Mohsen Ezz El-Din Al-Bakr
Registered Member
At the dawn of human awareness, at the beginning of human life on this earth, humans were simple in their thinking and in their understanding of natural phenomena such as night and day, rain, thunder, lightning, and the like. These phenomena aroused fear and terror within them. When primitive humans were unable to explain these phenomena, they attributed them to a supernatural force that controlled them and controlled their lives. This supernatural force was not tangible to them; in other words, it was a force beyond nature—a metaphysical force. Thus, primitive humans believed in the existence of a spiritual entity that controlled natural phenomena and human life. This was the beginning of the idea of religion among early humans, and the image of a fearsome god was formed in people’s minds—one who causes disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and other dangers that primitive humans experienced at that time. They attributed all these calamities to this terrifying god. Therefore, the idea of offering sacrifices and offerings arose in order to please this god and extinguish the fire of his anger. Human sacrifices were considered the most precious, because this god would not be satisfied except with what was most valuable.
With the development of human awareness, this image of the god also evolved and became more benevolent toward humans, until he came to be called “the Lord.” One of his functions became the upbringing and reform of humans. A set of rituals, laws, and commandments were established to carry out the will of this god. Sacrifices shifted from human to animal offerings, yet people still offered the most valuable animals, such as cattle and sheep.
Likewise, the idea of self-mortification inspired by sacrifice evolved into the concept of fasting. Hunger and thirst, and the accompanying deprivation of many comforts of an increasingly developed life, were believed to appease the anger of this god. Over time, the idea of fasting and offering sacrifices to the god evolved further, acquiring specific days, conditions, and rules, and becoming surrounded by sanctity. They became foundational elements in shaping the personality of a believer in any god and religion. Therefore, fasting and sacrifice are found in all religions and are interconnected, and their concepts and philosophies have developed over time.
Below are some of the most prominent myths and stories that resemble the story of Abraham’s ransom of his son outside the Abrahamic religions, with references to historical and literary sources that discuss them:
The Myth of Iphigenia – Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, King Agamemnon is asked to sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia to appease the goddess Artemis, who was angered by an offense he committed against her. In some versions of the myth, Artemis intervenes at the last moment, replaces Iphigenia with a deer, and transports her to the land of Tauris to become a priestess in her temple.
Source: Wikipedia – Iphigenia
Hinduism – Yajna Rituals
In ancient Vedic traditions, yajna rituals involved offering sacrifices, including animals, to the gods. Over time, these rituals evolved to become symbolic and non-violent, with real offerings replaced by the recitation of mantras and meditation.
Source: Wikipedia – Yajna
Canaanite and Phoenician Myths – Carthage
Archaeological evidence suggests that the Phoenicians in Carthage practiced rituals involving the sacrifice of children to the gods, especially at sites known as tophets. Some modern research indicates that these practices were real, supported by evidence of children’s bone remains at ritual sites.
Source: University of Oxford – Child sacrifice in Carthage
Celtic Myths – Royal Sacrifice
Archaeological evidence, such as preserved bog bodies in Ireland, suggests that the Celts practiced rituals involving the sacrifice of kings in times of crisis. These bodies show signs of violent death, supporting the idea of human sacrifice in religious rituals.
Source: Irish Central – Human sacrifice among the Celts
Conclusion:
The idea of sacrifice or ransom recurs in many cultures and myths, reflecting humanity’s struggle between obedience and mercy, and the search for the satisfaction of higher powers. These stories evolve from human sacrifice to symbolic redemption, indicating the development of religious thinking over the ages. This view holds that religions are merely a human construct with no relation to a deity hidden in the sky or the rest of the team of fairies and invisible friends.
Best regards,
Always giving
Mohsen Ezz El-Din Al-Bakri
With the development of human awareness, this image of the god also evolved and became more benevolent toward humans, until he came to be called “the Lord.” One of his functions became the upbringing and reform of humans. A set of rituals, laws, and commandments were established to carry out the will of this god. Sacrifices shifted from human to animal offerings, yet people still offered the most valuable animals, such as cattle and sheep.
Likewise, the idea of self-mortification inspired by sacrifice evolved into the concept of fasting. Hunger and thirst, and the accompanying deprivation of many comforts of an increasingly developed life, were believed to appease the anger of this god. Over time, the idea of fasting and offering sacrifices to the god evolved further, acquiring specific days, conditions, and rules, and becoming surrounded by sanctity. They became foundational elements in shaping the personality of a believer in any god and religion. Therefore, fasting and sacrifice are found in all religions and are interconnected, and their concepts and philosophies have developed over time.
Below are some of the most prominent myths and stories that resemble the story of Abraham’s ransom of his son outside the Abrahamic religions, with references to historical and literary sources that discuss them:
The Myth of Iphigenia – Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, King Agamemnon is asked to sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia to appease the goddess Artemis, who was angered by an offense he committed against her. In some versions of the myth, Artemis intervenes at the last moment, replaces Iphigenia with a deer, and transports her to the land of Tauris to become a priestess in her temple.
Source: Wikipedia – Iphigenia
Hinduism – Yajna Rituals
In ancient Vedic traditions, yajna rituals involved offering sacrifices, including animals, to the gods. Over time, these rituals evolved to become symbolic and non-violent, with real offerings replaced by the recitation of mantras and meditation.
Source: Wikipedia – Yajna
Canaanite and Phoenician Myths – Carthage
Archaeological evidence suggests that the Phoenicians in Carthage practiced rituals involving the sacrifice of children to the gods, especially at sites known as tophets. Some modern research indicates that these practices were real, supported by evidence of children’s bone remains at ritual sites.
Source: University of Oxford – Child sacrifice in Carthage
Celtic Myths – Royal Sacrifice
Archaeological evidence, such as preserved bog bodies in Ireland, suggests that the Celts practiced rituals involving the sacrifice of kings in times of crisis. These bodies show signs of violent death, supporting the idea of human sacrifice in religious rituals.
Source: Irish Central – Human sacrifice among the Celts
Conclusion:
The idea of sacrifice or ransom recurs in many cultures and myths, reflecting humanity’s struggle between obedience and mercy, and the search for the satisfaction of higher powers. These stories evolve from human sacrifice to symbolic redemption, indicating the development of religious thinking over the ages. This view holds that religions are merely a human construct with no relation to a deity hidden in the sky or the rest of the team of fairies and invisible friends.
Best regards,
Always giving
Mohsen Ezz El-Din Al-Bakri
