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About this quote

What does it mean?
The ancient Hebrews created a single God to unify their identity as a unique people.
In plain terms
They invented one God to feel like one unique people.
What can you take from it?
Identity shapes religious belief.

Where it applies

  • historical analysis
  • religious studies

Putting it to work

  • study history of religions
  • analyze identity

Questions to consider

  • How does identity shape belief?
  • Can one God unify people?

Another view

It reduces complex theology to social utility.

More from Eric Hoffer

  1. Our passionate preoccupation with the sky, the stars, and a God somewhere in outer space is a homing impulse. We are drawn back to where we came from.

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  2. Wordiness is a sickness of American writing. Too many words dilute and blur ideas.

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  3. My writing is done in railroad yards while waiting for a freight, in the fields while waiting for a truck, and at noon after lunch. Towns are too distracting.

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