Tuesday, June 25, 2013
The Great Dying
The Great Dying Ch 15.
It is perplexing to think that thriving societies with populations “estimated at some 10 to 20 million declined to about 1 million by 1650”. This decline due in large part to the diseases brought to the America’s by the Europeans; described by some scholars as “the greatest tragedy in the history of the human species" and to this day, seen by many natives as the last robbing of their dignity (p407).
In an interview with Cesar Leon, a dear friend of mine who grew up in Southern California and is one of the many federally recognized Indigenous People of Mexico, tells me his own accounts of the horror stories of 16th and 17th Centuries' great dying. Cesar was candid enough to share some of the stories that have been passed down to him. Stories that have been passed down from generation to generation and that to this day do not fail to both, inflict continuous pain in those who know all too well about them and depict a very dark time in our history, to those of us who learn about them and hurt for them. Cesar tells stories of life and of death on past and modern reservations. Not all personal accounts, but accounts of family members who suffer from poverty, alcoholism and lack of a future and lack of opportunities. Generations continue to be ravaged by the European brutality of centuries past.
In 17th Century North America, the arrival of the Christians brought with them an epidemic of small pox which killed 9/10s of the population. This sweeping of their people did not begin to alleviate, nor did the population begin to grow again until the 19th century: well over 200 years later.
The truly disturbing fact about all this was not the incessant epidemic sweeping the Americas, nor was it the rapid decline in population or overall mass suffering. As horrid a part of history this all represents, what is truly disturbing is the European attitude to this mass dying and the very commentary it represents on the human condition; many rejoiced at this suffering and mass dying, going as far as calling it God’s work. God’s work in the sweeping of these people that were somewhat inferior to their own; their own with an inflated sense of superiority as they held their blood soak cloaks and as they walked around in their stiff slops.
Still there were those who came from Europe with more noble intentions- a search for adventure and a calling to help- or at least one can hope.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
The Meaning of Religion
Chapter 11 of Strayers Ways of the World, details the spread of Islam. prominent between 600 and 1600 and encompassing parts of Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, it was more than a religion, it became a cultural phenomenon and a way of life. It is one of the largest and most influential of all religions. But with the main religions of the world having such profound and persistent part of our history, and an pervasive hold on most civilizations- it is imperative that we at some point ask ourselves what the true implications of religion's hold in our past and present societies are.
On the surface- it would appear that religious devotions is intrinsically motivated by an individuals thirst for spiritual depth. It would also appear on the surface, that religion serves a benevolent purpose for/in our society..
As we take a deeper look, starting with many of our civilizations of the Classical Era, in a world where the population was already soaring to levels that had been unimaginable just a few thousand years before, in a tumultuous world that was reacting to the full effects of the agricultural revolution and in a world where imperial struggles for power and control were, as they continue to be today, at the forefront of historical events. It seems as though religion has always been a seminal part of frictions between groups of peoples.
With all of the above considered, It would appear that religion is not only a cause for many of these struggles but also a failed attempt at keeping the masses under localized control of one governmental entity. As we have seen in our studies, once a religion was adopted and implemented, it was forced upon the masses. And this generally came with promises of eternal bliss for the good and of eternal damnation for those who did bad. This is seeing with Islam, which continues to have a pervasive hold in today's political climate. Many of its tenets, if applied successfully to the masses, ensure an obedient society which is too afraid to rebel or ask questions, too occupied with endless ritual to concern themselves with everyday realities of this life, and so hopeful that just maybe it will just be better in a different life. And not coincidentally, this religion embraced commercialism and trade- which was imperative for the marginal Arabia where it originated. Mecca became an important trade center. Islam's pervasive need to gain control over the masses was even more apparent during the 18th century, which is when its proselyting nature became more apparent. This proselytizing nature is second only to Christianity.
It is important to recognize the dangers of religion as we study about their hold in our past and present societies. If we continue to see religion as a necessary part for all to adopt, we will continue to see blood shed and repeat the same mistakes.
The word Muslim means 'one who submits'. Unfortunately, blind and unquestioning submission by entire groups of people is dangerous and leaves much to question about our future.
On the surface- it would appear that religious devotions is intrinsically motivated by an individuals thirst for spiritual depth. It would also appear on the surface, that religion serves a benevolent purpose for/in our society..
As we take a deeper look, starting with many of our civilizations of the Classical Era, in a world where the population was already soaring to levels that had been unimaginable just a few thousand years before, in a tumultuous world that was reacting to the full effects of the agricultural revolution and in a world where imperial struggles for power and control were, as they continue to be today, at the forefront of historical events. It seems as though religion has always been a seminal part of frictions between groups of peoples.
With all of the above considered, It would appear that religion is not only a cause for many of these struggles but also a failed attempt at keeping the masses under localized control of one governmental entity. As we have seen in our studies, once a religion was adopted and implemented, it was forced upon the masses. And this generally came with promises of eternal bliss for the good and of eternal damnation for those who did bad. This is seeing with Islam, which continues to have a pervasive hold in today's political climate. Many of its tenets, if applied successfully to the masses, ensure an obedient society which is too afraid to rebel or ask questions, too occupied with endless ritual to concern themselves with everyday realities of this life, and so hopeful that just maybe it will just be better in a different life. And not coincidentally, this religion embraced commercialism and trade- which was imperative for the marginal Arabia where it originated. Mecca became an important trade center. Islam's pervasive need to gain control over the masses was even more apparent during the 18th century, which is when its proselyting nature became more apparent. This proselytizing nature is second only to Christianity.
It is important to recognize the dangers of religion as we study about their hold in our past and present societies. If we continue to see religion as a necessary part for all to adopt, we will continue to see blood shed and repeat the same mistakes.
The word Muslim means 'one who submits'. Unfortunately, blind and unquestioning submission by entire groups of people is dangerous and leaves much to question about our future.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Heresy in the Roman Empire.
The split of the western portion of the empire from Constantine's Eastern portion:
With the adoption of Christianity Constantine paved the way for the later Roman Empire fully adopting Christianity. At this point- Christians are no longer persecuted as they were during the previous Western Empire.
A dangerous shift for humanity happened at this point; heresy no longer meant a cold shoulder to those who did not conform, but rather, heresy now became a crime punishable by law; those who institute and enforce laws working against individual thought are committing an atrocity against human rights. The root of all progress and great accomplishments have come from those individuals who are willing to be different, have original thought and ultimately become outcasts of society: Socrates, Einstein and Newton to name a few.
In the end, the criminalization of heresy is just one expression of the intolerance which has come to be exemplified in our history.
With the adoption of Christianity Constantine paved the way for the later Roman Empire fully adopting Christianity. At this point- Christians are no longer persecuted as they were during the previous Western Empire.
A dangerous shift for humanity happened at this point; heresy no longer meant a cold shoulder to those who did not conform, but rather, heresy now became a crime punishable by law; those who institute and enforce laws working against individual thought are committing an atrocity against human rights. The root of all progress and great accomplishments have come from those individuals who are willing to be different, have original thought and ultimately become outcasts of society: Socrates, Einstein and Newton to name a few.
In the end, the criminalization of heresy is just one expression of the intolerance which has come to be exemplified in our history.
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