The assigned readings from Kenneth D. Wald and Allison Calhoun-Brown’s book Religion and Politics in the United States (2018) associated with this exam focus heavily on religious political mobilization. Compare and contrast the nature of conservative, centrist, and liberal political mobilization. Your response should indicate a careful reading of the following chapters:
A. Chapter 8, “Religion and Conservative Political Mobilization”
B. Chapter 9, “Religion and Centrist Political Mobilization”
C. Chapter 10, “Religion and Liberal Political Mobilization”
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 Dynamics of Religious Political Mobilization: A Comparative Analysis
Kenneth D. Wald and Allison Calhoun-Brown’s book “Religion and Politics in the United States” delves into the intricate relationship between religion and political mobilization, focusing on conservative, centrist, and liberal perspectives. By comparing and contrasting the nature of political mobilization across these ideologies as outlined in Chapters 8, 9, and 10, we can gain insights into how different belief systems interact with the political landscape in America.
Chapter 8: Religion and Conservative Political Mobilization
In Chapter 8, Wald and Calhoun-Brown explore the dynamics of conservative political mobilization intertwined with religious beliefs. Conservative mobilization often stems from traditional values, moral principles, and a desire to uphold a particular interpretation of religious doctrines. Conservative groups frequently advocate for policies aligned with their religious convictions, such as opposition to abortion or support for traditional marriage. The fusion of religion and conservatism leads to a cohesive and passionate base that actively engages in political activism to promote their values.
Chapter 9: Religion and Centrist Political Mobilization
Contrasting the conservative approach, centrist political mobilization, as discussed in Chapter 9, tends to navigate a more moderate path. Centrist groups often seek common ground between opposing ideologies and prioritize pragmatic solutions over ideological purity. While religion may still play a role in centrist mobilization, it is typically less overt compared to conservative or liberal movements. Centrist actors aim to bridge divides, appeal to a broad spectrum of voters, and promote bipartisanship in policymaking.
Chapter 10: Religion and Liberal Political Mobilization
Chapter 10 delves into liberal political mobilization within a religious context. Liberal groups often emphasize social justice, equality, and inclusivity, drawing on religious teachings that align with these values. Issues such as poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and LGBTQ rights are central to liberal religious mobilization efforts. Liberal religious activists advocate for progressive policies that reflect their commitment to compassion, diversity, and human rights, leveraging their faith as a catalyst for social change.
Comparative Analysis
When comparing conservative, centrist, and liberal political mobilization through a religious lens, distinct patterns emerge. Conservative mobilization tends to be rooted in traditional values and moral absolutes, driving a fervent commitment to specific policy goals. Centrist mobilization focuses on pragmatism, compromise, and coalition-building, seeking to find common ground amidst political polarization. Liberal mobilization emphasizes social justice, inclusivity, and progressive reform, harnessing religious teachings to advocate for systemic change.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the dynamics of religious political mobilization vary across conservative, centrist, and liberal spectrums, reflecting diverse approaches to engaging with faith in the political sphere. While conservatives may prioritize moral values, centrists seek moderation, and liberals advocate for social justice, each group draws on religious beliefs to shape their political agendas. By understanding these distinct modes of mobilization outlined by Wald and Calhoun-Brown, we can appreciate the multifaceted ways in which religion intersects with politics, contributing to a rich tapestry of ideological perspectives in American society.
