5 thousand years ago people did not know much about nature and thus they thought that somebody (they call gods, evels, angels, spirits, etc.) drive every event and every phenomenon. Ra pushing Sun across the sky and Zeus making a thunder. Shaitan making husband cheat on wife, etc. So, they placed god where THEIR knowledge stops.

Since then we learned that there is no need to push Sun across the sky (because Earth rotates) and no need in Zeus blowing his mighty horn (big electric sparks make all the thunder).

So, today there is no difference - people place god(s) behind each and every UNKNOWN TO THEM PERSONALLY event. People who knows more natural laws (=math), need less god(s). But those who knows little about math/physics/biology, place more god(s) around - because otherwise they CAN NOT EXPLAIN phenomena.

Ra and Zeus DO NOT EXIST. There is no need in them as we learn how Sun and thunder work.

Of course, there will always be phenomena YET TO BE EXPLAINED, and yet to be discovered. But there is no need to place Ra or Zeus behind it. All effects were always found to be mathematical (=natural) with mathematical cause behind (more fundamental phenomena). Universe evolves strictly mathematically (we call it physics),thus there is simply NO JOB FOR GOD(s)in it.

But for not educated in math/physics people, such phenomena as rains, asteroids, eartquakes, suicide bombers, DNA work, brain chemistry, etc are still mystery - thus they label them "acts of gods". Present day Maya still have 70 day-time gods and 200 night time gods.

So, personal ignorance is NOT an excuse to claim that Ra is pushing Sun across the sky, or saying that Big Bang was the result of god (or evel) pushing big red button with "Universe on" sign under it.

• The "goes-by-itself-ness" is Existence - dolphin - September 14, 2001 - 23:40 UTC
  • And Action! - rggarfinkle - September 15, 2001 - 04:05 UTC