Picture the ancient world of the Near East, a time when civilizations were forming the very bedrock of human society. Here, amidst the bustling markets and burgeoning empires, we find an ancient deity named El, a central figure in the pantheon of Canaanite religion. El is believed to have been revered by the Canaanites around 1500 to 1200 BCE, holding the esteemed title of the supreme god, the father of humanity and all creatures. How interesting it is that this ancient god could provide lessons for today's socio-political climate.
Who was El? The name El is synonymous with 'god' among the Semitic-speaking peoples, including the Canaanites, Hebrews, Amorites, and even certain Mesopotamian cultures. El was often depicted as a wise old man with a long beard; a patriarchal figure in every sense, rule-bound in justice and offering benevolence. El doesn't conform to the modern culture-curated definitions of deities who would rather cater to every individual's whim. No participation trophies here! El governed with gravity and authority, which is clearly a stark contrast to the feeble deities created by those on the left to legitimize their anything-goes lifestyle.
What exactly does El represent? As the father of gods within the Ugaritic texts, which date back to at least the second millennium BCE, El epitomizes authority, wisdom, and creation. In a world filled with chaos, El serves as a symbol of structure and order. Like the family patriarchs who lead with integrity, El is truly a reflection of time-honored values that have managed to cross the barriers of centuries. Any society bereft of robust societal structures invariably gravitates toward disorder, much like the society we encounter today.
During the heyday of El's worship, the temples dedicated to him were situated mainly around the ancient city of Ugarit. It was about 6,000 years ago—an age when enduring religious practices were taking root—where the values of honor and duty were sacrosanct. In fact, El’s very presence unified tribes, encouraged the pursuit of community goals, and enabled cultures to flourish. Simpler times, perhaps, but wouldn’t many of us prefer such order over chaos?
Why does El matter today? Because El forces us to confront the fundamental nature of societal structures. The ancient worship of El or gods like him highlight the benefits of hierarchy, and discipline. Order tends to emerge from strength, not concessions to make everyone at the table feel warm and fluffy.
El’s role wasn't merely a regional phenomenon but left a significant mark on later theologies, including Judaism. As God El Elyon, El traces his roots to the golden years of early monotheism. Imagine the impact of a deity offering moral benchmarks that did not waffle with the changing predilections of society. Such steadfastness is particularly refreshing amidst today’s widespread relativism.
Instead of viewing El as a vestige of old superstitions or simply a fragment of ancient culture, what if we saw this deity as a repository of values that have stood the test of time? Could El serve as a foundation stone for building a resilient society—one that isn’t bent on constantly reconfiguring its morals to keep up with social fads?
Even if you reject outright the religious devotion ancient cultures had for their gods, or you'd like to point fingers and say we’ve moved past archaic beliefs, you'd be hard-pressed to ignore El’s enduring legacy. Look around; order, tradition, and respect for authority, all embodied by El, are the invisible scaffolding supporting successful and prosperous civilizations.
While liberals may snub their noses at the idea of any enduring truths—preferring an insipid cosmopolitanism that accounts for every possible gender construct concocted in a basement internet chat room—those of us who value tradition know that truth anchored in history holds incalculable power. And here we are, still discussing an ancient deity that hasn’t conveniently vacated the stage like so many other lesser gods—perhaps there's some divine wisdom to that.
The debate about ascribing value to ancient deities like El is really a microcosm of broader negotiations in society. Do we prioritize time-honored truths that have sustained humanity or embrace the shaky post-modern narratives?
We’ve come full circle, haven’t we? It seems the further we ‘progress,’ the more appealing El’s rock-solid stature looks after all.