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The Story of Babel in the Torah
- Thread starter Fool
- Start date
halbhh
The wonder and awe of "all things".
The decision to slow us down was so necessary
If humankind progressed too rapidly in technology before we were ready in terms of morality and before we progressed to the Rule of Law, we'd be increasingly likely to destroy ourselves and/or the Earth. Not having the morals needed yet.
At minimum we needed first the Rule of Law, where Law is respected as superior to the leader or king... (consider, that's still hard even today, even in the U.S.)
But 5,000 years ago or longer, getting advanced technology too soon without enough moral development first would it seems be likely to lead to something pretty harmful, even worse mass slaughters, if not outright early nuclear war.
So, spiritual development had to come first just for survival, before that technology boom, so that crucial basics like the respect for the Rule of Law would be in place.
It's interesting to notice that its very obvious the whole process with Israel in the Old Testament is all about learning to place the Law above the king or one's urges to steal and kill, etc.
A progression. It's quite clear once you start to realize that big picture process, what had to be accomplished. Really, the entire bible is very logical once you consider what is needed for a truly good civilization.
sealchan
Well-Known Member
It has the feel of being an answer to the age old question, "What if we just all learned to cooperate and get along?" It is quite the harsh answer, but it does seem that God was "concerned" that we might become like God.
The purpose for the tower was to prevent people to scatter. So, I would say, it was the first attempt for one world government and could be compared to the tower of Mordor. Sad thing is that many rulers want that again.
i will be what i will be? be fruitful and diversify?
sealchan
Well-Known Member
The problem with equating one world government with evil is that you take Gods teachings and say that it is wrong for people to achieve that on their own merit which is pretty much like saying that we shouldn't really try.
At the same time I might agree that this story takes the need for a relationship with God and turns it into a requirement. If people wanted to "make a name for ourselves" I think that that was a reference to people finding a meaning in their life out of their own understanding and effort. Although in practice this is a deeply moral undertaking, it cant truly be accomplished without reference to an ultimate Other such as God. Names, like Being itself, cannot be satisfactorily granted by one's self. They must be "authenticated" by an Other. And in this story God is seen as being the instrument of why this is true. God certainly wasn't punishing evil so much as requiring relationship to an other.
The interesting thing here is that this principle applies to God as well. God doesnt exist without humans to know God's name.
halbhh
The wonder and awe of "all things".
If human sciences and technology runs too far ahead of the development of Law, of the righteousness of the people, it will be deadly to them.
e.g. -- if humanity shared a common language that far back in time, we would have advanced quickly in technology with an inadequate level of morality.
Thus to self-annihilate in nuclear war or such.
Even today, some might argue we don't have quite the level of morality we need for our current technology, and are tending to harm our planet too much.
e.g. -- if humanity shared a common language that far back in time, we would have advanced quickly in technology with an inadequate level of morality.
Thus to self-annihilate in nuclear war or such.
Even today, some might argue we don't have quite the level of morality we need for our current technology, and are tending to harm our planet too much.
It is evil, because it is against freedom.
Sorry, I think there is no good reason to believe that.
sealchan
Well-Known Member
So is the U.S. government evil because it is a one nation government presiding over the government of the states?
I think there is every reason to believe that.
If it is against freedom.