What important lessons can be drawn from the final report of the Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Committee?
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
Lessons from the Final Report of the Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Committee
Introduction
The Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Committee in Canada has played a pivotal role in shedding light on the dark chapter of the country’s history – the residential school system. The final report of the committee not only serves as a testament to the atrocities committed against Indigenous peoples but also provides important lessons for society. This essay will explore some of the crucial lessons that can be drawn from the final report, highlighting the significance of understanding, acknowledgement, and reconciliation.
Lesson 1: Understanding the Impact of Residential Schools
The first lesson we can learn from the final report is the importance of understanding the profound impact that residential schools had on Indigenous communities. The report exposes the systemic abuse, cultural genocide, and intergenerational trauma inflicted upon Indigenous children and their families. By comprehending the magnitude of this impact, society can begin to grasp the depth of injustice and suffering experienced by Indigenous peoples.
Lesson 2: Acknowledgement of Past Wrongs
Another critical lesson emphasized in the final report is the necessity for acknowledgment of past wrongs. The report serves as a wake-up call, urging all Canadians to confront the historical mistreatment of Indigenous peoples and acknowledge their pain and suffering. Acknowledgment brings validation to survivors and their families, allowing for healing and reconciliation to take place.
Lesson 3: Importance of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is a central theme throughout the final report, and it serves as a lesson for all societies grappling with historical injustices. The report stresses that reconciliation is not merely about apologies or gestures; it requires a genuine commitment to rectify the harm caused by colonial policies. It calls for meaningful actions such as implementing the recommendations outlined in the report, fostering respectful relationships, and supporting Indigenous self-determination.
Lesson 4: Education and Awareness
One crucial lesson from the final report is the importance of education and awareness. By educating society about the history and legacy of residential schools, we can challenge ignorance, prejudice, and discrimination. This education should extend beyond Indigenous communities, reaching all Canadians to foster empathy, understanding, and respect for diverse cultures.
Lesson 5: Collaborative Efforts
The final report highlights the significance of collaborative efforts between Indigenous communities and non-Indigenous allies. It emphasizes that reconciliation is a shared responsibility that requires the active participation of all Canadians. Collaborative efforts can take various forms, such as engaging in dialogue, supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, and advocating for policy changes that address systemic inequalities.
Conclusion
The final report of the Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Committee provides invaluable lessons for society. By understanding the impact of residential schools, acknowledging past wrongs, prioritizing reconciliation, promoting education and awareness, and fostering collaborative efforts, we can work towards healing the deep wounds inflicted upon Indigenous peoples. It is essential for all Canadians to internalize these lessons and actively contribute to creating a more just and inclusive society.
