THE VIOLENCE OF IDOLATRY
Regina Schwartz
ABSTRACT
This essay foregrounds both representations of monotheism in the Bible – God as infinitely charitable, infinitely giving, with blessings for all and God as exclusivist, possessive and intolerant. However, it is the latter construct that enables us to use God as an authorizing instrument for our violence. I argue that when possession (of us by God and of God by us) underwrites the narrative construction of our identity, violence seems to be inevitable.
KEYWORDS
idolatry
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