Role of Man in Monotheistic Religions

Looking at the Pagan religions, which could probably be traced to a very beginning of the civilization, one can not but notice a minute role devoted to men. People are weak and irrelevant; what is important are gods, their characteristics and their worship. The deeds of men only make sense in the context of gods worship. The well being of men and society at large also depends on how successful men are at the Devine worship. No act in itself is virtuous; it is good if it pleases god or gods being worshiped. Men can be a hero if gods favor him, typically for possessing some characteristics of those gods.

In the Pagan world gods are also well described, we know how they look, what they like, how to worship them, even their daily routine, their powers and characteristics. And it is not surprising - gods after all are of outmost importance, the only meaning of existence, and the only hope for men to achieve something.

All of that changes with appearance of monotheism and eastern contemporary religions. Now men become a true hero - Moses, Jesus, Buda, etc. Of cause in the religious tradition, greatness of these men comes from worship of God. But it is a different kind of worship, it is no longer so much about pleasing gods, it is much more about being certain TYPE of MAN. Now it is more about adhering to certain morals, it is about dialog between men and God. Men's life, atchievment and way of being are

now the subject of study. As I will show in my paper, that the one theme that could be

traced through these religions is that a man is the centerpiece of the creation. What I mean is that the only and true thing worthy of attention is people with their virtues, needs, desires and aspirations.

In each religion I examine, I will try to distinguish three things. I want to find out what is the role of the men in the universe, what a man has to do for a God and what God does for men in return, and finally what is considered virtuous.

Let us consider Judaism first. The religion is based on the Old Testament. According to the tradition, it is Biblaic figure of Abraham, whom we have to thank for founding of Monotheism. He was the one to realize that there is one G-d and to push away idle worship. Is this opinion supported by the bible? I think so; Abraham after all is clearly considered founding father of Jewish nation, people who accepted Judaism (or Old Testament) and carry on the religion. So if Abraham is the founder, let us consider - what is it we know of him from the Old Testament? The story of Abraham does not start with how he served or worshiped G-d. Story begins with G-d telling Abraham : "Go from your lend, and from your fathers home into the land that I will show you. And I will make you a great nation....". On the contrary the whole story begins with G-d blessing Abraham to become a father of the great nation. G-d supports this promise by leading Abraham into Promised Land, where G-d precedes to do all sorts of thing to make sure Abraham does in deed inherit the land. Thus we see a completely

new role a man takes upon himself. He is no longer a faceless worshiper or a toy in the hands of quarreling gods, now Man is the father of the nation, the one who inherits the earth, a creator of his fate. Oral tradition calls Abraham - a friend of G-d. Is it so

according to the book? It seems so. On one occasion Abraham hosts Angels, who treat him with great respect. Then Abraham proceeds to argue with G-d as to the fate of two sinful cities, and finally makes a "Breas" which is an agreement between men and G-d. The g-d seem to care about every aspect of Abrahams life, starting with children and finance and ending with the way in which he is dies and buried. I feel the relationship of Man with G-d gets redefined right there.

What does the man has to do for G-d in the context of Judaism? Well, let us turn to Ten Commandments. Well, first man has to recognize the One G-d and forsake all other gods or idols. Not only forsake all the idols, but not even make image of one and destroy all such images, existing in Israel, where Jews where heading. Let us examine this one Law, probably a cornerstone of Judaism. In pagan society men always relay on something stronger, something Devine, It could be a wisdom of Athena, or strength of Rah, or fertility of Shiva; either way the emphasizes are always outward, on some outside force to be worshiped and relayed on. Men in its nature is weak and insignificant, at best he can carry certain characteristics of g-ds, thus gaining in importance.

And the Devine attributes were always well displayed and depicted, so the men knew what is important, what to cultivate and worship. Now one day Monotheism comes along, and suddenly all that we kept holy is gone, no image, hardly a description. Naturally, one might get confused - what can I relay on? I don't see any Devine figure present that I can comprehend and can ask for help. Yes, I do have one true G-d now, but I can not even begin to imagine him, He is beyond it. Infinite power, knowledge and so on, which by the law and common sense can not be imagined or depicted. What can I relay on? I think the only possible answer is myself. Once again a man takes on the new role, someone who is responsible and decides an outcome of things, one of creator instead of servant. Does the Old Testament support this view? Well, I could find only one place where it gives some sort of description that we can use to create some sort of tangible idea what G-d is like, I mean besides infinitely powerful creator; try imagining that. And that place is right in the beginning where G-d says: "Now let Us create men in our image and likeness. ". So there you have it, want to know what Devine is - look at man, created in an image of G-d. This confirms my position that men begins to gain the central place in the world.

Finally, what is considered virtuous in Judaism? Well, what are some of the characteristics of heroes of Old Testament, which are praised by g-d. Abraham saves

Lot, his nephew, tries to save Sodom and Gomorra, to a degree where he argues with

G-d. Abraham is an entrepreneur, he conquers new land and works hard to build a family to inherit it. What about Moses? He is liberator and a teacher for the nation of Israelites. Him and king David are called Sheppard, because they guided and cared for the nation.