Pick a law in the United States either from the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, or any Federal/State Law.
YOU MUST PICK A SIDE FOR THE LAW
YOU EITHER AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH IT
YOU CANNOT BE IN THE MIDDLE
Write a 5-7 page paper following current MLA formatting using the questions below as a guide:
What is the history of that law?
What is one important event that is involved with this law?
Where does the law stand today?
What is your opinion on it?
How would you make it better?
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 Second Amendment: Preserving the Right to Bear Arms
Introduction
The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to keep and bear arms. This law has a rich history and has been a subject of intense debate and controversy. In this paper, I will take a stance in favor of the Second Amendment, exploring its history, an important event related to it, its current standing, and providing my opinion on it. Additionally, I will propose ways to improve the implementation of this law.
History of the Second Amendment
The Second Amendment was adopted as part of the Bill of Rights in 1791 and was influenced by the English Bill of Rights of 1689. Its inclusion in the Constitution stemmed from the Founding Fathers’ belief in the importance of an armed citizenry as a safeguard against tyranny and as a means of self-defense. The Second Amendment reads: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
An Important Event: District of Columbia v. Heller
One significant event related to the Second Amendment is the Supreme Court case of District of Columbia v. Heller in 2008. The case challenged a law in Washington, D.C., that effectively banned handgun possession by private citizens. The Court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to possess firearms for self-defense within their home. It was a landmark decision that affirmed an individual’s right to bear arms, while also recognizing that reasonable restrictions can be imposed to protect public safety.
Current Standing of the Second Amendment
The Second Amendment remains a fundamental right protected by the Constitution. However, there have been ongoing debates regarding the scope and limitations of this right. Laws regarding gun ownership and possession vary across states, with some implementing stricter regulations than others. The interpretation of the Second Amendment continues to be a subject of contentious political and legal discourse.
Opinion on the Second Amendment
I wholeheartedly support the Second Amendment and believe that it plays a crucial role in preserving individual liberties and ensuring the balance of power between citizens and the government. The right to bear arms provides individuals with the means to protect themselves, their families, and their property. It serves as a deterrent against potential threats and serves as a last resort for self-defense in situations where law enforcement may not be readily available.
Furthermore, the Second Amendment is deeply rooted in American history and is inextricably tied to notions of freedom and individual rights. It is a cornerstone of the Constitution, reflecting the Founding Fathers’ belief in limited government power and the ability of citizens to protect themselves.
Improving the Implementation of the Second Amendment
While I support the Second Amendment, I recognize the need for responsible gun ownership and measures to enhance public safety. To improve the implementation of this law, several steps can be taken:
Strengthen background checks: Implementing comprehensive background checks for all firearm purchases can help prevent individuals with criminal records or mental health issues from obtaining guns.
Promote responsible gun ownership: Encouraging education and training programs on safe gun handling, storage, and usage can promote responsible gun ownership practices.
Address illegal gun trafficking: Enhancing efforts to combat illegal gun trafficking can help prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands.
Encourage research on gun violence: Lifting restrictions on federal funding for research on gun violence can provide valuable insights into effective policy solutions while respecting individuals’ rights under the Second Amendment.
Encourage dialogue between gun rights advocates and gun control proponents: Fostering open and constructive dialogue between these two groups can lead to more nuanced discussions on balancing individual rights and public safety concerns.
Stricter penalties for illegal gun possession: Enforcing stricter penalties for individuals found in possession of firearms illegally can act as a deterrent and reduce gun-related crimes.
Conclusion
The Second Amendment stands as a crucial pillar of American democracy, guaranteeing citizens’ right to bear arms. Its historical significance, as well as landmark Supreme Court decisions such as District of Columbia v. Heller, reinforces its importance in protecting individual liberties. While improvements can be made to ensure responsible gun ownership and enhance public safety, it is vital to preserve this fundamental right while finding common ground between gun rights advocates and proponents of gun control. Balancing individual rights with public safety remains paramount in addressing concerns related to the Second Amendment.
