I'm going to do everything I can not to crush these but I will add this: Indeterminism was the principle contribution of Zoroastrianism to world faith. It wasn't entirely monotheistic - Ahura Mazda created the world, and on it the twins Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu. Spenta Mainyu was light, Angra Mainyu was dark, and Ahura Mazda was creation. The important concept was human involvement in the battle between Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu - "Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds" and Spenta Mainyu will win out in the end. It wasn't just animistic spirits and all-powerful deities determining history and the way of things, people actually had the ability to shape their own cosmos. Parsees are the shit. From what I can remember, and I'll double check this in the morning when I'm thinking with a more clear head, Zoroastrianism was the religion that got that whole ball rolling. It was when the Jewish tribes came into contact with Zoroastrians that the idea of a cosmic duality was introduced into the Abrahamic Faiths.
Bro, you can add as much or as little as you want. Your input is valued and like I said, part of the reason I think it's a good idea to have these threads public is to keep concepts and facts in check. :) I just feel like quoting this, to add emphasis on it. In my opinion it's a very empowering concept when you think about it.I'm going to do everything I can not to crush these.
It wasn't just animistic spirits and all-powerful deities determining history and the way of things, people actually had the ability to shape their own cosmos.
Thing is, when those with certainty debate those without, certainty tends to overwhelm uncertainty even when it's wrong. I'm in a much stronger place when it comes to religion and religious history than a lot of the people here, and this is the sort of debate that occurs best between matched debate partners.
I'm guessing you know that you just paraphrased Bertrand Russell - Bertrand Russell (It's not my intention to call anyone stupid, though)The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
Charles Darwin, in 'Descent of Man', 1871ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge