Single Idea 7472

[catalogued under 29. Religion / B. Monotheistic Religion / 3. Zoroastrianism]

Full Idea

Zarathustra's achievement was for the first time to present a god who is an abstract concept - he broke with the tradition of a pantheon of gods.

Gist of Idea

Zarathustra was the first to present a god who is an abstract concept

Source

Zoroaster (The Gathas (seventeen hymns) [c.900 BCE]), quoted by Peter Watson - Ideas Ch.05

Book Reference

Watson,Peter: 'Ideas: from fire to Freud' [Phoenix 2006], p.153


A Reaction

The more abstract the gods become, the harder it is to challenge their existence.