A Comp arison: Sumerian and Hebrew Views of the Afterlife For centuries religion has been a significant and intricate part of human societies. Some would say that religion is as important to mankind as food and water. While food and water keeps us going,religion provides a reason and purpose for that life. In short, religion is man’s attempt to understand the world around them and their place in it. Furthermore, religious values maintain …showed first 75 words of 1065 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1065 total…Gilgamesh, the people sought to gain fame, wealth, and pleasure in this life, while in Hebrew society the people sought to secure a good and eternal afterlife by repressing their flesh urges and abiding by their purging traditions. Two opposite mentalities, each the product of their own religious beliefs dictating the way these civilization lived and in the end, died. Works Cited Mack, Maynard, eds. The Norton Anthology: World Masterpieces. New York: WW Norton & Company, 1997.