ligion. Many scientist are skeptical of the Gaia hypothesis. They believe that it is unscientific because it cannot be tested. Referring to the hypothesis as it relates to modern man being an ailment to the Earth can be viewed religiously. Man has turned his back on Earth as Earth is compared to God. It is the religious goal of man to be united with his deity, therefore, humans will strive to become one with the Earth. "The New Age has completely jumped on the metaphor. It seems like Gaia is their chance to unite science with the beliefs of the ancients." ( Studentweb, p.1). Almost every tribal culture has developed a concept of "Mother Earth." The first of the religious cultures to share their idea of Gaia were the Ancient Greeks. "The Ancient Greeks called their Earth goddess Ge or Gaia. Gaia embodies the idea of a ‘Mother Earth.'" ( Oceans, p.1). The Greeks viewed Gaia as a gentle, feminine type creature. Gaia was very nurturing and mother like. On the other hand, Gaia had a very cruel hand to anyone that crossed her. She was viewed as the creator, the preserver, and the destroyer. The Hopi religion also had a name for Mother Earth. The Hopi name is Tapaut, which means mother and child. To the Hopi's the term Tapaut "is symbolized in such a way that explains the Earth as a cycle of life and the rebirth of the spirit." (Oceans, p.1). The Hindu's believed in a goddess named Kali. This is their creation of "Mother Earth." Kali was worshiped for her "power of destruction" and "gift of creation" as related to universal powers. (Oceans, p.1). Kali is also known as the "Black One" and her name means "the Ferry Across the Ocean of Existence." (Oceans, p.1).The Gaia Hypothesis can be explained through scientific rationale. As a matter of fact, "ge" in the words geology and geography is taken from the Greek root for Earth. The hypothesis originated through man's endeavor to discover life on another planet. Scien...
