Changes

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:The_eye_of_all_ur60.jpg|right|frame]]

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:The_eye_of_all_ur60.jpg|right|frame]]

98:3.1 Having [[grown]] out of the earlier [[religious]] [[forms]] of [[worship]] of the [[family]] gods into the [[tribal]] [[reverence]] for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_%28god%29 Mars, the god of war], it was [[natural]] that the later [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome religion of the Latins] was more of a [[political]] observance than were the [[intellectual]] systems of the [[Greeks]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmin Brahmans] or the more [[spiritual]] [[religions]] of several other peoples.

98:3.1 Having [[grown]] out of the earlier [[religious]] [[forms]] of [[worship]] of the [[family]] gods into the [[tribal]] [[reverence]] for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_%28god%29 Mars, the god of war], it was [[natural]] that the later [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome religion of the Latins] was more of a [[political]] observance than were the [[intellectual]] systems of the [[Greeks]] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmin Brahmans] or the more [[spiritual]] [[religions]] of several other peoples.

98:3.2 In the great [[monotheistic]] [[renaissance]] of [[Melchizedek]]'s gospel during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/600_BC sixth century before Christ], too few of the [[Salem]] missionaries penetrated [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Italy#Iron_Age_.288th_to_5th_c_BC.29 Italy], and those who did were unable to overcome the [[influence]] of the rapidly spreading [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etruscan_religion Etruscan priesthood] with its new galaxy of gods and [[temples]], all of which became [[organized]] into the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_empire#Imperial_cult Roman state religion]. This [[religion]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latins_%28Italic_tribe%29 Latin tribes] was not trivial and venal like that of the [[Greeks]], neither was it [[austere]] and [[tyrannical]] like that of the [[Hebrews]]; it consisted for the most part in the observance of mere [[forms]], [[vows]], and [[taboos]].

98:3.2 In the great [[monotheistic]] [[renaissance]] of [[Melchizedek]]'s gospel during the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/600_BC sixth century before Christ], too few of the [[Salem]] missionaries penetrated [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Italy#Iron_Age_.288th_to_5th_c_BC.29 Italy], and those who did were unable to overcome the [[influence]] of the rapidly spreading [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etruscan_religion Etruscan priesthood] with its new galaxy of gods and [[temples]], all of which became [[organized]] into the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_empire#Imperial_cult Roman state religion]. This [[religion]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latins_%28Italic_tribe%29 Latin tribes] was not trivial and venal like that of the [[Greeks]], neither was it [[austere]] and [[tyrannical]] like that of the [[Hebrews]]; it consisted for the most part in the observance of mere [[forms]], [[vows]], and [[taboos]].

98:3.3 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome Roman religion] was greatly [[influenced]] by extensive [[cultural]] importations from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece Greece]. [[Eventually]] most of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Olympians Olympian gods] were transplanted and incorporated into the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome#Roman_deities Latin pantheon]. The [[Greeks]] long [[worshiped]] the [[fire]] of the [[family]] [[hearth]]—[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Hestia] was the [[virgin]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goddess goddess] of the [[hearth]]; [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesta Vesta] was the [[Roman]] goddess of the [[home]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeus Zeus] became [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter_(mythology) Jupiter]; [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphrodite Aphrodite], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_(mythology Venus]; and so on down through the many [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_greek_deities#Greek_pantheon Olympian deities].

98:3.3 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome Roman religion] was greatly [[influenced]] by extensive [[cultural]] importations from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece Greece]. [[Eventually]] most of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Olympians Olympian gods] were transplanted and incorporated into the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome#Roman_deities Latin pantheon]. The [[Greeks]] long [[worshiped]] the [[fire]] of the [[family]] [[hearth]]—[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Hestia] was the [[virgin]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goddess goddess] of the [[hearth]]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesta Vesta] was the [[Roman]] goddess of the [[home]]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeus Zeus] became [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter_(mythology) Jupiter]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphrodite Aphrodite], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_(mythology Venus]; and so on down through the many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_greek_deities#Greek_pantheon Olympian deities].

98:3.4 The [[religious]] [[initiation]] of [[Roman]] [[youths]] was the occasion of their [[solemn]] [[consecration]] to the [[service]] of the [[state]]. [[Oaths]] and admissions to [[citizenship]] were in reality [[religious]] [[ceremonies]]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latins_%28Italic_tribe%29 Latin peoples] maintained [[temples]], [[altars]], and [[shrines]] and, in a [[crisis]], would consult the [[oracles]]. They [[preserved]] the bones of [[heroes]] and later on those of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_calendar_of_saints Christian saints].

98:3.4 The [[religious]] [[initiation]] of [[Roman]] [[youths]] was the occasion of their [[solemn]] [[consecration]] to the [[service]] of the [[state]]. [[Oaths]] and admissions to [[citizenship]] were in reality [[religious]] [[ceremonies]]. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latins_%28Italic_tribe%29 Latin peoples] maintained [[temples]], [[altars]], and [[shrines]] and, in a [[crisis]], would consult the [[oracles]]. They [[preserved]] the bones of [[heroes]] and later on those of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_calendar_of_saints Christian saints].

98:3.5 This [[formal]] and unemotional [[form]] of pseudoreligious [[patriotism]] was [[doomed]] to collapse, even as the highly [[intellectual]] and [[artistic]] [[worship]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_religion Greeks] had gone down before the fervid and deeply [[emotional]] [[worship]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_cults mystery cults]. The greatest of these devastating [[cults]] was the mystery religion of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybele#Roman_Cybele Mother of God sect], which had its [[headquarters]], in those days, on the exact site of the present [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter%27s_Basilica church of St. Peter's in Rome].

98:3.5 This [[formal]] and unemotional [[form]] of pseudoreligious [[patriotism]] was [[doomed]] to collapse, even as the highly [[intellectual]] and [[artistic]] [[worship]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_religion Greeks] had gone down before the fervid and deeply [[emotional]] [[worship]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_cults mystery cults]. The greatest of these devastating [[cults]] was the mystery religion of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybele#Roman_Cybele Mother of God sect], which had its [[headquarters]], in those days, on the exact site of the present [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter%27s_Basilica church of St. Peter's in Rome].

98:3.6 The emerging [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic Roman state] [[conquered]] [[politically]] but was in turn conquered by the [[cults]], [[rituals]], [[mysteries]], and god concepts of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion Egypt], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_religion Greece], and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levant Levant]. These imported [[cults]] continued to flourish throughout the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic Roman state] up to the time of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_%28honorific%29 Augustus], who, purely for [[political]] and civic reasons, made a [[heroic]] and somewhat successful [[effort]] to destroy the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_cults mysteries] and revive the older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome political religion].

98:3.6 The emerging [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic Roman state] [[conquered]] [[politically]] but was in turn conquered by the [[cults]], [[rituals]], [[mysteries]], and god concepts of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion Egypt], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_religion Greece], and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levant Levant]. These imported [[cults]] continued to flourish throughout the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic Roman state] up to the time of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_%28honorific%29 Augustus], who, purely for [[political]] and civic reasons, made a [[heroic]] and somewhat successful [[effort]] to destroy the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_cults mysteries] and revive the older [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome political religion].

98:3.7 One of the [[priests]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_religion state religion] told [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_%28honorific%29 Augustus] of the earlier attempts of the [[Salem]] [[teachers]] to spread the [[doctrine]] of [[Monotheism|one God]], a final [[Deity]] presiding over all [[supernatural]] [[beings]]; and this [[idea]] took such a firm hold on the [[emperor]] that he built many [[temples]], stocked them well with [[beautiful]] images, reorganized the [[state]] [[priesthood]], re-[[established]] the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_religion state religion], appointed himself [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontifex_Maximus acting high priest] of all, and as [[emperor]] did not hesitate to [[proclaim]] himself the supreme [[god]].

98:3.7 One of the [[priests]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_religion state religion] told [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_%28honorific%29 Augustus] of the earlier attempts of the [[Salem]] [[teachers]] to spread the [[doctrine]] of [[Monotheism|one God]], a final [[Deity]] presiding over all [[supernatural]] [[beings]]; and this [[idea]] took such a firm hold on the [[emperor]] that he built many [[temples]], stocked them well with [[beautiful]] images, reorganized the [[state]] [[priesthood]], re-[[established]] the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_religion state religion], appointed himself [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontifex_Maximus acting high priest] of all, and as [[emperor]] did not hesitate to [[proclaim]] himself the supreme [[god]].

98:3.8 This new [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_cult#Ancient_Rome religion of Augustus worship] flourished and was observed throughout the [[empire]] during his lifetime except in [[Palestine]], the [[home]] of the [[Jews]]. And this era of the [[human]] gods continued until the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_cult_(ancient_Rome) official Roman cult] had a roster of more than twoscore self-elevated [[human]] [[deities]], all claiming [[miraculous]] [[births]] and other [[superhuman]] [[attributes]].

98:3.8 This new [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_cult#Ancient_Rome religion of Augustus worship] flourished and was observed throughout the [[empire]] during his lifetime except in [[Palestine]], the [[home]] of the [[Jews]]. And this era of the [[human]] gods continued until the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_cult_(ancient_Rome) official Roman cult] had a roster of more than twoscore self-elevated [[human]] [[deities]], all claiming [[miraculous]] [[births]] and other [[superhuman]] [[attributes]].

98:3.9 The last stand of the dwindling band of [[Salem]] believers was made by an earnest group of preachers, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynics Cynics], who exhorted the [[Romans]] to abandon their wild and senseless [[religious]] [[rituals]] and return to a form of [[worship]] embodying [[Melchizedek]]'s gospel as it had been [[modified]] and contaminated through [[contact]] with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_philosophy philosophy of the Greeks]. But the people at large rejected the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynics Cynics]; they preferred to plunge into the [[rituals]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_cult the mysteries], which not only offered [[hopes]] of [[personal]] [[salvation]] but also [[gratified]] the [[desire]] for diversion, excitement, and [[entertainment]].

98:3.9 The last stand of the dwindling band of [[Salem]] believers was made by an earnest group of preachers, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynics Cynics], who exhorted the [[Romans]] to abandon their wild and senseless [[religious]] [[rituals]] and return to a form of [[worship]] embodying [[Melchizedek]]'s gospel as it had been [[modified]] and contaminated through [[contact]] with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_philosophy philosophy of the Greeks]. But the people at large rejected the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynics Cynics]; they preferred to plunge into the [[rituals]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_cult the mysteries], which not only offered [[hopes]] of [[personal]] [[salvation]] but also [[gratified]] the [[desire]] for diversion, excitement, and [[entertainment]].

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_98 Go to Paper 98]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_98 Go to Paper 98]</center>