Menken's Dead Gods Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Menken's Dead Gods - Term Paper Example Take for instance, Huitzilopochtli, who was the national god of the Aztec of Tenochtitlan and the most celebrated and feared of all the gods of the ancient Aztec. The Aztec built a great temple on the Pyramid in Tenochtitlan in his honor. At its completion ceremonies, it is reported that more than 20,000 human sacrifices were offered in a four day celebration (Andrews 224). This attests to position Huitzilopochtli occupied among the ancient Aztec. However, apart from a few savage in the Mexican forest, Huitzilopochtli is as dead as dead great men like General Coxey Richmond P. Hobson because he lives only in history. No one worship or pay reverence to him in any form. He is a forgotten character even among the present day Aztec. Huitzilopochtli is not the only god that is a victim of death. Indeed, the numerous Roman gods and goddesses such as Jupiter and Venus, the Egyptian gods and goddesses such as Isis and Osiris (British Broadcasting Corporation), have undergone similar fate. Ju piter is no longer worshiped by present day Romans nor is Osiris of any relevance to the 21st century Egyptian. The same applies to all the gods mentioned by Mencken. These gods live only in history like great man like Abraham Lincoln. Their temples and place of worship are historical monuments just like the home of Abraham Lincoln is a history monument. Thus I absolutely concur with Menken that these are now dead gods.... In fact, the ability to procreate and response to external influences are the determining characteristics of the living. Indeed, the gods mentioned by Mencken exhibits these traits. Huitzilopochtli, for instance, cannot response if he is insulted or when his temple is abused. He cannot influence events happening around him. A dead god has no influence on present day events. He has lost its place. Like the dead man, he lives only in the mind of his lovers and in history. He does not create anything neither does he initiate ideas. Nobody attributes great inventions and ideas to the gods mentioned by Mencken, at least in our time. A living god is a source of inspiration to its followers. A dead god provides no inspiration. As a result of all the lacks of the dead god as mentioned above, he has no worshippers or followers. Indeed, the trademark of a dead god is his lack of followers and worshipper (Mencken 1). This follows from the dead god inability to influence events and to response t o external events. Why are other gods still alive? To be alive means to respond to changes in the environment, to influences events, to initiate ideas, and to procreate. These are characteristics of the living. Gods are acclaimed to be alive if they are held responsible for events happening in the society. As a result, they attract followers, who flock to their temples to worship. Indeed, other gods are alive because they are still considered to be accountable for events happening in the society. At least their followers held them accountable! This attracts thousands, if not millions, of followers to their place of worship. Take for instance Jesus Christ, who the Christian believed to be God. To the Christians, he