Nov 06, 2006 07:01 PM
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(Updated Nov 06, 2006 07:31 PM)
It’d be surprising to find a single person on this planet, who, spite of his/her unwavering faith, hasn’t at least for once wondered who or what actually God is. Of course every religion (Read followers of a certain God) has its own testimonials that can traverse painstaking lengths to address this issue.Whether or not it gives us a straightforward answer, is something worth contemplating with an open mind. Or whether the truth has always been in front of us—only to have been misinterpreted, intentionally or unintentionally. So there you are-- This book is worth a dig!
About twenty-five thousand years ago Paleolithic man depended upon nature for survival: Only after a successful hunt could there be food to eat, skins for warmth and shelter, and bones to fashion into tools. Nature was seen as an overwhelming, untamed force that was both provider and destroyer. A strong sense of awe for this power inevitably led to an ineradicable feeling of dependence—and the concept of God was born: This probably is the simplest definition of this omnipotence. Alas!
However in a reasonable frame of mind, one can’t help wondering how or why thousands of years ago, at the dawn of mankind, unforeseen, unconceivable depictions and events are associated with this entity? Let us not forget that human mind’s imagination can go as far as his knowledge reference frame. One thoughtful look and God appears to be some kind of super human being with seamless knowledge, and technology at his disposal that enables him to do things unconceivable by mere humans in ancient times. But today many of God's actions are reality. Thanks to science.
In this book, world famous Swiss researcher Erik Von Daniken investigates an illusive mystery that has fascinated us for ages: Who were these Gods? Where did they come from? But studying all religions, myths etc is highly recommended before reading this book. It becomes easy to draw parallels and question the facts.
Daniken exhaustively researches and analyses religions, cultures, myths & the archaelogical sites, trying to interpret the evidence in hand & scientifically questioning the basisbehind tales of humanlike Gods with superhuman capabilities, flying vehicles, medical & engineering marvels,space-age weaponry etc that are associated with every religion. Daniken draws a parallel between humans & these Gods, who strangely show humanoid characteristics like anger, warring, mating, stealing, creating, destroying andcommunicating. He interestingly also questions many of God’s behavior that are anything but divine: The exanples are many.
What's the idea behind descriptions like the Sons of Gods—A cross breed between Humans & Gods! Achilles, Heracles, Bhisma, just to name a few? The battles in the Hindu epics are way ahead of their time in technological terms—Warfare resembling the deployment of chemical, atomic, laser weapons from air and space—Where did such ideas come from? How does a forefather of Noah describe the earth, as it would appear from outer space? Or how does prophet Jonah enter the belly of a gigantic fish with illuminated rooms inside and opaque glasses built into its torso? There has to be a rational explanation as to how 1000s of years ago such concepts came into existence. If it’s truly the work of God, then he is a highly advanced being of sorts. He has to be something!
That is what Daniken relentlessly probes. His research drives the needle in one direction-- Could theentity we call as Gods be superior creatures from outer space, who inhibited earth, molded, mixed and trained human beings in their own cast, and then left, leaving behind clues and riddles on how to establish contact? The archaeological and other evidence present seem to agree! Daniken wonders if there a problem in trying to know the truth behind God? Many see this as an attack on faith.
Very thought provoking book and very scientific in its approach. So maybe not meant for hardliners or fanatics who do not wish to question even in good faith. Though It’s not an attack on faith. Daniken does ridicule how most religions still maintain closely guarded secrets that are inaccessible—Be it the inner sanctums of a shrine or a container that no one has ever seen or examined, and how the inspection of these could have thrown some light.
Well, since eons we’ve been programmed not to question God. Belief is the answer-- believing is peace-- After all, believing is accepting the facts without questioning.
