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Single Idea 7336
[filed under theme 29. Religion / B. Monotheistic Religion / 2. Judaism
]
Full Idea
The discovery of monotheism, and not just of monotheism but of a sole, omnipotent God actuated by ethical principles and seeking methodically to impose them on human beings, is one of the greatest turning-points in history, perhaps the greatest of all.
Gist of Idea
A key moment is the idea of a single moral God, who imposes his morality on humanity
Source
Paul Johnson (The History of the Jews [1987], Pt I)
Book Ref
Johnson,Paul: 'A History of the Jews' [Phoenix 1993], p.30
A Reaction
'Discovery' begs some questions, but when put like this you realise what a remarkable event it was. It is a good candidate for the most influential idea ever, even if large chunks of humanity, especially in the orient, never took to monotheism.
The
16 ideas
from Paul Johnson
7340
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Mosaic law was the first to embody the rule of law, and equality before the law
[Johnson,P]
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7338
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Man's life is sacred, because it is made in God's image
[Johnson,P]
|
7336
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A key moment is the idea of a single moral God, who imposes his morality on humanity
[Johnson,P]
|
7341
|
Sampson illustrates the idea that religious heroes often begin as outlaws and semi-criminals
[Johnson,P]
|
7342
|
Isaiah moved Israelite religion away from the local, onto a more universal plane
[Johnson,P]
|
7337
|
In Mosaic legal theory, crimes are sins and sins are crimes
[Johnson,P]
|
7339
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Because human life is what is sacred, Mosaic law has no death penalty for property violations
[Johnson,P]
|
7353
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The Pharisees undermined slavery, by giving slaves responsibility and status in law courts
[Johnson,P]
|
7349
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Immortality based on judgement of merit was developed by the Egyptians (not the Jews)
[Johnson,P]
|
7354
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The main doctrine of the Pharisees was belief in resurrection and the afterlife
[Johnson,P]
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7344
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Judaism involves circumcision, Sabbath, Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles, New Year, and Atonement
[Johnson,P]
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7345
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In exile the Jews became a nomocracy
[Johnson,P]
|
7347
|
Zoroastrians believed in one eternal beneficent being, Creator through the holy spirit
[Johnson,P]
|
7348
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The Jews sharply distinguish human and divine, but the Greeks pull them closer together
[Johnson,P]
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7355
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The Torah pre-existed creation, and was its blueprint
[Johnson,P]
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7356
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Pious Jews saw heaven as a vast library
[Johnson,P]
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