My paper was on Mount Sinai. For this topic, Mount Sinai is a great example of axis mundi and the idea of forbidden space. With the Jewish people's tradition heavily rooted around what occurred on and around this mountain, it must have been an incredible spiritual experience. Interestingly, in Judeo-Christian culture the mountain itself is not as important as what occurred. There is a separation in most people's minds disconnecting the physical environment with the spiritual experience. Ironically, this thinking is probably based on a law given at that very mountain "thou shall not make graven images" (Exodus 20:4) In order to steer clear of this command, it is easy to see how someone might avoid attributing meaning to the environment through which God speaks. But I cannot avoid thinking about why a mountain would have been chosen to give laws.
If I was going to give laws to anybody I would choose something powerful to show my sovereignty and give them a sense of why I have the "right" to give them these laws in the first place. Even if the laws are only there to keep people from harming themselves and others (as I believe the Ten Commandments are) I think I would still do this. Especially if you look at where the Israelites came from: a culture that worshipped many gods, this God almost needed to "prove Himself", or show Himself powerful. What better way to do so then a mountain? I can't think of a natural wonder more powerful and awe inspiring than standing at the bottom of a mountain and looking up. It makes me feel like I am two feet tall and God is so much bigger than me. All of that, without the thunder and the lightning.
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