In the first part of our course the assigned readings in Steven Waldman’s Founding Faith (2008) highlighted the diversity of religious belief and practice among many of the key founding fathers. The readings from Waldman associated with this exam (Exam 2) focus on how these beliefs, practices, and experiences influenced the American model of church-state relations. This model can be found in many of America’s foundational documents and the events associated with them. Two founders are particularly important, namely, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
Write a response to the following:
A. Consider the items listed below. Based on Waldman’s presentation of the history of these documents (see chapters 8-14): (1) Explain the content and historical context of each. (2) Taken together, what do these documents teach us about the American model of church-state relations?
a. The Declaration of Independence
b. Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments
c. Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
d. The First Amendment
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 Influence of Founding Fathers on the American Model of Church-State Relations
In Steven Waldman’s “Founding Faith,” the diverse religious beliefs and practices among the key founding fathers were emphasized, shedding light on how these influenced the American model of church-state relations. The readings associated with Exam 2 delve into how these beliefs impacted foundational documents and events, with a focus on Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. To gain a deeper understanding of the American model of church-state relations, it is essential to analyze key documents such as the Declaration of Independence, Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and the First Amendment.
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, penned primarily by Thomas Jefferson, marked the formal break of the American colonies from British rule in 1776. It articulates the fundamental principles upon which the United States was founded, emphasizing unalienable rights endowed by the Creator. While it does not delve deeply into church-state relations, its acknowledgment of natural rights granted by a higher power sets the stage for the protection of religious freedoms in subsequent documents.
Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments
James Madison’s “Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments” was a pivotal document in Virginia’s fight for religious freedom. It argued against state support for religious institutions through taxes, asserting that true faith cannot be compelled by law. This document underscores the founders’ commitment to preventing government interference in matters of religion, thus laying the groundwork for the separation of church and state in America.
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, also championed by Jefferson and later enacted in 1786, solidified the principle of religious liberty in Virginia. It disestablished the Anglican Church as the official state religion and guaranteed freedom of worship for all citizens. This statute served as a model for the First Amendment and exemplified the founders’ belief in a secular government that protects diverse religious beliefs.
The First Amendment
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, is a cornerstone of the American model of church-state relations. It prohibits Congress from establishing a national religion or impeding the free exercise of religion. By enshrining principles of religious freedom and separation of church and state, the First Amendment embodies the founders’ commitment to ensuring a pluralistic society where individuals are free to practice their faith without government intervention.
Conclusion
Collectively, these documents underscore the founders’ dedication to creating a government that respects religious diversity and safeguards individual liberties. They reveal a deliberate effort to prevent the establishment of a state religion and protect citizens’ rights to worship according to their conscience. Through their writings and advocacy, figures like Jefferson and Madison laid the groundwork for the American model of church-state relations, emphasizing the importance of secular governance and religious tolerance. As we reflect on these foundational documents, we are reminded of the enduring principles that shape our nation’s commitment to upholding religious freedom and preserving the separation of church and state.
