"Light" and "Dark" as Western Religious

Guardsman Bass · Post by **Guardsman Bass** » 2005-12-01 05:39pm

One thing I am curious about is why, in the West, "Light" and "Dark", as either a contrast, or a 'victory' by one over the other, became such a prominent religious motif, especially in Christianity.

I have an idea on what the basic root of it is, but not why it has held on. It may have something to do with the fact that humans are primarily dependent on sight to live, whether in mating, looking for food, and so forth. Therefore, we attach value to brighter environments, where there is light, and the 'darkness,' where we are greatly inhibited, becomes scary. However, I don't know how this made it into Western religion, and I have no idea of its history. Any help?

Guardsman Bass · Post by **Guardsman Bass** » 2005-12-01 05:40pm

EDIT TOPIC TITLE: Western Religious Motifs. I have no idea why it cut that off; could a mod fix it?

dworkin · Post by **dworkin** » 2005-12-01 06:43pm

It has a lot to do with a small kingdom of monlateralists (the Hebrews) getting ass-raped by some dualists (Persia). In the Persia dualist theology it is a battle between good and evil and the good side is represented by fire and light, evil by cold and darkness.

The Monos decided to adopt dualism. And the idea that avatars had wings and much more besides.

The Guid · Post by **The Guid** » 2005-12-01 07:43pm

At a more basic level I think humans have a natural fear of the dark because we were day hunters. If we went out at night we were naturally disadvantaged to our bretheren who had eyes that could see better in the dark - these could include natural predators, of the young at least. So when we are afraid of something we often make myths and legends about it and these gradually become a part of religion.

Molyneux · Post by **Molyneux** » 2005-12-02 08:00am

dworkin wrote:It has a lot to do with a small kingdom of monlateralists (the Hebrews) getting ass-raped by some dualists (Persia). In the Persia dualist theology it is a battle between good and evil and the good side is represented by fire and light, evil by cold and darkness.

The Monos decided to adopt dualism. And the idea that avatars had wings and much more besides.

Eh...dark isn't always evil in Judaism, though. And I was under the impression that the "angels = wings" idea came from the belief that Heaven was literally up above us, and Hell literally below?

Shroom Man 777 · Post by **Shroom Man 777** » 2005-12-02 08:33am

Everyone thinks darkness is bad. It's instinctual. You don't think kids are afraid of the Bogey Man just because they're in a Western society.

Guardsman Bass · Post by **Guardsman Bass** » 2005-12-02 10:28am

Shroom Man 777 wrote:Everyone thinks darkness is bad. It's instinctual. You don't think kids are afraid of the Bogey Man just because they're in a Western society.

No, I didn't; I was just wondering why it ended up as such a prominent motif in Western Religion.

EmperorSolo51 · Post by **EmperorSolo51** » 2005-12-02 10:39am

Thye reason why in Christianity Light and Dark are shown as opposites goe back to Christ's parable about those who do Works in His name shall be shown to the rest of the world in a bright light or as a beacon while those who do evil works would rather they hide themselves in shadow and darkness so taht others do not find out about there evil ways.