Greek legend of Orpheus and Euredice (page 2)

greendawn

Greek mythology is fascinating and unlike that of other ancient nations, in my view it's because they are symbolic of psychological states they touch upon powerful psychological symbolisms as some dreams do.

In this myth hades could be the unconscious mind.

Schizm

In this myth hades could be the unconscious mind.

You just reminded me that I promised to share a study I made on the subject of sheol/hades. http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/102892/1.ashx

I will still try to get around to doing that, but will say what the bottom line is right now.

In spite of it being a basic doctrine of the Bible neither Christendom or the WTS has a correct understanding of the terms sheol/hades. Both Christendom and the WTS, in common, understand sheol/hades to be a LITERAL place, when in fact it is a FIGURATIVE place instead. Christendom believes that life exists in sheol/hades, whereas the WTS sees it as simply being the burial place of the deceased (the grave) and where there exists no life at all.

In truth this imaginary place--called "sheol" in Hebrew & "hades" in Greek-- is where all the deceased are held captive, with absolutely no hope of ever being set free except for the means which God himself provides.

So sheol/hades should be perceived as being an imaginary jail or prison wherein the "life" (soul) of every person goes upon death. The "life" they once enjoyed, but which has come to a halt due to death, becomes the prisoner of sheol/hades. The grip that sheol/hades has upon the life of the deceased is so strong that no man has the ability to overcome it. But, there is hope. God not only has the power but has made the provision by which the "life" (soul) of all the deceased can be rescued from what would otherwise be their everlasting fate.

Schizm

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jwfacts

You make it sound like a black hole.

What you say makes sense as many religions, ie some Jews and Muslims believe that at death people lie in wait for the ressurection. Do you believe these souls are conscious in this prison?

I wait eagerly for your article.

Schizm

You make it sound like a black hole.

Interestingly, as judged by the Orpheus myth the Greeks apparently saw it as such. According to the story, Orpheus upon first entering through a cavern went deep underground to where hades was in order to attempt the release of his deceased wife who was held captive there after having died from a snake-bite. Orpheus had to obtain the permission of the God of Hades before he was allowed to take Eurydice out. Had it not been for the beautiful sounds of his Lyre he wouldn't have gotten the permission.

What you say makes sense as many religions, ie some Jews and Muslims believe that at death people lie in wait for the ressurection. Do you believe these souls are conscious in this prison?

No they are not conscious, because sheol/hades is only an imaginary place. The first mention of sheol is in the book of Genesis, where Jacob brings it up in relation to his having been tricked into believing that his son Joseph had been devoured by a wild animal. At some point in history the real meaning of sheol got twisted to where people began to perceive it as being a LITERAL place ... a deep underground place where the dead there were conscious.

There is no doubt that Christendom has been influenced by the wrong concept of sheol/hades being a literal place. Then the WTS eventually comes along, knowing full well that the dead are NOT conscious, and so then tries its hand at defining what sheol/hades must be. To the WTS it seems the only option left is to define sheol/hades as the "common grave of mankind". Apparently, the WTS has never before given any thought to the possibility of sheol/hades simply being a FIGURATIVE place. Being a figurative place doesn't in the least bit conflict with the WTS's belief that the soul is mortal. Thus, the WTS has but a small step yet to go before being fully in line with what the Bible teaches on the subject of sheol/hades. Schizm .

Schizm

Image of Orpheus pleading with Pluto to allow him to take Eurydice out of Hades:

http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/000Images/oim/orpheus5132.jpg

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Schizm

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Schizm

A modern-day Orpheus (this kid has talent!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjA5faZF1A8&search=buddy%20holly

Schizm

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Greek legend of Orpheus and Euredice

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