Dominion
Christianity is the most enduring and influential legacy of the ancient world, and its emergence the single most transformative development in Western history. Even the increasing number in the West today who have abandoned the faith of their forebears, and dismiss all religion as pointless superstition, remain recognisably its heirs. Seen close-up, the division between a sceptic and a believer may seem unbridgeable. Widen the focus, though, and Christianity’s enduring impact upon the West can be seen in the emergence of much that has traditionally been cast as its nemesis: in science, in secularism, and yes, even in atheism. That is why Dominion will place the story of how we came to be what we are, and how we think the way that we do, in the broadest historical context. Ranging in time from the Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BC to the on-going migration crisis in Europe today, and from Nebuchadnezzar to the Beatles, it will explore just what it was that made Christianity so revolutionary and disruptive; how completely it came to saturate the mind-set of Latin Christendom; and why, in a West that has become increasingly doubtful of religion’s claims, so many of its instincts remain irredeemably Christian. The aim is twofold: to make the reader appreciate just how novel and uncanny were Christian teachings when they first appeared in the world; and to make ourselves, and all that we take for granted, appear similarly strange in consequence.
Stats for nerds
20recommend
30mentions
23people
2020–2026years
83% recommend17% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- I can think of one quite easily! I am in the UK where the influence of religion on politics is very much positive IMO. For example, we have an established church that often speaks up for the poor, against war, etc. Religion is in the forefront of practical action: it is a disgrace we need good banks, but the religious took the lead in filling that need (I see the same around the world too).
Also, historically we would not have democracy as we know it without the moral framework of religious ideas. I am guessing you are American and the idea of separation of church and state can be traced back to a long line of development that started with "give to Caesar what is Caesar's". Even in the UK, despite the efforts of Henry VIII, state control of the church faded and we are a de facto secular democracy.
Yes, my examples and arguments are all Christian, but different religions have different values and histories so you cannot generalise across all of them and I am sticking to what I know. I also think taking a long term historical view makes it look a lot more positive. Have you read Dominion by Tom Holland?
- Those interested may find Dominion[0] an excellent read.
[0] https://www.amazon.com/Dominion-Christian-Revolution-Remade-...
- If you are serious about these questions, read Dominion by Tom Holland. He makes a very long and thorough historical case that Christianity has contributed more good than bad over the centuries. (I don’t know what comparable works are for other religions.)
- So, you can find a few isolated quotes in a series of documents written over thousands of years that support the idea that religion is the problem.
Have you read these works considering historical and cultural context? Can you find anything in the New testament that supports this? Do you know about the history of how Christianity shaped European culture? There are excellent books on the subjects (Dominion by Tom Holland is brilliant on the lats of these).
- A western idea in origin. According to the historian Tom Holland its a Christian idea in origin (read his book Dominion if you want an explanation) - does that mean atheists should not support it? its a good idea, everyone should adopt it.
No repercussions for anything short of calling violence is actually an American idea, to some extent other Anglophone countries. It is not generally accepted in continental Europe which has always had far more restrictions on speech. So its not generically "western". On the other hand some level of free speech is widely supported by many people in non-western countries. its in a lot of constitutions, and people will generally say they support free speech.
- An interest in something that has ha a huge and pervasive influence. Even if you are an atheist who would never reed it, if you are from a historicist Christian culture it has shaped your worldview.This is very well argued in Dominion by Tom Holland.
