In this final week of the course, you will expand your consideration of religion to those that are alternative. In this context, alternative simply means other possibilities in religion besides the most-followed religions you have already explored.
Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:
What are some primary reasons these religions emerged?
What are some commonalities in their popularity or characteristics?
Consider the roles of women in these alternative religions. How have they changed over time? Are women’s roles in these religions similar to or different from some of the other religions you learned about in this course? Explain.
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
Emergence and Characteristics of Alternative Religions
Alternative religions, often referred to as new religious movements or unconventional spiritual practices, have emerged for various reasons, including dissatisfaction with established religions, the quest for personal spiritual fulfillment, and the desire for alternative belief systems. Some primary reasons these religions have emerged include:
1. Seeking Spiritual Freedom: Followers of alternative religions may seek a more personalized and flexible approach to spirituality that allows them to explore diverse beliefs and practices outside of traditional religious structures.
2. Counter-cultural Movements: Many alternative religions have emerged as responses to societal norms and values, offering alternative perspectives on morality, ethics, and social structures.
3. Innovative Spiritual Practices: Some alternative religions incorporate innovative spiritual practices, rituals, and teachings that resonate with individuals seeking new and transformative experiences.
Despite their diversity, alternative religions share some commonalities in their popularity and characteristics:
1. Emphasis on Personal Growth: Alternative religions often prioritize individual spiritual growth, self-discovery, and empowerment, providing followers with tools and teachings to enhance their personal development.
2. Focus on Nature and Holistic Living: Many alternative religions promote a deep connection with nature, environmental sustainability, and holistic approaches to health and well-being.
3. Inclusivity and Diversity: Alternative religions tend to be inclusive of diverse beliefs, backgrounds, and identities, fostering a sense of community and acceptance among their followers.
When considering the roles of women in alternative religions, it is important to note that these roles have evolved over time. Initially, some alternative religions may have offered women more opportunities for leadership, spiritual authority, and participation compared to traditional religious institutions. However, as these movements have grown and adapted to societal changes, the roles of women in alternative religions have become more varied and complex.
In some alternative religions, women hold significant leadership positions, contribute to spiritual teachings, and play active roles in rituals and ceremonies. These movements may promote gender equality, empowerment, and the reclamation of feminine spirituality.
On the other hand, there are also instances where women’s roles in alternative religions mirror traditional gender norms or face challenges related to gender discrimination, hierarchy, or restrictive beliefs about women’s capabilities.
Overall, the roles of women in alternative religions can vary widely depending on the specific beliefs, practices, and cultural contexts of each movement. While some alternative religions may offer greater opportunities for women’s leadership and spiritual expression, others may perpetuate gender stereotypes or limitations similar to those found in mainstream religions. It is essential to examine these dynamics critically and consider the diversity of experiences within alternative religious communities when comparing women’s roles across different faith traditions.
