Polytheism.orgMay the gods be with us! |
Holy Bible
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The Holy Scriptures A Jewish Bible According to the Masoretic Text A dual language (Hebrew/English) version of the Bible is indispensable for serious study. For example, the Hebrew word for "God" in Genesis 1 is Elohim, whereas in Genesis 2 "Lord God" is actually Yahweh Elohim, after Yahweh's name in the Canaanite pantheon. Genesis 1 appears to be based on Babylonian myth, whereas Genesis 2,4-25 appears to be based on Edomite or Canaanite myth, which is why the two creation stories are quite different. (For example, man is created last in the Babylonian version, but earlier in the Edomite version.) Unfortunately the really interesting details of Canaanite myth have been omitted, such as the story that Yahweh and the Goddess Asherah back then were lovers . |
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Holy Bible King James Version This version, authorized by King James in 1611, is a poetic translation, but it's unconscionably flawed. Exodus 22, 18 is translated as, "Thou shat not suffer a witch to live." Polytheism.org suggests a better translation would be, "A sorcerer cannot resurrect the dead." There is no evidence the writer of Exodus was familiar with witches, whereas King James was actively persecuting witches. The holocaust suffered by witches lasted from the Inquisition until the middle of the 20th century when the last laws against pagan beliefs were struck down. It is little wonder that Witchcraft is now one of the fastest growing religions. Probably we should be greatful that King James did not also insist on enforcing his translation of Exodus 22, 29, which calls for sacrificing your first born male child to Yahweh. |
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The Holy Bible Revised Standard Edition In the Old Testament the idea of monotheism vs. polytheism was different than the modern notion. Today most monotheists believe there is one God, who perhaps has many names, In the Old Testament, it is clear that a monotheist choose to worship only one god, while his neighbors might worship any or all of the others. That the others existed was not in dispute, rather Who was most powerful was the perpetual battle. The first commandment states, "I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no other gods before me." This does not suggest there were no other gods. In fact we learn this demand is due to the jealousy of Yahweh. (Exodus 20, 5) Countless passages attest to the existence of other gods, e.g. "all gods bow down before him." (Psalms 97, 7) And in 1 Kings 11, 4-8 we learn that Solomon, the wisest King in the Old Testament, practiced polytheism. |