Assess the relationship between secularism and Islam in Iranian history and society.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Relationship Between Secularism and Islam in Iranian History and Society
Thesis Statement: The relationship between secularism and Islam in Iranian history and society is complex and has evolved over time, with periods of both tension and coexistence.
Introduction:
Iran, a predominantly Muslim country, has a rich history that intertwines with the Islamic faith. However, throughout its history, Iran has also experienced periods of secularism, where the influence of religion on the state and society has been diminished. This essay will explore the relationship between secularism and Islam in Iranian history and society, highlighting the complexities and the evolution of this relationship over time.
Body:
Historical Background:
Discuss the role of Islam in the establishment of the Persian Empire.
Explore the influence of Islamic teachings on Iran’s culture, governance, and society throughout different historical periods.
Highlight significant events that shaped the relationship between secularism and Islam in Iran, such as the Constitutional Revolution of 1906.
Rise of Secularism:
Examine the impact of Western influences and modernization on Iranian society during the 20th century.
Discuss the efforts of secular leaders, such as Reza Shah Pahlavi, to limit the influence of Islam on the state.
Explore the implementation of policies that promoted a more secular society, such as mandatory unveiling of women and restrictions on religious practices.
Islamic Revival:
Analyze the reasons behind the Islamic revival in Iran, particularly after the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Discuss the role of Ayatollah Khomeini in establishing an Islamic Republic and reintegrating religion into governance and society.
Explore the impact of Islamic laws and practices on various aspects of Iranian life, including education, family law, and public morality.
Coexistence and Tension:
Examine instances where secularism and Islam have coexisted in Iranian society, such as the inclusion of religious minorities in political processes.
Discuss areas of tension between secular principles and religious practices, such as women’s rights and freedom of expression.
Highlight the ongoing debates and struggles for a balance between secularism and Islamic values in Iran.
Conclusion:
The relationship between secularism and Islam in Iranian history and society is a complex one, with both periods of coexistence and tension. While Iran has experienced phases of secular rule, there has also been a strong revival of Islamic values and practices since the Islamic Revolution. Understanding this relationship requires a nuanced examination of historical events, cultural influences, and political dynamics. As Iran continues to evolve, finding a balance between secular principles and Islamic traditions will remain an ongoing challenge for its society and governance.
