From earliest time humans believed they were under the influence of an invisible force or forces. Many believed these ethereal forces were their ancestors, or anthropomorphic gods, or the Great Spirit. Belief in these unseen forces was invariably accompanied by the conviction that they were under their all-seeing scrutiny. Furthermore, the surveiling beings stood in judgment over those they surveiled. Humans behaved knowing the observing entities rewarded acceptable practices and punished those they deemed forbidden.
Consequently, humans constantly tempered their behavior in hope of conforming to acceptable activities. Their entire societies evolved into assuring conformity. Rituals, sacrifices, emblems of those they revered, and the development of sanctified individuals or a priestly class manifested their belief.
Fear of individual or societal disaster was probably the primary motivation for their actions. There was no escape from the wrath of their supernatural overseers if they transgressed acceptable behavior. In time, most societies moved from the belief in short time earthly reward or punishment to belief in eternal repercussions. Eternal, like infinite, is difficult to grasp, but fear of eternal torment and the possibility of eternal bliss had an undeniable impact.
Comprehensive secular law evolved in modern times to encompass punishment for almost all possible transgressions. Legal systems have essentially replaced religious institutions and belief for administering punishment for misbehavior. The only retribution comes from the law if it can catch and convict an offender. So, the escape from punishment is as simple as avoiding the law. It ain’t sin or prosecutable if it isn’t seen.
Consequently, humans constantly tempered their behavior in hope of conforming to acceptable activities. Their entire societies evolved into assuring conformity. Rituals, sacrifices, emblems of those they revered, and the development of sanctified individuals or a priestly class manifested their belief.
Fear of individual or societal disaster was probably the primary motivation for their actions. There was no escape from the wrath of their supernatural overseers if they transgressed acceptable behavior. In time, most societies moved from the belief in short time earthly reward or punishment to belief in eternal repercussions. Eternal, like infinite, is difficult to grasp, but fear of eternal torment and the possibility of eternal bliss had an undeniable impact.
Comprehensive secular law evolved in modern times to encompass punishment for almost all possible transgressions. Legal systems have essentially replaced religious institutions and belief for administering punishment for misbehavior. The only retribution comes from the law if it can catch and convict an offender. So, the escape from punishment is as simple as avoiding the law. It ain’t sin or prosecutable if it isn’t seen.
Well, I know alot of people do alot of things under the impression that as long as they keep it private and they are not observed it is as if it did not happen and therefore they escape punishment. However, I am not one of those people. If you do something you know is wrong, whether observed or not, you still did it and your soul suffers the consequences. The same thing goes for going against your intentions. If you are in someone way not living the life you intend, it will eat at you until you may as well be in hell for this is where you truly are. I believe any reward or punishment we receive for our behavior is here on earth and not in some future existence. I believe that when I cease to exist in this realm I will simply continue on into the next one. Have you read the end of 2001 the Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke? That's the form I hope we take; little pieces of consciousness becoming part of the galaxies overhead for eternity.
ReplyDeleteYou fascinate me.
~giudettacontessa