Primary element of Religion.

My first impression upon looking at the Cave of Lascaux was: how is religion related to this cave? Well, as I was clicking through the virtual tour I noticed that animals were the central theme in the pictures (duh) and I thought, why would people paint pictures of these bison, horses, cows, etc. ]

Well, in terms of religion I thought that the people worshipped these animals. I mean, if the pictures are very old, the people would have had to understand and use animals as much to their advantage.

But, what is religion? Why did these people choose animals? Well, I thought religion was a base of central belief. Well, I looked up religion in Google and it said, "a strong belief in a supernatural power of being." The artists of the drawings took great care of their work to illustrate animals, so isn't their religion something to do with animals?

Hmm, I started my reading of Paleolithic Art and Religion with a lot of questions. I expected answers. I got some, in a sense. There was one quote in particular, "Man is by his own constitution a religious animal." Before, looking at the cave pictures I would have thought, that is bogus. But, no, I thought about it some more and it made more sense. And the pictures helped me to reinforce it. Humans are animals. We are living and breathing creatures. So, these people could reflect themselves in the images, their art. But, with "the Shaft of the Dead Man." I thought. This is not reflecting the humans.

So, to me the basis of the people and their beliefs range, indefinitely. There was shamanism and Upper Paleolithic people who ranged in their beliefs but, the primary element of religion: something to believe in. Something to follow, something outside of yourself. There has to be something that you do not possess that you have to search for. The artists of the Caves of Lascaux had animals. Shamans or others similar have a spiritual being outside themselves. The Upper Paleolithic culture had many beliefs.

Purpose

I have decided to take a Intro to Religious Studies class here at the school I attend. Interestingly enough, part of the assignment is to post a blog. I'm working on trying to figure everything out and this will be my first blog. So...there. :)