Arthur Findlay

The Curse of Ignorance

The breadth of knowledge displayed by Findlay in these two volumes is incredible, but what makes this book different from other histories is that whereas others are swayed in their accuracy by political or religious concerns, this one is direct in its allocation of blame for humanity's tragedies. Basically, Findlay goes about showing the devastating effects of ignorance on the history of humanity, ignorance of our true nature as human beings, as well as what really leads to happiness and contentment. Ignorance truly is the root of all evil, and as it has slowly been stamped out, despite the best attempts of the Christian Church to keep humanity in ignorance (all General Education Bills to give education to the masses were opposed by the Church of England, as were the bills to abolish slavery, torture and public flogging), society has steadily improved. Why this book almost seems to have become an underground classic but is not really quoted by anyone of repute is that he pulls no punches, be it with the British ruling classes and monarchy, organized religion (Christianity, Islam and Judaism take a pounding), Capitalism, Communism, etc. No one could really accuse him of picking on any particular group, but quote him out of context and you'll very quickly be crossing the lines of political correctness. However, all those who believe historical objectivity is of greater significance than following the dictates of political correctness will find this a fascinating book.
If there's one last point to mention it's that as Findlay states, the most important day in history remains that one in June 325 AD when the Roman Empire under the dictatorial Emperor Constantine agreed to make Christianity their state religion. This is because with the collapse of the Roman Empire shortly afterwards, the new religion was thrust into a position of power not at all suited to its abilities. With ignorance reigning supreme, fanatical converts set about the closure or destruction of all schools of education in their jurisdiction, and banished or murdered all educators. Christians destroyed the greatest library in history at Alexandria, extinguishing no doubt countless facts regarding our ancestry forever. The Dark Ages were the result of this destruction of the first organized attempts at education in the world, the system of schools and teaching in pagan Greece and Rome being first set up by the Greek philosophers, and we'd still be in the Dark Ages if some brave individuals hadn't fought the Church and helped to break the curse of ignorance, and if the Crusades hadn't ironically resulted in the centuries-banned Greek works from moving back to the West from the East, which inspired those who helped bring about the Renaissance. Findlay's greatest sin was just this - stating the honest and undeniable fact that we are 1400 years behind in our evolution as a result of Christianity.

He advocates a return to a world ruled by ethics, as first proposed by the Greek philosophers, and shows beyond all doubt that any religion which promises its followers salvation on the grounds of belief and not conduct is bound to be a bloody one, condemned by universal justice to one day thankfully pass away or mutate into something better. This book has helped, and is still helping to bring about such a change. Michael (Hamburg, Germany)