I haven't read the book, God Against the Gods, by Jonathan Kirsch, but it sounds like it could have much to say about the horrors that can be unleashed by monotheism. From his website:
"Kirsch's controversial and illuminating new book demonstrates that, contrary to the conventional wisdom of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, religious liberty and diversity were core values of classical paganism -- and it was monotheism that introduced the terrors of true belief, including holy war, martyrdom, inquisitions, and crusades.
...
The last stand of paganism against monotheism is one of the great "what-if's" in history: how would the modern world look today if the worship of many gods had been tolerated instead of persecuted? Breaking a long-lived taboo, God Against the Gods reveals the dark side of monotheism and the bright side of polytheism, and shows how the world we live in today -- including the horrors of 9/11 and the war against terrorism -- are rooted in the oldest traditions of monotheism. And it tells the tale by focusing on the real lives of men and women, and by illuminating the ancient roots of today's most bloody conflicts as well as the cherished idea of religious liberty."
A belief in an all-powerful, single God does not necessarily lead to intolerance and the need to compel others to the same belief, but the potential is always there.
"Kirsch's controversial and illuminating new book demonstrates that, contrary to the conventional wisdom of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, religious liberty and diversity were core values of classical paganism -- and it was monotheism that introduced the terrors of true belief, including holy war, martyrdom, inquisitions, and crusades.
...
The last stand of paganism against monotheism is one of the great "what-if's" in history: how would the modern world look today if the worship of many gods had been tolerated instead of persecuted? Breaking a long-lived taboo, God Against the Gods reveals the dark side of monotheism and the bright side of polytheism, and shows how the world we live in today -- including the horrors of 9/11 and the war against terrorism -- are rooted in the oldest traditions of monotheism. And it tells the tale by focusing on the real lives of men and women, and by illuminating the ancient roots of today's most bloody conflicts as well as the cherished idea of religious liberty."
A belief in an all-powerful, single God does not necessarily lead to intolerance and the need to compel others to the same belief, but the potential is always there.
posted by Rory at 10:58 AM
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