Supernaturalist View Found in Civilizations Essay

Supernaturalist View Found in Civilizations - Essay Example Believers of supernaturalism argue that any event that goes beyond scientific understanding does actually exist just as the same way as natural occurrences do. This view can be supported by the fact that natural phenomena such as rainbows, lightning and floods were interpreted in ancient times as having some kind of unearthly causes behind them. Another school of thought believes that each so-called supernatural phenomenon is explicable through the knowledge of science. Now the root of controversy surrounding these two conflicting beliefs lies in the fact that there is no universally accepted definition of 'natural'. We may say that any event that takes place in accordance with natural and scientific laws is natural. In other words, any natural event can be seen or perceived, and can be affirmed by a set of proved principles. Having said that, we cannot really set a parameter by which we can verify, for instance, the existence of God. Hence, the controversy remains when it comes to d raw a borderline between the supernatural and the natural. The Code of Hamurabi, laid down in the eighteenth century B. C., is a source of much historical as well as divine interpretation especially the way it is addressed to the Babylonian Gods. Elements of supernaturalism can also be traced in the Judeo-Christian tradition where the Ten Commandments enlist moral and religious duties to be followed to show obedience to the Almighty. This revered set of imperatives has been in use in many civilizations including the Roman and in the Middle-East. Egypt, the country of myths and mysteries, has innumerable supernatural elements to be explored. The Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the Great Pyramid, is a source of wonder for historians, scientists and archeologists alike. Many folklores and legends are associated with this gigantic and awe-inspiring construction. The preternaturalism is vividly depicted in the treatise of Herodotus: "[he] brought the country into all sorts of misery. He closed all the temple, then, not content with excluding his subjects from the practice of their religion, compelled them without exception to labor as slaves for his own advantage". (Tour Egypt, 1996) Evidences of supernaturalism are widespread in prehistoric cave paintings that have been found in many parts of Europe. Based on the timeline, these paintings are classified to three main epochs - Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Mesolithic. The literary significance of such art forms is of immense worth, considering how they have been preserving the essence of proto-European culture. The marvels of prehistoric sculpture are to be explored in the North European megaliths. Carved with symbolisms that substantiate physical and ideological beliefs surrounding the areas dwelt by the first Northern farmers, researches on the construction of megaliths have thrown light on the contemporary cultural and ritualistic landscape of the northern parts of Europe. The 'Emergence Myth' and the 'Creation Myth' carried by the Anasazi Symbolism are two of the most prominent religious structures from the New Mexico region. The 'Emergence Myth' tells about the sacred Spirits or the Kachinas, whereas the 'Creation Myth' is about the origin of the earth. (Granite School District Teacher Quality Center, 2004) The power of magic, divination and demonology was literally