The Sacred Canopy is a book written by Peter L. Berger on the origins of society and how religious beliefs expand upon the sociological theories. In Berger’s book, he analyzes many ideas of sociological functions of religion that are shown throughout the stories of The Righteous Sufferer, The Babylonian Theodicy, Job, and A Serious Man. Berger expands upon the idea of a theodicy that explains anomic phenomenon. He also speaks of masochism and alienation. The ideas Berger speaks of are significant because they give meaning to suffering and help to explain it. Berger’s concepts tell of how people suffer and try to find clarification through the suffering. He relates these ideas with the function of religion. His thoughts are reinforced by the
…show more content…
During the Kassite Period, the Kassites who were foreigners ruled Babylon. This made people question social values and the theology of the Epic of Creation. They did not believe that foreigners should rule. Anthropomorphic ideas of humans and deities being equal transformed into transcendent deities where Marduk’s plan could not be understood by humans. Therefore, a theodicy was needed, so that Marduk and the social values would no longer be questioned. The man in the story worries that he does not know the things that make deities happy (II 33-48). The cause of the man’s suffering is the abandonment of Marduk and his personal deities from his life (I 73-90). In the beginning of the poem, people praised, and the people rejoiced and all was well once Marduk returned (IV 51-72). Because of this praise, The Righteous Sufferer must be seen as a theodicy that supports the occurrences of the period as right. Even though the poem gives no legitimate answers, it is still considered a confirmation which makes it a theodicy. The sufferer in this poem shows masochism. He is suffering greatly, yet he has still given himself to Marduk. The suffering in the poem is shown through resignation. The sufferer was told to let the events occur, and if he is loyal, then he will return to his natural state. Alienation is shown through the Righteous Sufferer …show more content…
In this story, the man’s suffering was caused by misfortunes throughout his lifetime and the absence of a deity. The Babylonian Theodicy took place around the Kassite Period as well. A theodicy was in need, however, this theodicy was not the greatest. It shows the sufferer’s negative arguments against the sage winning (The Babylonian Theodicy XXVII). The sufferer states how the good is not always rewarded and how the poverty are inferior to the wealthy, and eventually, the sage agrees with him (The Babylonian Theodicy XXV). Because of this, the theodicy negatively helps explain why bad things happen to good people. In this story, it seems that the sage carries a masochistic attitude while the sufferer is denying it. The sage expects the sufferer to carry a pious life even if things go wrong (The Babylonian Theodicy XII). However, the sufferer points out that the world is unfair. This poem shows how the world is dreadful and individuals cannot know what the Gods desire. Therefore, it is showing how mankind is alienated and has no part in the creation of
During the Kassite Period, the Kassites who were foreigners ruled Babylon. This made people question social values and the theology of the Epic of Creation. They did not believe that foreigners should rule. Anthropomorphic ideas of humans and deities being equal transformed into transcendent deities where Marduk’s plan could not be understood by humans. Therefore, a theodicy was needed, so that Marduk and the social values would no longer be questioned. The man in the story worries that he does not know the things that make deities happy (II 33-48). The cause of the man’s suffering is the abandonment of Marduk and his personal deities from his life (I 73-90). In the beginning of the poem, people praised, and the people rejoiced and all was well once Marduk returned (IV 51-72). Because of this praise, The Righteous Sufferer must be seen as a theodicy that supports the occurrences of the period as right. Even though the poem gives no legitimate answers, it is still considered a confirmation which makes it a theodicy. The sufferer in this poem shows masochism. He is suffering greatly, yet he has still given himself to Marduk. The suffering in the poem is shown through resignation. The sufferer was told to let the events occur, and if he is loyal, then he will return to his natural state. Alienation is shown through the Righteous Sufferer …show more content…
In this story, the man’s suffering was caused by misfortunes throughout his lifetime and the absence of a deity. The Babylonian Theodicy took place around the Kassite Period as well. A theodicy was in need, however, this theodicy was not the greatest. It shows the sufferer’s negative arguments against the sage winning (The Babylonian Theodicy XXVII). The sufferer states how the good is not always rewarded and how the poverty are inferior to the wealthy, and eventually, the sage agrees with him (The Babylonian Theodicy XXV). Because of this, the theodicy negatively helps explain why bad things happen to good people. In this story, it seems that the sage carries a masochistic attitude while the sufferer is denying it. The sage expects the sufferer to carry a pious life even if things go wrong (The Babylonian Theodicy XII). However, the sufferer points out that the world is unfair. This poem shows how the world is dreadful and individuals cannot know what the Gods desire. Therefore, it is showing how mankind is alienated and has no part in the creation of