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If BBSNews Guest Commentary 2007-04-01 -- By Bell. I am writing because your story on the Chocolate Jesus controversy broughtto mind a question that has been on my mental backburner for several years -even before 9-11 and the current quagmire in Iraq. (By 1967, even though Iwas near the bottom of the military chain of command, I figured out we weregoing to lose in Vietnam.
So, I know a cluster-f___ when I see one!)
My question is whether -primarily because the principal monotheisms (Christianity, Islam, andJudaism) can bring out the worst in true believers who, so to speak, haveput all their faith-eggs in one basket - has monotheism become so dangerousas to be on edge of going the way of the berserkers? If nothing else, guiltby association may send potential converts fleeing from perceived nuts.
The question is premised on the observation that each of the primaryreligions has at least one faction whose de facto motto seems to be: "My Godcan beat up your god." Or, more accurately: "My version of essentially thesame God can beat up your version of essentially the same God - and I'llpunch you in the nose to prove it." (From the perspective of Muslims, forexample, the invasion of Iraq might be seen as a punch in the nose.
)
The reasoning of these factions seems to be that, if my God can beat up yourgod, then my God will be crowned King of the World - not unlike the nowdiscouraged child's game known as king of the hill.
To further complicate matters, arguments of the face of God - broken down inone survey as the ABCDs of God (Authoritarian, Benevolent, Critical[Carping], and Distant) - have divided the principal monotheisms forcenturies. One of the most recent religious food fights over the face ofGod is threatening to split the Episcopal Church.
Baptists have beennotorious splinterers for generations.
Hence, the question remains - in a world where war toys have morphed intoweapons of mass destruction - has monotheism become too dangerous to be seenas a salvation from anything?
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