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Post by franko on Jun 29, 2007 21:08:49 GMT -5
HA: you asked; I found. You wondered if there was a book that explained the rise of world religions. Perhaps this is what you are looking for: The great transformation : the beginning of our religious traditions Have to admit I haven't read it yet but will within the next couple of weeks. But I'm not going to do a book review, so head to the library and stretch that agnostic antagonistic mind of yours. |
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Post by Cranky on Jun 29, 2007 23:07:38 GMT -5
I'm going to see if the local library has it. If it lands being a sappy "unitl they found the one true God" then it's as usefull as the horns on my head.
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Post by franko on Jun 30, 2007 8:30:26 GMT -5
I don't think it will be -- nor will it be a "they all lived happily ever after" book either.
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Post by franko on Jul 11, 2007 23:07:37 GMT -5
I'm going to see if the local library has it. If it lands being a sappy "unitl they found the one true God" then it's as usefull as the horns on my head. Historical analysis of religious development -- or should I say development of religions -- in the Axial Era. |
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Post by franko on Jul 24, 2007 12:52:40 GMT -5
In every single one of the religions of the Axial Age [Judaism, Confucianism, Hinduism, and Greek philosophy, and Christianity which came out of Judaism, and Islam, which is post-Axial but is built on Axial thought], individuals have failed to measure up to their high ideals. In all these faiths, people have fallen prey to exclusivity, cruelty, superstition, and even atrocity. But at their core, the Axial faiths share an ideal of sympathy, respect, and universal concern.
Regardless of their theological “beliefs” – which . . . did not much concern the sages – they all concluded that if people made a disciplined effort to reeducate themselves, they would experience the enhancement of their humanity. In one way or another, their programs were designed to eradicate the egotism that is largely responsible for our violence, and promoted the empathic spirituality of the Golden Rule. pp 390, 391
[obviously I find this through the Christian faith]
Recommended reading [warning: not light reading] for those interested in the development of religious ideals. Principles based, does not discuss doctrinal development.
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