I feel like I need to fill some space, so I will let the fingers roam some.
I wonder if anyone else has considered the associations between the adhered names of the players in major religions and their similar roles in such hierarchies. Of the three major existing and organized religions at the present, each has a "godhead," along with an accompanying Messiah of sorts. Judaism is recognized as the first in the line of succession when it comes to the Big Three of organized religion. The Old Testament relates that the name of "God" is Yahweh, and he spoke his mind to Moses. Of course, there are many different degrees of succession and importance in each of the Big Three, but this seems to be the context of the covenant, so let us go forth considering Yahweh as the God figure and Moses as the Prophet.
As the evolution of organized religion continues, one will find that "God" takes on the common name of "God," or a proper recognition of "Jehovah." My assumption is that He is the same God, but now is in the Witness Protection Program. As it will be detailed, "God" seems to change names like Noah changed diapers for all of his children on the ark. So Jehovah has a son -- or perhaps does not -- but the new prophet (is he so, or is he an anthropomorphic deity?) is named Jesus. Still, we have a grand spirit, and a walking mouthpiece for his wishes. Now we run into some issues, since the first God was a rather angry dude that spoke as a burning bush, teased a father into infanticide to prove his adherence, and subjected a devout man named Job to many horrible instances so that God could prove his greatness and the understanding of his subjects to his potential benevolence. The second installment of God sent a single progeny to spread the word of tolerance and acceptance. Perhaps that is why there is a divide in the Holy Bible between the New and Old Testaments. Whatever the case, there seems to be an evolution of God in the way that he deals with his Creation.
And then we arrive at the tertiary installment of Organized Religion: Islam. The name itself translates to "Peace," but like the former installments, it was developed by anything but Peace. The new name for God is Allah, and his messenger on Earth is a lowly man named Muhammad. Muhammad is not a "son of god," as Jesus Christ is sometimes interpreted (dependent upon what sect of the Christian Church is followed), but is a regular dude that is trying to make a living in the Arabian Peninsula, plying his trade and working out the secrets of life, much as we all do. At some point, he receives a message from Allah and spreads the word, inciting opposition from the ruling powers surrounding Mecca -- those heathens that still worship a deity for plants, rain, body odor, and back hair. He seeks refuge in a cave in the desert, wherein he receives the message from Allah of how to educate these people while writing autodidatically. He returns to the city center, smashes the idol of so many polytheists, and spreads the word of One God throughout the proletariet. He then wages war with a newfound army upon the vested business interests controlling this regional polytheism located in Mecca and is thwarted. He flees to Medina in the northern part of Saudi Arabia.
Long story short -- Muhammad changes minds, polytheism is considered anathema to true understanding and enlightenment, and the Prophet ascends to Heaven in Jerusalem (the Holy City for the previous two organized religions). Apparently, he did not leave a will, so there was some conflict as to who would be the successor in prophet-land. Ergo the great divide in Islam between the Sunni and the Shi'ia camps, and who was to further the message of Allah. That was about 1300 years ago, and they still cannot come to some understanding, though each sect will agree that there is Allah, and there is Muhammad. Just like Christians believe that there is Jehovah and Jesus. Just as Jews believe that there is Yahweh and there is Moses.
It seems to me like some kind of a play presented on a historical world stage. There are the same roles, and the same actors, but they all have different names. Perhaps if adherents of Organized Religion would see this, then perhaps they would find a common understanding and acceptance. But even within each individual religion, there are splinters and sects and various interpretations. There are canonizations of these portions of the Gospels, and these portions of the writings of Allah. And yet, they cannot see that they all believe the same tale, but told by a different author, and using different names for the characters. And so neighboring nations are locked in warfare over Judaism and Islam, or over Islam and Islam when it comes to who was the successor to Muhammad.
In the end, perhaps we are best to return to the Greeks. Worship various parts of life, nature, human spirit, and recognize each aspect of that as a different character, rather than try to centralize the pantheon of human existence into one being that sent forth another to instruct our idiot senses.
I urge you to Vote for Zeus in 2012.
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