Trey Swint
English II Honors
Bransford
23 September 2014
Religion; The Foundation of Civilization
Religion dates back to the beginning of human civilization. It gives all answers to questions, such as: the purpose of human life, the process in which life was created, and in what manner should one live their life, for people of the modern world, and people of the past.
Nonetheless, society continues to further our comprehension of the messages displayed within these ancient texts, scriptures, books, proverbs, and the means of the religious views as a whole.
My readings from the
Bible (Genesis chapters 1­3)
, the Qur’an
, and the Epic of Gilgamesh have given me insight as to how significantly religion promotes a productive and collaborative society. The essential value presented throughout “Genesis 1­3,” “The Qur’an,” and “The Epic of
Gilgamesh” is that someone can continuously enhance oneself as an individual through loyalty, respect, and worship towards your god(s).
Ancient scripts usually contain some sort of story that depicts characters doing something wrong, such as: disobeying their god or being rebellious towards that god, in order to illustrate the life lesson that is being portrayed. In “Genesis 1­3,” Adam and Eve, the first human beings created by God, disobey an exact order given to them; they were not allowed to eat from the tree of knowledge and the tree of life. However, Eve was deceived by a snake (a representation of temptation of evil in the story). The text states, “When the woman saw the tree was good for eating… and that the tree was desirable as a source of wisdom, she took of its fruit and ate. She

also gave some to her husband” (Genesis 41). The woman, Eve, disobeyed a specific command, and tempted Adam to do the same. God did not take to kindly to this, as he, “. . .banished him from the garden of Eden, to till the soil from which he was taken” (Genesis 43). Because of the acts of Adam and Eve, God is obviously displeased, as the creations that He’s extremely proud of did not carry out His orders. What can be taken away from this story is the result of you not listening to your God inflicts a difficult life.
Having respect, admiration, and loyalty for your god in the monotheistic Muslim culture is not just an important value, it is a part of daily routine, which can be expressed in
The Qur’an
,
the holy book of the Muslims. When an individual respects an idea, person, place, or god in this case, naturally one will mirror the ideals exhibited by the idolized subject. One of the proverbs within the Qur’an maintains, “Praise to be God, Lord of the Universe, The Compassionate, the
Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Judgement!” (Qur’an 79). This quote unquestionably exemplifies their thoughts about God, as it is the first line of each proverb. God is undoubtedly the most vital figure in the universe. The path to enlightenment, or spiritual illumination is a goal, that, according to the people of the Muslim culture, should be attempted and or achieved by everyone. The text states, “Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter? Did He not find you in error and guide you? … Therefore do not wrong the orphan nor chide away the beggar.
But proclaim the goodness of your Lord” (Qur’an 81). Engaging in the lives of someone in need, just as God did for you, is one of the main tactics into bedazzling the eye of the Lord. To the naked eye, the journey to receiving salvation from your Lord may seem treacherous, or a difficult one, but the proverb states, “With every hardship there is ease. With every hardship

there is ease" (Qur'an 80). The emphasis on God helping you along the right path, and the mind bending rewards you will receive, makes it seem worthwhile in the end… or beginning.
Undoubtedly, loyalty and honor to the gods is immensely part of the culture of the
Sumerians in the epic poem,
The Epic of Gilgamesh. The actions