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 Reference
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.