The Binding of Isaac and the Modern Logic of Human Sacrifice

The greatest lie humanity tells itself is that we have outgrown human sacrifice.

We call it by different names now and make our offering to different gods.

We offer young men we call soldiers as if the designation means that their mothers cry less when they die.

We call masses of humanity collateral damage and turn our eyes away from the pictures of their lifeless bodies as we sip our morning coffee.

And the truth is, we don't do it because we are heartless.

We do it because we believe that it is necessary for the world to keep running.

We do it because we believe that the gods whose favor we so desperately seek, freedom, security, prosperity, flourishing, that they demand blood as the price of their favor.

We do it because we cannot see any other choice.

And maybe that's why we read the Akedah, the binding of Isaac on Rosh Hashanah.

Because the story of the Akedah isn't about inconceivable obedience.

When Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac, he is just accepting the same bargain of blood we still accept today.

That some need to die for the world to flourish.