Jan Assman on Monotheism and Martyrerdom

In the NZZ from today: He is talking about he price we have to pay with Monotheism coming into the world at some time between Echnaton and Mohammed. Important distinction between inherent and necessesary consequences of Monotheism.

Die Unterscheidung von Gott und Welt hat uns befreit von der Tyrannei des Gegebenen und uns Perspektiven einer anderen Wirklichkeit erschlossen, ohne die wir nicht mehr leben können.

But of course this gives us greater responsibility as well. There is no way back (the enlightened Assmann concludes) than go towards a more critical and reflective understanding of Monotheism.