[BikerNYC]

Fascinating history.

To a world which divided human sexuality between penetrator and penetrated, Judaism said, “You are wrong — sexuality is to be divided between male and female.” To a world which saw women as baby producers unworthy of romantic and sexual attention, Judaism said “You are wrong — women must be the sole focus of men's erotic love.”

Why?, someone might ask.

Unless the sex drive is appropriately harnessed (not squelched — which leads to its own destructive consequences), higher religion could not have developed.

As is typical, religious and moral pronouncements were made by religious leaders to further their own power. “Let’s harness sex so religion can develop. In that way, people will have to come to us to know what they can and cannot do.”

Moreover, the Bible lists homosexuality together with child sacrifice among the “abominations” practiced by the peoples living in the land about to be conquered by the Jews. The two are certainly not morally equatable, but they both characterized a morally primitive world that Judaism set out to destroy.

The pronouncements of the holy men also justified military incursions into foreign lands so as to increase their power.

[onedoug]

The pronouncements of the holy men also justified military incursions into foreign lands so as to increase their power."

And gave rise to Western civilization, yes.