Question

The Biblical concept that man was created primarily to serve ____________, the idea that catastrophes are divine punishment for wrongdoing, and that pain and suffering require patience also have Mesopotamian roots.

a) Nature
b) The gods
c) Scientific progress
d) Humanism

Answer 1

Man was created primarily to serve the gods in the Biblical concept with Mesopotamian roots, where catastrophes were viewed as divine punishment and life was challenging due to natural disasters and strife.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Biblical concept suggests that man was created primarily to serve the gods. This belief system originates in ancient Mesopotamian civilization, where humans were thought to exist to provide for the gods and appease them, often through sacrifices and rituals. Catastrophes such as floods and plagues were seen as divine punishment for failing to properly worship these deities. In Mesopotamian society, the priesthood held significant power by claiming the ability to soothe the gods and prevent disasters. This reflects a worldview where the unpredictable and often harsh realities of life, such as river flooding and wars, contributed to a generally pessimistic outlook and the perception of gods as capricious and cruel.