Madison Lapsley
Dr. King
DWC 101-006
September 26, 2017
Monotheism’s Moral Order In Genesis, there is a single god, meaning that the story revolves around a monotheistic religion. In Atrahasis, there are several different gods, meaning that it revolves around a polytheistic religion. Because Genesis surrounds a singular god, there is a moral order. This is because with a singular God, there is a concrete way to live that is viewed as righteous. A universe with a true moral order revolves around a religion in which there is a distinct divide between what is just and unjust, and rewards and punishments are distributed based on these just or unjust actions. While Genesis proves that only a monotheistic religion can have a true moral order, Atrahasis …show more content…
After Eve persuades Adam to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge, both Adam and Eve recognize their humanity. The text states, “Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked” (Genesis 3:7). Adam and Eve both feel fear and embarrassment. This is revealed as they cover their bodies with loincloths, and hide from God. The emotions that Adam and Eve feel after eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge is the first punishment that they face for going against God’s orders. In a universe with a moral order, if a person does wrong, they will experience consequences because of these wrong-doings. God continues to reprimand them. God explains, “‘I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you’” (Genesis 3:16). The explanation as to why women feel pain in childbirth reveals the punishment that Eve, along with all other women, experience because of Eve’s actions. For all who believe in Genesis, this provides reason to follow God’s commands. Because there is a single God, there are specific things that individuals who follow this religion can do to not be punished, thus, contributing to the idea that a universe with a moral order can only exist in a monotheistic religion. God continues to explain, “‘Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life’” (Genesis 3:17). God is further punishing humankind by punishing Adam. This coincides with Eve’s punishment because they both recognize, and allow others to recognize, the fact that God is capable of punishing those who do not follow his instructions. In a universe with a moral order, God is the only entity that dictates what is right and wrong, and therefore, He is the only entity to produce proper punishments for
Dr. King
DWC 101-006
September 26, 2017
Monotheism’s Moral Order In Genesis, there is a single god, meaning that the story revolves around a monotheistic religion. In Atrahasis, there are several different gods, meaning that it revolves around a polytheistic religion. Because Genesis surrounds a singular god, there is a moral order. This is because with a singular God, there is a concrete way to live that is viewed as righteous. A universe with a true moral order revolves around a religion in which there is a distinct divide between what is just and unjust, and rewards and punishments are distributed based on these just or unjust actions. While Genesis proves that only a monotheistic religion can have a true moral order, Atrahasis …show more content…
After Eve persuades Adam to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge, both Adam and Eve recognize their humanity. The text states, “Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked” (Genesis 3:7). Adam and Eve both feel fear and embarrassment. This is revealed as they cover their bodies with loincloths, and hide from God. The emotions that Adam and Eve feel after eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge is the first punishment that they face for going against God’s orders. In a universe with a moral order, if a person does wrong, they will experience consequences because of these wrong-doings. God continues to reprimand them. God explains, “‘I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you’” (Genesis 3:16). The explanation as to why women feel pain in childbirth reveals the punishment that Eve, along with all other women, experience because of Eve’s actions. For all who believe in Genesis, this provides reason to follow God’s commands. Because there is a single God, there are specific things that individuals who follow this religion can do to not be punished, thus, contributing to the idea that a universe with a moral order can only exist in a monotheistic religion. God continues to explain, “‘Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life’” (Genesis 3:17). God is further punishing humankind by punishing Adam. This coincides with Eve’s punishment because they both recognize, and allow others to recognize, the fact that God is capable of punishing those who do not follow his instructions. In a universe with a moral order, God is the only entity that dictates what is right and wrong, and therefore, He is the only entity to produce proper punishments for