Reuven Firestone
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780199769308
- eISBN:
- 9780190258283
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199769308.003.0007
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
This chapter tackles the Jewish idea of “chosenness” (or election) that seems to be deeply imbedded, not just in Judaism, but in all major monotheistic faiths. It asks: What might be the origin of ...
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This chapter tackles the Jewish idea of “chosenness” (or election) that seems to be deeply imbedded, not just in Judaism, but in all major monotheistic faiths. It asks: What might be the origin of this notion? What might it have meant to be “chosen” in the ancient world? Assuming that the competing religious truth claims made in past history and now jutting into our own day are linked to ancient concepts of chosenness, the chapter explores its origins from the perspective of both historical and social-scientific approaches to the study of religion. It shows how understanding historical context and historicizing monotheism can soften the harshness of absolutist claims for exclusive truth without relativizing faith. It argues that understanding the social processes affecting religion and religious argument can help those engaged in religious dialogue reduce or even eliminate off-putting forms of absolutism.Less
This chapter tackles the Jewish idea of “chosenness” (or election) that seems to be deeply imbedded, not just in Judaism, but in all major monotheistic faiths. It asks: What might be the origin of this notion? What might it have meant to be “chosen” in the ancient world? Assuming that the competing religious truth claims made in past history and now jutting into our own day are linked to ancient concepts of chosenness, the chapter explores its origins from the perspective of both historical and social-scientific approaches to the study of religion. It shows how understanding historical context and historicizing monotheism can soften the harshness of absolutist claims for exclusive truth without relativizing faith. It argues that understanding the social processes affecting religion and religious argument can help those engaged in religious dialogue reduce or even eliminate off-putting forms of absolutism.
Hubert J. M. Hermans
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- December 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780197501023
- eISBN:
- 9780197501054
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780197501023.003.0007
- Subject:
- Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology
Some factors that stimulate inner democracy and some that impede it are extensively described in this chapter. Stimulating factors include the following: the flexibility to change from one ...
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Some factors that stimulate inner democracy and some that impede it are extensively described in this chapter. Stimulating factors include the following: the flexibility to change from one perspective to another one, tolerance for uncertainty, the capacity to discern inner contradictions, learning to be empathic, and the sensitivity to see the multi-voicedness in other persons. Factors that impede inner democracy include the following: mutually exclusive truth claims, strong negative emotions, the epidemic spread of narcissism, and the temptation to embrace utopias, along with the simultaneous failure to note their apparent shadow sides and even their failures. The chapter also offers a summary of the case made for the workings of inner democracy.Less
Some factors that stimulate inner democracy and some that impede it are extensively described in this chapter. Stimulating factors include the following: the flexibility to change from one perspective to another one, tolerance for uncertainty, the capacity to discern inner contradictions, learning to be empathic, and the sensitivity to see the multi-voicedness in other persons. Factors that impede inner democracy include the following: mutually exclusive truth claims, strong negative emotions, the epidemic spread of narcissism, and the temptation to embrace utopias, along with the simultaneous failure to note their apparent shadow sides and even their failures. The chapter also offers a summary of the case made for the workings of inner democracy.
