Re: Religion and ethnocentrism

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On Thu, 11 Apr 1996, Read, Dwight ANTHRO wrote:

> Let me rewrite slight a posting by Carolyn Martin:
>
> ================================================
> Jews are not merely
> > "expressing religion" they believe that a historical event, in which
> > God gave teachings to Moses, actually happened. If you believe that
> > this actually happened, how can you turn around and say that these
> > teachings - GIVEN BY GOD! - are just one way to "express a universal?"
>
> Probably why there aren't many Jewish anthropologists. :)
>

But there are, that's why I didn't say that.
And - Jews don't proselytize, and unlike both Christians and Muslims,
have not (at least for a few 1000 years, if ever) tried to convert people
en masse. In other words, worldviews and religious backgrounds that
claim to have a monopoly on the
truth don't seem to foster as many anthropologists (who are required to
be somewhat relativistic) as worldviews that allow for ethnic difference.

Excuse my gross generalization. Even better, disprove it!

Carolyn

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