Post by pitbull on Sept 29, 2008 5:31:43 GMT -5
DAILY WISDOM
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” [Proverbs 29:2]
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
BATTLE OF THE GODS
The Egyptians believed in a family of nine gods. This family became known as the Great Ennead, from the Greek word ennea, meaning nine. The nine gods of the Great Ennead were:
Atum - the setting sun; the source of all gods and all living things
Shu - god of the air, which existed between the sky and the earth
Tefnut - goddess of the dew
Geb - the earth god and the pharaoh of Egypt
Nut - represented the heavens
Osiris - god of vegetation; became god of the afterlife; shown as a bearded human mummy with green or black flesh
Isis - represented female fertility; usually portrayed in human form for a seat or throne over her head but later with shown with horns and a solar disk above her head when merged with the cow goddess Hathor
Seth - god of the desert; portrayed with a human body and the head of jackal
Nephthys
Horus - sky god; shown as either falcon or falcon-headed man
Now, go and read the plagues that God placed upon Egypt via Moses. He did that to attack each of the different gods of Egypt. He was proving His supremacy.
RELIGIOUS AWARENESS
Jainism
Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma, is one of the oldest religions in the world. It is a religion and philosophy originating in Ancient India. The Jains follow the teachings of the 24 Jinas (conquerors) who are also known as Tirthankaras. The 24th Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira lived in ca. 6th century BC. One of the main characteristics of Jain belief is the emphasis on the immediate consequences of one's behavior.
Jains are a small but influential religious minority with at least 4.2 million practitioners in modern India and more in growing immigrant communities in the United States, Western Europe, Africa, the Far East and elsewhere. Jains continue to sustain the ancient Shraman or ascetic tradition.
Jains have significantly influenced the religious, ethical, political and economic spheres in India for over two millennia. Jainism stresses spiritual independence and equality of all life with particular emphasis on non-violence. Self-control (vratae) is vital for attaining omniscience (kevala jnana) and eventually moksha, or realization of the soul's true nature.
Jains have an ancient tradition of scholarship. The Jain community is the most literate religious community in India, and the Jain libraries are India's oldest.