I am comparing and contrasting Ancient Greek religion with Christianity.
Ceremonies and Ways of Worshiping
Similarities: Like Christianity, the Greeks worshiped their gods at temples, or sacred buildings. Similarly, the ceremonies were lead by priests. Although Christianity does not practice rituals like animal sacrifice or libation, the symbolic concept behind these rituals is present in the Christian religion. Killing the animals, and sprinkling seeds over its head while it dies, is symbolic of “life and regeneration.” A similar theme can be seen in the Christian religion, with Jesus sacrificing himself, then coming back from death. Although the rituals and ceremonies that the Greeks practiced have no similarity to those today, Christians do celebrate festivals such as Easter and Christmas.
Differences: Greeks often built large complexes of temples to worship their gods, whereas Christians just have one church or chapel in an area. Temples in Greek Religion weren’t used for religious ceremonies or festivals, but in Christianity, all services celebrating their god, or festival services like Easter Services are carried out inside the church. Ceremonies like animal sacrifice are not practised in Christianity.
Important Gods in the Religion
Similarities: There are little similarities between Greek Gods and the one Christian God we worship today. It was believed that the gods could directly intervene and change human life, which is what the Christians still believe today. The Greeks believed that the gods had children, and in Christianity, God has a child.
Differences:Christians believe that there is one God that controls every aspect of human life. However, in Greek religion, there are multiple gods, each in charge of a certain aspect of human life. Additionally, Greeks believed that the gods had human bodies, married and had children, and participated in human affairs. In Christianity, it is believed that God doesn’t have a body.
The Roles of Religious Leaders in Curing Diseases and Maintaining Health
Similarities: Greek medicinal beliefs were linked to their religion. Sometimes, this can exist in the modern, day for example with holistic healers. The idea of the “Asclepions” was actually the first form of health spa or retreat. Although the treatments and beliefs are less extreme, the main concept of the Asclepions is present today. The diet that the patient goes on while in the Asclepions is similar to “cleansing diets” of modern times.
Differences: In Greek medicine, often the doctor and priest was the same person. Priests do not have that type of medical authority anymore, as scientific discoveries have been made, and medicine has become more of a science than a spiritual thing. Also, it was believed that bad spirits caused ill health, but nowadays that belief is nearly nonexistent. Doctors nowadays base their diagnosis and treatment on science and research rather than “dream therapy” or suchlike.
Ceremonies and Ways of Worshiping
Similarities: Like Christianity, the Greeks worshiped their gods at temples, or sacred buildings. Similarly, the ceremonies were lead by priests. Although Christianity does not practice rituals like animal sacrifice or libation, the symbolic concept behind these rituals is present in the Christian religion. Killing the animals, and sprinkling seeds over its head while it dies, is symbolic of “life and regeneration.” A similar theme can be seen in the Christian religion, with Jesus sacrificing himself, then coming back from death. Although the rituals and ceremonies that the Greeks practiced have no similarity to those today, Christians do celebrate festivals such as Easter and Christmas.
Differences: Greeks often built large complexes of temples to worship their gods, whereas Christians just have one church or chapel in an area. Temples in Greek Religion weren’t used for religious ceremonies or festivals, but in Christianity, all services celebrating their god, or festival services like Easter Services are carried out inside the church. Ceremonies like animal sacrifice are not practised in Christianity.
Important Gods in the Religion
Similarities: There are little similarities between Greek Gods and the one Christian God we worship today. It was believed that the gods could directly intervene and change human life, which is what the Christians still believe today. The Greeks believed that the gods had children, and in Christianity, God has a child.
Differences:Christians believe that there is one God that controls every aspect of human life. However, in Greek religion, there are multiple gods, each in charge of a certain aspect of human life. Additionally, Greeks believed that the gods had human bodies, married and had children, and participated in human affairs. In Christianity, it is believed that God doesn’t have a body.
The Roles of Religious Leaders in Curing Diseases and Maintaining Health
Similarities: Greek medicinal beliefs were linked to their religion. Sometimes, this can exist in the modern, day for example with holistic healers. The idea of the “Asclepions” was actually the first form of health spa or retreat. Although the treatments and beliefs are less extreme, the main concept of the Asclepions is present today. The diet that the patient goes on while in the Asclepions is similar to “cleansing diets” of modern times.
Differences: In Greek medicine, often the doctor and priest was the same person. Priests do not have that type of medical authority anymore, as scientific discoveries have been made, and medicine has become more of a science than a spiritual thing. Also, it was believed that bad spirits caused ill health, but nowadays that belief is nearly nonexistent. Doctors nowadays base their diagnosis and treatment on science and research rather than “dream therapy” or suchlike.