Over the course of the semester, various types of religions and practices have been discussed. Religion has proven to be one of the oldest of human customs and many a time is formed on a supernatural basis. It has various similarities that emerge in its literary usage, customary practices and societal impact. I argue that; although, religion is a sacred aspect of a group and is used for narrative, explanatory and preservatory purposes within these texts, it has been manipulated to serve and cover up the biases favouring sexism, elitist and discriminatory ideals of some of its followers. These ideologies and practices would on the most part be regarded as wrong not only on a contemporary basis, but also to those at the opposite end of its effects.…show more content… Sacrifices are often limited to animals, but there are instances in which humans or plants are used instead. “He endured then/ to sacrifice his daughter/ in support of war waged for a woman/ first offering for the ships’ sake.” Oresteia: (Agamemnon, line 223-6). The chorus laments on how Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter, Iphigenia for the sake of the Trojan War. Also Cain’s sacrifice of fruit to God, which was rejected. “In the course of time Cain/ brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,” Genesis: (Chapter 4, verse 3), respectively. The interesting part of sacrifices is how in each religion there is a set method in performing them. Herodotus shows how set these customs are by detailing exactly how the Egyptians sacrifice their male cattle although he, Herodotus, is an outsider. Herodotus: (Book 2, paragraph 39-40). These methods differ as the religion changes, but there is always an identifiable pattern based on reasons evident to the practicing…show more content… In many ways one religion views others false or strange. In the Bacchae Pentheus looks down upon the new religion introduced by Dionysus. “… Or is Thebes the first?’/ Barbarians everywhere now dance for Dionysus/. They are more ignorant than Greeks/ In this matter they are not. Customs differ.” Euripides: (Bacchae, 480-3). In this conversation, Pentheus regards barbarians as ignorant for following this Dionysus’ new religion. Herodotus also depicts the Egyptians having an aversion towards the Greeks. “…That is why no Egyptian man or woman will/ kiss a Greek on the mouth, or use a Greek’s knife, skewers, or/ cooking-pot; in fact they will not eat the flesh of even an unblem-/ished bull if a Greek knife was used to cut it up.” Herodotus: (Book 2: paragraph 41). This aversion and degradation towards the Greeks is born because they sacrifice cows, a practiced considered sacrilegious by the Egyptians. In Genesis, God regards all people as evil in their different practices and kills all of them except Noah and his family who are true to him. “….I have determined/ to make and end of all flesh …” Genesis: (Chapter 6, Verses 5-13). Although subtle, this is a major statement of enmity toward people of different religious practices to God’s. No religion will regard itself as wrong, thus other religions must be at fault to further justify its own
