Minority Religions in a Democratic Republic

The religion of our father Abraham was the religion of a single believer. He was, as described by Thomas Jefferson, a sect of one person calling for recognition by the overwhelming majority. But even his descendants remained a tiny majority among the population of the area; they were aware of being...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Falk, Ze'ev W. 1923-1998 (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Cambridge Univ. Press 1995
In: Journal of law and religion
Year: 1995, Volume: 12, Issue: 2, Pages: 447-454
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Summary:The religion of our father Abraham was the religion of a single believer. He was, as described by Thomas Jefferson, a sect of one person calling for recognition by the overwhelming majority. But even his descendants remained a tiny majority among the population of the area; they were aware of being a small people (Deut 7:7) in danger of being absorbed by the Canaanite culture in the neighborhood.The danger of acculturation was felt not only from the majority, but equally felt from other minority cults and religions (Num. 33:55; Jos 23:13), whose religious practices set a negative example for Israel and its religion. The rule prohibiting any participation in foreign cults and marginalizing religious minorities in Israel's society (for example, Exod 34:11-17) presents itself as a conditio-sine-qua-non in the covenant with the God of Israel.
ISSN:2163-3088
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of law and religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.2307/1051588