Sunday 29 May 2011

naomi's question of the day - #15

"naomi's question of the day" is a new feature of the Nishmablog featuring a question for you to ponder, extend and/or respond to through your comments.

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May 29, 2011

Was the Tower of Babel the last united human act? Was there a noble and even sound aspect to the builder's intentions in that they lived with a sense of God's actual presence? Why was God's response to create dis-unity? It led to fragmentation -- and now we search for each other rather than God. Is human unity a negative force?

3 comments:

Nishma said...

Kol hanshamah t'halalel Koh Hallelukah

Shalom,
RRW

Juniper said...

While I recognize that unity can be a powerful force for the Good, I am more often terrified of groups - the horror that wide-spread panic or cult-like thinking can bring. I don't know enough about the Tower of Babel to really speak to your question (which I have also wondered), but I have comforted my sadness at the fragmentation by thinking that the crowd must have been grossly mislead somehow.

In responding to one of your last questions, c. made a strong case for true-humility with an eye on the recognition that our God-consciousness is far from being God.

The most forceful way that God could combat the hubris inherent in the wrongful seeking and building was to break apart the people and send them into their loneliness and isolation, effectively creating a more-fertile environment for humility.

Do you think that maybe searching for each other is what He wanted somehow...? Or, unity in another form?

Garnel Ironheart said...

Again, this isn't just one question so you need to rename the feature "questionS" for the purpose of accuracy.

> Was the Tower of Babel the last united human act?

Yes, because humanity shall not be united again until the Leafs win the Cup. And if you say "What about fans of the Canadiens' who will certainly not share in the celebration" I said "humanity", something a Canadiens' fan is definitely not part of.

> Was there a noble and even sound aspect to the builder's intentions in that they lived with a sense of God's actual presence?

Just as noble as a child who sets his parents' bed aflame even though he knows his folks are downstairs watching the news.

> Why was God's response to create dis-unity?

Better to keep up fighting amongst ourselves than with Him. More entertaining and gives the melachim something to watch on TV.

> Is human unity a negative force?

Just look at the UN.