Paradoxes of the Ancient Egypt's Belief system

[Hermes]

I am reading the book "Murder of King Tut" and I have questions about Egyptian belief system which I find utterly fascinating yet not quite coherent.
It has been said (perhaps erroneously) that Egyptians believed in reincarnation yet their burial rituals and customs indicate no such thing. I mean why mummify the decaying body, if you believe in the transmigration of souls?
Also, the Pharaoh was a deity, yet he was mortal. So there is a paradox too.
Maybe it is only me who is not very learned in the Antiquities...

 

[DavidMcCann]

I read a review by an Egyptologist — charlottesegypt.com — which said his history was rubbish.

There's no evidence that the ancient Egyptians believed in reincarnation that I know of.

As for the pharaoh being a god, this is something that the Egyptologists have long debated about. The actual Egyptians seem to struggle to express the idea, and he is said to "appear as a god" after the accession ritual.

 

[Hermes]

I know the book has lots of critiques but it is fascinating for me to read(listen) in my car...

I read a review by an Egyptologist — charlottesegypt.com — which said his history was rubbish.

There's no evidence that the ancient Egyptians believed in reincarnation that I know of.

As for the pharaoh being a god, this is something that the Egyptologists have long debated about. The actual Egyptians seem to struggle to express the idea, and he is said to "appear as a god" after the accession ritual.

 

[iBrian]

Ancient Egyptians - so far as I understand it - believed that they would be reborn into an afterlife that mirrors their earthly life. IIRC, it was a common belief across the ancient world.

In other words, a world exactly as they were used to, but perhaps without pain or death. That's why pharaohs were buried with goods required for that life. I'm not sure how reincarnation can be interpreted from that

 

[EdgyDolmen]

One of the most fascinating books I have read is titled: OSIRIS, The Egyptian Religion of Resurrection. Much Egyptian history with emphasis on the Religion of Osiris (± 3000BC).

Osiris, wife Isis and son Horus are said by many to be mythological figures yet others believe (based to pyramid hieroglyphics and other ancient writings) these figures to be the foundation for an extinct Egyptian religion.

It has been argued for many years that Christianity may have borrowed much of its narrative from this Egyptian source. The faithful will pooh pooh this idea. I understand. I don't mean to besmirch Christianity. I am just telling the story...