Watch this 3 minute video on heart disease.
1. In a discussion thread let me know your thoughts and what you learned.
2. Reply to at least one of your classmates original post (hit the reply button below their original post). Do not reply to a reply.
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 Global Epidemic of Preventable Diseases: A Call to Action
Thesis Statement
Despite the alarming rise of preventable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, a global shift towards healthier diets and lifestyles can significantly reduce mortality rates and improve public health outcomes.
The statistics are staggering: cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming more lives than any other illness combined. Yet, the most shocking aspect of this epidemic is that nearly 95% of these cases are preventable through simple lifestyle changes. As we witness the globalization of food culture, where populations in developing countries adopt Western eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, we must recognize the urgent need for a paradigm shift in how we approach health and wellness on a global scale.
The Impact of Globalization on Health
Countries that once boasted some of the lowest rates of heart disease and obesity are now experiencing alarming increases in these conditions. For instance, many populations in Africa have transitioned from traditional diets rich in whole foods to more processed foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats. This shift not only increases the rates of cardiovascular disease but also corresponds with a rise in diabetes and hypertension, echoing patterns observed in Western nations.
The Power of Preventive Medicine
Preventive medicine offers a powerful solution to this growing crisis. Research has demonstrated that changes in diet and lifestyle can not only halt the progression of diseases but also reverse them. For example, a study published recently showed that dietary modifications led to a 70% regression in prostate tumor growth—a staggering contrast to the mere 9% observed in control groups who made no changes. These findings illustrate the profound impact that nutrition can have on health outcomes.
The Role of Food Companies
The role of food companies cannot be understated in this battle against preventable diseases. Many large corporations are beginning to recognize that promoting healthier options is not only ethical but also profitable. Initiatives like McDonald’s Asian Salad and PepsiCo’s focus on better food choices illustrate a shifting narrative within the food industry. By prioritizing healthful products, these companies can contribute to improved public health while simultaneously enhancing their revenue streams.
A Generation at Risk
The rise of obesity and diabetes among children is particularly concerning. Recent data indicates that two-thirds of adults and 15% of children are classified as obese—a trend that suggests future generations may face shorter lifespans than their predecessors. It is imperative that we act swiftly to address these issues through education and community initiatives aimed at fostering healthier lifestyles.
Conclusion
The threat posed by preventable diseases is both dire and avoidable. By embracing preventive medicine, promoting healthy eating habits, and encouraging lifestyle changes, we can create a healthier future for ourselves and generations to come. The time for action is now; we must leverage our collective resources to combat this global health crisis before it spirals further out of control.
Discussion Prompt
After watching the video on heart disease (https://youtu.be/M24EXiIJruU), share your thoughts on the key takeaways. What insights did you gain about prevention strategies, and how do you think these can be applied to combat the rising rates of cardiovascular disease globally?
Feel free to respond to at least one classmate’s post to foster a deeper discussion around our collective responsibility in addressing these pressing health concerns.
