What evangelization can the catholic church do to attract young people?
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
Attracting Young People to the Catholic Church: Strategies for Evangelization
In an era marked by rapid societal changes, evolving cultural norms, and shifting religious landscapes, the Catholic Church faces the challenge of engaging and retaining young people within its community. To attract and connect with a new generation of believers, the Church must embrace innovative evangelization strategies that resonate with the values, interests, and needs of young people today.
Embrace Technology and Social Media
One powerful way for the Catholic Church to reach young people is through the effective use of technology and social media platforms. Given the digital nature of contemporary communication, creating engaging content, live-streaming Masses, hosting virtual events, and fostering online communities can help make the Church more accessible and relatable to young audiences. By leveraging social media channels such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, the Church can share inspirational messages, facilitate discussions, and build meaningful connections with tech-savvy youth.
Foster Inclusive and Welcoming Communities
Creating welcoming and inclusive spaces within parishes and Catholic organizations is essential for attracting young people who seek acceptance, belonging, and community. By promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the Church can demonstrate its commitment to embracing individuals from all walks of life, regardless of background, identity, or beliefs. Encouraging collaboration, dialogue, and mutual respect among members of diverse age groups can cultivate a sense of unity and shared purpose that resonates with young people seeking authentic connections and relationships.
Address Social Justice Issues
Young people are often passionate about social justice causes and advocacy efforts that align with their values of compassion, empathy, and solidarity. The Catholic Church can attract youth by actively engaging in social justice initiatives, promoting ethical leadership, and advocating for systemic change on issues such as poverty, inequality, environmental sustainability, and human rights. By demonstrating a commitment to addressing pressing social challenges and working towards a more just and equitable society, the Church can inspire young people to become agents of positive change and active participants in building a better world.
Encourage Meaningful Dialogue and Faith Formation
Creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue, reflection, and spiritual growth is essential for engaging young people in their faith journey. The Catholic Church can offer dynamic youth ministries, faith-based programs, retreats, and educational resources that cater to the diverse interests and needs of young believers. By fostering open conversations about faith, identity, morality, and purpose, the Church can empower young people to explore their spirituality, deepen their relationship with God, and connect their beliefs to their lived experiences in meaningful ways.
Conclusion
Attracting young people to the Catholic Church requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges the evolving needs, preferences, and aspirations of youth in today’s world. By embracing technology and social media, fostering inclusive communities, addressing social justice issues, and encouraging meaningful dialogue and faith formation, the Church can create a welcoming and engaging environment that resonates with young audiences seeking connection, purpose, and spiritual fulfillment. Through proactive evangelization efforts that prioritize authenticity, relevance, and empathy, the Catholic Church can inspire a new generation of believers to actively participate in the life of the Church and contribute to its ongoing mission of spreading the message of love, hope, and salvation.
