Hello Anthony,
You write, 'The Pyramid Texts do not reflect ancient Egyptian religion, as we popularly understand religion in the 21st century. As I've stated elsewhere, they were, by their very nature, the equivalent of what we would now consider "science".'
Now, I can grasp that the religions of the AEs of the early Dyns. was very different to, say, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islamism, but the idea that the PTs are more 'scientific' than religious defeats me - but, then, I haven't the faintest idea what the PTs are waffling on about, anyway.
Lehner writes, 'By etching in stone the
sacred utterances and
spells deep within the pyramid, Unas would enjoy their effect continually without having to depend for ever on the services of an unreliable priesthood." (
The Complete Pyramids).
Then there's this little example of what some say the PTs are about or concern: "The purpose of the magical & mythical formulae, prayers, hymns and petitions was to guarantee the king's resurrection and new birth, involving transfiguration and deification, the king being immortal like the other deities. Mercer (1952).
Hmmm, to me all this sounds more like religion and magic than any kind of science.
After-life, deities and Gods popping up all over the shop - reminds me a lot of some of our 'modern' (sort of 0 B.C. to the present) religions I've read about.
Which prompts me to ask: Is this 'The Pyramid Texts do not reflect ancient Egyptian religion, as we popularly understand religion in the 21st century..' idea your own or is it a school of thought about the PTs?'
I'm most interested in learning what others here make of your statement.
MJ