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Single Idea 9272

[filed under theme 29. Religion / B. Monotheistic Religion / 4. Christianity / a. Christianity ]

Full Idea

For Christians, it is because they occur in history that the lives of humans have a meaning that the lives of other animals do not. ..If we truly leave Christianity behind, we must give up the idea that human history has a meaning.

Gist of Idea

Without Christianity we lose the idea that human history has a meaning

Source

John Gray (Straw Dogs [2002], 2.3)

Book Ref

Gray,John: 'Straw Dogs' [Granta 2002], p.47


A Reaction

Interesting. Compare the dispute between 'whig' and 'tory' historians, the former of whom believe that history is going somewhere.


The 7 ideas from 'Straw Dogs'

Human knowledge may not produce well-being; the examined life may not be worth living [Gray]
Knowledge does not need minds or nervous systems; it is found in all living things [Gray]
The will hardly ever does anything; most of our life just happens to us [Gray]
Without Christianity we lose the idea that human history has a meaning [Gray]
Nowadays we identify the free life with the good life [Gray]
What was our original sin, and how could Christ's suffering redeem it? [Gray]
Over forty percent of the Earth's living tissue is human [Gray]