Egyptian Religion

Essay by Anonymous UserHigh School, 11th gradeA-, November 1996

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The Egyptians had a very influential religion that can be analyzed

using the five elements of religion. The characteristics of the Ancient

Egyptian's religion can be divided into the five elements of religion:

authority, faith, rituals, moral code, and concept of the deity.

First, the authority of the Egyptian religion. The main authority of the

Egyptian religion was the Pharaoh, he had divine right over the people and

was considered a god. Also, he could change the religion any way he

wanted, for example in the 14th century BC Akhenaton, the Pharaoh

outlawed all gods but Aton, who was the sun god, and this became the first

monotheistic religion in history, but it was short lived, for when he died the

new Pharaoh overruled the law and restored the other gods. The Egyptians

Sacred literature was the "Book of the Dead" which consisted of 42

"negative confessions" , spells and prayers.

Here is a excerpts from the

"Book of the Dead"

1. I have not acted sinfully toward me

2. I have not oppressed the members of my family

3. I have not done wrong instead of what is right

4. I have known no worthless folk

(Encarta '96)

Their were also what we would call "Priests" who sold the people 'magical'

items that they said would ensure the dead people a way into heaven.

Therefore, the authority of the Egyptian religion was controlled heavily by

the government.

Second, the Egyptians Faith was an important characteristic of their

religion. First, they believed that the Pharaoh was a god, and what he spoke

became law. The Egyptians worshipped almost every form of life, the

worshipped trees, water, animals, and even vegetables. The Egyptians also

believed that a person had 2 souls, the ba and the ka,