Fascinating Article

[gwenyvere4]

I thought this article might be of interest to some members of the community: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42154769/ns/technology_and_science-science/?GT1=43001

Researchers have concluded that the ancient Hebrews worshipped not only Yahweh, but also His wife, Asherah, who was a powerful fertility goddess. She is referenced in the Old Testament.

My

Comments

[beauty_forashes]

Asherah (or Astarte and Ishtar in other cultures) wasn't edited out of the Old Testament, she's referenced in the first and second books of Kings, but worship of Asherah is condemned as "idolatry" if you read the passages in context with the rest of the chapters/the books. The religious culture of the ancient Hebrews was always colored by the religions and gods of the diverse cultures in their surroundings all through history, and Asherah is only one of very many deities that are mentioned in the scriptures...and not very favorably, I'm afraid.

My personal religious studies have led me to conclude that all religions stem from something much older and more primal, and that they all have much more in common than they would like to admit

You're probably right, but in this case, the linked article is very misleading. :(

[tryst_inn]

Also, when you're discussing the religion of the Hebrews or Jews, its more appropriate to list the sources as the Torah (not the OT).

[gwenyvere4]

Thanks for the rec!

[hagazusa]

In a previous discussion a while back, a theology student said that the polytheistic background of early Hebrew religion was required study for her. So this is well established.

Anita Diamant's THE RED TENT is a fictional exploration of Goddess and women-centered spirituality in the Jewish tradition.

[gwenyvere4]

I read that book, oh gosh, a long time ago now. It was wonderful.

[shy_nerthuserce]

The BBC are currently showing a 3[?]-part series called "The Bible's Buried History" [if my memory serves me correctly!] which has also touched on this very subject. Thank you for posting your link and your thoughts on this topic; I think it's wonderful that the concept is becoming more "mainstream" now. :¬)

[gwenyvere4]

Yes, and that's what I was getting at when I posted - not so much that it's "new", but becoming more mainstream. So new to a lot of people, I suppose. I really IS wonderful!