This Paper aims to study the ideas of extremism and atheism during the First Intermediate Period in Ancient Egypt. Extremism is defined as adopting radical and strict positions and interpretations, with a refusal to accept alternative viewpoints. Atheism, in its terminological sense, is an intellectual stance that denies the existence of deities and relies on scientific and logical evidence to explain the universe and life, rejecting traditional religious beliefs. In linguistic terms, atheism is a general term indicating a deviation from uprightness and religion, applied to anything that is crooked or not straight. The paper also sheds light on the reasons behind the spread of extremism and atheism, examining the proliferation of religious currents advocating these ideas. These include both extremist religious currents and atheist religious currents. The study involves analyzing several Egyptian documents such as the "Papyrus of Ipuwer," the "Papyrus of the Man Who Is Desperate for Life," the "Harpist Texts," and the "Prophecies of Neferti." These documents serve as clear evidence of the presence of these ideological currents in ancient Egyptian society, containing phrases that reflect extreme atheistic ideas, such as suicide, longing for death, withdrawal of deities from humanity, and skepticism about what will happen to humans in the afterlife.
Mohamed, H. (2024). Extremism and Atheism in Ancient Egypt during the First Intermediate Period. Journal of Qena Faculty of Arts, 33(65), 13-52. doi: 10.21608/qarts.2024.300897.1999
MLA
Hossam Mohamed. "Extremism and Atheism in Ancient Egypt during the First Intermediate Period", Journal of Qena Faculty of Arts, 33, 65, 2024, 13-52. doi: 10.21608/qarts.2024.300897.1999
HARVARD
Mohamed, H. (2024). 'Extremism and Atheism in Ancient Egypt during the First Intermediate Period', Journal of Qena Faculty of Arts, 33(65), pp. 13-52. doi: 10.21608/qarts.2024.300897.1999
VANCOUVER
Mohamed, H. Extremism and Atheism in Ancient Egypt during the First Intermediate Period. Journal of Qena Faculty of Arts, 2024; 33(65): 13-52. doi: 10.21608/qarts.2024.300897.1999