Write a short essay of 400-600 words that responds to this question: How do religions both unite and divide humanity?
As you develop your response, you should choose two of the following areas of religious influence from Unit 3 to analyze:
Religion & the Individual
Religions & Society
Morality & Ethics
Ritual & Material Culture
Religion in Government
Religion in Global Affairs
Your short essay should include four parts:
1. Briefly introduce your topic and develop a clear and succinct response to the question: How do religions both unite and divide humanity?
2. Support your response by analyzing the first area of religious influence that you have selected from Unit 3. Use at least two specific examples from the lessons in any unit in your analysis.
3. Support your response by analyzing the second area of religious influence that you have selected from Unit 3. Use at least two specific examples from the lessons in any unit in your analysis.
4 Briefly summarize and conclude your short essay. You will use information from the Sophia tutorials to support your response.
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
How do religions both unite and divide humanity?
Religion has always played a significant role in shaping human societies. It has the power to bring people together and create a sense of community, but it can also cause divisions and conflicts. This essay will explore how religions both unite and divide humanity, focusing on the areas of religious influence: Religion & the Individual and Religion & Society.
Religion has the ability to bring individuals together, providing them with a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It offers guidance and comfort, giving people a framework within which to understand the world and their place in it. One example of how religion unites individuals is through the practice of prayer. People from different walks of life and diverse backgrounds can come together to pray, putting aside their differences and connecting on a spiritual level. Another example is the concept of pilgrimage, where people travel to sacred sites in search of spiritual growth. Pilgrimages often attract individuals from various religious backgrounds, creating an atmosphere of shared purpose and unity.
However, religion can also create divisions among individuals. Different religious beliefs and practices can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings. One example of how religion divides individuals is through religious conversion. When someone converts to a different religion, it can strain relationships with family and friends who adhere to a different faith. Another example is religious extremism, where individuals use their religious beliefs to justify acts of violence against those who do not share their faith. Such divisions can lead to animosity and even warfare, as seen in historical conflicts such as the Crusades or religious tensions in the Middle East.
Religion also has a profound impact on society as a whole. It provides a moral framework that guides individuals’ behavior and shapes societal norms and values. One example of how religion unites society is through shared moral codes. Many religions promote virtues such as compassion, honesty, and justice, which serve as common principles that people can rally around. These shared values contribute to the cohesion of communities and create a sense of collective identity. Another example is the role of religion in promoting social justice. Many religious organizations are actively involved in charitable work and advocacy for marginalized groups, bringing people together to fight for a more just society.
However, religion can also contribute to societal divisions. Religious beliefs often inform political ideologies, leading to conflicts over policy issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, or end-of-life decisions. These debates can be highly divisive, pitting religious groups against one another and creating deep societal divisions. Another example is the role of religion in perpetuating gender inequality. Many religions have traditionally assigned specific roles and responsibilities to men and women, which can lead to discrimination and marginalization.
In conclusion, religions have the power both to unite and divide humanity. On one hand, they bring individuals together by providing a sense of purpose, shared rituals, and a moral framework. On the other hand, religious differences can lead to divisions and conflicts among individuals and within society. It is essential to recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of religious unity while working towards understanding and tolerance for religious diversity. By promoting dialogue and fostering respect for differing beliefs, we can harness the unifying potential of religion while mitigating its divisive impact on humanity.
