Respond to the discussion question attached and provide a 500-word limit response with citation and reference page.
Discussion: Using SNAP to Fight Poverty

 

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 Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Title: Leveraging SNAP to Combat Poverty: A Comprehensive Approach

Introduction:
Poverty is a pressing issue plaguing societies worldwide, with millions of individuals struggling to meet their basic needs. In the United States, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has emerged as a critical tool in the fight against poverty. This essay aims to highlight how SNAP, when properly utilized and expanded, can play a pivotal role in reducing poverty rates and improving the well-being of vulnerable populations.

Thesis Statement:
Expanding the scope of SNAP, increasing access to nutritious food, and implementing targeted support programs can effectively combat poverty by addressing the immediate needs of individuals while promoting their long-term self-sufficiency.

Body:

The Importance of SNAP:
SNAP plays a vital role in lifting individuals and families out of poverty by providing them with access to nutritious food. It helps alleviate hunger, improves health outcomes, and enhances overall well-being. According to a study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, SNAP lifted 3.6 million people out of poverty in 2019 alone (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2021). By ensuring proper nutrition, SNAP promotes physical and cognitive development, particularly in children, setting the stage for future success.

Expanding the Scope of SNAP:
To maximize its impact, SNAP should be expanded to reach more individuals and families in need. Currently, eligibility criteria often exclude those who may still face significant financial hardships. By raising income thresholds and reevaluating asset limits, more low-income individuals can access SNAP benefits. Additionally, expanding the program’s coverage to include non-traditional households such as elderly individuals living alone or students facing food insecurity would address gaps in support.

Addressing Barriers to Access:
To fully harness the potential of SNAP in fighting poverty, it is crucial to address barriers that hinder eligible individuals from accessing benefits. Simplifying the application process, reducing bureaucratic burdens, and increasing outreach efforts can help ensure that those who qualify for assistance can easily navigate the system. Technology can also be leveraged to streamline the application process and provide user-friendly platforms for benefit management.

Enhancing Nutritional Support:
SNAP should not only focus on providing access to food but also prioritize improving the nutritional quality of the assistance provided. By incentivizing the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains through targeted programs and partnerships with local farmers and farmers’ markets, SNAP can contribute to reducing diet-related diseases and promoting healthier lifestyles.

Promoting Self-Sufficiency:
While SNAP is essential in addressing immediate needs, it is equally crucial to invest in programs that foster self-sufficiency among beneficiaries. Implementing job training initiatives, educational opportunities, and career development programs tailored to SNAP recipients can empower individuals to break the cycle of poverty by gaining employment and increasing their earning potential.

Conclusion:

SNAP has proven to be an effective tool in fighting poverty by providing access to nutritious food for millions of individuals in need. To optimize its impact, it is crucial to expand the program’s scope, increase access for eligible individuals, simplify the application process, enhance nutritional support, and promote self-sufficiency through targeted programs. By taking a comprehensive approach to SNAP, we can make significant strides in reducing poverty rates and improving the lives of vulnerable populations.

References:
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2021). Policy Basics: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Retrieved from https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/policy-basics-the-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap

 

 

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