Write a essay on how the death penalty is good and how defunding the police is a bad idea
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
The Case for the Death Penalty: Upholding Justice and Public Safety
The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, has been a topic of contentious debate for decades. Despite the ethical dilemmas it poses, proponents argue that the death penalty serves as a necessary tool in upholding justice and ensuring public safety.
Upholding Justice
Deterrence of Heinous Crimes: Supporters of the death penalty believe that its existence acts as a deterrent against committing heinous crimes such as murder. The fear of facing the ultimate punishment can dissuade individuals from engaging in violent acts.
Justice for Victims and Their Families: Advocates argue that the death penalty provides a sense of closure and justice to victims’ families by holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. It serves as a form of retribution and acknowledgment of the harm caused.
Ensuring Public Safety
Preventing Recidivism: For those convicted of egregious crimes, such as serial killers or mass murderers, the death penalty guarantees that these individuals will not have the opportunity to reoffend and pose a continued threat to society.
Maintaining Law and Order: The presence of the death penalty reinforces the seriousness of criminal offenses and sends a strong message that society will not tolerate acts of extreme violence. This can contribute to deterring potential offenders and maintaining law and order.
The Perils of Defunding the Police: A Misguided Approach to Public Safety
In recent times, there has been a growing call to defund the police as a response to instances of police brutality and systemic racism. However, this movement has sparked debates regarding its potential negative implications on public safety and law enforcement effectiveness.
Undermining Law Enforcement
Reduced Resources for Crime Prevention: Defunding the police could lead to budget cuts that diminish resources available for crime prevention strategies, community policing initiatives, and training programs. This may hinder law enforcement agencies’ ability to effectively address and prevent criminal activities.
Impact on Response Times: With reduced funding, police departments may face challenges in maintaining adequate staffing levels and responding promptly to emergency calls. Longer response times could jeopardize public safety and compromise timely interventions in critical situations.
Alternative Solutions
Reform and Accountability: Rather than defunding the police, proponents advocate for implementing reforms within law enforcement agencies to address issues of misconduct, bias, and excessive use of force. Enhancing accountability mechanisms and fostering community trust can lead to more effective policing practices.
Investment in Community Programs: Redirecting resources towards community-based initiatives, mental health services, and social support programs can address underlying societal issues that contribute to crime rates. By investing in preventive measures, communities can promote long-term safety and well-being.
In conclusion, while the death penalty serves as a controversial yet essential tool in upholding justice and ensuring public safety, defunding the police presents challenges that may compromise law enforcement effectiveness and public security. By advocating for reforms within law enforcement agencies and exploring alternative solutions to address systemic issues, society can strive towards a balance between justice, safety, and community well-being.
