I participate in a Comparative Religion discussion group. Typically what happens is that a question is presented, and each person simply supplies a response from their religion’s perspective. There is an unwritten rule that no one’s religious opinion is debated, but questions can be asked for clarification or to get a larger perspective. This tends to workout well.
This weeks question was, “What does your religion classify as ‘doomsday’? How is the end brought about? Is there an end in your religion? What are your thoughts on YOUR religion’s definition?”
I thought this is interesting, so I’ll share my reply. You get the expanded version.
Modern Hellenismos does not accept a prophesized doomsday. As a general rule, our religious and spiritual concepts fit well within the physically observable and scientific world, and concepts that overtly and blatantly conflict with science are typically rejected. I would say most Hellenists believe that there is only one Absolute Truth. Science and religion must exist in harmony for both to be true, and many will use a philosophical approach to reconcile scientific and spiritual knowledge. Therefore, the idea that a God would intentionally cut short humanity, the earth, or the universe is not one that is accepted.
What is accepted is natural cycles. Things are caused to exist, they have there time, and they move out of existence to be replaced my something else. Humanity was caused to exist; we will have our time, and then our time will end to make room for something else. This is the same for the Earth, for our galaxy, and for the Universe. Beyond that, the Cosmos can be said to be indestructible. The Cosmos being the complete, orderly, harmonious system of absolutely everything, not implying this mundane universe will continue (as is) without end.
If one was really pressed to find a doomsday scenario, what we find is the prophetic warning given by Hesiod in Works and Days. He tells of a time when the Gods will abandon humanity. I believe we can see the truth in his words with the state of the world today.
“And Zeus will destroy this race of mortal men also when they come to have grey hair on the temples at their birth. The father will not agree with his children, nor the children with their father, nor guest with his host, nor comrade with comrade; nor will brother be dear to brother as aforetime. Men will dishonor their parents as they grow quickly old, and will carp at them, chiding them with bitter words, hard-hearted they, not knowing the fear of the Gods. They will not repay their aged parents the cost their nurture, for might shall be their right: and one man will sack another’s city. There will be no favor for the man who keeps his oath or for the just or for the Good; but rather men will praise the evildoer and his violent dealing. Strength will be right and reverence will cease to be; and the wicked will hurt the worthy man, speaking false words against him, and will swear an oath upon them. Envy, foul-mouthed, delighting in evil, with scowling face, will go along with wretched men one and all. And then Aidos and Nemesis, with their sweet forms wrapped in white robes, will go from the wide-pathed earth and forsake mankind to join the company of the deathless Gods: and bitter sorrows will be left for mortal men, and there will be no help against evil.” ~ Hesiod, Works and Days (ll. 180-201)
What do we have in today’s world? The disintegration of the family. Friendships are not cherished. True hospitality is almost nonexistent in many places. Parents are sent to nursing homes to die alone and neglected. Piety is ignored. People feel no shame in lying, stealing, or cheating to get ahead. Money and power is prized over contentment, and virtue is scoffed at. Therefore, if we wanted to identify a doomsday for humankind, it would be the day which humanity’s inhumanity to man becomes so great that the Gods can no longer stand it, and they completely turn their backs on us.
