Question

In what ways are the Greek gods "human"? Why is this an important issue in the history of religion?

Answer 1

The Greek gods are "human" because they can have sexual relations and produce children. If they were not able to reproduce, then all of the stories of demigods would not have been created. The Greek gods also had "human" emotions which caused them to make mistakes. The issues of whether or not the Greeks gods can be considered "gods" is an important issues in the history of religion because Greek Mythology was practiced as a religion, though it had no historical text, just traditional tales. Also, the Greek gods had their own desires and vendettas, not just an interest to guide humankind. It is a controversy whether or not it is considered a religion, for there are some "Hellenic polytheists" who worship the Greek gods. The fact that the gods show some human characteristics serves as an argument as to why Greek Mythology is not a religion. 

This issue also brings up the idea that the gods were human creations (which most people already believe) and more so, that all gods of different religions could be thought to be purely made up by people, based on the idea human. This argument is used to debunk religion as nothing but a construction made for humans to explain phenomenons and existence. However, I won't go into my opinion. Basically, the idea that the gods were based on people in one of the first religions know (Greek) suggests that other religions should be questioned, which is why the human characteristics of Greek gods have become an important issue in the history of religion.