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More from the Bible:

From Genesis Story:

Eating of the tree of knowledge = birth of the human race from animal instinct to advanced thought - but animals are closer linked to spiritual existence, so we give up that and become more individuals (duality).

Punishment for Adam and Eve for eating the apple:

Pain in childbirth = birth of the human race would come at a cost (even more than loss of spirituality) war, greed, etc are hardships (pains) experienced as a result of the birth of human kind into an advanced species.

Snake = the quest for realization. The inner voice / drive that allowed humans to advance. "but if we gain knowledge we die... this loss of direct spiritual connection to God)" and the snake said, you will not die you will gain knowledge of God and the Universe.  As a result, humans gained the capacity to ask the question "who am I and why am I here" and over time, in a fully conscious way, can then realize God (as an individual) remember only through duality can we realize this. They did die in a sense... spiritually... but we can regain this connection so the "snake" was right, we did not die after all.  This could also be a metaphor for the fear that holds many cultures back... fear of change, fear of progress, and what will happen. Will the old ways die or will they surpass their old ways and learn things previously not known to them?