After watching my favorite YouTube video about the origins of theology for a fourth or fifth time through, I began to wonder whether most monotheistic theology was constructed upon a series of simple negations of our own unfortunate limitations as somewhat-evolved mildly-sapient earthbound primates. One can readily imagine a conversation that went something like this:
Adam: “I quite dislike being always rooted to one spot, having tediously to walk or ride to the next place.”
Steve: “How great it would be to not be so limited as that, to be anywhere at any time, or everywhere all at once.”
Adam: “How wonderful would that be! I so dislike of getting worn-out and footsore from work and travel.”
Steve: “How great it would be to not be so limited as that, to not have need of hands nor feet nor body.”
Adam: “How wonderful would that be! I also cannot stand that my strength is so feeble that I cannot even lift heavy stones.”
Steve: “How great it would be to not be so limited, to have the power to move anything at all.”
Adam: “How wonderful would that be! I also weary of my limited powers of workmanship. I can only make arrows and bows.”
Steve: “How great it would be to not be so limited, to have the power to make anything at all.”
Adam: “How wonderful would that be! I also am saddened by my character flaws and lack of virtue.”
Steve: “How great it would be to not be so limited, to be perfect in all virtues.”
Adam: “How wonderful would that be! I also am often stymied by my limited knowledge of the world.”
Steve: “How great it would be to not be so limited, to know all that may be known.”
Adam: “Wow! Just imagine it: Being everywhere at once, an all-knowing, all-powerful mind without need of a body, perfect in every conceivable way.”
Steve: “How wonderful that would be! I would create whole peoples, set them one against another, compel bloody sacrifices, and revel in the smell of burning goat-flesh.”
Adam: “Um, okay -- whatever does it for you.”
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