RELIGION AS THE SOCIAL RELIGION AS THE SOCIAL PHENOMENONPHENOMENON

1.1. Circumstances of the Primitive Circumstances of the Primitive Religion Formation.Religion Formation.

2.2. The Evolution of Religious The Evolution of Religious Consiousness.Consiousness.

3.3. Polytheism and Monotheism.Polytheism and Monotheism.

Why is religion the social phenomenon? Why is religion the social phenomenon? Because religion is inseparable from the Because religion is inseparable from the history of human society. The Teachers of history of human society. The Teachers of the Church note that the Church note that religionreligion is the is the phenomenon common to all mankind. It phenomenon common to all mankind. It corresponds to the vital requirements of the corresponds to the vital requirements of the man: sanctity, conscience, ethic duty, man: sanctity, conscience, ethic duty, ideology, moral connection and law, the ideology, moral connection and law, the development of education, science and development of education, science and civilization.civilization.

The power of Divine creature more and The power of Divine creature more and more arises before the man in the process of more arises before the man in the process of historical development of the society. It historical development of the society. It began with the primitive religious views and began with the primitive religious views and continued to the modern developed religions continued to the modern developed religions such as: Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.such as: Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.

What is the development and evolution of primitive What is the development and evolution of primitive religions? Archaeology and ethnography study the man religions? Archaeology and ethnography study the man in the process of his historical development. in the process of his historical development. Archaeology studies the origin and evolution of the Archaeology studies the origin and evolution of the man, ethnography studies the culture and peoples man, ethnography studies the culture and peoples mode of life.mode of life.

Man’s history numbers two million years. Man’s history numbers two million years. Anthropomorphous beings – pithecanthrope and Anthropomorphous beings – pithecanthrope and synanthropesynanthrope are considered to be the predecessors of are considered to be the predecessors of the present man. Why? Because they could make the present man. Why? Because they could make primitive labour tools. Judging by the size of the skull primitive labour tools. Judging by the size of the skull they were not able for world cognition on a large they were not able for world cognition on a large scale.scale.

The Neanderthal man lived more than 100.000 years The Neanderthal man lived more than 100.000 years ago. He used fire, caves as the dwelling. The late ago. He used fire, caves as the dwelling. The late Neanderthal man had the deceased burials. The Neanderthal man had the deceased burials. The primitive forms of religion belong to primitive forms of religion belong to CromanCroman – the man – the man of present type. His history began approximately 50-of present type. His history began approximately 50-40.000 years ago. The evolution of religions forms 40.000 years ago. The evolution of religions forms belongs to that time.belongs to that time.

What is the way of life of the primitive people? What is the way of life of the primitive people? They had stone labour tools, different tips, They had stone labour tools, different tips, spears, arrows. Early tribal organization of the life spears, arrows. Early tribal organization of the life and activity was evident. At the head of the clan and activity was evident. At the head of the clan or tribe was the mother. Here we have the name or tribe was the mother. Here we have the name of maternal clan community or matriarche. of maternal clan community or matriarche. Purials, were purposeful. The deceased Purials, were purposeful. The deceased “continued to live” in the minds of primitive “continued to live” in the minds of primitive people. They put labour tools, food into the tomb. people. They put labour tools, food into the tomb. The facts mentioned above prove the following:The facts mentioned above prove the following:

-- the development of thinking;the development of thinking; -- the feeling of sanctity or holiness;the feeling of sanctity or holiness; -- the feeling of moral the feeling of moral interdictioninterdiction and and

conscience;conscience; -- the man regulates his behaviour.the man regulates his behaviour.

Labour tools prove the development of thinking Labour tools prove the development of thinking and perception of environment. Matriarchy proves and perception of environment. Matriarchy proves the feeling of sanctity before the mother who the feeling of sanctity before the mother who gave birth and took care of the family. Realizable gave birth and took care of the family. Realizable feeling of moral interdiction appeared. So the man feeling of moral interdiction appeared. So the man can regulate his behaviour. Beneficial weather and can regulate his behaviour. Beneficial weather and natural disasters personify the notions of good natural disasters personify the notions of good and evil as something external with respect to the and evil as something external with respect to the man. The realization of the Highest Substance man. The realization of the Highest Substance awoke. The man began to regulate his relation awoke. The man began to regulate his relation with “invisible world”. The form of relation with “invisible world”. The form of relation determined his notions about good and evil.determined his notions about good and evil.

Burials prove elementary notions about the other Burials prove elementary notions about the other world. The world is doubled in man’s world. The world is doubled in man’s consiousness. World doubling is the base of consiousness. World doubling is the base of religious consiousness as it has been already religious consiousness as it has been already mentioned above.mentioned above.

How religious consiousness of the man was How religious consiousness of the man was formed. How did he double the world? formed. How did he double the world? Religion and Religion History are Religion and Religion History are inseparable from his history Due to Religion inseparable from his history Due to Religion the man became spiritual person – the the man became spiritual person – the personification of God’s image and personification of God’s image and similarity.similarity.

The man is inseparable from the natural The man is inseparable from the natural phenomena though his standards of the phenomena though his standards of the development are high. We’ll always provide development are high. We’ll always provide the world around us with self -consiousness. the world around us with self -consiousness. Everything strives for the integrity. And we Everything strives for the integrity. And we strive to be the embodiment of the world strive to be the embodiment of the world around us, otherwise it will be deprived of around us, otherwise it will be deprived of the sense of our existence.the sense of our existence.

Animatism was the general background of Animatism was the general background of the primitive man in perception of real world. the primitive man in perception of real world. He provided the world with his feelings and He provided the world with his feelings and wishes. Such attitude towards natural wishes. Such attitude towards natural phenomena and forces gave the man phenomena and forces gave the man possibility to sep up double-sided contact possibility to sep up double-sided contact according to the following principle: “Scratch according to the following principle: “Scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”. If natural my back and I’ll scratch yours”. If natural phenomena live by man’s life, the man may phenomena live by man’s life, the man may ask them, seeks sympathy and cajoles. That ask them, seeks sympathy and cajoles. That what stroke the man’s imagination became what stroke the man’s imagination became the object of Sypernatural Power respect. It the object of Sypernatural Power respect. It might be animal’s bone, skull, jaw, might be animal’s bone, skull, jaw, anthropomorphous carved image from wood, anthropomorphous carved image from wood, clay and stone. All these objects in primitive clay and stone. All these objects in primitive man’s consiousness that can change their man’s consiousness that can change their properties are called fetishes.properties are called fetishes.

They were taken as the amulet, they were They were taken as the amulet, they were asked for help in different life situations. At asked for help in different life situations. At the beginning the fetish was treated as the beginning the fetish was treated as partner’s equal. Then the fetish became partner’s equal. Then the fetish became more and more respected. It became more and more respected. It became personal and family sacred thing. The form of personal and family sacred thing. The form of their treatment became more complex. This their treatment became more complex. This complex system of treatment is known as the complex system of treatment is known as the magic. The magic accompanied the primitive magic. The magic accompanied the primitive man in his everyday life. It exists in our time man in his everyday life. It exists in our time too. This is the magic of hunters, cattle-too. This is the magic of hunters, cattle-breeders, farmers, craftsmen, fishermen. It’s breeders, farmers, craftsmen, fishermen. It’s a part of man’s personal life the magic of a part of man’s personal life the magic of love and sensuality. We also have medical love and sensuality. We also have medical magic. Then the magic of sailors, pilots and magic. Then the magic of sailors, pilots and steeple-jacks appeared.steeple-jacks appeared.

Psychology of this phenomena becomes evident. The Psychology of this phenomena becomes evident. The man always strives and will strive to find inner man always strives and will strive to find inner calmness, self-reliance, balance with external and calmness, self-reliance, balance with external and unexplored world. Otherwise he will lose unexplored world. Otherwise he will lose selfconfidence and won’t provide his vital activity.selfconfidence and won’t provide his vital activity.

If we skilfully combine fetishism and magic the third If we skilfully combine fetishism and magic the third form of primitive religions will appear. His animism – form of primitive religions will appear. His animism – from Latin “anima” that means “soul”.from Latin “anima” that means “soul”.

The man lives by inner feeling of the Highest Power The man lives by inner feeling of the Highest Power and he addresses to the fetish as the incarnation of and he addresses to the fetish as the incarnation of this power. At the same time natural phenomena also this power. At the same time natural phenomena also possess consiousness and feeling. They live by man’s possess consiousness and feeling. They live by man’s life. Here comes the conclusion that all phenomena, life. Here comes the conclusion that all phenomena, surrounding the man have doubles – those that we surrounding the man have doubles – those that we see, hear, feel and those that we perceive by intuitive see, hear, feel and those that we perceive by intuitive sense.sense.

Fetish, magic and animism composed the first forms Fetish, magic and animism composed the first forms of religious belief.of religious belief.

Early matriarchy – mother’s supremacy in patrimonial Early matriarchy – mother’s supremacy in patrimonial community caused the next form of religion – community caused the next form of religion – totemism.totemism.

Why does the necessity to know Why does the necessity to know about our origin appear? We must about our origin appear? We must know what was before and will be know what was before and will be after us. The faith in totem – the after us. The faith in totem – the founder and keeper of the family was founder and keeper of the family was important stage in the realization of important stage in the realization of spiritual unity of spiritual unity of tribaltribal community. community. At that time totems were animals, At that time totems were animals, birds and seldom fish. It’s impossible birds and seldom fish. It’s impossible to offend the totem or to kill him, to offend the totem or to kill him, because he can do harm to the tribe.because he can do harm to the tribe.

Agricultural cult appeared during the Agricultural cult appeared during the period of late matriarchy. It was the period of late matriarchy. It was the next form of ancient religions.next form of ancient religions.

The leading role of the woman in The leading role of the woman in religion became apparent. Besides that religion became apparent. Besides that she started agricultural labour she she started agricultural labour she gives birth to the new life. The Mother’s gives birth to the new life. The Mother’s cult and land cult supplement each cult and land cult supplement each other. The land provides man’s life. other. The land provides man’s life. That’s why agricultural ghosts were the That’s why agricultural ghosts were the main in respects and worrhips. The cult main in respects and worrhips. The cult of the Sun and the rain appeared too.of the Sun and the rain appeared too.

Religious conceptions – Religious conceptions – fetish, magic, fetish, magic, totem, agricultural cult extended the man’s totem, agricultural cult extended the man’s idea about the world and himself, formed idea about the world and himself, formed entire world outlook: the Earth – Man – entire world outlook: the Earth – Man – Cosmos.Cosmos.

Then with the separation of cattle – Then with the separation of cattle – breeding from agriculture the role of man breeding from agriculture the role of man and woman had been changed. The most and woman had been changed. The most notable representatives of male sex became notable representatives of male sex became the elder of the tribe. the elder of the tribe.

Essencial changes in the tribe structure Essencial changes in the tribe structure contributed to the formation of the elders contributed to the formation of the elders and leaders cults.and leaders cults.

The other form of early religious The other form of early religious conceptions – conceptions – the cult of ancestorthe cult of ancestor arose. The views about totems as the arose. The views about totems as the symbol of the tribe had been symbol of the tribe had been changed. The leaders of the tribe changed. The leaders of the tribe could communicate with them. could communicate with them. Everything that was told on the Everything that was told on the behalf of the totem must be done by behalf of the totem must be done by tribesmen. Conscious relations were tribesmen. Conscious relations were formed as the tribe life was formed as the tribe life was impossible without them.impossible without them.

The complexity of religious conceptions The complexity of religious conceptions and actions demanded corresponding and actions demanded corresponding explanation. It was insufficiently for the explanation. It was insufficiently for the man to know what thing or object was man to know what thing or object was that and why it had such meaning or that and why it had such meaning or explanation. It was necessary to explanation. It was necessary to connect real life with the past, that is to connect real life with the past, that is to learn where the natural phenomena learn where the natural phenomena and the man and the man are fromare from. The other form . The other form of religion – of religion – mythmyth appeared. This word appeared. This word is of Greek origin muvos – means story.is of Greek origin muvos – means story.

Mythes Mythes are divided into religious and are divided into religious and non-religious. Primitive mythes – are non-religious. Primitive mythes – are narrations about the Earth, heavenly narrations about the Earth, heavenly bodies. The man was satisfied with the bodies. The man was satisfied with the explanation that the Earth rested upon explanation that the Earth rested upon three elephants or whales, that three elephants or whales, that heavenly bodies were sparks of the fire. heavenly bodies were sparks of the fire. Mythes influenced on man’s feelings.Mythes influenced on man’s feelings.

Ancient mythes became the attainment Ancient mythes became the attainment of artistic creative work in European of artistic creative work in European culture. Mythical works have great culture. Mythical works have great artistic value.artistic value.

Religious myth differs from non-religious one. Religious myth differs from non-religious one. The man feels direct connection and The man feels direct connection and dependence of active forces of the myth. This dependence of active forces of the myth. This is the “second world” for him which he is the “second world” for him which he perceives with holiness and reverence. Active perceives with holiness and reverence. Active forces are capable to help the man, but they forces are capable to help the man, but they are capable to punish him. For example the are capable to punish him. For example the myth about Sun-good-Dazhboh in the Slavs. If myth about Sun-good-Dazhboh in the Slavs. If one angers the god, the sun will grow dark, one angers the god, the sun will grow dark, everything will die and the life will stop.everything will die and the life will stop.

Myth is so close to Myth is so close to thethe tale. But essential tale. But essential difference exists between them. Myth difference exists between them. Myth describes relations, their causes and effects, describes relations, their causes and effects, but the tale narrates about the triumph of but the tale narrates about the triumph of good above evil.good above evil.

Who was the founder of mythical works, who Who was the founder of mythical works, who perfected, maintained them in man consiousness?perfected, maintained them in man consiousness?

It was It was thethe group of people – the prototype of group of people – the prototype of future priests. They were called shamen.future priests. They were called shamen.

The shaman obeyed (submit) the elder or leader The shaman obeyed (submit) the elder or leader and carried out their instructions. He kept off evil and carried out their instructions. He kept off evil spirits, drew in good spirits, treated sick. The spirits, drew in good spirits, treated sick. The shaman had personal influence on religious shaman had personal influence on religious consiousness of the people.consiousness of the people.

The formation of states changed religious notions The formation of states changed religious notions of the people. Deities took the place of of the people. Deities took the place of spiritsspirits. . Peculiar “ladder” of deities arose at the head of Peculiar “ladder” of deities arose at the head of Senior Deity. It was Dazhboh in the Slavs and in Senior Deity. It was Dazhboh in the Slavs and in the IX century – Perun.the IX century – Perun.

Polytheism arose in that period. It is Polytheism arose in that period. It is belief in many Gods. Belief in one belief in many Gods. Belief in one God – monotheism arose during the God – monotheism arose during the formation of centralized states. In formation of centralized states. In modern religions we have – Christ, modern religions we have – Christ, Allah, Buddha.Allah, Buddha.

MonotheismMonotheism – the belief that there – the belief that there is but One God. Christian-Biblical is but One God. Christian-Biblical monotheism teaches that the One monotheism teaches that the One true God subsists eternally as Father, true God subsists eternally as Father, Son and Holy Ghost; the doctrine of Son and Holy Ghost; the doctrine of Triniti in unity.Triniti in unity.

Trinity – It has been said that if you try to Trinity – It has been said that if you try to comprehend the doctrine of the Trinity you may lose comprehend the doctrine of the Trinity you may lose your mind, and is you deny it you will lose your soul. your mind, and is you deny it you will lose your soul. The finite mind of man cannot possibly comprehend The finite mind of man cannot possibly comprehend the infinite God. So a complete understanding of the the infinite God. So a complete understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity is not attainable by us. doctrine of the Trinity is not attainable by us. However, we can obtain a knowledge of the trinity However, we can obtain a knowledge of the trinity from God’s revelation of Himself in His Word, and from God’s revelation of Himself in His Word, and although the knowledge so gained by our finite minds although the knowledge so gained by our finite minds is incomplete, it is nonetheless true knowledge.is incomplete, it is nonetheless true knowledge.

God’s revelation of Himself lies at the heart of all He God’s revelation of Himself lies at the heart of all He has revealed in His Word. In a very real sense, our has revealed in His Word. In a very real sense, our understanding of any part of the Scripture revelation understanding of any part of the Scripture revelation is dependent upon our acceptance of God’s revelation is dependent upon our acceptance of God’s revelation of Himself, a revelation which is denoted by the term of Himself, a revelation which is denoted by the term trinity. One theologian aptly said, “The Trinity is the trinity. One theologian aptly said, “The Trinity is the point in which all Christian ideas and interests unite; point in which all Christian ideas and interests unite; at once the beginning and the end of all insight into at once the beginning and the end of all insight into Christianity”.Christianity”.

Trinity. “The word trinity is derived from Latin Trinity. “The word trinity is derived from Latin and Greek terms meaning three in one, or and Greek terms meaning three in one, or the one which is three, and the three which the one which is three, and the three which are one … The word is not found in the are one … The word is not found in the Scriptures. Technical terms are, however, Scriptures. Technical terms are, however, absolutely necessary in all sciences. In this absolutely necessary in all sciences. In this case they have been made particularly case they have been made particularly essential because of the subtie perversions of essential because of the subtie perversions of the simple, untechnical Biblical statements the simple, untechnical Biblical statements by infidels and heretics. The term, as above by infidels and heretics. The term, as above defined, admirably expresses the central fact defined, admirably expresses the central fact of the great doctrine of the one essence of the great doctrine of the one essence eternally subsisting as three Persons, all the eternally subsisting as three Persons, all the elements of which (doctrine) are explicitly elements of which (doctrine) are explicitly taught in the Scriptures” (A.A.Hidge).taught in the Scriptures” (A.A.Hidge).

Person. The original meaning of the Latin word persona, is Person. The original meaning of the Latin word persona, is far removed from its present sense and it is an even larger far removed from its present sense and it is an even larger step from the present sense of the word to the scriptural step from the present sense of the word to the scriptural and theological meaning when applied to the Godhead. But and theological meaning when applied to the Godhead. But despite its imperfection as a term, there is none better in despite its imperfection as a term, there is none better in man’s vocabulary. In everyday usage, the term person man’s vocabulary. In everyday usage, the term person denotes an entirely separate and distinct rational individual. denotes an entirely separate and distinct rational individual. It does not have this meaning when referred to the Persons It does not have this meaning when referred to the Persons in the trinity. A divine person, to use John Calvin’s words, is in the trinity. A divine person, to use John Calvin’s words, is “a subsistence in the divine essence – a subsistence which, “a subsistence in the divine essence – a subsistence which, while related to the other two, is distinguished from them while related to the other two, is distinguished from them by incommunicable properties”.by incommunicable properties”.

Since there is one God; and since the Father is God, and the Since there is one God; and since the Father is God, and the Son us God, and the Holy Spirit is God; and since these Son us God, and the Holy Spirit is God; and since these three are clearly distinguished in Scripture we are left with three are clearly distinguished in Scripture we are left with the glorious fruth of the trinity – one God eternally existing the glorious fruth of the trinity – one God eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, each indwelling the other as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, each indwelling the other and each possessing, not in part, but entirely, the infinite and each possessing, not in part, but entirely, the infinite essence of the one divine Being. Contemplating such a essence of the one divine Being. Contemplating such a majestic mystery of revealed truth we are constrained to majestic mystery of revealed truth we are constrained to cry out with heaven’s seraphim, “Holy, holy, holy, is the cry out with heaven’s seraphim, “Holy, holy, holy, is the lord of Hosts” (Isa. 6:3).lord of Hosts” (Isa. 6:3).