States of Exile

[The] desert is monotheistic; sublime in its immense uniformity, it reveals to man first of all the idea of the infinite, but not the sentiment of unflaggingly creative life that more fertile climes have imparted to other races. That is why Arabia has always been the boulevard of the most exalted monotheism. - Ernest Renan, History of the People of Israel Shalom/salaam in the Middle East requires theological accord between its peoples. All Semites are united by inveterate monotheism. We must construct a shared narrative recognizing: Aten: Founder of Monotheism, apostle to the Egyptians Moses: Law-giver of Monotheism, apostle to the Hebrews Jesus: Poet of Monotheism, apostle to the Assyrians/Christian Arabs (ideally reconceived as Christian Hebrews) Mohammed: Warlord of Monotheism, apostle to the Arabs

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. - 1 Timothy 2:5 As a monotheist I believe there is one God. As a pluralist I don't believe Christ is the one mediator between God and man. Unlike Dante, I don't condemn unbaptized babies and virtous pagans to the first circle of Hell. Besides the man Christ Jesus, mediators between God and men include Plato, the Vedas, Akhenaten, the Torah, Zarathustra and music at its most sublime.