Who is the bird god in Heretic? Religious background and parallels to Jesus explained

Heretic suggests that many religious figures, including Jesus Christ, share a common origin story. Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods explore, through Hereticare Mr. Reed’s motives and theories, the idea that these numbers are iterations of an ancient archetype, often associated with celestial bodies and cycles. The thought-provoking results made Hereticthe box office exceeds its budget in just one week.

One of these figures is the Egyptian god Horus, often depicted with a falcon’s head. The story of his birth, involving a divine conception and a connection to the Winter Solstice, bears striking similarities to other mythological figures. Mr. Reed, to whom Hugh Grant gave a “great backstory” to Hereticis fascinated by theological comparisons. By examining these parallels, Heretic invites audiences to question the origins of religious beliefs and the power of ancient myths.

The heretic’s bird god is Horus, from ancient Egyptian religion

The worship of Horus was an example of “falcon worship”

Before Mormon missionaries embark on their test of faith in Heretic’scene of the doors of belief, Barnes points out that despite the many similarities between gods throughout human history, there are many stark differences.. She uses the “bird head” example as a facetious comment. In the ancient Egyptian polytheistic religion, the bird’s head belongs to Horus – god of royalty, healing, protection, the sun and the sky. The worship of Horus was an example of “cult of the falcon” which was widespread in ancient Egypt (for British). Horus’ parents are Isis, the goddess of healing, and Osiris, the god of the afterlife.

Egyptian gods were often represented in a variety of forms, including animals and human-animal hybrids. The sun god, with his many names and aspects, including Horus and Osiris, were among the most important deities. During the first millennium BC, as solar worship waned, Osiris and his consort Isis rose to prominence. Horus, as sun god, is part of Mr. Reed’s argument because he is one of several sun deities born on the Winter Solstice.symbolizing darkness giving rise to light.

How Horus is similar to Jesus Christ

There are several parallels in their mythologies

After Osiris was murdered by her brother Seth, Isis conceived Horus through magic while hiding in the Nile Delta. Although not a virgin birth like Jesus, the magical conception can be compared to the immaculate conception of Christ. The mythology of the Winter Solstice is also significant (which encompasses a few days, rather than the singular day Mr. Reed claims, December 25). Horus joins Apollo from Greek mythology, the Persian god Mithra and Sol Invictus, the “invincible sun” from Rome. These are all deities of the sun and light (for HuffPost).

Where polytheistic religions differ from Christianity is that, despite Jesus Christ’s parallels with his solar predecessors, the Bible does not preach the worship of the sun or other celestial objects:

“And beware lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and moon and stars, all the host of heaven, you are drawn away and fall down before them and serve them, things which the Lord your God has assigned it to all people under the whole heaven.”

– Deuteronomy 4:19

This is similar to the scriptures prohibiting idolatry, most prominently in the first of the Ten Commandments: “You will have no other gods before me.” Christianity’s monotheism is part of what has made it so successful as a religion in terms of power and influence. Although it has absorbed elements of paganism and other polytheistic religions into its symbolism, the idea of Hereticfrom “a true religion”, as Reed says, has a series of socio-political and economic advantages.

How Horus Connects to Mr. Reed’s Belief in the Heretic

Horus’ bird head is related to iterations with distinctions

Barnes pointing the “bird head” of Horus, although in a joking tone, demands the public’s attention. Draws attention to differences in “iterations” Mr. Reed is referring to. If Mr. Reed’s theory holds up, it is because these differences are superficial compared to the larger parallels that cannot be ignored. It’s the underlying familiarity, which can be compared to the chord progression of a song, that is a motif throughout. Heretic. This points to the “ancient truth”Mr. Reed has sought all his life.

Richard Carrier, an ancient historian, addresses this in one of his books on the mythology of Christ, Jesus from outer space:

“They were syncretists – that is, they modified this common package of ideas with distinctive concepts from the adopting culture. Thus, each cult of the savior was different from all the others…”

Differences allow each religion to assert itself as the only true faith. Christianity does this by strongly asserting the historicity of Jesus Christ, including artifacts such as the Shroud of Turin, and by claiming that believers of other, earlier religions are guilty of “heresy”hence the title of the film. Barnes’ comment only reinforces the iteration theory. However, Paxton, recognizing the futility of praying in Heretic’finishing and embracing faith anyway, seems to transcend the cynicism of Mr. Reed’s life’s work, making her the last girl in Heretic and giving beauty at the end.

Source: British, HuffPost, Jesus from outer space by Richard Carrier (PhD)