Pat Condell: No mosque at Ground Zero--Responses Welcome

Political and Religous Systems of the Dynastic Period in Sumer

Situated along two unstable rivers in the middle of an arid desert with no natural land borders to protect them from invaders, the outlook of the ancient Sumerians was pessimistic. Their religion reflected this deep pessimism. Mesopotamian gods were impersonal, not concerned with the welfare of humans, but powerful enough to bless or curse them. The dominant outlook regarding life and religion became associated with the favor of the gods, such that if one were strong or wealthy or landed he was sure to have the favor of the gods. Also, hedging their bets, the Mesopotamian were syncretistic regarding their polytheistic set of gods. In other words, they sought to please as many gods as possible with the hope of protecting their assets.

Similarly, as those who rose up to power ("lugals") were clearly seen to have been blessed by the gods because of their wealth and strength, the justification for power among the ancient Sumerians rested on the blessing of the gods. Those who were strongest were so because they were blessed. As cities more and more began to war because of jealousies and scarce resources, the winners were more and more seen to be the representatives of gods, even though the favor of the gods was as uncertain as the shorelines of the two mighty rivers.