Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Genocide of thinking

By David Young - posted Wednesday, 25 March 2009


Everything is now changed, except the way we think, and if this is not soon altered we will continue to drift toward unparalleled catastrophe. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive. Albert Einstein, cited in The Journal of the Franklin Institute, vol.221, No.3. March 1936.

Abrahamic religions are monotheistic faiths that recognise a spiritual tradition identified with Abraham. The religions usually identified as Abrahamic are Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Advertisement

The commonality between these three religions is a way of thinking; and it is a way of thinking which has permeated through the whole of what we know as Western and Islamic society.

To be fair to the Abrahamic religions it is a form of thinking that probably existed before Abraham, but it is these religions that have become the most visible and dominant form of this rationality.

The Abrahamic system of thought is based on the concept of right and wrong. The irony of this is that the Jewish and Christian systems at least, are built on “the woman” in the Garden of Eden eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The purpose and result of Abrahamic thinking is the removal of personal responsibility. The consequence of this is that Jews and Palestinians do atrocious things to each other but neither side accepts responsibility for their actions, because they believe they are divinely right and only acting in response to the actions of the other side.

It is this removal of personal responsibility that is the most dangerous aspect of Abrahamic thinking. George Bush and his administration bear no personal responsibility for Guantanamo Bay or special rendition. They are covered by the blanket of being “right” in their war on terror.

And, of course, Osama bin Laden will have every reason why he was “right” to attack the Twin Towers. Osama and George can do anything they like and remain free of sin because they act in God’s name and therefore it must have been God’s will.

Advertisement

Our legal system is Abrahamic. Personal responsibility is reduced to what is legal. In our personal lives we can negate our personal responsibility by being “right”. Using the Abrahamic system of thinking we can do anything we want to anyone at any time and remain free of sin if we are right and they are wrong.

“Debate” on issues is similarly based on claims of right or wrong; basically the idea of debate as a way of finding solutions is alien to our society. It is all about name calling and insults. We gather in groups and claim our God is the only true God, or that our way is the only way: that is the Abrahamic way of thinking.

There is no reason why we have to think the Abrahamic way. It is just the form of thinking that we have ended up with.

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

34 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

David Young has been a writer for 20 years. At other times he has been an architect and a flying instructor. Details of his books and writings can be found at his website davidyoungauthor.com

Other articles by this Author

All articles by David Young

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 34 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy