Thomas Hobbes
Leviathan
Half of the people in the world are monotheist of the Abrahamic tradition. What explains the rise and dominance of this religion over vast portions of the globe?Believers would argue that its victory is because of the underlying truth of the narrative. Skeptics might assert that its power is because of the zeal with which its adherents persecuted and stamped out completing and threatening religions.
However, number of adherents cannot necessarily equal truth, because these numbers vary over time. And intolerance cannot be the deciding factor, because these particular religions are not unique in their persecution of other beliefs. Furthermore, Christianity was in no position to persecute for the first formative centuries of its existence.
What do you suppose it is about monotheism that enough of our ancestors found compelling?
(This posting was contributed by Dane, and incorporates a few minor changes from me)
Off the cuff and without any real thought, I'd start with simplicity. While it's entertaining to think of the on goings of Zeus and Athena and the drama created through their involvement or manipulation of humanity ("Oh the" and otherwise), it's very muddled. Easy to relate to I admit, but muddled.
ReplyDeleteChristianity for example has endured through multiple morphisms, clinging to a few principles that everything else kind of tries to tie into and wrap around.
1. God and people are separate.
2. God is Good all powerful
3. We can be reconciled through Jesus
Other than that, there are so many Christian variations alone that have disintegrated or turned into something else completely.
So yeah, simplicity. Instead of explaining every detail like Greek or Egyptian Theology does, the message is compacted for easy portability and integration into any society.
One leader, and one focal point. Simple.