Posted by ant on August 18, 19102 at 14:56:19:
In Reply to: symbolic/literal posted by Joshua on August 13, 19102 at 22:44:18:
The literal translation that has led to this view has had terrible consequences for the planet.
First, realize that all myths and religions point out the fallibility of man. I'm not saying that we shouldn't be the best people we can be. But what happens when you see nature is corrupt is you suspect every natural impulse, including sexuality.
More generally, as mentioned in an earlier post of mine, since the world is seen as corrupt and we are told we are the masters of the earth, we tend to become megalomaniacs about it. We treat the earth however we see fit, believing it will all somehow balance itself at the end of the world.
We wipe out forests, populations and entire species out of a perceived right; remember Divine Providence?
In contrast, people like our natives are taught to see the world as perfect unto itself. The planet is a manifestation of divinity, not a corruption of it. And so they treat the world as heaven itself, in a manner. Even when they must kill other animals to survive, it is done with great respect, ceremony, and thankfulness. They are really in tune with their environment and see their own special but limited place in it.
This is far different attitude from the god-fearing Christians of the early last century who used the idea of Divine Providence to rape the land and kill so many of its inhabitants.