Is the rejection of others a cornerstone of Abrahamic religions?

[Pragmatist]

I think "839311" has posed some excellent questions, which should be seriously considered by all Judicially based monotheists, as well as all students of that subject.

Is the rejection of others a cornerstone of Abrahamic religions?

I first became aware of this problem in reading Max Weber. Should the godly separate themselves from the ungodly? The Amish seem to have solved the problem: somehow they manage to adhere to their "lifestyle," without separating themselves from the community. They don't run away from the outside world. This kind of flight from others is one of the defining features of what I would call a "cult."

Is it fair to say that rejection is one of the defining characteristics of the Abrahamic God, as well as most of the adherents of Abrahamic religions?

Perhaps. There are so many variations of "Abrahamic" religion. To make things simple, we talk about the big three, but each of these subdivides into an infinitude, and the borders between them are not always secure. I am tempted to assert, Yes, rejection is a universally defining element, But, there may be other elements, less easy to define, which offset this tendency.

Is Judaism the exception, where rejection does not play a central role?

No. Rejection plays a central role here as well. Unclean foods are to be rejected (and everyone who eats them). Idols are to be rejected (and everyone who sacrifices to them). Blood is to be rejected (especially human menstrual blood). True, I have described a fundamentalism, but every religion has fundamentalist tendencies.

 

[InvestigateTruth]

So, here are the questions. Is the rejection of others a cornerstone of Abrahamic religions?

No, it's not:

"It is permitted that the peoples and kindreds of the world associate with one another with joy and radiance. O people! Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.
.....

In former religions such ordinances as holy war, destruction of books, the ban on association and companionship with other peoples or on reading certain books had been laid down and affirmed according to the exigencies of the time; however, in this mighty Revelation, in this momentous Announcement, the manifold bestowals and favours of God have overshadowed all men, and from the horizon of the Will of the Ever-Abiding Lord, His infallible decree hath prescribed that which We have set forth above."

- Baha'u'llah, Tablet of Glad-Tidings

and Also:

"They that are endued with sincerity and faithfulness should associate with all the peoples and kindreds of the earth with joy and radiance, inasmuch as consorting with people hath promoted and will continue to promote unity and concord, which in turn are conducive to the maintenance of order in the world and to the regeneration of nations. Blessed are such as hold fast to the cord of kindliness and tender mercy and are free from animosity and hatred."

-Baha'u'llah, Tablet of Ornaments

 

[839311]

As I understand it, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are socio-ethical religions. That is, they are by and large more concerned with living an ethical life within the context of a group than they are concerned with, say, enlightenment.

That sounds about right.

If so, that would seem all but designed to raise issues of whose ethics are the proper ones -- which, it seems to me, could easily devolve into "us versus them" antagonisms.

We definetly see this in society. Abrahamics running around trumpeting their ethics as superior to others. Pro-life and anti-homosexuality are two of the more frequent issues.

Against each other Abrahamics aren't so much interested in debating ethical issues, as they are about faith in Jesus or Mohammad, or neither. Belief seems to be far more interesting here than whether or not people are living ethical lives. And, throughout history they've been willing to kill for it.

 

[839311]

First off, you overlook the fact that there are FIVE Abrahamic religions--not three--by ignoring the Babi and Baha'i Faiths! (Granted the Babi Faith is quite small today, but it still exists.)

Granted. But compared to Christianity and Islam they are relatively small. Even Judaism is relatively unimportant when considered by the number of adherents. Judaism gets a mention because it is the parent religion and at the center of so much conflict between the three religions.

 

[839311]

No. Rejection plays a central role here as well. Unclean foods are to be rejected (and everyone who eats them). Idols are to be rejected (and everyone who sacrifices to them). Blood is to be rejected (especially human menstrual blood). True, I have described a fundamentalism, but every religion has fundamentalist tendencies.

Those are good points. I wouldn't say they are central, but important. I think it depends on our perspective on what central means. Im looking at it more with regards to whether or not God will ultimately accept everyone or not, among other points.

 

[BruceDLimber]

But compared to Christianity and Islam [the Babi and Baha'i Faiths] are relatively small.

True, but the Baha'i Faith is growing hugely! There were 50,000 Baha'is world wide in 1892 and 400,000 in 1963. But since then, the expansion has been far more notable: 5.4 million in 1985, and 7 million at present!

In fact, the World Christian Encyclopedia (clearly NOT a Baha'i organization) state that the Baha'i Faith is the fastest-growing religion among those already established in over 100 countries.

And in terms of where adherents live, since 1991 the Encyclopedia Britannica has listed the Baha'i Faith as the second most widespread religion on earth (surpassed only by Christianity)!

The specifics:

-RELIGION----------NUMBER OF LOCALITIES-----

Christianity.................140,000
Baha'i Faith.................110,000
All others.....................90,000 or fewer

And please note that (as I said and someone else has also stressed) the Baha'i Faith definitely stands as a clear exception to the "reject and hate other religions" attitude so common among elements of the various great religions!

Peace,

Bruce