Nomad Podcast James Alison - Scapegoat: How Civilisation Harms and How the Cross Heals (N184)
11 snips
Nov 8, 2018 
James Alison, a Catholic theologian and priest known for his insights on mimetic theory, joins the discussion to explore the concept of scapegoating and its role in shaping civilizations. He explains how the act of scapegoating perpetuates societal violence, while also illustrating how the cross offers a path to healing. The conversation challenges traditional atonement models, advocating for a more compassionate understanding of sin, emphasizing reconciliation and communal love over divine wrath.
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Prestige Fuels Church Rivalries
- Alison notes churches and NGOs with little money have higher prestige competition, increasing internal rivalry.
- He contrasts that with companies where salary differentials can reduce destructive prestige fights.
Sacrifice As Cultural Containment
- Human culture may have relied on sacrificial rituals to contain internal violence and enable symbolic life.
- Temples and sacrifices appear historically before large cities as mechanisms to manage collective aggression.
Scripture Turns Scapegoat Logic Inside Out
- The Hebrew scriptures already detect and invert the scapegoat logic by making the victim appear innocent.
- Jesus combines both scapegoat motifs (slain and cast out) to expose the mechanism fully in the Gospels.
