The Birth of Monotheism

A god is someone who bestows favor upon me and my family and my people, while preventing my competitors(enemies) from thriving. These days, more enlightened minds suggest that the best god would consider our entire earth as his people, although still favoring our development and prosperity as a global entity.

So during its extraordinary length of variant occupations, we find practitioners and their traditions associated with Migdol Temple modifying their polytheistic beliefs into an eventual henotheistic form, which encouraged a certain veneration of one god over all others, while allowing those within the independent communities to continue and profess multiple deities.While it’s been pointed out this seemingly novel emphasis on one god cannot be found reserved solely for the Yisraelites’, occurring at once throughout several nation states within the ancient Middle East as appears to be the case, our most acclaimed example of henotheism - or state monotheism, does seem to be that of Yahweh in ancient Yisrael.It seems worth noting the founding of biblical monotheism, as recorded with us in the original testaments, occurred at the same time and region as what may be termed the indigenous history of the temple at Migdol, which may prove revealing.However, I see what you mean suggesting Yahweh isn't relevant to the birth of monotheism (although such an entity is, just not necessarily so), as the information Pella Temple records is useful in presenting this same dynamic unfolding separately in northern Jordan, showing exactly how the old Yisraelite experience is not a unique one in every regard.From the evidence, we begin to gain a sense the region developed its own distinct form of monotheism, fostering a passageway to national consciousness which seems to occur in many different centers within the same timeframe, in an effectively similar way. Does it seem reasonable to speculate whether the epidemic form simultaneously arose in several areas of the Levant in order to better accommodate a more cohesive unification among various nation states?One LoveEdited by Bailey, : sp.

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I'm not here to mock or condemn what you believe, tho my intentions are no less than to tickle your thinker.
If those in first century CE had known what these words mean ... 'I want and desire mercy, not sacrifice'
They surely would not have murdered the innocent; why trust what I say, when you can learn for yourself?
Think for yourself.Mercy Trumps Judgement,
Love Weary

I would think that the rise of monotheism was almost the exact opposite of that, that the large Super Power Nation States, those covering large territories and absorbing multiple cultures found polytheism aided in unification while the rise of the Small Local Nations in their drive to create a separate identity found henotheism advantageous.

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

That's not the opposite of what I said at all, it's simply what I said.Under the various independent identities, the rise of various examples of henotheism within such a short period of time seems to have paved the way for a more opportune environment to foster interaction and organization. There's a sense the smaller indigenous communities forming nation states found state monotheism auspicious, rather than the Romans, for example, who can then be seen assimilating much of the greco polytheistic culture in a separate fashion.One Love

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I'm not here to mock or condemn what you believe, tho my intentions are no less than to tickle your thinker.
If those in first century CE had known what these words mean ... 'I want and desire mercy, not sacrifice'
They surely would not have murdered the innocent; why trust what I say, when you can learn for yourself?
Think for yourself.Mercy Trumps Judgement,
Love Weary

Perhaps I misunderstood your use of Nation States. I would classify most during this period as City States, where one principle city is the state with perhaps certain nearby villages showing allegiance. Israel and Judah would be good examples of City States as opposed to actual Nation States.

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

A reasonable mistake, being that references to old Yisrael or Yuhdea as smaller nation-states is rather commonplace.Within this thread, a correlation is being identified between the systematic rise of numerous henotheistic traditions emanating within a relatively short distance, as well as timeframe, from one another, and an environment sustaining interaction among smaller nation-states.We’ve considered small indigenous communities forming nation-states found state monotheism auspicious, rather than other political authorities, who can be evidenced assimilating polytheistic cultures in seemingly divergent fashions.If one understands the primary god within henotheistic traditions present in the Levant during the extended application of the temple at Migdol are composites of attributes, characteristics and taboos relegated to various Assyrian, Egyptian, Canaanite, Hittite, Mesopotamian, Phoenician and Syrian gods and goddesses a plenty, it seems fair to inquire:What then becomes the primary function of the one god?Earlier you suggested a consolidation of power spread across a framework of many gods facilitated a wide ranging social fusion, and so, it should reasonably follow this proliferate sort of power consolidation may, by incorporating organized opposition, have effectively served as a means of nullifying defiant oppositional power.With this understanding, perhaps such a consolidation of power may also then serve as a mechanism capable of modifying high priest’s positions, as well as others assigned distinct leadership roles, within variant socio-political structures. So, might henotheism allow for similiar mechanics? The transition to monotheism was not always a necessarily passive one.Monotheism, even when imposed at the point of a spear as was often the case, also seems to simplify the agenda for those in power - whether priest or king, while contrarily removing choices for those ruled and if the Nevi'im serve as any indication, a rational person may not always be inclined to quickly accept a voluntary trade-off of that nature, if at all.Some can be found perhaps opting to be chased around the countryside or murdered.Nonetheless, as kings and priests aligned their interests, bolstering the collective power resulting from such a political construct, we can view evidence which suggests sociocultural norms often became refined, though doctrinally pliable, versions of one god, to the exclusion of polytheism and atheism, which become employed as social aberrations.Now, I’m no scholar, granted, yet I feel it's fair to identify neither Hebrew, Yisraelite, nor even Yuhdean politities within biblical texts are attempting to preserve all characteristics of any and every given god or goddess, omitting what is not found helpful in building their case of what God is, and so, does the question not finally beg:*What - if any, considerations may motivate a king to assume preference with state monotheism?One Love

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* As opposed to an atheistic or polytheistic tradition.

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I'm not here to mock or condemn what you believe, tho my intentions are no less than to tickle your thinker.
If those in first century CE had known what these words mean ... 'I want and desire mercy, not sacrifice'
They surely would not have murdered the innocent; why trust what I say, when you can learn for yourself?
Think for yourself.Mercy Trumps Judgement,
Love Weary

quote:

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What - if any, considerations may motivate a king to assume preference with state monotheism?

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Whether a city state was henotheistic or polytheistic varied considerably throughout the period and that is one of the important lessons to be learned and it appears that it was not a one way street. Henotheistic city states often changed back to polytheistic as the accepted method of worship only to see another cycle when there was a change in the political authority.The idea of strict monotheism, that there is only one god, does not seem to be found until very, very late in the period.

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

Yea but, what mighta motivated ‘em?A primary question we may inquire when investigating a blood sacrifice, a ritual atonement murder or perhaps some other nefarious deeds, is who benefits? Even in ancient times, the answer lies with those in power.The obvious benefit to a monotheistic framework seems to be a simplification in certain aspects of priest/king leadership roles. That said, I wasn’t suggesting monotheism was ever an all persuasive or prevailing position, if for no other reason than I wasn't asked, 'When was the most dominant onset of monotheism?'.I think we'll agree, even a cursory examination into the early history of monotheism is bound to turn up examples of variant practitioners rejecting the change that was at times the imposition of a new ‘one God’ order, as my identification of the undertaking of numerous monotheistic conquests at the tip of a spear may contend.Indeed, a common bible will expose the religious imagery celebrating borrowed pagan origins on loan, which one can only assume are way over due, mingled as freely within the Nevi’im, Tehillim, and latter testaments, as can be found those within the priestcraft going about their business of adapting the sacrificial rites of heathen’s unto the Father’s service.Perhaps the authors of our history and those of Pella's Temple, as well as, various biblical manuscripts may be thought of as cardinal recapitulates of sorts, with fresh arrangements to ancient themes and within new twists of old ideas found, essentially unique expressions of their seemingly paradoxical originality.However, a dynamic following the late onset of a more encompassing, perhaps strict adhesion towards monotheism may be a definitive modification of the relationship between politics and religion in modern society occurring sometime after or during the enlightenment era apparently.It's at this point we concede in the weight of probability, and at least the outside chance, that bountiful harvests, infections and famines mightn't be the result of Baal’s gas, Enki’s indigestion or Yahweh Elohim’s heartburn.Redemption and resurrection notwithstanding (being they’re concepts woven among polytheistic traditions as well):If we could just demonstrate more clearly to that handful of conspiracy nuts how death is not the result of a defective chimera shaman shape shifting serpentine satanfied filthy pig who ruined it for everbody causing us all to suffer as filthy satanified pigs unto our death (though we all - depending who ya ask, may get a shot at playing poker for eternity with a buncha ascetic, celibate stoics), monotheism may just become a powerful remedy to all sorts of ailments.One LoveEdited by Bailey, : modified subtitle

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I'm not here to mock or condemn what you believe, tho my intentions are no less than to tickle your thinker.
If those in first century CE had known what these words mean ... 'I want and desire mercy, not sacrifice'
They surely would not have murdered the innocent; why trust what I say, when you can learn for yourself?
Think for yourself.Mercy Trumps Judgement,
Love Weary

There seem to have been as many motivations as there were gods and changes in cultures.Beyond that I have absolutely no idea what the rest of that post was about.

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

Your answer is seriously, 'Lots of 'em.'? Again the question isn’t , ‘How many, etc.?’. Message 17 and Message 21 both demonstrated a more concentrated format. Whether by luck or skill, you've repeatedly failed to address the question posed in the latter, even after quoting it in your post(s). I may have taken that as a signal you’re aiming for open dialogue, providing it’s relative to monotheism, if not it’s foundings, of course.Is there any particular reason you're avoiding the inquiry? Perhaps we could try to actually provide relevant content in our posts when responding to questions that are posed.Being that you continue to ignore the actual questions, I figured at this point we may as well just throw some shit at the wall and see what sticks. I'm pretty sure you still have enough of your wits about you to make some connections.If you'd give me a hint at a question relative to monotheism you'd be willing to actually address it might further discussion.One LoveEdited by Bailey, : grammar

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I'm not here to mock or condemn what you believe, tho my intentions are no less than to tickle your thinker.
If those in first century CE had known what these words mean ... 'I want and desire mercy, not sacrifice'
They surely would not have murdered the innocent; why trust what I say, when you can learn for yourself?
Think for yourself.Mercy Trumps Judgement,
Love Weary

My opinion is that the disconnect in intellectual cohesion vis-a-vis yourself and inre to jar is negatively cultivated by near obfuscatory linguistic operation self-evident in the missives pro-offered to inquiry responses.To whit:

quote:

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The prior strictly enforced adherence to monotheism may be a reason for the opening of the divide between church and state in modern society which began with the enlightenment. **

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** This assumes the efficacy of the nascent Bailey-to-English translation matrix is functioning at optimal levels.In furtherance of any knowledge bearing upon the matter of efficient and effective inter communication between the protagonists within the present thread permit a modest interrogative:Do you have a brother named Brad?Edited by AZPaul3, : No reason given.

I largely concede.It'll be better all around if I repent and make a better effort to communicate more effectively, naturally and positively.Especially if there’s to be any hope for me it seems, as I certainly get carried away at times. Thank you for this.Your Baileyometer in acutely tuned and certainly appears to be performing brilliantly (which may be kinda scary).A commendable translation. While we're quite the characters, I must say, I haven’t one to testify to.Although there’s always an outside chance we’re related on my Father’s side.Thank you for the gentle reproach good man.One Love

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I'm not here to mock or condemn what you believe, tho my intentions are no less than to tickle your thinker.
If those in first century CE had known what these words mean ... 'I want and desire mercy, not sacrifice'
They surely would not have murdered the innocent; why trust what I say, when you can learn for yourself?
Think for yourself.Mercy Trumps Judgement,
Love Weary

Hello jar - I want to take a moment. I apologize for my ornery persona and rude manners, as they sometimes get the best of me. Efforts will be made to amend the wrong. None of you are deserving targets of such treatment. Please forgive me. I agree. Considering there were so many different motivations, it may not be too difficult to examine a few of them.Earlier I mentioned the simplification of priest/king leadership roles may have been an incentive for those operating within the priestcraft of a henotheistic or monotheistic tradition. Is it also possible monotheism was often attractive to a king figure because it allowed for a more efficient process of consolidating power that polytheism would not easily duplicate? I beg pardon for communicating so poorly. There were many themes present within Message 23 which occured at different times throughout the development of monotheism. There's a sense the structure I chose to outline them in made for good confusion. Perhaps we can come back to a few of the themes introduced within that post at some point in the future.While most are relevant^*, they're blended in such a generously creative way they've been rendered practically useless.I'll make earnest attempts to improve.One Love

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^* ie. monotheism seems to have been a way to simplify the political process for some city and nation states / it was at times violently imposed and vigorously opposed / biblical monotheism borrowed various pagan sacrificial rites and religious imagery / doing so was a common practice of the time period / adaptations of this nature were often unique expressions of indigenous traditions / monotheism may have made unique impacts on the development of the enlightenment era, as well as the separation between church and state / there may be evidence to suggest some late monotheistic traditions suffered a paradoxical regression at some point during the enlightenment, etc.

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I'm not here to mock or condemn what you believe, tho my intentions are no less than to tickle your thinker.
If those in first century CE had known what these words mean ... 'I want and desire mercy, not sacrifice'
They surely would not have murdered the innocent; why trust what I say, when you can learn for yourself?
Think for yourself.Mercy Trumps Judgement,
Love Weary

Again, it doesn't seem to be as neat or straightforward as that.Henotheism certainly helped create and set a cultural identity, "We are the people that worship Yehweh."But Henotheism also allowed co-existence with other nearby City States. We can see this in the 2 Kings tale of Naaman's cure. Naaman asks for dirt from Israel, because the view at the time was that teh God of the Israelites was over a given land, and Naaman needed some of that land to pray to that God. The other God, the Syrian God though is also recognized and Naaman is given permission to take part in teh rituals there when with his master.But Polytheism was also used for control, which is what much of the stories in Kings revolves around as well as Deuteronomy and Leviticus. For example Josiah was a reformer while his father and grandfathers as vassal states under Assyria supported and even encouraged polytheism. His Great Grandfather on the other hand was a strict Henotheist.Much of this seems to parallel the social, political and power changes that happened during that period.There is still though no signs of Monotheism during most of the period.

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Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

Again, there’s no argument here for any succinct and salient transition(s) to henotheism, monotheism or even polytheism.I’m simply stating the latter evolving heno/mono traditions of the time period found such a framework auspicious.Additionally, I’m investigating why those ruled, as well as the rulers may have found them so. One idea is consolidation seems to have elevated the position of priests in both their social and political structures within heno/monotheism. To be sure, these religious constructs nurtured the invention of newly forming state entities, providing them with a fairly clean slate from which they may begin to culturally define themselves (ie. moral values, etc.), as well as the character of their god (ie. Yahweh Elohim is One, etc.). Josiah attempted to reform Yisrael because he was a king with the power to do so.However, for all his rigor, his efforts died with his death, just as such efforts had stalled in Egypt and elsewhere. That’s why I suggested in Message 17 the development of a biblical concept of monotheism occurring simultaneously within the time and region of the indigenous history of the temple at Migdol may prove revealing.The notion of a separate church and state wasn’t only unheard of throughout this time period, but would have been fairly meaningless right into the first century. Monotheism seems to have appreciated this boundary. And there still appears to be little consensus among major monotheistic faiths, constantly schisming as they do.Society can be evidenced to have been polytheistic even in Joshua’s days within Rome. Monotheism doesn’t seem to have taken deep roots until closer to the time Constantine’s cleansing, when he scrapped many biblical manuscripts in what may be seen as an effort to consolidate his power.However, the effort died with his death to a certain extent also, as we later find Julian resisting a christianized monotheistic adaptation in favor of a revitalization of paganism.As they say, ol' habits die hard.One Love Edited by Bailey, : sp.

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I'm not here to mock or condemn what you believe, tho my intentions are no less than to tickle your thinker.
If those in first century CE had known what these words mean ... 'I want and desire mercy, not sacrifice'
They surely would not have murdered the innocent; why trust what I say, when you can learn for yourself?
Think for yourself.Mercy Trumps Judgement,
Love Weary