From: mk_thisisit
Professor Karol Myśliwiec, a renowned Polish archaeologist and Egyptologist, discusses the profound influence of ancient Egyptian culture on various modern traditions, particularly Christian ones, highlighting parallels in rituals and ethical concepts.
Ritual Parallels
According to Professor Myśliwiec, there are extensive similarities between modern rituals and those practiced in ancient Egypt. He states that “today’s rituals… do not differ from the rituals of ancient Egypt” [01:04:33]. These include:
- Processions [01:04:36]
- Singing [01:04:40]
- Elements of dances [01:04:40]
- Incensing [01:04:40]
- Carrying statues [01:04:44]
These practices were already present in ancient Egypt and even influenced the Muslim world [01:04:47]. Professor Myśliwiec points out that celebrations in the Temple of Luxor today have parallels with ancient Egyptian holidays [01:04:56]. He suggests that such ritual forms are natural for promoting any faith to an audience [01:05:16].
Ethical Similarities
Beyond rituals, Professor Myśliwiec believes that a significant amount of Christian ethics was borrowed from ancient Egypt [01:05:38].
- Confession: While modern Catholic confession is a medieval invention, a form of “negative confession” existed in ancient times [01:05:48]. This concept is found in the Book of the Dead, a religious text placed with the deceased, particularly dignitaries [01:06:05]. In this negative confession, the deceased lists things they did not do, such as “not to have sex” [01:06:40].
Sexuality and Societal Norms
The professor observes that the Egyptians were not prudish by modern standards [01:08:18]. Sexual matters were openly displayed, even in temples, with depictions of ithyphallic gods like Min, symbolizing fertility [01:08:34]. This nudity and openness persisted into Greek times, where the Greeks encountered similar phenomena in Egypt [01:08:59].
The Egyptian view of sex was primarily linked to fertility and procreation, which was considered sacred for securing a future in the afterlife and leaving descendants on Earth [01:09:20]. This differs from what is often termed “pornography” today, but it underscores a society unconcerned with prudery [01:09:57].
Role of Women and Marriage
Marriage in ancient Egypt often involved legal contracts, detailing dowry and future division of assets, a practice similar to modern Muslim societies [01:10:54]. Women in ancient Egypt enjoyed significant respect, especially as mothers [01:10:15]. While marriage was sacred, infidelity did occur, with morality depending on social class [01:11:43].
Women could significantly influence marital decisions [01:16:16]. Female pharaohs, like Hatshepsut, often rose to power during times of instability or when male successors were unsuitable, a phenomenon observed at various points in Egyptian history [01:12:31]. Professor Myśliwiec notes that this pattern, where women assume important political roles when men are deemed “no longer suitable,” is similar to modern trends [01:16:28].