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| Atenist Philosophy (a brief analysis) | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 9 2010, 11:50 PM (332 Views) | |
| Meryre | Apr 9 2010, 11:50 PM Post #1 |
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Atenist Philosophy (a brief analysis) I have read extensively on Atenist history, religion and philosophy as well as many eclectic ideas of other religions and philosophies that mirror those of the Atenism of Akhenaten. I have also taken into consideration the beliefs of many Atenists over the past several years and have tried to incorporate them into a modern version of Atenism which I believe closely resembles that of what Akhenaten himself taught. After reading the Great Hymns to Aten and the Amarna Tablets as well as admiring the beautiful art of the so-called Amarna Period of history as well as the precursor historical elements preceding Akhenaten's birth, I have come to grasp what I personally believe are the ideas that are at the core of Atenism. It is apparent that just less than half of the world's Atenists living today worship the Sun-Disk (Aten) as God. More than half see the Sun-Disk as only a symbol of a greater God or Power in the Universe. Also, there is universal consensus that Akhenaten was not just a man like every other man. Akhenaten was more than man; where most see him as a prophet, some see him as more than just a prophet but God in flesh form. There is a belief by many Atenists that Akhenaten will return again to set up his kingdom. This idea is consistent with general Atenist beliefs if we consider that if one accepts Atenism as THE true religion and that also Akhenaten was most certainly a prophet and maybe even God in flesh form; one can deduce from this that Akhenaten will take up flesh form again. Again this is also taking into account the unanimous consensus in the belief in reincarnation and life after death. The subject of good and evil has perplexed many people; not just Atenists. Suffice to say that I believe from what I have studied and discussed with other Atenists is that we live in an AMORAL universe. What is Amorality? It's the concept that there is nothing immoral or moral in the Universe. The concept of good and evil does not exist in an amoral Universe. We as humans decide what we consider or percieve to be right and wrong in our lives and in life in general. What is considered good and evil varies widely from culture to culture and from age to age. What maybe considered evil in one culture or time period may be seen as acceptable or even good in another. So we as Atenists need to keep an open mind on this somewhat sensitive issue. I need to emphasize that I haven't come to this conclusion lightly, but have studied many different philosophical paths as well as Atenism specifically in it's historical aspect as well as talking with other Atenists on this issue. The maxim, "Judge not lest ye be judged", is as true for Christianity as it is for Atenism. These are just some of my thoughts in a nutshell of what I believe to be at the core of Atenist philosophy. That being said everyone has a right to choose their own Atenist path. Meryre |
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| religionscholar | Apr 28 2010, 12:28 PM Post #2 |
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As an outsider I of course deffer to the belief systems of an insider to the tradition and thus accept whatever is said as definitive. That being said I would like to critically examine the assertions that have been made. The primary evidence for Akhenaten's divinity that I am aware of is the status of Pharaohs as divine kings on earth. If that assertion is upheld by Atenism then wouldn't that require the recognition of at least all previous pharaohs as divine as well which may be problematic as those individuals were Pagan Egyptians that Akhenaten was acting against in his revolution. If one were to accept Atenism as what you say THE true religion then exactly what is considered true Atenism? At what idealogical point does a person cross into non-Atenist beliefs? If we live in an amoral universe in which human culture defines right from wrong then would Atenism look at cultures such as the Aztecs and approve of their human sacrifice as that is considered moral in their culture? Do Atenists define a separate Atenist moral system or do they conform to the morals of the culture they reside in? |
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3:25 PM Feb 6