I think the message of the story is pretty clear, actually. The Gaud of the Bible fears men, especially what might happen if they band together and think for themselves. He's not offended at their arrogance at trying to reach Heaven; he legitimately says "If we let them work together, there will be nothing that they can't accomplish. I will confuse them so the can't understand each other." The only reason he confounds the languages of men is to divide them because he wants to limit their capacity to accomplish things on their own. In short, he is fostering dependence on himself and limiting man's capacity to outstrip their need for him.
Really, though, the story was meant to shame the people away from getting together and realizing they didn't need the priests or their bullshit any more. This is why empirical knowledge and human cooperation have always been religion's strongest enemies, especially in tandem.
Really, though, the story was meant to shame the people away from getting together and realizing they didn't need the priests or their bullshit any more. This is why empirical knowledge and human cooperation have always been religion's strongest enemies, especially in tandem.
Verbatim from the mouth of Jesus (retranslated from a retranslation of a copy of a copy):
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you too will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. How can you see your brother's head up his ass when your own vision is darkened by your head being even further up your ass? How can you say to your brother, 'Get your head out of your ass,' when all the time your head is up your own ass? You hypocrite! First take your head out of your own ass, and then you will see clearly who has his head up his ass and who doesn't." Matthew 7:1-5 (also Luke 6: 41-42)
Also, I has a website: www.RedbeardThePink.com
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you too will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. How can you see your brother's head up his ass when your own vision is darkened by your head being even further up your ass? How can you say to your brother, 'Get your head out of your ass,' when all the time your head is up your own ass? You hypocrite! First take your head out of your own ass, and then you will see clearly who has his head up his ass and who doesn't." Matthew 7:1-5 (also Luke 6: 41-42)
Also, I has a website: www.RedbeardThePink.com