The Fall

Could someone please explain the Fall to me.

As I understand it the Fall is an extra-biblical myth popularised in it's general conception within the public consciousness by John Milton.

Edit to note: I am aware the term "The Fall" also applies to original sin (in and of itself a wonderfully misguided concept) but I am of course referring to how Christianity deals with the idea of Pride and the Fall of the angels from Heaven.

metrovelvet

Do you mean the fortunate fall?

Joe1919

Even thought I would not consider myself religious as such (my interest is in philosophy) and indeed I don't literately believe every word in the Bible, nevertheless I think the fall is a great story and shows that the writers of the Bible had a great knowledge of human nature and at least deserves respect for this.
My particular and personal interpretation of the fall, is that at a particular time, man became self-conscious of himself (he ate from the tree of knowledge) and with this self consciousness came an awareness of his own imperfections (guilt). He lost his innocence so to speak and with this loss of innocence came his shame, even of his own body and of the animal or bodily functions that he has............

metrovelvet

^ and that's what it means to be evicted from paradise, to feel shame.

BrianCalgary

Kayroo wrote: »

Could someone please explain the Fall to me.

As I understand it the Fall is an extra-biblical myth popularised in it's general conception within the public consciousness by John Milton.

Edit to note: I am aware the term "The Fall" also applies to original sin (in and of itself a wonderfully misguided concept) but I am of course referring to how Christianity deals with the idea of Pride and the Fall of the angels from Heaven.

First off it is not an extra biblical myth popularised by Milton.

It is part of the creation account as told in Genesis. It is the point where Adam and Eve disobey God and break relationship with God.

JimiTime

Joe1919 wrote: »

Even thought I would not consider myself religious as such (my interest is in philosophy) and indeed I don't literately believe every word in the Bible, nevertheless I think the fall is a great story and shows that the writers of the Bible had a great knowledge of human nature and at least deserves respect for this.
My particular and personal interpretation of the fall, is that at a particular time, man became self-conscious of himself (he ate from the tree of knowledge) and with this self consciousness came an awareness of his own imperfections (guilt). He lost his innocence so to speak and with this loss of innocence came his shame, even of his own body and of the animal or bodily functions that he has............

Interesting take on it. I certainly think it is wholly plausible that the story of the fall is dashed with illustration. 2 Tree's, one to give you life, the other to give you knowledge of good and bad, definately sounds like an illustrative point rather than a literal happening. The whole thing about them suddenly seeing their nakedness and wanting to cover up etc is very curious. Anyone else got idea's on this part of the creation story?

Joe1919

Its also interesting that many people are unhappy with their natural look and find it necessary to conceal there naturaliness behind make-up, hair tints etc. Are we the only 'creature' with this self consciousness and guilt about our appearence?

metrovelvet

JimiTime wrote: »

Interesting take on it. I certainly think it is wholly plausible that the story of the fall is dashed with illustration. 2 Tree's, one to give you life, the other to give you knowledge of good and bad, definately sounds like an illustrative point rather than a literal happening. The whole thing about them suddenly seeing their nakedness and wanting to cover up etc is very curious. Anyone else got idea's on this part of the creation story?

The fruit gave them burdened knowledge, awareness, conciousness, and realised they were naked and they were ashamed. It is what adulthood is, it is what wisdom is, and possibly what hell is.

To quite Milton..."The mind is its own place, can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven."