The Abraham/Issac story is complex and has numerous layers. Abraham himself comes across as a crazy old coot with no redeeming qualities. He was a liar, murderer, thief, adulterer, sexual pervert, cruel, and petty. When he saw an opportunity to enrich himself at the expense of Issac he jumped at it. It's the classic story of selling one's soul to the devil for personal gain.
When Satan tempted Jesus and promised him the world if Jesus would worship him Jesus turned him down. Abraham eagerly accepted that deal. Later on Jesus offered the same deal to his listeners if they would worship him. So whether it's God, Satan, or Jesus, they all offer bribes to get people to worship them. It's something that the Greek and Roman gods did all of the time.
Humans love to have leaders, real or imaginary, tell them what to do. So while the God character takes a hit for telling the crazy old coot Abraham to gut and roast Issac people are always sacrificing their kids because their leaders tell them to. It's easy during wars. The aggressor incites his sheep and tells them that they have to go stomp on their neighbors. So the sheep gladly send their sons off to die for the leader's whims although they won't personally get a penny out of it. But they will pay the price in their children's deaths and wounds. When it's all over they will take pride in it.
Therefore, whether it's some imaginary deity or a national nutjob leader, people are basically insane for believing his line of BS.
Now tell your kids to go join the military. Take pride in sacrificing them for the rich.
When Satan tempted Jesus and promised him the world if Jesus would worship him Jesus turned him down. Abraham eagerly accepted that deal. Later on Jesus offered the same deal to his listeners if they would worship him. So whether it's God, Satan, or Jesus, they all offer bribes to get people to worship them. It's something that the Greek and Roman gods did all of the time.
Humans love to have leaders, real or imaginary, tell them what to do. So while the God character takes a hit for telling the crazy old coot Abraham to gut and roast Issac people are always sacrificing their kids because their leaders tell them to. It's easy during wars. The aggressor incites his sheep and tells them that they have to go stomp on their neighbors. So the sheep gladly send their sons off to die for the leader's whims although they won't personally get a penny out of it. But they will pay the price in their children's deaths and wounds. When it's all over they will take pride in it.
Therefore, whether it's some imaginary deity or a national nutjob leader, people are basically insane for believing his line of BS.
Now tell your kids to go join the military. Take pride in sacrificing them for the rich.