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The Bible appears to say that God becomes angry at sinners, overreacts, and has

ID: 3448770 • Letter: T

Question

The Bible appears to say that God becomes angry at sinners, overreacts, and has to be persuaded to act more mercifully by the intercession of specially favored humans, such as Moses. How might Spinoza explain this?

(c) The biblical author doesn't intend us to take this literally. It only means that, due to the necessary laws of nature, not all who deserve punishment will actually be punished.

(a) Priests encouraged such beliefs among the people as a way of shoring up their own privileged position.

Explanation / Answer

Spinoza may explain this in the following fashion;

a) Priests encouraged such beliefs among the people as a way of shoring up their own privileged position.(According to Spinoza the clergy, tries to play on ordinary human emotions)