In the Beginning

In the Beginning - The Early Days of Religious Beliefs

Early protohumans like Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon buried their dead and cared for the old, their sick and injured. In order to understand the unexplainable or to establish answers to questions such as, "Where does the sun come from and where does it go? What brings rain?" they turned to mysticism or imagined invisible beings. It is safe to assume that they experienced some form of primitive spiritual awareness. It is also not hard to believe that someone had to become the first priest, shaman, spirit guide, or witch doctor to realize the benefit of organizing and exploiting their primitive beliefs. This is the story of such a person.

As the original priest, OG, an elderly Neanderthal, decided to use his tribes beliefs and superstitions as a vehicle to gain honor and power. He convinces his people that he has the answers to their questions and can intercede with the spirits in the tribe's behalf. The undefined beings envisioned by the villagers come to life through Og's imaginative but persuasive teachings. Only through him will the spirits calm the winds, allow the sun to shine and favor good hunts. He finds that his new mission is quite beneficial and begins sowing the seeds of an idea that would eventually evolve into the most powerful persuasive force ever known. Due to his age, he passes on his experience, acquired knowledge and power as the first priest to his children and grand-children and tasks them to continue his legacy.