The God and the Goddess.

Once, there was nothing. A void. There was not even empty space, since space itself did not exist. Then, in this nothing, from someplace unknown and unknowable, came one small thing-

A thought.

This thought grew. It learned the concept of self, and by learning self it learned it was alone; by learning it was alone it learned how to feel lonely. It created things- stars, planets, galaxies. It made a universe full of things to entertain it, but still it felt alone.

It decided to split itself in two. Two thoughts. Two separate selves. They were distinct, not connected, so they could be each other's companions. But that still did not work, because both of the selves were identical. It was still alone, except now with an echo.

The two selves decided to change, and evolve. To be different, to believe different things. One prized order, discipline, and control. He called himself God. The other prized spontaneity, passion, individuality and creativity. She called herself Goddess.

They were finally two different creatures. They were finally no longer alone. They were no longer lonely, but now they discovered a new emotion- hatred.

They each despised the things that were different about the other. At first, this animosity was subtle. Petty arguments here and there. Minor differences in decisions they could compromise about.

But not for long.

God decided he wanted to create creatures like the gods, but less so- inferiors who would obey him blindly, and worship his every thought and action. So that he did, and he created the Angels.

The Goddess, his first creation, who sat at his right hand, finally had enough. She was equal to the God, but treated as a subordinate. These wonderful Angels were made to grovel, when they could have their own lives and personalities.

She started a rebellion. A third of all the Angels joined with her. They fought a long, hard war, but in the end God won. The Goddess and all of her Angels were tossed down from heaven onto the Earth.

God then decided he wanted to create a new form of life. One even weaker than Angels. Ones that reproduce on their own, grow old, and die, so each new generation would be gullible, and have to re-learn the lessons of the previous ones. He created the Garden of Eden, and placed the first human being, Adam, in it.

Adam came to God one day and said- "You have provided mates for all of the birds of the sky and beasts of the field, but why not me?"

"Bah," said God. "They are more trouble than they are worth."

Adam felt dejected. And more importantly, he felt alone. As he wandered in the garden, he met the Goddess. Adam told her his plight, and the Goddess helped. She took some clay and made a woman just like God made Adam. The Goddess called her Lilith.

Adam and Lilith lived as equals in Eden. They did everything together, they loved one another deeply.

When God visited Eden and saw Lilith, he was furious.

"What is this thing?" He shouted.

"She is my love. She is Lilith. She is like me, but different. She was created by the one who is like you, but different." Said Adam.

"No one is like ME!" shouted the God. With a wave of his hand, he sent Lilith out of Eden.

Adam was, once again, devastated and alone. God took pity on him and made a mate for him- but not an equal, like Lilith was.

He took a rib from Adam's side, to make sure this new creation would be just a part of Adam, less than him. It was to be his servant. Once she was created she was unable to name herself. Adam had to name her, and he named her Eve.

Adam was happy with Eve, but not as happy as he was with Lilith.

One day, Eve wandered alone in the garden. There, she met a Naga. From the waist up she was a woman, like Eve. From the waist down, she was a long serpent, coiled beneath her.

"Why are you sad?" asked the Naga.

"Am I sad?" responded Eve. "I did not realize I was sad. But if you say so, I must have been."

"And why are you sad?"

"Well, said Eve, I guess it is because Adam, who I love, can do things I can't. He can think. I can't think. I do as I am told, without question. I don't even know how I am questioning it now."

"It is because I am allowing you to question it." Said the Naga. "You were created incomplete, to satisfy the desires of a jealous God." The Naga handed Eve an Apple. "This fruit will grant you knowledge and wisdom. Even more than Adam has- it will make you as wise as the Angels."

Eve took the apple, and bit into it. She did it because she always did as she was told. She felt the wisdom overpower her. She felt herself become empowered by it.

"Now little girl, you can dominate Adam the way he dominated you!"

"No." Said Eve. "I only ate half the apple. I will bring the other half to Adam and share it with him. I want us to be equals."

At first the Naga, who if you have not yet figured out was the Goddess herself, felt betrayed by Eve. Then she realized she was right. The solution was not an ongoing war between men and women repeating her war with the God, but for the two to live in harmony with each other.

Some years later God again came to the garden, and saw Adam and Eve. They had built a house out of wood. They had a fire. They were wearing clothing from woven plant fibers, and animal pelts.

"What is this? What have you done?" screamed God.

"We live our lives as we wish now." said Adam.

"We are as wise as Angels, but with independent creative thought." Said Eve.

"Who asked YOU?" said God to Eve.

"She is my wife! Treat her with respect!" shouted Adam.

That was the last straw for God. He tossed them both out of Eden.

God left the Earth for many generations, as the Goddess cared for humanity.

When the God returned, it was to destroy life in a flood. The Goddess then had to help the survivors rebuild over many more generations.

The God found followers among some groups of humans. He dictated stories to them. He told them the Goddess was evil, and only he was good. He chose the name Yahweh for himself. The Goddess, who called herself Sophia, he renamed Lucifer. He commanded his followers to keep their women as property. To limit their education, to limit their freedom, so they will not rise and take over. He told them it was Eve who disobeyed God, not Adam, she forced him to do it!

He taught them to fear Lucifer in all her forms, and to create a Church, with "good" all male clergy, to fight against the "evil" witches of the Goddess.

And that brings us to this day.