09 Feb 07
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Originally posted by WulebgrNeolithic? that long ago?
Take a look at The Sacred Canopy by Peter L. Burger and In the Spirit of the Earth by Calvin Luther Martin. Both show the relationship between the emergence of Monotheism and the quest for social and political power during the Neolithic Revolution.
Edit: I have not read much about this - does that imply that religion is a social development; and leads to the creation of organisations like churchs that are there to further the adherants own ends?
10 Feb 07
Originally posted by snowinscotlandMany gods leads to some gods' adherents being more successful than others. Eventually this leads to monotheism, as that god's adherents suppress religious competition.
At some point in the Middle/Far East long ago, the gods worshipped were many, and varied. Somehow between then and now it has become reasonably 'standard' to accept that there is only one God. What was the process that brought mankind along this path?
That's just a guess though.
10 Feb 07
Originally posted by AThousandYoungFor example the suppression of the Cathars? I always thought this was a product of some rather barbaric middle ages power struggle, but was it the wiping out of a rival to the church?
Many gods leads to some gods' adherents being more successful than others. Eventually this leads to monotheism, as that god's adherents suppress religious competition.
That's just a guess though.
10 Feb 07
Originally posted by snowinscotlandTake a look at India and Japan. Both have Thousands of Gods today...They seem to be doing alright. and tend to be less brainwashed then some Xtians I have met...
At some point in the Middle/Far East long ago, the gods worshipped were many, and varied. Somehow between then and now it has become reasonably 'standard' to accept that there is only one God. What was the process that brought mankind along this path?
11 Feb 07
Originally posted by mochironIf you look at the far east where is the advantage in having many gods?
Take a look at India and Japan. Both have Thousands of Gods today...They seem to be doing alright. and tend to be less brainwashed then some Xtians I have met...
You cannot deny that the science that took place (mostly in religious orders) that led to the edge in development took place in Europe. What was the evolutionary advantage?
11 Feb 07
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Originally posted by snowinscotlandFrom an evolutionary perspective, China is far ahead of anything in the West. Genes care only for replication, and the Chinese have been far more proficient in this. Furthermore any technical advantage the Europeans enjoy cannot be demonstrated without their active use of gunpowder (invented in China).
If you look at the far east where is the advantage in having many gods?
You cannot deny that the science that took place (mostly in religious orders) that led to the edge in development took place in Europe. What was the evolutionary advantage?
11 Feb 07
Originally posted by WulebgrBut there is some talk that they are going to be having a crisis in the near future related to the male/female ratio, that there are too many males. They estimate this will create all kinds of social problems with many men being left out of the "market" so to speak.
From an evolutionary perspective, China is far ahead of anything in the West. Genes care only for replication, and the Chinese have been far more proficient in this. Furthermore any technical advantage the Europeans enjoy cannot be demonstrated without their active use of gunpowder (invented in China).
11 Feb 07
Originally posted by kirksey957Such problems are already manifesting themselves, including a rise in gangs.
But there is some talk that they are going to be having a crisis in the near future related to the male/female ratio, that there are too many males. They estimate this will create all kinds of social problems with many men being left out of the "market" so to speak.
11 Feb 07
Originally posted by WulebgrChina looked to itself, because it found only 'barbarians' outside. Yet the barbarians leapt beyond them technologically; so there must have been an advantage, was this advantage faith? Did it give some focus that allowed the 'west' the mental ability to 'out-think' the east?
From an evolutionary perspective, China is far ahead of anything in the West. Genes care only for replication, and the Chinese have been far more proficient in this. Furthermore any technical advantage the Europeans enjoy cannot be demonstrated without their active use of gunpowder (invented in China).
12 Feb 07
I sincerly doubt that polytheism was important in the development of gunpowder. Also, the cultural problem of valuing male babies over females is certainly not limited to any one region or religion. The reason it is such an issue in China is the laws limiting the number of children, which would certainly be more of a consequence of communism than of polytheism.
12 Feb 07
Originally posted by UmbrageOfSnowAlso, the cultural problem of valuing male babies over females is certainly not limited to any one region or religion.
I sincerly doubt that polytheism was important in the development of gunpowder. Also, the cultural problem of valuing male babies over females is certainly not limited to any one region or religion. The reason it is such an issue in China is the laws limiting the number of children, which would certainly be more of a consequence of communism than of polytheism.
Indeed, remember in Christianity a woman is owned by her husband.
12 Feb 07
Originally posted by snowinscotlandThe Japanese and Chinese were, for hundreds of years, light years ahead of the Europeans in terms of technological development. They had gunpowder, and understood the importance of boiling water to kill diseases when the Christian church was still drilling holes in peoples heads to let the bad spirits out.
If you look at the far east where is the advantage in having many gods?
You cannot deny that the science that took place (mostly in religious orders) that led to the edge in development took place in Europe. What was the evolutionary advantage?
Polynesians (and the Chinese that they developed from) navigated the Pacific anywhere up to 40,000 years ago (aboriginals) and had found America (south America at least) hundreds of years before Europeans did.
Perhaps a lesson in humility is required by you.