This blog post showcases one section from my book Behind the Ritual Mask. These and other materials have also been recently published in the shorter book Contra Religion - Excerpts from the book Behind the Ritual Mask.
The Suffering Savior
Sources
The Suffering Savior and its related concepts in mythology represent a broad spectrum of ancient cultural institutions and messages. The penis, the pillar (or the two pillars), the mountain of god, the magic mountain, the bull, etc., are only a few of the more primitive concepts that relate to the Suffering Savior paradigm. The early forms of this paradigm generally refer to male power, rising up in life, touching god (as with Prometheus), and later vanity, Prometheus fallen, punished and crucified for arrogance. Osiris, Dionysus, Adonis, Atlas, Hercules, Samson, Christ and a host of other suffering gods are related to this concept. Indeed, this is one of the most powerful paradigms because of its early (now forgotten) association with male sexuality, human striving and power.
Authority
It is considered by religious people to be a foregone conclusion that man should spend his life sacrificing for others if he is to have a moral life. This authority comes directly from God through such revelations as “The Sermon on the Mount” and other statements of his ordained representatives. Sacrificial rites demanded that one individual could be “given” up to the god of devastation so he might be satisfied and leave the rest to survive. This is the essential act that Jesus emulated in his own self-sacrifice and he represents a host of other gods who did essentially the same thing. Yet gods, demons or social injunctions are not practical, verifiable justifications for the idea that man should sacrifice himself for others. Religious authorities claimed the right to tell us what God said and their authority came from their claims that God spoke to them. In truth, that authority amounts only to the statement, “Do it because we say so.”
It is considered a truism to state, “Isn’t it good to help others or sacrifice for others?” This statement represents a lesson in the power of entrenched ideas. That Jesus sacrificed for mankind is almost universally considered to be a moral act. But is it moral to sacrifice the best for the sake of the rest? And that is a crucial question that needs to be asked in order for man to be liberated from the onus of self-sacrifice.
Control
In mythology, Lucifer and Prometheus were both punished by god. Lucifer thought he was good enough to touch god and Prometheus had the effrontery to bring god’s light to the world. Both were acts of the ego and both acts were the reason for their punishment. Lucifer was cast down to be the torturer and misleader of men as the devil while Prometheus was tied to a tree and crucified while vultures ate his liver. As reflected in the Mystery religions, the message of punishment of the rebellious god, then punishment of the initiate as a stand in for the god was intended as an allegory that led to a reenactment of a clear moral message: that man deserved to suffer and was doomed to hatred and vengeance from the gods. The individual, in this context, has no recourse, no justification and no reason to defend himself against this onslaught of hatred and negativity. The only “appropriate” response for the properly ritualized person is to play the role of the suffering savior as a moral code.
In a context where self-sacrifice is considered a virtue, there is no hope of a morality that says the individual should live for his own benefit – the individual is sentenced to feel only the gray, debilitating fatigue and boredom found in doing what “must be done” for the sake of others.
Belief
There are a variety of gods and myths that represent the suffering god motif as well as resurgence, intoxication and rebirth. They represent a group of stories about a god who was once a man, who as a boy grew larger and engaged an adventure, the labyrinth, to meet and/or touch god. Along his path to god, he encountered many creatures and overcame many obstacles.[1] At one point, he appeared to hold the world on his shoulders but eventually, he fell from being a symbol of success, power and ambition to one who was punished by god for vanity. Almost always, he is regarded as a protector or benefactor of man, one who helped him in some way and was punished by god for doing so.
Lucifer means Light Bringer and we know Prometheus was considered a light bringer. A relevant observation is made by Wheless while he is describing Mithraism, a pre-Christian religion, and quoting the Catholic Encyclopedia:
"In many ways one of the most remarkable demonologies is that presented in the Avesta"; Ahriman being their chief devil, or Daeva; "the original meaning of the word is 'shining one,' and it comes from a primitive Aryan root div, which is likewise the source of the Greek Zeus and the Latin Deus. But while these words, like the Sanskrit deva, retain the good meaning, daeva has come to mean 'an evil spirit.' There is at least a coincidence, if no deeper significance,' in the fact that, while the word in its original sense was synonymous with 'Lucifer,' it has now come to mean much the same as devil" (CE. iv, 714-15, pasism; 764). Lucifer, in the Bible, having also been originally "a shining one"' in Heaven, was cast out into Hell and is now the Devil.”[2]
Hippolytus, in discussing heretics (from Christianity) uses his source Aratus to declare the “heavenly” source of the primordial image of god, or the first man.
“Just as many are they; here and there they roll
Day by day o’er heav’n, endless, ever, (that is, every star),
Yet this declines not even little; but thus exactly
E’er remains with axis fixed and poised in every part
Holds earth midway, and heaven itself around conducts.”[3]
“Aratus says that there are in the sky revolving, that is, gyrating stars, because from east to west, and west to east, they journey perpetually, (and) in an orbicular figure. And he says that there revolves towards The Bears themselves, like some stream of a river, an enormous and prodigious monster, (the) Serpent; and that this is what the devil says in the book of Job to the Diety, when (Satan) uses these words: I have traversed earth under heaven, and have gone around (it), that is, that I have been turned around, and thereby have been able to survey the worlds. For they suppose that towards, the North Pole is situated the Dragon, the Serpent, from the highest pole looking upon all (the objects), and gazing on all the works of creation, in order that nothing of the things that are being made may escape his notice. For thought all the stars in the firmament set, the pole of this (luminary) alone never sets, but careening high above the horizon, surveys and beholds all things, and none of the works of creation, he says, can escape his notice.
“Where chiefly
Settings mingle and risings one with other.”[4]
Here this original god is associated with the constellation Orion and the serpent with what we call the Big Dipper.
“And near the head itself of the Dragon is the appearance of a man, conspicuous by means of the stars, which Aratus styles a wearied image, and like one oppressed with labour, and he is denominated Engonasis. Aratus then affirms that he does not know what this toil is, and what this prodigy is that revolves in heaven. The heretics, however, wishing by means of this account of the stars to establish their own doctrines, (and) with more than ordinary earnestness devoting their attention to these (astronomic systems), assert that Engonasis is Adam, according to the commandment of God as Moses declared guarding the head of the Dragon, and the Dragon (guarding) his heel. For so Aratus expresses himself:--
The right-foot’s track of the Dragon fierce possessing.”[5]
Note the characteristics of this god as being a “wearied” image such as what we associate with the suffering savior or suffering god (And even the hero Achilles). Note also his name “Engonasis” which could be a phonetically similar reference to the term “Genesis” meaning the source.
Aratus, according to Hippolytus, also styles Engonasis’ association with the sun’s corona or light. He is, in essence, a light-seeker pursuing the logos (truth).
It is presumed that our modern age is an age of Prometheus because men seek knowledge (light) and wear brilliant rings on their fingers to commemorate Prometheus’ gift of intelligence. However, this is merely cultural window dressing. In fact, this age has become affluent in spite of views that denigrate and punish intelligence. Prometheus certainly has been honored for bringing intelligence to man. But with that honor there is a warning given by cultural leaders: “Be careful lest your foresight be flawed. You cannot tell what pain and suffering your knowledge will bring.”
These two figures (Lucifer and Prometheus), not to mention their many stand-ins such as Samson, Hercules, Adonis, Osiris and Jesus, represent a very important principle for modern society that has gone virtually unnoticed. This principle is seen in our culture’s attitude toward pride and the individual, as well as in the antipathy we exhibit toward anyone who would presume to think for himself and succeed. The enemy for our culture is the ego that does not sacrifice but stands alone. The principle is hatred of the ego and it is one of the most illogical and harmful principles of modern society.
Ritual
As we will discuss later, a ritual is an act based upon emulating the lives of the gods. A ritual consists of doing the same things the god did. In the case of the suffering savior the ritual is the act of sacrifice. Many of the suffering gods have been depicted as being tied to a tree, nailed on a cross and otherwise suffering the worst, most painful punishment for the act of angering Zeus or Yahweh. Such a crucifixion involved, not only excruciating pain but also a period of doubt and individual questioning where the suffering savior asks himself what it is about his nature that makes him suffer for an unappreciative mankind. This questioning is the ego of the savior wondering why he suffers, why he deserves to suffer; it is essentially a questioning of his own self. The implication of this part of the myth is that mankind not only suffers for what he does, but also undergoes a violent attack upon his ego, his very self. There is virtually no person today who has been successful in some way who does not experience the same questioning and pain because of the constant attack on his ego by culture and peers. This suffering is part of the cultural paradigm and when society imposes pain on the individual, it is a subconscious response that “plays out” the ritual. Jesus suffered because he claimed to be the son of God, Prometheus because he stole Zeus’ fire and gave it to man. These were ambitious acts indicative of unique and rare individuals.
The ego is defined by the The American Heritage Dictionary[6] as “The self, especially as distinct from the world and other selves.” and “An exaggerated sense of self-importance; conceit.” and “Appropriate pride in oneself; self-esteem.” That the ego also means for most people an “exaggerated self-importance” does not express the fact that the ego also includes appropriate pride and any quality that seeks the better.
Let’s take a look at the ego within the context of the ancient mystery rites. These rituals involved the participation of the initiate who played the role of the suffering god. As Freke and Grandy write of the Greeks,
“Each year some 30,000 Athenian citizens embarked on a 30-kilometer barefoot pilgrimage to the sacred site of Eleusis on the coast to celebrate the autumn Mysteries of Dionysus. For days they would have been preparing for this important religious event by fasting, offering sacrifices, and undergoing ritual purification. As those about to be initiated danced along the “Sacred Way” to Eleusis, accompanied by the frenzied beat of cymbals and tambourines, they were accosted by masked men who abused and insulted them, while others beat them with sticks.”[7]
The very idea of suffering and being punished as an initiation into the Mystery cults is indicative of the entire motif that held the initiate to be a personification of the suffering god.
In this example, we see the genesis of the hatred and punishment of the ego. Though we don’t blatantly kill people for it today, intelligence (light) is often viewed as worthy of ridicule in many circles. In addition, intelligent people have the capabilities that enable them to be successful and this is an affront to those of lesser ability. Extremely successful people have, in the opinion of religionists, something evil about them since they have accumulated more wealth than they need (why not take it away from them? say the looters and the state). Extreme beauty is also considered egoistic where the beautiful person is most often seen as too worthy of success so no success is granted (such beautiful people compete against us normal people). Successful businesses are ridiculed and attacked by politicians as evil and predatory in order to validate an effort to loot or shake them down. The result is a society of millions of mediocrities that have been leveled and brought down to size. Many are leveled in childhood by jealous parents, envious peers and self-righteous authorities of all kinds. Such is the method by which the Suffering Savior paradigm inflicts its lesson on individuals.
Consequences
Today, humans are driven to misunderstand their own motives and the motives of others by means of the ritualized hatred of individuality and ambition. It is easy to do: see pride in a young person and pounce upon it with anger, hatred and ridicule, just as did the masked men in the Mystery rituals. The fact that there is no foundation in reality, no reason to hate the ego is barely considered or debated because it is assumed that the ego is to be stopped, punished and hated. People who would consider it wrong and cruel to stop an animal from taking the action through which it survives have no compunction about ridiculing man for doing the same.
The key argument against the ego and human pride is that these concepts put man first. Jones tells us of Christianity, “But Jesus began with God, not with man. For him the good life consisted in pleasing God, not in developing to its full the form “man.” This is why Jesus felt that pride was such a grievous sin—to be proud was to be self-centered when one ought to be God-centered.”[8] With this view, we have the essential basis of rationalism, the founding of human virtue upon spiritual concepts that have no physical, objective referents. The result is that man has no motivation toward action in the real world.
For the religious among the Greeks, the gods were vengeful and it was important not to encourage their anger by distinguishing oneself in some way. Other cultures called it fear of the evil eye. This idea is still active today and many of us fear the ire of others when we rise in station. In fact, definitions of what are considered good and evil have developed as an outgrowth of ancient attitudes toward success and failure, with success being considered a characteristic of the evil.
The tenets that the modern Suffering Savior is supposed to live by are:
· I am supposed to sacrifice so that others may live.
· I am not important compared to other men.
· Every waking moment should be consumed by the goal of serving others.
· Sacrificing for others is the essence of the good.
· Those who don’t sacrifice for others are the essence of the evil.
These tenets today go by the name of altruism, a term coined by Auguste Comte (1798-1857) who was also the founder of the philosophy known as Positivism.[9] Altruism was not only the unnamed lesson of the Mystery rites but today it is the clearly stated lesson for everyday religious and social life; it is the injunction that every moment of life must be lived for others, every thought should be of others and that it is evil to think of yourself first.
Presumably, hatred of the ego is necessary for punishing excessively assertive, harmful behavior. But the pronouncements of many altruists reveal that the aim is really to destroy benevolent pride in accomplishment. Because of this, many people don’t know what acts to champion, so they compromise on achievement. Some of them desire achievement but feel guilty for it and take no pride publicly for the achievements they reach, lest the evil eye of envy jinxes their success. The result is stilted success, hidden, guilty pride and suppressed genius.
Stream of thought takes us from the constellation Orion to stick man, Engonasis, Atlas, the toils, doubts and suffering of Atlas, Osiris, Hercules, the pillars of Hercules, Samson and the two pillars, Adam, Lucifer, Prometheus, Perseus, Achilles, Odysseus, Romulus, Man, the individual, Caesar’s assassination, Vespasian, Titus, the mark of Titus (dolphin and anchor), the United States of Rome, Jesus, the sacrifice, suffering and crucifixion (on the cross). In modern times, the dollar sign, the USA, John Galt and the liberation of the suffering savior, the Ego and Reason. Copyright 2015 by Robert Villegas
To purchase Behind the Ritual Mask, go to https://amzn.to/2ZWWsX7
[1] See Hamlet’s Mill by De Santillana and Von Dechend
[2] Forgery in Christianity: A Documented Record of the Foundations of Christian Religion, by Joseph Wheless, page 27, Kessinger Publishing
[6] Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
[7] The Jesus Mysteries by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy, Three Rivers Press, soft cover, page 19
[8] A History of Western Philosophy Volume 2 The Medieval Mind by W. T. Jones, Harcourt, Brace & World
[9] "The greatest problem, then, is to raise social feeling by artificial effort to the position which in the natural condition is held by selfish feeling."
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