MONOTHEISM: Causes and Consequences.

This is another exploration. I really don't know what's on my mind unless I write and find out; this is an attempt to understand why monotheism, the Abrahamic invention, took over much of the world. Earlier I have written about the purpose of the ten commandments. Clearly, establishing one god enabled all the Hebrews to become united. The pantheistic religions had followers of specific gods, they would propitiate them as best they could but this led to some sense of social isolation. Monotheism provided a way for individuals and tribes to become united. Still, while it served a political purpose, how is it that monotheism seems so much better?

As I have noted earlier, societies earlier than the Hebraic attempted written codes of behavior, the most noteworthy that of Hammurabi. The Egyptians had a few rules as did a some others but they all had exceptions. If your ruler is a god, rules of public conduct do not apply and their leading citizens were somehow exempted.

But, with one god for all, differences in social class disappeared. To the creator of the universe one god, omniscient and omnipotent, all people looked pretty much the same. All could be assured, no matter what their station in life, they each were the same in god's eye. In a socially stratified world with no hope of breaking free, life for most was drudgery. They could see their “betters” but could not emulate them. However, one god had no competitors and provided equality for all; all men and women were eligible for the goodness of the lord, all could aspire to heaven. No wonder Christianity exploded.

Judaism made it tough to join the club what with the demand for circumcision and dietary laws. Many non-Jews attended services because they admired Jewish perspectives but most would not take the necessary steps to be full-fledged members of the tribe. But, they valued the one god concept because it made all Jews equal. Paul made a significant change. Now Judaism, as exemplified by Christ let everyone join; everyone could be equal. Monotheism became the core of a profound transformation; it became possible foe all to be close to god.

This was such a satisfactory consequence that earthly distress was of less importance. Though Athens had a version of democracy, monotheism did not lead to a notion of political equality; it was sufficient to know that god loved us all and perhaps the poor the most.

Religionists, mostly I think in this country, tell us that the Judeo-Christian religions were part of the establishment of our constitution, offering the commandments as evidence. Without the right to vote in that list it is not clear how they make their point. Of course, it does not. The equality inherent in the commandments is not political and is clearly antithetical to our democratic ideals.

Rulers were either declared gods or were ordained by god; such surely quashed the notion that humans have equal rights in the eyes of men. There is nothing in religious doctrine which makes democracy a spiritual value. Democracy in religion is anathema. Religious leaders, no matter how chosen know the Truth and may not be challenged; received wisdom is not open for a vote. This is certainly in contradistinction to “all men are created equal,” embodied in the Declaration of Independence. Everyone knew that all men are equal in the eyes of the lord, but political equality, a child of the enlightenment is a new kid on the block. Religious leaders may not be questioned and the more fundamental the greater the restriction; religionists cannot tolerate that their received wisdom is dissed. Most Jews, for example, disregard the dietary laws. Catholic women use birth control but in the face of such realities religionists become more dogmatic.

It seems it is not a matter of live and let live but an ongoing struggle which, if we do not destroy ourselves first will be a triumph for humanism. With the reality that the religionists have lost much of Europe and that in this country those who check “no religion, are increasing in numbers at least we may be at the beginning of the beginning of human equality, at least in western civilization and, as we go so goes the rest of the world.

One god makes us all quite equal

Though to this there is a neat sequel

In politics it don't work

And you feel like a jerk

'Cause what they tell us is over-sweet treacle.