Speaking of imagination, I sometimes wonder whether monotheism, the idea that there is only one God, has been employed as a way to control people. Dara Molloy in his book 'The Globalisation of God' says, "With the emergence of monotheism came the discovery of a new political tool by which people could be managed. That tool is what we now call dogma. Dogma is the exaltation of an opinion or hypothesis into a belief to which others must subscribe." (Molloy, Dara, 'The Globalisation of God', Co. Galway, Aisling Publications, 2009; p.46). The primary dogma being that there is only one God.
How has this one belief effected the world? How has this one belief been used by religious and political leaders in people control? More reflections on monotheism to come...
1 comment:
I was listening to radio national ABC on Wednesday evening, I think it was one of their spiritual programmes. I think you would like what was being said. For example, we need peace between religious people not religions (not sure how this fits with your questions) but this struck me as so important. The other part of the discussion which struck me is that in Judaism they pray to the God of Abraham, the God of Jacob, the God of etc.as a prelude to the prayer. The commentator was saying this is because God's relationship with every individual is unique! Somehow this has been lost - perhaps because of dogma and hegemonic politics.
Great Blog!!
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