the m i nd when i t at l a s t r is e s t o rude
sp e c u l at io n d o e s n o t rea lly re c e iv e mu c h attent io n
T he B ra zili an na iv e ly ta k e s i t t o be a ba ll o f p arr o t s

feather s it is s o lig ht and br ig ht and e xpl a i n s its

n ight ly e x t i n c t io n and return t o the ea s t He h a s
n o i de a o f p er so n ifyi n g o r v enerat i n g
it
T he
,

THE

68

MEAN I N G O F THE FAC TS

B u s hman is li tt l e d i fferent Th e T a s man i a n s eem s

mere ly t o lift a du lly w o nder i n g f a c e t o ward s i t at
t i me s Th e A n d a m ane s e pe rs o n i e s and re sp e c t s i t ;
but here we c a nn o t be qu i te s u re o f h a vi n g a
g enu i ne p r i m i t iv e de v e lop ment Th e m oo n possi b ly
be c au s e i t s p a l er lig ht s eem s e v en t o u s un c ann y
a f ter the b l a z e o f da y
a ttra c t s
a ttent io n a li tt l e
e a r li er Dan c e s b y m oo n lig ht a re at l ea s t co mm o n ;
th o u g h th is is s a i d t o be i n m os t c a s e s a matter o f
co n v en i en c e Th e Bo t oc ud o i s cl ear th a t the m oo n
d o e s harm but n o t i n a p er so na l wa y a pp arent ly
It is a he a vy b o d y that tumb l e s d o wn Th e s t a r s
a n d the br illi a nt b l u e s k y the m o ther earth a n d the
annua l o ut po ur of foli a g e a n d o wer s e vok e n o
re spo n s e i n the s e p r i m i t iv e m i nd s O n ly the h ig her
am o n g them be gi n t o fa n cy spi r i t s i n the thunder s
r o ar o r the s hr i e k o f the w i nd
It is pl a i n t oo th a t at th is poi nt be gi n s the
tran sf er t o nature of the p r i m i t iv e i nter p ret at io n pf

man T hat the sp e c u l a t io n if we m a y u s e the

term ab o u t man be gi n s ear li er and de v e lops m o re

ra pi d ly th a n the sp e c u l at io n ab o ut nature I tak e t o
be a g enera l truth e s tab lis hed b y the e vi den c e I ha v e
giv en Here we mu s t e sp e ci a lly be o n o u r g uard
a g a i n s t the an ac hr o n is m o f ma ki n g p r i m i t iv e man
look o u t u po n nature w i th o ur o utt o f i dea s We
m a k e a cl ear and f undamenta l d is t i n c t io n h o we v er
d i f c u l t i t ma y be t o dene i t between the livi n g
and n o n livi n g H e d o e s n o t S o me th i n gs m ov e
and so me th i n gs ne v er o r rare ly m ov e ; but o u r
d is t i n c t io n between m ov ement f r o m w i th i n ( life )
and m ove m e nt fr o m w i th o ut is l ea g ue s rem ov ed
.

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MEAN I N G OF THE FAC TS

69

f r o m h i m Indeed he ha s n o ab s tra c t i dea s ; and

w i th o ut a b s tra c t i dea s there i s n o cl a ssi c at io n and
there i s o n ly a r u d i mentar y j ud g m ent H e there fo re
d o e s n o t s a y t o h i m s e lf that a m a n w h o had lif e h a s
los t i t and the q ue s t io n whether an y p art o f h i m
'
s ur v i v e s d o e s n o t at the lo we s t s t a g e p re s ent i t s e lf
L ik e the an i ma l he n o t ic e s o n ly what he s ee s and
d o e s n o t sp e c u l a te o n wh a t he d o e s n o t s e e
In s tead there fo re o f s a yi n g that he nd s i t m o re
natura l t o be li e v e i n a co nt i nuan c e o f lif e than i n a
c e ss a t io n of i t I s h o u l d s a y th a t the d is t i n c t io n i s
ent i re ly be yo nd h i m
T he q ue s t io n whether the
m a n liv e s o n i n so m e s h a p e d o e s n o t occ ur t o h i m
T h i s s t a g e i s p re s er v ed i n the lo we s t p e opl e s we
e x am i ned
A new s ta g e be gi n s i n the V eddah
wh o c a lls the dead man a y a ha
I t i s p r o bab l e
that what r s t mak e s h i m pu t the dead man i n a
d i fferent c ate go r y f r o m the livi n g i s the de c a y o f
the co r ps e Th e f a c t that the b o d y re m a i n s i nert
lo n g er than dur i n g sl ee p w o u l d n o t o f i t s e lf e xci te
s o mu c h attent io n
B ut the b o d y soo n p u ts i ts e lf
i nt o s o s tr iki n gly d i fferent a c ate go r y that he fo rm s
a new i dea and b o rr o w s a new w o rd It w o u l d be
i ntere s t i n g t o k n o w whether s u c h w o rd s meant

o r igi na lly so meth i n g lik e s t i ff o r s t i nk

At
the Veddah s tag e he l ea v e s i t there T he Sara sin s
are em p hat ic that the unta i nted V edd a h s are co m
l
e
l
t
e
p
y i n s en si b l e t o the q ue s t io n whether the man
is s t ill a liv e o r n o
In o ther c a s e s a d i fferent e xp er i en c e ha s se t h i m
th i n ki n g In o n e c a s e we s a w i t wa s the dream ;
i n an o ther the s had o w ; i n a th i rd the re e c t io n o f
,

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70

MEAN I N G OF THE FAC TS

h i m s e lf i n water T he s e are n o t s u cc e ssiv e p ha s e s

b u t e xp er i en c e s that s e v era lly a pp e a l t o the m i nd
when i t r is e s ab ov e the Vedd a h l e v e l F r o m the
s had o w o r the m i rr o red i m a g e he d i m ly p h ilosop h iz e s

that he is d o ub l e W h y s h o u l d the s e be i n gs the y

are be i n gs t o h i m a l wa ys be atta c hed t o h i m at

the feet si n k ba ck i nt o h i m when he m ov e s and be
s u c h pl a i n du plic ate s of h i m s e lf ? E ven the m i nd
Of a T a s m a n i a n d r a w s the si m pl e co n cl u sio n ; he
is d o ub l e Where dre a m s are vivi d the d o ub l e
co me s co nv en i ent ly a s an e xpl anat io n o f them It

wa s h is s had o w p art
h e k n o w s n o th i n g a b o ut

m i nd and b o d y that wa s awa y hunt i n g dur i n g the

n ight It is v er y possi b l e that the dre a m l ead s h i m
t o the ne x t s te p Dead f r i end s a pp ear t o h i m i n
dream s a n d ta lk t o h i m So the y are a liv e T he i r
d o ub l e s are ab o ut so mewhere
N o th i n g s ur p r is e s
h i m It is j u s t a s natura l p erha ps m o re natura l
fo r them t o be s t ill i n e xis ten c e than o therw is e
N ig htmare s o r bad dream s w o u l d p art ic u l ar ly in u
en c e the be li e f Th e man he h a s kill e d p erh a ps
eaten t o rment s h im ; o r so me hated a gg re ssiv e
dead member o f h is co mmun i t y is s u ffoc at i n g h i m
a fter to o heavy a mea l at n ight
F r o m th is to the be li e f that a ll liv e o n is an
ea sy de v e lop ment
Th e n ig ht e sp e ci a lly fos ter s
the be li e f It is i n the n ight that the dead a pp ear
t o h i m adm o n is h h i m o r try to c h ok e h i m Dur i n g
the n ig ht he ea sily f an ci e s he s ee s f a i nt s ha p e s i n
the m oo n li t w oo d s and he d o e s hear we i rd and
terr ifyi n g so und s Th e bad dead men are s t ill bad
In the da y t i me he s ee s n o th i n g but the y mu s t be
,

'

THE

MEAN I N G O F THE FAC TS

71

so mewhere ab o ut p r o bab ly h i d i n g i n the w oo d s

N o t unt il a mu c h l ater s t a g e d o e s he ban is h them
t o a d is t a nt l and T he y are i n the g reat wa v e s th a t
da s h his c an o e s a g a i n s t the r ocks the s t o rm s that
tear u p h is hut the i n visi b l e dart s o f p a i n and
d is ea s e and i n ne the m ys ter io u s b lo w wh ic h
ma k e s a man a ya ka a l th o u g h n o o n e ha s i n j ured
h i m T hu s he be gi n s t o an i mate nature to c her is h
goo d an c e s t o r s t o c reate de vils
Whether o r n o we c a ll th is re ligio n is rea lly o f
li tt l e i ntere s t It is d i f c u l t t o dene an y th i n g that
tak e s s ha pe v er y g radua lly a s re ligio n d i d A t a ll
e v ent s the q ue s t io n d o e s n o t i n the l ea s t i ntere s t
me B ut a p r o te s t o u g ht t o be ra is ed ab o ut the
co n s tant u s e of the w o rd spi r i t i n the s e c a s e s
Ver y f ew o f the m o dern s wh o ta lk ab o ut spi r i t
k n o w p re cis e ly what the y mean but the y d o at l ea s t
mean the menta l p art of a man N o w the s a v a g e
d o e s n o t s e v er m i nd and b o d y A man ha s tw o
b o d i e s Th e o ther b o d y want s foo d and wea po n s a s
we ll a s the b o d y that de c a ys There is n o th i n g

s u p ernatura l
ab o ut i t
L ife go e s o n
T he
po wer fu l o r w is e man rema i n s po wer fu l o r w is e
and c an he lp T he bad man rema i n s bad
Here to o th is wh ic h so me p re f er to c a ll re ligio n
m i n gl e s w i th ma gic and cos m ogo n y When d is ea s e
is due t o the dead the med ici ne man ha s t o dea l
w i th s ha de s
O ne o f the e ss ent i a l d is t i n c t io n s
between ma gic and re ligio n is we ll dened b y
L euba
Ma gic is co er ci t iv e
the med ici ne man
co m p e ls th i n gs to d o so and s o R e ligio n a pp ea ls ;
the med ici ne man be gi n s t o atter o r p r opi t i ate the
.

THE

72

MEAN I N G OF THE FAC TS

dead and he thu s be co me s a p r i e s t T hat p ha s e is

n o t fo und i n the p e opl e s we hav e s tu d i ed S imu l
t a n e o u sly i n so me tr i be s the br ig hter m i nd s be gi n
t o a sk where th i n gs c ame f r o m
A b u t o r sp ear
o r c an o e
d o e s n o t g r o w lik e a tree Y o u ha v e
t o mak e i t Man be gi n s t o hav e ab s tra c t i de a s
c ate go r i e s d is t i n c t io n s There are p erha ps ne
hut s o r b o w s i n h is d is tr ic t that were m ade b y
cl e v er o r s tr o n g men wh o are de a d T he i r deed s
loo m l ar g er and l ar g er a s t i me go e s o n T he y
be co me S am so n s u l t i mate ly Ja h v e h s Perhaps the y
made the s u n an d m oo n A t o u r p re s ent l e v e l th is
i s o n ly be gi nn i n g and is n o t c erta i n ly n at iv e We
s ha ll s e e i t pl a i n ly i n the nex t c ha p ter
T he s e are the ma i n r oo t s o f re ligio n
S p e ci a l
so ur c e s o f i n spi r a t io n mu s t n o t h o we v er be
ne gl e c ted A m o n g the Yah g an s we s aw the near
p re s en c e o f a s u p er io r and a gg re ssiv e p e opl e giv e s

b i rth t o a n o t io n of w il d men wh o are a l read y

ha lf l e g endar y In t i me s u c h a p r oc e ss w o u l d yi e l d
de m o n s o r go d s Pr o bab ly C o nta c t w i th the m o re
po wer fu l tr i be s wh ic h ha v e dr iv en them o nward
ha s a goo d dea l t o do w i th the e vol ut io n o f a
be li e f in s u p ern a tura l po wer s A m o n g the B u s h
men c erta i n un c ann y li tt l e an i ma ls wh ic h p a ss
s udden ly fr o m i nvisi b ili t y to visi b ili t y are a sour c e
In so me pl a c e s wh ic h ha v e tr opic a l
o f i n spi rat io n
s t o rm s the lightn i n g and thunder are qu ick to
attra c t attent io n S tran g e r ocks and pl ant s and
an i ma ls w ill i n spi re sp e c u l at io n o n a ll si de s as man
de v e lops
T h is is i t s eem s t o me the c h i e f l e sso n o f rea lly
,

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74

MEAN I N G O F THE FAC TS

q u ick en the m oo d o f a pp ea l t o them T he i dea o f

s ur viv a l wh ic h giv e s the soil i n wh ic h go d s ar is e i s
due i n g reat me a s ure t o the harm l e ss s had o w o r
re e c t io n i n water o r ad v enture i n drea m
S e v era l re c ent wr i ter s s u c h a s Dur k he i m hav e
giv en a l ar g e p art t o soci a l life i n the i n spi rat io n o f
re ligio n and we ma y a sk h o w fa r th is e x a m i n a t io n
o f p r i m i t iv e p e opl e s s u ppo rt s them
I t giv e s the m
v er y li tt l e s u ppo rt Th e d is t i n c t io n ha s been drawn
that ma gic is i nd ivi dua l and re ligio n soci a l What
e ver we m a y nd at l ater and h ig her l e v e ls i t is n o t
true o f th is l e v e l Th e r oo t s o f re ligio n are i n the
i nd ivi dua l m i nd n o t i n an y soci a l lif e o r nee d It

i s n o t p r i mar ily it is i n fa c t rare ly co n c erned

W i th b i rth
In o rder t o under s tand th is we w o u l d d o we ll t o
atte m p t t o pl a c e the s e p r i m i t iv e p e opl e s ba ck i n
the i r p r op er s ta g e s i n the de v e lop m ent o f the ra c e
Th e c u l ture o f the ruder o f them is ear li er than the
c u l ture o f M a g da l en i an (o r C a v e ) Ma n B ut soci a l
lif e d i d n o t p r op er ly be gi n unt il the C av e Per io d
dur i n g the G l a ci a l E poc h
We ha v e rea so n t o
th i n k that ear ly p reh is t o r ic man liv ed mere ly i n
f am ily g r o u ps a s the a nthr opoi d a p e s d o R are ly
be fore the I c e A g e dr ov e fam ili e s t o dwe ll t og ether
i n c av e s do we nd tra c e s o f c am ps Yet re ligio n
s eem s t o ha v e been l ar g e ly de v e lop ed be fo re the
Cav e Per io d Ev en if we a llo w so m e de v e lop ment
o f the s e p e opl e s si n c e the y be g an the i r wander i n g
we nd the i r soci a l life e xtreme ly i m p er fe c t M os t
few o f them fo rm
o f them ha v e n o t fo rmed tr i be s
vill age s T he y liv e fo r the m os t p art i n s m a ll
.

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M E AN I N G O F THE FA C TS

75

co mmun i t i e s w i th o ut head s and ha v e few co mm o n

co n c ern s T here i s nbt a tra c e o f an y th i n g lik e
c u l t o n beha lf o f the co mmun i t y Dan c e i s the
o n ly co mm o n f un c t io n i n wh ic h so me s e e a s em i
re ligio u s sig n i c an c e but e v en th is is d isp uted and
o b sc ure
M o ra li t y i n ne ha s n o co nne c t io n w i th the i r
rud i mentar y re ligio n M os t o f them o b s er v e the
De c a log ue q u i te a s we ll at l ea s t a s the pop u l at io n
o f L o nd o n o r N ew Y o r k
S o me o f them
na iv e i dea s of p er sona l p r op ert y but i n g enera l
the y are h o ne s t truth f u l j u s t v er y m o n og am o u s
h ospi t a b l e n o t mu c h add ic ted t o q uarre lli n g and
r a re ly g u il t y o f murder
T he y are n o t s a v a g e s
S a v a g er y be gi n s w i th h ig her I nte llig en c e and tr i ba l
o r g an iz at io n B ut at the lo wer l e v e l the y hav e n o
i dea co rre spo nd i n g t o m o ra l l aw and e v en at the
h ig her l e v e l the y c ann o t be s a i d t o hav e a s en s e o f
l aw T he y go b y trad i t io n ; a s the Yah g an w o man
d o e s wh o bathe s i n the s e a a fter c h il db i rth and d o e s
n o t k n o w wh y In m y opi n io n the i r goo d hab i t s

are d u
s o o b vio u sly u s e f u l i n co mmun i t y lif e
natura l s e l e c t io n The y mu s t g r o w m o re i nte llig ent
be fo re the y p erc ei v e the u s e o f them and fo rmu l ate
l aw s Then we s ha ll s e e the s e l aw s w ill be a sc r i bed
t o the go d s
B ut at th is l e v e l and e v en at the
h ig her l e v e l we are n o w t o e xplo re the un co n scio u s
m o ra li t y ha s n o co nne c t io n w i th the rud i mentar y
re ligio n
I tru s t i t w ill n o t be s a i d that th i s is to o
i nte ll e c tu a l a sc heme o f o r i g i n s
I d o n o t at a ll
s eek t o p ut i nte llig en c e r s t and em o t io n s e co nd
,

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76

MEAN IN G OF THE FAC TS

In a ll that I hav e w r i tten the y w o rk t og ether

Indeed the em o t io n o f v a g ue awe w o nder and
terr o r ne c e ss ar ily p re c ede s sp e c u l at io n o n nature
and so me em o t io n p re c ede s a ll sp e c u l at io n I a g ree
w i th m y f r i end Pr ofe sso r S h o twe ll that re ligio n is
in it s si m pl e s t fo rm at l ea s t the rea c t io n o f
man ki nd t o so meth i n g a pp rehended but n o t co m p re

hended and that the r s t a pp rehen sio n i s ( if

o n e dare s a y s o ) em o t io na l ; th o u g h I c ann o t a g ree
w i th Mr S h o twe ll that man be gi n s w i th a s e n s e o f
p er v ad i n g m ys ter io u s fo r c e In a s en s e a s Pr ofe sso r
L euba s a ys em o t io n and i nte llig en c e a c t t og ether
fr o m the s tart T here i s n o s u c h th i n g a s o n e
w i th o ut the o ther B ut the p a rtner sh ip i n p r i m i t iv e
man is une q ua l E m o t io n i s an ol d and vigo r o u s
g r o wth i n the b iologic a l w o r l d co m p ared w i th th is
new and feeb l e a p t i tude wh ic h d is t i n g u is he s man
.

C H AP TE R I V
T HE

T HI CKET S O F S U PER S TI TI O N G R O W

WE hav e s een the nature o f the r s t p a l e s h oo t s o f

s u p er s t i t io n As the bra i n o f p r i m i t iv e man i m p r ov e s
he fo rm s a d i m ante c edent t o o u r ab s tra c t o r g enera l
i dea s ; he r is e s t o the lo w ly he ig ht o f w o nder i n g
what i t i s i n nature that ha s fo r a g e s made h i s
f ather s look w i th du ll awe u po n the m oo n o r S hudder
be fo re the s t o rm ; he be gi n s t o i nter p ret the c reature s
o f h is dream s and the S ha p e o f h i m s e lf wh ic h he s ee s
i n the s tream W i th i n that p r i m i t iv e a g e wh ic h
s ur viv e s i n the rude p e opl e s we hav e e x am i ned he
atta i n s a q u i te den i te i dea o f the dua li t y o f man
the s urviv a l o f the s had o w p art o f h i m s e lf the co n
t i nned w ick edne ss o f the w ick ed and the goo dne ss
o f the goo d and the retent io n a f ter death o f the i r
s u p er io r po wer b y the s tr o n g er o r m o re i nte llig ent
member s o f h is cl an o r tr i be S i n c e th os e wh o
were he lpfu l i n lif e s t ill liv e he natura lly a sks the i r
he lp ; and si n c e the deed s o f her o e s e v er g r o w g reater
w i th t i me am o n g lo wer p e opl e s c erta i n s hade s o f
h is i n visi b l e w o r l d are g radua ll y end o wed w i th what
we c a ll s u p ernatura l q ua li t i e s Indeed g enera lly a
man i s co n c e iv ed to be m o re po wer fu l a f ter than
be fo re death T hu s e v en at th is l e v e l we g et the

an ci ent mak er s o f th i n gs the c h oic e spi r i t s wh os e

name s arl e me mbe re d
.

'

77

THE

78

T HICKET S OF SU PERS TI TI O N

RO W

Th e

o ther sp r o ut s o f s u p er s t i t io n s eem t o be
si mu l tane o u s and s e p arate but feeb l er M a gic is at
th is l e v e l e i ther a b o rr o wed p ra c t ic e o r a b li nd tr a d i
t io n a l be li e f sc ar c e w o rth the name o f m a gic that
ce rta i n p ra c t ic e s ha v e goo d re s u l t s T here is at the
lo we s t l e v e l n o co n scio u s ne ss o f a po wer t o co m p e l
re s u l t s o r an y i dea o f a s ubt l e fo r c e wh ic h m a y be
u s ed i n co er ci n g man o r nature T abu s are j u s t
a s p r i m i t iv e and are n o n magic a l T he Ya h g an
w o man w ill n o t s u ffer the u m b ilic a l co rd t o be c ut
at b i rth but the m os t pl au si b l e e xpl anat io n is that
S he w o u l d si m ply re g ard i t a s a w o und i nic ted o n
her Th e Veddah w ill n o t a pp r o a c h the c av e where
he ha s l a i d a dead man ; but fo r an o b vio u s rea so n
ne i ther w o u l d a E ur op ean T he s e and si m il ar th i n gs
ma y be co me tabu s o r mere ly s u p er s t i t io u s pro h ib i
t io n s O f t o tem s i n a ll th is w o r l d there is n o tr a c e
a fa c t wh ic h g ra v e ly en feeb l e s the the o r i e s of su c h
wr i ter s a s Durk he i m E ven the mant is a n d c ad d is
w o rm are n o t y et t o tem s t o the B u s hman Med ici ne
men soo n a pp e a r and the skill tend s t o be c o n c e n
t ra te d i n the hand s o f c h i e fs ; possi b ly be c au s e s u c h
i m po rtant p er so n s a s med ici ne men ea sily be co me
c h i e fs O f p r i e sth oo d we c an re cog n iz e but a g erm
am o n g the so mewhat adu l terated h ig her p e opl e s of
th is g r o u p There are n o rud i ment s o f tem pl e s and
o n ly the bare rud i ment s of c u l t s
We ha v e ne x t t o s ee h o w the s e i dea s and p ra c t ic e s
g r o w and b l end w i th ea c h o ther t o fo rm the rank
th ick et s o f s a v a g e s u p er s t i t io n Th e p r op er pro
c e du re : w o uld : be t o pl a c e o u r lo wer p e opl e s i n
g r o u ps a cco rd i n g to the i r c u l t ura l l ev e ls and a sc end
.

THE THI C K E TS

79

OF SU P E R S TI TI O N G R O W

s tr ic t ly f r o m o n e l e v e l t o an o ther Th e f am ili ar
p r oc ed u re o f wr i ter s o n the s ub j e c t is tanta lizi n g
T he y ci te i n ra pi d s u cc e ssio n the be li e fs and pra c
t ic e s o f tr i be s at a d oz en di e re n t c u l tura l l e v e ls
E ski m o and P oly ne si an s A u s tra li an s and B antu
Me l ane si an s and A mer i nd s are thr o wn t og ether i n
a bewi l der i n g co n fu sio n It w o u l d s ure ly be m o re
p r o t a b l e t o arran g e the s e p e opl e s i n g r o u ps wh ic h
r o u g h ly co rre spo nd t o s tag e s o f human de v e lop ment
and t o s e e h o w re ligio n e volv e s f r o m o ne l e v e l t o the
o ther O ne m a y be co ndent that the e l ement o f
u n c erta i nt y and co ntr ov er sy w o u l d thu s be mater i a lly
red u c ed ; a l th o u gh of co ur s e ; n o th i n g lik e a s tead y
and un ifo rm p r og re ssio n o u g ht t o be e xp e c ted fo r
d i fferen c e s of en vi r o nment are n atura lly re e c ted i n
the c u l ture s o f tr i be s at the s ame menta l l e v e l
T hat ta sk c ann o t be attem p ted here but I a d here
t o the anthr opologic a l i dea l as c are fu lly a s the li m i ta
t io n s o f m y w o r k p erm i t In o ther w o rd s p e opl e s
w ill be e x am i ned i n the o rder o f the i r e vol ut io nar y
de v e lop ment but o n ly a herta i n p r opo rt io n o f o u r
livi n g p e opl e s c an be e x am i ned here at an y l en g th
Th e ne x t s te p is h o we v er i m po r tant and I de vo te
a c ha p ter to i t I p r opos e t o ill u s trate the g r o wth
b y three g r o ups of p e opl e s wh o i nd isp utab ly re p re s ent
three f urther s ta g e s o f de v e lop ment A f ew o ther s
at the s ame l e v e ls m ig ht be fo und here and there o n
the earth and a co m p ar iso n o f the i r re ligio u s c u l ture
w o u l d be u s e f ul M os t o f the s e w ill be n o t ic ed a s
s te ps i n e vol ut io n i n l ater c ha p ter s F o r the m o de s t
p ur pos e o f th i s sk et c h i t w ill s u f c e to p a ss fr o m the
B u s hmen t o the Au s tra li an s fr o m the A u stra li an s
.

80

THE THI C K ETS

OF SU P ERS TI TI O N

RO W

t o the Me l ane si an s and fr o m the s e t o the P oly

,

n e s ia n s

re su l t w ill br i n g vivi d ly be fo re the m i nd o f

an y s tudent o f sci en c e an ear ly p ha s e o f the s t o r y o f
the earth and w ill j u s t ify the t i t l e of th is c ha p ter
In the S il ur i an Per io d we hav e rea so n t o be li e v e
o u r pl ant lif e i n v a ded the l and
A th i n pop u l a t io n
of p r i m i t iv e m oss e s and f ern s g radua lly ar os e i n the
sli me of that t o r pi d and t o rr i d a g e It co rre spo nd s
t o o u r r s t l e v e l o f re ligio n B ut the r ic h a i r and
p er p etua l s ummer fos tered them and dur i n g the
De vo n i an Per io d we nd th ick et s o r g r ov e s o f the
f anta s t ic and l u x ur i a nt s u cc e sso r s o f the S il ur i a n
f ern s and m oss e s T he A u s tra li an life ma y re p re s ent
the ear li er the Me l ane si an life the l ater p art o f th is
De vo n i an Per io d A nd j u s t a s the g r ov e s o f the
De vo n i an p a ss i nt o the g reat den s e fo re s t s o f the
C a rb o n ifer o u s Per io d s o the s u p er s t i t io n s o f the
Me l ane si an s are dwar fed b y the m y th s and p ra c t ic e s
o f the i r P oly ne si an ne ig hb o ur s
T h e b l a cks o f A u s tra li a are so f re quent ly de sc r i bed
e v en b y re c ent wr i ter s a s a m o n g the m os t p r i m i t iv e
p e opl e s k n o wn to u s th a t o n e w o u l d i m a gi ne that
there is so me un c erta i nt y o n th is poi nt i n anthr o
l
o
T
here
is
n
o
t
Whate
v
er
the
i
r
o
r
igi
n
and
o
y
p
g
a n itie s ( and a ll that I need s tate here is that the y
entered A u s tra li a f r o m the n o rth lo n g a f ter the
ruder T a s man i an s and s w e p t the s e i nt o the i r so uth
ea stern co rner) the y s tand mu c h h ig her i n c u l ture
than m os t o f the p e opl e s we ha v e e x am i ned i n the
l a s t c ha p ter and d is t i n c t ly h igher than the B u s h

men the h ig he s t o f that g r o u p Yet the y co me s o

Th e

82

THE THIC K E TS

OF SU P ER S TI T ION G R O W

ba s ed u po n i t In e v er y re sp e c t the y are f arther

f r o m the be gi nn i n g o f o u r ra c e than an y o f the
p re c ed i n g p e opl e s and the i r s ent i ment s and p ra c t ic e s

o u g ht n o t t o be qu o ted a s p r i m i t iv e re ligio n
We n o w nd ma gic and re ligio n thr ivi n g l u x u

r io u s ly
S i r J G F ra z er wr i te s that am o n g the
ab o r igi ne s o f A u s tra li a the rude s t s av a g e s a s t o
wh o m we poss e ss a cc urate i n fo rmat io n ma gic is
un iv er s a lly p ra c t is ed wherea s re lig i o n i n the s en s e
o f a p r opi t i at io n o r co n cili at io n o f the h ig her po wer s

s eem s t o be near ly un k n o wn
Th e re s tr ic t io n o f
the mean i n g o f the w o rd re ligio n i n th is p a ss a g e
may s av e i t fr o m i na cc ura cy th o u g h the d is t i n

i
h
d
a
u
e
wr
i
ter
s
the
sis
that
m
gic p re c eded re ligio n
s
g
is n o t co nrmed b y the re s u l t s o f o ur i n q u i r y i n
the l a s t c ha p ter B ut un l e ss one p a ys clos e attent io n
to th is re s tr ic t io n i t is v er y m isl ead i n g
Th e be li e f
that man s ur viv e s the g ra v e is am o n g a ll the
A u s tra li an ab o rigi na ls a s fundament a l and den i te
a co n vic t io n a s i s t o tem is m o r ma gic i t s e lf I f o n e
ha lf the s u p er s t i t io u s p ra c t ic e s o f the Au s tra li an s
are ba s ed u po n ma gic the o ther ha lf are ba s ed u po n
the i nten s e be li e f i n spi r i t s ; and c erta i n o f the s e
spi r i t s i ndeed s tand o u t so p r o m i nent ly that o ther
wr i ter s cond ent ly cl a ss the A u s tra li an s as be li e v er s
i n a s u p reme be i n g Indeed the ma gic i t s e lf is s o
co n s tant ly a ssoci ated w i th the be li e f i n spi r i t s that
F ra z er i nter p ret s ci r c u m cisio n a s a wa y o f p r ovi d i n g

a man w i th so me s t ock o f ener gy when h is S pi r i t

is re i n c arnated and he re g ard s the t o tem a s

the
.

The Ma gi c Ar t, I , 2 34
Au stra li a n s s e e pp 85 1 0 3
1

or

th e

e la b o a te

m a gi c

of

th e

THE THIC KET S OF

S U PER S T I T I ON G R O W

83

an i ma l pl ant o r o ther natura l o b j e c t i n wh ic h h is

spi r i t l a s t re si ded
T h os e are re ligio u s i dea s at
l ea s t a s e l ab o rate a s the ma gic a l p ra c t ic e s
T he q ue s t io n o f the o r igi n o f t o tem s need n o t be
d isc u ss ed here V ar io u s g r o u ps w i th i n a tr i be are
s har ply s e v ered f r o m ea c h o ther b y re v eren c e fo r a
p art ic u l ar pl ant o r an i ma l g enera lly on e that c an

be eaten and th is is the i r t o tem

The y them
s e lv e s h ol d that t h e y a re de sc ended fr o m an c e s t o r s
w h o were ha lf hum a n a n d ha lf an i ma l and m o dern
auth o r i t i e s are n o t a g reed h o w th is s tran g e and r igi d
s e p arat io n i nt o the s e t o tem ic g r o u ps c ame ab o ut
It is o n e o f the g r o wth s o f o ur p r i m i t iv e th ick et that
ma y be d is re g arded i n th is i n q u i r y at l ea s t unt il we
rea c h the s ta g e o f an i ma l go d s
We ma y a lso w i th o ut vi ta l i n j ur y t o the i n q u i r y
o m i t ma gic To me the fundamenta l e l ement s o f
re ligio n are the be li e f i n a s ur viv a l o f the g rav e
and a be li e f i n go d s w i th the p ra c t ic e s wh ic h the s e
be li e fs i n spi re T he be li e f i n a po wer re s emb li n g the
Me l ane si an ma n a m ight be re g arded a s ha lf re ligio u s
and ha lf ma gic a l but we s ha ll n o t nd th is v er y
cl ear ly am on g the A u s tra li an s It is n o t p r i m i t iv e
We ha v e two den i te be li e fs w i th co rre spo nd i n g

p ra c t ic e s the be li e f that man ha s a spi r i t p art

wh ic h liv e s (p ra c t ic a lly) fo r e v er and the be li e f that
c erta i n we i rd p ra c t i c e s w ill i n uen c e d is ea s e the
weather o r the foo d s u pply I p re fer to re g ard the
l atter a s a s e c u l ar g r o wth i nde p en dent o f re ligio n i n
o r igi n occ a sio n a lly b l end i n g w i th i t and be co m i n g

u l t i mate ly o n c e m o re a pop u l ar s u p er s t i t io n n o t
n e c e ss ar il
i
s the be li e f
co
nn
c
ted
w
i
th
re
ligio
n
It
e
y
,

'

T HI C KET S O F S UPER S TI TI ON

THE

84

G R OW

i n spi r i t s p er so na l o r i m p er so na l wh ic h I s ee k t o
tra c e t o i t s o r igi n s and p ur s ue thr o u gh i t s we i rd
de v e lop ment s
W e hav e a l read y s een that the be li e f i n the dua li t y
o f man and the s ur viv a l o f the s had o w y p a rt o f h i m
is th e p r i m i t iv e re ligio u s be li e f o r at l ea s t the m os t
vigo r o u s o f the S h oo t s wh ic h thr iv e i n the soil o f the
p r i m i t iv e m i nd A m o n g the A u s tra li an s we nd
the l a s t tra c e o f un c erta i nt y o r o b sc ur i t y ab o ut th is
h a s d is a pp eared
It is a x ed and un iv er s a l co n
v ic tio n o f a ll the tr i be s that man d o e s n o t wh olly
d i e and w i th th is be li e f we nd a ssoci ated a n o t
l e ss den i te be li e f i n a p r i m i t iv e a g e when a m o re
po wer fu l ra c e o f an c e s t o r s liv ed o n the earth T h is
a g e t o wh ic h the i r th o u g ht s e v er tend i s k n o wn i n
the c h i e f tr i be s a s the Alc her i n g a T he be i n gs w h o
liv ed i n i t were end o wed w i th po wer s f ar be yo nd
th os e o f m o dern men T he y co u l d y fo r i n s tan c e
and the y co u l d add t o the l and sc a p e a r iv er o r a
ran g e o f m o unta i n s w i th the s ame ea s e w i th wh ic h
a member o f the B u s hman s ear li er ra c e co u l d mak e
the s tar s o r the s u n N ear ly a ll the c erem o n i e s o f
the tr i be s wh ic h are v er y f re q uent and (fo r s u c h a
p e opl e ) e l ab o rate are co nne c ted w i th the s e Alc her i n g a
an c e s t o r s A t death a man s s had o w y p art return s

t o them and he re m a i n s i n that v a g ue w o r l d in

the sky the y g enera lly s a y unt il he c h oos e s t o

return t o h is co untr y and be re i n c arnated
R e i n c arnat io n is i n f a c t the th i rd un iv er s a l
e l ement of the be li e fs o f the A u s tra li an tr i be s T he
spi r i t ma y wander fo r a t i me i n a f ree s tate and
i t is then a p t t o be ma lig nant and c au s e di s ea s e s
,

THE THI C K E TS

O F SU P ER S T I T ION

G ROW

85

S ome tr i be s b i nd the co r ps e and p ut hea vy s t o ne s

ov er the g ra v e a s if the y w o u l d k ee p the spi r i t

co nned and p re v ent i t f r o m d oi n g e vil S o me p ut
foo d w i th the dead o r lig ht a re b y wh ic h the
spi r i t ma y warm i t s e lf
S oo ner o r l ater i t enter s
a fo rm i n g embr yo i n the m o ther s w o mb and
be co me s a g a i n a livi n g member o f the tr i be There
is thu s n o hea ven o r he ll L if e si m ply go e s o n
T h e nat iv e s i ndeed hav e n o i dea o f natura l death
a n d the y a sc r i be a man s te m po rar y s e p arat io n f r o m
the b o d y t o ma gic o r t o the a c t io n o f ma lig nant
spi r i t s In so me tr i be s the co r ps e i s a sk ed t o name
the c u lp r i t ; and the ol der men wh o p re si de at a ll
c erem o n i e s a n d k ee p the s a c red o b j e c t s and trad i
t io n s o f the tr i be p retend t o g ather the name Th e
dead are ne ver named a s the spi r i t m ig ht hear and
re s ent the f reed o m E ven the name o f a livi n g
man o u g ht n o t t o be p r o n o un c ed a s th is w o u l d
e xpos e h i m t o the ma gic a l i n uen c e o f a ma l e vol ent
ne ighb o ur
So f ar we ha v e a g enera lly i nte lligi b l e ad v an c e
u po n the B u s hman l e v e l Th e A u s tra li an s atta c h
a li tera l mean i n g t o the ad v enture s o f the dream
and th i n k that the d o ub l e is tem po rar ily ab s ent
Death mean s that i t ha s n o t returned i n t i me t o
the bo d y Where the und yi n g d o ub l e s c ame fr o m
o r igi na lly is a poi nt o n wh ic h tr i ba l trad i t io n s d i ffer
,

'

u t ti n g t o ge th e r t h e
I am
ge n e ra l f e a tu re s o f Au stra li a n

religio u s l i fe a s e sc ri be i n S e n c e r a n d G ill e n s N or thern Tr i bes

of C en tr a l Au s tr a li a ( 1 904 ) a n d N a ti v e Tr i bes of C en tr a l A u s tr a li a

D r A W Ho w i t t s N a ti v e Tri bes of Sou th E a s te rn Au s tr a li a

and C
Strekl o w s D ie Ara nd a u nd L o ri tja S tamme ( 1907
a nd
1

86

THE THI C K E TS

S o me

OF SU P ER STI T ION

G R OW

that the g reat Alc her i n g a an c e st o r s fo und

a s tran g e ha lf fo rmed ra c e ha lf an i ma l and ha lf

hum a n and co n v erted them i nt o the b l a cks S o me

be li e v e that the y are them s e lv e s the re i n c arnat io n
T here is f ar m o re
o f the Alc her i n g a an c e s t o r s
p r i m i t iv e sp e c u l at io n o n s u c h m atter s than i n the
lo wer p e opl e s wh ic h we co n si dered i n the l a s t
c ha p ter Th e ha lf human an c e s t o r s are cl ear ly
co nne c ted w i th the g ener a l a n d h ig h ly de v e lop ed
t o tem is m and the ear li er p ha s e s of that de v e lop
ment are los t but we are n o t here co n c erned w i th
t o te m is m Th e be li e f that there wa s an ear li er
r a c e Of m o re po wer fu l be i n gs is a s we s aw n o t
ent i re ly new We fo und a si m il ar be li e f i n S o uth
Afr ic a It is the o ut co me of a tenden cy wh ic h we
hav e s t ill i n m o dern civiliz at io n s We co n s tant ly
hav e p e opl e a ss ert i n g i n spi te of a c erta i n a m o unt
that o ur f ather s were ta ll er o r
o f e x a c t e vi den c e
s t r o n g er o r m o re m o ra l than we In lo w ly tr i be s
th is tenden cy i s n o t c he ck ed b y an y wr i tten re co rd s
and an ear li er g ener a t io n o r g r o u p wh ic h liv e s i n
the tr i ba l mem o r y is ea sily ra is ed t o the ran k o f
s u p ermen
M o re i ntere s t i n g is the q ue s t io n whether the

As W e s a w
A u s tra li an s hav e a s u p reme be i n g
S p en c er and G ill en den y th i s and the y warn u s
n o t t o tak e the b l a ck li tera lly when he ta lks a b o ut

h is an c e s t o r s maki n g r iv er s h ills et c He w itt

s ays that the y be li e v e at m os t i n a so rt o f c h i e f
o f the o ther w o r l d r a ther than a c reat o r ; and he
p r o te s t s that if re ligio n be dened a s the w o r s h ip

n o re ligio n
the A u s tra li an s hav e
o f a de i t y
sa y

'

THE THI C K E TS

OF SU P ERS TI TI O N

ROW

87

e ligio n is o f co ur s e o n ly s o dened b y wr i ter s

( lik e J e vo n s ) wh o co ntend that a ll p e opl e s be li e v e
i n a s u p reme be i n g and the s e wr i ter s co ndent ly
i m p ute s u c h a be li e f to the A u s tra li an s Stre klo w
(a m issio nar y ) s u ppo rt s th is and te lls u s that the
f am o u s A runta tr i be o f C entr a l A u s tra li a hav e a
h ig he s t (o r s u p reme) goo d be i n g named Altjira
S p en c er and G ill en had c a ll ed th is i nt o q ue s t io n
but Mr G ill en a fterward s fo und tra c e s o f the be li e f

Th e E uah l a yi ha v e an ana logo u s

g reat be i n g
wh o m the y c a ll B a i ame ; and a si m il ar be i n g s tand s
o u t i n o ther nat iv e trad i t io n s
In o ther w o rd s the l en g th y co ntr ov er sy ab o ut the
go d o f the Au s tra li an s ma y be s a i d t o clos e w i th
a g enera l re cogn i t io n that so me so rt o f d is t i n g u is hed
be i n g d o e s s tand o u t i n the m y th ology o f m os t o f
the tr i be s In the co ur s e o f the n i neteenth c entur y
th is tr i ba l m y th ha s b o rr o wed so me o f the feature s
o f de i t y g athered f r o m the C hr is t i an i n v ader s and

we ha v e to be o n o u r g uard Th e o r igi na l go d
Mr
is a so rr y re p re s ent a t iv e o f that sp e ci e s

s u p reme be i n g
o f the
Strek lo w de sc r i be s the
A runta a s a hu g e red ha i red man w i th en o rm o u s
feet T he voic e o f B a i ame i s s a i d b y o ther tr i be s
t o be heard i n the thunder ; th o u g h o ther s a g a i n
re g ard thunder a s the n ois e o f a co rr o b o ree o f th e i r
m y th ic a l ear ly ra c e i n the s ky when the y are

maki n g ra i n Mr Marrett th i nks that the s e g reat

spi r i t s are a p ure g ment o f the nat iv e s T he y

ha v e a w oo den i n s trument c a ll ed the bu ll r o arer

( o r c hu ri nga ) b y mean s o f wh ic h the y p r o du c e a
feeb l e i m i tat io n o f the r o ar o f th e thunder and the
R

THE THI C K E TS

88

OF SU P ER S T I T ION G R O W

n ois e i t m a k e s is b y man y o f them v a gue ly c o n

c e iv e d a s lik e th u nder the voic e o f the g reat be i n g
Mr Marrett th i nks that the be i n g ha s been i n v ented
t o e xpl a i n the voic e I t i s h o we v er the g enera l
be li e f that the s e po wer fu l be i n gs are m a gn i e d

an c e s t o r s S p en c er and
w e c an hard ly s a y de i e d
G ill en remar k
A m o n g the Cen t r a l A u s t r a li a n n a t ive s th ere is
n eve r a n y i d e a o f a pp e a li n g fo r a ssis t a n c e t o a n y
o n e o f t h e s e A lc h e r i n ga a n c e s to r s in a n y w a y
Th e y h a ve n o t t h e v a gu e s t i d e a o f a p e r s o n a l i n d i
v idu a l o t h er t h an a n a c t u a l l ivi n g m embe r o f t h e
t r ib e w h o a ppr o ve s o r d is a ppr o v e s o f t h e i r c o n d u ct
s o fa r a s a n y t h i n g l ik e w e c a ll m o r a li t y is c o n
c er n e d
T he y ha v e i t s eem s a s tr ic t co de o f co ndu c t and
the b oy i s t ol d t o e xp e c t s e v ere p un is h m ent if he
ne gl e c t s i t B ut th is p un is h m ent w ill co m e f r o m
them s e lv e s and we l earn the v er y i ntere s t i n g f a c t
that when the yo uth is p ut thr o u g h the ardu o u s
c erem o n y o f i n i t i a t io n t o manh oo d the
g reat

be i n g
is fran kly de sc r i bed t o h i m a s a mere
b ogi e fo r the p ur pos e o f i nt i m i dat i n g w o men and
c h il dren
He t h en l e a rn s t h a t t h e S p ir i t cre at u re wh om u p
t o th a t t i m e a s a b o y h e h a s r ega rd e d a s a ll
p owerfu l is m e re l y a m yth a n d t h a t s u c h a be i n g
do e s n o t r e a ll y exis t a n d is o n l y a n inven t ion of
t h e m e n to fr igh te n t h e wo me n a n d c h il dren
.

49 1
The N or thern Tr i bes of C e ntr a l A u s tr a li a ,
2
4 92
Sam e o ,
a e
S ir
( , 1 66 ) s o s t a t t h e
i s u s e b y t h e n a s o f Ti e a d e l u e go
Th e O n a s e e n
s a m e t ic
i sg ui se t e m se l e s i n a
o
ia t e c o stume s a n d l a y th e a t o f th e

d e i ty
t e ibl e

w rk

rr

r k
h

J G

ppr pr

Fr

rr

z r I

p r

90

THE

T HICKET S OF SU P ER S T I T ION GR O W

turn and the we i rd p er fo rman c e s o f the i r w iz ard s

and e l der s need n o t be co n si dered here The y mak e
ra i n the y c au s e o r c ure d is ea s e and i n so me c a s e s
the y p r ofe ss t o h ol d co mmun ic at io n w i th the spi r i t s
It is i ntere s t i n g t o n o te that the y hav e t o some
e x tent g enera liz ed the ma gic a l i nuen c e and giv en
i t a sp e ci a l name It i nhere s i n c erta i n o bj e c t s and
i t i s e sp e ci a lly at the co mmand o f gif ted so r c erer s
T he y s eem t o re g ard i t n o t a s skill but a s a v a g ue
i n u en c e ; and i t ma y there fo re be re g arded a s a
p ha s e i n the de v e lop ment o f ma n a o u t o f ma gic a l
p ra c t ic e s a s we s ha ll s e e p re s ent ly
O n the o ther hand the y hav e n o nature w o r s h ip
t h o u g h the i r i ma gi nat io n ha s i n v ented a f a i r ly
e l ab o rate cos m ology
S o me ( the A runta) re g ard
the s u n a s the spi r i t o f a fo rmer an c e s t o r wh ic h
c ame o u t o f the earth and a sc ended t o the S ky
S o me th i n k that the m oo n a n d the s tar s a lso
re p re s ent the spi r i t s o f a n c e s t o r s O ther s be li e v e
th a t the y were made b y an c e s t o r s wh il e o n e tr i be
re g ard s them a s c am p re s o f the be i n gs i n sk y
l and
S p en c er and G ill en de sc r i be a c erem o n y
p er fo rmed am o n g the A runta at the b i rth o f a
c h il d wh ic h s eem s t o co nta i n the g erm o f su n
w o r s h ip T he s u n is the S pi r i t o f a fema l e ; the
m oo n o f a ma l e We ha v e i n s h o rt am o n g the
A u s tra li an tr i be s a p ha s e o f re ligio n wh ic h e volve s
natura lly f r o m the si m pl er fo rm s we s tud i ed i n
the l a s t c hap ter and l ead s o n s en si b ly to the
ne x t p h a s e wh ic h we wi ll co n si der am on g the
Me l ane si an s
Th e e vol ut io nar y posi t io n o f the Me l an e si an s
,

THE THI C K ETS

O F S U PER S T I TION G R O W

91

the b l a ck i nhab i tant s o f the isl and s f r o m N ew

G u i nea to the N ew Hebr i de s i s s t ill a matter

o f co ntr ov er sy
S o me re l ate them t o e i ther the
A u s tra li an s o r the N e g r i t o e s a s a l ater and m o re
ad v an c ed o ffs h oo t f r o m the s ame s t ock wh il e o ther s
re g ard them a s the o ut co me o f a b l end o f Asi at ic
i nv ader s w i th the ab o r igi na l b l a cks Whate v er be
the so ur c e s o f the i r b loo d the y are at a h ig her s ta g e
o f c u l ture than the A u s tra li an s ;
and i n the d is
c u ss io n o f the o r igi n o f re ligio n we mu s t
a
s
tr
ic
t
p y
attent io n to th is Th e tr i be s wh ic h are s o fre q uent ly

l um p ed t og ether a s re p re s ent i n g p r i m i t iv e man

rea lly re p re s ent v a s t ly d ie re n t s ta g e s i n the ev o hi

t io n o f man We s aw that the A u s tra li an w i th

h is t o tem s marr i a g e s l e g end s c erem o n i e s et c
be lo n gs t o a l ater p ha s e than o u r p r i m i t iv e p e opl e s
O n the s ame c u l tura l te s t s the Me l ane si an e x h i b i t s
a l ater p ha s e than the A u s tra li an He k ee ps pigs
and c u l t iv ate s f ru i t tree s H e o wn s and t ills l and
and liv e s i n a s ett l ed vill a g e under a c h i e f He
ha s v er y po wer f u l s e c ret soci et i e s His re ligio n is
co rre spo nd i n gly ad v an c ed
It i s f r o m the s e re l at iv e ly ad v an c ed Me l an e si an s
that o u r wr i ter s o n re ligio n hav e b o rr o wed the w o rd
ma na wh ic h h a s a l read y occ urred man y t i me s i n
the s e p a g e s Ma na is a s I s a i d a g enera l term fo r
the i n visi b l e i ntan gi b l e i n uen c e wh ic h an e ffe c t iv e
so r c erer o r a po wer fu l man u s e s S u c h a man h a s

mu c h ma n a
I hav e lik ened i t t o the an i ma l
ma g net is m
wh ic h wa s c urrent i n En gl and a
c entur y a go but i t is br o ader than th is I f the
Mela n e si an nd a c ur io u s o r r e m ark ab l e st o ne o n
.

THE THI C K E TS

92

OF SU P ERS TI TI ON G R O W

the bea c h he co n cl ude s that i t is lik e ly t o co nta i n

pl ent y o f ma n a and he tak e s i t h o me and p r o bab ly
p ut s i t at the r oo t o f h is fr u i t tree t o fert iliz e the

tree He c a lls a m a gic a l fo rmu l a o r c harm a

ma n a
It is a s ubt l e po wer that p er v a de s h is
w o r l d a s we co n c e iv e ether t o p er v ade the un iv er s e
and i t ma y be g athered i n co n c entrated fo rm b y
so r c erer s c h i e fs g h os t s o r spi r i t s T h e g h os t o f
the dead man is a s i n A u s tra li a a n d e ls ewhere
be li e v ed t o hav e m o re ma n a than the man had i n
life ; and the M e l ane si an p u s hed h is the o r y t o the
e x tre m e p ra c t ic a l co n cl u sio n o f eat i ng p art o f the
b o d y o f so me b ol d warr io r i n o rder t o g et h is ma n a
I t thu s be c ame the r oo t o f c ann i b a lis m and co m

mun io n To g et m o re ma n a wh ic h meant better

c r ops m o re pigs m o re we a l th and po wer and

i mmun i t y f r o m d is ea s e is the amb i t io n o f e ver y

Me l ane si an and i t is thu s i n a s en s e the c entra l
f a c t o f h is life
A n i n c rea si n g number o f o u r auth o r i t i e s hav e a s
I s a i d tak en th is m a n a t o be a g enera l ear ly p ha s e
i n the de v e lop ment o f re ligio n It is q ui te under
s t o o d that l e ss den i te co n c e p t io n s mu s t hav e
p re c eded ma n a and v a g ue em o t io n s mu s t hav e
p re c eded e ven the s e co n c e p t io n s ; but there is a n
i n c rea si n g be li e f that i n ma n a we hav e the neare s t
F r o m th is
li v i ng a pp r o a c h t o p r i m i t iv e re ligio n
the p re vio u s
o f o u r i n qu i r y i n
o n the g r o und
c ha p ter I ent i re ly d iss ent Indeed ma n a s ee m s
t o me a de v e lop ment a p art fr o m the n o rma l e v o lu
t io n o f re ligio n Man y wr i ter s are m isl ed b y the
fa c t that ma na is f u lly de v e lop ed am o n g the Me l a
,

94

THE THIC KETS

OF SU P ER S T I TION GR O W

i dea o f po wer He kn o w s o n ly that if a c erta i n

med ici ne man poi nt s a b one at h i m and utter s
c erta i n w o rd s he w ill d i e Th e e l der br o ther o f
the A u s tra li an the Me l ane si an ma k e s th is i ne vi tab l e
g enera liz at io n H e fo rm s the co m p rehen siv e i dea
o f po wer o r vi ta l fo r c e
ma na ; and a l th o u g h th is
ma n a is u s ua lly g athered and co ntr oll ed b y men o r
spi r i t s i t is e ss ent i a lly a g enera liz at io n o f ma gic a l
i n uen c e It m i n gl e s w i th re ligio n but i t ne i the r
sp ran g fr o m the ear li er p ha s e o f re ligio n the be li e f
i n spi r i t s n o r l ead s t o the l ater p ha s e the an i mat io n
o f nature
Th e re ligio n o f the Me l ane si an s is v er y f u lly and

co n sci ent io u sly de sc r i bed b y t w o m issio nar i e s Dr

R H C o dr i n g t o n ( The Me la n esi a n s 1 89 1 ) and Dr
G B r o wn ( Me la n esi a ns a n d P o lyn esi a ns
wh o
w o rk ed fo r man y y ear s am o n g them I w ill r s t
s ummar iz e the i n fo rmat io n the y giv e u s and then
n o t ic e a few i nde p endent a cco unt s o f sp e ci a l tr i be s
T here is o f co ur s e thr o u g h o ut the isl and s a
den i te co n vic t io n o f the dua li t y o f man T he
name o f the s ur vivi n g p art i s s a i d t o be a ki n t o
the w o rd fo r
S had o w ( wh ic h g enera lly mean s
re e c t io n i n water a s we ll a s the dar k o ut li ne o n
the g r o und) and i t is th o u ght that th is shad o w y
p art l ea v e s the b o d y i n dream s o r un co n scio u s ne ss
and that i n death i t ha s n o t s u cc e e ded i n g ett i n g
ba ck to the b o d y i n t i me Dr B r o wn s ays that the
weapo n s and o ther be lo n gi n gs o f the de c ea s ed are

p ut near the co rps e s o that the dead ma y ha v e the

so u ls o r spi r i t s o f the s e art icl e s an d that at the

funera l f ea s t s the d ead are be li e v ed to eat the spi r i ts
.

THE THIC K E TS
of

95

OF SU P ER S TI T ION G R O W

the art icl e s o f foo d T h is s eem s to be an i n feren c e

o f h is o w n
Dr C o dr i n g t o n i n f a c t a fter de sc r i b i n g
h o w the y bur y wea po n s and mat s w i th a co r ps e and
e v en c ut d o wn the dead man s f ru i t tree s add s :

T he y d e n y that the y th i n k that s u c h th i n gs follo w

P ossi b ly
a man i n an y g h os t ly fo rm (p
b o th s tate m
ent s are co rre c t o f d i fferent i sl and s It
is p art o f the i ntere s t o f the Me l ane si an s that the y
e xh i b i t i n the d i fferent loc a li t i e s so man y d i ffere n t
p ha s e s o f the maki n g o f re ligio n B ut we mu s t
p art i c u l ar ly n o te that so me p e opl e s bur y a dead
man s wea po n s w i th h i m y et den y that the y th i n k
he n e ed s them i n a f uture life It i s i n th is c a s e
o n ly a t ok en o f re sp e c t and a e c tio n N o o n e s ha ll
u s e the wea po n s
o r en joy the
fru i t tree s o f the
dead T ra v e ll er s hav e been to o a p t t o i n fer a be li e f
i n a future life f r o m the bur yi n g o f wea po n s Dr
B r o wn h i m s e lf s a ys o f the isl ander s he de sc r i be s
p
P igs are kill ed at a ll f unera ls but th is
(
I am s ure is o n ly a mar k o f re sp e c t and a s p ay ment

t o th os e w h o a ssis t at the s er vic e s

A t deat h the so u l be gi n s a lif e wh ic h i s d i e re n tly
co n c e iv ed b y d ifferent tr i be s and we hav e t o be o n
o u r g uard a g a i n s t P oly ne si an i n uen c e i n the ea s t
and Ind i an o r Ma l a y i n uen c e i n the we s t A t the
lo wer l e v e l the life a fter death is j u s t a s tate o f
i nvisi b ili t y but th ere is a tenden cy t o loc ate i t f ar
awa y and i n o n e loc a li t y the dead are co n c e iv ed a s

p a ssi n g fr o m h ill to h ill and na lly j um pi n g o ff

T h i s is a l ater and h ig her i dea and ha s p r o bab ly
been b o rr o wed Th e co mm o n be li e f is that the
so u l go e s so m e where to meet its dead r e l at iv e s but
.

THE THI C K E TS

96

OF SU P ER S T I T ION

G RO W

the s e ma y n o t we lco me i t and i t return s to i t s

d is tr ic t T he s e d iss at is ed so u ls o ne s u ppos e s that

the y were i n life the l e ss am i ab l e c hara c ter s
be co me ma lig nant a s d o e s e ver y man w h o ha s d i ed
a viol ent death Th e so u l o f a man the y had eaten
wa s be li e v ed t o be p art ic u l ar ly ma licio u s and the y
s hut the d oo r s o f the b u t and clos ed the i r m o uth s
wh il e he wa s be i n g cook ed
T he s e ma lig nant spi r i t s and a c r o wd o f the u s ua l
ma lig nant so r c erer s added terr o r t o the life o f the
M e l ane si an s ; th ou g h i n so me pl a c e s the y had
e volved o r (m o re p r o bab ly) b o rr o wed a be li e f that
s u c h spi r i t s were p un ished a fter death It giv e s u s
the mea s ure o f the i r co n c e p t io n o f what Eur op ean

wr i ter s a l wa ys c a ll the spi r i t when Dr B r o wn

te lls u s that th is p un ishment a fter death w a s
adm i n is tered o n the
spi r i t s
butt ocks ' Th e
w ick ed so u l m ig ht then return t o earth and enter
the b o d y Of an an i m a l T h e yin g fox w a s p art i
c u la rly a p t t o be an i mated b y o n e o f the s e spi r i t s
T h e ma jo r i t y o f the g h os t s were h o we v er a s goo d
natured a s the y had been dur i n g life and the
p ra c t ic a l a pplic at io n o f th i s be li e f giv e s u s a l ar g e
number o f de v e lopi n g re ligio u s fo rm s
T o the so u ls o f co mm o n m e n li tt l e attent io n wa s
p a i d e xc e p t b y the i r o w n re l at iv e s It wa s a un i
v er s a l p ra c t ic e t o thr o w t o the spi r i t s b i t s o f the
y am o r ma llo w o n e wa s eat i n g o r t o s e t a p art a
li tt l e foo d fo r them at a f ea s t Indeed tw ic e a y ear

there wa s a so rt o f All S o u ls Da y when the

F un da m e n
spi r i t s were treated w i th g ener osi t y
ta lly the s e were nature fe s t iv a ls a s the y were he l d
,

THE THI C K E TS

98

OF SU P ER S T I T ION

RO W

w ill read ily d isc ard i t and g et a n o ther if i t p r ov e s

in e e c tiv e
To th is a s we ll a s t o the g h os t of h is
f ather he mak e s si m pl e p ra y er s and o ffer s s a c r i c e s
It mu s t m a k e h is y a m s a n d m a llo w s g r o w I f he
is a ght i n g man i t m u s t giv e h im ma n a fo r the
f r a y In c a s e of d is ea s e he w ill s umm o n a skill ed
m a n t o te ll h i m wh ic h spi r i t c a u s ed the d is e a s e a n d
he w ill then h i m s e lf o ffer u p a pig o r a d og a s a
s ub s t i t u te fo r the sick p er so n
I f the sick m a n

d i e s he mu s t g uard the b o d y o r a s so me th i nk
the d isco ntented spi r i t s o f the dead w ill co me i n the
s h a p e o f herm i t c rab s and de vo ur i t
S oci a l re ligio n we fo und be gi nn i n g at the Au stra
li an l ev e l and i t natura lly i n c rea s e s w i th the soci a l
o r g an iz a t io n o f the p e opl e and the tenden cy o f the
c h i e fs t o be the l e a d i n g so r c erer s an d r a i n m a k er s
Wh il e the gh os t s o f o rd i nar y folk are soo n fo r go tten

the g h os t o f a c h i e f w h o m a y be p re s umed t o ha v e
been a ma s ter fu l p er so n w i th pl ent y o f m a n a
co nt i nue s t o h ol d p ub lic attent io n A li tt l e h o u s e
o r s hr i ne is bu il t ov er h is rema i n s a n d fo ur c arv ed
i ma g e s r o u gh ly re p re s ent i n g h i m and h is re l at iv e s
are pl a c ed at the co rner s o f i t ; a rud i mentary
be gi nn i n g o f tem pl e s and i d ols th o u g h the g ure s
are n o t w o r s h ipp ed C o dr i n g t o n give s (p 1 2 5) an
i n s tan c e o f a we ll k n o wn warr io r a t F lo r i da thu s
s e c ur i n g h o n o ur s wh ic h m ay be re g arded a s lift i n g
h i m t o ward s the rank o f de i t i e s : and i t is i n stru c t iv e
t o l earn th a t at F lo r i d a a ll S pi r i t s are be li e v ed to be
the sh a de s o f dead men Th e livi n g c h i e f is n a tu
ra lly the p r op er p er so n t o o ffer s a c r i c e s t o and
co mmun ic ate w i th the po wer fu l spi r i t of the de a d
,

THE THI C K E TS

OF SU P ERS TI TI O N G R O W

99

c h i e f and i n pl a c e s the p e opl e wa i t w i th o ut wh il e

he is offer i n g s a c r i c e i n the li tt l e g ra v e h o u s e We
hav e the co m pl ete e l ement s o f a re ligio u s c u l t
T h e s ame de v e lop ment occ ur s i n an o ther d i re c t io n
On e o f the c h i e f c h a ra c ter is t ics o f the Me l ane si an s
is that the y fo rm po we rfu l s e c ret soci et i e s f r o m
wh ic h w o men are e xcl uded T he s e ma y o r igi na lly
hav e been t o tem is t ic g r o u ps but the y are i n an y
c a s e a natura l de v e lop ment o f the A u s tra li an p ra c t ic e
T he y
o f a s e c ret i n i t i at io n o f yo uth s t o manh oo d

are t o da y when Me l ane si an re ligio n is i n de c a y

mere ly cl ub s but fo rmer ly the y were s o r igo r o u s
that a w o man co u l d be ra p ed o r murdered if sh e
T o da y e v er y
a ttem p ted to p enetrate the s e c ret s
w o man k n o w s that the we i rd ma sks and c r i e s w i th
wh ic h the i n i t i a te s u s ed t o terr ify her were de vic e s
lik e th os e o f the A u s tra li an s and the O na s fo r ma i n
ta i n i n g the s u p er io r i t y o f the ma l e T he s e soci et i e s
h a d lo d g e s i n s e cl uded pl a c e s and i n them were
deposi ted a n umber o f o b j e c t s ( i ma g e s c ur io u s
s t o ne s et c ) wh ic h were re g arded a s s a c red T hu s
we r is e i n the d i re c t io n o f the tem pl e fr o m the
natura l h i d i n g pl a c e i n wh ic h the e l der s o f an
A u s tra li a n tr i be k e p t the i r bu ll r o arer s t o deni te
bu il d i n gs ( ov er c h i e fs g ra v e s o r fo r s e c ret a ss emb li e s)
whic h co nta i n i ma g e s and s a c re d s t o ne s and ma y
n o t be entered b y w o men
It ma y be u s e f u l to a dd that the e xcl u sio n o f
w o men d o e s n o t s eem to be g r o unded o n an y s u p er
s titio u s vi ew o f the i r s e x f eature s
but o n the i r
menta l and p h ysic a l i nf er io r i t y T he s e soci et i e s
hardened men fo r war w i th wh ic h w o men were
,

THE THI C K E TS

1 00

OF SU P ERS TI TI O N G R O W

co n c erne d Th e s e x e l ement ha s n o th i n g t o d o
w i th re ligio n unt il a l ater p ha s e
F i na lly we mu s t n o t ic e the tenden cy t o ward s the
c reat io n o f de i t i e s o r p re po nderat i n g spi r i t s W e
ha v e a l read y s een that dead c h i e fs and w a rr io r s are
a l wa ys a p t t o r is e t o th is posi t io n and i n some o f
the Pa ci c I sl and s e v en livi n g i nd ivi dua ls m a y
O bta i n s u c h q ua si d ivi ne h o n o ur s S i r J G F ra z er
q u o te s a c a s e i n the M a r que s a s I sl and s
An
o ld man wa s k e p t i n a s a c red h o u s e and en clos ure
wh ic h n one but h i s s er v ant s m ight enter ; and he
co u l d and d i d c a ll fo r human s a c r i c e s whene v er
he w ill ed A m o n g the Me l ane si an s e ven an i ma ls
ma y b e ra is ed t o th i s h ig her r a nk S h a rks fo r
i n s tan c e are be li e v ed t o be poss e ss ed b y spi r i t s and
i n pl a c e s i m a g e s o f them are treated w i th g reat
h o n o ur We hav e i n th is a r oo t o f the w o r s h ip o f
an i ma l go d s wh ic h s eem s t o hav e been d is t i n c t fr o m
t o tem is m
C a v e s sp r i n gs s tream s the thunder
and lig htn i n g and ra i n are S i m il ar ly re g arded a s
emb o d yi n g S pi r i t s
As a co n s e q uen c e we nd th at i n m os t d is tr ic t s
ther e is so meth i n g a pp r o a c h i n g the c hara c ter o f a
de i t y In the we s tern isl and s ( S olo m o n I sl a nd s et c )
men are c h i e y co n c erned ab o ut the g h os t s o f the
de a d ; i n the ea s tern isl and s (N e w Hebr i de s and

B an ks w e mu s t n ote that the s e a re m o re e xpos ed

to P oly ne si an i n uen c e ) the c u l t is d i re c ted rather
Whether the l atter were
to n o n human spi r i t s
e volv ed f r o m the fo rmer we c ann o t n o w s a y co n
de ntly but there is am pl e e vi den c e t o s u gg e s t that
vi ew as I ha v e s h o wn H o we v er that ma y be so me
no t

1 02

THE THI C K E TS

OF SU P ER S T I T ION G R O W

gg rand iz ement ende a v o ur t o o b li terate the m i n o r

de i t i e s and i m pos e h is o w n g reat go d Even i n
Me l ane si a there i s co n si derab l e f raud am o n g b o th
s a c ri c e rs and so r c erer s
N ature w o r s h ip is a s I ha v e s a i d s t ill i n an
e l ementar y co nd i t io n if i t m a y be s a i d t o e xis t a t
a ll T here is n o v e g etat io n go d ; the w iz a rd s s a c r i
c e rs t o spi r i t s and the u s e o f o bj e c t s co nt a i n i n g
m a n a i n u en c e the weather and the foo d
There
are n o de i t i e s o f sky s u n m oo n re earth o r water
Ma n a is e v er y where but there is n o tenden cy t o
p a ss f r o m i t t o the an i mat io n o f nature B ut there
is a un iv er s a l be li e f that the s e e l ement s o f nature
co nta i n den i te p er so na l spi r i t s often pl a i n ly the
gh os t s o f the dead and i n th is we hav e the germ o f
nature w o r sh ip
O f the ne ighb o ur i n g P oly ne si an s i t need o n ly be
s a i d that the y c arr y th is re ligio u s de v e lop ment mu c h
h ig her T he d isp uted q ue s t io n o f the i r o r igi n need
n o t be d isc u ss ed here T he i r c u l ture is i n e v er y
re sp e c t mu c h s u p er io r t o th a t o f the M e l a ne si an s
and the p e opl e ha ve at l ea s t a c a p a ci t y o f edu c at io n
wh ic h is e q ua l t o o u r o w n Man y sc h ol ar s be li e v e
them t o be the ea s tern bran c h o f the C au c a sic ra c e
o f wh ic h we E ur op ean s are the we s tern bran c h
T he i r c a p a ci t y wa s si n g u l arly i m p re ss ed u po n me
b y an e xp er i en c e i n We lli n g t o n ( N ew Z ea l and)
I had l e c tured o n b iologic a l e vol u t io n and a we ll
edu c ated Ma o r i a q ua li ed med ic a l man w h o had
been am o n g m y a ud i en c e a pp r o a c hed me and s ai d
that h is ra c e had ant icip ated th is Darw i n i an d oc tr i ne
He a fterward s s ent m e w i th the M a o r i o r igi na l the
a

THE

1 03

T HICKET S OF SU P ERS TI TI O N G R O W

follo w i n g tran sl at io n o f o ne o f the i r l e g en ds wh ic h

is e a sily s u p er io r a s a cos m ic g ue ss t o the r s t
c ha p ter o f G en esi s
,

T he gen t l e a ir i n c re a si n g
To t h e gen t l e br ee z e fr o m a br o a d
The fa r d is t a n t h o r i z o n
I n c re a s m g i n s tr e n gt h o ve rh e a d
W i t h a fo r c e to bre a k t h e p in io n s
-

so d '.
c o n t e n d in g

R u p e 'the Moon

s u c ce ss
G a in s t t h e s to r m o f h a il fr o m o n h i gh
An o n fo l d i n g h is w i n gs
F o l d i n g y e t fo l d i n g a ga in

He

wi t h

of

m o d e r a te

An o n

t o a p

A no n

a ga n

and

t o a p ,

so a r ;
So a re th e a r th wa rd t h e gre a t b i rd of R u a '
th e Mo o n '
Str i k i n g y e t s o a r i n g
Afte r i t s o w n m a n n e r
Th e gen tl e a ir
F illi n g a n d go vern i n g s ky s p a c e a n d e a r t h s p a ce
Th e d ivi n e l y c o n s e c r a te d t r e a s ur e
Wh ic h gi rd le d th e ci r c l e
T he c i r cl e of e a r th a n d of s e a
Exti n gu is h bega t s e a ler up 'o f re s pr i mo rd i a l '
Se a ler u p bega t s o l id m a tter
S o li d m a tter bega t R isi n g t i d es 's e a s fo llowed
soli d i c a t io n '
R isi n g ti d es bega t ger m s 'l ife o r i gi n a tes '
G e r m s b e ga t L ife m o v e m e n t
L ife m o v e m en t b ega t t h e Je ll y
Th e Jell y b e ga t t h e C li n ge r
The C li n ge r b e ga t t h e S te a l e r a br o a d '
in d e p en d en t
m o v e m en t '
Th e S te a l e r a br o a d be g a t s egr ega t i n g life cl u s te r s
to

1 04

THE THI C K E TS

OF SU P ERS TI TI O N G R O W

r e v o l v er s a do p ting n e w fo r m s
An d gr a du a l l y s e p a r a t i n g
Th e E v o l u t i o n h e a rk e n
Th e D e c a y h e a r ke n
B e go tten w a s th e D e l in e a t o r
Th e D eli n e a t o r b e ga t th e l igh tn i n g s h o c k
Wh i c h a b i d i n g w it h th e s k y br a i n
B e ga t t h e t h u n de r e r
Wh ich a b i d i n g w i t h Hia k a i t a n ga t a 'dem i
Ma n '
G a v e bi r t h t o '
An d

P u n ga P unga
,

nu i, a n d

P u n ga

tau a

go d '

We are e vi dent ly co n c erned w i th a mu c h h ig her

ra c e i n the P oly ne si an s and I t o u c h o n ly a f ew
poi nt s o n wh ic h the y c arr y o nward the re ligio n o f
the lo w ly Me l ane si a n s
T he y hav e a w o rd fo r

so u l ( li ter a lly the th i n g th a t go e s o r a c t s

d is t i n c t f r o m s had o w ; but Dr B r o wn te lls u s o f

a c ur io u s c u s t o m wh ic h s u gg e s t s that so u l and
s had o w were fo rmer ly o n e When a man ha s met
a viol ent death the y sp re a d a wh i te clo th o n the
g r o und and the r s t ant that c r oss e s i t is s a i d t o be
t h e man s s h a d o w and is bur i ed w i th the co r ps e
T he y c a ll a p h o t og r a p h a
s had o w c at c her
A f ter
death the so u l p a ss e s fr o m h ill t o h ill and na lly

j u m ps o ff fr o m the earth an i dea o f a sc ent i nt o

hea v en wh ic h occ ur s i n s e v era l p r i m i t iv e re ligio n s
T he y bur y sl a v e s w i th a dead c h i e f and s a c r i c e

pigs ; but s a ys Dr B r o wn I d o n o t th i n k there

w a s a n y i de a o f the so u ls a cco m p a n yi n g the de c ea s ed
p
t o the spi r i t l and
T h e ne x t w o r l d i s
(

m u c h the s am e a s th is a l an d o f o wer s and

fru i t s
,

1 06

THE THI C K E TS

OF SU P ER S T I T ION G R O W

In co ntra s t t o th is adv an c ed re ligio n l et me turn

i n co n cl u sio n t o the p r i m i t iv e p e opl e s Me l a ne si an

w i th m ix ture s o f o ther b loo d o f the I nd i an O c ean

Profe sso r C G S e lig mann h a s s tud i ed o n e br a n c h
o f the M e l ane si an s wh o ha v e
m i n gl ed w i th the
P a p uan s ( The Me la n esi a n s of B ri ti s h N ew G u i n ea
and he nd s am o n g the m a re l at iv e ly p ure

v er sio n o f the Me l ane si a n re ligio n T he so u l the

w o rd is d is t i n c t fr o m s had o w i n so me tr i be s and n o t

i n o ther s l e a v e s the bod y i n dre a m s and at the

na l s e p arat io n o f de a th p a ss e s t o a s had o w y du pli
c at io n o i th is w o r l d It li n g er s ab o ut the h o u s e
wh ic h i s de s erted and i t i s ea sily offended and
an g r y N ature i s f u ll o f goo d o r bad gh os t s a n d

th o u g h i n so me r e gio n s there is
no cult o f a
s u p er io r be i n g o r of the heav en ly b o d i e s and n o
den i te c u l t o f a n c e s t o r s o r o f the spi r i t s o f the
dead (p
o ther tr i be s hav e a ki nd o f v ene
rat io n o f the su n m oo n a n d m o rn i n g s tar o r
a be li e f i n s u p erh u m a n be i n gs
In br i e f i t is
Me l ane si an re ligio n a t v ar io u s lo w ly s ta g e s o f
de v e lop m ent
M r H L i n g R o th i n h is w o r k The N a ti v es of
S a ra w a k a n d B ri ti s h N o r th B o rn eo
de sc r i be s
a m o re ad v an c e d s ta g e w i th H i ndu ad u l terat io n s
T here are v ar io u s mak er go d s w i th d is t i n c t name s

the ra j ah s o f the spi r i t u a l w o r l d b e we ll c a lls

them then an o rder o f s e co nd a r y spi r i t s wh o liv e

o n the h ills and na lly the u s u a l c r o wd o f ma lig nant
S pi r i t s ( w o men wh o d i ed i n c h il d b i rth m e n wh o
los t the i r head s i n war et c ) i n the j un gl e o r the
w a ter s T h e D y a k s o f Bo rne o are i ntere s t i n g o n
,

THE THI C K E TS

OF SU P ERS TI TI O N G R O W

1 07

cco unt o f the i r q ua si de i c a tio n o f a livi n g En glis h

man S i r Jame s B r ook e H e p ut an end t o the i r
O pp re ssio n b y the Ma l a ys and g reat ly be fr i ended
them and the y a sc r i bed t o h i m s u p erhuman
q ua li t i e s H e co u l d c ure d is ea s e and e v en br i n g
the dead t o life ; and the v er y water i n wh ic h he
wa s hed had ma gic a l p r op ert i e s
W e hav e a m o re e l ab o rate s tud y o f the re ligio n o f
the B a taks o f S umatra (D i e R e ligi o n d er B a ta k b y
J W a rn e c k
wh ic h a lso ha s been i n u en c ed
b y Ind i a O f the v e go d s three are o f H i ndu
o r igi n and I w ill n o t dwe ll o n them It i s o f
g reater i ntere s t t o le a rn that tem pl e s e xis t in spi te
o f Ind i an i n uen c e o n ly fo r the c u l t o f an c e s t o r s
and that the go d s are i n vok ed o n ly i n co n j un c t io n
w i th an c e s t o r s We hav e n o w m i n o r de i t i e s wh o
are pe rso n i c a tio n s o f natura l e l ement s ( the water s
the v e g etat io n fo r c e thund e r
and W a rn e c k
co n cl ude s that the p er so n i c at io n r s t co n sis ted i n
loc at i n g the spi r i t s o f an c e s t o r s i n them There is
h o we v er n o t mu c h c u l t o f go d s T he nat iv e l eav e s
i t t o p r i e s t s t o s a c ri c e t o them he h i m s e lf i s m o re
co n c erned ab o ut w iz ard s and dem o n s and an c e s tra l
spi r i t s T here is a c ur io u s a pp r o a c h to m o n o the is m
i n the f a c t that the nat iv e g r o u ps a ll the go d s
t og ether i n a v a gue co mm o n name D e ba ta wh i c h
ma y be tran sl ated d ivi n i t y
T here is a lso an i dea a ki n t o ma na T he so ul s o f
men an i ma ls and pl ant s are p art icl e s o f a g enera l

so u l stu ( to n di ) wh ic h o w s f r o m a s t o re i n
an o ther w o r l d ; a n d the ma i n co n c ern o f lif e is t o
g et a s mu c h a s possi b l e of th is to n d i I t i s be li e v ed
a

THE

1 08

T HICKET S OF SU P ER S T I T ION G R O W

t o be co n c entrated e sp e ci a lly i n the head the b loo d

and the ha i r a n d na ils ; so the hai r and na ils are
a llo wed t o g r o w lon g and the p ra c t ic e o f head
hunt i n g is d i re c t ly i n spi red To n di is i n a man s
s had o w s o o n e mu s t n o t tread o n i t i t i s i n a gi r l s
h a i r s o the lov er p uts so me under h is pillo w i n o rder
t h at he ma y dream o f her T he p r i e s t the c h i e f
and the warr io r are f u ll o f to n d i It ma y lik e the
so u l l eav e the b o d y i n sl ee p and yo u mu s t n o t
awak en a man s uddenly be c au s e h is to n di is ab s ent
and m a y n o t g et ba ck i n t i me It is ab s ent f r o m
the b o d y i n ill ne ss and the art o f c ur i n g is t o ent ic e
i t ba ck It i s r ic h ly S t ored i n the ha i r and na ils o f
the dead and the s e re lics are there fo re v enerated
It is s tr o n g i n the t ig er and so r ic e is o ffered t o that
a n i ma l ; and e v en the s m i th s i r o n o r the sh e r s
b o at ha s to n di A g reat number o f e v en pop u l ar
Mr
Eur op ean S up er s t i t io n s are ill um i ned b y i t
A C K ruijt (He t A ni mi sm e i n d en I ndi s c hen
A rc hip e l 1 9 0 6) tra c e s i t thr o u g h o ut the Ind i an
A r c h ip e l a go and de sc r i be s a ll its e x tra o rd i nar y
fo rm s
T h e so u l wh ic h is q u i te d is t i n c t f r o m to n di is
i dent i ed w i th the s had o w It re s ent s the en fo r c ed
s e p arat io n fr o m th e b o d y an d is there fo re g enera lly
malig nant and mu s t be p r opi t i ated : a na iv e co n
c e ptio n wh ic h giv e s u s a new lig ht o n the c reat io n
In i t s an g er i t is e v er s ee ki n g t o br i n g
o f dem o n s
o ther so u ls i nt o the v a g ue w o r l d o f darkn e ss be yo nd
the g rav e Th e o ther w o r l d is but a th i n and
v an is h i n g shade o f th is w o r l d and the so u ls o f
co mm o n folk soo n f ade o u t of remembr a n c e Th e
,

C H AP TE R V
THE L E S S O N OF

AF R I C A

THE

ma i n li ne o f de v e lop ment wh ic h p a ss e s f r o m
l e v e l t o le v e l in the p re c ed i n g c ha p ter is s o cl ear
that li tt l e co mment is needed The reader is I
tru s t co n vi n c ed b y the f a c t s t o wh ic h I hav e a dded
li tt l e o r n o sp e c u l at io n that re ligio n be gi n s c h i e y
w i th a be li e f i n man s dua li t y ( g enera lly fo unded
u po n h is s had o w) and s ur viv a l o f death
M a gic is
a s e p arate g r o wth ; and ma n a o r to n d i is a l ate
g enera liz at io n o f the po wer wh ic h i s e x erted i n
ma gic t og ether w i th the o rd i nar y po wer o f s tr o n g
men and spi r i t s
A t ea c h l e v e l we h a v e s tud i ed the be li e f i n a
s had o w p art o f man de v e lops i nde p endent ly o f the s e
o ther be li e fs A t the h igher l e v e ls where there is
a m o re p r o n o un c ed soci a l i ne qua li t y th a n i n the
p r i m i t iv e p e opl e s the rude n o t io n o f a r is t oc ra cy is
c arr i ed i nt o the spi r i t w o r l d Th e shade s o f c h i e fs
o r o ther vigo r o u s member s o f the tr i be are c red i ted
w i th a s u p er io r po wer T here is a q u i te g enera l
be li e f that men are m o re po wer fu l af ter de a th and
there is there fo re a g ener a l tenden cy t o re g ard the
magic o f the dead ( o r re ligio n) a s m o re e ffe c t iv e

than the ma gic o f the livi n g w iz a rd P r i e s t s men

w i th k n o w l ed g e o f spi r i t s and skill i n s a c r i ci n g to

1 10

THE

L ESSON OF AFR I CA

them

1 11

tend t o d ispl a c e w iz ard s and i n the i r o w n

i ntere s t the y he lp t o giv e the l a r g er fo rm o f de i t i e s
t o the spi r i t s the y co n s u l t o r a pp ea s e L i tt l e s hr i ne s
and i ma g e s are p ut ov er the g ra v e s o f the dead and
the s e a re a t r s t h o me s o f the g h os t s ; but i n the
co ur s e o f t i me the g h os t s are loc ated i n the s un the
s tar s the w i nd s and r iv er s and thu s a lo n g s te p i s
made t o ward s nature w o r s h ip
I turn n o w t o Afr ic a t o s eek if the s ame de v e lop
ment is fo und am o n g the v er y v ar i ed and numer o u s
p e opl e s O f that co nt i nent Afr ic a i s a mu s eum

i ndeed a l ab o rat o r y o f e volvi n g re ligio n

In
m o dern t i me s M ohammedan is m and C hr is t i an i t y
ha v e d is t o rted o r o b li terated nat iv e re ligio n s ov er
l ar g e area s but there rema i n p r i m i t iv e j un gl e s o f
s u p er s t i t io n s o e x ten siv e SO v ar i ed and s o li tt l e
a l tered that i n the o n e co nt i nent we hav e twent y
livi n g p ha s e s o f the ear ly de v e lop ment O f re ligio n
We ha v e here there fo re an adm i rab l e oppo rtun i t y
o f te s t i n g the vi ew o f that de v e lop ment wh ic h the
p re c ed i n g c ha p ter s ha v e s u gg e s ted t o u s
I ha v e al read y de sc r i bed the re ligio u s be li e fs and
p ra c t ic e s o f the m os t p r i m i t iv e ra c e s o f Af r ic a Th e
P yg m i e s we s a w re p re s ent o n e o f the r s t wa v e s o f
human d is tr i but io n but the y tau g ht u s li tt l e T he y
are i m p erf e c t ly k n o wn and the y ha v e b o rr o wed
mu c h f r o m s urr o und i n g tr i be s
Th e B u s hmen
re p re s ent a S li ght ly h ig her y et a p r i m i t iv e ra c e
and we l earned mu c h fr o m the i r na iv e l e g end s and
p ra c t ic e s N e x t t o the s e co me the H o ttent o t s wh o
are g enera lly adm i tted t o be a h y br i d o ut co me o f a
f u sio n o f B u s hmen and B antu tr i be s T he i r re ligio n
,

THE

1 12

L ESSON O F AFR I CA

is co n s e quent ly n o t a n a t u ra l g r o wth o f the typ e

we s ee k and I w ill n o t li n g er ov er i t Th e c u r iou s
w ill nd a goo d a cco unt o f i t i n Dr The a l s Ye llo w
a n d D a r k S ki nn ed P eop le o
u th of the
A
f
r
i
a
so
c
f
Z a m besi
L ik e the B u s hmen o r i n vi rtue
o f the i r B u s hman o r igi n the y p a y g reat re g ard t o
the mant is and the c add is w o rm ; lik e the B antu
the y O ffer s a c r i c e s t o dead an c e s t o r s a n d ha v e
so me de g ree o f nature w o r sh ip T he i r go d (a s
de sc r i bed b y m issio nar i e s) T s u i G o ab is pl a i n ly
s a i d b y them t o be the an c e s t o r o f the B u shmen
H e is the
( th ou g h of ten i dent i ed w i th the m oo n)
co mm o n t yp e o f s a v a g e s u p erman the her o o f a
hundred m y th ic a l e xploi t s ; and the w o r s h ip o f h im
co n sis ted i n thr o w i n g a bran c h o f a tree a b i t o f
w oo d o r an add i t io na l s t o ne u po n a c a i rn at a pl a c e
where he wa s s u ppos ed t o hav e been bur i ed (p
T h is is but a fa i nt ad van c e u po n B u s hman re ligio n
and need n o t deta i n u s
T he rema i n i n g p e opl e s o f Afr ic a hav e been
arran g ed b y o u r anthr opologis t s i n a sc heme of
cl a ssi c at io n wh ic h is g enera lly a cc e p ted T here
are Ham i te p e op le s i n the n o rth bu t a s the s e hav e
a ll been lo n g si n c e co n v erted t o M o hamme dan is m
we w ill l ea v e them o u t o f a cco unt The i r nat iv e
re ligio n is l ab o r io u sly re co n s tru c ted b y sc h ol ar s and
i t d o e s n o t O ffer feature s o f sp e ci a l i ntere s t t o u s
T he g reat b o d y o f the pop u l at io n the N e g r o e s are

then d ivi ded a p art f r o m a few tr i be s o f m ix ed

H am i te and N e g r o de sc ent i nt o S udane s e and

B antu Th e Sudan re gio n s eem s to hav e b een the
o rigi n a l h o me o f the b l a cks but a p art o f them
,

THE L ESS ON OF A F R I C A

1 14

the

our is h i ng

k i n gd o m s of A s h a n ti
D a h o m i a n d B en i n
I t w a s t h e s a m e in U ga n d a
w he r e t h e fo r m e r k in gs o f t h e n a t io n a l dy n a s t y we r e
1
revere d a s de m i go d s
da ys

of

th e

of

A s e co nd g enera liz at io n

Dr K eane is that i n

Afr i ca there i s e ver y where a cl ear li ne o f de m ar

c at io n between re ligio n and eth ics and it is

pl a i n ly s een h o w re ligio n and m o ra ls be lo n g ed

o r igi na lly to tw o d i fferent o rder s o f th o u g ht
T h is
we ha v e a l read y s een i n e v er y c a s e e xc e p t that o f
the P oly ne si an s wh o are l ater and m o re ad v an c ed
than e ven the h ig he s t O f the Afr ic a n s B ut we w ill
e x am i ne a f ew o f the v a l uab l e sp e ci a l s tu d i e s o f
Afr ic an tr i be s be gi nn i n g w i th the p urer b l a cks O f
the e q uat o r i a l we s t co a s t
Th e m os t p enetrat i n g and ill um i nat i n g o f the s e
fo r o u r p ur pos e are three w o r ks o f M r A B E llis
o n the S udane s e nat iv e s o f the G ol d a n d
S l av e
C o a st s
In the r s t ( The Ts hi Sp ea ki ng P eop les of
the G o ld C o a s t of W es t Afr i c a 1 887) M r E llis
s tud i e s the lo we s t o f the s e S udane s e b l a cks in
cl ud i n g the F ant i and As hant i and giv e s u s a v er y
T hat the y
i ntere s t i n g a cco unt o f the i r re ligio n
( and a ll the p e opl e s we w ill hen c e fo rth e x am i ne)
hav e a co nvic t io n o f man s dua li t y and s ur viv a l
ma y be tak en fo r granted Th e i ntere s t li e s rather
i n the wa y i n wh ic h nature w o r s h ip and the c u l t of
go d s emer g e f r o m the p r i m i t iv e re ligio u s l e v e l Th e
.

In
a s ti n gs s D ic tion a r y of R

A ic a , I , 1 6 3
A m a ste l y s u
i n t h e sa m e D i c tio n a y b y Mr

a n tu

fr

e lig ion

a nd

E thic s

a rt i c l e

rve y o f Afric a n relig io n s i s give n

E S Ha rtl a n d u n d e r t h e he a d in g
.

THE L

E SS O N OF AFR I CA

1 15

S pi r i t s w i th wh ic h the s e tr i be s p e opl e the i r en vi r o n

ment are g enera lly ma lig nant ; Mr E llis i n fa c t
th i n ks that o r igi na lly the y were a ll ma lig nant T he y
are there fo re e sp e ci a lly loc ated i n an y e l ement o f

nature that t h reaten s the life o f man in the s t o r m y

s e a the de vo ur i n g r iv er o r l a k e the dan g er o u s fo re s t
d is ea s e o r the g r o und that rumb l e s i n earth q uak e
and mu s t co n s tant ly be p r opi t i ated e v en w i th human
s a c r i c e s Th i s g reat s warm o f loc a l qua si de i t i e s
mean s a S warm o f p r i e s t s fo r w i th the s a c ri c e r
p r i e s th oo d ma y be s a i d den i te ly t o be gi n ; and o n e
o f the m os t i ntere s t i n g poi nt s i n Mr E llis s w o r ks
is the wa y i n wh ic h he s h o w s h o w th is rea c t s u po n
the de v e lop ment o f re ligio n
A m o n g the ba ck ward Ts h i sp ea ki n g b l a cks the
p r i e s t s are n o t o r g an iz ed a s mu c h a s i n the l ater
B antu p e opl e s but the y are a po wer fu l c a s te o f
b o th s e x e s The y under go a r igo r o u s tra i n i n g and
the y a fterward s d i ffer f r o m the o ther nat iv e s i n
dre ss and v ar io u s wa ys T he y are li bera lly p a i d
fo r the spi r i t w o r l d g r o w s i n po wer and terr o r a s
man g r o w s ; and the p r i e s t s and p r i e s te ss e s r igo r
o u s ly i n sis t u O
a
m
o
n
opoly
of
the
s
a
c
r
i

c
e
s
n
p
e xc e p t i n re g ard t o a cl a ss o f p r iv ate spi r i t s wh ic h
we w ill se e p re s ent ly As we s h o u l d e xp e c t the
be li e f i n the ma lig nant po wer o f the spi r i t s is

s ted f a s t ly k e p t u p b y the p r i e s t s and p r i e s te ss e s

fo r the i r o w n end s ( p
Under th is new i n uen c e a s we ll a s the natural
tenden ci e s wh ic h we ha ve p re vio u sly s tud i ed the
S pi r i t s are g athe red i nt o a ki nd o f h i erar c h y wh ic h
ea sily be co me s poly the is m and w ill u l t i mate ly
,

THE

116

L ESSON OF A FR IC A

e volv e i nt o m o n o the is m
Mr E llis d ivi de s the
spi r i t s i nt o fo ur cl a ss e s : the de i t i e s o r spi r i t s wh ic h
are g enera lly w o r s h ipp ed the g reater spi r i t s O f
p art ic u l ar loc a li t i e s the sp e ci a l spi r i t s o f a ssoci a t io n s
o r f am ili e s and the spi r i t s wh ic h i nd ivi dua ls ( a s i n
Me l ane si a) c h oos e a s the i r p er so na l gu ard i an s We

are t ol d that the th i rd and fo urth cl a ss e s are cl ear ly

Mr
the p r o du c t and re s ul t o f p r i e s t c ra ft (p
E llis l ater adm i t s that e v en the de i t i e s ma y hav e
w o n the i r p re em i nen c e b y the s ame mean s and i n
h is s u cc eed i n g w o r ks we s ha ll se e th is m o re pl a i n ly
T h e g reat
go d is B o bo w is si the lo rd o f the sky
and the ra i n the be i n g w h o v ent s h is an g er i n
thunder lightn i n g and the s t o rm T he su n is n o t
w o r s h ipp ed th o u g h i t is poss e ss ed b y a spi r i t ; but
there is e vi den c e o f so me ear li er c u l t o f the m oo n
T he l ar g e s e co nd cl a ss co n sis t s o f nature spi r i t s o f
i m po rt an c e f r o m wh ic h i t is cl ear the p r i e s t s mak e
de i t i e s o f the r s t cl a ss T w o are named b y M r
E llis wh ic h were fo r a t i me lifted h ig her than
B o b o w is s i y et s an k ba ck t o the lo wer posi t io n
The s e spi r i t s o f the r s t and s e co nd cl a ss h o we v er
are to o f ar awa y to co mmand the fe v er is h attent io n
o f the nat iv e s
T he y re c e iv e s a c r i c e s b u t i t is the
m i n o r spi r i t s e v er clos e at hand and i ntere s ted i n
The s e are n o
men wh o ll the b l a ck s m i nd
lo n g er dead ki n s men o r gif ted i nd ivi dua ls w h o were
kn o wn an d re v ered Th e p r i e s t s as m o uth pi e c e s o f
the go d s , a ppoi nt them Th e f am ily o r the i nd i
vi dua l s et s u p a w oo den i ma g e a c ur io u s s t o ne o r
e ven a c a l aba sh and the p r i e s t o r p r i e s te ss s e c ure s
th at a s pi r i t w ill e n te r i t The y are f ree ly d isc arded
.

THE

1 18

c han g e

L ESSON OF AFR I CA

i dea s we nd a slig ht ly h ig her l e v e l

T h e D a h o m i be lo n g t o th is g r o u p
It is sig n i c a nt
that the c h i e f c han g e a s re g ard s re ligio n i s a
be gi nn i n g o f the o r g a n iz at io n o f the p r i e s t s and
p r i e s te ss e s wh ic h is p r o m p t ly re e c ted i n the c u l t
T he loc a l go d s o r pop u l ar spi r i t s be co me l e ss
numer o u s and the g reat go d s o r h igher spi r i t s
are m o re w i de ly and un ifo r m ly a cc e p ted
D o ubt
l e ss th is co n s en s u s i n i dea s ha s been br o u ght ab o ut

b y the p r i e s th oo d s a ys Mr E llis A man is s t ill

free t o c h oos e h is go d s but the p r i e s t s are better
o rg a n iz ed si m il ar de i t i e s i n die re n t loc a li t i e s b l end
i nt o o n e and the m o re po we r fu l c u l t s d ispl a c e th os e
wh ic h ha v e n o s tr o n g p r i e s th oo d T he spi r i t s are
n o w deta c hed fr o m p art ic u l ar loc a li t i e s o r at l ea s t
loc a l c u l t s are o n the de cli ne and ha ve n o t a n gi b l e

abo de
Mr E llis s u gg e s t s that the p r i e s t s hav e
t ol d the nat ive s th a t the go d h a s entered the i ma g e
o f h i m s e t u p i n the s hr i ne and men need go n o
lo n g er t o the l ak e o r r iv er t o p r opi t i ate h im
Man y c h i e f go d s hav e been manu fa c tured i n th is
wa y At the head of them i n a s en s e is M awu
( the w o rd mean s a lso s k y and ra i n ) ; but he is a
dr o w sy rem o te i nd i fferent be i n g t o wh o m the y
rare ly p ra y o r s a c r i c e H e s end s ra i n h o we v er
and is re g arded a s g enera lly goo d n a tured We
s ha ll se e that th i s is a t ypic a l A fr ic an co n c ep t io n
P er f e c t b liss i s t o the n a t iv e s
o f a s u p reme be i n g
a pl a c e where o n e m a y sl umber thr o u g h the s ummer
heat W h y s h o u l d a g reat go d fu ss a b o ut m o rta l
co n c ern s ? M o re i m po rtant i n p ra c t ic e i s the go d
of lightn i n g a b i rd lik e c reature wh o liv e s i n the
of

THE

L ESSON O F A FR IC A

1 19

thunder clo ud s Wh en a b u t ha s been s tru ck the

p r i e s t s and p r i e s te ss e s ( w iv e s o f go d ) nd am o n g
the ru i n a i nt arr o w wh ic h the y ha v e fr audu l ent ly

p ut there i n p r oof o f the a c t o f go d

T he th i rd
de i t y i s a new and i ntere s t i n g a pp earan c e i n o u r
s tud y It i s a p ha llic de i t y the i n spi rer o f the
er o t ic dream s wh ic h the nat iv e lov e s ; and its na k ed
emb l em is e v er y where
T here are i n add i t io n
go d s o f re o f s ma ll pox o f the ra i nb o w o f tree s
and o f tw i n s We n o w i n o ther
o f the mar k et s
w o rd s nd an i m is t ic sp e c u l at io n taki n g a l ar g er
p art Th e py th o n the c r oco d il e and the l e op ard ;
the oc ean the s u n and the v ar io u s e l ement s o f
nature : a ll ha v e th e ir:m ajo r o r m i n o r spi r i t s There
is S t ill so me c u l t o f an c e s t o r s and i n the r oy a l h o u s e
o f D a h o m i th is is an i m po rtant e l e m ent o f re ligio n
i n spi r i n g h i de o u s human s a c r i c e s ( si n c e the ki n gs
mu s t ha v e s er v ant s i n the o ther w o r l d ) B ut the
br o ad c hara c ter is t ic is that the i ntere s t s o f the
p r i e s t s and the de v e lopi n g i ma gi nat io n o f m an are
ra isi n g the c u l t o f a few go d s t o a posi t io n o f
p red o m i nan c e
In h is th i rd w o r k Mr E llis ta k e s u s further ea s t
P
o
l
s
n
k
i
o
e
a
e
e
t
h
Y
o
r
u
b
a
T
h
S
e
(
p
p
g
f e S la v e C o a s t
where we nd a s t ill h ig her
of W es t Afr i c a
S udane s e g r o u p
Here the tenden cy we ha v e j u s t
s tud i ed is c arr i ed f urther Th e loc a l spi r i t s hav e
g ener a lly s un k t o the posi t io n o f sp r i te s o r fa i r i e s ;
the g re a t spi r i t s a re the go d s o f a ll T he so mn ol ent
go d n o w ha s an a c t iv e a ssis tant
sk y and ra i n
n
h
o
t
p
r
o
bab
ly
a
r
iv
a
l
go
d
co
u
l
d
be
s
u
pp
re
ss
ed
o
w
(
)
wh o m i t is i m po rtant t o p r opi t i ate
T he er o t ic
-

THE

1 20

L ESSON OF AF R IC A

de i t y
T he Bl a ck O ne
is n o w a w o man the
w ife o f the p re c ed i n g and is s igni c an tly en o u g h
the go dde ss o f the earth We are m ovi n g t o ward s
the d ivi ne d y na s t i e s o f l at er re ligio n s M y th s and
f am ily tree s o f go d s ab o und te s t ifyi n g t o the ad v an c e
o f the p r i e s t s
E a c h s tr iki n g e l ement o f nature s t ill
h a s i t s l e ss er de i t y and the w o r l d is p e opl ed w i th
go d s rather than d is emb o d i ed g h os t s Man is n o w
be li e v ed t o ha ve three spi r i tua l e l ement s and the

l and t o wh ic h his c h i e f
so u l
go e s i s under
g r o und
T he s e p enetrat i n g s tud i e s ill u s trate fo r u s the
e vol ut io n o f an i m is m and poly the is m o u t o f a be li e f
i n gh ost s and the y are e sp e ci a lly v a l uab l e i n the i r
fran k de sc r ip t io n o f the i n uen c e an d f raud o f
the p r i e s t s Bo rn o f a f raudu l ent g enerat io n the
med ici ne men and mag i ci an s the p r i e s t s co nt i nue
the m ix ture o f s u p er s t i t io n and de c e i t and the y
mak e spi r i t s i nt o go d s i n the i r o w n v er y pl a i n
i ntere s t F ew tra v e ll er s and n o m issio nar i e s SO
c and i d ly re v ea l th is e l ement i n the maki n g o f
re ligio n th o u g h i t is a g enera l fa c t o r It is at
on c e m o re en lig hten i n g and m o re s ub s tant i a l than

the m y th ic a l re ligio u s i n s t i n c t o r i n s t i n c t o f
m o n o the is m
Man mak e s spi r i ts but p r i e s t s ma k e
go d s
T hree o ther sp e ci a l s tud i e s o f the S udane s e
~Mr
N e g r o e s ma y be n o t ic ed br i e y
P A T a l bo t
1
1
2
9
h
u
s
B
giv
e
s
s an
o
t
h
u
I
n
h
h
d
o
w
e
t
e
a
S
)
(
f
i ntere s t i n g a cco unt o f the E koi of N ig er i a H ere
tw o g reat de i t i e s the sky go d O ba ssi Os aw and the
earth go d O ba ssi N s i r is e ab ov e the c r o wd o f nature
,

THE

12 2

L ESSON O F AFR I CA

the d e i c atio n i s due t o the co n c e p t io n of the spi r i t

w o r l d a s a na logo u s t o the co m plic ated r oy a l co urt o f
the Y o rub a
When we turn f r o m the S udane s e t o the B antu
b l a cks o f the so uthern p art o f the co nt i nent we
nd a s a ru l e a l e ss p ure nat iv e c u l ture but we
s t ill hav e v er y i ntere s t i n g gli m ps e s o f the m a ki n g
o f re ligio n
L et u s be gi n w i th S i r Harr y J o hn s t o n s
s urv e y i n h is Ug a n d a P ro tec to ra te
T he
tr i be s of the we s tern p r ovi n c e hav e been p r ofo und ly
i n u en c ed b y the B ah i ma a Ha m i t ic p e opl e but i t
is c u r io u s t o nd th a t th is bran c h o f the h ighe s t
Afr ic a n f am ily i s n o t v er y ad v an c ed i n re ligio n

Th e B a h i ma S i r Harr y J o hn s t o n s a ys
h av e n o
v er y cl ear i dea o f an ov er ru li n g G o d (p
th o u g h there s eem s t o be a v a g ue c u l t o f a sk y
and ra i n go d a s o n the we s tern co a s t There is

so me c u l t O f an c e s t o r s th o u g h li tt l e den i te be li e f
i n a f uture life
S i r Harr y J o hn s t o n s eem s t o
u s e the term s re l at iv e ly We h a v e here a f am ili ar
s ta g e o f re ligio n : a be li e f i n s ur viv a l a sp e ci a l c u l t
o f the g h os t s o f c h i e fs a nd a n i n cipi ent be li e f i n
a s ky go d A poi nt o f S p e ci a l i ntere s t is that the
de s tru c t iv e f ru i t b a t is mu c h m ix ed u p w i th the
nat iv e i dea o f e vil spi r i t s We hav e fre q uent ly s een
h o w so me s tr iki n g an i ma l o f a p art ic u l ar loc a li t y
soo n be co me s a ssoci ated w i th the i dea o f spi r i t s
I f the s u p er io r B ah i ma a re thu s at a re l at iv e ly
lo w s ta g e O f re ligio u s d e v e lop ment we s ha ll n o t
e xp e c t an y rem a rk ab l e a d v an c e am o n g the B antu
the y hav e i n u en c ed T he B ako njo S i r H a rr y s ays
p ra c t is e a v ag ue an c e s t o r w o r s h ip
but the y d o n o t
.

THE

L ESSON OF AFR I C A

123

a pp ear t o ha v e an y a c tua l re ligio n o r be li e f i n go d s

a s d is t i n c t f r o m g h os t s and an c e s tra l i n uen c e s
p
T h e B an yo r o hav e a den i te and a ssi d u o u s
(
c u l t o f an c e s t o r s and the y ha v e v er y numer o u s
p r i e s t s o r so r c erer s It a pp ear s that at the b i rth o f
a c h il d a p r i e s t o r so r c erer i n vok e s the a n c e s tr a l

spi r i t s t o giv e i t a lo n g life and ab ov e a ll that i t

m a y be a f a i th f u l be li e v er i n the tr i ba l and an c e s tr a l

spi r i t s (p
We hav e a l read y s een th is pro
fe s s io n a l co n c ern ; and we ha v e an o ther li n k w i th
the ( C ath olic ) p r i e s t o f t o d a y i n the f a c t that p a rt
o f the b l a ck p r i e s t s bu si ne ss i n th is p r i m i t iv e so rt
o f ba p t is m i s to spi t o n the babe
A C ath olic p r i e s t
A n o ther
to u c he s a bab y w i th h is spi tt l e o r s a liv a
i ntere s t i n g poi nt i s that the thunder wh ic h i s i n
the s e p art s v er y viol ent is i nter p reted b y the p r i e s t s
a s a sig n O f the an g er o f a po wer fu l an c e s tra l spi r i t
and he mu s t be p r opi t i ated i n a p ub lic c erem o n y
It is a s ta g e i n the ma ki n g o f the sky go d
In the ki n g d o m o f U g anda the tr i be s are a ll
B antu b ut the p r oxi m i t y o f Ham i te s ha s i n uen c ed
them and C hr is t i an i t y ha s re c ent ly d ispl a c ed mu c h
T h e B a g anda are n o w C hr is
o f the n at iv e re ligio n
t i an but the i r o r igi na l c u l t is ea sily g athered and i t
is an i ntere s t i n g t yp e o f Af r ic an de v e lop ment
Th e
ba sic e l ement wa s an c e s t o r w o r s h ip and the B a g anda
s t ill bu il d li tt l e hut s near the g r a v e T here had
h o we v er been the c u s t o mar y ad v an c e t o ward s
nature re ligio n and th i rt y s e v en spi r i t s were e sp e
and a ssoci ate d w i th the lig htn i n g
c ia lly named
the hurr ic ane th e earth q uak e batt l e water ra i n
s ma ll po x et c E a c h had h i s s hr i ne s and p r i e s t s
.

THE

12 4

L ESSON OF AFR I C A

In the ne ig hb o ur i n g B a sog a th is p r i m i t iv e re ligio n

is s t ill p re s erv ed
and i t i s i ntere s t i n g t o n o te that
be si de s human s a c r i c e s t o the spi r i t s o f tree s and
wate r s the nat iv e s h a d a sp e ci a l spi r i t o r q ua si
de i t y wh o wa s re spo n si bl e fo r the b i rth o f tw i n s
T h is p e c u li ar re ligio u s re g ard fo r tw i n s wh ic h i s
co mm o n i n Afr ic a and A mer ic a mu s t b e remem
bered i n co nj un c t io n w i th l ater m y th s A t the
p r i m i t iv e l e v e l i t mean s that if ea c h b i rth o f a
p r osp e c t iv e sol d i er o r m o ther o f sol d i er s is a ha ppy
e v ent the si mu l tane o u s b i rth o f tw o is a mar v e l o f
be ne c e nc e
A th i rd tr i be the K a vi r o nd o ha v e
the s ame c u l t ; and i n the i r c a s e S i r H arr y J o hn s t o n
o b s erv e s that the y be li e v e a pp arent ly that the
so u ls o f c h i e fs a lo ne s ur viv e death
Th e rema i n i n g tr i be s o f the Pr o te c t o rate are s a i d
t o be h y br i d o ffs h oo t s o f the S udane s e b l a cks and
the i r re ligio n ma y be s ummed u p as a v a g ue c u l t o f
a sky go d and o f spi r i t s emb o d i ed i n tree s s er p ent s
et c w i th a ba ckg r o und o f an c e s t o r w o r sh ip A m o n g
the J al u s we nd the i ntere s t i n g and e xc e p t io n a l
f a c t that the de i t y is i dent i ed w i th the s u n wh ic h
o therw i se occ u pi e s a s ur p ri si n gly lo w posi t io n i n
Af r ic an nature re ligio n A m o n g the Ma s a i the
name fo r the go d is a lso ( as is c u s t o mar y) the
name fo r the sky and i t is s a i d t o he so met i me s
u s ed fo r ra i n H e i s i n vok ed dur i n g a dr o u g ht
T he tr i be s men s a y that there were o r igi na lly fo ur
go d s but tw o w e re kill ed b y the o ther t w o and
a th i rd d i ed T h is s eem s to poi nt to the c u s t o m a r y
s tru ggl e o f c u l t s wh ic h l ead s o n t o war d s m o n o
the is m T he s e Ma s a i d o n o t b e li e v e that the so u ls
,

'

THE

1 26

L ESSON OF AF R I CA

H e is a bene vol ent de i t y the mak er o f men an d

bea s t s ; and the N and i offer a ki nd o f p ra y er t o h i m
e ver y m o rn i n g We mu s t n o t h o we v er ha s t ily
co n cl ude that Asis is a d i re c t p er so n i c at io n o f the
su n
mu c h a s we ma y be d ispos ed t o e xp e c t the
br illi ant o rb o f tr opic a l Af r ic a t o O bta i n that h o n o ur
Mr Hollis poi nt s o ut that the attr i b ute s o f Asis i n
the nat iv e be li e f are n o t sol ar a n d he i s i n cli ned to
re g a rd h i m a s a l a ter add i t io n to a p r i m i t iv e natura l
cos m ogo n y I w ill return t o the poi nt l ater T here
are i n add i t io n tw o thunder go d s and the c u s t o mar y
c r o wd o f spi r i ts goo d and e vil i n nature Th e so u l
is i de nt i ed w i th the s had o w and e xc e p t i n the c a s e
o f c h il dren i t s ur viv e s death a n d p a ss e s t o a w o r l d
un der g r o und E arth quak e s are c au s ed by the m ov e
ment s o f the s e so u ls i n the s ubterrane o u s w o r l d
T h e B an g a l a o f the U pp er C o n go are de sc r i bed
b y the Re v J H Wee ks and i t is pos si b l e that i n
the i r c a s e we hav e a p urer and m o re p r i m i t iv e fo rm
o f the b l a ck re ligi o n
One o f the w o rd s wh ic h the y

a pply t o g h os t s mean s s had o w ( e i ther the dar k

s had o w o r the re e c t io n i n water) and the y th i n k
that at death a so u l p a ss e s fo r a t i me t o so me
v a g ue ly i m a gi ned w o r l d o f s hade s and then return s
t o i n fe s t the bu s h o r the c ree k Th e w ick ed rema i n
w ick ed and the i r enhan c ed o r s u p erhuman po wer
c au s e s mu c h terr o r C erta i n nat iv e s ha v e the gift
and at
o f s ee i n g and co m m un ic at i n g w i th them
t i me s sl a v e s are entru s ted w i th me ss a g e s t o them
and d isp at c hed t o the o ther w o r l d T here is a
,

pp

Jou r n a l
368 381

the

o ya l

An throp o lo gic a l

I n s ti tu te ,

' I,

19 1 0 ,

THE

LES SO N OF A F R IC A

12 7

c reat o r and g reat go d named L i ban z a but i t

is n o t at a ll i m p r o bab l e that L i ban z a is the na m e o f
so me g reat c h i e f wh o de liv ered the p e opl e ( p

up
Th e o r igi na l name fo r the g h os t w o r l d mean s

r iv er th o u g h the i r h o me i s n o w s a i d t o be the
s ky ; and Mr
W ee ks m a k e s the i ntere s t i n g co n

re that a s the nat iv e s e xplo red

u
p
r
iv
er
and
e
c
t
u
j
fo und that the re gio n co nta i ned mere ly men lik e
them s e lv e s the y s h ifted the hab i tat o f g h os t s t o the
une xplo rab l e s ky
T he s e sp e ci a l s tud i e s wh ic h I ha v e c h os en f r o m
the l ar g e li terature ab o ut A f r ic a n tr i be s w ill s u f c e
fo r m y p ur pos e but be fo re I s ummar iz e the re s u l t s
i t is e xp ed i ent to gl an c e at Mr E S Hart l and s
e xc e ll ent s ur v e y o f B ant u re ligio n
His g enera liz a
t io n s are o f s u c h v al ue that I p r opos e to re p r o du c e
a f ew o f them
A ll Afr ic an tr i be s be li e v e e xplici t ly i n s ur viv a l
( th o u g h so me we s aw d o n o t a sc r i be so u ls to
c h il dren w o men o r co mm o n folk ) but there is
co n si derab l e d i fferen c e O f O pi n io n ab o ut the de s t i
nat io n o i the so u l Th e be li e f that the g h os t s p a ss
under g r o und is n o t p erha ps near ly so g enera l a s
Mr Hart l and s eem s to s u gg e s t ; and I ma y re c a ll
that i t is here and there a pp arent ly ba s ed u po n
g ra vi tat io n Man y tr i be s we s aw loc ate the g h os t s
i n the sky and p r o bab ly m os t o f them re g ard the
dead a s wander i n g i n the re gio n o r sk u lki n g i n the
bu s h
Man y o t her s th i n k that the y are re i n c arn ated
i n a n i ma ls Th e Z u l u s s ee them i n the bu ffa lo the
,

A t ic l e

B a n tu

i n t h e D ic ti on a r y

f E thi c s

a nd

R e ligi on

THE

1 28

L ESSON OF A F R IC A

liz ard a n d the h ippopo tamu s Th e Matabe l e f an cy

that the dead enter lio n s and e l e p hant s O ther s
look fo r them i n h y ena s and c r oco d il e s ; and man y
a s we s aw i n b l a ck s na k e s o r i n tree s
A sp e ci a l i ntere s t atta c he s to the posi t io n o f the
Af r ic an c h i e f H e is s ays Mr Hart l and dur i n g
life the foc u s o f s u p er s t i t io n
the h ig h p r i e s t o f
h is p e opl e
It is by n o mean s a un iv er s a l p ra c t ic e
fo r the c h i e f t o ha v e the m o n opoly o f br i n gi n g ra i n
o r s u cc e ss i n war but we s a w that a w iz ard o r p r i e s t
w h o is co n si dered v er y gif ted i n th is re sp e c t tend s to
be co me c h i e f In death the c h i e f be co me s e v en
m o re i m po rtant Th e hut o r kraa l o r S p e ci a l plo t
i n wh ic h he is bur i ed tak e s o n a s a c red c hara c ter
and v er y f re q uent ly li tt l e h o u s e s ( shr i ne s) and
w oo den i ma g e s are ra is ed ov er o r near the rema i n s

His g h os t is i n man y pl a c e s addre ss ed a s F ather

h i s a i d is i nvok ed and h is deed s are g en i a lly e x
a gge rate d
I n the h ig her tr i be s e spe ci a lly where
the c h i e f ha s be co me a ki n g e v en human s a c r i c e s
are o ffered t o h i m In man y pl ac e s a lso we g et the
r s t g erm o f the s u p er s t i t io n o f p er p etua l re wh ic h
li n g er s i n R o man is m to da y In man y B antu c o m
m u n itie s the c h i e f fo r g enera l co n v en i en c e ma i n
tai n s a re d a y and n ig ht i n o r near h is hut
f re quent l y entru s t i n g the c har g e o f i t t o an nu
marr i ed dau g hter A t h is death i t is e x t i n g u is hed
fo r a t i me and then c erem o n io u sly re li t

In co nne c t io n w i th the q ue s t io n o f go d Mr
Hart l and e x am i ne s v ery i n s tru c t iv e ly the v ar io u s
g reat be i n gs o f the B antu tr i be s Th e U n kulunkulu
o f the Z u l us the o ther c entra l an d so uth eas tern
,

THE

1 30

L ESSON OF AFR I CA

tr i be s ma y be tw o s e p arate bran c he s o f th e B antu

What is m o re i m po rtant i s t o n o t ic e that the l atter
tr i be s be i n g s ett l ed t ill er s o f the soil are h ig her i n
c u l ture than the fo r m er s o that the re l at iv e posi t io n
is ent i re ly i n har m o n y w i th the vi ew that the sky
o
d
is
a
glo
r
i
ed
an
c
e
s
t
o
r
f
lo
n
g
wh
o
ha
s
los
t
a
o
o
g
g
the tra c e s of h is hu m an p arenta g e
We are there fo re n o w i n a posi t io n t o s ee h o w the
re ligio n s o f Afr ic a co nrm o r co rre c t the vi ew o f
the o rigi n o f re ligio n wh ic h the ear li er c ha p ter s
s u gg e s ted t o u s B e yo nd q ue s t io n the b a sic e l ement
o f a ll Af r ic a n re ligio n and a ll re ligio n we ha v e y et
e x a m i ned is the be li e f that so meth i n g i n man
s ur viv e s the g rav e M a gic is e qu a lly de v e lop ed
but ne i ther here n o r e ls ewhere d o we nd i t p re
c ed i n g o r o ut s tr ippi n g re ligio n o r yi e l d i n g to i t
be c au s e i t s f ut ili t y is d iscov ered E qua lly c erta i n
i s i t that man be gi n s w i th the p er so na l spi ri t n o t
an i m p er so na l nebu losi t y O n ly i n m o re ad van c ed
tr i be s d o we nd the i nnu merab l e spi r i t s occ a sio n
a lly s umm a r iz ed in a coll e c t iv e name wh ic h ma y be
tak en t o mean s u pe rnatura l o r spi r i tua l i n uen c e
T hat
T h e co n c rete spi r i t s o f the dead co me r s t
is the the si s o f a ll o u r auth o r i t i e s o n A f r ic a
Ho w

th is i dea o f a human spi r i t I u s e the w o rd fo r

co nv en i en c e th o u g h there is n o th i n g spi r i tua l

ab o ut the s a v ag e co n c e p t io n w a s a tta i ned we co u l d

n o t e xp e c t t o l earn fr o m the N e g r oe s w h o are an
a d v an c ed p e opl e ; b ut where v er we ha v e fo und a cl ue
i n the i r l an g u a g e i t ha s co nrmed the be li e f that the
s h a d o w (dar k o r colo ured) w a s the r s t p hen o men o n
t o s u gg e s t i t
.

THE

L ESSON OF A F R IC A

1 31

In th i s re sp e c t the N e g r o e s co nrm o u r ear li er

co n cl u sio n s and i n the i r further sp e c u l at io n s we s e e
a s tead y d e v e lop m e nt o f the p r i m i t iv e be li e f T he
f
r
o
w
i
n
g
be
li
e
f
i
n
a
pl
ura
li
t
y
so
u
ls
ma
y
be
o
d
i
s
g
re g arded here a s i t is n o t a vi ta l e l ement I ta k e
i t that th is be li e f is an attem p t to e xpl a i n m o re
f u lly the p u zzli n g f eature s o f lif e It is c h i e y i n
re g ard to the de s t i nat io n o f the so u l that re ligio n
ad v an c e s i n Afr ic a o n its sp e c u l at iv e si de
Th e
lo wer tr i be s a g ree w i th o u r ear li er p e opl e s that the
s h ade s l ur k i n the s urr o un d i n gs and are a p t to be
ma lig nant As the tr i be s r is e i n i nte llig en c e h o w
e v er we nd a g r o w i n g tenden cy to loc ate the
s hade s m o re den i te ly
S o me emb o d y them i n

tree s a d isposi t io n wh ic h Dr K eane conne c t s w i th

the ear ly p ra c t ic e o f bur yi n g a co r ps e under the
s hade o f a tree O ther s attr i but i n g g reat vi ta li t y
and ( g ener a lly) ma l e vol en c e t o them th i n k that the y
are emb o d i ed i n the s nak e the py th o n the t ig er
the c r o co d il e and so o n T he s e sp e c u l at io n s be gi n
the a n i mat io n o f nature wh ic h p r oc eed s ra pi d ly
T he t o rrent the l ak e the dan ger o u s s ur f the
volc an o and the lig htn i n g be co me v eh icl e s o f
S pi r i ts ; and the p r oc e ss go e s o n unt il the sun and
m oo n and s tar s and a l m os t a ll th e e l ement s o f
nature h ol d den i te spi r i t s
Meant i me h o wev er t w o f undam e nta l e l ement s o f
nature the earth and the sky ha v e attra c ted atten
t io n T he s e l ar g e g enera liz at io n s are be yo nd th e
p r i m i t iv e m i nd o f o u r ear li er p e opl e s but the
Af r ic an i s a liv e to th is l ead i n g d ivisio n o f h is
un iv er s e We mu s t rem e mber that to the s a v a g e
,

THE

1 32

the

L ESSON

sk y

OF

AFR I CA

i s n o t a rem o te ov er ar c h i n g v au l t It s eem s
to h i m t o t o u c h the earth a f ew m il e s awa y and
ov erhead the b i rd s ma y possi b ly rea c h i t C lo ud s
dr if t ov er i t and the er c e ener gy o f the lig htn i n g
s h oo t s fr o m i t and the su n and m oo n and s tar s
tr a v e l i n i t He a s u s ua l p ut s spi r i t s a s the so ur c e
o f the s e ener gi e s and be gi n s the pop u l at io n o f s ky
l and Am o n g so me o f the h ig her tr i be s i t be co me s
the g enera l h o me of the s hade s o f the dead The y
are a t l e a s t s a f e there f r o m sc e p t ic a l s ear c h O ther s
p r o bab ly s tart i n g fr o m the f a c t that the y hav e buried
the i r fe llo w s i n the earth p ut the spi r i t w o r l d under
g r o und Th e rumb li n g o f the g r o und i n earth quak e s
s eem s t o so me to co nrm th is wh il e o ther s s ee i n
the fo r c e wh ic h we c all g rav i tat io n a so rt o f s t ret c h i n g
o f g h os t ly i n visi b l e hand s f r o m a spi r i t w o r l d b e lo w
T hu s re ligio n g et s i t s t w o a l tern a t iv e s u gg e s t io n s
o f a sky l and and a nether re gio n a he a v en a n d a
he ll A t the s ame t i me go d s are be i n g e volv ed o u t
o f the pop u l at io n o f g h os t s j u s t a s c h i e fs a re e volv ed
o u t o f the o r igi na lly e q ua l hum a n pop u l at io n
Af r ic a
s tr o n gly co nrm s the vi ew wh ic h we ba s ed u po n
Me l ane si a A u s tra li a and the si m pl er p e opl e s th a t
the c h i e f r oo t o f th is de v e lop ment is the f a c t that
spi r i t s are une qua l i n lif e an d w ill rema i n une q u a l
a fter death In the un iv er s a l s a v a g e O pi n io n a c h i e f
rema i n s a c h i e f ; a g reat c h i e f rema i n s a g re a t c h i e f
Th e h is t o r ic g ure s there fo re a b o ut wh o m l e g end s
o f a l m os t s u p erhuman deed s g r o w s tand o u t am i d
the q u ickly f ad i n g c r o wd o f the co m m o n de a d
Wh ol e g enerat io n s m a y p a ss i nt o o b livio n wh il e
the i r mem o r y liv e s T he y be co me o u r g reat g reat
-

'

THE

1 34

L ESSON OF AFR I CA

c h i e fs a s we ll a s th is and s o the y made c h i e fs (o r

go d s) B ut the wea k ne ss o f the the o r y i s that there
wa s n o need whatev er to i n v ent c h i e fs o f the spi r i t
w o r l d Ev er y c h i e f that d i ed rema i ned a c h i e f and
wa s h o n o ured a s s u c h
A m o re rea l i n uen c e i n the maki n g o f go d s o u t
o f dead an c e s t o r s i s we s a w the i n u en c e o f the
p r i e s t s We m u s t n o t h o we v er tak e th is to o
narr o w ly Pr i e s t and w iz ard b l end t og ether i n
ear ly s t a g e s ; but I am a ss um i n g that the p ri es tly
f un c t io n is t o p r opi t i ate and co n s u l t spi r i t s e sp e ci a lly
b y s a c r i c e and th is w o rk s o o n h as i t s sp e ci a l c a s te
A t o n c e there ar is e s a great r iv a l r y between p r i e s t
and w iz ard be c au s e the i r meth o d s o f earn i n g a dv an
ta g e s o r d isp e lli n g d is ea s e are r a d ic a lly d is t i n c t
th o u g h O ften b l ended T he p r i e s t i n sis t s o n the
po wer o f spi r i t s and the ur g ent need t o p a y h im
t o p r opi t i ate them As the de v e lop ment o f the
spi r i t w o r l d ad v an c e s a s the g h os t s o f the dead

are loc ated i n spe ci a l re gio n s o r p hen o mena p r i e s t s

atta c h them s e lv e s t o the s er vic e o f o n e o r o ther
o f the s e spi r i t s
L oc a l co nd i t io n s giv e e xc e p t io na l
pop u l ar i t y to o n e spi r i t and e xc e p t io na l terr o r to
an o ther T he c u l t g r o w s and the p r i e s t s g r o w ;
and then we hav e the be gi nn i n g o f the s tru ggl e fo r
life am o n g the c u l t s and p r i e s th oo d s We s aw th is
v er y pl a i n ly o n the S l a v e and G ol d C o a s t s B ut we
s ee i t so pl a i n ly e ven i n the m os t ad v an c ed ci t i e s o f
o u r o w n w o r l d t o da y that I need n o t en l ar g e o n
i t When spi r i t s ha v e rea c hed a c erta i n s tag e o f
p r o m i nen c e o r pop u l ar i t y th is i n uen c e ha s p r o b a b ly
been the m os t e ffe c t iv e i n the w o r l d i n e volvi n g
,

THE

L ESSON O F AFR I CA

1 35

poly the is m o u t o f nature w o r s h ip and m o n o the i s m

o u t o f poly the is m
T he e vol ut io n o f tem pl e s and r i te s and m y th s
co nt i nue s si mu l tane o u sly Th e maki n g o f m y th s
is n o t at r s t a fun c t io n o f p r i e s t s but we s aw (i n
co nne c t io n w i th the S l av e C o a s t) h o w the y a pply
them s e lve s t o i t when the need ar is e s When a
pop u l ar spi r i t c ann o t be de s tr oy ed he is ad op ted
and so me l e g end o r o ther ma k e s h i m a re l at iv e
o f the g reat go d
Th e de v e lop ment o f r i tua l and
tem pl e c ann o t be d isc u ss ed i n th is s ma ll w o r k In
A fr ic a th e tem pl e s eem s to ha v e g r o wn o u t o f the
li tt l e h o u s e bu il t ov er the g ra v e o r the h o u s e i n
wh ic h a c h i e f wa s bur i ed We s aw h o we v er i n
ear li er c ha p ter s that th is is n o t the si n gl e g erm o f
the tem pl e H o u s e s are bu il t fo r s a c red s h a r ks
c r oco d il e s s t o ne s s er p ent s and s o o n B ut I mu s t
a voi d the s e s e co ndar y re ligio u s e l ement s and p ur s ue
the ma i n li ne o f i n q u i r y
-

C H AP TE R VI
THE R E L I G

I O N S OF A M ER I C A

I N the p re s ent c ha p ter I p r e pos e t o e x am i ne an o ther

co nt i nent i n the manner i n wh ic h we hav e s ur v e y ed
Afr ic a N O o n e co u l d be m o re s en si b l e than I o f
the i m p er f e c tne ss of th is meth o d o f p r oc edure T he
i dea l i s t o arran g e a ll the p e opl e s o f the earth i n an
a nthr opologic a l sc a l e a cco rd i n g t o the s tate o f the i r
c u l ture and p ur s ue the re ligio u s i n q u i r y s tead ily
f r o m the V eddah and T a s man i an and Yah g an u p t o
the m o dern E ur op ean B ut the ma g n i tude o f s u c h
a ta sk pl a c e s i t be yo nd m y ran g e o f oppo rtun i t y and
the m os t p r o tab l e and so u nd p r oc edure fo r the ki nd
o f sk et c h that I am a t te m p t i n g s ee m s t o be t o ta k e
the p e opl e s o f the earth b y re gio n s a n d s e e h o w
re ligio n a sc end s the sc a l e O f de v e lop m ent am o n g
the v ar i ed p e opl e s o f ea c h re gio n In th is wa y we
l ea v e n o i ntere s t i n g p e opl e o u t o f a cco unt and we
o b ta i n a v er y s at isf a c t o r y vi ew o f the rea l h is t o r ic a l
de v e lop ment
T h e de sig n h a s an o ther ad v ant a g e
On c e the
ear li e s t ra c e s o f men had sc attered the e vol ut io n
of i dea s and i n s t i tut io n s p r oc eeded i nde p endent ly
i n man y p art s o f the w o r l d
Alon g the g reat
h ig hwa y o f the Ifidia n O c ean we s a w isol ated
de v e lop ment i s r a re but o n the g reat co nt i nent s
.

1 36

THE R ELIGION S

1 38

was

OF AMER I CA

a br o ad l and co nne c t io n o r co nt i nent between

we s tern Eur op e and ea s tern A mer ic a i n the n o rthern
p art o f what is n o w c a ll ed the A t l a nt ic O c ean T h is
co nt i nent d is a pp eared i n the T ert i ar y Per io d but i t
i s a ss umed that a s tr ip o f i t remai ned s u f ci ent ly
lo n g to enab l e the p r i m i t iv e pop u l at io n o f Eu rOpe
t o s end a bran c h i nt o A mer ic a Hen c e s u c h p e opl e s
a s the lo w ly Yah g an s and Bo t oc ud os
T he rema i n
i n g A mer ic an p e opl e s S h o w b y the i r l an g uag e and
c u l ture that the y co me fr o m a co mm o n s t ock and
the r oo t o f th is s t ock is sou ght i n Asi a T he
s h o rter l and co nne c t io n o f Asi a and A mer ic a w o u l d
l a s t lo n g er o r the p a ss a g e o f the S tra i t w o u l d o ffer
li tt l e d i f c u l t y Th is s tream o f i mm ig rat io n poured
i nt o the A r c t ic the v ar io u s p e opl e s wh o m we c a ll
E ski m o but the ma i n c u rrent p a ss ed ov er A mer ic a
and be c ame the A mer i n d s w h o i n t i m e e volv ed the
nat iv e civiliz at io n o f the M a y a s the Az te cs and the
Peru vi an s W i th i n the o n e f am ily there fo re and
q u i te i nde p endent ly o f the re s t o f the w o r l d we
ha v e a co n si derab l e de v e lop ment o f re ligio n c u l m i
nat i n g i n a sys tem wh ic h is i n man y re sp e c t s aki n
t o R o man C ath olicis m
S o me
E ski m o s t ill li n g er i n the dar k fr i n g e
o f the A r c t i c and l ar g e ly p re s er v e fo r u s a p r i m i t iv e
fo rm o f the A mer ic an re ligio n
Man y o f them
be li e v e that man ha s tw o so u ls o n e o f wh ic h is
re i n c arnated at death wh il e the o ther p a ss e s to
the u s ua l v a g ue ly co n c e iv ed l a nd o f s hade s T he
g enera l be li e f is that e v er y human be i n g is at b i rth
end o wed w i th a c erta i n mea s ure o f vi ta l energy

a n d that death
wh ic h s o man y lo wer ra c e s c ann o t
-

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1 39

natura l

re g ard a s
mere ly mar ks the e x hau s t io n O f
th is s t o re o f ener gy I f an a ili n g p er so n is o ld the y
ma k e n o e ffo rt to p r olo n g life T he y be li e v e h o w
e v er a s m os t o ther p e opl e s d o that the spi r i t is
a f ter death end o wed w i th m o re po wer than dur i n g
life an d si n c e a l ar g e p r opo rt io n o f the g h os t s are
ma licio u s the i r life is ov er s had o wed b y the f ear o f
the i n visi b l e dead A p r of e ssio na l p r i e s t o r med ici ne
man the a ng a ko k wh o ha s t o endure a v er y s e v ere
tra i n i n g co ndu c t s the i nter co ur s e w i th the spi r i t s
but there is n o fo rm o f w o r s h ip In c a s e o f ill ne ss
fo r i n s tan c e he mu s t i ndu c e the spi r i t s t o l ead o r
s end ba ck t o the b o d y the sou l o f the p art ic u l a r
o r g an wh ic h is d is ea s ed ; fo r ea c h p art o f the bo d y
h a s a so u l and ill ne ss mean s that the s o u l o f an
o r g an ha s go ne awa y
Th e spi r i t s are g raduated i n a h i erar c h y s u c h a s
we nd i n a ll re l at iv e ly ad v an c ed p e opl e s A t the
ba s e is the co mm o n c r o wd o f g h os t s o f th e d e a d
A t the
w h o h o ver ab o ut the h o me s o f the livi n g
head are a number o f go d s o r qua si go d s Th e
c h i e f o f the s e is T o rn as s u k a n o t v er y s har ply
co n c e iv ed ru l er o f the goo d spi r i t s Th e foo d su pply
and the s t o rm s ( wh ic h a ffe c t the foo d s u pply) are
be li e v ed to be under the co ntr ol o f a q ua i nt ki nd

o f go dde ss
a n o ld w o man w h o liv e s at the b o tt o m
and w h o is the ma k er o f s ea l s and
o f the s ea s
wa l ru s e s i n the c h il d is h s en s e that her f ather lon g
a go c ut o ff s e c t io n s o f her n g er s and the s e be c ame
the Eski m o s eatab l e an i ma ls Man y tabu s are
a ppoi nted i n her name and a dearth o f s ea ls o r
arr iv a l o f s t o rm s mean s that so me o n e h a s ar o u s ed
,

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her a n g er b y viol at i n g the tabu s It is the dut y o f

the a ng a ko k t o d iscov er the offe nder and co m p e l
h i m t o co n fe ss
Th e E ski m o be li e v e that the
an i ma ls the y hunt w ill be co me i n visi b l e if the y d o

n o t o be y the p r i e s t a na iv e fo undat io n o f p r i e s t ly
p o wer
S o me o f the E ski m o tr i be s p ut a s e co nd glo r i ed
o ld w o man i n the S ky and c red i t her w i th s end i n g
the ra i n b y s haki n g a m at dren c hed w i th ur i ne
O ther s mak e a ki nd o f de i t y o r de i ed man o f the
m oo n wh ic h is re g a rded a s a m ig ht y hunter w i th
a h o u s e and we a po n s i n the sk y T here are i n
a d d itio n v a rio u s an i m a l human spi r i t s wh ic h med i ate
between the a ng a ko k and the g reat spi r i t s In a
w o rd we have here a co mm o n t yp e o f re ligio n
e volv ed fr o m the p r i m i t iv e be li e f i n s u r viv a l T here
i s n o posi t iv e e vi den c e th a t the h ig her spi r i t s are
the s hade s of an c e s t o r s n o r need we look fo r s u c h
a de v e lop m ent i n the c a s e o f e ver y go d ; but the
be li e f is co n c erned ent i re ly w i th p er so na l spi r i t s
and there is n o th i n g to p re v ent o n e f ro m th i nki n g
that a ll were o r igi na lly the spi r i t s o f the dead
In p a ssi n g t o the A mer i nd s p r op er I w ill a s i n
the c a s e o f A fr ic a co n si der r s t a f ew m o n og ra p h s
o n sp e ci a l tr i be s o r g r o u ps o f tr i be s O f the s e o n e
o f the m os t l u ci d and i n s tru c t iv e is S i r E F I m
It
T h u rn s A mo ng the I n d i a ns of G u i a n a
is c ur io u s that o n e o f the tr i be s o f th is re gio n the
M a c u sis ha v e x ed the i r attent io n u po n the s ma ll
g ure o f a man ( o ne s e lf) wh ic h o n e s ee s i n the
p u pil o f a man s e y e a n d the y hav e i dent i ed th i s

w i th the sou l
the y s a y o f
His spi r i t ha s go ne
.

THE R ELIGION S

14 2

OF A MER IC A

t i me Th e gh os t s are v a g ue ly i ma gi ned t o h ov er
am o n g the livi n g and the m o re ma lig nant o f them
wh o m the p ei a ma n mu s t g ht c au s e d is ea s e Yet
the s ame Ind i an s sp ea k o f a sk y l and f r o m wh ic h
the i r an c e s t o r s c ame and t o wh ic h the s tr o n g er
so u l o f the p ei a ma n go e s a fter de a th S i n c e the i r
a n c e s t o r s c ame f r o m the n o rth ( where t o a s a v a g e
e y e the sky t o u c he s the earth) we are tem p ted to
dete c t here o n e o f the r oo t s o f the re ligio u s l e g end
o f a s k y l and ; but there i s e q ua l e vi den c e that the
u p ward ight o f b i rd s h a s p art ly s u gg e s ted the i dea
Pr o bab ly i n man y p art s o f the earth b o th the s e
s u gg e s t io n s o f a sk y l and ha v e been at w o rk
Sir E v erard te lls u s that the y ha v e n o t ad v an c ed
t o the co n c e p t io n o f a g reat spi r i t o r a c u l t and that
there i s n o h i erar c h y o f the i nnumerab l e S pi r i t s
A s we s aw h o we v er tra v e ll er s u s e re l at iv e l a n g ua g e
i n th is re sp e c t and wh a t a m issio nar y ma y op t i m is
t ic a lly c a ll a go d an o ther o b s er v er w ill co ntem p
It a pp ear s
tu o u s ly d is m iss a s a g rand f ather s g h os t
that the Indi an s attr i bute heavy ra i n o r a oo d to a
spi r i t named Ae nic idu o f wh ic h the y giv e n o further
a cco unt Th e C ar i b s h o we v er sp ea k o f an an ci ent
o n e i n the s ky
Th e A rawa k ha v e a be i n g wh o m
the y c a ll
and o u r mak er
T he
o u r f ather
Warrau re sp e c t o ur mak er
O ther tr i be s hav e
co rre spo nd i n g i dea s S i r Ev erard is co ndent that
the s e are the g h os t s o f ear li er an c e s t o r s ; and th is
h as been o u r g enera l e xp er i en c e u p t o the p re s ent
Yet i t is pl a i n ly possi b l e that when a tr i be h a s
t
o
the
pi
t
c
h
f
c
red
i
t
i
n
g
i
nan
i
mate
O
b
j
e
c
t
s
w
i
th
o
t
o
g
s o u l s i t ma y ea sily f abr ic ate n o n human s pi r i t s
an y

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143

Th e

Ind i an th i nks the spi r i t s i n c erta i n r ocks be si de

h is r iv er s s o ma lig nant th a t he mu s t s tea l p a s t them
un o b s er v ed ; wh ic h he d o e s b y rubb i n g red p e pper
i nt o h is e y e s so that he c ann o t s e e the r ocks
c h il dis h ly i n ferr i n g that the y w ill there fo re n o t se e
h im
Th e s u n a n d the m oo n ha v e spi r i t s and the
e clips e mean s that the y are g ht i n g s o that the
Ind i an s tr y t o s e p arate them b y y e lli n g
Sir
E v erard be li e v e s that a ll the s e spi r i t s are g h os t s o f
the de a d wherea s an adherent o f the ma na the o r y
w ill p r o bab ly h ol d that the y are rather the c r ys ta l
liz a tio n o f a o n c e d i u s e d spi r i tua l fo r c e i nt o p er so na l
a g en ci e s
T h is is p r o bab ly the m os t i ntere s t i n g
p r o b l em s u gg e s ted t o u s b y A mer i nd re ligio n and
we w ill p ur s ue the i n q u i r y a m o n g o ther tr i be s
be fo re s ee ki n g a sol ut io n I w o u l d add h o we ver
that S i r Ev erard fo und a s we ha v e i n e v er y p e opl e
we ha v e s tud i ed at th is o r a lo wer l e v e l ab sol ute l y
n o co nne c t io n
between m o ra ls and re ligio n i n
G u i ana
T h e A mer i nd s o f the n o rth wh os e re ligio n is
mu c h m o re f re quent ly q u o ted are mu c h h ig her i n
de v e lop ment Mr J T e i t ( The Tho mp so n I n di a ns
1 900) de sc r i be s a g r o u p o f
of B ri ti s h C o lu m bi a
the s e tr i be s wh os e re ligio n i s re l at iv e ly p ure and
p re s ent s a p ha s e be yo nd that we hav e j u s t s tud i ed

E very th i n g i n nature th a t m ov e s that is to s a y

water re and r ocks a s we ll a s an i ma ls and pl ant s
ha s a so u l and a ll the s e so u ls p a ss t o a l and ha ppi er
than but g enera lly re s emb li n g th is E a c h so u l
,

'

Page 342

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1 44

RE L I G I O N S OF AMER I CA

h o we v er n o w h as a s had o w a n d i t is the s e d i m
lig ht g re y du plic ate s o f the so u l wh ic h rema i n o n
the earth to pl a g u e and a fic t the livi n g T he y
c ha s e men de vo ur the i r foo d and pl a y hundred s O f
m isc h i e vo u s p ran ks Th e so u l p r op er e xc e p t the
so u ls o f the dr o wned o f s u ici de s and o f C hr is t i an s
a n amu si n g rea c t io n o f the nat iv e s haman a g a i n s t

the m issio nar y go t o a l and be yo nd the s un s et

wh ic h is under the earth T he p ath o r tr ail t o i t i s
we ll kn o wn and m i nute ly de sc r i bed T hree g re y
headed o ld m e n g uard i t and turn ba ck the human s
wh os e t i me h a s n o t y et co me
Th e o ther s a re
co ndu c ted t o a beaut if u l countr y where foo d
a b o und s a n d e vil is un k no wn ; and there the y w ill

rema i n unt il
the O l d Man o r the C oyo te
return s t o the earth

T he O l d Man is the i r re l at iv e ly S u p reme B e i n g

the go d o f th os e wr i ters o n re ligio n w h o are

determ i ned t o nd a go d ev er y where H e liv e s o n
the m o unta i n s and mak e s ra i n o r s n o w b y sc r a t c h i n g

h is h i n d p art s T he O l d C oyo te w a s s ent b y

h i m t o f a s h io n the earth and the e l ab o rate m y th ology
re fer s t o s e v era l o ther na iv e s u p erhuman be i n gs
T h e s un and the m oo n were a cco rd i n g t o so me
o n c e Ind i an c h i e fs ; and the m oo n co u l d be a s
br ig ht a s the s un if h is sis ter ( the Hare o r the
F r og) d i d n o t s it o n h i m
T he ra i nb o w w a s on c e
a man a n d the s t a r s a re tra n s gu re d human be i n gs
Th e
T he w i nd s are due t o men i n the n o rth
thunder is a b i rd T here are i n f a c t spi r i t s and
m y th s fo r e v er y e l ement and a sp e c t o f nature
E v en the hea l th f u l s weat bath o we s its vi rtue to a
,

THE

14 6

RE L I G I ON S O F AME R I CA

S pi nden ( The Ma n d a n s

and s h o w s u s a
slight ly h ig her de v e lop ment o f the s ame an i m is m
T h e g uard i an spi r i t s o f e a c h i nd ivi dua l are w o n b y
r igo r o u s a sc et icis m a n d m o ra l tran sg re ssio n s mu s t
be at o ned e ven b y the s a c r i c e o f s e c t io n s o f the
n g er s G enera lizi n g o n the ki nd o f vi rt ue o r po wer
wh ic h the spi r i t s ma y giv e t o th i n gs the y c a ll i t

med ici ne and con c e iv e i t mu c h a s the M e l ane si an s

co n c e iv e ma n a A g un a h o r s e o r a pip e ma y be

enr ic hed b y a c erta i n r i tua l w i th

med ici ne
S o me pip e s are med ici ne pip e s and so me co mm o n
w oo d E a c h i nd ivi dua l and ea c h tr i be ha s a b a g

( med ici ne ba g ) f u ll o f the s e p re cio u s o b j e c t s

sk u lls drum s pip e s et c
L o rd Of L ife and c reat o r
Th e c h i e f spi r i t the
o f the earth liv e s i n the s u n wh ic h a s h is ab o de is
v enerated N e x t t o h i m i n i m po rtan c e i s the r s t
man wh o wa s s av ed fr o m a de l u g e ; then there are
a g reat e vil spi r i t a he lpf u l and p r o te c t iv e spi r i t
w h o liv e s i n V enu s a v a g ue wander i n g be i n g c a ll ed

the L yi n g Pra i r i e W olf and the O l d W oman

wh o ne v er d i e s
T he l a s t named liv e s i n the m oo n
and p re si de s ov er the g r o wth o f the co rn Her s ix
c h il dren are the da y the s u n the n ig ht the m o rn i n g
s tar the p um pki n and the e v en in g s tar
T hen
there is a l ar g e turt l e wh ic h c au s e s thunder ; and
the lig htn i n g is the a sh o f the e y e s o f a l ar g e b i rd
wh ic h is m a ki n g a p ath fo r the ra i n thr o u g h the
clo ud s Ima g e s o f the L o rd o f L ife the s u n and
the m oo n are c arv ed and li tt l e s hr i ne s are u s ed fo r
h o u si n g them A man ha s fo ur so u ls and at d eath
wh il e an o ther
o n e return s to the L o rd O f L if e
,

THE R ELIGION S

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14 7

p a ss e s to the rem o te vill a g e s where g h os t s tran qu illy

liv e a lif e si m il ar to that o f earth In the S io u x
and so me o f the o ther tr i be s the so u ls O f the goo d
and the e vil are s e p arated o n the wa y t o the g h os t
l and ; and the w ick ed p a ss t o a d rear y w i ntr y l and
i n s tead o f the ha ppy hunt i n g g r o und
We ha v e ne x t to s e e h o w th is an i m is t ic re ligio n
o f the A mer i nd s de v e lops i nt o the r i tua l and s a c er
d o ta l re ligio n o f Me xico and Peru but i t w ill be
i n s tru c t iv e t o gl an c e r s t at i t s re l at io n t o the lo wer
t yp e s o f re ligio n we ha v e s tud i ed S o me o f th e
new the o r i e s o f re ligio n are ba s ed u po n the co n
c e ptio n s o f s u c h tr i be s a s the Mandan s and the
S io u x and i t is cl a i med that ( a s Dr K eane s a ys)
S p en c er s g h os t the o r y is d isc red i ted b y the A mer i nd

e vi den c e Th e coi n ci den c e o f the i r med ici ne o r

ma ni to u ( o r o ther i m p er so na l spi r i tua l i n uen c e )
w i th ma n a is em p ha siz ed and i t i s often s u gg e s ted
t h at the y poi nt t o an e vol ut io n o r c r ys ta lliz at io n o f
p er so na l spi r i t s o u t o f a d i ffus ed i m p er so na l fo r c e
C erta i n ly i n the i r c a s e the c u l t o f an c e s t o r s is
i mmen s e ly ov er s had o wed b y a g enera l an i mat io n o f
nature
T here is n o i ntr i n sic rea so n whate v er wh y the
de v e lop ment o f re ligio n s h o u l d n o t ha v e follo wed
d i fferent li ne s i n d i fferent re gio n s o f the earth
e sp e ci a lly si n c e s u c h p art s o f the hum a n f am ily
a s the A mer i nd s ha v e fo r a g e s been isol ated f r o m
o ther g r o u ps Yet I q ue s t io n if there h a s been an y
s ub s tant i a l d i fferen c e Dr K eane a fter o b s er vi n g
that A mer ic an re ligio n d isc red i t s S p en c er s the o r y
te lls u s that a s man y th i nk the g reat go d o f the
.

THE R ELIGION S

1 48

OF AMER I CA

Me xic an s ( Quet z a lco at l ) and o f the Ma y an s ( K uk u l

c an) ma y hav e been a de i ed an c e s t o r and if the
c h i e f de i t i e s o f the s e m os t ad v an c ed A mer i nd s bear
that co m pl e xio n ( as we s ha ll s ee) i t is n o t d i ffi c u l t
t o s u ppos e that the de i t i e s o f the l e ss advan c ed
tr i be s ma y hav e p a ss ed thr o u g h that de v e lop ment
T he o n ly wa y to te s t the poi nt w o u l d be n o t t o
re g ard i n isol at io n the m y th s o f the S iou x o r the
Algo n qu i n but to arran g e the A mer ic an p e opl e s i n
a c u l tura l s er i e s f r o m the E ski m o o r the ruder
Ind i an s o f the so uth to the Me xic an s That c ann o t
be d o ne here but a br i e f e x am i n a t io n o f the t yp e s
o f A mer ic an re ligio n we ha v e co n si dered w ill enab l e
u s t o j ud g e the tenden cy o f the e vi den c e
I n follo w i n g the de sc r ip t io n o f the re ligio n o f the
E ski m o and o f the G u i ana Ind i an s the reader w ill
hav e n o t ic ed that wh il e nature is c r o wded w i th
den i te p er so na l spi r i t s and the g h os t s o f the dead
co ntr i bute i n c e ss ant ly t o the c r o wd there is a l m os t
Th e E ski m o
n o i dea O f an i m p er so na l spi r i tua l fo r c e

h a s fo rmed the i dea o f a g enera l

vi ta l ener gy ( a s
we c a ll i t) that men s hare Th e G u i ana Ind i an
p ut s a den i te so u l i n ea c h o bj e c t that m ov e s o r
g r o w s It is con c e ivabl e that a h ig her tr i be ma y
g enera liz e o n s u c h n o t io n s and atta i n the i dea o f a
d i ffu s ed i m p er so na l spi r i tua l fo r c e B ut there is n o
s u c h g enera liz at io n at the lo wer A mer ic an l e v e l and
i t s eem s i n c red i b l e that an yb o d y s h o u l d re g ard the
i nnumerab l e spi r i t s i n wh ic h b o th be li e v e as e volv ed
o u t o f the i m p er so na l
O n the co ntrar y we ha v e
fo und th is be li e f i n co n c rete spi r i t s fr o m the v er y
dawn o f re ligio n an d i t c o nt i nue s thr o u g h o ut the
,

THE R ELIGION S

150

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wea po n h a s so meth i n g n o t poss e ss ed b y the

co mm o n o bj e c t H e g rant s i t a so u l Th e p r o t o
t yp e o f a ll i s h is o w n gh os t In ne he rea c he s
the g enera l i dea o f spi r i tuali t y po wer o r i nvisi b l e
ener gy
It is h o wev er an ent i re ly d i fferent que s t io n
whether a ll h is g reat spi r i t s o r go d s were o n c e
the g h os t s o f dead men and i t s eem s a p ri o ri
i m p r o bab l e that the r ic h m y th opoe ic i ma gi nat io n O f
man at th is l e ve l o f de v e lop ment S h o u l d be thu s
re s tr ic ted H e is n o w a cc u s t o med to th e i dea that
m ov ement i n nature is c au s ed b y spi r i t s When a
new m ov ement o r a sp e c t o f nature dawn s u po n h i m
he i s qu i te c a p ab l e o f i n v ent i n g a spi r i t to a cco unt
T here is there fo re n o rea so n wh y we s h o u l d
fo r i t
s tra i n e vi den c e t o p r ov e that the numer o u s g ure s

of A mer ic an l e g end the G reat F a ther and the O l d

W o man the R av en and the C oyo te et c a re a ll the

f anta s t ic s hade s o f an c e s t o r s It d o e s n o t e v en s eem
w o rth wh il e t o s ear c h l ab o r io u sly if the y are
A t the s am e t i me the b i a s o f e vi den c e is o n the
si de o f the an c e s tra l sc h ool T h e Amer i nd s l et u s
remembe r are h ig her than an y o f th e p e opl e s we
hav e y et co n si dered T he i r m y th ology and eth ic
a lo ne w o u l d s h o w th is N o w we s aw that at the
lo wer l e v e l tra c e s o f an c e s tra l human s ha p e cli n g
s o co mm o n ly t o the go d s that there is q u i te a g ener a l
tenden cy to re g ard the m a s an c e s t o r s T h os e tr a c e s
are h o we v er f ad i n g and at a h ig her l e v e l we s h o u l d
be p re p ared t o m iss them S u c h is the l e v e l o f the
Ameri n d ; th o u g h e v en here an c e s tra l tr a c e s cli n g
Our A fr ic an
to so me o f e v en the h ighe s t go d s

or

THE R ELIGION S

15 1

OF AMER I CA

e xp er i en c e l ead s u s t o e xp e c t that a l m os t e ver y

p art o f nature wa s occ u pi ed b y an an c e s tra l spi r i t
at q u i te an ear ly s ta g e Then p r i e s t s deta c h the s e
spi r i t s fr o m a loc a li t y tran spos e them ma g n ify
them mak e g enera l de i t i e s o f them The y c ann o t
T rad i
a s a ru l e s u pp re ss them t o i n v ent o ther s
t io n i s v er y po wer fu l am o n g the lo wer p e opl e s It
is mu c h ea si er t o co n v ert J ah v e h i nt o a go d than
t o s u p er s ede a tr i ba l mem o r y o r fet is h b y a new
spi r i tu a l c reat io n It s eem s there fo re p r o bab l e that
wh il e de v e lopi n g man wa s qu i te c a p ab l e o f i n v ent i n g
go d s he fo und i t e xp ed i ent a s a ru l e t o u s e the
glo r i ed an c e s tra l g ure s wh ic h were r oo ted i n
d o me s t ic and tr i ba l life
We ma y n e w s tud y h o w q u i te a p art fr o m the
ma i n Eur o Asi at ic s tream o f re ligio u s de v e lop ment
th is an i m is t ic c reed o f the A mer i nd s g r o w s i nt o an
e l ab o rate r i tua l and s a c erd o ta l re ligio n T he s e c ret
o f p r og re ss i n human de v e lop ment is ra ci a l co nta c t
cl a s h o f c u l ture s In isol at io n we fou nd o u r lo we s t
re ligio n s ; i n c entra l A mer ic a the re gio n where the
m ovi n g tr i be s meet and c r oss we nd the g erm i na
t io n o f civili z at io n It ha s lo n g been k n o wn that
i n Me xico and Peru the S p an i ard s fo und nat iv e
civiliz at io n s wh ic h i n spi te o f barbar ic feat ure s
that s t ill cl un g t o them were o f h ig h p r o m is e and
co m pl e x life
S oci a lly poli t ic a lly co m m er ci a lly
and i n poi nt o f art the y w e re civiliz at io n s It is
n o w we ll k n o wn that between the t w o ear li er i n
de v e lop m ent than b o th and n o t i m p r o bably the
i n spi rer of b o th w a s the civil iz a t io n o f the Ma y an s
o f c entra l Amer ic a
.

THE R ELIGION S

15 2

OF AMER I CA

emnant s o f th is May an civiliz at io n s ur viv e to da y

i n Mexico and Yu c atan and a l th o u g h the i r re ligio n
is de g enerate i t w ill b e ad vis ab l e r s t t o gl an c e at it
T he y be li e v e i n the c u s t o mar y A mer ic an f a sh io n
that at death the so u l is co ndu c ted t o a l and si m il ar
t o but better than the earth ; th o u g h lik e a ll
p e opl e s wh o p r ofe ss that be li e f the y dread death
and cli n g nervo u sly t o th is v a l e o f tear s F r o m the
e l ab o rate re ligio n o f ear li er t i me s there s t ill li n g er s
am o n g them a fa i nt mem o r y o f th i rt y s ix go d s and
go dde ss e s fteen o f wh o m the y a c t iv e ly v enerate

f
M os t o them are re g arded a s bene vol ent the
Ma y an re ligio n wa s ne v er s o tru c u l ent a s the

M e xic an and are loc ated i n cli ffs b y the ban ks o f

r iv er s A t the he a d o f the p anthe o n is the u s ua l

G reat F ather
wh o liv e s o n earth th o u gh the
s u n is h is s er v ant
H e h as three br o ther s and
fr o m the i r attr i bute s Dr To zze r co n cl ude s that the
fo ur br o ther s s tand fo r the fo ur c a rd i na l poi nt s wi th
wh ic h the y are clos e ly co nne c ted N ex t co me s a
m o ther go dde ss the p arent o f s e v era l m i n o r de i t i e s ;
her re l at io n t o the fo ur br o ther s is n o t dened S he
p re si de s ov er c h il d b i rth and re c e iv e s the u s ua l
o ffer i n gs o f o wer s and i n c en s e at the b i rth o f a
c h il d Pr o bab ly s h e is o r w as the g enera l spi r i t o f
f ert ili t y Her h u s band a fe a ture l e ss s em i hum an
be i n g co me s ne xt ; an d there are a lso a s n a k e o f
m a n y hea d s and go d s o f re the fo re s t mu sic the
bee s and so o n T h u nder and lig htn i n g a re l e ss er
be i n gs ; and the su n and m oo n ( co n c e iv ed a s man
-

A C o mp a r a ti ve S tud y of the
b y D r A M To zze r
1

Ma ya s

a nd

the L

a c a n d ones

( 190 7)

THE R ELIGION S

154

OF AMER I CA

wa s L o rd o f the Dead and the S ix U nder W o r l d s

O ne wa s c h os en t o p re si de ov er ea c h y ear Th e
l a s t v e da ys o f the y ear were name l e ss days

a c ur io u s re m i n isc en c e o f the R o man c a l endar

and
the i ma g e of the go d o f the follo w i n g y ear wa s then
se t u p

Th e Ma y an p r i e s t s o r
lo rd s o f da ys a s the y
were c a ll ed were e xp ert a s tr o n o mer s and mathe
m a tic ian s
The y were the edu c at o r s o f the p e opl e ;
and the h ig h art is t ic skill wh ic h the ra c e atta i ned
wa s em ploy ed i n a d o rn i n g the c u l t
Human
s a c r i c e wa s rare and e ven the f un c t io n o f s a c r i
c in g an i ma ls w a s n o t re g arded a s o n e o f the m o re
h o n o urab l e o f the i r f un c t io n s Th e c h i e f tr i bute
the y p a i d t o the go d s wa s the burn i n g o f i n c en s e
and the e l ab o rate u s e o f th is spic e i n the C ath olic
C hur c h to da y is q u i te si m pl e i n co m p a r iso n w i th
the i ntr ic ate and r ic h i n c en s e r i tua l o f the May an s
and Mexic an s As the p r og re ss o f the s un wa s n o w
c a re fu lly o b s er v ed a re g u l ar c a l endar o f f e s t iv a ls
s u cc eeded the c rude r i tua l b y wh ic h m o re p r i m i t iv e
man had mar k ed the be gi nn i n g and end of the foo d

a
s e so n the tr i ba l g ra c e be fo re and a fter mea ls so
to s a y
In J anuar y the g reat fea st o f O c na h o n o ured
the go d s o f l ab o ur and o f ra i n
In Mar c h an
i mmen s e number o f an i ma ls were s a c r i c ed i n re
t o the ra i n go d and the p r i e s t s c ame w i th j ar s o f
water to e x t i n g u is h the ember s and o ffer u p the
heart s o f the vic t i m s In Ap r il i t wa s the turn o f
the b l a ck go d o f the mer c hant s and the go d o f the
be e s In Ju ly when the y ear be g an there wa s ( a s
there is i n C h in a) a m ig ht y s e c u l ar and re ligiou s
-

THE

RE L I G I O N S OF AMER IC A

15 5

cl ean si n g ; and the p r i e s t s w h o had p ur i ed them

s e lv e s b y a lo n g f a s t O f m o re than fo rt y da ys
ki nd l ed new re f r o m the an ci ent re dr ill and

b l e ss ed a ll wea po n s and i m pl ement s a m os t mar k ed

coi n ci den c e w i th the re m a ki n g w i th wh ic h C ath olic
p r i e s t s clos e the i r annua l L ent In S e p tember c ame
the f e s t iv a l o f the great Ku k u lc an (the Me xi c an
Quet z a lco at l ) the m os t pop u l ar o f the go d s
We ha v e h o we v er m o re i n fo rmat io n ab o ut the
si m il ar re ligio n o f the Me xic a n s and to th is we ma y
turn T here are tw o pop u l ar i m p re ssio n s O f the
re ligio n wh ic h the S p an is h i nv ader s and m issio nar i e s
d iscov ered i n Me xico and the y are bo th co rre c t y et
a pp arent ly n o t v er y co n sis tent On the o n e hand

the nat iv e re ligio n w i th i t s e l ab o rate r i tua l and

p r i e s th oo d its i n c en s e and c r oss i t s m o n ks and
nun s i t s co n f e ssio n and co mmun io n and s o o n

had so man y poi nt s o f co nta c t w i th R o man

C ath olicis m that the S p an i ard s i ma gi ned an ear ly
e v an g e liz at io n o f A mer ic a b y the a pos t l e T h o ma s
E v en Humb ol dt w a s s o i m p re ss ed b y the re ligio n
that he s u ppos ed there had been at some t i me a
B uddh is t m issio n fr o m C h i na O n the o ther hand
h o we v er i t is we ll k n o wn that the Me xic an re ligio n
w a s a pp a lli n gly s ta i ned b y human s a c r i c e s wh ic h
be lo n g t o the barbar ic s tag e i n the de ve lop ment o f
re ligio n
M o dern sc h ol ar s h ip ha s b y n o mean s cl eared a ll
the O b sc ur i t i e s i n re g ard t o th is an ci ent civiliz at io n ;
but i t is at l ea s t a g reed th a t the A z te cs w h o were
c h i e y re spo n si b l e fo r the human s a c r i c e s were a
vigo r o u s ra c e o f a lo wer c u l tura l l e v e l wh o had
,

THE R ELIGION S

156

OF AMER I CA

re c ent ly g ra fted them s e lv e s u po n an ear li er civi

liz a tio n and had when the S p an i ard s arr iv ed n o t
h a d t i me to e l im i nate ent i re ly the barbar ic trad i t io n s
wh ic h the y had br ou g ht w i th them B e fo re the
tenth c entur y the re gio n wh ic h we c a ll Me xico w a s

u
r l ed b y a co n federat io n of p e opl e s co mm o n ly but

n o t a cc urate ly
c a ll ed the Tol te cs w i th a c u l ture
and re ligio n aki n to th os e o f the May a s U po n
the s e i t is be li e v ed there f e ll r s t the C h ic h i me c
and then fr o m the twe lf th to the fo urteenth
c entur i e s the Az te cs We thu s u n der s tand the
s ur viv a l a s i n med i e v a l C hr is t i an i t y o f feature s O f
barbar ic co n quer o r s ; and we are p re p ared to nd
that the re ligio n is a s e v er y where e ls e a c rude
co m p r o m is e between the go d s and p r i e s t s o f the
ol der and o f the l ater p e opl e s It i s s o co m pl e x
and is k n o wn t o u s i n s u c h deta il that e ven a
s ummar y a ccount o f i t w o u l d ov errun m y sp a c e ;
but a f ew c hara c ter is t ic poi nt s ma y be s e l e c ted
T he r s t c hara c ter is t ic w a s that a s i n the wh ol e
area o f A mer ic an civiliz a t io n the s u n w a s the c h i e f
o b j e c t o f re ligio u s attent io n T here wa s at o n e t i me
a the o r y that the s u n w a s the p r i mar y and c entra l
o bj e c t o f re ligio u s w o r s h ip ; and the s tudent w h o
a pp r o a c he s the s ubj e c t b y e x am i n i n g the ear ly
feature s o f Me xic an Ch i ne s e E gyp t i a n B ab ylo n i an
and e ven G ree k re lig i o n natura lly enterta i n s that
s u spicio n B ut we ha v e s een that i n the ear li er
p ha s e s o f the de v e lop ment o f re ligio n th e s u n attra c t s
,

'

Se e ,

he s
1 884

t p

pe c ia lly
a u th o r s

es

ine

A Bevil le s His toi re des R e li gio ns , v o l ii , a n d

L ec tu res o n the G ro wth a nd O ri gi n of R e li gi on

THE R ELIGIONS

15 8

O F AMER I CA

and o ther s that he re p re s ente d o r igi n a lly the soft

and fert ilizi n g ea s t w i nd of the Mexic an co a s t Th e
l e g end s h o we v er hav e been s o m o d i ed and co m
plic ated that i t is n o w u s e l e ss t o s ee k to determ i ne
b y posi t iv e e vi den c e whether Quet z a lco at l be g an h is
d ivi ne c areer a s an an c e s t o r o r a p er so n i ed natura l
p hen o men o n
T he c h i e f go d s o f the Az te cs were U i t zilopoc ht li
aud Te tzc a tlipo c a T he fo rmer wa s the war go d

the terr o r a s he wa s at t i me s c a ll ed ; and i t wa s

he wh o c arr i ed i n a b ox b y the p r i e s t s (j u s t a s
J ah v eh wa s c arr i ed i nt o Pa l e s t i ne ) had l ed the
vic t o r io u s Az te cs i nt o Me xico He wa s a ssoci ated
bo th w i th the s u n and the humm i n g b i rd ; but a s

the beaut if u l li tt l e b i rd wa s i t s e lf c a ll ed a ra y o r

ha i r o f the s un we ma y se e i n th is n o d is
c re a n c y
h
T
e
p
r
i
e
s
t
ly
l
e
g
end
s
t
ol
d
that
he
a
s
w
p
b o rn m i ra c u lo u sly w i th o ut father s o that we n o w
en co unter that co mm o n re ligio u s l e g end fo r the
r s t t i me
H is m o ther wh o be c ame am o n g the
Me xic an s the go dde ss o f o wer s ( a s M ar y be c ame
i n C ath olicis m the vi rtua l go dde ss o f the m o nth o f
Ma y) re c e iv ed h i m i nt o the w o mb i n the s ha p e o f a
ba ll o f feather s wh ic h f e ll f r o m the s ky Her
re l at iv e s were m i nded ( a s J os e p h w a s) to p r os e c ute
her fo r f a i th l e ss ne ss ; but here the ana logy end s fo r
when U i t zilopoc ht li rea c hed man s e s tate he fe ll
w i th b loo d y s e v er i t y u po n his re l at iv e s and be c ame
a tru c u l ent warr io r R evill e and o ther s se e i n th is
a m y th ic a l a cco unt o f the earth co n c e ivi n g i n the
sp r i n g t i me f r o m the e m bra c e o f the s u n but the
c u l t of the go d is n o t so si m pl e a s th is s u gg e s t s
.

THE R ELIGIONS

OF AM ER IC A

15 9

h is h o n o ur

T he re were three g re at fe s t iv a ls i n
o ne
at the co mmen c ement o f the ra i n s i n the sp r i n g
o ne ( i n J u ly ) at th e co mmen c ement o f the be aut if u l
se as o n a f te r th e ra i n s and o n e a bo ut the t i me o f t h e
w i n te r so ls t ic e A t the l a s t o f the thre e fe s t iv a l s an
i ma g e o f the god wa s m ade o f p a s te and c h il dren s
b loo d and pi er c ed at th e heart w i th a l an c e so that
he g urat iv e ly d i e d and yi e l ded pl ac e to the o ther
r
unt
il
T
her
i
n
th
i
a
v
er
y
cl
ea
h
e s p ring
i
s
s
t
e
o
d
g
a ll u s io n to the annua l death and re b i rth o f the s un
and the v e g etat io n ; and we ma y co n cl ude t hat
s i n c e an ear ly c h i e f o f the Az te c s o f the s ame name
is r ec o rd e d we ha v e here a b l end O f a glo r i ed
an ce s to r and a na t ure m y th
In
Te tzc atlipo c a see m s to be the w i n ter s un go d
the m o ns tr o us and p re cio u s i d ol s at the s umm i t s o f
the py ram i d te m pl e s he h ad the he ad o f a ta pi r but
i n h is h and w as a m i rro r wh ic h g a v e h i m his name

S o me re g arded h i m as a
The S h i n i ng M i rro r
pe rso n i c at io n o f the m oo n th o u g h i n the c u l t he
s eem s rather to be the w i nte r s u n P o ss i b ly the
tw o ha v e bee n mer g ed i nt o o n e and h e and h is
c o un te rp a rt ma y h a v e been o r igi na lly the s u n and
the m oo n Th e re ligio n is fu ll o f trac e s o f the wa y
i n wh ic h r iv a l p ri es th oo d s ha v e co m po und ed c u l ts
and adj us te d the l e g end s o f r iv a l go d s H o we ver

t hat ma y be h is c har ac ter a s a m i rr o r ( the d i s k

of e i ther t he m oo n o r the s un ) e as ily tran s fo rmed
h i m when the Az te cs ad op te d m o ra l c u l ture i n to

an a ll see i n g e ye and a r iv a l o f the ol d e r nat ive

d
u
z
H
o
Q
et
a
lco
a
t
l
e
b
e
c
ame
the
m
o
ra
l
gov
ern
o
r
g
o f the un iv ers e a nd
the p un is her o f s in
Th e
,

OF AMER IC A

THE R ELIGION S

1 60

S p an is h p r i e s t s were i n f a c t a s t o unded and em

,

b a rra ss e d

t o nd that the p ri e s t s o f T e tzc a tlipo c a

heard the co n fe ssion s o f the Me xic an s and g ranted
ab sol ut io n fr o m s in j u s t a s the y them s e lve s p r opos ed
to do

T l a loc the
N o ur isher
the go d of rai n and
water o f thun der and lightn i n g wa s the th i rd g reat
go d In the s tatue s he had but o n e e y e wh ic h
s eem s t o i dent ify h i m w i th the sky ; but he wa s
p e c u li ar ly a ssoci ated w i th W h i r lpools i nt o wh ic h the
heart s o f human vic t i m s were c a s t A t the g reat
f e s t iva l i n h is h o n o ur at the be gi nn i n g o f the y ear
a number of beaut if ully dre ss ed c h il dren were s ac r i
c e d and i t wa s he l d that if the y we p t the ra i n s o f
the y ear w o u l d be abundant
T l a loc s ent rheu

m a to id d is ea s e s j u s t a s Quet z a lco at l the p ar c h i n g

w i nter s un s ent fam i ne and t o th os e wh o s uffered

s e v ere ly fr o m them the p r i e s t o f Tl a loc t ook a p a s te
i mag e o f the go d ( a s a p r i e s t tak e s a co n s e c rated
wafer to the sick Cath olic) and offered i t t o eat
H is wife wa s Our L ad y C h alc h ibit and the c r oss
wa s h is sy mb ol Th e c r oss w as h o we v er sq uare
and is be li eved t o hav e re p re s en ted the fo ur quarter s
o f the co m p a ss o r the fo ur w i nd s that m ig ht br i n g
ra i n fr om them H e had m o re fe s t iv als than an y
o ther go d and i n h is c a s e a lso we nd an e x am pl e
o f the wa y i n wh ic h the p e opl e were o ut g r o w i n g the
barbar i t i e s o f the i r re ligio n A t one f e s t iv a l d olls
were mu c h u s ed and i t s eem s c le ar that a s i n
an ci ent R o me o r m o dern Ch i na the s e were s u b
s t itu te s fo r livi n g c h il dren wh o m i t had o n c e been
the c u s t o m to o ffer h i m
,

THE R ELIGION S

1 62

OF AMER IC A

s ev enth y ear the y had been tra i ned a s p r i e s t s and

tea c her s a n d o n c e the y were an oi nted ( w i th the
b loo d o f i n f ant s) the y formed a c a s te a p art wear i n g
lon g ha i r and lon g b l a ck mant l e s and livi n g i n the
tem pl e coll e g e s The y o f ci ated at bi rth s marr i a g e s
and funera ls and wa lked i n the g reat p r oc e ssio n s
T he y p ra c t is ed ver y lon g f a s t s and r os e i n the n ig ht
t o c hant h ymn s
It co m pl ete s the s tran g e ana logy w i th R o man
Cath olicis m when we l earn that there were a lso
herm i t s and m o n ks Man y o f the p r i e s t s p ra c t is ed
au s ter i t i e s wh ic h r iv a l the m os t p a i n fu l p er fo rman c e s
o f o u r med i e v a l s a i nt s ; man y ret i red i nt o the de s ert s
t o l ead a soli tar y lif e There were a lso l ar g e m o na s
t e rie s o r co n v ent s i n wh ic h men o r w o men vo wed
them s e lve s t o liv e s of c ha s t i t y and d iscipli ne A ll
the gi r ls o f the weal th y were tra i ned i n the nunner i e s

a s b oys were edu c ated b y the p r i e s t s and made

so s tern a vo w o f c ha s t i t y that the y were p ut t o
death if the y viol ated i t Lik e Cath olic nun s the y
made the s a c red c ak e s and g arment s for tem pl e u s e
tended the i n c en s e wh ic h burned at the a l tar s and
r os e dur i n g the n ig ht M os t o f them l ef t at the a g e
but a few remai ned a s nun s
o f fteen t o marr y
fo r life
Th e v er y co m pl e x m y th ology and r i tua l o f th is
remar k ab l e re ligio n c ann o t be de sc r i bed here and
I w ill clos e w i th an a cco unt o f the Me xic an be li e f
i n the life after death It is a ver y co mm o n e xpe
r i c u c e that a s man r is e s ab ov e the p r i m i t iv e l e v e l
th is be li e f be co me s a g ai n v ag ue and s had o w y S o
w e n d am o n g the B ab ylo n i an s G reek s an d R o man s
,

'

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1 63

a s oppos ed t o the E gyp t i an s o r the Per si an s A m on g

the Me xic an s the o rd i nar y sou l p a ss ed at death t o
the underw o r l d and had t o co nf r o nt the go d Mic tlan
B ut there wa s n o j ud g ment and i t s eem s t o ha v e
been the be li e f that the so u l then wandered fo r a
t i me i n a d i m and f anta s t ic underw o r l d unt il i t
e v entua lly f aded o ut o f e xis ten c e O n the o ther
hand the so u ls o f ki n gs n ob l e s sol d i er s wh o fe ll i n
the e l d and w o men wh o d i ed i n c h il d b i rth p a ss ed

t o a so rt o f heav en i n the h o u s e o f the s u n ;

wh il e c h il dren wh o had been dr o wned o r s a c r i c e d
went t o Tl aloc s g arden o n the m o unta i n s to re c e i v e
the i r reward
When we p a ss fr o m Me xico t o Peru we en co unter
a c u l ture and re ligio n wh ic h had p ea c e fu lly dev e lop ed
fo r s ix c entur i e s when the S p an i ard s arr iv ed and
had there fo re a l m os t ent i re ly s hed the cli n gi n g re lics
o f ear ly barbar is m
H uman s a c r i c e wa s a l m os t
th o u g h n o t wh olly un k n o wn there w as an an ci ent
de i t y wh os e p r i e s t s sombre ly i n sis ted o n an occ a sio na l
human vic t i m A t the sp r i n g f e s t iv a l the s a c ra
menta l c ak e s were s t ill made o f maiz e mea l and
c h il dren s b loo d but the p r i e s t s had n o w t o be
content w i th b l eed i n g i n stead of sl ayi n g the I nf ant s
T h e o ffer i n gs t o the go d s were u s ua lly o wer s
i n c en s e and foo d ; th ou g h an i ma l s a c r i c e s were
f re quent W i d o w s were n o lon g er bur i ed w i th
the i r hu s band s ; and a s i n Ch i na the i ma g e s o f
men and w o men wh ic h were s ent t o a ccom p an y the
so u l of the dead ill u strated a humane dev e lop ment
si n c e the d a ys when sl av e s o r w iv e s ha d b een bur i ed
a liv e
.

OF AMER IC A

THE R ELIGION S

1 64

Th e

wa s i n the ki n g d om o f the In c a s e ven

a m ore p r o m i nent de i t y than i n Me xico O ne th i rd
o f the ent i re terr i t o r y be lo n g ed t o the s u n ( o r h is
p r i e st s) o n e t o the ru li n g In c a (the S o n o f the S un)
and o n e t o the p e opl e ; and i t wa s a s c h i e f p r i e s t
and de sc endant of the s u n go d that the In c a e x erted
that m i nute and b e n e c e n t co ntr ol o f a ll h is s ubj e c t s
wh ic h m
ade Peru a un iq ue and h igh ly civiliz ed
poli t y Th e s un and the m oo n were b o th br other
and sis ter and hu s band and w ife ; and the l e g end
ran that the Peru vi an s had liv ed i n a s tate o f
s av a g er y unt il the s e heav en ly de i t i e s t ook pi t y o n
them and s ent tw o o f the i r c h il dren t o edu c ate
them We are be gi nn i n g t o en co unter th is m y th
o f a hea v en s ent s a vio ur go d o n
a ll si de s Th e
d ivi ne c h il dren were br o ther and sis ter and the y
be c ame the p arent s o f the lo n g li ne of the In c a s
Hen c e i t wa s that the In c a s s hared the d ivi n i t y o f
the s u n and were free t o marr y the i r sis ter s It is
piquant t o l earn f r o m the ear ly S p an is h wr i ter s that
the In c a s had dev e lop ed a li ttl e p r ivate sc e p t icis m i n
reg ard t o th is p r o tab l e l e g end
Th e gol den d isk o f the s u n go d and the silv er
d isk o f the m oo n go d were the tw o con spic u ou s
o bj e c t s o f the s u p erb te m pl e s G ol d wa s n o t u n
natura lly re l ated t o the er y s un of Peru a nd wa s
sc attered p r ofu s e ly ab o ut the tem pl e s and p al a c e s

O ther de i t i e s o f water ra i n the ra i nb o w the

earth et c were re cog n iz ed but the y s eem t o ha ve

been the ol der de i t i e s wh ic h so me con q uer i n g tr i be
had t o be content t o redu c e t o s e co ndar y ran k
A m on g the ma ss o f the p e opl e there li n g ered a lso
s un

THE R ELIGION S

1 66
or

OF A MER IC A

S po u s e s of the Lo rd s eem t o hav e been m o re

,

f a i th fu l t o the i r vo w s than the nun s o f the M i dd l e

A g e s were
T here were v e hundred of them i n
o n e l ar g e co n v ent
It w o u l d re qu i re a vol ume t o attem p t t o tra c e the
de ve lop ment of ea c h feature o f the s e Me xic an and
Peruvi an re ligio n s fr o m the ear li er l e ve l F a sci nat i n g
a s that ta sk w o u l d be i t c ann o t be atte m p ted here
e ven i n the m os t s ummar y f as h io n Th e reader
w ill h o wev er hav e s een h o w i n the g ener al feature s
o f the s e c u l t s we ha v e a s tead y and i nte lligi b l e
e vol ut io n Th e g h os t e l ement the p r i m i t iv e l e v e l
o f re ligio n is n o w l e f t f ar beh i nd o r li n g er s o n ly i n
f a i nt and d is app ear i n g tra c e s Th e ne x t l e ve l the
pl a ci n g o f spi r i t s in natura l e l ement s o r p hen o mena
s ur viv e s v er y pl a i n ly i n Peru and am on g the May a s
B ut the th i rd g reat l e v e l the p er son i c at io n o f the
l ar g er po wer s o f nature e sp e ci a lly the heaven ly
b o d i e s is n o w atta i ned and i t s de ve lop ment ov er
s had o w s a ll e ls e My th s and l e g end s p re s er v e i n
na ive f a s h io n the co n ic t s o f the new c u l t s w i th the
go d s and p r i e s th oo d s of the ol der spi r i t c u l t s and
the co m pound l e g end s o f the l ater a g e are a p t
t o re fer t o l ar g e f am ili e s o r h i erar c h i e s o f go d s
M o ra li t y a lso is n o w fo r the r s t t i me d en i te ly
T h e p r i e s t s be co m e
a ssoci ated w i th re ligio n
tea c her s and m ora lis t s and the i r go d is re pre
s ented a s the i n spi rer and V i nd ic at o r o f the m o ra l
co de Su c h we s ha ll nd a s we p r oc eed is the
n o rma l dev e lop ment o f re ligio n fr o m s ava g er y t o
ear ly civiliz at ion
.

C H AP TE R V II
RE L I G I O N S OF A S I A

THE

p r i n cipl e wh ic h the i n qu i rer mu s t h ol d s tead ily

in m i nd i n s tud yi n g the e vol ut io n of re ligio n o r an y
human de v e lop ment is that isol at io n mean s s ta g
nat io n ; that
the cl a s h o f
c u l ture s
T went y y ear s s tud y o f h is t o r y and
anthr opology hav e co nvi n c ed me that th is is the
s u p reme g enera li z at io n i n re l at io n t o human p r og re ss
It is i ndeed a l aw that go e s ba ck dee p i nt o the
b iologic a l w o r l d but i t s a c t io n is i nten si ed when
the menta l o r g an is m o f man is s u p eradded t o the
an i ma l o r g an is m
We ha v e a l read y v er i ed th is

O ur lo we s t p e opl e s that is t o s ay o ur l ea s t pro

r
e
i
p
e
opl
e
s
were
fo
und
i
n
isl
and
s
and
c
entra
l
s
s
e
v
g
fo re s t s o r at the t ips o f co nt i nent s O ur s e condar y
p e opl e s were s e co nd a lso i n re sp e c t o f isol at io n
T h e h is t o r ic a l p e opl e s wh o m we n o w s tud y are o n
the co ntrar y a l wa ys fo und i n re gio n s where so me
p art ic u l ar ly f ert il e area and c entra l ( o r ea sily
a cc e ssi b l e) posi t io n hav e l ed t o a g reat m i n gli n g o f
tr i be s and cl a s h o f re ligio u s c u l ture s T hat wa s the
s e c ret of the civiliz at io n s of c entra l A mer ic a It is
the s e c ret of the civiliz at io n s o f A si a
S i n ce o ur i ntere s t i n re ligio n is s tr ic t ly e vol ut io nar y
we w ill a s i n the l a s t c ha p ter r s t e x am i ne so me o f
THE

1 67

THE R ELIGION S

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OF A SI A

the c ruder re ligio n s wh ic h s t ill s urviv e be yo nd the

fr o nt i er s o f Ch i ne s e civiliz at ion and we s hall then
be better ab l e t o tra c e the de v e lop ment o f Ch i ne s e
re ligio n i n i t s ear li e s t k n o wn fo rm In the s e co nd
p art of the c hap ter we w ill atte m p t t o d o the s ame
fo r the re ligio n s o f Ind i a In the r s t c hap ter I
spok e o f the h is t o r ic re ligio n s a s co nden s at ion s of
nebu l ar re ligio u s mater i a l so me o f wh ic h is s till
fo und a s s treamer s of nebu l ar mater i a l are fo und i n
cl u s ter s of n is hed s tar s am on g l e ss ad v an c e d
p e opl e s It is o n th is a cco unt that I c h oos e th e
meth o d o f r s t e x am i n i n g the nebu l ar re ligio n o f
p r i m i t iv e A si at ic p e opl e s and then the h is t or ic
re ligio n s wh ic h hav e so meh o w de v e lop ed fr o m
them
A p art fr o m the N e g r i t o e s and the Me l ane si an s of
the isl and s wh o m we hav e s tud i ed there are tw o
g r o u ps o f p e opl e s o n the co nt i nent o f A si a wh o

cl a i m attent io n th os e wh ic h were embra c ed under

the n o w so mewhat ant iquated name of M on gols and
the Dravi d i an p e opl e s of the so uth We ma y here
ig n o re h y br i d p e opl e s and i nv ader s and ta k e the
former a s re p re s ent i n g ear li er s tag e s o f Ch i ne s e
civiliz at io n and the l atter i n conne c t io n w i th Ind i an
re ligion Th e M o n gols i n turn are d ivi ded i nt o tw o
f am ili e s and we w ill be co ntent t o gl an c e at a few
o f the n o rthern o r Ura l A l ta ic p e opl e s wh o s t ill i n
so me mea s ure ma i nta i n i n n orthern S i ber i a the
ki nd o f lif e wh ic h ma y hav e p re c eded the an ci ent
civiliz at io n o f Ch i na Su c h are the Ko r y a k the
Chu kc hee and the Yuk ag h i r wh o dra g o u t a m is er
ab l e exis ten c e o n the fr i n g e of the A r c t ic O c ean
,

THE R ELIGION S

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OF A SI A

l ur k ab o ut the s ett l ement s The y c h op u p so u ls

and f eed the i r g h os t ly c h il dren o n them T he y lov e
the heart o r liver o f men and e ven sp e ci aliz e i n
p r o du ci n g d is ea s e There is a spi r i t o f syp h ilis o f
colic o f rheum and s o o n Death is a l wa ys due t o
the i r ma c h i nat io n s We are there fo re n o t s ur p r is ed
t o nd am o n g the s e p e opl e s a g reat g r o wth of
s haman s o r devil gh te rs ; th ou g h the Chu kc hee
be li e ve s he c an e xo r cis e the e vil spi r i t h i m s e lf b y
em p t yi n g a v e ss e l o f w i ne u po n i t s head G enera lly
he ha s re cour s e t o the ma gic a l p ra c t ic e s of the
rud i m entar y p r i e s t o r s haman
There is a co rre spo nd i n g w o r l d o f fr i end ly spi r i t s
t o wh om s a c r i c e s are offered ; and a s i n n o rth
A m er ic a a f ew o f the s e ha v e r is en t o a s em i d ivi ne
rank Th e s u n and m oo n are b o th a liv e a nd ea c h
s tar o r co n s te ll at io n is an i mated b y a spi r i t ; and
there is an o ther li n k w i th A m er ic a i n the wa y i n
wh ic h the poi nt s o f the co m p a ss enter the m yth ology
T h e Dawn and the M i dda y are p er so n i ed and we
en co unter a g a i n Th e R av en o f the A mer i nd s and

the o ld w o m an at the b o tt o m o f the se a o f the

E ski m o
Th e Chu kc hee i n f a c t p e opl e the w o r l d
w i th i ma gi nar y be i n gs and the y draw the m os t
f anta s t ic de sig n s o f spi r i t fo rm s A n c e st o r w o r s h ip
li n g er s i n the be li e f i n d ome s t ic spi r i t s A t the
head of the wh ol e c rude h i erar c h y there is a

Creat o r o r Lif e givi n g B e i n g wh o p re si de s

ov er a v ag ue sky l and and is often i dent i ed w i th
the Dawn o r the Da y Lik e s o man y lo w ly p e opl e s
the y mere ly tak e h i m a s an e xist i n g f a c t ( a s if he
were the sky) and d o n o t p ra y o r s a c r i c e t o h i m
.

THE R ELIG I ON S

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I t is the nearer and m o re p er so na l spi r i t s that

matter
There i s a lso an underw o r l d o f g reat
e x tent and v er y earth y nature t o wh ic h the so u l
o f the dead u s ua lly p a ss e s and i n wh ic h i t s u l t i mate
f ate is o b sc ure ; th ou g h so me so u ls are th o u g ht t o
a sc end i n the s m ok e o f the funera l py re t o the

u pp er w o r l d Th e i dea o f heav en is s trugglin g

fo r b i rth
T o the we s t o f the Chu kc hee are the Y u k a g h i r
wh o h ol d a si m il ar re ligio n ( The Yu ka g hi r b y
W Jo c h e ls o n
and i n the n o rth o f K am c hada l
are the Ko r y ak wh o ha v e been s tud i ed b y the s am e
wr i ter ( The My tho lo gy of the K o rya k
H ere
we ha v e the u s ua l c r o wd o f ma l e vol ent spi r i t s ( and
the u s ua l c r o wd o f s haman s t o d o batt l e w i th them )
w i th a m o rb i d f an cy fo r a man s heart o r liv er o r
so u l E a c h man and ea c h h o u s e ha s a g uard i an
spi r i t a s u f ci ent ly cl ear li n k w i th the c u l t o f
an c e s t o r s ; and w i th the d o me s t ic spi r i t s are c o n
n e c te d i n a s em i s a c red s en s e the re dr ill and the
dr um A ll o bj e c t s are an i mated and Mr Jo c h e ls o n
s u gg e s t s that th is e xpl a i n s the ma gic a l p r op ert y o f
c harm s and ta lis man s ; th o u g h the be li e f is mu c h
ol der than an i m is m Th e s haman s co mmun ic ate
w i th the spi r i t s and we nd them de v e lopi n g the
s ame tr ick er y i n the A r c t ic wa s te s a s i n tr opic a l
A fr ic a
T he y p r o du c e the voic e s o f spi r i t s b y
v entr iloqu is m and the i r reward is g reat
Th e m y th ology co n c ern i n g the o ut s tand i n g S pi r i t s
o r e volvi n g de i t i e s
re s emb l e s that o f th e n o rth
A mer ic an s
T h e Rav en is c re d i ted w i th man y
her oic feat s and there are e l ab o rate l e g end s ab o ut
.

THE R ELIGION S

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OF A SI A

the r s t man
an c e s t o r and c u l ture giv er o f the
Ko r y ak wh o is s ai d b y some t o hav e been s e lf
c reated and t o be an a ssis tant o f the c u s t o mar y

Su p reme B ei n g
H e s eem s t o be an an c e s t o r
o r v a g ue coll e c t io n of an c e s t o r s r oll ed i nt o o n e
in
p r oc e ss o f de i c atio n Th e c h i e f spi r i t wh o i s
d ig n i ed b y tra ve ll er s and re ligio u s wr i ter s w i th
the t i t l e o f G o d and Su preme B e i n g is a rather
i nd ol ent s av a g e s u p erman wh o liv e s w i th h is f am ily
i n sky l and I f men ne gl e c t s a c r i c e ( of an i mals)
he go e s t o sl ee p a n d the co ur s e of nature is arre s ted

o r p er v erted H is so n
s hare s
Th e C lo ud Man
h is m o de s t d ivi n i t y and looks v er y lik e a m y th ic a l
re p re s entat ion of the bi rth o f clo ud s i n the sky
T here are a s am o n g the o ther U ra l A l ta i an s the
be gi nn i n gs of a s a cred c a l endar i n the f a m ili ar
s ha p e o f g ra c e befo re o r a fter the har v e s t Th e
Ko r y a k of the co a s t h ol d the i r f e s t iv a l w i th dan c e
and s a c r i c e at the be gi nn i n g and end of the s ea
har v e s t ; the Ko r y ak o f the i nter io r i n the sp r i n g
and autumn when the re i ndeer s ea so n op en s and
clos e s Th e f e st iv a l is d o me s t ic and the e l de s t
member o f the f am ily o f c iate s
S o me o f the U ra l A l ta i an s o r an ci ent M o n gols
hav e fu rther rened the i dea o f a r uli n g spi r i t i n
s k y l and s o that i t w o u l d be d i f c u l t t o draw a li ne
between the i r be li e f and m o n o the is m Other s lik e
the B ur y at s hav e n o th i n g that cou l d be c a ll ed a

S u p reme B e i ng
heav en
and
The y w o r s h ip

sp eak o f the will of he aven ; but o f the i r n i net y

n i ne heav en dwe lli n g spi r i t s n o ne is a d is t i n c t ru l er
T h e m os t pop u l ar o f them Es s e gh e Ma l an the
,

th e

THE R ELIGION S

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OF A SI A

an d se t f ree i t s so u l fo r the u s e o f the sou l o f the

dead man
O f the underwor l d o f the dead i t s e lf the y hav e an
ad v an c ed m y th ology There are d og g u i de s and at
o n e pl a c e a d og c ha ll en g e s the so u l and a cc u s e s i t of
its e vil deed s
I f i t den i e s them the go dde ss o f re
is s umm oned and the so u l is co nvic ted Th e w ick ed
so ul then go e s t o a ki nd o f he ll ; th o u g h so me re pre
s ent th is a s a col d and drear y re gion and so me a s a
pl a c e o f re Th e a l ternat iv e de v e lop ment is q u i te
i nte lligi b l e a s the e x treme o f e i ther w i nter o r
s ummer is ea sily con c e ived t o be a t o rture Th e

goo d p a ss t o the pl a c e o f G o d a w o r l d aki n i n

i t s nature t o th is but f ree fr o m tr o ub l e Th e A i nu
hav e i magi ned that fr o m the underw o r l d the dead
s e e what p a ss e s i n th is and hen c e i t is that the c u l t
o f an c e s t o r s s ur viv e s wherea s i t g enera lly f a lls i nt o
de c a y a s re ligio n ad van c e s O ne ma y j u s t ly s u sp e c t
that here B uddh is t i dea s have been g ra fted u po n the
ol d re ligio n
Th e s ame s u spicio n ar is e s when we co n si der the i r
h ig her spi r i t s A t the head is what Mr B at c helo r
de sc r i be s a s the a ll po wer fu l c reat o r but the deta ils
he give s warn u s t o tak e th os e attr i bute s w i th the
u s ua l li bera li t y In the be gi nn i n g wa s a q ua gm i re
and G o d s ent a water wa g ta il ( a s u p ernatura l be i n g
lik e the A mer i nd R av en o r Humm i n g Bi rd) t o
dr y and arran g e i t We are a c ute ly rem i nded o f
uttere d
G en es is when we read that the wa gta il

over the water and beat the cl ay i nt o s hap e Deer

were made fr o m ha i r s s h fr o m sc a l e s and so o n
Th e wa g ta il then rema i ned t o i n i t i ate men i nt o the
c ar

THE R ELIGION S

OF A SI A

1 75

wa ys o f civiliz at io n H ere h o wev er the fun c t io n s

s eem a li tt l e m ix ed a s there is also a de i t y Aio in a
wh o wa s s ent t o mak e and tea c h men and wh o (lik e
so man y de i t i e s at th is l e v e l ) liv ed lo n g am o n g men
i n human s ha p e T h e A i nu tra c e the i r o r igi n t o

Aio in a Mr B at c he lo r s a ys
n o t i n e ver y c a s e b y
wa y o f natura l g enerat io n but b y wa y o f be i n g

c reated b y h i m (p
H e looks lik e a de i ed
an c e s t o r fo r wh o m a pl a c e ha s been fo und am o n g
ad op ted go d s Bo th de i t i e s are r iv a ll ed i n pop u l ar i t y
b y the s u n go dde ss (o r go d a cco rd i n g t o o ther s) and
m oo n go d ( o r go dde ss) th o u g h the l um i nar i e s are
rather v eh icl e s o f de i t i e s than de i t i e s them s e lv e s

Th e s u n go dde ss is
the d ivi ne g randm o ther and

d ivi ne an g e l
and p r o bab ly fr o m B uddh is t

in u e n c e s h e k ee ps a s tr ic t re co rd o f the e vil
deed s o f men In an e clips e the s un is f a i nt i n g
and the A i nu sp r i n kl e water
o r losi n g i t s S pi r i t
t o w ard s i t t o re viv e i t B e lo w the s e are the u s ua l
go d s o r g reat spi r i t s o f re water the clo ud y
m o unta i n t ops v e g etat io n the a i r the s tar s and s o
and l e gio n s o f dem o n s and co mm o n spi r i t s
on ;
i n fe s t the w o r l d and mak e tr o ub l e
T he s e are what I ha v e c a ll ed the p at c he s of

nebulosi ty if o n e ma y a pply the w o rd t o re l at iv e ly

ad v an c ed re ligio n s wh ic h li n g er i n the ne ig hb o ur
h oo d o f Ch i na and i t w o u l d be natura l t o look fo r
a deve lop ment of the h is t or ic re ligio n o f Ch i na fr o m
th is ear ly mater i a l U n fo rtunate ly n o t o n ly is the
re ligio n o f Ch i na t o da y an e xc eed i n gly co m pl e x
bl end o f ent i re ly d i fferent re ligio n s but we k n o w
that a fo re ig n i ntru sio n mu s t be re cog n i z ed at the
.

THE R ELIGION S

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OF A SI A

v er y ba s e o f Ch i ne s e civiliz at io n We hav e s tr on g
rea so n at l ea s t t o s u sp e c t that a few th o u s and y ear s
be fo re Chr is t a po wer fu l and re l at iv e ly civiliz ed
p e opl e c ame fr o m the f ar we s t and i m pos ed the i r
c u l ture u pon the p r i m i t iv e i nhab i tant s of the re gio n
It ha s lo n g been re cogn iz ed that the A kk ad i an s wh o
l a i d the foundat io n s of the B ab ylo n i an civiliz at ion
were aki n t o the Ch i ne s e and i t is n o w g enerally
be li e ved that a bran c h of th is ra c e o r a p e opl e
re l ated t o the Ak k ad i an s c r oss ed A si a and be g an
the s t o r y o f civiliz at io n i n Ch i na T h is w ill re co n cil e
the reader t o the g enera liz at io n w i th wh ic h I Op ened
th is c ha p ter i n vi rtue o f wh ic h o ne w o u l d hard ly
exp e c t t o nd civiliz at io n de v e lop ed i n so isol ated a
re gio n ; but i t d o e s n o t en co ura g e the h op e o f tra ci n g
the co n sis tent de ve lop m ent o f re ligio n i n Ch i na
Th e s t o r y is h o we v er a s f ar a s we k n o w i t
i ntere s t i n g
In a w or k ent i t l ed The Ori gi n a l R e ligi o n of C hi n a
( 1 9 09 ) the Re v Dr J R oss attem p t s t o s u pply that
k n ow l ed g e of the ear li e s t C hi ne s e re ligio n wh ic h we
s eek H is co n cl u sio n s s eem at r s t t o be ent i re ly at
v ar i an c e w i th the con cl u sio n s wh ic h the p re c ed i n g
c ha p ter s hav e re co m m ended t o u s H e s ays that

the g h os t the o r y o f re ligio n the the o r y that a c u l t

o f spi r i tua l be i n gs wa s e volv ed f r o m a be li e f i n
sur vivi n g shade s o f dead m e n
w o u l d ne ver hav e
been br o a c hed if ear ly Ch i ne s e re ligio n had been
tak en i nt o a cco unt It is fr o m the s tart he s a ys a

m o n othe is m It is a c u l t o f Shan g t i ( Th e R u l er
A b ov e ) o r T i en
the c reat o r and m o ra l
ru l er o f the un iv er s e Whate v er o ther g reat spi r i t s
.

1 78

THE R ELIGIO N S
of

OF A SI A

i n the da ys
M os e s and we k n o w we ll t o da y
what an ana c hr o n is m th is w o u l d be Th e date o f
the ear li e s t Ch i ne s e wr i t i n gs is un k n o wn but e ven
if we a cc e p t a s we ma y the i r a ss uran c e that Ki n g

S hun
O ffered the c u s t o mar y s a c r i c e t o G o d
ab o ut the y ear 2255
we are li tt l e nearer the
o r igi na l Chi ne s e re ligio n than we are t o d a y E ve n
if we adm i tted that i n the th i rd m ill enn i um be fo re
Chr is t the re ligio n wa s m o n o the is t ic we s h o u l d s t ill
hav e t o re g ard th is a s the iss ue o f a de v e lop ment
that had occ u pi ed ten s o f th o u s and s o f y ear s
I n poi nt o f f a c t what is c a ll ed the m o n o the is m of
ear ly Ch i na is j u s t s u c h an ad v an c e u po n A mer i nd
re ligio n a s we s h o u l d e xp e c t i n the ci r c um s tan c e s
In Me xico we fo und a den i te poly the is m be c au s e
three d i e re n t p e opl e s and the i r go d s and p r i e s th oo d s
had m i n gl ed at a co m p arat iv e ly re c ent date when
the S p an i ard s arr iv ed I n Peru where there had
been n o co n q uer i n g i n v ader ( w i th new go d s) fo r
man y c entur i e s the S un go d had r is en s o h ig h
ab ov e a ll o ther s that the re ligio n wa s ha lf wa y
t o ward s m on o the is m In Ch i na the S ky G o d had
ad van c ed e ven f urther ; and the f a c t that h is c u l t
wa s a State a ffa i r d o e s mu c h t o e xpl a i n i t s p re
d o m i nant posi t io n
T h e e vi den c e q u o ted b y Dr R oss s h o w s that i n
the th i rd m ill enn i um befo re Chr is t Ch i ne s e Of ci a l

re ligio n and o f ci a l h is t or i an s w o u l d p a y sc ant y

attent io n t o pop u l ar c u l t s wa s a c u l t o f S han g t i

H ea v en
or
T here were n o tem pl e s o f the c u l t
a pp arent ly ; n o p r i e s t s a p art fr o m the S tate o f ci a ls ;
and n o p ra y er s fo r fo r giv ene ss Of si n A l tar s m ig ht
-

THE R ELIGION S

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1 79

be ere c te d i n an y pl a c e an d o n the s e the of ci a l s

Offered s a c r i c e s fo r f a vo ur s re c e iv ed T here wa s a
h ig h m o ra l i dea lis m and S han g t i the c reat o r and
m o ra l l e gisl at o r re s ented tran sg re ssio n s ; but the
p un is hm ent c ame i n the fo rm o f earth ly s tr ip e s
s u c h a s d is ea s e o r f am i ne I t wa s n o t unt il ab o ut
1 1 2 2 B C that an o ther ki n g en fo r c ed the c u l t o f the
earth and the Ch i ne s e be g an t o re g ard Hea v en and
E arth a s the tw o au g u s t reali t i e s the f ather and
m o ther of a ll th i n gs I ma y add that the ear li e s t
Ch i ne s e pic t og ram fo r G o d re p re s ent s h i m a s a
man
SO f ar we ha v e f am ili ar re ligio u s e l ement s
Th e
p r i m i t iv e n o rthern M o n gols wh o m we ha v e j u s t
e x am i ned look ed t o sky l and a s the h o me o f the de i t y
and a sc r i bed t o h i m i n a rud i mentar y wa y the

c hara c ter o f Rul er ab ove

A nd we s t ill nd n o
un fam ili ar e l ement when we co n si der the rema i nder
o f the re ligio n
e xc e p t that there s eem s t o hav e
been fo r a lo n g t i me n o fema l e de i t y ; wh ic h ma y
v er y we ll be due t o the ma sc u li ne de spo t is m o f the
Chi ne s e T here were j u s t the s ame g reat spi r i t s i n
the v ar io u s e l ement s o f nature a s i n o ther pl a c e s
and the s ame s a c r i c e s were O ffered t o the s e a s t o
S han g t i
A t the m os t the y were p erha ps a li tt l e
m o re su b o rd in a te d ( i n l e g end ) t o the S ky go d than

we nd i n l e ss de v e lop ed re ligio n s
W o r s h ip o f

the s ub o rd i nate de i t y wa s s a ys Dr R oss ( p

n o t co n si dered i n co n sis tent w i th the w o r s h ip Of

the s u p reme
T h e co nd i t io n wa s i n f a c t hen o
the is m o r the p red o m i nan c e Of o n e am o n g a s ma ll

c r o w d o f go d s B e lo w th e s e s e co n d ar y de i t i e s o f
,

THE R ELI G I

1 80

O NS OF A SI A

and w i n d were

the a i r clo ud s thunder ra i n

i nnumerab l e g uard i an spi r i t s o f r o ad s and vill a g e s
and p r ovi n c e s r iver s and m ounta i n s and the el d s
A t the ba s e wa s a liv e ly c u l t Of an c e s t o r s re p re s ent
i n g the p r i m i t ive fo rm o f re ligio n It is sig n i c ant
that the o n ly tem pl e s i n th is ear ly Ch i na were

ded ic ated t o the w o r s h ip of an c e s t o r s (p

Dr R oss te lls u s
T h is is a s I s a i d an ent i re ly i nte lligi b l e and
o rder ly de ve lop ment o f s u c h re ligio n a s we fo und
am o n g the m o re p r i m i t iv e M o n gols and i t ma y be
that the com in g o f a s u p er io r ra c e fr o m the we s t
and fo und i n g of a h igh ly bureau c rat ic civiliz at io n
had ha s tened the m o n o the is t ic dev e lop ment B ut
i n the m ill enn i um be fore Chr is t Ch i ne s e civiliz at io n
p a ss ed i nt o a p er io d o f de c a y and d iso rder F o r
s e v era l c entur i e s the S tate wa s rent and dem o ra li z ed
and the Ol d re ligio n wa s m o d i ed
Sir R K
D o u gl a s ( C o nfu c i a n i s m a n d Ta o u i sm 1 9 06) a gree s
w i th Dr R oss a s t o the ear li er m o n o the is m and
s eem s t o co m pl a i n that S han g t i wa s i n the l ater
p er io d i dent i ed w i th the p h ysic a l heav en s and
r o bbed o f h is p er so na li t y Th is co m pl ai nt is h o w
e v er p ure ly re l at iv e S i r R K D ou gl a s and e v er y
o ther auth or i t y mak e i t c le a r th at i n the p er io d Of
d iso rder there wa s a con si derab l e g r o wth o f i nte l
Th e tran s
l e c tua l lif e and sc e p t ic al d isc u ssio n
fo rmat io n o f Shan g t i wa s de li berate
S c h ol ar s
were rea c h i n g the i ne vi tabl e s ta g e o f A the is m o r
A gn os t icis m wh ic h co me s at the c u l m i nat io n o f
e v er y civiliz at io n ; and a s sc h ol ar s g enerally d o
i n s te ad of fr ank ly den yi n g the ex i s ten c e of Sh ang t i
,

THE R ELIGION S

1 82

OF A SI A

Ta o n tih K i ng ;

and i ndeed a be li e f i n s u c h a
be i n g w o u l d be i n Opposi t io n t o the wh ol e ten o ur

p
o f h is p h ilosop h y
Dr L e gg e qu o te s a
(

p a ss ag e i n wh ic h the s a g e s a ys o f T a o ( the wa y
that is t o s a
the
wa
y
Of
lif
e
he
ad
voc
ated
that
)
y

i t m ig ht a pp ear t o hav e been be fo re G o d

B ut
a s th is is the o n ly re feren c e t o G o d i n h is w o rk
and h is tea c h i n g is o therw is e con si s tent ly human i
tar i an S i r R K D ou gl a s s ee s i n i t o n ly a co n c e ssio n
t o pop u l ar l an g ua g e It is the s ame w i th the m an y

v a g ue re feren c e s t o the w ill o f heav en

L ao t se s
tea c h i n g is s ummed i n a p ass a g e wh ic h Dr L egg e
q u o te s
I t is th e w a y o f Ta o n o t t o a c t fr o m a n y p ers o n a l
m o tive t o c o n duc t a ffa i r s w i thout fe eli n g th e tro ubl e
o f the m t o t a s te wi th o ut be i n g a wa re Of t h e a vo ur
t o a c c ep t th e g re a t a s s m a ll a n d th e s m a ll a s grea t
t o re c o m p en s e i n jur y wi th ki n dn e s s

L a o t s e wa s i n f a c t an un co n scio u s ut ili tar i an

Men were t o a c t m o ra lly w i th o ut m o t iv e ; but he
went o n t o s a y that when ru l er s were j u s t and
ki nd ly and s ub j e c t s were vi rtu o u s the w o r l d w o u l d
be p er fe c t ly happy It wa s the go s p e l o f J S M ill
e xp re ss ed i n so mewhat m ys t ic term s
O n that
gosp e l tw o th o u s and y ear s ago L a o t s e atta ck ed
war and c api ta l p un ishment and e ver y fo rm o f
i n j u st ic e
Wh il e the Re v Dr L e gg e wh o wr i te s adm i rab ly
s a g e s i n the E n c yc lop cedi a B ri ta nn i c a
o n b o th
mak e s a re s er v e i n re g ard t o L a o t s e he frankly

de sc r i be s the tea c h i n g of Kun g fu t s e a s hard ly

T h e w o rd
m ore than a p ure s e c u l ar ism
hard ly
-

THE R ELIGION S

OF A SI A

1 83

m ig ht w i th j u s t ic e ha v e been c han g ed i nt o n o

K un g fu t s e re f erred at t i me s t o
the w ill of
hea v en but i t is adm i tted b y a ll wh o are f am ili ar
w i th the C o n fu ci an li terature ( wr i tten b y h is
follo wer s) that he s tud io u sly e v aded q ue s t io n s ab o ut
re ligio n and that (a s Dr L e gg e s ays) h is tea c h i n gs
were si n g u l ar ly de voi d o f re feren c e t o an y th i n g but

Th e w o rd
what wa s s een and tem po ra l
si ng u
la rly
betra ys a g a i n that Dr L e gg e ha s n o in c li
nat io n t o s tra i n Kun g fu t s e s sc e p t icis m
It is
a cc e p ted b y a ll that o n the o ne occ a sio n when
Kun g fu t s e wa s co rnered b y an i m po rtant p er so na g e
and fo r c ed t o e xp re ss an Opi n io n o n the i n spi rat io n

TO giv e o ne s e lf earne s t ly t o th e
o f lif e he s a i d :
dut i e s due t o men and wh il e re sp e c t i n g S pi r i tua l

be i n gs t o k ee p a loof fr o m them that ma y be c a ll ed

w is d o m
That wa s a d is t i n c t re p ud i at io n o f the
c ul t o f S han g t i o r an y o ther spi r i t Kun g fu t s e
wa s a p ure human i tar i an
In the D i c ti o n a ry of E thi c s a nd R e ligi o n Mr

W G Wa ls he (art icl e Ch i na ) attem p t s t o d il ute

o r o b sc ure the sig n i c an c e o f th is ear ly sc e p t icis m

H e weakly co n c ede s that Kun g fu t s e s eem s t o

hav e de p re c ated p ra y er
and a l wa ys re f u s ed t o

talk ab o ut s u p ernatura l p hen o mena

B ut he
p r ote st s that the s a g e wa s mere ly n o t a pro pa
n
i
d
a
s
t
Of
re
ligio
n
that
i
n
the
d
is
tre
ss
ed
g
ci r c um s tan c e s o f h is co untr y he w o u l d a voi d
co ntr ov er sy and that at a ll e vent s he go t the
mater i a l of h is tea c h i n g f r o m the e xis t i n g re ligion
One w o ul d i magi ne fr o m m o dern re ligio u s li terature
that the tr o ub l e o f the t i me w o u l d hav e been a
.

THE R ELIGION S

1 84

OF A SI A

cog ent rea so n fo r s tr essi ng n o t fo r a voi d in g the

p ra c t ic e Of re ligio n B ut we need n o t p ur s ue the
s ub j e c t
Kun g fu t s e wa s an A g n os t ic m o ralis t

wh os e f ew re feren c e s t o
the w ill o f heav en
mu s t be under s t oo d a s we under s tand the s a c r i

ce s to
heav en o f a m o dern A g n os t ic Ch i ne s e
,

Oi c ial

C o n fu ci an is m is there fo re n o t a re ligio n It is
fr o m sheer unw illi n g ne ss t o g rant that at l ea s t the
edu c ated p art Of a g reat civiliz at io n ha s had n o
re ligio n fo r tw o th ou s and y ear s that C o n fu ci an is m
is con stant ly de sc r i bed a s a re ligio n T here is n o t
o n e of Pr ofe sso r L euba s f t y den i t io n s of re ligio n
wh ic h cov er s i t It is an adm i rab l e and s tr ic t ly
ut ili tar i an eth ic By a c ur io u s coi n ci den c e i ndeed
K un g fu t s e g av e a s the s u p reme ru l e o f life the
maxi m wh ic h Ch ris t w o u l d giv e v e c entur i e s l ater
It is so met i me s i na cc urate ly s ai d that the Ch i ne s e
m o ra lis t e xp re ss ed the G ol den R u l e mere ly i n the
n e g at iv e fo rm
Dr L e gg e te lls u s that o n the

co ntrar y he
under s t oo d i t i n i t s m os t posi t iv e

and co m p rehen siv e fo rm

It is i n fa c t co nta i ned
i n a si n gl e posi t iv e Ch i ne s e c hara c ter wh ic h mean s

li tera lly : As heart

Th e O b vio u s i m po rt o f i t i s

L et yo ur heart f ee l a s yo ur f e llo w s heart fee ls

And K un g fu tse ha s had th is s u p reme reward
am on g the earth s re former s that he ha s ne v er been
de i ed ; n o p r i e s th oo d ha s e ver p erv erted his tea c h
i n g T here is a beaut ifu l tem pl e be si de h is t o mb
but the h ighe s t t i t l e the y hav e dared t o i n sc ri be

Th e M os t H oly Pre sci ent S a g e K un g

o n i t is :

fu tse
F o r tw o th o u s and y ear s he h as k e p t the
.

THE R ELI G ION S

1 86

OF A SI A

p anthe o n (if an y ma y be s a i d t o be h igher than

the F i r s t Im p er i a l An c e s t or) is a su n go dde ss
wh os e sy mb ol the m i rr o r (a s i n Peru) is the m os t
co n spic u o u s O bj e c t o f the S h i nt o tem pl e In the
six th c entur y B uddh is m wa s i ntr o du c ed fr o m Ch i na
and is e qua lly pop u l ar w i th Sh i nt o Th e educ ated
Ja p ane s e are g enera lly A g n os t ic and C o n f u ci an and
the ba sis o f the i r m o ra l i dea lis m is a co m pil at ion
c a ll ed B u sh i d o of n o n re ligio u s s ent i ment s fr o m an y
so ur c e k n o wn t o them
In the so uth Of A si a a s I s a i d we hav e re pre
s e n tativ e s o f e v er y l e v e l o f human c u l ture o r livi n g
re lics o f ev er y p ha s e o f human dev e lop ment F r o m
the w il d V eddah of Ce ylo n t o the c u l t ivated H i nd u
o f t o da y we ha v e the ent i re sc a l e o f e vol ut io n
and
there are mu l t i tude s o f p e opl e s ill u s trat i n g the i nter
med i a te s ta g e s I t w o u l d s eem that th is re gio n of
the earth a lo ne w o u l d f urn is h s u f ci ent m ater i a l t o
enab l e u s t o tra c e the ad van c e o f re ligio n fr o m
l e ve l t o l e v e l B ut i t w oul d tak e s e vera l vol ume s
t o arran g e a ll the p e opl e s o f s outhern A si a i n a
h i erar c h y of c u l ture a nd m i nute ly tra c e the g r o wth
o f re ligio n f r o m the V eddah o r A ndaman o r S eman g
l e ve l t o the m ys t icis m o f Ta go re Indeed e ven the
de sig n o f givi n g a slig ht S k et c h o f s u c h de v e lop ment
d o e s n o t p r op er ly f a ll w i th i n m y pl an fo r o f the

three g reat re ligio n s of so uthern A si a H i ndu is m

B uddh ism and M ohammedan is m the s e co nd is

lik e C o n fu ci an ism rather an aband o nment than a
de v e lop ment Of re ligio n and the r s t and th i rd are
i m po rtat io n s n o t nat iv e g r o wth s I will there fo re
be content t o gl an c e at the re li gio n of o ne o r tw o
-

THE R ELI G ION S

OF A SI A

1 87

p e opl e s wh o fa i r ly re p re s ent a re ligio u s l e v e l Ol der

than that wh ic h the A r y an s i m pos ed u po n Ind i a
then at the re ligio n o f th is i n v adi n g p e opl e and
l a s t ly at l ater re ligio u s de ve lop ment s i n I nd i a
T h e p e opl e s of Ind i a wh o a p art f r o m M o n gol and
o ther i n v ader s re p re s ent the g enera l pop u l at io n
be fo re the arr iv a l Of the A r y an s are n o w k n o wn a s

Dravi d i an
We hav e s tud i ed a Pre Dravi d i an
l e v e l i n the V eddah s and i n d oi n g s o we had
gli m ps e s o f the re ligio n of the T am ils a Dravi d i an
p e opl e o f Ce ylo n and Madra s Th e T o da s o f the
N ilgi r i h ills are an o ther and p art ic u l ar ly i ntere s t i n g
Dra vi d i an p e opl e and Mr W H R R iv er s ( The
To d a s 1 9 0 6) h a s giv en u s a v er y f u ll and c are f u l
a cco unt o f them The y are n o t o f p ure ra c e and
wh il e the y retain s u c h p r i m i t iv e f eature s a s poly
andr y ( a w if e be lon gi n g a lso t o her hu s band s
br o ther s ) the i r re ligio n is a c tua lly i n a s tate o f
de c a y Th e fo rm s an d r i tua l it o n c e en g endered
are s t ii n g i t s spi r i t B ut the Ol d be li e fs s ur viv e
s u f ci ent ly t o giv e u s a gli m ps e o f ear ly religio n
i n th is p art o f the w o r l d
Th e T o da s are so i ndu s tr io u s a p a s t o ra l p e opl e
and atta c h so mu c h i m po rtan c e t o the so ur c e Of the i r
ma i ntenan c e that man y hav e re g arde d the bu ffa lo
a s the i r go d and the da i r y a s the i r tem pl e Mr
R iv er s den i e s th is but adm i t s that wh il e the go d s
are i n de c ay a so rt o f s a c redne ss ha s been tran s
f erred t o the bu ffa lo and i t s be ll T he y ha v e
h o wev er man y go d s Of the u s ual natur is t c hara c ter
T he s e liv e o n the h ills wh ic h s urr o un d the T o da
re gio n but the To da s a frm that there wa s a t i me
,

THE R ELIGION S

1 88

OF A SI A

when the go d s lived am o n g men and tau ght them

Mr R iv er s s a ys (p
There is li tt l e
to
s u ppo rt the i dea that the go d s are pe rso n i c atio n s

Of the fo r c e s o f nature
In the i r p re s ent fo rm the y

are a de v e lop ment o f h ill S pi r i t s and the spi r i t s

wh ic h dwe ll o n the h ills are p r o bab ly an c e s tra l i n
o r igi n To the s t o ne m o nument s wh ic h are s t ill
fo und o n the h ills the To da s o f t o da y are in die re n t
but the y are p r obab ly m o nument s o f the dead and
the y rep re s ent the g erm s o f go d maki n g Th e

auth o r te lls u s ( p 44 6) that there c an be li tt l e

d oubt that so me of the go d s are de i e d men

S u c h is p r o bab ly the c h i e f go dde ss T e ikirzi the
l aw giver Th e ol de s t and p r i n cip a l go d ha s a w if e
and so n E a c h h ill ea c h r iv er and pool ha s a go d ;
but there is n o p er so n i c at io n Of the hea ven ly b o d i e s
o r lig ht o r thunder
T h e T o da s are c erta i n ly p e c u li ar ly i ntere s t i n g i n
s h o w i n g u s h o w q u i te an e l ab o rate m y th ology ma y

de c a y The y s h o w u s Mr R iver s s a ys
a s ta g e
o f re ligio u s be li e f i n wh ic h go d s o n c e be li e v ed t o be
real livi n g am o n g men and i nterv en i n g a c t iv e ly i n
the i r a ffa i r s hav e be co me s had o w y be i n gs ( p
B ut the y are e qua lly i ntere st i n g i n reta i n i n g the
tra c e s o f the e vol ut io n Of the go d s TO da y the
p ra y er s and r i tua l are fo rma l and the go d s are n o t
a pp arent ly be li ev ed t o i nter vene mu c h i n human
affai r s T he y d o h o we ver c au s e e vil and m is
fo rtune and are t o be p r opi t i ated A t death a so u l

p a ss e s t o a l and i n the we s t a l and li t b y the s ame

s un a s o ur s and r ic h i n buffa lo e s and da i r i e s There
is so me v ag ue p un ishment i n s t ore fo r the w ick ed

THE R ELIGION S

1 90

OF A SI A

s had o w y earth is p ut e i ther be yond the h o r izo n

(where n o nat iv e ha s been t o e xplo re ) o r i n the sky
o r under g r o und
and at v ar io u s l e ve ls of de ve lop
ment i t be gi n s t o S h o w a d isc r i m i nat io n between the
treatment Of the goo d and the e vil A b ov e the s e
g h os t s are the c u s t o mar y vill a g e spi r i t s tr i ba l spi r i t s
and nature S pi r i t s In a ll c a s e s the y are den i te and
s em i mater i a l p er so nali t i e s and the y rather re s emb l e
g h os t s e l e v ated t o a s em i d ivi ne posi t io n than co n
c re tio n s o f a d i ffu s ed spi r i tua l ener gy ( i n wh ic h n o ne
o f the s e p e opl e s be li e v e )
We mu s t h o we v er l eav e
i t Op en whether man y o f the nature S pi r i t s ma y n o t
have been c reated o n the m o de l o f the human g h os t
rather than fo rmed b y the mere p r oc e ss o f turn i n g
an c e s t o r s i nt o go d s A s e ls ewhere so me o f the s e
S pi r i t s p rov e m o re i m portant i n p ra c t ic e than o ther s

and tend t o be co me h ig her go d s and e i ther fr o m

the z ea l o f p r i e s t s o r the need of the i ma gi nat io n t o

hav e a mak er o f th i n gs o r b oth o ne spi r i t g enerally

r is e s t o ward s a s u p reme o r co mmand i n g posi t io n
When h o we ver we turn fr o m the s e Dra vi d i an o r
M on goloi d p e opl e s t o the re ligio u s life o f Ind i a we
f a c e a sys tem o r g r o u p o f sys tem s o f s u c h co m
l
i
x
and
de
v
e
lop
ment
that
a
vol
ume
w
o
u
l
d
hard
ly
e
t
y
p
s u f c e t o tra c e the e vol ut ion F o r the p ur pos e o f
th is S k et c h i t w ill be en o u g h t o de sc r i be the re ligio n
emb o d i ed i n the ear li e s t p art s o f the H i ndu s a c red
b ooks the V eda s and v er y br i ey re c all the l ater
de ve lop ment s wh ic h hav e re s u l ted i n the r ic h
con fu sion o f the re ligio u s lif e of Ind i a t o d a y
.

Th e be st v o l u m e
E W H o pkin s
1

on

th e
F or

e ligi o ns of I n d i a ,
h
i
s
T
R
e
j
biyr
s h o rt a c c o u n t s se e Hi nd u is m, b y S

su b ec t

THE R ELIGION S

A s i n the c a s e

OF A SI A

19 1

Ch i na i t ha s been s tated b y S i r
M M on i er W illi am s and o ther re ligio u s wr i ter s that
I nd i an re ligio n a cco rd i n g t o the V eda s be gi n s w i th
m o n o the is m and i s l ater de g ra d ed t o the co nd i t io n
Of poly the is m We are q u i te p re p ared t o co n si der
fran kly an y e vi den c e o f an ear ly m o n o the is m i n b o th
of

that m o n o the is m wa s t
E gyp t a g e s be fo re the p r i e s t s o f Jah v eh had an y
o r g an iz ed c u l t an d lo n g be fo re a li ne wa s wr i tten
o f e i ther the Ch i ne s e o r the Hi ndu s a c red b ooks
We ha v e f urther goo d rea so n t o th i nk that b o th i n
Ch i na and Ind i a the h ist o r ic a l p er io d op ened w i th
an i n v a sio n fr o m the We s t I ndeed what we hav e
a l read y s een i n ear li er c hap ter s mak e s the g r o wth
o f m o n o the is m s o natura l that we S ha ll n o t be
s ur p r is ed t o nd i n an y e l ementar y civiliz at io n the
c u l t o f a si n gl e go d ra is ed so f ar ab ov e the c u l t s o f
o ther go d s a s t o giv e the re ligio n a m o n o the is t ic o r
hen o the is t ic co m pl e xio n ; the l ater term is p re fer
abl e S i n c e there are i n ea c h c a s e man y go d s and i t
is mere ly a q ue s t io n o f d is tan c e between the c h i e f
go d and the o ther de i t i e s
We mu s t remember h o we v er that the p hra s e

p r i m i t iv e m o n o the is m is re l at iv e and m isl ead i n g

It h a s fre quent ly been cl ai med that the ear li e s t
p art s o f the V eda s go ba ck t o
o r e v en
,

g sh
l
l

o n i e r- W

ill ia ms ( 1 89 7 )

an d

B ud d hism

by T W
.

Rh ys D av id s

THE R ELIGION S

1 92

OF A SI A

Dr H opki n s o n e o f the m os t c are fu l

s tudent s a l m ost r i d ic u l e s th is i dea and s u gg e s t s that
w o u l d at l ea s t be nearer the truth Th is
e s t i mate is si n g u l ar ly co nrmed b y a m o dern d is
c o v e ry
It ha s lon g been k n o wn that the Per si an s
and H i ndu s formed at o n e t i me a si n gl e A r y an ra c e
re l ated i n so me mea s ure t o the ra c e s o f Eur op e
We hav e d iscov ered i n Capp ad oci a c erta i n treat i e s
between the ki n g of the H i tt i te s and the kin g o f
M i tann i wh ic h be lon g t o the fo urteenth c entur y
befo re Chr is t
In the s e the de i t i e s are c a ll ed t o
w i tne ss the co m p a c t and i t is co n si dered b y sc h ol ar s

that so me o f the name s are a l m os t c erta i n ly the

name s o f the H i ndu de i t i e s M i tra V aruna and
Indra Th is w o u l d s eem t o i nd ic ate that a s l ate a s
the fo urteenth c entur y be fo re Chris t the H i ndu
Per si an s were s t ill o n e f am ily i n the re gio n t o the
ea s t Of A si a M i n o r and n o rth o f Pal e s t i ne ; and
t hat i t wa s l ater than th is date when the H i ndu
bran c h o f th e f am ily m oved further i nt o A si a

entered Ind i a f r o m the n o rth we s t and n o t S o

mu c h b y viol ent co n qu e s t a s b y s u p er io r i t y o f

Th e re ligio n o f
c u l ture ma stered the co untr y
the ear li e s t V eda s w o u l d there fo re re p re s ent a
b l end o f the nat iv e and the A r y an re ligio n ab out
a th o u s and y ear s be fo re Chr is t and ea c h o f the s e
re ligio n s had beh i nd i t a hundred th o u s and y ears
To c a ll the re ligio n Of the
o r m o re of e vol ut io n
V eda s p r i m i t iv e i s m isl ead i n g
To c a ll i t m o n o the is m w o u l d be e q ua lly m is
l ead i n g were the pl ura li t y o f i t s go d s n o t so a pp arent
t o e v er y reader S i r M M on i er Willi am s s eem s t o
.

THE R ELIGION S

1 94

OF A SI A

S ur y a ( the s u n ) De v a ( the s h i n i n g o ne the a ll

s ee i n g e y e) Vishnu ( the m ig ht y o n e ) S avi tar (the
S h i ni n g o n e ) Pu shan (the be s t o wer o f p r osp er i t y)
and s o o n
H is m o ther is the Dawn ( U sha s)
,

th ou g h at a l ater date the Dawn is a ma i d wh o m

he am o r o u sly p ur s ue s
H er br o ther s the tw i n
Ac v in s so n s o f D y au s follo w her i n a c har io t and
ma y re p re s ent the tw ilig ht (tw i n light p art da y
and p art n ig ht)
T h e s u n go d is bo rne o nward
b y s e ven y e llo w ( gol den) s teed s H e S l ays dem on s

and giv e s wea l th and c h il dren D y au s wh o m o n

the ana logy o f o ther re ligio n s w e ma y s u ppos e t o

be an ol der de i t y si n c e the S ky go d is g enera lly
w o r s h ipp ed be fo re a s u n go d ha s n o w yi e l ded i n
pl a c e t o the er y su n o f I nd i a the go d o f the
warr io r s V aru na s eem s t o hav e been a sk y rai n
go d o r igi nally wh o m the p r i e s t s hav e co n v erted
i nt o the r ul er o f the h ig he s t heaven ab ov e the
sky L ater he be co me s a water go d A d i t i the
e xp an s e is the m other o f a ll the go d s and ma y
be a m y th ic a l i n v ent io n o f the p r i e s t s
In the m i dd l e sphere are the go d s o f the a i r :
V ata ( the w i nd go d ) Indra ( an o b sc ure go d of ra i n
and lig htn i n g and su n w h o r is e s t o g rea t pop u l ar i t y)
the Marku ts (go d s o f s t o rm ) Rudra (f ather o f the
clo ud b orn Mark u ts) and v ar io u s ra i n go d s O f the
earth are A gn i (the a l tar re l at e r go d o f re
g ener ally and m o ra l and re ligio u s ru l er) S oma
( the spi r i t o f an i nt oxic at i n g dr i nk u s ed i n s a c r i c e)
Y ama ( the de i ed r s t man o r g enera liz at io n o f
an c e s t o r s) Pr i th ivi the earth go dde ss and SO o n
In t i me the de i c atio n o f ab s tra c t io n s (P i t y A bun
,

THE R ELI G ION S

OF A SI A

1 95

Inn i t y et c ) add s t o the fam ily ; an d there

are man y r eferen c e s t o the spi r i t s of m o unta i n s and
r iv er s and to a c u l t o f an c e s t or s I mm o rta li t y is a
gif t of the go d s but the e sc hat ology is a s we
co mm o n ly nd v ag ue Th e goo d p a ss ov er water
t o a b l e ss ed pl a c e and the w ick ed joi n the d em o n s

i n a s had ow y b o tt o m l e ss dar kne ss

We s e e i n a w o rd i n S pi te of the p r i e s t ly e l ab o ra
t io n a nature re ligio n re s t i n g o n a ba sis o f an i m is m
and an c e s t o r w o r s h ip o f so f am ili ar a t yp e that we
need n o t li n g er over i t It p a ss e s i n the Veda s i nt o
a m ys t ic Panthe is m wh ic h embra c e s o r f u s e s a ll the
go d s i n an a ll p er vad i n g d ivi n i t y ; th o u g h the pop u l ar
c ul t o ur ishe s und isturbed b y th is p h ilosop h ic Spe c u
l at io n o f the l earned p r i e s t s A b o ut the s e v enth
c entur y be gi n s the B rahman ic p er io d i n wh ic h the
p r i e s t s them s e lv e s pos e a s go d s and ra is e t o the
h ighe s t posi t io n the de i ed ab s tra c t io n wh ic h the y
c a ll B rahma Th e o ld go d s rema i n d i m an d ov er
clo ude d and re ligio n be co me s m o re fo rma l an d
r i tua l I n the nex t p ha s e ( s een i n the U p an is had s )
Panthe is m n o w embr ac e s go d s and men i n o n e
fo rmu l a TO o u r m o dern Panthe is t s th is is o n e o f
the m os t tan gi bl e i nd ic at io n s o f the l e g endar y

w is d o m o f the ea s t ; but whatev er ma y be

t ho u ght o f the v a l ue o f meta p h ysics th is de v e lop
ment wa s unhea l th y i n p ra c t ic e It re p re s ented

a re ligio n o f so rr o w i n g human i t y a sc et ic and

p e ssi m ist ic Th e ma ss o f the Hi ndu s co nt i nued to
c ul t ivate the i r magic and the i r am o r o u s and g en i a l
go d s wh il e the f ew c ha s t i s e d the i r e s h o r w i th drew
f r o m the w o r l d
dan c e ,

THE R ELIGION S

1 96

OF A SI A

It is i n the light of th is p ha s e o f Ind i ande v e lop

men t that we mu s t under s tand B uddh i sm Th e
civiliz at io n of Ind i a had rea c hed a p er io d lik e that
we fo und i n Ch i na and w ill nd i n o ther civiliz a
t io n s : a p er io d o f sc e p ticis m wear i ne ss p er pl e xi t y
s e x ua l lic en s e and r igor o u s au s ter i t y soci a l d iso rder
and soci a l a spi rat io n civil war me l an c h oly and
co nfu sio n It is a s ta g e thr o u g h wh ic h a ll civiliz a

t io n s p a ss : the s tag e i n wh ic h w i th the pr ofo und

d i fferen c e wh ic h o ur g reater k n o wl ed g e mak e s
we are t o da y It wa s as re g ard s re ligion a p er io d
o f here si e s and re j e c t io n s
O f the edu c ated m i n o r i t y
so me (a s n o w) follo wed the p r i e s t s i n the i r Panthe is m
and the i r S op h is t ic at io n o f the p re v a ili n g re ligio n ;
so me (a s n o w) turned ent i re ly awa y fr o m them and
de cl ared a ll the ology ill u so r y A nd a s Ch i na p r o
d u c e d i t s L a o t s e and K un g t s e a s G ree c e and
R o me w o u l d i n a si mil ar p ha s e p r o du c e S t oics and
E pic urean s Ind i a p r o du c ed ( be si de s a f ran kly co n
t e m ptu o u s E pic urean S c h ool ) Ja i n is m and B uddh is m

Ja i n is m wa s
athe is t ic (i n the w o rd of Dr
H opki n s) a s re g ard s the go d s r igo r o u sly a sc et ic i n
p ra c t ic e and fanta s t ic i n i t s sp e c u l at io n s ab o ut
re i n c arnat io n It adm i tted the etern i t y o f b o th
matter and spi r i t and l a i d ov er po wer i n g em p ha sis
On the p ur i t y o f the i nd ivi dua l huma n spi r i t
M o na s ter i e s and nunner i e s mu l t ipli ed and Ind i a
be g an t o w i tne ss the au s ter i t i e s wh ic h s ur viv e i n
the s e lf t o rment i n g f aki r s
A man m ig ht sl a y
h i m s e lf t o e sc a p e tem p tat io n
G autama the B uddha wa s an o ther p r o d u c t of
th is a g e of sc e p t icis m an d i nte ll e c tua l tr o ub l e H e
.

THE R ELIGION S

1 98
of

OF A SI A

de si re o r t o ta l ann i h il at ion Th e former s eem s t o

ha ve been a ll that co n c erned B uddha K un g fu t s e
and he were the r s t Se c u l ar ist s
I w ill there fo re n o t li n g er over the e loquent if
t oo a sc et ic human i tar i an eth ic o f B uddha but
br i e y co n cl ude the re ligio u s de v e lop ment B rah
man is m e volved i nt o the H i ndu is m w i th wh ic h we
are f am ili ar T h e e cc entr ici t i e s o f yo gi s and c har
la tan s i n c rea s ed
T h e V ed ic go d s s an k i nt o de c a y
and new de i t i e s s u c h a s Kr is hna o btai ned pop u l ar i t y
and g athered ab o ut them a ll the m y th s and l e g end s
wh ic h entered Ind i a
B uddh is m a lso de g enerated
de i ed B uddha and be c ame a v er y c erem o n ious
re ligion w i th m o n ks and nun s and c en s er s and
v e s tured p r i e s t s In the end I sl am i n turn entered
Ind i a a s co n quer o r and i n c rea s ed the re ligio u s c o n
f u sio n I n o ur o wn t i me edu c ated H i ndu s are
ret urn i n g t o e i ther sc e p t icis m o r Panthe is m
.

h
h

th a t th e l e gend s a bo u t t h e birt h o f K ri s n a ,
w ic a re so st ri kingly sim il a r to th e l e ge nd s a b o u t th e b irt o f
I t i s m o re rea so n a b l e t o co n jec tu re
ri s t , a re o f
ri st ia n o rig in
t a t bo t K ri s n a ist s a nd
ris tian s u se
a co mm o n pro e xi sti n g
1

Dr

Hopk in s

h h
Ch
h
h

Ch
h

sa ys

Ch

C HA P TE R VII I
E U R O PE

T HE F A THE R S OF

A R B I T R AR Y a s the d is t i n c t io n is between the v ar io u s

co nt i nent s i n re g ard t o s u c h a s ubj e c t a s th is we

hav e fo und i t a n o t i n co n v en i ent wa y o f treat i n g the
re ligio n s of A fr ic a A si a and A mer ic a Th e g e o
gra p h ic a l bo undar i e s o f the cont i nent s are e xc e p t at
the poi nt where Eur op e Asi a and A fr ic a meet also
fr o nt i er s o f c ul ture and we hav e been ab l e to follo w
the e vol ut io n o f re ligio n wi thi n eac h area s e p arate ly
We n o w a pp r o ac h a s ta g e at wh ic h o ur p r oc edure
mu s t be gi n t o d i ffer F r o m th is poi nt o nward a ll
the re ligio u s de v e lop ment s wh ic h we con si der are
re l ated u l t i mate ly to Chris t i an i t y and the tr i butar i e s
to that br o ad s tream o f re ligio u s trad i t io n s ta k e the i r
r i s e i n E ur op e A si a and Af r ic a Chr is t i an i t y is th e
M e d i te rranean S ea o f the re ligio u s w o r l d Int o i t
ha ve o wed the tradi t io n s o f E gyp t o f the numer o u s
pe opl e s of nearer Asi a and o f v ar io u s p e opl e s o f
E ur op e ; p re cis e ly a s the r iv er s o f th os e re gio n s
ha v e di sc har g ed the i r burden s i nt o the l ar g e s e a
whi c h li e s be tween them
I will there fo re n o w tak e i n s u cc e ssio n what o n e
ma y c a ll the wate r shed s o f th is u l t i mate re s ervoi r o f
be li e fs an d p rac t ic e s and i t will be m os t co n v en i ent
Th e ol der re ligio n s o f E ur op e
to be gi n w i th E ur op e
,

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hav e p erhaps co ntr i buted l ea s t and l ate s t t o the

re ligio n wh ic h ha s d o m i nated i t fo r fteen hundred
y ear s but the y c ann o t be ne gl e c ted i n a sk et c h o f
g enera l re ligio u s dev e lop m ent There is m o re ov er
the d ii c u lty that the ol de s t re ligio n s o f Eur op e are
p ra c t ic a lly un k n o wn t o u s What wa s the re ligio n
o f the N eandertha l ra c e wh ic h ha s l e f t i t s
s t one
weapo n s i n m illio n s i n the soil o f Eur op e ? What
wa s the re ligio n o f the P il td o wn man o r the men
wh o c u l t iv ated art i n the c av ern s o f the P y renee s
o r e ven the men o f the N ew St o ne A g e
We hav e
n o t e v en rea so nab l e g r o und s fo r co n j e c ture
F ra g
ment s o f the N e oli th ic ra c e ma y li n g er am on g the
B a sque s o f the P y renee s o r the P ic t s o f S co t l and
but n o fra g ment s o f the i r p r i m i t iv e religio n rema i n
What hav e been lo n g c all ed the A r y an p e opl e s
o b li terated the ent i re c u l ture o f the p re A r y an s
and Chr is t i an i t y i n turn c ame t o thru s t under g r o und

whate ver tra c e s i t fo und of p a g an is m

We mu s t there fo re a ss ume that re ligio n had i n
the c a s e o f the p re A r y an pop u l at ion ad v an c ed
thr o u g h th os e s ta g e s wh ic h we hav e d iscov ered e ls e
where and we mu s t be co ntent t o g ather what we
ma y o f the re ligio n o f the Ce l t s and T eut on s the
I f I s t ill u s e the w o rd
G ree ks and R o man s

A r y an fo r th is g r ou p o f Eur op ean p e opl e s i t

w ill be under s t oo d that I d o so w i th re s er v e It
is n o w u s ua lly re s tr ic ted t o the H i ndu Per si an s
and the i dea that we c an fo rm an y s at isfa c t or y
pic ture o f a p r i m i t iv e A r y an s t ock w i th a p r i m i t iv e
Ar y an c u l ture and re ligion is n o w g enera lly aban
do n e d
Y et the s e E ur op ean p e opl e s und o ubted ly
,

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It pl a i n ly s u gges t s a possi b l e e vol ut io n o f t o tem is m

and an i ma l go d s am on g the men and a rea son wh y
we nd go dde ss e s o f g reat po wer and pop u l ar i t y
co n stant ly tend i n g t o be co me go dde ss e s of love and
lic en c e i n ear ly s tag e s o f re ligion
A t a ll e v ent s we nd am on g the Ce l t s tw o c h i e f
cl a ss e s o f de i t i e s : the warr io r go d s and the v e g etat io n
o r f ert ili t y go d s
E a c h tr i be had i t s o w n name s fo r

the s e de i t i e s n o l e ss than tw o hundred and s e vent y

v e g etat io n go d s and six t y war go d s are kn o wn but

we are qu i te unab l e t o g et nearer t o the r oo t s o f th is
pl ura li t y Our e xp er i en c e o f m o re p r i m i t ive p e opl e s
( e sp e ci a lly i n A fr ic a) s u gg e s t s that an c e s tra l n ame s
and spi r i t s wh ic h w o u l d d i ffer i n ea c h loc a li t y had
been tran sferred t o the fo r c e s o f g r o wth wh ic h
be c ame the s u p reme o bj e c t o f the c u l t a s a g r ic u l ture
i n c rea s ed i n i m po rtan c e
B ut the fundamenta l
i dent i t y o f the fo r c e s made i t ea si er t o b l end a
number o f go d s i nt o o ne ; and the o r g an iz ed p r i e s t
h oo d the Dru i d s were a s e ls ewhere redu ci n g the
c r o wd o f loc a l S pi r i t s t o a f ew g enera l go d s Th e
g reat f e st iv a ls were a s u sua l s ea so na l and a g r i
c u l tura l
O f the l ead i n g go d s R o man wr i ter s wh o e n
co untered the Cel t s ha v e l e ft u s some a cco unt ; but
the i r hab i t o f gi v m g Ce l t ic o r Teut o n ic de i t i e s the
name s o f R o man go d s is so mewhat con fu si n g
C ae s ar s a ys that Mer c ur y wa s the c h i e f go d o f the
Ce l t s and Dr Ma c C u llo c h make s th is i nte lligi b l e
b y poi nt i n g o u t that the G ree k Mer c ur y ( Herme s)
wa s co n c erned w i th the fert ili t y o f c att l e Mar s
the war go d co me s ne x t under sco re s o f name s
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There

20 3

were a lso e q u iv a l ent s o f A pollo go d s o f the

s k y and lig ht ; th o u g h the s tatement that a ll the
A r y an s p ut at the hea d o f the i r p anthe o n a g reat
go d o f the sky and thunder a Z eu s o r Ju pi ter o r
Wo dan d o e s n o t s eem t o be true o f the Ce l t s
T here wa s i t is true an i m po rtant thunder go d
T aran is ; and there wa s a s un go d w i th a whee l
fo r emb l em and a l e ss cl ear de i t y w i th a hammer
B e si de s the s e were go d s o f the r o ad s and o f
co mmer c e o f the h o t S p r i n gs o f yo uth o f ma l t
and o f the underw o r l d (wh o m a y o r igi nally ha v e
been an earth o r v e ge ta tio n go d)
Th e go dde ss e s were e q ua lly numer o u s and im
po rtant There wa s a go dde ss o f p er p etua l re a

go dde ss in Ire l and named B r igi t wh o ha s b l ended

w i th a Chr is t ia n s a i nt o f i ndu s tr y and art s a

go dde ss o f the c ha s e ( a D i ana) ; wh il e o ther s p re
si de d ov er the e l d s the water s o r the fo re s t s

of
Ma y Queen
a l ater Chr is t i an w o r l d
Th e
s eem s t o be a de co rat iv e s ur vivo r o f o ne o f the s e
Dr Mac C u llo c h s u gg e s t s that
o ld Ce l t ic go dde ss e s
when the men d ispl a c ed the w o men f r o m a g r ic u l ture
and made the p re si d i n g de i t y a ma l e the o ld go dde ss
ma y (a s is u s ua l ) hav e been re p re s ented a s h is w if e ;
and the ki n g and q ueen o f Ma y w o u l d at the sp r i n g
fe s t iv a l re p re s ent the d ivi ne p a i r A s the ki n g wa s
p r o bab ly the c h i e f p r i e s t and i n Ire l and at l ea s t
fert ili t y wa s be li e v ed t o de p end u po n the k i n g Dr
Mac C ullo c h th i nks that there ma y hav e been i n
I re l and a si tuat io n lik e that s u gg e s ted i n The
a p r i e s t ki n g a ssoci ated w i th a
G o ld en B o ug h
s a c red tree de fend in g h is of c e w i th h is lif e
,

'

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a g a i n s t e v er y a ss a il ant It is at a ll e vent s p r obab l e

that the o r igi nal Ma y p r oc e ssio n co ndu c ted a human
vic t i m t o the s a c r i c e
B e si de s the s e g reat spi r i t s nature wa s p e opl ed b y
c r o wd s o f the name l e ss g h os t s we en counter am on g
a ll nat ion s and wh o hav e be co me the f a i r i e s and
sp r i te s o f the m o dern Ce l t
S em i d ivi ne be i n gs
were a lso p r o du c ed b y the fre q uent s ex ua l i nter
co ur s e o f go d s and m o rtals s o that the Ce l t s had
lo n g been f am ili ar w i th m i ra c u lo u s co n c e p t ion s
A n c e s tra l spi r i t s were h o n o ured and what we ma y
p re s ume t o ha v e been the ear li er fo rm o f re ligio n
the c u l t o f the g h os t li n g ered ab o ut the h o me
Th e hearth wa s s a c red and the dead o f the f a m ily
were be li e ved t o haunt i t A l th o u g h Dr Mac C u llo c h
S p eaks o f the i r offeri n g the head s o f sl a i n enem i e s

t o the s tr on g S hade s o f the i r warr io r an c e s t o r s

he l ater e xpl a i n s that t o the Ce l t a dead man wa s

n o t a s hade
There wa s o f co ur s e a vivi d be li e f
i n a co nt i nuan c e o f life a fter death but the so u l
Th e
w a s s t ill emb o d i ed if n o t i n the s ame b o d y
dead liv ed n o rma lly under g r o und i n a w o r l d wh ic h
wa s the co unter p art of th is
AS is we ll k n o w n there e xis ted am o n g the Ce l t s

a po wer fu l b o d y o f p r i e s t s c a ll ed Dru i d s
Th e
name h a s i t s eem s n o co nne c t io n w i th the G ree k

w o rd fo r o ak a s ha s been s u ppos ed It mean s

the kn o wi n g One ; y et Dr Ma c C u llo c h a g ree s

that the w is d o m o f the Dru i d s wa s mere ly re l at iv e
t o the dee p er ig n o ran c e o f the o rd i nar y p e opl e
Th e s u ppos ed p r ofo und lo re o f the an ci ent Dru i d s
is a m y th T he y g uarded the s a c red g r ov e s wh ic h
.

'

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wh ic h man y q u o te a s re p re s ent i n g a p ure and rem ote

ant iqu i t y be lo n g t o the Chr is ti an era s h o w tra c e s o f
Chr is t i an i n uen c e and emb o d y a m y th ology wh ic h
the po et s them s e lve s hav e l arg e ly f abr ic ated T hat
the T eut on s had lik e the Ce l t s s a c red g r ov e s and a
p ra c t ic e o f human s a c r i c e we kn o w ; and i t is v er y
p r o bab l e that the whee l wh ic h is fo und o n man y
ear ly m o nument s is ( a s am o n g the Ce l t s) a sy mb ol
o f the s un o r s u n go d
B ut the hammer of Th o r
s eem s t o be a l ate de v e lop ment o r i m po rtat io n
H o we ver we w ill s u r v e y the c h i e f de i t i e s de sc r i bed
b y Pr ofe sso r de l a S au ss a y e
Th e name s o f o u r days o f the wee k giv e u s an
i dea o f the c h i e f de i t i e s i n the t i me of the R oman s
Th e T eut o n s had o f co ur s e n o s e v en da ys wee k
and the R o man name s were clos e ly follo wed when
the week wa s ad op ted T here wa s fo r i n s tan c e n o
c ul t o f the su n and m oo n so that Sunda y and
M onda y are p ure ly R o man ; and the s ame mu s t be
s a i d of S aturda y ( S aturn s Da y)
Th e o ther da ys
h o we ver f a i th fu lly i nd ic ate that Tiu z Wo dan , T h o r
and F r i gg were at an ear ly date the m os t p r o m i nent
g ure s o f the T eut o n f am ily o f go d s T here are
i nd ic at io n s that Tiu (o r T i wa z o r Z io) wa s at r s t
the c h i e f go d and a l th oug h the name i s n o t n o w

reg arded a s e q u iv a l ent t o sky he wa s a sky go d

In the co ur s e o f t i me he be c ame a war go d havi n g
a s w o rd hand l e (n o t un lik e a c r oss) fo r h is emb l em
Wo dan (o r O d i n) co me s fr o m a r oo t wh ic h mean s

t o b lo w and he mu s t ha v e been o r igi na lly the

go d of the w i nd s th o u g h he l ater be c ame the go d
a lso of a g ric u l ture w ar an d po etr y He be c a me
,

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207

m o re pop u l ar than T iu ju s t a s i n Ind i a the go d s

o f the a i r d ispl a c ed i n pop u l ar i t y the go d s o f the
s ky
D o nar o r T h o r the thunder go d a lso c ared
fo r a g r ic u l ture and fert ili t y ; and marr i a g e s were
m os t ly made o n h i s da y F r ij a o r F r igg wa s an
ol d but ( i n h is t o r ic t i me s) v a g ue ly co n c e iv ed go dde ss
the h o u s e w if e of the d ivi ne f am ily p a ssi n g fr o m T~iu
t o W o dan when the l atter go d be c a m e s u p reme
T he s e fo ur are a s we k n o w them pl a i n ly m o d i ed
b y a lon g de ve lop ment It is be li e v ed that Tiu and
F r igg were o r igi na lly go d and go dde ss o f the sky
W o dan o f the w i nd and D o nar of the thunder
T hu s we ha v e a S i m pl e nature re ligio n o f a f am ili ar
ki nd T here mu s t o f co ur s e hav e been man y m o re
de i t i e s ev en i n the ear ly s ta g e and we ma y be co n
d e n t that N erthu s o r M o ther E arth wa s o n e o f
the s e H er sp r i n g fe s t iv a l wa s o ne o f the m os t
pop u l ar and is o n e o f the so ur c e s of the Ma y Queen
and G reen Man and o ther Ma y ma squerade s wh ic h
i nn oc ent ly li n g er am o n g the Chr is t i an p ea s ant s of
E ur op e
O r igi na lly the y were p art o f a v er y s er io u s
s em i ma gic al s em i re ligio u s r i te w i th p r oc e ssio n and
human s a c r i c e s fo r en s ur i n g a f u ll tr i um p h o f the
v e g etat io n fo r c e i n the dawn i n g s ummer
T o N erthu s the T eut o n s a ssig ned a ma l e co m
p an ion N jo rdr go d o f the s e a ; and there wa s a
S i m il ar d ivi ne p a i r F re y r and F reyj a i n co nn e c t io n
w i th fer tili t y B a l dr
B a l der the F a i r
s eem s t o
be a l ate p r o du c t o f the m y th maki n g f a c u l t y T h e
l e g end wa s that h is m o ther F r igg l earn i n g that h is
life wa s i n dan g er p ut a ll dang er o u s ob j e c t s i n
nature under o ath n o t t o kill h i m B ut h is a s tute
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enem y s aw that sh e had ne gl e c ted the harm l e ss

m is tl et o e and he made an arr o w o f th is and kill ed
B a l dr Th is is c lear ly a m y th o f the annua l killi n g
o f the s un and is lik e a ll s u c h m y th s co m p arat iv e ly
l ate In the po et ic p er io d l e g end s were dev e lop ed
a nd i n v ented and go d s made w i th s u c h ea s e that i n
B ragi a Swed is h go d o f po etr y we re cog n iz e a
human po et o f the n i nth c entur y There were a lso
He im da le r ( the g uard i an o f the h o me o f the go d s
a g a i n s t the gi ant s) Loki ( an o b sc ure and a pp arent ly
po et made go d a spi r i t o f c unn i n g and e vil ) H ol da
and Per c hta ( go dde s s e s o f the dead ) T am p ana
( go dde ss of f ert ili t y w i th an autumn f e s t iv a l ) and
o ther m i n o r de i t i e s
A s is we ll k n o wn the T eut o n s ll ed nature w i th
a ll ki nd s of be i n gs spi r i tua l and mater i a l be si de s
the go d s ; but here a g a i n we mu s t n o t a s ha s been
d o ne s o fre quent ly tak e the c reat io n s o f the N o r s e
po et s o f the Chr is t i an Era t o be o ut come s of the
p r i m i t iv e T eut o n ic i magi nat io n Indeed the N o r s e
po et s were n o t the on ly o r igi nat o r s si n c e a ccord i n g
t o Pr of e sso r de l a S au ss a y e the go dde ss e s Hre d a
and Eo stre (wh o ha s often been q u o ted a s the p a g an
o r igi n o f E a s ter) are at p re s ent u sually reg arded

T h e Wa lky r i e s
a s the i n v ent io n o f B ede (p
and N o rn s o f T eut o n ic m y th ology are po et ic e l ab o ra
t io n s Wa l hall a the sk y h o me o f the warr io r s and
e v en H e l (the go dde ss o f the dar k and d is ma l under
w o r l d for co mm o n so u ls) s eem a lso t o ha v e been
made b y the S c and i navi an po et s A t the t i me o f
the i r a c t ivi t y the N o r s emen were i n clos e t o u c h
a c r oss Ru ssi a w i th the c u l ture o f the so uth and i t
,

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p re tern atura l e lve s w i t c he s gi ant s dwar fs and so o n

T he s e s eem t o me t o be a s e ls ewhere the g h os t s o f
the dead n o w deta c hed f r o m human mem o r y and s o
d iv e s ted o f human i t y Cr o wn i n g the wh ol e spi r i t
pop u l at io n are the nature go d s I de sc r i bed ; and I
l eav e i t op en a s be fo re si n c e posi t iv e e vi den c e is
o u t o f the q ue s t io n whether the s e named spi r i t s o f
great po wer were o r igi na lly an c e s t o r s o r were c reated
t o e xpl ai n p heno mena T he i r c h i e f fe s t iv a ls i n the
sp r i n g (Wa lp ur gis N ig ht) an d autumn are p ara ll e l
to th os e of o ther p e opl e s
Th e m i d w i nter f e s t iv a l
o f Y u l e is n o w be li e v ed t o be l ate a n d t o S h o w
Chr is t i an i n uen c e
We w ill ne x t tak e the G ree ks u po n wh os e re ligio n

we hav e a v er y l ar g e li terature
Here a g a i n the
e vol ut io nar y s tud y is a s i m po rtant as i t i s d i f c u l t
Th e f am ili ar O ly m pi an f am ily o f go d s is a c reat io n
o f the
H o mer ic po et s j u s t a s the S c and i navi an
f am ily o f go d s is of the S c al d ic and Edd ic po et s
Y et when we s e t a si de a ll li teratu re we ha v e li tt l e
mater i a l fo r determ i n i n g the ear ly and p r i m i t iv e
fo rm o f the re ligio n S o me Chr is t ia n wr i ter s ha v e
e v en a s i n the c a s e Of the T eut on s the Ce l t s the
Ch i ne s e et c ma i nta i ned that the p r i m i t iv e re ligio n
wa s m on o the is t ic ; but we ma y pl a c e that the o r y o n
a l e v e l w i th the be li e f that the r s t man wa s c reated
o r that M os e s wr o te the Pentateu c h
It is well kn o wn that the an c e s t o r s o f what we
,

I m ay re c o mm e n d A Ha n boo k of G ree k R e li gi on , by A

o r Mi s s J
a i rb a n k s
E H a rri so n s sma ll m a nu a l ,

Mis s Ha rri s o n s l a rge r wo rk ,

R e ligion of A nc ien t G reece
a n int e r
T hemis
is muc
t o o s u b t l e a n d s o p i s t ic a t e
pret a tio n o f pri mi tive re ek re l igi o n
1

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2 11

co mm o n ly c a ll the G reeks ( o r H e ll ene s) were a

bran c h o f the barbar ic

A r y an
f am ily wh o
de sc ended fr o m the n o rth ab o ut the be gi nn i n g o f
the r s t m ill enn i um be fo re Chr is t T he y at r s t
de s tr oy ed the civiliz ed ci t i e s wh ic h had under
E gyp t i an i n uen c e been fo unded i n the so uth of
G ree c e but the y g radua lly b l ended w i th the ol der
i nhab i tant s and i n the i r turn bu i lt u p the br illi ant
civiliz at io n o f cl a ss i c t i me s
Her o d o tu s the G ree k h is t o r i an te lls u s that the
ear li er i nhab i tant s the Pe l a sgi an s had at r s t had
n o go d s w i th i ndi vi dua l name s but the y b o rr o wed
name s fr o m o ther nat ion s e sp e ci a lly the E gyp t i an s
to be s t o w u po n the i r spi r i t s
T here is p r o bab ly
so me e x a gg erat io n i n th is S i n c e a p e opl e at the
l e v e l of the Pe l a sgi an s a l wa ys ha s some o ut s tan d i n g
named spi r i t s ; b u t the g enera l si tuat io n i t s u gg e s t s
is i n harm o n y w i th what we hav e s een e ls ewhere
There wa s a c u l t o f an c e s t o r s and of g reat numbe r s
o f spi r i t s i n
nature
H er o d o tu s s a ys that the y
o e re d s a c r i c e
t o H er c u l e s a s a her o ; and we
kn o w fr o m o ther so ur c e s that s a c red s t o ne s and
s t o ne pill ar s re c e iv ed a mea s ure o f w o r s h ip and
that spi r i t s were re g arded a s livi n g i n S p r i n gs tree s
and an i ma ls
It is m o re d if c u l t t o s a y h o w f ar there were
o r igi na lly o ut stand i n g spi r i t s wh o m we ma y c all
de i t i e s co ntr olli n g the l ar g er e l ement s o f nature
and wh o the y were be fo re the H o mer ic po et s be g an
the i r a c t ivi t y Pr o bab ly the G reeks br ou g ht w i th

them fr o m the co mm o n A r y an s t ock a c u l t of

the g reat sky go d Z eu s the earth m o ther godde ss
.

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Demeter the water go d P os e i d on the go dde ss of

the hearth He s t i a and the go dde ss A thene wh os e
o r igi na l fu n c t io n is o b sc u re D io n ys u s ( of the vi ne)
is re g arded b y some a s o r i g i na l A pollo (the su n
go d) A p hr o d i te ( of lov e) H erme s ( Mer c ur y) Are s
( Mar s) C y be l e and o ther s s eem to ha v e been
ad op ted B ut there wa s n o th i n g lik e a c entra l
re ligio u s auth o r i t y i n that l and o f ci t y State s and
e v er y loc a l s hr i ne had i t s o w n name o r name s o f
go d s so that a l ar g e am o unt o f tran sf eren c e an d
f u sio n t oo k pl a c e i n the co ur s e of t i me We ma y
tak e i t a s cl ear that the G reeks had at r s t great
spi r i t s o f the S ky the a i r water re and fert ili t y ;
and that the g reate s t o f a ll wa s the sky go d Z eu s
wh o dwe l t o n the clo ud cl ad s umm i t of M o unt
O ly m p u s Th e o ther s were gradua lly fu s ed tog ether
p r o bab ly a sco re o f earth go dde ss e s b l end i n

Demeter ( o r igi na lly G e o r G a i a the E arth ) o r

br ou g ht i nt o re l at io n wi th Z eu s ( Hera a s h is wife
A thene a s h is dau g hter and s o o n)
Unt il abo ut
the e ig hth c entur y there wa s a goo d dea l o f
m igr at i n g and f u si n g an d r e sett li n g and go d s
w o u l d hav e t o be ad j u s ted C i t y lif e m o re over
n o w be g an t o m o dify the att i tude o f a l ar g e p r o
po rt io n of the p e opl e and the go d s whic h had be en
o f dee p i ntere s t to S he p herd s and t ill er s o f the soil
mu s t n o w ad op t new attr i bute s A thene be co me s
go dde ss o f c ul t u re A pollo tran sc end s D io n ys u s
F r o m the e ig hth c entury o nward the de ve lop ment
i s e v en m o re ra pi d be c au s e the s ett l ed G ree k civi
liz a tio n n o w op en s its po re s fully t o the i n uen c e o f
the g reater civili z at io n s be yo nd the Med i terr anean
-

THE

2 14

F A T H ER S OF

EU R

OPE

O n the o ther hand the re ligio u s tem p erament

,

sou g ht i t s s at isf a c t io n i n new fo rm s P y thago ra s

w i th so me re s emb l an c e t o B uddha fo unded a sc et ic
th o u g h ent i re ly heter o d ox co mmun i t i e s
O ther s

ock ed t o the
m ys ter i e s
wh ic h were he l d o r
p er fo rmed i n co nne c t io n w i th sp e ci a l S hr i ne s Th e
m os t f am o u s o f the s e S hr i ne s wa s at E l eu sis It is
p r o bab l e that at th is a g r ic u l tura l c entre there wa s
an an ci ent c u l t o f the earth go dde ss Demeter w i th
p e c u li ar feature s and that when the A then i an s

m ys ter i e s
hrohgh t it under the i r i n uen c e the
were op ened t o i n i t i ate s fr o m an y p art o f G ree c e
That there wa s an y p r ofo und s e c ret d oc tr i ne im
p arted there is n o t be li e ved b y m o dern sc h ol ar s I t

is m o re lik e ly that the c entra l p art o f the E l eu

si n i an m ys ter i e s wa s a s a c red pl a y o r s er i e s o f
tabl eau x re p re s ent i n g the return fr o m the under
w o r l d o f Per s e p h o ne t o her m o ther Demeter T here
is g r o und fo r th i n ki n g that the drama i n cl uded also
t he b i rth o f I a cc hu s ( o r D io n ys u s) ; mu c h a s the
b i rth of Chr is t is re p re s ented i n Cath olic c hur c he s
at Chr is tma s o r the b i rth o f Ho ru s wa s re p re s ented
i n E gyp t i an tem pl e s It s eem s t o hav e been an
a ll e go r y o r m ys ter y pl a y o f the annua l death and
re b i rth o f v e g etat io n ( wh ic h si nks t o the under
w o r l d) and the b i rth of a new s u n B ut an a sc et ic
d iscipli ne and a pu ri c atio n r i te were p re sc r i bed fo r
i n i t i ate s t o the m ys ter i e s and the y g athered t og ether
mu c h o f the re ligio u s f ee li n g o f the G ree k ci t i e s
T h e de v e lop ment o f R o man re ligio n p r oc eeded o n

S i m il ar li ne s H ere ag a i n the Ar y an i mm ig rant s

fr o m the n o rth en co unter e d and m i n gl ed w i th an
.

'

THE

F A T H ER S OF

EU R O P E

2 15

ear li er p e opl e the Etru sc an s

A n ci ent R o man
wr i ter s and ar c h ae ologic a l d iscov er i e s hav e giv en u s
a sc ant y k n o w l ed g e of the re ligio n o f the Etru sc an s
but i t s eem s t o hav e rea c hed an e l ab o rate s ta g e
Th e c u l t of the dead wa s s t ill p ra c t is ed and there
were e xp re ss r i te s fo r de ifyi n g an c e s t o r s We w ill
ho we v er n o t at o n c e co n cl ude that the go d s o f the
Etru sc an s were de i ed an c e s t o r s
F r o m the R o man
wr i ter s we l earn that the y were the f am ili ar lo rd s of
T here wa s the g reat s ky
th e e l ement s o f nature
go d T i n i a the e qu iv a l ent o f Tiu and Z eu s and
Ju pi ter ; and there were co unter p art s of Vu lc an
B a cc hu s Mer c ur y Venu s and A ur o ra
An o ld
V ertumnu s wa s a lso
E tru sc an v e g etat io n go d
ad op ted b y the R o man s and had s tatue s i n the
s treet s o f R o me but wa s li tt l e w o r s h ipp ed A go d
underw o r l d Mantu s is be li e ved t o hav e
o f the
given a name t o the ci t y o f Mantua ; and there
were de i t i e s o f lov e de s t i n y the s un and so o n
Th e Etru sc an s wh o were civiliz ed had an e l ab o
rate p r i e s th oo d and s a c red c a l endar (o n wh ic h the
R o man c a l endar s eem s t o hav e been ba s ed) and
the i r d o me s t ic re ligio n wa s the s ame a s that o f the
T here were sp e ci a l S pi r i t s i n c har g e o f
R o man s
the s t o re r oo m the ki t c hen and the hearth In the
s ett l ement o f the future of the g h os t a lso the y were
v er y ad v an c ed Lik e the R o man s and m os t p e opl e s
the y p l a c ed the dead i n an underw o r l d y et co nt i nued
t o mak e o ffer i n gs t o them a s if the y s t ill haunted
the h o me Th e f uture lo t o f the majo r i t y i n the
underw or l d wa s o f the v a g ue and ha zy ki nd wh ic h
w e co mm o n ly n d am on g p e opl e s w ho h av e
.

THE

2 16

F ATH ER S OF

EU R O P E

of a

ad van c ed be yo nd the i dea

ha ppy hunt i n g g r o und
f
e
t
ha
v
e
n
o
t
atta
i
ned
t
o
the
i
dea
a
s
tate
o
f
o
y
spi r i tua l bliss There wa s h o we ver a m il d so rt of
heav en i n the tea chi n g o f the Etru sc an p r i e s t s ; an d
there wa s a v er y h orr i d he ll fo r the w ick ed
Th e ear li e s t fo rm o f the R o man re ligio n is as
d i f c u l t t o a sc ertai n a s we fo und that of G ree c e
but the few s at isfa c t o r y i nd ic at io n s S h o w a s
sh o u l d e xp e c t that i t wa s si m il ar t o that o f
ear ly G ree ks There wa s a c u l t of s t o ne s o f t
and grpv e s and o f a few an i ma ls ( lik e the w
Bo undar y s t orie s wh ic h are o f o bvio u s i m po rtan c e
am on g a p a s t o ra l and a g r ic u l tura l p e opl e were
i n ve s ted w i th so s a c red a c hara c ter that a sp e ci a l
go d o f b o undar i e s T erm i nu s wa s i magi ned
Mete o r ic s t o ne s were c her is hed and s t o ne s wh ic h
mu s t hav e been at o n e t i me u s ed i n the ma gic a l
p r o du c t io n of ra i n (p erhaps b y pour i n g water ov er
them ) s ur vived a s S a c red s t one s i nt o the h is t o r ic
p er io d S o i n re g ard t o w oo d s a farmer w o u l d s t ill
i n the h ist o r ic a l p er io d offer a p ra y er o r a pology t o
the i ndwe lli n g spi r i t o f a w oo d when he i ntended t o
c ut i t d o wn and en l ar g e h is corn e lds A n o ther
li n g er i n g c u s t o m wa s that a fter the b i rth o f a c h il d
three men p er fo rmed at the thre s h ol d o f the
h o u s e a m ys t ic c erem o n y wh ic h wa s v er y pl a i n ly
conne c ted w i th the be li ef i n evil spi r i t s
Th e p r i m i t iv e co nd i t io n t o wh ic h the s e i nd ic at io n s
poi nt is the S ame a s we hav e fo und e ls ewhere Th e
R o man p e opl e had so me d is t i n c t io n i n the wa y i n
-

ven ie n t s u mm a ry
R e li gi on of Anc ie n t R ome
1

con

of

R o ma n

re

l igio n

is

Mr C Ba ile y
.

THE

218

F AT H ER S OF

EU R

OPE

A s is we ll k n own the f ather had po wer e v en o f lif e

,

and death over h is w ife c h il dren and sl av e s and

we are n o t s ur p r is ed t o nd that he wa s a lso the
d o me s t ic p r i e s t H is so n s dre ss ed i n sh o rt c ere
m o n i a l tun ics a ssis ted i n the s a c r i c e ; and we
ma y s ee i n them the m o de ls o f the dea co n (a ssis tant)
and s ub dea co n ( under a ssis tant) o f a R o man
Cath olic c erem o n y t o da y T here wer e i n add i t ion
tw o g enera l fe s t iv a ls i n h o n o ur o f the S pi r i t s o f the
dead Th e Parenta li a i n F ebruar y h o n o ured the
fr i end ly g h os t s o r h o n oured the dead i n the i r
Th e L emur i a i n Ma y wh ic h
f r i end ly a sp e c t
s eem s t o hav e been an ol der i n s t i tut io n re e c t s
the ear li er p ha s e i n wh ic h the spi r i t s o f the dead
are ner vo u sly re g arded a s ma l e vol ent T h e f ather
of the f ami ly went ov er the h o u s e p er fo rm i n g an
H e sp at b l a ck bean s
a n c ie n t a n d e l ab o rate r i tua l

u po n the oo r s a yi n g : Wi th the s e I redeem me

and m i ne
A s we nd e ls ewhere ad v an c e i n
civiliz at io n br ou g ht a l e ss ner vo u s att i tude t o ward s

the dead wh os e S hade s (u m brce) were loc ated i n

a m is t y and un s at isfa c t o r y under w or l d
It is s ai d that the ear ly R o man s d i ffered a lso f r om
o ther p e opl e s at the s ame s ta g e o f de ve lop ment i n
the f a c t that the y had n o go d s (d ei ) but m ere ly
p r o m i nent spi r i t s o r po wer s (n u mi n a ) Th e d is
t i n c t io n is h o we v er mere ly n om i na l fo r the i r
n u mi n a were o f the s ame c hara c ter a s the o u t
s tand i n g spi r i t s wh ic h are i n a ll o ther c a s e s c a ll ed

go d s
Ju pi ter the sk y and thunder go d wa s the
p re cis e e qu iv al ent o f Z eu s and Tiu
Mar s w a s
o r i ginally the s p i r i t o f a gr ic u l ture wh o a s the w ar s
,

THE

F A T H ER S OF

of

EU R O P E

2 19

the R o man s i n c rea s ed be c ame the spi r i t o f the

warr io r s Qu i r i nu s a h ill go d at R o me ma y hav e
been o r igi na lly a v e g etat io n spi r i t of so me i n co r
ra te d
p
e
opl
e
M
i
ner
v
a
s
eem
s
t
o
ha
v
e
been
o
p
b o rr o wed fr o m the Etru sc an s D i ana fr o m the
L at i n s and H er c u l e s and Ca s t o r fr o m the G reek s
A s the v ar iou s p e opl e s o f Ita ly were f u s ed t og ether
there wa s the u s ua l f u sio n marr i a g e and sys temat ic
re l at io n of s u c h o f the i r de i t i e s a s co u l d n o t be
s u pp re ss ed
S i r J G F ra z er ha s poi nted o u t
fo r i n s tan c e that Janu s ( o r D ian u s) and D i ana
ma y hav e been but an o ther fo rm o f Ju pi ter and
Jun o
I n the ear li er da ys there had been n o tem pl e s o r
i ma g e s o f the go d s and the annua l fe s t iv a ls ha d
occ urred at the c u s t o mar y s ea so na l p er io d s In
Mar c h there had been s a c r i c e t o Mar s ( a s go d o f
a g r ic u l ture) and i n A p r il t o T e ll u s (the earth de i ty)
In the autumn there wa s the u s ua l c e l ebrat io n i n
g rat i tude fo r the harv e s t and at m i dw i nter ( ab o u t
De c ember 1 7 t o 2 2) occ urred the f am o u s and
b ois ter o u s S aturna li a A s the name S aturn i n d ic ate s
the m i dw i nter mu s t hav e been o r igi na lly so w i n g

t i me and S aturn the de i t y ol d er than Ju pi ter if

we ma y tru s t the l e g end s wh o p re si d e d ov er the

Th e d olls (p upp ce) w h ic h
gr o wth o f the co rn
R o man s b o u g ht dur i n g th is f e s t iv a l ( and w hi c h
Chris t i an s i nn oc ent ly han g o n the i r Chr is tma s tree s
to da y) pl a i n ly te ll that o n c e human s a c r i c e s h ad
been offered t o S aturn at the m i dw i nter fe s t iv al and
the d olls had be co me s ub s t i tute s fo r them
C o nta c t w i th the Etru s c an civ i li zat io n r s t mo d i
,

THE

220

F AT H ER S OF

ed

EU R O P E

th is p r i m i t ive re ligion and fr o m the fth

c entury o nward co nta c t wi th G ree c e a l tered i t t o
the poi nt of dem o ra liz at io n Th e G ree k go d s
A pollo D io n ys u s Mer c ur y A scl e pi u s et c
were
ad op ted and the go d s and go dde ss e s of the ea s t
and E gyp t follo wed q u ickly u po n them I sis and
Sera pis o f Egyp t M i thra o f Per si a the S y r i an

m o ther of the go d s s e c ured abundant w o r s h ipp er s

Th e R o man tem p erament wa s i n f a c t s o g en i a lly
and li bera lly poly the is t ic that de i t i e s were i mag i ned
and then w or s h ipp ed w i th remark ab l e f a cili t y Th e
R o man e xp er i en c e mu s t be k e p t c aref u lly i n m i nd
when we are tem p ted t o re g ard a ll de i t i e s a s de i ed
an c e s t o r s S co re s o f the i r go d s were o bvio u sly
n o t an c e s t o r s but d e i ed p r oc e ss e s o r ab s tra c t io n s
In h is C i ty of G o d (Bk iv o ii and Bk vi c ix)
St A ug u s t i ne mak e s merr y ov er the mu l t i tude o f
go d s o f the p ag an s H e re p re s ent s that so me of
the s e were de i ed men s u c h a s Pr i ap u s ; o f wh os e
d e i c a tio n a s b l unt ly de sc r i bed b y A u gu s t i ne a
m o dern wr i ter mu s t he si tate to sp eak We kn o w
at l ea s t that the R o man s at on c e a cc e p ted the
d e i c a tio n o f the i r Em p er o r s wh ic h s h o u l d giv e u s

the true mea s ure o f what the y meant b y go d s

B ut a l arg e number o f the i r de i t i e s ( Edu c a P o t i na
L ibe ru s L u ci na Cun i na Mena Vat ic anu s Su b igu s
Prema V o lupa P av e n tia P il umnu s De verra et c )
are mere ly the ab s tra c t name s turned i nt o a co n
c rete fo rm o f the fun c t ion s ov er wh ic h the y were
s uppos ed t o p re si de T he s e were o ld R o man de i t i e s
and p r obab ly n o o n e be li e v ed i n them i n the da ys o f
A u gu s t i ne
,

THE

222

F AT H ER S OF

EU R O P E

and p a s t o ra l attr i bute s ; and at l en g th a s i n Ch i na

and Ind i a Athen s and R om e the c u l ture s u p er s ede s
the go d s and re ligio n d issolve s i n C on fu ci an is m
B uddh ism S t oicism o r E pic urean ism
,

C H AP TE R IX
THE

RE L I G I O N OF THE
CI V I L I Z A T I O N S

F IR S T

we a pp r o a c h the u pp er bran c he s o f the tree o f

re ligio u s de ve lop ment we mu s t i n c rea si n gly de p art
fr o m the s tandard o f m i nute re s ear c h wh ic h i t wa s
possi b l e t o ma i ntai n i n the ear li er c ha p ter s O f
th is I warned the reader fr o m the s tart We ha v e
i n the ear li er s ta g e s t o dea l w i th s o S i m pl e a menta l
p r o du c t that we ma y i n a l e is ure ly wa y e x am i ne i t s

e v ery a sp e c t the be li e fs the p ra c t ic e s the adm ix

ture o f ma gic the s a c red o bj e c t s o r h o u s e s and
the e l ementar y p r i e sth oo d A s man r is e s t o ward s
civiliz at io n the re ligio u s g r o wth be co me s s o l u x ur i ant
that we mu s t here o m i t ent i re ly the e l ab o rate
m y th ology and r i tua l and p r i e s th oo d and giv e o n ly
a mea g re o ut li ne o f the ma i n o b j e c t s o f the c u l t
There fo re I p r opos ed t o dea l s at isf a c t o r ily w i th the
e vol ut io n of p r i m i t iv e re ligio n at o n e end o f the
sc a l e and the e vol ut io n o f Chr is t i an i t y at the o ther ;
and I warned the reader that o f the i nterv en i n g
re ligio n s I s h o u l d s a y en o u g h mere ly t o mak e
br o adly i nte lligi b l e the i mmen s e v ar i et y o f the
re ligio n s wh ic h n o w cov er the glo be o r are em
ba l med i n the p ag e s o f h is t o r y and t o p re p are h i m
t o under s tand c erta i n q ua i nt and o ld w o r l d e l ement s
o f Chr is t i ani t y i t s e lf
As

223

2 24

R ELIGION

OF

THE

FI R S T CI V ILIZ AT ION S

Th e

s e cond o f the s e co n si derat ion s n o w re i n fo r c e s

the r s t We co me t o re ligio n s wh ic h ha v e mate
r iall
We
y co ntr i buted t o the Chr is t i an sy nthe sis
rea c h the thre s h ol d o f civiliz at io n and hav e t o n o te
c are fu lly h o w under the co n s er v at iv e i n uen c e o f
p r i e s t s na iv e i dea s o f barbar ic man are co nv erted
i nt o m y th s w i th wh ic h e ven the edu c ated i nte ll e c t
ma y da lly ; h o w the c rude nature fo r c e s o r the
un co uth be i n gs wh o are s u ppos ed t o co ntr ol them
be co me m o ra l l e gisl at o r s ; h o w a s p ett y c hi e f d o m s
o r ki n g d o m s are f u s ed i n so me g reat em pi re the i r
p ett y S pi r i tua l ru l er s b l end i nt o a s u p reme S pi r i tua l
m onar c h o f the un iv er s e We s aw th is t o so me
e x tent i n the l a s t tw o c hap ter s ; but the p r oc e ss
n o w be co me s m ore i ntere s t i n g Th e s tream of
civili z at io n wh ic h we shall o b s er v e taki n g i t s r is e
i n the v a ll e y o f the N il e and the v a ll e y o f the
Eu p hrate s and T ig r i s is but the begi nn i n g o f the
s tream o n wh ic h we o at t o day In the co ur s e o f
th ou s and s o f y ear s i t rea c hed Eur op e and i n the
re ligio u s e l ement s o f Eur op ean civiliz at io n t o da y
we S hall nd m y th s and r i te s wh ic h i t h a s b o rne t o
u s fr o m the barbar ic a g e wh ic h p re c eded the r s t
c u l ture o f E gyp t
It s eem s p r o bab l e that be fo re the E gyp t i an rac e
w i th wh ic h we are f am ili ar s ett l ed i n the fert il e
v a ll e y o f the N il e i t w a s occ u pi ed b y bl a ck tr i be s
aki n t o th os e we hav e s tud i ed i n an ear li er c hap ter
Th e sc ant y tra c e s wh ic h we c an g ather of the i r
religio n s u gg e s t be li e fs and p ra c t ic e s si m il ar t o th os e
of the N ilo t ic ne g r o e s and we w ill n o t li n g er over
them S o me th o u s and s o f y ear s be fo re Chr is t the
.

2 26

R ELIGION

OF

THE

FI R S T CI V ILIZ AT ION S

spi r i t s were the name s o f o ut s tand i n g an c e s t o r s

wh o had been th o u g ht g reat en ou g h t o contr ol the
e l ement s o r were name s of the e l ement s them s e lv e s
i n a los t t on g ue the i dent i t y of the i r s u ppos ed
f un c t io n s w o u l d l end i t s e lf t o a n i dent i c at io n o r
fu sio n o f the spi r i t s
In th is we re cog n iz e a s ta g e o f re ligio u s e vol ut io n
w i th wh ic h we are f am ili ar
Th e o n ly f eature
w h ic li mer i t s p art ic u l ar attent io n i n ear ly E gyp t
th o u g h i t is b y n o mean s p e c uli ar t o E gyp t is the
a ssoci at ion of the s e spi r i t s w i th c erta i n an i mals
T h e narr o w m i nded Chr is t i an o f o u r da y wh o ha l t s
be fo re a mumm i ed c at o r a p e o r an i d ol w i th
the head o f a haw k o r a c r oco d il e i n the E gyp t i an
g all er y o f a m o dern mu s eum and e xp re ss e s h is
d is dai n of a p e opl e wh o w or s h ipp ed the s e th i n gs
The y re p re s ent a
is n o t u s ually we ll i n s tru c ted
re ligio n o f ten th o u s and y ear s a go (ma i nta i ned b y
co n s er v at is m i n a l ater a g e) and i t ma y be that
the E ur op ean of ten th o u s and y ear s hen c e w ill ha l t
w i th e qua l a s t o n is hment i n so me ar c h ae ologic a l
mu s eum be fo re sp e ci men s of the h ymn s that are
s un g i n Chr ist i an tem pl e s t o da y o r the g ure s o f
the o b j e c t s o f w o r s h ip wh ic h ad o rn e v en a B r o m p t o n
O rat or y o r a F ren c h c athedral
We ha v e i n all p art s o f the w o r l d fo un d a tenden cy
t o s e e a p e c u li ar man if e s tat io n o f s u p erhuman po wer
i n s tr iki n g an i ma ls Th e B u shman a ssoci ate s the
mant is w i th K aan g ; the B antu s ee s spi r i t s i n
bl a ck s nak e s o r lio n s ; the Me l ane si an i n s harks ; the
A mer i nd i n coyo te s o r ra v en s ; the Me xic an i n
The s e
hummi ng b i r ds ; the Eur o p ea n i n w olv e s
,

R EL IGION

OF

THE

FI R S T CIV ILIZ A T ION S

22 7

th i n gs are t o p r i m i t iv e man m o re w o nder f u l than

men and q u i te a s w o nder f u l a s tree s r iv er s o r
s tar s
S o the v ar io u s tr i be s o f an ci ent E gyp t
a ssoc i ated the i r spi r i t s w i th the i b is the hawk the
c r oco d il e the ic hneum on the w il d c at the a p e and
so o n
S o me F ren c h wr i ter s ha v e co ntended that
a ll re ligio n p a ss ed t hr o u g h th is s ta g e
We hav e
n o t fo und this but we ha v e s een the p r oc e ss often
en o u g h t o under s tand i t It ma y o r ma y n o t i m ply
an ear li er t o tem is m In an y c a s e man s spi r i t s
g r o w l ar g er wi th h is c u l ture and i n the end we
ha v e de i t i e s a ssoci ated w i th the hawk the c r oco d il e
and so o n A rt x e s the fo rm so dee ply i n the
pop u l ar i ma gi nat io n that p r i e s t s e v en when the y
them s e lv e s o ut g r o w the be li e f are n o t m o re ab l e
o r w illi n g t o atta ck the pop u l ar p re j u d ic e than a
m o dern p r i e s t wh o c ea s e s t o be l i e v e i n the vi r gi n
b i rth o f Chr is t o r the anthr opo m o r p h ic vi nd ic t i v ene ss
,

ll

of

G od

we n d i n the ear ly civiliz at io n o f E gyp t a

g reat number o f go d s ea c h co nne c ted w i th a p art i
c ula r ci t y o r re gio n
and m os t o f them a ssoci ated
w i th s a c red an i ma ls S o be k the water go d o f the
F a yo um l a k e d is tr ic t ha s the fo rm o f a c r oco d il e
( i n wh ic h a spi r i t dwe lli n g i n the water m ig ht v er y
we ll be emb o d i ed) Th e go d o f Mende s and the
go d (K hnum ) o f the c atara c t re gio n tak e the fo rm
of a go at A m o n of Thebe s wa s g ured a s a ram ;
the go d o f S i ut a s a w olf ; T h o ut o f H ermu polis
a s a bab oo n ; K h o n s o f T hebe s a s a hawk ; H ath o r
T hu s

Se e G F
8 R e i na ch
.

o u c a rt s

Histo ire

d es

R eligions ( 19 12)

and

th e wo rks

of

'

R ELIGION

2 28

OF

THE

FI R S T CI V ILIZ AT ION S

a s a co w S o me were c rude ly re pre

s ented b y s tak e s tree s o r hea ps o f s t o ne s ; a ll re lic s
Dur i n g the s e c ond
o f s ta g e s we hav e s een ear li er
d y na s t y the i m ag e s o f the go d s ad v an c ed t o the
1 hu m an fo rm
but trad i t io n wa s s o s tr on g that the y
reta i ned the i r an i ma l head s o r tai ls M y th s be g an
t o mak e them m o re pl au si b l e Th e s a c re d bu ll of
Mem p h is fo r i n s tan c e wa s i m p re g nated i n a co w
b y a a s h o f lig htn i n g
T here were a s u s ua l s warm s o f m i n o r spi r i t s
dwe lli n g i n tree s s t o ne s o r water s but we w ill p a ss
ov er the s e f a m ili ar re lics o f the ear li er p ha s e s of
re ligio n and con si der the go d s Th e v ar io u s de i t i e s
wh ic h mak e the r ic h co n fu sio n of l ater E gyp t i an
re ligio n are at r s t i nte lligi b l e a s the d ivi ne p atr on s
o f i nd ivi dua l ci t i e s o r loc a li t i e s ; the o n e o r f ew
spi r i t s wh ic h hav e s ur vived the s tru ggl e fo r lif e
am o n g c u l t s and p r i e s t s wh ic h we hav e often
en co untered
A m o n wa s of Thebe s Ptah o f
Mem phis Set o f Omb os H o ru s of B e h d e t O si r is
of B u si r is N e it of S a is H ath o r of D e n de ra
Sek hmet of Mem p h is M i n of K o pt o s T h o ut o f
H ermu polis Th e o r igi na l f un c t io n s o f ea c h are
g enera lly los t but A m o n wa s a go d o f f ert ili t y ;
M i n the p r o te c t o r of herd s and r o ad s ; Sek hmet a
go dde ss o f war ( p r o bab ly a s e co ndar y attr i bute) ;
H ath o r the go dde ss o f lov e and joy ( p r o bab ly
s e co ndar y) ; Th out a m oo n go d and H oru s a su n
go d We a l read y s e e the i r fun c tio n s c han gin g and

r isi n g
S o me were si m ply he of E d fu and s o

o n o r the m ig ht y o n e o f s u c h a t o wn
Th e fo rtune o f ea c h o f the s e o bvio u sly de p ended
of

D e n d e ra

2 30

R ELIGION

OF

THE

FI R S T CI V ILIZ AT ION S

t o s e e h o w the au g u s t power s v ar y w i th ea c h poli t ic a l

c han g e O ne com b i nat ion de s er ve s sp e ci a l attent ion
O si r is w a s at r s t a s I s a i d the lo rd of B u b a stis
and H o ru s of B e h de t ; i n mu c h the s am e way a s
tw o med i e v a l s a i nt s p re si ded ov er tw o Itali an t o wn s
i n the M i dd l e A g e s
Human a cci dent g a ve ea c h
the ran k o f a g reat go d and the y had t o be re l ated
t o ea c h o ther and t o the o ther go d s Th e l e g end
wa s f abr ic ated that O si r is (wh os e o r igi na l fun c t io n
is n o t posi t ive ly k n o wn and man y are co n vi n c ed
that he is a de i ed h is t o r ic ki n g) trav e ll ed ab o ut the
earth tea c h i n g and civilizi n g and that when he
returned t o h is ki n g d o m o f E gyp t h is w ick ed
br o ther Se t k ille d h im and threw the b o d y i nt o
the N il e I sis the S i s ter and w ife o f O si r is then
s ear c hed fo r and fo und the b o d y but Set re cov ered
i t and t o re i t i nt o fo urteen p art s ( a number care fu lly

ada p ted n o d o ubt t o the re cog n iz ed g rav e s o f

O si r is
I s is bur i ed the s e i n d i fferent re gion s and
H o ru s wh o n o w a pp ear s a s the so n o f I sis and
O si r is t ook v en g ean c e o n the w ick ed Set
As
H o ru s wa s co n c e iv ed a fter the death of O si r is he
w a s b o rn o f the vi r gi n m o ther I sis

T h is m y th o f w h ic h S i r J G F ra z er ha s made

a m a s ter ly s tud y i n h is A d o ni s A tti s Osi ri s is o n e

de s er v e sp e ci a l
o f the E gyp t i an e l ement s wh ic h
attent ion We k n o w i t i n fu ll on ly i n l ate v er sion s
but the P y ra m i d T e x t s wh ic h s eem t o go ba ck t o
the fo urth m ill enn i um be fo re Chr is t p r ov e that i n
so me fo rm i t e xis ted then and e ven ear li er It s
sign i c an c e is that i t f am ili ar iz ed the an ci ent w o r l d
wherev er E gyp t i an i n uen c e sp read w i th the i dea
.

R ELI G

ION OF

THE

FI R S T CI V ILIZ AT ION S

2 31

of

a sl a i n and re s urre c ted go d and a m i ra c u lo u s

co n c e p t io n Th e E gyp t i an l e g end de pic t s I sis and
her sis ter m o urn i n g ov er the b o d y o f Osi r is and
the s u p reme go d R a s end in g a s ub o rd i nate t o re s t o re
h i m t o life O si r is then de sc ended livi n g t o the
underw o r l d and be c ame then c e forth Ru l er and Jud g e
Of the Dead E ver y h u man be i n g that d i ed had t o
p a ss h is tr i buna l and the tr i a l o f the so u l a s re e c ted
i n The B o o k of the D ea d wa s ba s ed u po n j u s t s u c h
an eth ic a s we re cog n iz e t o da y T hu s no t o n ly
wa s e v er y E gyp t i an f am ili ar w i th the i dea o f a
b e n e c e n t and he lpf u l go d wh o livi n g am o n g
men had been sl a i n had returned t o lif e and wa s
the j ud g e and rewarder o f the dead but an annua l
c erem o n y o r lo n g s er i e s o f c erem o n i e s o f g reat
sol emn i t y c u l m i nat i n g i n the e x h i b i t io n o f an e f gy
o f O si r is o n a b i er i n a s e p u lc hre be c ame the q u i te
o ut s tand i n g f e ature of pop u l ar re ligio u s life T hat
th is m y th sy mb oliz ed the annua l sl a yi n g and re s ur
re c t io n of the earth s v e g etat io n if n o t o f the co rn
i n p art ic u l ar is n o w g enera lly a g reed ; but i t is the
d oc tr i na l and eth ic a l c hara c ter o f i t wh ic h c h i e y
co n c ern s u s We S ha ll s e e that the o ther g reat
s tream o f re ligio u s be li e f wh ic h o w s t o ward s the
Med i terranean f r o m the so uth ea s t br i n gs w i th i t a
si m il ar l e g en d
T h e p art s o f I sis and H o ru s mu s t a lso be n o ted
E v er y th i n g co nne c ted w i th the tender go d wh o had

thu s been c rue lly sl a i n the go d wh os e r i tua l annu

a lly d rew tear s f r o m the soft heart s o f m illio n s o f

w o men be c ame pop u l ar

I sis o ut s tr ipp ed her
m o ther (the ol der S ky go dd e ss) i n pop u l ar i t y and
.

2 32

R ELIG I ON

OF

THE

FI R S T CI V ILI Z ATION S

her so n H o ru s the c ham pio n o f light a g ai n s t the

dar k fo r c e s o f Set be c ame the her o am o n g the go d s
Mo ther and s o n occ u pi ed at an ear ly date a co m
m and i n g posi t io n i n the a ffe c t io n o f the E gyp t i an s

and the t i m e c am e a t what p er io d we c ann o t s a y

but lon g be fore the Chr is t i an era when o n e o f the

m os t pop u l ar fun c t ion s o f the tem pl e wa s t o o ffer t o
t h e p e opl e ab o ut the w i nter sols t ic e a sc en ic re re
p
s e n ta tio n o f the b i rth o f the i n f ant H o ru s w i th the
vi r gi n m o ther s tand i n g be si de the babe
There is
rea so n i n the c a s e o f H o ru s t o re g ard the m y th a s
an a ll e go r y o f the re b i rth of the s u n H o we v er
that ma y be E gyp t i an re ligio n early f am ili ar iz ed
the w o r l d w i th the i dea o f a sl a i n and r is en go d
and t h e m i ra c u lo u s b i rth o f a d ivi ne babe i n m i d
w i nter ; and at l ea s t i n l ater (but p re Chr is t i an)
t i me s the d ivi ne m o ther wa s re p re s ented a s a vi r gi n
and a p atr o ne ss o f p ur i t y E ven her m o ther N ut
wa s in l ater t i me s re g arded a s a vi rgi n
A n o ther poi nt that mer i t s e sp e ci a l attent io n is
that edu c ated E gyp t i an s rea c hed the s ta g e o f m o n o
the is m and fo r a t i m e i t wa s i m pos ed u po n the
ki n g d o m Thr ou g h a ll the vicissi tude s o f the go d s
the s u n go d Ra c ham pio ned b y the p r i e s t s o f
H e liopoli s made cont i nu o u s p r og re ss H is sy mb ol
the o be li sk m u l t ipli ed i n E gyp t a n d a t l en g th the
ki n gs o f the fth d y na s t y wh o are be li ev ed t o hav e
de sc ended f r o m a p r i e s t of Ra made h i m the
,

'

S e e t h e P as c ha l C hron c le (Mign e e d , ' I , c o l 385 ) a n d th e

Th e l a t e r
R o m a n w ri t e r Mac ro biu s i n h i s S a t/urn a l/ia ( I ,
o f D i o n y su s o n D ec e m be r 25 ,
re e k s s im il a rl y re r e se n t e d t h e b i rt
p
a n d th e
Mi t ra i s t s ( a s w e s a ll se e) t a t o f Mith ra Se e m y
a n krup tc y of R eli gi on , p 1 69
1

R EL IGI ON OF THE F IR S T

234

CI V IL IZ ATION S

re sp e c t s the l ater c u l t o f I sis the d ivine vi r gi n

m o ther and tender g uard i an o f p ur i t y p r ovi ded the
mater i a l fo r the c ul t o f Mar y S o clos e d i d the l a s t
p ha s e co me i n eth ic a l re sp e c t s t o Chr is t i an i t y that
so me hav e so u ght t o re p re s ent Chr is t a s mere ly a
Juda ic v er sio n of S era pis and s tatue s o f I sis hav e
been m is tak en fo r s tatue s o f Mar y
In ne we mu s t n o te the p e cu li ar s tre ss wh ic h
the E gyp t i an s l a i d fr o m a v er y ear ly date o n
p er son a l s urviv al and the eth ic al j ud g ment o f the
dead Th is wa s a s is we ll k n o wn the p ermanent
and e ss ent i a l e l ement o f E gyp t i an re ligio n Wh il e
G ree ks and B ab ylo n i an s g ranted the so u l but a d i m
and un s at isfa c t o r y cont i nuan c e i n a v a g ue under
w o r l d wh il e B uddha and K un g t s e brus hed a si de
a ll co n si derat io n o f a li fe a fter death the E gyp t i an s
he l d thr o u g h o ut the i r lon g h is t o r y a m os t vivi d and
p ra c t ic a l be li e f i n the lif e a fter death
In the v er y ear li e s t p ha s e s we s eem t o se e the
c u st o mar y un c erta i nt y
S o me be li e v ed that the
dead lived o n i n a s e co nd and s had o w y w or l d aki n
t o th is ; so me i magi ned them p a ssi n g t o the sky ;
some p ut them under g r o und i n a mater i a l w o r l d
li t b y the s ame s u n a s th is We u s ually nd a
p e opl e a s i t ad v an c e s rea lizi n g the p uer ili t y o f
the s e con c e p t io n s and l eavi n g the f uture o f the S o u l
v a g ue and m is t y B ut the E gyp t i an s soo n fo rmed
a v er y den i te i dea o f the underw o rl d and i t s life
and i t is sig n i c ant that o u r sc h ol ar s hav e given the
name o f The B o o k of the D ea d t o the i r an ci ent
s a c red wr i t i n g A t death the so u l wa s condu c ted
by the j a ck a l headed A nub is t o the hall of O si r is
,

R EL IGI O N OF THE F I R ST

There

C IV IL I Z A T I ON S

2 35

the dead man s heart wa s we ig hed I f the

e vil o utwe ig hed the goo d the so u l wa s it wa s

g enera lly be li e v ed s wa llo wed b y a h ippopo tamu s

T here wa s n o eterna l t o rment fo r the w ick ed
The
goo d had an etern i t y o f b liss ; and the h Ope o f th is
lo t and the s tr ic t ly m o ra l nature o f the sc rut i n y
o f the i r c hara c ter made the E gyp t i an re ligio n p re
em i nent ly eth ic a l
We nd that i n the fo urth
m ill enn i um be fo re Chr is t the m o ra l i dea l wa s
s ub s tant i ally that wh ic h an y sober m o ra lis t o f o u r
t i me co mmend s and i t wa s a l read y vi tally co nne c ted
w i th r e ll gi o n
Meant i me the s e co nd g reat ear ly civiliz at io n had
been e s tab lis hed i n Me sopo tam i a H ere we nd
the s ame d i f c u l t y a s e ls ewhere i n re cov er i n g the
ear ly re ligio n and there is li tt l e p r o m is e i n the
p ra c t ic e wh ic h ha s often been tr i ed o f re c ent
y ear s o f taki n g a k n own civiliz at io n a nd attem p t i n g
t o tra c e the g r o wth o f re ligio n fr o m the sc ant y
rud i ment s i n i t s lo we s t s trata t o the r i te s and m y th s
we nd i n the ru i n s o f i t s l ate s t tem pl e s Th e
re ligio n o f the B ab ylo n i an s is v er y f ar fr o m be i n g
a p ure g r o wth e v en a s we nd i t re e c ted i n the
r s t c une ifo rm wr i t i n gs o f v e th o u s and y ear s a go
A n o n S em i t ic p e opl e the S umer i an s g enera lly
be li e v ed t o be aki n t o the Ch i ne s e fo unded the
civiliz at io n and the ear li e s t re ligio n we k n o w is a
f u sio n of the i r c u l ture w i th that o f the l ater S em i te s
Our auth o r i t i e s c an but mak e a f ew d is t i n c t io n s
a cco rd i n g a s the name s are S umer i an o r S em i t ic
between co ntr i but io n s o f the o n e si de o r the
o ther

R EL IGION

2 36

THE F I R S T

OF

C IVILI Z AT I ON S

B ut i n an y c a s e we g et li tt l e lig ht u po n the o rigi n

o f re ligio n f r o m the rema i n s o f a civiliz at io n si n c e
an y tr i be wh ic h make s that ad van c e fr o m barbar is m
is a l read y i n an advan c ed s ta g e o f de v e lop ment
I w ill mere ly poi nt o u t h o w the ear li e s t re ligio n we
c an tra c e is i n harm on y w i th si m il ar s tag e s wh ic h
we ha ve a l read y s tud i ed an d w ill p a y m o re atten t io n
t o the f eature s o f the l ater de v e lop ment wh ic h hav e
so me re l at io n t o the u l t i mate Eur op ean sy nthe sis o f
m y th s and r i te s
A t the be gi nn i n g o f the th i rd m ill enn i um be fo re
Chr is t B ab ylo n i a wa s s t ill a cl u s ter o f s ma ll p r i n
c ipalitie s ea c h o f wh ic h a s i n E gyp t had i t s o wn
nature de i t i e s On the S umer i an o r A kk ad i an S i de
were A nu the sky go d the c u s t o mar y s u p reme
be i n g
and E a ( o r Aa) the earth go d ( th o u g h
o r igi na lly i t s eem s a go d o f water) the go d o f the
dee p o r o f w is d o m the o r igi nat o r of a ll th i n gs
T he s e are a l read y f ar m o re than nature go d s when
we r s t kn o w them but we c an f a i r ly re cogn iz e
the i r ear li er co m pl e xio n T here wa s a lso a Sumer i an
S hama s h o f v er y an ci ent li nea g e ; and
s u n go d
there were a m oo n go d ( S i n ) a s t o r m and thunder
go d ( H adad) a m is t go d (B el ) a re go d ( N u sk u)
and s o o n Man y o f the s e a l read y hav e m o ra l
attr i bute s and the y hav e p re s umab ly ab so rbed o ther
de i t i e s A t th is ear ly date Mardu k is mere ly the
s u n go d o f the ci t y o f B ab ylo n ; I s htar the go dde ss
,

The R e ligi on of B a bylon i a a n d As syr ia by M Ja st ro w

a n d ( fo r a s m a ll s u m m a ry ) The R e li gion of B a bylo n ia a nd
F o r t h e Ha m m u ra b i C o d e se e
P in c h e s
A ss yri a , b y T
t h e t ra n sl a tio n o f C hi l pe ri c E d wa rd s
pu b li sh e d by th e
R a t i o n a li s t P re s s As soc ia tio n
1

Se e

2 38

R ELIGION

of

THE

OF

FI R S T CI V ILIZ AT IONS

h is pi et y reapp ear i n the f am ili ar p ag e s o f

G en es i s
An o ther l e g end the s o c a ll ed
e pic o f

c reat io n ( wh ic h also reapp ear s i n G enesi s) p ut s at

the begi nn in g o f th i n gs a p r i m i t iv e c ha os o r dee p
wh ic h p r o du c e s the go d s and a ll th i n gs Th e evil
p r i n cipl e o f the dee p T i am at ( the Cha l daic fo rm o f

the w o rd fo r dee p i n the te x t o f G en esi s) then

s eeks t o de s tr oy the go d s o f the u pp er w o r l d and
mar the i r w o r k ; and the l atter c h oos e the s h i ni n g
Mardu k t o go d o wn and d o batt l e fo r them a g a i n s t
the dar k fo r c e s
H e S l a ys T i amat mak e s the

rm am e nt
p ut s the un iv er s e i n
o f her b o d y
o rder and c reate s man and h e is there fo re ent i t l ed
t o the c h i e f pl a c e i n the w o r s h ip of the B ab ylo n i an s
T h e a gg rand iz ement o f J ah v e h b y the wr i ter s of
the O l d T e s tament mak e s u s f am ili ar w i th the p r o
c e d u re
In an o ther l e g end E a is i n the c u s t o mar y
wa y re p re s ented a s the f ather o f Mardu k When
H ammurab i we l d s the ent i re re gio n i nt o a g reat
em pi re ab o ut 2 000
Mardu k be co me s the
s pi r i tua l
em p er o r a n d we nd the S ame m on o
the is t ic tenden cy a s we fo und i n the co rre spond i n g
c a s e o f the E gyp t i an R a
It is ne c e ss ar y t o em p ha si z e that the B ab ylo n i an
re ligio n wa s sc ar c e ly l e ss eth ic a l than the E gyp t i an ;
that the ma ss o f co ntem po rar y c une ifo rm d oc ument s
l etter s p ra y er s h y m n s et c n o l e ss than the
te x t o f the H ammurab i C o de re e c t a s tandard of
c hara c ter and an ea g erne ss t o co n fo rm t o i t n o t
mater i a lly d i fferent fr o m o ur s In the H ammurab i
C o de we hav e i t is true a few s ur viv als of ol der
but th e i n fo rm i n g
an d barbar i c l aw s o r c u s t o m s
,

'

R ELI G ION

S pi r i t is o n e

OF

THE

FI R S T CI V ILIZ ATION S

2 39

of

s tr ic ter j u s t ic e than an y co de o f Eur o

p ean l aw ha s k n o wn unt il m o dern t i me s Th e B ab y
lo n i an and the A ssy r i an d i d n o t li k e the E gyp t i an
atta c h i m portan c e t o the i dea of i mm o rta li t y The y
had rea c hed the s ta g e wh ic h I ha v e p re vio u sly
de sc r i bed when the y rea liz ed the c h il d is hne ss o f
p r i m i t iv e man s co n c e p t io n o f an o ther life aki n t o
th is y et had a cqu i red n o den i te i dea o f a S pi r i tua l
w o r l d T he i r dead wandered i n a d i m underw or l d
li k e that o f the G reeks and R o man s ; th o u g h
Z i mmern o b s er v e s that we nd tra c e s of a be gi nn i n g
o f d is t i n c t io n between the pl ea s ant f uture o f the
goo d and the f ate o f the w ick ed G ener ally the
underw or l d is co n c e iv ed so v a g ue ly that i t ha s li tt l e
i n uen c e o n th is life B ut the B ab ylo n i an be li e v ed
vivi d ly that S i n wa s p un is hed i n th is life and the
d oc ument s we nd i n the ru i n s o f the tem pl e s S h o w
that the p r i e s t s i n sis ted o n j u s t ic e and vi rtue a s an
i nd isp en s ab l e co nd i t io n o f the f a vo ur o f the go d s
In p art ic u l ar i t mu s t be n o ted that c ha s t i t y wa s
a s mu c h e s teemed i n an ci ent B ab ylo n a s i n E gyp t
T h e l e g end that B ab ylo n
o r i n m o dern E ur op e
wa s a q u i te e xc e p t io na l pl a c e o f s e x ua l loos ene ss i s
It is s t ill th ou g ht b y man y that
n o w d isc red i ted
the w o r s h ip o f I s htar wa s a ssoci ated w i th s a c red
p r os t i tut io n and that th is w o u l d s et a co n s e c rat ed
e x am pl e o f lic en c e I w ill e x am i ne th is p ra c t ic e i n
the nex t c hap ter Here i t ne e d o n ly be s a i d that
t here is n o p r oof o f an y s u c h p ra c t ic e i n the tem pl e s
of B ab ylo n and li tt l e i n an y p art o f B ab ylo n i a ; and
that the marr i a g e co ntra c t s wh ic h we nd i n the
soil of B ab ylo n an d the s tre ss o n c h a s t i t y i n the
.

'

2 40

R ELIGION

THE

OF

FI R S T CI V ILIZ AT ION S

H ammurab i C o de d isp r ov e the l e g end I n h is

A do n i s A tti s Os iri s ( I p 36) S i r J G F ra z er s a ys
follo w i n g the G ree k h ist o r i an H er o d o tu s
.

T hus a t B aby l o n every wo m an whether ri c h o r

p o or h a d o n c e in her li fe to s ubm it to th e embra c e s

t ha t i s o f
o f a s tr a n g e r a t t h e t e m p l e o f My li tt a
I sh tar o r A s tarte a n d to de di c a te to th e g o ddes s
Th e
th e w a g e s e a rn ed b y thi s s a n c ti e d h arl o try
s a c red p re c i n c t w a s c ro w ded wi th w o m en wa i ti n g t o
S o me o f th e m h a d t o w a i t
o b se r v e t h e c u s to m
th ere fo r y e a rs
,

v er y i m pl au si b l e s tatement i n the l a s t tw o
s enten c e s s h o u l d be en ou g h t o d isc red i t the e vi den c e
o f the G ree k ; and Dr J as tro w t o wh o m S i r J G

the r i te nev er
F ra z er re f er s u s rea lly s a ys that
a ss u m ed the l ar g e p r opo rt io n s that he 'Her o d o tu s'
In poi nt of f a c t the marr i ag e tab l et s o f
re po rt s
an ci ent B abylo n co mm on ly s tate and a pp re ci ate

that the br i de is ch a s te and sh e wo u l d hard ly wa i t

unt il after marr i ag e t o p r os t i tute her s e lf and the

d oc ument s fo und i n the soil o f tem pl e s o f I s htar

the a ll po wer fu l M is tre ss o f Manki nd and Queen

o f Hea v en
( a s s he is c a ll ed i n the O l d Te s tament)
s h o w that sh e wa s p re cis e ly a p atr one ss o f vi rtue
A t the m os t we mere ly nd tra c e s o f co n s e c rated

Th e

The R e li gio n of B a bylon a a nd Assyr a , p 4 7 6

Sir J G
F ra ze r a l so s u rprise s u s wh en h e , n o tic in g t ha t th e Ham mu ra b i
12 7 ) s e e m s t o pro t ec t t h e pri e s t ess e s e v e n f ro m t h e
Co de
s u gge s t i o n o f i m pu ri ty , s a y s t h a t Af ri ca n e x e ri e n c e w a rn s u s t h a t
p

f o rma l re spe c t fo r pri e s tes s es d o e s n o t pro ve t h e ir virtuo u s

c ha ra c t e r
He o ve rl o o ks t h e f ac t th a t t h e pa ra gra ph i n q u e stio n
e xpre s sl y a ppl ie s t o a n
y m a rried wo m a n a s w e ll a s t o pri e s t e sse s
I t i s a pl a in o rd e r t h a t th e y sh a ll b e a b o v e su spic io n in c h a rac te r
a n d repu t e
.

R ELIGION

242

OF

THE

FI R ST CI V I LIZ ATION S

and re fu s ed t o giv e h i m ba ck when I s htar cl ai med

h i m Th e g reat go d Mardu k wa s entreated t o de ci de
between them and he o rdered that T ammu z s h o u l d
sp end ha lf the y ear i n the underw o r l d and ha lf wi th
I s htar Dur i n g h is sojo urn be lo w a ll nature mu s t
l an g u is h and w i ther
T here are s t ill sc h ol ar s wh o re g ard T ammu z a s a
s un go d but S i n c e the s u n d o e s n o t i n an y s en s e
sp end ha lf the y ear under earth and the v e g etat io n
mar k ed ly d o e s i t is g enera lly be li e v ed that T ammu z
is the go d o f the v e g eta l ener gy o f nature o f f ert ili t y
It is the r i te fo unded o n th is l e g end wh ic h i ntere s t s
E v er y y ear j u s t be fo re the s ummer
u s m os t
sols t ic e ( a cco rd i n g t o the g enera lly re c e ived c a l
c u l at io n o f the m o nth T am mu z) the p e opl e
e sp e ci a lly the w o men o f B ab ylo n i a m o urned the
death o f T ammu z T he y be at the i r brea s t s and
to the s hr ill mu sic o f the ute
c han ted the i r
l amentat io n s ov er the fa i r go d A n e f gy o f h i m
l a y o n a b i er am i d pl ant s and o wer s and clo ud s
o f i n c en s e
r os e ab o ut i t
After the m o urn i n g
s er vic e the e gy wa s e i ther b ur i ed o r c a s t i nt o
the r iv er
A l th ou g h the i dea o f re s urre c t io n is here i m plici t
si n c e i t is n o t rea lly the death but the tem po rar y
retreat o f T ammu z t o the l and of death that the y
m o urn th is m os t pop u l ar of B ab ylo n i an c erem o n i e s
ha s the s ame sig n i c an c e fo r u s a s the c o rre spo nd i n g
fe st iv a l of O si r is Th e i dea o f re s urre c t io n wa s n o t
in
f a c t ent i re ly i m plici t i n B ab ylon i a
C o unt
B au dis sin ( A do ni s u n d E sm/a n 1 91 1 p 1 0 7) te lls
u s that there are tra c e s o f a re s urre c t io n fe s t iv a l o f
.

'

'

R ELIGION

THE

OF

FI R S T CIV ILI ZATION S

2 43

the go d Mar d u k H o we ver that ma y be the g reat

e v ent o f B ab ylo n i an re ligio u s lif e dur i n g th o u s and s
o f y ear s wa s a s i n E gyp t an annua l m o urn i n g ov er
the death o r p a ssin g o f a go d wh o w ill a ll k n o w
r is e a g a i n Whether T am mu z re p re s ented the co rn
o r the sp r i n g v e g etat io n o r the su n is a poi nt wh ic h
c ann o t be d isc u ss ed here U po n o n e o r o ther a sp e c t
o f nature s y ear ly lif e the tw o g reat civiliz at io n s o f
man s yo uth fo unded a m y th o f a d yi n g and r isi n g
go d and th i s m y th p r ov ed s o r ic h i n art is t ic and
em o t io na l i n spi rat io n that the fe s t iv a l i n co nne c t io n
w i th i t wa s the m os t pop u l ar and i m po rtant o f the
We hav e n o w t o s e e h o w re ligio n e i ther
o ld w o r l d
b y i nde p endent gr owth o r b y co nta c t w i th the
E gyp t i an and B ab ylo n i an c u l ture s c u l m i nate s i n a
S i m il ar f e s t iv a l a g e s be fo re the t i me o f Chr is t i n
the ent i re re gio n of the ea s tern Med i terranean and
we s ha ll then be i n a posi t io n t o under s tand
Chr is t i an i t y
.

C H AP TE R
T HE

'

W O M B OF C HRI S T I AN I TY

AN Y

man wh o w o u l d under s tand the true co ur s e of

h ig her re ligio u s dev e lop ment mu s t exp e l fr o m h is
m i nd a ll li n g er i n g my s t icis m ab out the m o ra l g en i u s
o f the H ebrew s the p reternatura l m o ra l i n sig ht o f
Chr is t o r the remark abl e and d is t i n c t iv e e xc e ll en c e s
of the Chr is t i an re ligion H e w ill nd i t mu c h m o re
ill um i nat i n g t o s tud y the mater i a l and poli t ic a l con
ditio n s and t o remember that re ligio u s r og re ss lik e
p
a ll o ther c u l tura l ad v an c es dep end s u pon the co ntra s t
an d cl a s h o f c u l ture s
In m y S to ry of E v o lu ti o n ( p 31 7) I hav e p r ovi ded
a map wh ic h give s at a gl an c e the e ss ent i a l poi nt s o f
th is p h ilosop h y It S h o w s the s eat s o f the c h i e f
p re Chr is t i an civiliz at io n s and the date s at wh ic h
the y were fo unded Th e date s are o f co ur s e
un c erta i n and d isp uted but the sc heme is e s tab
lish e d at l ea s t i n s o f ar a s i t s tate s the c hr o n ologic a l
C iviliz at io n be g an i n E gyp t fr o m e ig ht
wquenc e
t o ten th o u s and y ear s a go Th e s e cond c entre o f
civiliz at io n wa s e s tab l is hed b y the Sumer i an s , o r
Akk ad i an s near what we n o w c all Me sopo tam i a
o n e o r tw o th o u s and y ear s l ater
It is o b vio u s that
i n the i r m ili tar y and co mmer ci a l e xp an sio n the s e
k ing d o m s were b ound t o m ov e n o rth we s tward
,

24 4

THE W

246

O MB OF CH R IS TI ANI T Y

We ha v e br i e y e x am i ned the tw o ear li er so ur c e s

of We s tern eth ic a l re ligio n and we mu s t n o w
e x am i ne the i nter m ed i ate civiliz at io n s the c u l ture s
wh ic h ar os e between the an ci ent em pi re s and the
mu c h m o re f am ili ar em pi re s of G ree c e and R o me
F i r s t we w ill tak e the c u l ture o f the Ph oen ici an s
the H i tt i te s and the Phr ygi an s ; and we w ill then
co n si der the l ater c u l ture of the Per si an s and the
H ebrew s wh ic h w ill l ead u s d i re c tly t o Chr is t i an i t y
S i n c e we are n o w looki n g fo rward t o the na l
term rather than ba ck ward t o the rude be gi nn i n gs
I w ill n ot li n g er over the tra c e s o f p r i m i t iv e re ligio n
wh ic h s ur viv e a m on g the Ph oen ici an s of the h is t o r ic a l
p er io d Th e Ph oen ici an s s eem t o be mere ly the
we s tern fr i n g e of the Sem i t ic Canaan i te s s t i mu l ated
t o m o re ra pi d de v elop m ent b y the i r e xpos ure t o
E gyp t i an i n uen c e ; and i t is p r o bab l e that what we
kn o w fr o m the O l d T e s tament o f the p r i m i t iv e
re ligio n of the H ebrew s and the i r ne ig hb o ur s o r
o f the ear ly re ligio n of the A rab s
w ill a pply t o
them
The y s eem t o ha v e w o r s h ipp ed o n the h ill t ops
and i n the fo re s t s and t o hav e had the c u s t o mar y
h i erar c h y o f spi r i t s fr o m the so u ls o f the re c ent ly
dead t o the a g en ci e s wh ic h co ntr oll ed the g reat
fo r c e s o f nature
A n o ut s tand i n g c hara c ter is t ic

wa s the c u l t o f s a c red s t one s mete o r i te s i n so me

c a s e s wh ic h w o u l d natura lly a ss ume a s u p ernatura l
co m pl e xio n and i n o ther c a s e s co n ic a l s t o ne s the
p re cis e nature o f wh ic h is n o t cl ear I n the tem pl e s
o f the h is t o r ic a l p er io d e sp e ci a lly the te mpl e s o f the
w
s
o
dde
ss
A
s
htar
o
r
A
s
tarte
there
a
l
wa
s
a
a
)
(
,
y
g
.

THE W

OMB OF CH R I S T I A NI T Y

2 47

co n ic a l wh i te s t o ne ; an d a s sh e wa s p re em i nent ly
a go dde ss o f fru i t fu l ne ss and h o n o ured b y s a c red
p r os t i tut io n we are s tr o n gly tem p ted t o s ee i n i t
a p ha llic emb l em S i r J G F ra z er poi nt s o u t the
amu si n g f a c t that t o th is da y Chr is t i an s and M osl em
at Pa p h os ( o n c e a g reat c entre o f the c u l t o f A s tarte)
e v er y y ear sol emn ly an oi nt c erta i n s t o ne s o f the o ld

tem pl e i n h o n o ur o f the Ma i d o f B eth l ehem and

fo r the e xp re ss p ur pos e o f s e c ur i n g the f ert ili t y o f
the i r w o men and the g enerat iv e vi r ili t y o f the i r
men
Th e go d s o f the Ph oen ici an s s eem t o hav e been
o r igi na lly fo r the m os t p art go d s o f earth T here

were go d s o f the s u n and m oo n but a s we g ather

fr o m the o ath s of H ann i ba l t o the R o man s the

de i t i e s were c h i e y the spi r i t s o f the r iver s and
w oo d s the mead o w s and tree s and sp r i n gs A l read y
i n the s e co nd m ill enn i um be fo re Chr is t h o we v er
B ab ylo n had e x erted a dee p i n uen c e o n Ph oen ici a
and c e l e s t i a l go d s o r c e l e s t i a l attr i bute s were co mm o n
By that t i me i ndeed Ph oen ici a had p a ss ed f r o m
p a s t o ra l t o ci t y lif e and the go d s had a s u s ua l
follo wed the g r o wth o f i nte l lig en c e of the i r w o r
s h ipp er s T he y were n o lo n g er the loc a l g en ii o f
sp r i n gs o r fore s t s but the p atr o n s and guard i an s o f
ci t i e s the be s t o wer s and ru l er s o f civiliz at io n the

co mmander s of the hea v en ly h os t s

T h e p r oc e ss had go ne SO f ar that the o ld name s o f
so me o f the de i t i e s had been los t and the y were
addre ss ed si m ply a s B aa l
Me l e c h
-

donis Attis Osiris

I , 36

THE W

2 48

O MB OF CH R IS T I ANI TY

A d o n ( o r A d o n is

or

Th e

g reater de i t i e s are k n o wn h o we ver and the y are

T here wa s Me lq a rth the c h i e f
o f a f am ili ar t yp e
de i t y o f Ty re an an ci ent su n go d w i th a fe s t iv a l i n

the sp r i n g t i me wh ic h e sp e ci a lly a s there is some

tra c e of a re s urre c t io n l e g end s u gg e s t s that a

v e g etat io n go d ha s been ab so rbed i n the s un go d
S i n wa s the m oo n go d ; B aa l Sh am e m the sky go d ;
H adad the thunder go d T here wa s a lso a go d of
re To Me lq arth o f T yre c h il dren were s a c r i

c e d a p ra c t ic e o f wh ic h tra c e s are fo und i n the

Old T e s tament
T he s e ol der de i t i e s were h o we v er l e ss i m po rtant
i n l ater Ph oen ici an lif e and are l e ss i m po rtant t o u s
than tw o de i t i e s o f s e co ndar y ran k A d o n is and
A s htar wh os e co mb i ned c u l t a ss umed the greate s t
pop u l ar sig n i c an c e It is si n g u l ar that ne i ther ha s
a p r op er name k n o wn t o u s fo r A d o n is mere ly mean s

the Lord and A s htar s eem s t o be a S yr i an

T he y were i n
e q u iv al ent o f the B ab ylo n i an I s htar
f a c t m i n o r de i t i e s i n all p art s o f Ph oen ici a e xc e p t
By b los where the c u l t o f A s htar w i th A d o n is a s
a cc e sso r y ov er s had o wed a ll e ls e As is we ll k n o wn
the l e g end o f A d o n is and A s htar wa s si m il ar t o that
o f T ammu z and I s htar wh ic h we e x am i ned i n the
l a s t c ha p ter and e v er y y ear the Ph oen ici an s c e l e
b ra te d wi th m o urn fu l c hant and mu sic and the
wa ili n g o f w omen the death o f the hand so me youn g
and
o
n
the
follo
w
i
n
g
da
y
the
so
n
g
and
mu
sic
d
o
;
g
r os e t o a joyo u s o r b ois ter o u s he ig ht fo r the go d had
r is en a g a i n fr o m the dead
In h is A do ni s A ttis Os iri s S i r J G F ra z er ha s
,

THE W

2 50

O MB OF CH R IS T I A NI T Y

tak e t oo read ily the s tatement s of ear ly Chr is t i an

wr i ter s N o auth o r i t y o n G ree c e w o u l d adm i t the
c har g e o f E piph a n iu s (A d v e rs u s H aeres es III

that O b sc en i t i e s and nak ed w o men were p art o f

the E l eu si n i an m ys ter i e s ; n o r c an we fo r a m o ment
a cc e p t the e x tra o rd i nar y s tatement s o f Au g u s t i ne
( D e H a resi bu s X LV I ) ab o ut the Man ic h aean s
Chr is t i an s and Pa g an s were i n the hab i t o f br i n gi n g
s u c h c har g e s re ckl e ssly a g ai n s t ea c h o ther There
is h o we ver s u i c ie n t i nde p endent e vi den c e that the
tem pl e s of A s htar were c entre s o f s a c red p r os t i tut ion
It is i m possi b l e fo r u s t o tra c e the o r igi na l i dea o f
the p ra c t ic e th ou g h f ew n o w d o ubt that i t had i n
the be gi nn i n g a s er io u s re ligio u s o r ma gic a l s ign i
We ha v e i n o ther p art s o f the w o r l d am pl e
c an c e
e vi den c e of lo w ly p e opl e s wh o i magi ne that b y the i r
s ex ua l i nter co ur s e the y ma gic a lly i n uen c e the
f ert ili t y o f nature ; wh il e o n the o ther hand the
behavio ur o f the go dde ss her s e lf w o u l d s eem t o
s an c t io n si m il ar f reed o m i n her w o r s h ipp er s It is
a si n g u l ar f all a cy t o j ud g e s u c h m atter s b y the
a sc et ic co de o f o ther re ligio n s and sp eak i n a cc ent s
of h o rr o r of the c u l t of A s htar Indeed the humane
h is t or i an ma y we ll be tem p ted t o w o nder whether
the p ra c t ic e s wh ic h a cco m p an i ed that c u l t de s erv e a
m o re s ev ere co ndemnat io n than the a sc et ic ill u sio n
wh ic h d oomed V e s ta l Vi r gi n s at R ome o r the nun s
o f l ater Chr is t i an i t y t o a p a lli d and joyl e ss lif e and
de p r iv ed the State of the i r m o ther ly f un c t io n s
T o u s h o we v er the c h i e f poi nt o f i ntere s t is that
at l ea s t a th o u s and y ear s befo re Chr is t there wa s i n
Pal e s t i ne i t s e lf i n the S p r i n g an annua l c e l ebrat io n
.

THE W

OMB OF CH R I S T I A NI T Y

25 1

of

the death and re s urre c t io n o f a pop u l ar de i t y

E ar li er s t ill we s a w a si m il ar co n c e p t io n sp read
ov er the Med i terranean re gio n fr o m E gyp t and
B abylo n i a We s ha ll p re s ent ly s ee that a si m il ar
m yt h and annua l c e l ebrat io n were fo und am o n g the
Phr ygi an s further n o rth and that f r o m the s e
v ar io u s c entre s the fe st iv a l o f the d yi n g and r isi n g
o
d
f
sp
read
ov
er
the
ent
i
re
ea
s
tern
re
gio
n
the
o
g
Med i terranean B e fo re the r s t c entur y o f o u r era
that f e s t iv a l wa s the o ut s tand i n g f eature the m os t
pop u l ar and m os t cos m opoli tan e vent o f the y ear i n
the wh ol e G ree c o R o man Em pi re F r o m A l e x andr i a
t o E p he s u s and A then s there wa s n o t a ci t y o f the
w o r l d i n wh ic h Chr is t i an i t y ar os e that wa s n o t
f am ili ar w i th an annua l m o urni n g over a dead go d
wh ic h i n the sp a c e o f f r o m o n e to three da ys turned
i nt o w il d rejoici n g ov er h is re s urre c t io n We read
i n P l utar c h (A lc i bi a d es XV I II ) that a s ear ly a s
the y ear 4 1 5 B C the f e s t iv al wa s p art of the
re ligio u s life o f the w o men o f A then s ; and fr o m
G ree c e i t p a ss ed t o I ta ly i n the thi rd c entur y be fo re
Chr is t We w ill h o we v er co n si der i n the ne x t
c hap ter the re l at io n o f the Chr is t i an l e g end t o that
o f A tt is A d o n is and O si r is
In h is l earned w o rk A do ni s u n d E sma n
C o unt B au dis sin endeavo ur s t o s h o w that the
Ph oen ici an go d E sm u n the de i t y o f vi ta l fo r c e
and hea li n g is a du plic at io n o r l ater v er sio n of
A d o n is E sm un wa s c h i e y w o r s h ipp ed at S i d o n
and Cartha g e ( a Ph oen ici an colo n y)
He is so me
t i me s de sc r i bed a s a beaut ifu l yo un g man be lov ed
of a go dde ss wh o d i e d i n yo uth an d wa s ra is e d to
.

THE W

252

OMB OF CH R IS TI A NI T Y

life by his

d ivi ne lover There is i n th is a fa i nt

re s emb l an c e t o the l e g end o f Ad o n is but E smun
a ss ume s an eth ic a l c hara c ter H e wa s the go d of

hea li n g wh ic h t o the o r i entals wa s a r is e f r o m

the dead ; and man y o f the s ur vivi n g Ph oen ici an
name s s u gg e s t that he c ame t o be re g arded a s a

d isp en s er o f g ra c e and he lp
C o unt B au diss in

be li e v e s that th is livi n g go d and heal er o f the

sick wa s e volved fr o m the naturalis t ic A d o n is and
t hat he i n turn had a v er y co n si derab l e i n uen c e o n
the eth ic a l e vol ut io n o f the H ebrew J ah v e h
C ontem po rar y w i th the Ph oen ici an ci v iliz at io n
wa s the ki n g d o m o f the H i tt i t e s t o the n o rth and
n orth ea s t of Pal e s t i ne ; but n o ne ha s y et s u cc eeded
i n de cip her i n g the i n sc r ip t ion s we nd am on g i t s
ru i n s and o ur kn o wl ed g e o f its re ligio n is t oo sl ender
t o be o f u s e here S i r J G F ra z er de sc r i be s and
sp e c u l ate s u po n so me o f the s ur vivi n g H i tt i te
sc u lp ture s and nd s tra c e s o f a S ky and thunder
go d a m o ther go dde ss of fert ili t y (earth ) and a th i rd
and yo un g er de i t y wh o ma y corre spo nd t o A d on is
T o the we s t o f the H i tt i te s i n A si a M i n o r wa s
the ki n g d o m o f the Phr ygi an s where the m y th of
a d yi n g and r isi n g go d a ss umed o n e of i t s m os t
pop ul ar fo rm s ; t o the we s t o f the Phr ygi an s were
the Ly d i an s w i th a si m il ar c u l t br i n gi n g i t a l m os t
t o the g ate s o f Eur op e Indeed o u r auth o r i t i e s
con si der that the Phr ygi an s and Ly d i an s were o f
Eur op ean o r igi n T he y had abo ut a th ou s and y ear s
befo re C hr is t l eft so me re gi o n i n the ne ighb o urh oo d
o f T hra c e
and s ett l ed i n Asi a M i n o r B ut i t is
enera
lly
a
reed
that
the
b
o
rr
o
w
d
f
r
o
the
n
i
s
e
v
e
m
a
t
y
g
g

THE W

254

O MB OF CH R IS T I A NI TY

re g arded a s the de i t y o f fe c undi t y ; and th is w o u l d

n o t unnatura lly l ead t o s a c red p r os t i tut io n S i r

W Ram s a y s ays that there is n o d i re c t evi den c e

that th is wa s p ra c t is ed i n th e w o r s h ip o f C y be l e ;
but there is mu c h t o s u gg e s t i t Ram s a y a Chr is t i an
wri ter is g ener o u s en o u g h t o poi nt o u t that the s e
p ra c t ic e s w o u l d hav e i n the be gi nn i n g a s er iou s
i ntent io n and ma y hav e g radua lly dr if ted i nt o mere
loos e p ra c t ic e In an y c a s e a s I s a i d o n e w o nder s
h o w i t is that so man y wr i ter s c ann o t ment io n
w i th o ut a S hudder the s e sc ene s o f the A si at ic
tem pl e s y et hard ly n o t ic e the a pp alli n g b light o f
life wh ic h Chr is t i an a sc et icis m c au s ed b y runn i n g
i nt o the opposi te and m o re c rue l ex treme ; t o sa y
n o th i n g o f the re ligio u s war s e x e c ut io n s and
ma ss a c re s o f heret ics and Jews and g enera l
re p re ssio n of life and th ou ght
T o th is c u l t o f an an ci ent m o ther go dde ss wa s
added i n the co ur s e o f t i me the c u l t o f her so n and
lover A tt is
Th e l e g end e xis t s i n number s o f
form s A t t i me s i t is a s far rem oved a s possi b l e
fr o m the Chr is t i an l e g end e xc e p t i n the si n gl e
re sp e c t that A tt is w as annua lly h on o ured w i th a
co mmem o rat ion o f h is death and re s urre c t io n In
o ther fo rm s the l e g end a pp r o a c he s the l e g end o f
Chr is t and i n the art is t ic dre ss wh ic h G ree k art
g av e t o the m y th the st atue o f C ybe l e s tr ick en w i th
n
r
i
e
f
h
ol
d
i
n
g
her
k
nee
s
the
dead
b
o
d
y
her
o
f
o
g
d ivi ne s o n ha s so clos e a re s embl an c e t o med i e v a l
s tatue s o f Mar y an d the dead Chr is t that there is
s tr o n g g r o und t o re g ard the l atter a s copi ed fr o m
the fo rmer
.

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OMB OF CH R IS T I A NI T Y

255

Phr ygi an l e g end a s t ol d b y the G reeks ( and

there fo re l ate) is that Z eu s i n sl ee p po ured h i s
s eed u po n the earth and fr o m i t ar os e a herma
h
r
o
i
i
d
be
i
n
g
go
d
s
c
a
s
trated
th
is
be
i
n
g
and
t
c
T
h
e
p
an a l m o nd tree g rew fr o m h is te s t icl e s Th e go dde ss
co n c e iv ed A tt is b y eat i n g a l m ond s o f th is tree but
the beaut if u l yo uth went mad and under the s hade
o f a pi ne c a s trated h i m s e lf and c au s ed h is death

C y be l e wh o i n so me fo rm s of the l e g end is the

lover o f her s o n b o re the b o d y t o a c av e and

s urrendered her s e lf t o w il d l ament s ; and Z eu s
taki n g pi t y o n her de c reed that the b o d y o f A tt is
S h o u l d rema i n i n corru p t i bl e I n an o ther fo rm o f
the l e g end A tt is is an h is t o r ic a l c hara c ter a yo uth
wh o fe ll i n lov e w i th C y bel e dau g hter o f the
Phr ygi an ki n g T he y were b o th p ut t o death b y
the ki n g but SO g reat a d is a s ter f e ll u po n the
ki n g d o m that the y were ra is ed t o the ran k o f go d s
and annually m o urned
It is h o we v er n o t the co n s tant ly c han gi n g fo rm s
o f the l e g end wh ic h c h i e y i ntere s t u s
Pr o bab ly
the c entra l i dea is an a ll e go r ic a l re p re s entat io n o f
the f a c t that m o ther earth i s annua lly s addened b y
the c utt i n g OHo r sl ayi n g o f her f ru i t s Th e f e s t iv a l
is we ll kn o wn t o u s si n c e i t wa s pop u l ar at R o me
i n the i m p er i a l p er io d and we ma y p re s ume that i t
d i ffered li tt l e fr o m the Phr ygi an m o de l I t l a s ted
t we lv e da ys and cov ered the date o f the v erna l
e qu i n ox O n Mar c h 1 5 there wa s a reed bear i n g
p r oc e ssio n i n mem o r y o f the nd i n g o f the b o d y o f
A tt is b y the reed y mar gi n o f a r iv er
I t ma y be
re c a ll ed that the Chr is t i an c e l ebrat io n ab out the
Th e

'

THE W

25 6

O MB OF CH R IS T I ANI T Y

s ame s ea so n o f the death and re s urre c t io n o f Chr is t

be gi n s also w i th a reed bear i n g o r p al m bear i n g
p r oc e ssio n (o n Pa l m S unda y) and that i n the c a s e
o f b o th re ligio u s
ab s t i nen c e wa s en joi ned
On
Mar c h 2 2 wa s the p r oc e ssio n o f the s a c red pi ne
re c a lli n g the s e lf mut il at io n o f A tt is under a pi ne
tree Th e tree wa s s wathed w i th w ool and de co
rated w i th viol et s a s the viol et wa s be li eved t o hav e
sp run g fr o m the b loo d o f the go d Mar c h 24 wa s

f
the Da y o Bloo d
a da y o f s tern a sc et icis m and
r i tua l m o urn i n g
On that da y ( co rre spo nd i n g t o
G oo d F r i da y) the so mbre c erem o n y i n the Phr ygi an
tem pl e s ended i n a fren zy o f mu sic and dan c e at

the clos e o f wh ic h the new p r i e s t s and at t i me s

so me o f the w o r sh ipp er s g ra sp ed the s w ord and

c a s trated them s e lv e s
B ut o n the m o rr o w the
drear y c hant s and dramat ic l ament s s udden ly
c han g e d a s the r i tua l o f the Cath olic Chur c h

c han g e s o n the m o rn i n g af ter G oo d F r i da y n o t

wa i t i n g unt il E a s ter m o rn a s is g enera lly be li e ved
i nt o a w il d re joici n g
A tt is wa s r is en and the
joyo u s n o te of the r i tua l wa s m o re than re e c ted i n
the g enera l g ai et y
Th e lo n g f e s t ivi t y ended o n
Mar c h 2 7 when the i ma g e o f C ybe l e wa s b o rne
c erem o n io u sly t o the r iv er t o be wa shed and the ne o
o f a ram
were
i
t
s
eem
s
ba
p
t
iz
ed
i
n
the
b
loo
d
h
s
t
e
p y
It w o u l d be i m possi b l e here t o attem p t t o i nter p ret
the sy mb olis m o f th is lo n g and co m pl e x c erem o n y
and I mu s t be co ntent t o rem i nd the reader o f
i t s S ig n i c an c e i n co nne c t io n w i th l ater re ligio u s
de ve lop ment AS ear ly a s the fth c entur y be fo re
Chr i st th is e l ab o rat e S p r i n g c e l ebrat io n o f the death
,

THE W

25 8

OMB OF CH R IS T I A NI T Y

Th e

ear li e s t p ha s e o f re ligio n the c u l t o f the

dead li n g ered am on g the Per si an s a s vivi d ly a s we
fo und i t am on g the E gyp t i an s Wh il e B ab ylo n i an s
Ph oen ici an s H ebrew s G reeks and R o man s re g arded
the underwo r l d a s a g re y m is t y re gio n i n wh ic h
the y co u l d de sc r y li tt l e m o re than the bare e xis ten c e
the Per si an s lik e
o f the th i n s hade s of the dead
the E gyp t i an s had a liv e ly be li e f i n i mm o rta li t y
and i n the need t o render a fter death a m o ra l
a cco unt o f o ne s co ndu c t T h is is fo rgo tten b y
wr i ter s wh o s e e so me p e c u li ar sig n i c an c e i n the
e xplici t d oc tr i ne o f a future lif e o f the ear ly
Chr is t i an s Th e H ebrew s G ree ks and R o man s
were n o t the o n ly p e opl e s wh os e c u l ture the y
i nher i ted
A nd j u s t a s the Per si an s be li e v ed
vivi d ly i n s urviv a l s o the y reta i ned the o ld c u l t
We
o f an c e s t o r s and o f m i n o r S pi r i t s i n nature
read i n the Av e s ta :
,

I des ire to a pp ro a c h wi th m y pra is e th o s e

Fr a va shis 's p iri ts ' whi c h have exis ted fro m o f
th e Fr a va sh is o f th e h o u s es a n d o f th e
o ld
vill a ge s of th e c o mm une s a n d o f t h e pro vi n c es
wh i c h h o l d the he aven s in its p l a c e a p art a n d
t h e w a ter l a n d a n d c a ttl e w h i c h h o l d th e c h ildren
in the wo mbs s afe l y enc l o s ed ap art s o that they do
1
n o t m is c a rr y
,

The s e

spi r i t s we mu s t remember be co me the an g e ls

and de vils of h ig her re ligio n s and at a qu i te ear ly
date i n Per si an re ligio n we nd them s e p arated i nt o
th os e h o Stile arm i e s of goo d and bad spi r i t s
,

Y a sn a

xxiii ( Sac red B oo ks of the Ea s t

vo l .

xxx i

THE W

OMB OF CH R IS T I A NI T Y

2 59

B ut the p r i m i t iv e Per si an re ligio n had a lso i t s

nature w o r s h ip aki n t o that o f the ear ly H i ndu s
Ch i e f am on g the go d s wa s M i thra the sky go d wh o
s eem s t o hav e evolv ed fr o m a mere i ndwe lli n g S pi r i t
o f the rm a m e n t t o a c e l e s t i a l m o ra l ru l er
H is
l a s t p ha s e we w ill co n si der l ater W i th h i m wa s
a ssoci ated i n the early days the c u s t o mar y earth
go dde ss ; and there wer e de i t i e s o f re water w i nd s
lig htn i n g s u n and m oo n A s am on g the H i ndu s a
c erta i n i nt oxic at i n g dr i n k the H a o ma ( H i ndu S o ma)
wa s de i ed ; and when the re ligio n de v e lop ed a
m o ra l c hara c ter a s i t soo n d i d ab s tra c t io n s lik e

R ig hte o u s ne ss and s o o n were de i ed

F a i th
T here were i n add i t io n c erta i n s em i d ivi ne o r her oic
spi r i t s possi b ly an c e s tra l possi b ly at r s t loc a l
nature spi r i t s wh ic h were c all ed A s ura o r A hura ;
and there is e vi den c e that at a ver y ear ly date o n e

e pi thet Ma z da o r the
o f the s e A hura ha d the
W is e
Th e g reat re fo rm o f the Per si an re ligio n wh ic h
is a ssoci ated w i th the name o f Z arathu s tra ( o r
Zo r o a s ter) con sis ted i n e l e v at i n g th is A hura Ma z da
t o the s u p reme posi t io n i nv e s t i n g h i m w i th the
m os t e x a l ted eth ic a l attr i bute s and endeavo ur i n g
t o s u pp re ss the o ld nature w o r s h ip and pop u l ar
m ix ture o f ma gic and s u p er s t i t io n It is o f co ur s e
a f am ili ar p ha s e of re ligio u s e vol ut ion We hav e
s een i t i n B ab ylo n and E gyp t Ind i a and Ch i na
e ven Me xico and Peru In Per si a th is s ta g e s eem s
t o hav e been rea c hed ab o ut a th o u s and y ear s be fo re
Chr is t and i t is p art ic ul ar ly e xp re ss ed i n the p art o f
the Ave s ta k n o wn a s the G ath a s
-

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2 60

O MB OF CH R IS T I A NI T Y

We s h o u l d n o t e xp e c t t o nd am on g a p e opl e
n o t lo n g emer g ed f r o m barbar is m s o co m pl ete an
a v er sio n fr o m re ligio n a s we fo und i n the c a s e o f
K un g t s e and B uddha but the re fo r m of Z arathu stra
wa s remark ab ly adv an c ed It is i n e ffe c t m o n o

the is t ic fo r the s ix Imm o rta l B e n e c e n ts wh o

are a ssoci ated w i th A hura Ma z da were c reated b y
h i m and are li tt l e m o re than ar c han g e ls o r p er so n i ed

vi rtue s T he y bear s u c h name s a s G oo d T h ou ght s

Imm ortali t y and so o n M i thra and the Ol der

go d s wh o m Z arathu s tra co u l d n o t e x t i n g u is h were
turned i nt o m i n is ter s o f A hura Ma z da ; but i n the
p ure G ath as the y are n o t ment io ned and s a c r i c e s
t o s u c h go d s are e xp re ssly co nde m ned In e ffe c t
Z arathu s tra s re ligio n is an eth ic a l m o n o the is m of
the h ig he s t t yp e
In o ne re sp e c t h o we v er Z arathu s tra s m o n o the is m
wa s si n g u l ar H e adm i tted a s u p reme e vil spi r i t
A n g ra Ma in yu wh o had e xis ted f r o m the be gi nn i n g
Th is d o e s n o t s eem t o de p r iv e the re ligio n o f a
m o n o the is t ic c hara c ter fo r A n g ra Ma in yu is ne i the r
eterna l n o r a ll po wer fu l H e w ill ev entua lly b e
de s tr oy ed o r i m p r isoned under the earth b y Ahura

Ma z da H is name i ndeed wh ic h mean s E nem y

S pi r i t may be mere ly a p er so n i c at io n of a ll the

e vil i n uen c e s wh ic h s tru ggl e a g a i n s t the d ivi ne
w ill In an y c a s e th is dua lis m ar os e fr o m the f a c t
that Z arathu s tra re sol utely f a c ed the p r o bl em of
e vil wh ic h the ologi an s g enera lly e v ade T her e
were he s a i d t wo s up reme spi r i t s ea c h w i th h i s
g reat m i n is ter s and arm i e s o f ang els o r dem o n s
Th e w o r l d w a s a batt l e gr o und and man mu s t pick
-

THE W

262

O MB

C HR IS T I ANI TY

OF

Chr is t i an the ology and e sc hat ology c entur i e s be fo re

the b i rth of Chr is t ; but we hav e s t ill t o co n si der a
remark abl e dev e lop ment o f the Per si an re ligion
A f ter the death o f Z arathu s tra a rea c t io n re s t o red
the o ld nature re ligion at a h ig her l e ve l th o u g h the
sub s e quent b ooks of the Av e s ta a l wa ys p a y h ig h
tr i bute t o the p r op het M i thra n o w be c ame the
pop u l ar de i t y but the ol d sky go d wa s tran sfo rmed
b y new i n uen c e s i nt o a be i n g si n g u l ar ly analogo u s
t o Chr is t U nder B ab ylo n i an i n uen c e M i thra
be c ame a den i te s u n go d and under Z arathu s tr i an
i n uen c e he a ss umed an i nten s e ly eth ic a l c hara c ter
and a p e c u li ar posi t io n i n re g ard t o A hura Ma z da
H e wa s s o t o s a y re j u v enated H e be c ame the
S h i n i n g c ham pio n of m an i n the g reat s truggl e the

sy mb ol o f a ll the fo r c e s of lig ht the med i at o r

between man and A hura Ma z da the redeemer and
s a vio ur
L e g end and r i te de v e lop ed r ic h ly i n the new c u l t
M i thra the l e g end s a i d had been b o rn o f a r ock
and o n ly the lo w ly s he p herd s had w i tne ss ed and
p a i d h o ma g e at h is b i rth
Th e m y th ma y be an
a ll e go r y o f the iss ue of lig ht fr o m the soli d v au l t o f
heaven M i thra wandered ab o ut the earth i n human
fo rm e xp er i e n ci n g man y tr i a ls and tr i um p h s and i n
the end af ter a l a s t s u pp er w i th h is d iscipl e s he
a sc ended i nt o heav en
T h e r i tua l follo wed the
l e g end O n De c ember 2 5 wh ic h wa s co n si dered
t h e r s t da y of the r e a sc ent of the s u n h is b i rth
fr o m a r ock wa s sc en ic a lly re p re s ented i n the
.

or

f u ll d e ta il s s e e

es r e li gi o n s o ri e n ta le s

F C u m o n t s Mysterie s of Mi thr a
da n s le p a ga n i si n e r o m a i n

( 19 03)

a nd

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OMB OF CH R IS T I AN I T Y

263

tem pl e s
c ave s
Th e tem pl e s were k n o wn a s
and the i r dar k i nter io r wa s li t b y i nnumerab l e
c and l e s and ll ed w i th the o d o ur o f i n c en s e A t an
a l tar i n the a ps e at the end o f the tem pl e the
p r i e s t s c e l ebrated a s u pp er o r h oly meal o f bread
and w i ne ( s ub s t i tuted fo r the an ci ent ha o ma ) i n
co mmem o rat io n of M i thra s l a s t s u pp er ; and there
were fre q uent pu ri c a tio n s w i th water and ba p t is m s
b y b loo d
Th e ear ly Chr is t i an wr i ter s te ll u s o f man y
ab s urd d oc tr i ne s and p ra c t ic e s o f the M i thra is t s
and we k n o w that the i r re ligio n d i d co ntra c t man y
s u c h ab s urd i t i e s
B ab ylo n i an i n uen c e lo aded i t
w i th a s tra l p uer ili t i e s and a s i t m ov ed slo w ly
a c r oss A si a M i n o r and G ree c e i t co ntra c ted f urther
s ta i n s It s eem s t o hav e been o n a ccount of th is
p er v er sio n o f the re ligio n i n i t s pop u l ar fo rm that

i t s l eader s fo rmed an i nner ci r cl e o f the e l e c t t o

wh o m the p ure f a i th wa s rev ea l ed A t the i r i n i t i at io n

the y t ook an o ath o r s a c rament (s a cra men tu m

o r o ath of m ili tar y loy a l t y) and were signed o r

T here were v ar io u s
branded o n the fo rehead
de g ree s o f i n i t i at io n and there s eem t o ha v e been

s u c h foolis h tr i a ls and ma sq uerade s a s are s a i d

t o be p ra c t is ed b y c erta i n F reema so n s
B ut the
s tern eth ic a l co de of the f a i th is n o w q ue s t io ned b y
n o ne and the re s emb l an c e o f its c erem o n i e s t o th os e
o f Chr is t i an i t y
g a v e co n c ern t o m o re than o n e
Chr is t i an wr i ter i n the da ys when the b o rr o w i n g
had been fo r go tten o r co n c ea l ed T her e wa s a clos e
re s embl an c e to o i n the f a c t that a ll the i n i t i ate s o f
M i thra i s m whether the y were sl a ve s O r sol d i er s o r
,

THE W

2 64

O MB

OF

CH R IS T I ANI T Y

n o bl e s were
br o ther s
so n s o f a co mm o n
or
f ather
M i thra is m owed we s tward w i th the g enera l
s tream of c u l ture It c r oss ed A si a M i n o r re c e ivi n g
some ta i nt fr o m the i dent i c at io n o f M i thra w i th
A tt is o r A d o n is
It c r oss ed G ree c e where M i thra
wa s ha il ed a s a Per si an v er sio n of H e lios A pollo o r
H erm e s
I t rea c hed R o me i n the r s t c entur y
be fo re Chr is t By that t i me the o ld R oman re ligio n
wa s i n de c a y and l ar g e number s o f men and w o m en
so u ght i n G ree k and A si at ic rel igio n s a s at isf a c t io n
o f that d is turbed s ent i ment i n the i r m i nd s wh ic h
the y c a ll ed the i r re ligio u s i n s t i n c t
So me fo und
th is s at isf a c t io n i n the c ha s te and m il d E gyp t i an
c u l t of I si s and Sera pis ; so me i n the pic ture sque
l e g end and thr illi n g r i tua l o f A tt is and C y be l e
M i thra is m w i th i t s s tern Per si an c all t o batt l e
a pp eal ed p r i n cip a lly t o sol d i er s and ab o ut the end
o f the r s t c entur y o f the p re s ent e ra it be g an t o
S p read thr o u g h them ov er the w i de em pi re S l ave s
a lso were attra c ted b y i t s p r o m is e o f i mmed i ate
br o therh oo d and f uture rede m p t ion It w a s s a ys

Cum ont
o r igi na lly and e s s ent i a lly a re ligio n o f
the lo wly
B ut the earne s t o f all cl a ss e s turned
t o i t and i t s p ri e s t s a ffe c ted t o adap t i t t o th e

sci en c e and p h ilosop h y of the t i m e I t had a

c hap e l i n the i m p er i a l p al a c e and i n 2 70 the
E m p er o r A ure li an g av e i t the o f ci a l posi t io n o f a
re cogn i z ed R o man c u l t
By that t i me a new A si at ic re ligion Chr is t i an i t y
sou ght p r os e ly te s at R o me and the two c u l t s entered

u pon what Cum ont o ur c h i e f auth o r i t y c alls a

,

'

THE W O MB OF

2 66

C HR IS TI A N ITY

r iva l o f Chr is t i an i t y i n the R o me of the fo urth

c entur y
In ne we mu s t n o t ic e the re ligio n of the H ebrew s
a s a co ntr i but i n g e l ement th o u g h the s t o r y of i t s
de v e lop m ent is n o w so we ll k n o wn that a v er y slig ht
sk et c h w ill s u ffic e here It is of ten s a i d that the
O l d Te s tament is i n v a l uab l e a s a d oc ument ill u s
t ra t in g the e vol ut io n o f a re ligio n
T h is new
de fen c e of the p re s t ig e o f the O l d T e s tam ent is
a p t t o m isl ead Th e Jew is h b ooks are c erta i n ly
the m os t remark ab l e ill u s trat io n k n o wn t o u s o f the
de li berate f a lsi c at io n o f re ligio u s h is t o r y b y p r i e s t s
but the v er y ran g e and th o r o u ghne ss o f th is fals i c a
t io n mak e i t m o re d i f c u l t fo r u s t o retra c e the
natura l de ve lop ment than i n the c a s e of the Ch i ne s e
H i ndu o r Per si an s a c red b ooks
Wh o Jah veh wa s o r igi na lly what the name
p re cis e ly mean s and h o w he c ame t o d ispl a c e the
o ther go d s of th is p art ic u l ar bran c h o f the Sem i te s
we c ann o t co ndent ly s ay It i s d o ubt fu l where
the H ebrew s c ame fr o m and whether the y e ver
a pp r o a c hed ev en the b o rder s of E gyp t Th e s t o r y
re co rded i n the O l d T e s tament is so l ate and
l e g endar y that we c ann o t be s ure of an y th i n g unt il
we nd the H ebrew s s ett l ed i n tw o s ma ll ki n g d o m s
i n Pa l e s t i ne E ven the z ea l o f the l ater p r i e s t ly
wr i ter s ha s n o t s u cc eeded i n ent i re ly co n c ea li n g the
f a c t that the y were a g enerally poly the is t ic p e opl e
w i th a band o f p r i e s t s and der vis h lik e p r op het s
endeavo ur i n g t o s e cure a m on opoly o f w or s h ip fo r
Jah v eh We ha v e a l read y s een s o man y i n s tan c e s
of a p r i e s th oo d s u pp re ssi n g i t s r ivals and the i r go d s
.

THE W OMB OF C HR I ST I A N I TY

267

that the e s tab lis hment am o n g the Jew s o f an

o ffi ci a l m o n o the is m w i th mu c h un of ci a l poly the is m
d o e s n o t s ur p r is e u s J ah v e h wa s h o we v er at th is

s ta g e unt il the s e v enth c entur y B c mere ly a

de i ed B ed o u i n c h i e f f er ocio u s and vi nd ic t iv e
s har i n g the lo w S tandard o f m o ra ls o f h is p e opl e
B ut the w o r l d wa s a l read y f ar ad van c ed i n civiliz a
t io n and the H ebrew s co u l d n o t an y m o re than the
p r i m i t iv e G reeks rema i n lon g b li nd t o the h ig her
i deals o f the g reater p e opl e s w i th wh o m the y c ame
i n co nta c t Ph oen ici a had de v e lop ed the c u l t o f
E s m u n the livi n g and life givi n g go d ; and we sa w
that C o unt B au d is s in tra c e s a l ar g e eth ic a l i n uen c e
f r o m th is si de o n the con c e p t io n of J ah v e h Th e
i deals o f E gyp t and B ab ylo n i a a lso sp read ov er
S yri a
T h e lof t y re ligio n o f Z arathu s tra wa s b y
th is t i me s e v era l c entur i e s o ld and w o u l d n o t be
co nned t o Per si a
Jud aea wa s we ll pl a c ed fo r
re c e ivi n g s t i mu l at io n fr o m e v er y si de T here w a s
m o re ov er a co n si derab l e so ur c e o f de v e lop ment i n

i t s e co n o m ic co nd i t io n
It s li tt l e
civili z at io n
follo w ed the u s ua l m o de l and i t soo n had a s ma ll
cl a ss livi n g i n l u x ur y an d a l ar g e b o d y of poo r
Th e p r i e s t s a s u s ua l si ded w i th the r ic h ; and the
pop u l ar spok e s men o r dema gog ue s the p r op het s
j u s t a s nat u ra lly d iscov ered that J ah v e h w a s a go d
the p r o te c t o r o f the w i d o w and
o f s tr ic t j u s t ic e
o r p han and opp re ss ed a fo undat io n of mer cy and
r ig hte ou s ne ss I t is the f am ili ar s tru ggl e o f the

hav e s and ha v e n o t s that is re e c ted i n the

m o ra li t y o f the ear ly p r op het s and ps a l m wr i ter s
Th e B ab ylo n i an c a p t ivi t y i n the six th c entur y
,

Bl

oc ;

THE W

2 68

O MB OF CH R IS T I A NI T Y

made the Jew s f u lly a cqua i nted w i th the i dea ls of

an ad v an c ed civiliz at io n ; and a s the O l d T e s tament
i n i t s p re s ent fo rm wa s wr i tten a fter that date we
under s tand i t s re l at iv e ad v an c e i n eth ic a l i dealis m
Per si an i n uen c e wa s ne x t e x erted u po n the Jew s
and we nd the ol d Sem i t ic i nd i fferen c e ab out a
f uture life c han gi n g and an g e ls and de vils enter i n g
the the ology Th e natura l h op e that J a hv e h w o u l d

some da y rais e a nat io na l her o an an oi nted one

( o r Me ssi ah) t o de liver h is p e opl e i n a mater i a l
s en s e n o w be g an t o a ssume a g urat iv e co m pl e xion
Pr i e s t s and p r op het s had s o lo n g fo ret ol d poli t ic a l
redem p t ion and s o of ten fa il ed t o p r o du c e i t that
t h e spi r i tua l the o r y of redem p t io n wa s co n v en i ent
In the fo urth
l and m o re ada p ted t o the f a c t s
) be n tu r the G reeks overran Jud ae a and a new
y
eth ic a l s tra i n wa s i ntr o du c ed i nt o the Jew i s h m i nd
C ul ture and sc e p t icis m and human i tar i an is m g rew
o n the o n e hand ; a s tern rea c t io nar y z ea l fo r the
Ol d i deals hardened o n the o ther
c
g
B y the r s t c entur y o f the o ld era J u dse a wa s a
synthe sis o f the re ligio u s and eth ic a l c u l ture o f that
s t i rr i n g t i me a s I hav e a l read y de sc r i bed i t Jew s
tra ve ll ed a ll ov er the G r es co R om an w or l d and
be c ame fam ili ar w i th e ver y fo rm o f l e g end and r i te
and eth ic A t the t i me when the p re s ent era Op en s
e v er y v ar i et y o f re ligio u s be li e f wa s re p re s ented
E v en B uddh is t m is s io nar i e s f r o m Ind i a had rea c hed
Jud ae a Am o ng th e R abbis th e sc h ool of Shamma i
cl un g t o the r i go r o u s o b s er v an c e of the l aw wh il e
the sc h ool of H ill e l pl eaded fo r a m il d i nter p retat io n
o f i t i n a cco rdan c e w i t
the
en
li
htenment
o f the
g
h
,

'

ns

C H AP TE R XI
THE S T O R Y OF

C H R I S T I A N I TY

TH A T

the Chr is t i an re ligio n is a natura l de v e lop ment

o n e o f the h ig her bran ch e s o f the tree wh os e g r o wth
f r o m a p r i m i t iv e g erm we hav e tra c ed is n o w so
free ly adm i tted b y sc h ol ar ly the ologi an s that the
poi nt need n o t be l ab o ured here T hree c entur i e s
o f er c e atta ck u O
De
is
t
s
Un
i
tar
i
an
s
and
A
g
n
os
t
ics
n
p
ha v e ended i n s urrender Th e N ew T e s tament n o
m o re co nta i n s a re v e l at io n than the O l d T e s tament
the V eda s o r the G a th a s Th e s tream o f religio u s
e vol ut io n o w s ev en ly f r o m the l a s t c entur y o f the
o ld era t o the r s t c entur y o f the new
Chr is ti an i t y
i s o n e of the new re ligio n s wh ic h iss ue fr o m that
cos m opoli tan f erment wh ic h I hav e de sc r i bed

A t the m os t i t ma y be co ntended o ut si de o f

un c u l t iv ated o r R o man Cath olic ci r cl e s that the

m o ra l g en i u s o f Chr is t wa s so si n g u l ar that he
co ntr i buted t o the br o aden i n g s tream of re ligio u s
trad i t io n so meth i n g aki n t o a re ve l at io n
In m y
So u rc es of the Mo r a li ty of the G o sp e ls ( 1 9 1 4 ) I
hav e e xhau s t iv e ly ana lys ed li ne b y li ne the m o ra l
s ent i ment s wh ic h the G osp e l wr i ter s hav e p ut i nt o
the m o uth o f Chr is t and I hav e s h own the v a i nne ss
o f th is co ntent io n
N o t o nly is there e vi den c e t h at
so me o f the m os t adm i red o f th os e s ent i ment s were
ne v er uttered b y Chr is t but I ha v e giv en a p ara ll e l
t o ea c h s ent i ment fr o m H ebrew G reek and R oman
,

2 70

THE

S T O R Y OF CH R I S T I A NI T Y

2 71

m o ralis t s Th e co m pil at io n m ig ht be e x tended t o

Ch i ne s e Hi ndu Per si an B ab ylo n i an an d E gyp t i an
m o ra lis t s Th e Chr is t i an li terature e xp re ss e s a p ha s e
of m o ra l de v e lop ment thr o u g h wh ic h ea c h o f the o ld
civiliz at io n s p a ss ed and the Chr is t i an wr i ter s had
the ad v anta g e of livi n g i n an a g e and an en vi r o n
ment i n wh ic h the trad i t io n s o f ten civiliz at io n s
and re ligio n s were pool ed In s u c h ci r c um s tan c e s
we S h o u l d o n e vol ut io nar y p r i n cipl e s e xp e c t an
ad v an c e B ut a s I s h o wed th is h op e is t o so me
e x tent d is a ppoi nted be c au s e Chr is t and the early
Chr is t i an s e xp e c ted a sp eed y end o f the w o r l d and
the co de o f life wh ic h the y co m pil ed i s co rre spo nd
in gly a sc et ic and i nd ivi dua lis t ic
In th is i t coi n ci ded
w i th and d i d n o t s ur p a ss M i thra is m and Man i
c h ee is m o r the re ligio n s o f I sis and S era pis
It fe ll
f ar s h o rt o f S t oicis m i n s ane soci a l i dea lis m
O n the p urely re ligio u s o r d oc tr i na l si de i t w o u l d
be j u s t a s ea sy t o nd a p ara ll e l t o e v er y poi nt i n
the G osp e ls T hat ta sk w o u l d h o we v er re qu i re a
s e p arate p ub lic at io n and i t w ill be m o re u s e f u l here
t o S k et c h the a c tua l g r o wth o f the new re ligio n I
c an d o li tt l e m o re than s tate co n cl u sio n s and re l ate
them t o s u c h e vi den c e a s is given i n the p re c ed i n g
c ha p ter s
T hat the new re ligio n o r igi nated i n an h is t o r ic a l
c hara c ter s t il l s eem s t o me the m o re p r o bab l e the o r y
th o u g h man y ha v e i n re c ent y ear s c a ll ed i nt o que s t io n
the h is t or ici t y o f Chr is t That q ue s t io n i t w o u l d be
h op e l e ss t o d isc u ss here B ut si n c e the G osp e ls a s
we k n o w them c ann o t be s h o wn t o ha v e e xis ted
be fo re at l ea s t the th i rd de c ade of the s e co nd c entur y
.

THE ST O R Y

2 72

OF CH R I S TI A NI T Y

ab o ut a hundred y ear s a fter the death o f Chr is t ;

si n c e the e vi den c e o n wh ic h the ologi an s pl a c e ear li er
and s h o rter v er sio n s o f them i n the s e v enth o r e ig hth
de c ade o f the r s t c entur y is i m sy and s tra i ned ;
and si n c e e v en fo rt y y ear s w o u l d s u f c e i n an o r i enta l
a tm osp here t o add an y q uant i t y of i ma gi nat iv e deta il
t o the s t o r y o f a re ligio u s her o we hav e n o co ndent
k n o w l ed g e o f the p er so na li t y and tea c h i n g o f Chr is t
On g enera l h is t o r ic a l ana logy and o n the s tre n g th o f
the att i tude o f the ear ly H ebrew Rabb is t o ward s the
new re ligion I co n cl ude d if de n tly that Chr is t wa s
a G a lil ean a rtiz a n wh o s et o u t t o re fo rm the re ligio n
o f h is l and ;
and I th i nk i t h ig h ly p r o bab l e that
Chr is t sp ent so me y ear s i n an E ss ene m ona s ter y
be fo re he be c ame a p rea c her o f a p urer re ligio n
I f we further a cc e p t the v er sio n o f Chr is t s
me ss ag e wh ic h the ologi an s n o w d iss e c t o u t o f the
l ate t issue o f the S y n op t ic G osp e ls we ha v e s t ill a
qu i te natura l and co mm o n de v e lop ment That G o d
is a p ure spi r i t n o t t o be w o r s h ipp ed b y an i ma l
s a c r i c e s o r the r i tua l o f the tem pl e ; that he nd s
bread fo r a ll s o that n o ne s h o u l d hea p u p r ic he s ;
that mer cy and c har i t y and br o the rh oo d are better
than p ra y er s and f a s t s ; that he wh o w o u l d be
p er fe c t o u ght t o liv e i n pov ert y and c ha s t i t y and
nev er tak e o ath s ; that there are l e gio n s o f de vils
and an g e ls the s e th i n gs were k n o wn t o e v er y Jew
a s d oc tr i ne s wh ic h the E ss ene s had tau g ht fo r man y
g enerat io n s
Indeed a p art fr o m the a sc et icis m
the s e re ligio u s i dea s are fo und i n a ll the ear li er
re ligio n s ; and the a sc et icis m i t s elf is p re se nt i n
man y
In the c a s e o f Chr is t the a sc et i cis m is

or

THE

2 74

S T O R Y OF CH R IS T I A NI T Y

and we hav e al read y s een that a ll the s e ci t i e s were

h ive s o f cos m opoli tan re ligion eth ic and m y th ology
In ea c h ci t y a hundred te m pl e s i n wh ic h S hav en o r
silk cl ad p r i e s t s m ov ed am i d the bl a z e o f tap er s and
clo ud s o f i n c en s e i n vi ted men t o w o r sh ip so me ha lf
human de i t y b o rn o f a vi r gi n (a s a ru l e) wh o w ou l d
he lp them : O si r is Sera pis H o ru s A d on i s A tt i s
D io nys u s Z ag reu s o r M i thra In e ver y ci t y were
m y r i ad s o f beaut if u l G reek s tatue s o f a vi r gi n
m o ther ( I sis Per s e p h o ne S eme l e et c ) h ol d i n g i n
her arm s a d ivi ne b abe o r s u ppo rt i n g o n her l a p
a dead go d wh o w ill r is e a g a i n
Man y m ig ht be added t o the l e g end s I hav e giv en
In Crete men w o r s hipp ed the babe Z a g reu s b o rn o f
Z eu s and Per s e p h o ne t o rn b y T i tan s and then
r e b o rn
m i r a c u lo u sly o f the vi r gi n S eme l e
In
Mysi a we nd an i n sc r ip t io n wh ic h ha ils Ko re

( dau g hter o f Demeter) a s the H oly Vi r gi n o f o u r

In A l e x andr i a be si de s the c e l ebrat ion s

F ather l and
at the w i nter sols t ic e o f the m i ra c u lo u s bi rth o f
H o ru s and o f M i thra there wa s a s ervic e i n the

tem pl e o f Ko re o n the n ight o f Januar y 5 6 Th e

w o r s h ipp er s s an g h y mn s unt il dawn when the y
de sc ended t o an under g r ound s hr i ne and br ou g ht
o ut a w oo den i ma g e o f Ko re
nak ed o n a b i er
S igned w i th a c r oss Th is the y c arr i ed s e v en t i me s

joyo u sly r ound the tem pl e ;

and the vo tar i e s

E piph an iu s te lls u s
s a y that t o da y at th is h o ur

Ko re that is th e Vi r gi n g av e bi rth t o the

E terna l
,

I ta k e th i s
R e lig on (p
1

th e pre c e d ing
He t in ks t is

a nd

ro

m Dr F

r
t
a
p

a rn ell s

Ev o lu t

on o

ly C h ri st ia ni ze d v e rsio n

of

THE

2 75

S T O R Y OF CH R I S TI A NI T Y

In br i e f the ci t i e s i n wh ic h the G osp e ls mu s t

ha v e been slo w ly co m pil ed o n e v er sio n s u cc eed i n g
an o ther a s L u k e i nt i mate s (i
were s aturated
w i th l e g end s o f the m i ra c u lo u s b i rth and re s urre c t io n
o f go d s
A go d wa s hard ly w o rth y o f the name wh o
had been b o rn i n the o rd i nar y wa y o r had d i ed i n
the o rd i nar y wa y
A n y p er so n wh o c an be li e v e that
th is w o r l d wh ic h wa s s aturated w i th s u c h m y th s
and ad o rned w i th m y r i ad s o f s tatue s and p a g eant s
re p re s ent i n g them s udden ly d i d b y a m os t e x tra
o rd i nar y coi n ci den c e be co me the theatre o f a rea l
m i ra c u lo u s b i rth and re s urre c t io n mu s t hav e a
remar k ab l e f a c u l t y o f be li e f In poi nt o f f a c t n o ne
o f the ba ck ward Chr is t i an s Of o ur t i me wh o s t ill
p r ofe ss li tera l be li e f i n the vi r gi n b i rth and re s ur
re c t io n o f Chr is t hav e an y i dea o f the e x tent t o
wh ic h the s e l e g end s ll ed the m i nd o f the t i me ;
and the y are e qually ig n o rant that the b i rth and
re s urre c t io n m y th s c ann o t be p r ov ed t o ha v e e xis ted
i n an y gosp e l unt il we ll i nt o the s e cond c entur y
Whether the matter be j ud g ed b y co mm o n s en s e o r
b y sc h ol ar s h ip the r s t g reat add i t io n s t o p r i m i t iv e
Chr is t i an i t y the m i ra c u lo u s op en i n g and m i ra c u lo u s
clos e of the life o f Chr is t are tawdr y de co rat io n s
s to l en f r o m the Pa g an tem pl e s o f the t i me
N o d o ubt the hea li ng and o ther m i ra cl e s had
a l read y fo und a pl a c e i n the g r o w i n g re co rd but o n
,

k in d o f pa s s io n ~pl a y 'in t h e c u l t o f K o re ' i n wh i c h a h o l y

c h il d w a s b o rn
As h e g i v e s t h e wro n g re f e re n c e t o E pi ph a n i u s ,
I c a n n o t c o n t ro l i t , a n d c a n n o t n d t h e pa s s a g e i n D e Ha er esi bu s
B u t t h e c ro s s w a s a n E g ypt i a n sy m b o l a s w e ll a s Ch ri s t ia n , a n d
D r F arn e ll o b s e rv e s t ha t E piph a n i u s d e s c ri b e s t h is a s a pure l y
P a ga n m y st e ry
a n old

THE

2 76

S T O R Y OF CH R IS T I ANI T Y

the s e I need n o t dwe ll a s s o f ew Chr is t i an sc h ol ar s

n o w adm i t them The y are the co mm o n embr oi der y
o f the liv e s o f an ci ent re ligio u s her o e s
and the
re cord is t oo l ate t o demand s er io u s attent ion S o
i t is w i th the w o nder fu l f eature s wh ic h are added t o
the b orr o wed l e g end o f a m i ra c u lo u s life T h e b i rth
i n a s tab l e and the p re s en c e o f s he p herd s s eem t o
ha v e been b orr o wed fr o m M i thra is m Th e s tar is
a co mm o n en ou g h p hen o men o n T h e tem p tat io n
i n the de s ert is pl a i n ly b orr o wed f r o m the Per si an
A ve s ta wh ic h de sc r i be s the e vil S pi r i t o ffer i n g t o
mak e Z arathu s tra i n ex a c t ly si m il ar ci r c um s tan c e s

ru l er o f the nat ion s if he w ill q u i t the s ervic e o f

Ahura Ma z da
T h e l a s t s u pp er and a sc ent i nt o
heaven are M i thra ic It mu s t n o t o f co urs e be
s u ppos ed that the G osp e ls are a mere m os aic o f
b orr o wed f ra g ment s Th e o r i enta l i ma gi nat io n wa s
n o t so poo r a s that a s the A poc r yp ha l G osp e ls r ic h ly
s h o w B ut the c h i e f add i t ion s t o the si m pl e p r i m i
t iv e lif e o f the G alil ean re fo rmer were tak en fr o m
the pop u l ar be li e fs of the t i me
Meant i me the Chur c h i t s e lf wa s evolvi n g Th e

M i thra ic l a s t s u pp er mu s t hav e been b o rr o wed

ear ly and i t be c ame the s tart i n g poi nt o f a c u l t
T h e bread and w i ne go t a s i n M i thra is m a m ys t ic
sig n i c an c e and the s er v er p r i e s t (o r e l der) and
dea co n (o r a ssis tant) fo rmed the nu cl eu s o f a

h i erar c h y
O v er s eer s (bi s h ops) o f a g r o u p of
co mmun i t i e s a pp ear a lso t o ha v e been a ppoi nted
ear ly Pr o bab ly befo re the end o f the r s t c entur y
,

Sac red

B ooks of the E a st

IV , 2 11

THE

2 78

S T O R Y OF CH R I S TI A NI T Y

co mmem o rat io n s u pp er Chr is t i an i t y be c ame a c u l t

th ou g h i t wa s s t ill S i m pl e It p a i d n o h o n o ur t o
Mar y o r s a i nt s had n o i m a g e s o r i n c en s e and n o
g reat fe s t iv a ls C l ement of A l e x andr i a the m os t
l earned of the G reek Chr is t i an s i n th e ear ly p art o f
the th i rd c entur y s a ys ( S tro ma tei s I 1 1 ) that there
wa s i n h is t i me n o x ed fe s t iv a l i n h o n o ur of the
b i rth o f Chr i s t i H e mak e s i t cl ear that the date
and y ear o f Chr i s t s b i rth were q u i te un k n o wn and
he is t ol erab ly i nd i fferent ab o ut the f a c t T hr ou g h
o u t the th i rd c entur y the Chr is t i an s s urr o unded o n
a ll si de s b y Pa g an s c e l ebrat i n g the m i ra c u lo u s b i rth
of go d s s hran k fr o m s u c h a c e l ebrat io n Then
so me be g an t o c e l ebrate wh il e o ther s oppos ed the
S pi r i tua l b i rth (o r bap t i s m ) o f Chr ist Th e date
v ar i ed f r o m Januar y t o Ma y R o me h o we ver wa s
n o t s o sc ru p u lo u s i n b orr o w i n g and ab o ut the
m i dd l e o f the fo urth c entur y the R o man Chur c h
xed the c e l ebrat io n o f the N at ivi t y o n De c ember 2 5
T h is da y wa s k n o wn thr ou g h o ut the R o man w o r l d
and wa s mar k ed i n the o f ci a l R o man c a l endar a s

the B i rthda y of the Un co n q uered Sun M i thra

T h e ea s tern Chur c he s lo n g re sis ted so me p re f err i n g
Januar y 6 (the b i rthda y a s we s a w of Ko re s d ivi ne
wh ic h the A r m en i an Chur c h reta i n s t o th is
s o n)
da y B ut Chr is t i an i t y wa s n o w d ispl a ci n g Pa g an is m
b y i m p er i a l au th o r i t y and i t had t o app ea s e the
Pa g an s b y ad op t i n g the i r fe s t iva ls It b o rr o wed a lso
Sunda y the S un s Da y o r day s a c red t o A pollo and
M i thra
E a s ter wa s ear li er c e l ebrated i n the Chur c h a s
We
a d at e fo r i t wa s s u g ge s ted i n th e G os pe ls
-

THE

2 79

S T O R Y OF CH R IS T I A NI T Y

een that th is p er io d wa s the date o f the ol de s t

and m os t co mm o n re ligio u s f e s t iv a ls i n the w o r l d
a nd o f the
death and re s urre c t io n of A tt is i n
p art ic u l ar Th e c a l en d ar wa s g radually co m pil e d
b y th e s ame p r oc e ss o f p utt i n g a new f a c e o n o ld
c el ebrat io n s Januar y 6 the r iv a l Pa g an b i rth d a y

be c am e the
E pip han y
T h e F e b ru a lia of the
R oman s a t i me o f ener g et ic l u s trat io n s and pu ri c a

t io n s g av e pl a c e t o the Pur i c at io n o f Mar y o r

Candlema s Da y ; wh ic h a lso ab so rb s an E gyp t i an
fe s t ival i n h o n o ur o f N ut when c and l e s were u s ed
i n l arg e number s i n the E gyp tian tem pl e s A v er y
h ig h pr opo rt io n o f the fea s t s o f th e Chr is t i an c a l endar
merely d ispl a c e Pa g an fe s t iv a ls
Here h o we v er we ad v an c e t oo q u ickly fo r the
co m pil at io n o f the Chr is t i an c a l endar o u t of Pa g an
fe s t i v a ls p r oc ee d ed we ll i nt o the M i dd l e A g e s We
m us t return and s tud y the e volvi n g Chur c h of the
th ird and fo urth c entur i e s On the d oc tr i na l si de
th e e vol ut io n is we ll k n o wn but we c ann o t attem p t
t o follo w i t here A t o nement w a s a s I s a i d the
rs t and m os t near ly d is t i n c t iv e d oc tr i ne and is
v er y pl a i n ly tau g ht i n the E pis t l e s o f Pau l ; th ou gh
i t s d is t i n c t io n li e s sol e ly i n i t s p e c u li ar co mb i nat io n
o f the o ld Hebrew l e g end of a p ri m i t iv e c ur s e and

the c urrent M i thra ic y earn i n g fo r redem p t io n

is a M i thra ic
fr o m s in
H a v e mer cy o n u s
fo rmu l a wh ic h Chr is t i an i t y ad op ted Th e nex t
d oc tr i ne wa s In c arnat io n wh ic h emer g ed at l a s t
fr o m the lon g s tru ggl e w i th and na l vi c t o r y ov er
the G n os t ics In the th i rd and fo urth c entur i e s a
si m il ar b ut far m o re tru c u l ent and b loo d y s tru g gl e
ha v e

THE

2 80

S T O R Y OF CH R IS T I A NI T Y

i n the ea stern Chur c h ended i n the xi n g o f

d og ma o f the T r i n i t y T h is is a ll that we n d
n o t ic e fo r the further den i t io n o f d oc tr i ne
a s i t is p re s ented b y the Chur c h of R o me be l
o
the M i dd l e A g e s
(1
Out o f the s tru ggl e ab o ut the In c arnat i
T r i n i t y h o we v er there iss ued i n the fo urth
the c u l t o f Mar y wh ic h br ou g ht the C

Chur c h mu c h nearer t o Pa g an is m and

a g reat adv anta g e over M i thra is m F o r nea
fo ur
hundred y ear s the Chur c h a l m os t ig n o red the ther
On the o n e hand three o f the ; fo ur
o f Chr is t
gosp e ls re p re s ente d Chr is t a s o n bad term s w i th h is
l
m o ther and br o ther s ; o n the o ther hand th e v er y
pop u l ar i t y o f vi r gi n m other s am o n g the P tgan s
made the ear ly Chr is t i an s S hr i n k fr o m im itttio n
In the fo urth c entur y h o we ver the re l at io n of the
Chur c h t o Pa g an is m wa s ent i re ly c han g ed Chr i s
t ia n ity be c ame a State re ligio n then the s le
q
auth o r iz ed re ligio n and a ll o ther c u l t s were dr as
t ic a lly s upp re ss ed Th e Pa g an s cl un g er c e ly to
and fo u g ht fo r the i r pic ture sque r i te s and l e g ends
and the au s tere att i tude of the ear li er Chur c h w as
aband o ned Wh y n o t si n c e there w a s a g erm of
truth i n the s e Pa g an r i te s and d oc tr i ne s a ssi m il ate
and tran sfo rm them and thu s m o re ea sily w i n the i r
w o r sh ipp er s
T h e rea l mean i n g o f the
g erm o f
truth
wa s a l read y los t Th e Chr is t i an s o f the
th i rd and fo urth c entur i e s w ou l d hav e been a s t o unded
if o n e had t ol d them that thei r m i ra c u lo u s b i rth
and re s urre c t io n had b e en bo rr o wed fr o m th e
Pagan s
.

THE

2 82

S T O R Y OF CH R IS TI A NI T Y

i ntere s t i n g vol ume

I t w o u l d be v ery dif c ul t to
de sc r i be i n deta il the e vol ut io n o f the au s tere ear ly
Chri s t i an c u l t i nt o th e r i tua l Chur c h o f the fth
an d l ater c entur i e s but the g enera l si tuat io n is
cl ear A l m os t e ver y e l ement wh ic h wa s i n that
p er io d added t o the si m pl e meet i n gs o f the ear ly
Chr is t i an s p re e x i s ted i n the Pa g an tem pl e s
Cand l e s and i n c en s e and o wer s and l u s tra l (h oly)
water were un i v er s a lly em ploy ed i n the r i tua l o f
the ol der re ligio n s B a p t is m e i ther b y b loo d o r
water o r b o th wa s a l m os t e q ually g enera l C o n
fe ss io n o f si n s wa s a p art o f the B ab ylo n i an li tur gy

the
m ys ter i e s
and p ro bab ly o f the M i thra ic
d iscipli ne C o n s e c rat io n o f cl ergy wa s un iver s a l ;
wh il e the s ha vi n g o f the head wa s a c u s t o m o f the
p ri e s t s o f I sis and the dre ssi n g i n silk a n d ne li ne n
wa s g enera l Re lics were v er y w i de ly p re s er ved and
v enerate d S e rv i c e s ov er the dead were da ily occ u r
re n c e s am o n g the Per si an s an d E gyp t i an s ; and a
g enera l Da y o f the Dead ( All S o u ls Da y) wa s a
p r o m i nent date i n the R o man c al endar and is (a s
we ha ve s een ) o n e o f the ol de s t e l ement s o f re ligio n
As t o s ai nt s and marty r s the y were a s I hav e
s h o wn i n The P op es a nd their C ha re h
manu f a c tured o r b o rr o wed fr o m Pa g an is m b y the
hundred and s ub s t i tute d fo r the trea s ure d fi gure s
o f the Pa g an c ree d s
.

Tre d e s D a n Heiden l lnwn in der rent is c he n K i rc he ( 1889 ,

4 v o l s ) c o n ta i ns a go o d d e a l o f c urio us m a te ria l Muc h m a y a l so be
'
l e a rned f ro m
F L e gge s F or crmm cr s a nd R i va ls of C hr i s t an t y

L
R
F a rn e ll s Ev o lution 0/ R e li gio n
( 19 16 , 2
'

a nd L a nc ia n l s P a gan
E D aa nsc n s My thc s c t L egen d c s
a nd C hr st a n R o me
1

i i

i i

THE

2 83

S TO R Y OF CH R I STI A N I T Y

Th i s

de c ki n g o f the ba re p r i m i t i v e Chr i s ti an
s erv i c e wi th th e g a y ro bes o f Pagan is m cov ere d
s e v era l c entur i es but i t p r oc ee d ed mu c h m o re
rap i d ly when the Chur c h s u pp re ss e d i t s r iv al s an d
h ad to w oo an d w i n the i r vo ta r i e s
T h i s is the
s e co nd g re a t poi nt o n whi c h h is to ry ha s fo r ag e s
follo wed a mend acio u s tra d i t io n an d the h is t o r i an s
of o ur ti me Sh o w li tt l e e ag erne ss to co rre c t i t
Here I c an d o n o m o re than coll ec t a f ew f a c t s
wh ic h I hav e giv en i n v ar io u s w o rks
I t is c alc u l a ted b y so me re c en t Chr is ti an a u th o
r itie s that b y the begi nn i n g o f the fo urth c e ntur y
th e Chr is ti an Chu rc h ha d w o n tw o an d a h a lf p er
c ent o f th e Ro m an Em pi re o r
o ut o f a
pop u l at io n o f
I ha v e at v a r io u s t i me s
s h o wn that th is e s t i ma te is e xc e ssiv e an d i t wi ll be
en ou g h here to s tud y the po si t io n i n the ci t y o f
Ro me \V e kn o w the nu m ber o f the cl er gy o f the
Ro man Churc h abo ut th e y ear 2 5 0 an d we ma y
co n cl u d e fr o m th is that i t had at the m os t ab o ut
w o r sh i pper s A f ter that d a te the s t o rm o f
th e D ioc le s ian p er s e c ut io n fe ll u po n th e Chur c h
a n d we k n o w that i t d r ov e l ar g e number s ba c k t o
the Pag an al tar s
I t i s p ro ba bl e that at the
begi nn i n g o f the fo urth c entur y after 2 5 0 y ear s
o f p ros e lyt i s m
o n ly a f ew th o u s an d o u t of the
,

Much

th e ma te r al fo r a t rue presenta t o n o f th e t r um ph o f
'
C h rist ia n i ty w ll he o u n d in A Bong u e t e His to re de la i s trac t o n
d a pag a n is m
o issi e r e L a n d a pa g a n is m :
G

H G Tesc h irne r s D e r F a l l dos Heidc n fhu ms

a nd V

Sch u l tze s G csc hic htc dos Unter g

Hoidmi fh ums
s dos
I kn o w no E ngl sh wo rk th a t tel l s
o t ru th an d e e n th e a bo ve
'
are n o t ca n d i d e n o ug
h r s ti a n . G bbon s
a nd a re gene rall y
acco u nt i s in a e u a te ,
q
1

of

C i
.

THE

2 84

S T O R Y OF CH R IS T I A NI T Y

m illio n ci t i z en s o f R o me were Chr ist i an s

In
Italy and the We s t g enera lly the p r opo rt io n wa s n o
h ig her ; and a s the E a s t had s hared the p er s e c ution
i t s ma ss e s o f ig n o rant Chr is t i an s mu s t hav e been
p r opo rt io nate ly th i nned It is v er y d o ubt fu l i ndeed
if there were a m illio n Chr is t i an s i n the ent i re
E m pi re o f
so u ls S i n c e M i thra is m d i d
n o t p r ovok e p er s e c ut io n b ut en joy ed i m p er i a l f a vo ur
and State re cog n i t io n i t w o u l d be f ut il e t o q ue s t io n
that i t had f ar o ut s tr ipp ed Chr is t i an i t y
In 31 1 the p er s e c ut io n s c ea s ed and the co nv er sio n
o f the Em p er o r C o n s tant i ne op ened a new era
B e yo nd the p r o m o t io n o f Chr is t i an s h o we v er and
the r ic h end o wment o f the Chur c h C o n s tant i ne and
h is s u cc e sso r s d i d n o t v enture t o u s e the i r po wer i n
i t s f avo ur unt il 382 Ho w mu c h p r og re ss the Chur c h
made i n that t i me we c ann o t mea s ure but i t rema i ned
a s ma ll m i n o r i t y and i t s l eader s g rew i m p at i ent
T h e ov erwhe l m i n g majo r i t y o f the ci t iz en s o f the
Em pi re re fu s ed t o be co nv erted ; and a h ig h pro
po rt io n o f th os e wh o were co n verted were of poo r
c hara c ter T hen be g an a s er i e s o f bo y Em p er o r s
and the policy of co er cio n wa s p re ss ed o n them In
382 the re v enue s o f the tem pl e s were con sc ated
E v en i n the y ear a fter that S t A u g u s t i ne ( C o n

fessio ns viii 2) fo und near ly the wh ol e n ob ili t y

o f R o me Pa g an ; and h is de sc r ip t io n o f R o me i m pli e s
that the ma ss o f the p e opl e were n o t f ar beh i nd the
p atr ici an s B ut the policy o f p er s e c ut io n had been
i nau g urated i n the Ea s tern E m pi re i n 381 In
that y ear the r s t co er civ e de c ree wa s issued and i t
was foll o wed b y o ther s o f i nc rea si n g s e v er i t y i n
.

THE

286

S T O R Y OF CH R IS T I AN I T Y

been p ra c t is ed i n a few E a s tern tem pl e s of the ol der

era is an am i ab l e ill u sion Th e ad van c e o f civiliz a
t io n wa s p ut ba ck b y p re cis e ly the th o u s and y ear s
o f s u p reme Pa p a l po wer
fr o m the six th t o the
six teenth c entur y Th e co n sci ent io u s h is to r i an ma y
he si tate t o e xp re ss an y j udg ment o n s o l ar g e a
q ue s t ion i n volvi n g hundred s o f th o u s and s of y ear s
o f e xp er i en c e a s the ut ili t y t o man o f re ligio n i n
g enera l On the sp e ci c que s t io n whether E ur op e
g a i ned b y the m ix t ure o f g r oss ig n o ran c e Th i betan
s u p er s t i t io n and un sc ru p u lo u s p r i e s t c raf t that wa s
f a s tened upo n i t i n the fth and S ix th c entur i e s
he c ann o t he si tate un l e ss i t be f r o m m o t iv e s o f
p ruden c e
T h e e vil en o rm o u sly o utwe ighs the
sc ant y gl ean i n gs of goo d wh ic h i ndu s tr io u s Cath olic
wr i ter s br i n g w i th them fr o m the i r p e c u li ar
re s ear c he s i n med i e v a l h is t o r y It wa s a p er io d
o f a pp a lli n g
c r i me vic e brutali t y e xploi tat ion
de c e p t io n sp ur io u s and so rd i d re lics cl er ic a l
fo r g er i e s m ona s t ic h ypoc r isy l th d is ea s e den s e
ig n o ran c e and soci a l and med ic a l i nef ci en cy s u c h
a s we nd i n the re co rd o f n o p art of the earth
wh ic h had o n c e atta i ned the he ig ht o f R o man o r
G ree k c u l ture
Th e T eut o n ic i n v a sio n d o e s n o t
e xo nerate the Chur c h The o d o r ic i n Italy and
Char l emag ne i n G erman y p r oved that there were
barbar i an
m o nar c h s read y and ab l e t o u plift
the i r p e opl e if the Chur c h had c o op erated ; and
we mu s t remember that the G ree k Chr is t i an w o r l d
wh ic h wa s hard ly entered b y the T eut o n s f e ll
a l m os t a s lo w a s Eur op e I t wa s a p er io d o f
p r ofo und and un p ara ll e l ed rea c t io n i n the s to r y of the
.

THE

S TO R Y OF CH R IS T I A N I T Y

287

e vol ut io n of religio n and the cl a i m o f s u p ernatura l

g u i dan c e fo r s u c h a Chur c h is an o utra g e
T h e rena sc en c e o f E ur op e need s i t s h is t o r i an a s
a c ute ly a s d o e s the s t o r y of it s de g radat io n S o me
da y p erha ps a wr i ter w i th the art the l earn i n g
the l e is ure and m o re than the co urag e o f G i bb o n
w ill te ll u s i n half a d oz en a s t o und i n g vol ume s the
true s t o r y o f Chr is t i an i t y There ha s h i thert o been
t oo g enera l a p ra c t ic e o f re p re s ent i n g the Rena is
San c e o f G ree k and R oman l etter s i n the fteenth
c entur y a s a s un that dawned s udden ly u po n the
dark ne ss o f the M i dd l e A g e s Th e s ervic e s o f that
R ena iss an c e t o sci en c e and p hi losop h y a s we ll a s
t o ta s te c ann o t i ndeed be ov er e s t i mated ; but the
d is ad v anta g e o f dwe lli n g e xcl u siv e ly u po n i t is that
we d o n o t p r op er ly co n c e iv e the g reat art is t ic and
edu c at io nal m ovement s o f the twe lfth and th i rteenth
c entur i e s when li tt l e wa s y et k n o wn o f G ree k
c u l ture Th e Cath olic is there fo re a p t t o cl a i m
the s e and the g erm s of sci en c e that we nd i n
G e rb e rt Ro g er B a co n and A l bertu s Ma g nu s a s
nat iv e de v e lop ment s o u t o f the c u l ture o f the Dar k
A ge s
T h e true s t o r y of the re b i rth mu s t embra c e the s e
m ov ement s It w ill i n the r s t pl a c e tra c e the
e con o m ic and poli t ic a l de v e lop ment q u i te in de pe n
dent o f re ligio n wh ic h p r oc eeded a s soo n a s the
new natio n s were s ett l ed i n the i r terr i t o r i e s
B etween the er c e ly co nt end i n g ki n gs and bar o n s
were the l arg e b o d y o f s erfs and the s mall b o d y o f
ci t iz en s wh o were f reed woo ed and g r anted p r ivi
l e g e s b y wh ic he v er S i de wanted the i r a i d o r the i r
,

THE

2 88

S T O R Y OF CH R I S T I A NI T Y

neutra li t y Pr o du c tio n wa s re s umed when the l a s t

of the i n v ader s were s ett l ed C o mmer c e g rew o u t
of the new p r o du c t io n and p r osp er i t y L ay men
a p art fr o m sol d i er s and ru l er s and p r i e s t s be g an t o
g et wea l th and ta ste fo r art o r l earn i n g
B ut th is de ve lop ment w o u l d i n a cco rdan c e w i th
the l aw o f p r og re ss I hav e ur g ed hav e been e xc eed
in gly slo w had Eur op e n o t s u s ta i ned a n e w c u l tura l
i nv a sio n Th e a ppoi nted term o f th is sk et c h is n o w
so near that I c ann o t en l ar g e u po n the r is e o f
M o hammedan is m and i t s ra pi d c reat io n o f a civi
liz a tio n wh ic h s hamed that o f Chr is t i an Eur op e
H o w M ohammedan is m civiliz ed i t s A rab s i n tw o
hundred y ear s wh il e Chr is t i an i t y t ook a th o u s and
y ear s t o civiliz e its Teut o n s ha s n o t been e xpl a i ned
b y th e s e wr i ter s wh o sp eak o f the civiliz at io n o f
Eur op e a s ba s ed u po n i t s new re ligio n I w ill c all
attent io n t o o n ly o n e ci r c um s tan c e Th e Chr is t i an
Chur c h s u pp re ss ed G ree k c u l ture i n Eur op e wh il e
the M o hammedan s o r o n e bran c h o f them c her is hed
and de v e lop ed i t
H en c e a fre s h s tream o f civi
liz a tio n be g an t o po ur a c r oss S y r i a and A si a M i n o r
t o ward s E ur op e Dammed at the o ld c hanne ls b y
the er c e mutua l hatred o f G ree k and L at i n i t
o wed a lo n g the n o rth of A fr ic a an d po ured ov er
S p a i n ; and thr o u gh the g a ps i n the f anat ic a l
Chr is t i an d yk e s at the P y renee s li tt l e fert ilizi n g
s tream l et s o f i t de sc ended o n c e m o re u po n the
pl ai n s of Eur op e
T h e S c h ol a s t ic m ov ement o f the twe lf th and
th i rteenth c entur i e s w o u l d hav e rema i ned s mall i n
i t s p r opo rt io n s and ent i re ly s ter il e i n i t s co n ten t
.

THE

2 90

S TO R Y OF CH R IS T I ANI T Y

Th e

s e co nd o r med i e v a l p ha s e o f Chr is t i an i t y
ended at the Re fo rmat io n Lik e the Rena iss an c e
the R e fo rmat io n is q u i te wr o n gly con c e iv ed by the
g enera l p ub lic e sp e ci a lly i n G erman y a s a s udden
and s em i m i ra c u lo u s re vol t It wa s o f co ur s e but
the c u l m i nat io n o f a de v e lop ment that had p r oc eeded
s tead ily and had m o re than o n c e p a ss ed i nt o an
a c ute s ta g e dur i n g three c entur i e s
T here had
been m illion s of Pr o te s tant s be fo re L uther B ut
o n c e the poli t ic a l and m o ra l cond i t ion s o f the t i me
had giv en s u cc e ss t o the re vol t o n c e the s an g u i nar y
po wer o f the Pa p a cy wa s br ok en and n o ade quate
re ligio u s de spo t is m s ub s t i tuted fo r i t a new era o f
c r i t icis m and sc e p t icis m op ened F o r a t i me the
R e fo rmer s emu l ated the tru c u l en c e o f the P op e s
but the spi r i t o f edu c ated E ur op e co u l d n o t n o w be
e x t i n g u is hed
S oci n i an is m t i m i d ly s u gg e s ted that
the v a s t s tru c ture o f r i tua l and s a c erd o ta l re ligio n
that had been hea p ed u po n the t o mb o f Chr is t wa s
illogic a l and m isc h i evo u s De is m t ook u p the s tra i n
m o re b ol d ly end i n g i n the m il d ly ant i Chr is t i an
gosp e l o f R o u ss eau the s t i n gi n g ra ill er y o f Vol ta i re
and the po nder o u s erud i t io n o f li bera l G erman
the ology E v en Mater i a lis m and A the is m be g an i n
F ran c e t o hav e l earned and po wer fu l vo tar i e s
By
the end of the e ig hteenth c entur y there were men
o f co mmand i n g ab ili t y wh o be li e v ed that the da ys
o f Chr is t i an i t y were numbered
Th e ear ly de c ade s o f the n i neteenth c entur y
wi tne ss ed a rea c t io n The De is t s had been fo r the
m os t p art e i ther b o ur g e ois o r n o b l e and i n g reat
mea s ure the y sil ent ly a cqui e sc ed i n the new cl a i m
,

THE

S T O R Y OF CH R IS T I A NI T Y

29 1

of

re ligio n that i t wa s the g uard i an o f soci a l o rder

and the sol e p re s er v er o f the d ocili t y that is t o s a y

the w illi n g ne ss t o liv e o n the p a y o f a sl av e o f the
p ea s ant s and a rtiza n s In the l ar g er i ntere s t o f
p r op ert y the a c ade m ic c au s e o f truth wa s s u sp ended
Where a s i n Ita ly and S p a i n and P o rtu g a l Vol ta i re
a n is m s t ill s tru ggl ed i t s tru ggl ed i n pools o f i t s o w n
b loo d B ut the whee ls of the m o dern w o r l d co u l d
n o t he s ta y ed A new sp r i n g human i tar i an is m had
been tted i nt o the me c han is m Of the pl anet It
br ou g ht g enera l edu c at io n and dem oc ra cy and th is
c u l tura l and poli t ic a l edu c at io n o f the ma ss e s e x
tended the c r i t ic a l att i tude wh ic h had h i thert o been
co nned t o the m i dd l e and u pp er cl a ss e s
S i mu l tane o u sly be g an the g reat d isill u sio n o f
Eur op e M o dern S ci en c e and h is t o r y entered u po n
the i r mar v e llo us de v e lop ment and the Chr is t i an
s t o r y of the w o r l d and o f man wa s d iscov ered t o
be a c h il d is h l e g end that had m ock ed the i nte llig en c e
o f Eur op e fo r f teen hundred y ear s
T he ologi an s
S lo w ly and re l uc tant ly re vis ed the i r c reed s but
ne i ther sc h ol ar s n o r ma ss e s co u l d return t o the ol d
T h e i n q u i r y wh ic h had be g un w i th th is
tru s t
s tu p end o u s d iscov er y o f the err o r s o f the Bi b l e
mu s t go f urther
Wh il e there fo re the ologi an s
l ab o ured at re co n s tru c t io n men o f sci en c e and
h is t o r y and p h ilosop h y l ab o ured at re i nter p ret i n g
the un iv er s e i t s e lf Th e q ue s t io n whether Chr is t
w a s G o d g a v e wa y t o the q ue s t io n whether he wa s
really a human m o ra l p hen o men o n and at l a s t t o
the q ue s t io n w hether s u c h a p er so n had e v er e xis ted
T h e q ue s t io n whether the so u l wa s re g u l ated i n i t s
,

THE

2 92

S T O R Y OF CH R IS T IAN I T Y

future d e st i n y b y i t s beli e fs g a v e pl a c e t o the

q ue s t ion whether i t had an y future de s t i n y Th e
que s t io n wh y G o d had s u ffered Eur op e t o li n g er i n
the Pa p a l ill u sio n fo r m o re than a th o u s and y ear s
g av e pl a c e t o the q ue s t io n whether there wa s a
G od
Eur op e re a c hed the i ne vi tab l e s ta g e i n the
deve lop ment o f a civiliz at io n wh ic h had lon g a go
be go t K un g t s e and B uddha Z en o an d E pic uru s
.

PA S T AN D THE FU T U R E

THE

294

co n fu sio n of the o r i e s wh ic h s t ill ov er clo ud the o r igi n

o f re ligio n made i t e xp ed i ent t o de vo te sp e ci a l c are
t o the r s t p ha s e o f de ve lop ment and the ci r c um
s tan c e that the e vi den c e o f p r i m i t iv e p e opl e s ha s
h i thert o n o t been q u o ted w i th s u f ci ent d isc r i m i na
t ion e m b ol dened me t o mak e a fre s h i n q u i r y A t
l ea s t i n the v er y l ar g e li terature I ha v e con s ul ted
and there were v er y fe w w o rks t o wh ic h I ha v e n o t

had a cc e ss I fo und n o wr i ter wh o ba s ed h is spe c u

l at io n u po n the rea lly lo we s t p e opl e s kn own t o u s
T h is I hav e attem p ted t o d o and the co n cl u sio n s
ma y be br i e y s tated
A t the lo we s t l e v e l o f c u l ture k n o wn t o u s re ligio n
co n sis t s ent i re ly i n the be li e f that an i nvi s i b l e p art
o f a man liv e s o n a f ter death and a c erta i n em o t io na l

rea c t io n t o ward s the s e g h os t s

W e e x am i ned a
f ew p e opl e s wh o s ee m n o t t o ha v e rea c hed e ven th is
s ta g e Th e p ure V eddah s e xplici t ly s tate that the y
d o n o t k n o w if the y a ku liv e o n ; th o u g h the ma ss
o f the V eddah s ha v e the vivi d T am il be li e f i n s ur
T h e A eta s s eem
v iv a l and so m e c u l t o f the dead
t o be i n the Same co nd i t ion Th e Y ah g an s m os t
p r o bab ly are e volvi n g the i dea o f e vil spi r i t s o ut o f
livi n g enem i e s and are posi t iv e ly de sc r i bed b y the
be s t auth o r i t i e s a s ha vi n g n o be li e f i n s ur viv a l
A ll that we
T h is is a den i te p re re ligio u s l e v e l
re cog n iz e is a du ll em o t io na l s t i rr i n g wh ich ma y
be a cco m p an i ed b y a f a i nt and ab o rt iv e e ffo rt o f
i m a gi nat io n i n p re s en c e of the dead A nd a s the s e
p e opl e s are co nf e ss ed ly the lo we s t i n g enera l c u l ture
we are j u s t i ed i n taki n g the ma s the o rigi na l l e v e l
n o t a s de g enera t e l a ps e s fr o m be li e f
,

THE

PA S T AN D

THE

FU TU R E

2 95

T a s man i an s

and Bo t oc ud os re p re s ent the

neare s t a pp r o a c h t o an untainted ne x t l e v e l and
am o n g the s e we nd a q u i te den i te be li e f i n s ur
v iv a l
a co n vic t io n that the g h os t s are ma l e vol ent
and v ar io u s p ra c t ic a l rea c t io n s t o ward s them wh ic h
ma y be c a ll ed rud i mentar y re ligio n Th e S eman g
the A da m a n e s e the B u s hmen and v ar io u s p e opl e s
A fr ic a and c entra l S o uth A mer ic a are
o f c entra l
j u s t a s lo w fr o m the anthr opologic a l poi nt o f vi ew
but the y are m o re cl ear ly ta i nted b y the c u l ture of
h ig her p e opl e s and we mu s t draw o u r dedu c t io n s
f r o m them war ily It is at l ea s t cl ear f r o m a s tud y
o f the wh ol e g r o u p that re ligio n d o e s n o t be gi n w i th
a be li e f that an i m p er so na l spi r i tua l fo r c e p er v ade s
nature N o t o n e o f them ha s s u c h an i dea ; wherea s
a ll ab ov e the v er y lo we s t l e v e l hav e a rm be li e f i n
co n c rete human g h os t s It is cl ear a lso that ma gic
de v e lops am o n g them si mu l tane o u sly w i th re ligio n
ne i ther o ut s tr ippi n g i t i n i nten si t y n o r be i n g d is
pl a c ed b y i t
I f the meth o d I hav e follo wed is co rre c t there fo re
human
g
h
os
t
f
o
be
gi
nn
i
n
g
re ligio n
e
t
d
n
i

s
h
e
t
e
i
thg
A s t o the o r igi n o f the be li e f i n the g h os t I w o u l d
a voi d d ogmat is m but i n poi nt o f f a c t there is (we
s a w ) co n si derab l e e vi den c e that i t i s the S had o w
b l a ck i n the s un o r colo ured o n water wh ic h i n spi red
the be li e f i n dua li t y Pr i m i t iv e man s m i nd is wh olly
co n c rete and so th is is the de v e lop ment wh ic h we
S h o u l d re g ard a s psyc h ologic a lly p r obabl e P ra c
t ic ally a ll the e vi den c e we ma y der ive fr o m p r i m i t ive
name s fo r what we c a ll the so u l conrm s th is In

m os t c a s e s i t mean s the s had o w o r i t is a w o rd

Th e

THE

2 96

PA S T AN D THE FU T U R E

wh ic h ha s los t i t s mean i n g It s eem s there fo re p r o b

abl e that the m ys ter io u s s had o w wh ic h is i n s e p arab ly
co nne c ted w i th a live man and s eem s t o the s av a g e
t o emer g e fr o m and pop ba ck i nt o h i m wa s the r s t
f a c t wh ic h co unted i n the e vol ut io n o f re ligio n Th e
e xp er i en c e of the dream w o u l d en l ar g e th is i dea
d o ub l e wa s c a p ab l e o f l ea vi n g the b o d y and
Th e
wander i n g i n the vill a g e o r the fo re s t In t i me i t
wa s d iscov ered that th is o ffered an e xpl anat ion o f
the e qua lly m ys ter io u s c han g e wh ic h c ame over a
man at t i me s H is b o d y l a y he lpl e ss a s i n dream s
so the d o ub l e had go ne ; but i n s tead of awak en i n g
the b o d y f e ll t o pi e c e s so p re s umab ly the d oubl e
had go ne fo r e ver Th e s ten c h ma y hav e so meth i n g
t o d o w i th the g enera l d isposi t io n t o re g ard the dead
a s ma l e vol ent
F r o m th is g erm tw o bran c he s o f the re ligio u s tree
ar is e : the c u l t of and sp e c u l at io n ab out the dead
and the de ve lop ment o f go d s I am o f co ur s e
s e p arat i n g them o n ly fo r the p ur pos e of treatment
Pr i m i t iv e man wh o is n o t a s av a g e w ou l d be
d i m ly d is tra c ted bet w een tw o att i tude s t o ward s the
dead H e w o u l d be i m p e ll ed t o reta i n h is a e c tio n and
re g ard fo r h is dead re l at iv e s and fr i end s y et he w o u l d
fee l that the dead were g enera lly ma l evol ent B e fo re
lo n g he d iscov er s the sol ut io n i n a d is t i n c t io n between
goo d g h ost s and bad g h os t s H e a sks the a i d o f the
former and p r opi t i ate s the l atter b y s a c r i c e s F o r
a v er y lon g t i me the y i n h is Opi n ion haunt the h o me
He ha s n o i dea o f a
o r the g ra v e o r the j un gl e
th i n g wh ic h is i n i t s e lf i n visi bl e so he th i n ks the i r
power and cl e verne ss mu s t be g reat ly i n c rea s ed a fter
.

THE

2 98

PA S T AN D THE FU T U R E

de ve lop ment man de li berate ly manu f a c ture s go d s

and go dde ss e s B y that t i me he is f am ili ar w i th the
i dea o f go d s and ha s g enera lly los t a ll tra c e o f the i r
human p arenta g e so that he ea sily i m
a gi ne s a new
de i t y t o e xpl a i n a new p hen o men o n o r f un c t io n
B ut the e vi d en c e re co mmend s u s t o s u ppos e that
the g reat go d maki n g p r oc e ss o f the ear ly p ha s e s is
the a gg rand iz ement of dead c h i e fs A t the lo wer
l e v els o f human c u l ture there are n o c h i e fs and
there fo re the S pi r i t w o r l d a lso is a dem oc ra cy A s
soci a l e vol ut io n mak e s tr i be s and c h i e fs the re ligio u s
w o r l d g et s go dli n gs When c h i e fs be co me ki n gs a s
i n D ah o m i o r A shant i o r early E gyp t the go d li n gs

be co m e go d s E xc e p t io na lly cl e v er c h i e fs goo d

ra i n mak er s co un s e llo r s o r warr io r s are j u s t a s

v a l uab l e af ter death and the y mu s t be p r opi t i ated
co n s u l ted attered and rewarded A s so me men
p r ov e e xc e p t io nally cl e v er at g ett i n g i nt o t o u c h w i th
the m o r at de feat i n g the e vil spi r i t s the c a s te o f
p ri e s t s ar is e s ; and the p r i e s t s wh o g et the i r ma i n
t e n a n c e b y s er vi n g the g ra v e h o u s e of a p art ic u l ar
c h i e f a gg rand iz e h i m s t ill f urther Men be gi n t o
em ploy p r i e s t s a s the y w ill o ne da y em ploy l aw y er s
T h e f ee is w o rth wh il e
A g r ic u l ture is the ne x t human de v e lop ment and
the c han g e s o n earth are a s u s ua l re e c ted i n
hea v en Th e S pi r i t that haunted a tree o r a w oo d
rema i n s i n the soil when the g r o und is cl eared fo r
corn and be co me s a go d o r (if the w o men attend t o
a gr ic u l ture) go dde ss of f ert ili t y Th e go d s of S ky
and rai n a ss u m e a tremend o u s i m po rtan c e The y
mu s t hav e foo d b loo d human s a c r i c e s ma i d s babe s
.

PA S T AN D THE FU T U R E

THE

299

an y th i n g

that the p r i e s t s s a y the y need o r demand

T h e o r igi na l ma gic a l sig n i c an c e of the s e s a c r i c e s
i s los t and the y be co me mere ly demand s of the go d
Th e iss ue o f a har v e s t o r of a war is g ra v e ; the
p r i e s t s thr iv e o n i t Th e los er or s u fferer ma y ad op t
the m o re po werf u l go d of the vic t o r o r of a o ur ish i n g
ne ig hb o ur A si n gl e y ear o f e xc e p t io na l p r osp er i t y
o r ad v er si t y ma y ma k e o r ma r the fo rtune s o f a go d
and h is p r i e s t s T h e fa c t that so me fet is h possi b ly
a mete o r ic s t o ne a cco m p an i e s the H ebrew s o n the i r
s u cc e ssf u l ra i d i nt o Pa l e s t i ne p ut s J ah v e h o n the
h igh r o ad t o be co me the g reate s t go d o f a ll t i me
T o wn lif e and the de v e lop ment of i n te llig en c e
and the f u sio n o f tr i be s ha s ten the e vol ut io n
Th e go d s ta k e o n c u l tura l and eth ic a l attr i bute s
T he i r p r i e s t s i n v ent l e g end s wh ic h a sc r i be t o the
go d s a ll the de vic e s and i n s t i tut io n s wh ic h lift a
p e opl e ab ov e i t s s av a g e ne ig hb o ur s R e ligio n be gi n s
at an ear li er p er io d than man y re c ent wr i ter s s u p
pos e t o co n c ern i t s e lf ab o ut eth ics We fo und th is
am on g the A mer i nd s and P oly ne si an s and o ther s
It is natura l I f the g erm o f re ligio n is re sp e c t fo r
o ne s dead i t is clos e ly co nne c ted w i th the fee li n g
that o ne s dead p arent s are a s g ra v e ly i ntere s ted
a fter death i n the so n s co ndu c t a s the y were dur i n g
life On the wh ol e h o wev er the p r i e s t s are t oo
mu c h ab so rbed i n the p r op r i et y o f s u c h co ndu c t a s

a e c t s the i r re v enue
o rth o d oxy br i n gi n g s a c r i c e

r i tual et c t o p a y mu c h attent io n t o m o ra li t y
F o r the m os t p art re ligio u s e vol ut io n ha s run
i nde p endent ly o f m o ra l e vol ut io n
What ha s been c a ll ed the m o n othe is t ic i n s t i n c t is
.

THE P AS T AN D THE

300

FU TUR E

a m yth We ha v e re p eated ly e x am i n e d m o n o the is t ic

de v e lop ment s o r de v e lop ment s wh ic h p r oc eed i n the
d i re c t io n o f m o n o the is m Pr i e s t s a l wa ys re s ent and
tr y to s u pp re ss r iv a l c u l t s T hat is the c h i e f pa rt o f

the ma c h i ner y wh ic h m o dern p r i e s t s c a ll the m o n o

the is t ic i n s t i n c t
In add i t io n the tr i be o r S tate
i t s e lf he lps the p r oc e ss It want s to s u pp re ss the
go d a s we ll a s the ki n g o f the p e opl e i t ha s co n q uered
It ma y o n poli t ic a l g r o und s ad op t the opposi te policy
fo r d ispl a c ed p r i e s t s are the
o f e x treme li bera li t y
dead li e s t rebe ls i n a co n quered co untr y In that
c a s e ( a s i n R o me) the p anthe o n g r o w s to s u c h
l ud ic r o u s p r opo rt io n s that i nte llig ent men turn fo r
so me menta l re li e f to a phiIOSOphic m o n o the is m
In m os t c a s e s there is a co m p r o m is e T he o ld and
the new go d s are co nne c ted b y i n g en io u s l e g end s
i nt o d y na s t ic f am ili e s o r i nt o T r i n i t i e s ( a v ery
co mm o n g r o u pi n g o f go d s) o r i nt o an attra c t iv e
f am ily g r o u p o f father m o ther and s o n T he so n
a s t i me go e s o n is v er y co mm o n ly re p r e s e nted a s
b o rn m i ra c u lo u sly
When art and p oe tr y are de ve lop ed th e l e g en d s
a ss ume fo rm s whic h p a ss i n t i me i nt o the ologic a l
d oc tr i ne s and are emb o d i ed i n e l ab o rate r i tua l
T w o t ypic a l l e g end s we s a w are n o tab l e i n th is
re sp e c t i n that re gio n o f the earth wh ic h p r ov e s the
c rad l e o f civiliz at io n : o n e is the m i ra c u lo u s b i rth o f
a go d f r o m a vi r gi n m o ther the o ther the death and
re s urre c t io n o f a go d T he ba sis o f th is s eem s to be
the annua l c han g e o f the f a c e o f natu re e i ther b y
the sco r c h i n g s u n o f s ummer (as i n Egyp t) o r the
b lig ht o f w i nter ( as i n Asi a M i n o r) o r the a c t o f
.

THE P AS T AN D THE

30 2

FU TU RE

de v e lop ment s rea c hed the i r h ighe s t

poi nt i n the v e c ent u r i e s be fo re the C hr is t i a n e ra
and a s the y coi n ci ded w i th a co n si derab l e i nte ll e c tua l
de v e lop ment and a v er y bu sy i nter co ur s e between
the wh ol e o f th e civiliz ed p eo pl e s r o und the ea s tern
and n o rthern s h o re o f the Med i terranean a fe v er
fo r re ligio u s re co n s tru c t io n s e t i n V ar io u s a sc et ic

c u l t s Se ra pia n is m M i thra is m E ss en is m C hr is

i
t a n ity sp read ov er the area
A m on g the b u lk
o f the i nte ll e c tua l
m i n o r i t y h o we v er the s ame
co n cl u sio n wa s drawn a s had been drawn i n C h i na
and Ind i a ; possi b ly a lso if we had l ar g er k n o w l ed g e
i n Egyp t and B ab ylo n i a
T he wh ol e re ligio u s
trad i t io n wa s d isc arded a s a m isc h i e vo u s ill u sio n
At r s t an attem p t wa s m ade b y P l at o and S oc rate s
t o nd a k erne l o f spi r i tua l truth i n the ma s s o f
s u p er s t i t io n T he m o re s e v ere rea so n i n g of A r is t o t l e
c h ill ed th is attem p t and G ree c e ended b y p r o du ci n g
Z en o the fo under o f the S t oics and E pic uru s

Bo th spok e o f go d s o r p r ovi den c e ; and b o th

lik e Kun g tse had v er y li tt l e t o d o w i th go d s and
d i d n o t b e li e v e i n p er so na l i mm o rta li t y As the
edu c ated R o man s i nher i ted the s e tw o vi ew s o f life
and fo und at l ea s t i n S t oicis m a ne i n spi rat io n o f
soci a l co ndu c t i t s eemed th a t the re ligio u s ill u sio n
w o u l d end i t s a ge lo n g c areer a s soo n a s the
ma ss e s were s u f ci ent ly edu c ated t o th i nk lik e the
m i n or i t y
P oli t ic a l a cci dent thwarted th is de v e lop ment
In s tead o f o bta i n i n g ru l er s wh o were p h ilosopher s
a s P l at o had w is hed the R o man E m pi re go t a
s u cc e ssio n o f ru l er s wh o were li tt l e better edu c ated
T he s e t w o

THE P AS T AN D THE

FU TURE

303

than the ma ss o f the i r p e opl e

O ne o f them
a l m os t o n the t oss o f a coi n de s erted Ju pi ter and
Mar s fo r Chr is t and Chr is t i an i t y be g an un d er
i m p er i a l f a vo ur t o g a i n g r o und A t a f avo urab l e
m o ment i t u s ed the s u p er s t i t io n o f the ig n o rant
E m p er o r s t o c ru s h e v er y r iv a l c u l ture and E ur op e
wa s co n v erted at the poi nt o f the sp ear S t oicis m
and E pic urean is m li n g ered s u ll en ly i n i nte ll e c tu a l
ci r cl e s but j u s t at that m o ment the Em pi re fe ll
w i th a c ra s h T he a cci dent s o f life i n Asi a had
thr o wn the Hun s u po n Eur op e ; th e Hun s had
thr o wn the barbar i an s o f n o rthern Eur op e u po n the
civiliz at io n o f the so uth ; the Em pi re wa s t oo e x
h au s te d b y war and i m pov er is hed b y e co n o m ic folly
t o re sis t A m i d the ru i n s o f R o man c u l ture i n the
p r ofo und ig n o ran c e o f the Dar k Ag e s the P op e s
f a s tened a w o r s e s u p er s t i t io n than e v er u po n
E ur op e
We return t o da y t o the poi nt at wh ic h G ree ks
and R o m a n s l e ft the de v e lop ment
A s i n e v er y
o ther si m il ar p ha s e o f civiliz a t io n we ha v e three
fundamenta l att i tude s O ne i s the posi t io n of the
un c u l t iv ated ma ss e s wh o ha v e n o t l e is ure o r tra i n i n g
t o j ud g e fo r them s e lv e s
T h is w o u l d ma k e fo r
co n s er v at is m but fo r the fa c t that the dem oc ra cy
i s ar o u s ed a g a i n s t the C hur c h and the cl er gy fo r
k ee pi n g i t i n g r oss ig n o ran c e s o lo n g m isl ead i n g
and e xploi t i n g i t and si d i n g a l m os t i n v ar i ab ly
a g a i n s t i t i n the m o dern s tru ggl e fo r eman cip at io n
and j u s t ic e T here is there fo re n o t the s ame c o n
s is te ntly co n s er v at iv e att i tude i n the ma ss a s there
wa s i n the A then i an o r the R o man o r H i ndu o r
,

304

THE P AS T AN D THE

C h i ne s e ma ss e s

FU TURE

C hea p li terature ha s made a v a s t

d i fferen c e O ur w o rk er s ma y a s n o dem oc ra cy e v er
co u l d be fo re k ee p i n the clos e s t t o u c h w i th the
th i n k er s o f the i r a g e In the ci t i e s o f Eur op e and
A mer ic a the y ha v e i n an e x tra o rd i nar y p r opo rt io n
co me to re g ard a ll re ligio n a s an ill u sio n and t o tak e
a p ure ly s e c u l ar vi ew o f life T here are co untr i e s
s u c h as F ran c e where the g reat ma jo r i t y o f them
ha v e d isc arded a ll re ligio n Pr o bab ly i n e v er y i ndu s
tr i a l re gio n o r c entre i n the w o r l d the majo r i t y o f
the w o rki n g men hav e rea c hed th is s ta g e T he
sc e p t ic a l tem p er en g endered b y the War and b y the
e ffo rt s o f the cl er gy to fo r c e re ligio n o n them b y
mean s o f m ili tar y d iscipli ne w i ll a cc e l erate the
de c a y o f f a i th
T h is is a new th i n g i n the w o r l d and f ew o f the
p h ilosop her s wh o sp e c u l ate ab o ut the fut ure o f
re ligio n s eem t o hav e rea liz ed i t T he f e v er is h
attem p t s o f the cl er gy t o re co n s tru c t and re i nterp ret
and soph is t ic ate the i r c reed s d o n o t fo r a m o ment
arre s t the g r o wth o f pop u l ar sc e p t icis m T he s e
S op h is t ic at io n s a pp ea l o n ly to m o re o r l e ss edu c ated
p e opl e T he art is an liv e s i n a w o r l d o f real i t i e s
T e ll h i m th at the m i ra c u lo u s b i rth and re s urre c t io n
o f C hr is t are ill u sio n s and
w
ill
then
wa
s
te
yo
ur
u
o
y

breath i n a ss ur i n g h i m that there is a c erta i n

truth i n them He is d isc ard i n g the l a s t o f the

g reat re ligio n s
T he o n ly q ue s t io n fo r an y i m p art i a l o b s er v er is
whether the f uture w ill d isp en s e ent i re ly w i th
re ligio n o r mere ly redu c e i t to a P l at o n ic be li e f
i n G o d C erta i n feature s o f the f uture are cl ea r
.

THE P AS T AN D THE

30 6

FU TURE

f
i
h
ha
lf
o
the
e
t
ee
n
h
c
entur
f
ew
t
a
th
A the is t s o r Mater i a lis t s a pp eared am o n g the rebe ls
the n i neteenth c e n tu?? the re
wa s a s I e xpl a i ned a rea c t io n o n poli t ic a l and soci a l
g r o und s but be fo re the m i dd l e o f th e c entur y the
atta ck w a s renewed It wa s n o w pred o m i nant l y
A gn os t ic n o t De is t ic and the p r o po rt io n o f A gn os t ics
h a s s tead il y i n c rea s ed
Ver y f ew o f o u r sc h ol ar s
wh os e w o rd w o u l d ha v e we ig ht w i th the ma ss e s
l end the d is tre ss ed C hur c he s e v en the s u ppo rt o f
the i r name s F ew o f them e v er ann o un c e i n spi te
o f the de sp erate w is he s o f the C hur c he s th a t the y
be li e v e i n a p er so na l G o d ; and s t ill fewer o f them
be li e v e i n p er so na l i mm o rta li t y
We s eem there fo re to hav e entered u po n the la s t
pha s e I hav e i n th is w o rk s urv e y ed a w o r l d o f
ill u sio n s T he C hr is t i an w o u l d m a k e an e xc e p t io n
fo r h is p art ic u l ar c ha p ter o f the c hr o n icl e but h is
m os t c hara c teris t ic be li e fs are pl a i n ly th os e o f ear li er
re ligio n s i n a new dre ss O ur s is the a g e o f d is
ill u sio n I f so man y p uer ili t i e s and ab s urd i t i e s ha v e
been tau g ht w i th a ll the sol emn i t y and tru c ul ent
posi t iv ene ss o f re ligio n we d is tru s t the wh ol e trad i
t io n It s eem s to man y p e opl e that if there is a
G o d at a ll he o u g ht at l ea s t to hav e p re v ented the
enfo r c ement o f so man y folli e s the p er p etrat io n of
s o m a n y c r i me s and the sq u a nd e ri n g o f s u c h p re cio u s
re sourc e s i n h is nam e W e d istru s t the ent i re
co nte nt o f re ligio n It s e em s to be mer e l y a c a s e
o f the e vol ut io n i n hum a n co n s cio u s ne s s o f a p r i m i

t iv e ill u si o n The p h iloso p her k ne e li n g to G o d if

an y m o dern p h ilosop her e v er d o e s is o n l y th e o ther

g

n
c
o
d
ge

THE P AS T AN D THE

FU TURE

307

end o f a s er i e s that s tart s w i th the A ndaman i sl ander

po nder i n g ov er h is s had o w o n the water
O ne i m agi ne s a sociologis t o f the future closi n g

the l ed g er wh ic h is mark ed R e ligio n

A
f
a
i
r
y

ta l e
i s o u th he w ill s a
Dur i n g tw o
hundred th o u s and y ear s o r s o o f barbar is m i t w as
i nte lligi b l e It wa s l u cky t o s urviv e ten th o u s and
y ear s o f civiliz at io n ; but o f co ur s e i t wa s b y that
t i me emb o d i ed i n wea l th y and po wer fu l i n s t i tut io n s
and the y fo u ght fo r the i r life I v m igh t
h ave d ie d
.

T h e y d i ed o f i nan i t io n be c au s e men
c ame t o rea liz e at l a s t that the wee kly o r gy o f
atter i n g G o d wa s an ana c hr o n is m T hen re ligio n
be c ame the f ad o r p h ilosop h y o f a f ew li n g er i n g
fo r o ne o r tw o c entur i e s Men had d iscov ered that
re li an c e o n s u p ernatura l h e lp wa s i n j ur io u s It l e ft
t h e re so ur c e s o f the i r o w n m o ra l s tren g th in s u f
c ie n tly e xploi ted
A si n g u l ar th i n g to d iscov er
a f ter t w o hundred
th o u s and y ear s o f m a gi c and
re ligio n ' B ut that wa s man s i n fan cy
It is
n o th i n g to the m illio n s o f y ear s o f human life that
rema i n W
m twe n tie th c entur y a s
s u a d in g

i t w ill do when i t c ea s e s to s er ve go d s and e xp end s

a ll i t s re so ur c e s i n s er vi n g i t s e lf
It s eem s to me that a s tud y o f the l a s t tw o
c entur i e s a lo ne s u f c e s to i n spi re th is e xp e c tat io n
.

THE P AS T AN D THE

308

FU TURE

Unbe li e f i n C hr is t i an i t y ha s g r o wn t o remark ab l e
p r opo rt io n s T he cl er gy ha s tened to p ut fo rward
the m o ra l and soci a l pl ea but i t is a so mewhat
hum o r o u s co ntent io n when w
e s e e the w o r l d g r o w i n g
s tead ily l e ss re ligio u s y et he a l th i er and better t o liv e
i n T he o ld q uer y What w ill yo u p ut i n s tead o f

re ligio n ? h a s los t i t s poi nt Ev en ha lf a c entur y

a go an h one s t i n q u i rer m ig ht ha v e a sk ed what
K un g t s e o r B uddha o r E pic uru s had p ut i n s tead o f
re ligio n He d i d n o t rea lly want t o k n o w B u t
h is qu e s t io n is n o w foolish
I f the w o r l d g rew
w o r s e a s re ligio n de c a ys there m ig ht be so me
pl au si b l e g r o und fo r anxi et y
It is s o f ar f r o m
deter io rat i n g that e m i nen t p rea c her s a ss ure the i r
co n g re g at io n s th a t o ur s is the r s t a g e i n wh ic h
C hr is t s p r i n cipl e s hav e been rea lly under s t oo d and
a ppli ed '
Th e g reat need o f o ur t i me is t o g et ov er the
tran si t io n a s sp eed ily a s possi b l e and o r g an iz e the
i n spi rat io n o f life T he C hur c h o n c e ma i nta i ned
that i t a lo ne co u l d te a c h o r p re v ent c r i m e o r
s e c ure j u s t ic e
T he S tate d o e s the s e th i n gs to d a y
i nn i te ly better than the C hur c h e v er d i d It w ill
d o e qu a lly we ll whate v er o ther th i n gs of p ra c t ic a l
i m po rtan c e ha v e h i thert o been l e ft t o the cl er gy
I s the sp e c ta cl e of E ur op e t o da y a co m pli m ent to
the m o ra l po wer o f the cl ergy o r o f C hr is t i an
p r i n cipl e s ? We be gi n t o t a lk o f tryi n g a L e a gue
o f N at io n s i n s tead
L et u s n is h w i th the wh ol e
ill u sio n and c u l t iv ate the livi n g b o d i e s and m i nd s
o f men i n s tead o f the i r i ma gi ned
shade s and
the go d s wh o ha v e g r o wn o u t o f them
.

I N D E'

3 10

G o s p e l s , th e , 2 7 3
G ree re l igi o n , 2 102 1 6
G re en Ma n , th e , 2 07
G u ia n a , na t ive s o f, 1 40

C y b el e , 2 5 3 5 7
-

D AHOMI , t h e , 1 1 8
D a y s o f th e
ee , 2 06
D e i sm , 290
D e l u ge , l e ge n d o f, 2 37
D e m e t e r , 212
D eni er, J 4 9
D e n n e t t , R E , 121
D i e t eric h , A , 5 9
D o n a r , 20 7
D o u g la s , R K , 1 80
D rui s , t h e , 20 4
D u r h e im , E , 7 4
D y a s , t h e , 1 06
D ya u s i ta r , 19 3

w k

H AD D O N D r 4 1
H a mm u ra bi C o d e th e 2 38
Ha rri so n Miss J E 2 10
H a rtl a n d E S 89 1 1 4 1 27

Ha tho r
He aven

E A 2 36 2 38
E a ste r 2 78
E gyp t religio ns o f a nc ien t
,

2 24

2 34

E k o i t h e 1 20
E le u s in ia n Mysteri es
,

th e , 2 1 4 ,

2 50
lli s , A B , 1 1 4
E n g di , 1 2 5
ic u u s , 30 2
E piph a n i u s , 2 5 0
i
a n y , t h e , 2 79
s im o , t h e , 1 38
E s m un , 2 5 1
s se n e s , t h e , 2 69 , 2 7 2
t u s c a n s , th e , 2 1 5
o l u t io n , 3 , 4

ea

an

a e

UT

e,

G o d , be li e f i n ,

82 , 2 30

K AAN G 37
Ka m e 4 7
K a n d e Ya k a 2 9
Ka n t 1 8
K a ri 4 5
Ke a n e D r A H
Ke ith P ro fesso r
Ke ri 4 7
,

vr

n o t u n i e sal ,

6,

G o s , e vo lu tio n o f, 1 32
34 , 1 50
G o l C oa s t n a t ives , 1 1 4 1 7
G o rdo n ,
R T , 1 89

64

d
d

pk
r

1 22 ,

r
rr r

ans ,

en ,

o f,

i d ea

on ,

ue

of

J AHV EH 226
J a i n i sm 1 9 6
Jan us 2 1 7
Ja p a n t h e rel igio ns o f 1 8586
Je ws t h e re ligio n o f 2 66 69
J o c h elso n W 1 7 1
J ohn sto n Sir H 35 12 2 24
J ud gm ent o f th e d ea d 2 34 261
J u p it e r 2 1 8

e,

H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H

E
Er
Ev

a ne

rigin

17 1
Hel , 2 08
e o do tu s , 2 1 1
e
e o s , t h e , 1 29
it ti te s , t h e , 2 5 2
1 25
o lli s , A O
0
2
1
1
o
in s ,
9
9
,
,
W
o u s , 2 2 7 29
o t te n t o t s , t h e , 1 1 1 1 2
o
itt , A W , 85
4
a
P
d
9
s
e
,
,
y

Ep ph
E k

TI ,

FAN th 1 1 4
F r ll L R 5 8
F r d r l igi 73
Fr z r Si J G 5 6
240
Frigg 206 207
F gi t h 4 9 5 2
GA
AM A 197
G ill
F J 81 86

228

Ep

I N C AS th e 164
In d ia th e rel igio n s o f
I sht r 2 36 2 4 0
I sis 2 30 2 31

Ha ru m ae 1 0 1

d
k

4 8, 1 1 3
21

K h a s is , th e , 1 89
in g , 5 8
i ng ,
i ng o m , th e , 2 61

K
K

Irv

IN DE'
Kore 27 4
K o ry a k t h e
K ung fu t se

NAS

O
, th e , 88
2 30 2
O siri s :

311

1 81 8 5
-

PAR NT AL I A 2 1 8
P l gi th 2 1 1
P t 2 17
P r ti by C hri ti 284
85
P r ph 2 14
P r i r ligi f th 2 57 64
P r r ligi f 1 6 3 66
Ph i i r ligi f 2 46 5 2
Phrygi th 2 5 2 5 7
45
Pl
Pl i d t h 2 2
P ly i t h 1 0 2 10 5
P p ri f th 2 85 2 89
im i m 5 7 60 9 3
P
Pri p 2 20
Prim itiv m 5 20 7 4
P r p h t t h H br w 2 6 7
Pr tit ti
r d 240 2 5 0
253
Pt h 228
E

L AO T SE , 1 81 85
L a re s , 2 1 7
a s t S u pp e r , t h e , 27 6
e gge , D r , 1 82 , 1 83
e m u ria , 2 18
ro fe sso r , 6 , 7 , 5 9
e u ba ,
o i sy , A , 5 7
u c re t iu s , 5 5
yd ia n s , th e , 25 2
-

L
L
L
L
L
L
L

P
.

MAC C U L L OC H J A
Mac o n a l d D 1 1 3
Ma gic 32 4 0 4 7 6 3
Ma n d a n s th e 1 4 6
Ma n a 5 8 6 1 6 4 9 1
Ma n ic h aeism 26 5 66
'

20 1

6 4 , 7 1 , 89

92

M a n t is

t h e , 38
Ma o ri , th e , 1 02
a
u , 2 36 37
R , 5 8, 6 1
a e tt , R

0
81
a y , c u l t o f, 28

a s a i , th e , 1 2 4 2 5
a ya n e ligio n , th e , 1 5 2
Ma y da y oc e ssi o ns , 207
e l a n e s ia n s , t h e , 90- 10 2
Melq a rt h , 2 48
Me n ie s , A , 5 7
le ge n , t h e , 2 68
e s si a
Mexi c o , el igio n s o f, 1 5 5 63
iddle Age s , t h e , 2 86
Min , 2 28
Min e a , 2 19
Mit a , 2 59 , 2 62 , 2 63
Mit a ism , 263 65
o a mm e a n i sm , 2 88
o n go l s , th e , 1 68
o ni e illiam s , Sir M , 19 1
o ali t y a n d el igio n , 7 5
Milller, Ma x , 54
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Pygmie s , th e , 35

' AT 101
' ue t za l co a tl 1 5 7
' ui rinus 2 19
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1 29
Myst eri e s , the , 214

R A , 232
R e fo rm a t io n , th e , 2 90
56
R e in ac h ,
R e l igio u s se n se , th e , 6
R e n a i s sa n c e , t h e , 2 87
R e s u rrec t io n m yth , t h e , 2 4 2 , 25 1 ,
25 4
R eve l a tio n , 1 1 , 12 , 14
R vill e , A 5 7
R it ual , o ri gin o f C hrist ian , 278
82
H R 1 87
R ive rs ,
17 6
R oss , D r
R o th , H L in g, 31 , 32 , 106
R u ssia , religi o n o f a nci e nt , 22 1

N ANDI , th e , 125
N e rth u s , 207
N ut , 209 , 2 31

s m as m
Sa t urn , 2 19
Sa u s s a ye , ro f e sso r d e l a , 205

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312

S c a n in a via n m y th s , 208
S c h o l a st ic i sm , 2 88
S e c re t so c ie ti e s , Me l a n e sia n , 9 9
S e l i gm a n n s , t h e , 2 8
S e m a n gs , th e , 4 4
S era p i s 2 33
S e rgi
ro fe ss o r , 16
S e t , 228
Sh a o w a s ge rm o f rel igio n ,

Ti n i a , 2 1 5
Tiu , 2 0 6 , 208
Tl a l o c , 1 60
To as , t h e , 1 87 89
To l t e c s , th e , 1 5 6
To n i , 10 3
To t e m i sm , 40 , 83, 1 00 , 2 2 7
Tshi s e a i n g B a n t u , 1 1 4
Tyl o r ,
B 5 5 , 65

Sha m a n i sm , 1 70 , 1 7 1
S ha m a sh , 2 36
S ha n gti , 17 6 , 1 79
Shi n t o , 1 85
S ho t w e l l , J T , 59 , 7 6
S l a ve C o a s t n a t ive s , 1 1 7 32
S o c in i a n i sm , 2 90
S p e n c e r , ro f es s o r B , 8 1 , 86
S p e n c e r , H e rb e rt , 5 5 , 60 , 6 5
S p irit w orl
t h e 1 32
S t e in e n , K v o n d e n , 4 6
S to ic i sm , 30 2
S t o w , G W , 35
S u a n e se B l a c s , 1 1 4 2 1
S um e ri a n s , th e , 2 35
S u p e rn a tu ra l , th e , 7 3
S ymm a c hu s , 2

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D , n a t ive s o f, 1 2 2
U i t z il o p o c h tl i , 1 5 8
U n ku l u n k u l u , 1 2 8
U p a n i sh a s , th e , 19 5

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Va ru n a 1 9 4
Ve d a s t h e 1 9 2 1 9 4
Ve dd a hs t h e 2 4 30 6 2
Ve rtum n u s 2 1 5
V e st a 2 1 7
Ve st al Virgin s 2 17
Virgin s o f t h e Su n 1 65
Vi s h n u 1 9 4
,

W AL PU R G I S N ight 2 10
Wa rnac k
W o d a n 206
Wo rce ster D C 4 4
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T B U , 56
A , 1 20
Ta lb o t ,
Ta m il s , th e , 2 5 , 2 7
Ta m m u , 2 37 , 2 4 1
Ta o i s m , 1 8 185
Ta s m a n i a n s , t h e , 30 34 , 6 8
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Te rm in u s , 21 6
Te t zc a tli po c a , 1 58 5 9

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The a l , D r , 35 , 36
Th o r , 206 , 20 7

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YA HG AN S th e 4 9
Yo ru ba th e 1 1 9
Yu k aghir th e 1 7 1
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52 , 62

Z G R EU , 2 74
Z a ra th u stra , 2 5 9 6 1
Z e n o , 302
Z e u s , 211
Z u l u s , t h e , 1 27

1 7 Jo hnson

C ou rt, F lee t Stree t, E C 4

.

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