Some readers believe that the "G" in "Greeks" is a mistaken typeset, and should have been a "C", making the passage refer to the "Creeks," an Amerindian tribe known to have practiced annual ritual baths. Current research into Urantia Book source materials (June 2000) indicates that this was "Creeks" in the source work. See note below.

Original Paragraph:

^{P946:8, 85:4.1} Mankind has worshiped earth, air, water, and fire. The primitive races venerated springs and worshiped rivers. Even now in Mongolia there flourishes an influential river cult. Baptism became a religious ceremonial in Babylon, and the Greeks practiced the annual ritual bath. It was easy for the ancients to imagine that the spirits dwelt in the bubbling springs, gushing fountains, flowing rivers, and raging torrents. Moving waters vividly impressed these simple minds with beliefs of spirit animation and supernatural power. Sometimes a drowning man would be refused succor for fear of offending some river god.

Here is what is believed to be the source material for this paragraph in The Urantia Book. It is from "Origin and Evolution of Religion" by E. Washburn Hopkins, the beginning of his Chapter 4:

Long before the four or five elements were recognized as such they were worshipped as natural powers. Water is worshipped in springs and streams by the savages of Africa and a river-cult is known to the Mongolians. Water washes away evil, disease, and old age; whence arose the idea that there was somewhere a fountain of youth or of immortality, the antithesis of which later was known as the (Hindu) "river of death." Magically, water is like fire in that evil spirits will not cross it. Water cleanses mentally. The Mimir spring (of wisdom) in Germany; Ea, god of water and wisdom in Babylon; Varuna, the "wise" god of water in India, are illustrations. Water cleanses morally. Baptism was practiced in Babylon. Religious use of water is prominent in the cult of the Amerinds. The Creeks bathed annually, after purging and fasting, to "wash out the sins of the year." The California sweat-bath removed ill and evil (in India this is merely a physical remedy). Strength returns after the bath; power is renewed by means of the water, whose divine power is absorbed through immersion. Hence, sprinkling with water kept off evil, thought of as demon, even in the rites of Polynesians, Hindus, etc., of which general belief our Christian baptism is a final expression, derived from Judaism. Compare the baptism of the proselyte and "bathing in Jordan." As a divine sentient power water, like fire, will not harm the innocent.