Term Paper Sample Content Preview:
Name
Tutor
Course
Date
Religion and Theology
Prompt #1: Conflict between Faith and Reason
Religious beliefs have always been justified through faith and reason. Owing to the fact that both sources can allegedly serve the same epistemic purpose, many theologians and philosophers have been intrigued by the relationship between the two and how the claims of faith and reason should be handled by rational agents. Some philosophers and theologians claim that there can be no conflict between the two, since once faith is properly understood and reason is properly employed, then there can be no contradictory claims. The central claim of faith is that God exists. As claimed by Descartes, it is impossible for me to exist with the kind of nature that I have . . . it is clear enough that He cannot be a deceiver. From Descartes argument, only a supernatural being can create mankind and all that exists around since humans are incapable of doing so themselves. God’s existence forms the very basis of religion and this is the reason why scientists have contradictory views concerning religion since their claims are based on empirical truth. However, faith and reason are interdependent since some scientific claims are supplemented by valid theological claims and vice versa. As stated by Einstein, science is lame without religion and religion is blind without science. Proving that God exists then brings the topic of evil. God gave humans the freedom of choice, meaning that they can decide to do good or evil. Atheists argue that evil cannot exist with God, since God is righteous and their claims disapproves the Christian faith. However, Augustine of Hippo claimed that evil comes from original sin and that it has nothing to do with God, but rather, human beings have the right to decide between good and evil. According to the argument, it is not God who created evil, instead, evil originated from sin which was committed by mankind.
The issue of abortion also provides proof of the relationship between faith and reason. Religion goes against abortion since it is considered as murder. Since God is the giver of life, then he alone has the right to take it away. Nonetheless, on a reasonable point of view, it is also immoral to abort since it would deny the baby a right to life, which is constitutional. As stated by Thompson, the woman carrying the child has to accede to the situation since it would be morally incumbent. Oppression has also been an important part of the course since it touches on marginalization, exploitation, violence, and imperialism. However, although the dominant groups are more superior and have liberty over the marginalized groups, the marginalization enables the groups to gain access to knowledge that is inaccessible by the dominant groups. For example, although women are discriminated and face oppression in the society, Johnson states that being bearers and sustainers of life, women found new meaning in God as a God of life. This means that amidst all the oppression and discrimination, the oppressed find solace and comfort in God through the revelation of knowledge that is only available to the weak. Such an understanding is only possible through faith. Overall, the course has vividly examined the concept of faith and reason to distinguish the conflict and relationship between the two. The theories, hypothesis, and beliefs created to understand the relationship between the two have proven to some degree that there is no conflict between faith and reason.
Prompt #2: The Concept of Privilege for Minority Groups
Justice has always been a burning issue for most societies in the world. Whenever matters of inequality arise, there are always disadvantaged groups that are the main focus of attention. Such groups normally include minority races, disabled persons and women. However, the dominant group is always considered advantaged compared to other groups, which are categorized based on race, gender or abilities, and for that reason, they are more privileged than the rest. However, after much focus has been put on these minority groups, there is reason to believe that the marginalized groups have access to certain knowledge that to which the dominant group does not have access to. Baldwin, stated that “it is only when a man is able, without bitterness or self-pity, to surrender a dream he has long possessed that he is set free—he has set himself free—for higher dreams, for greater privileges” (101). Similarly, Johnson claimed that “I recall that it was women who insisted on discovering God as a God of Life . . . Being bearers and sustainers of life women found new meaning in God as God of life, and themselves became stronger as defenders and bearers of life, not only in the biological sense but in all its dimensions” (66). Eiesland also wrote that “The disabled God is not only the One from heaven but the revelation of true personhood, underscoring the reality that full personhood is fully compatible with the experience of disability” (100). These quotes reveal the different kind of understanding that marginalized groups of people as a result of their imperfections. According to Baldwin, people who belong to minority races are limited to pursuing their dreams as a result of their race. However, such individuals learn to live with their identity and as a result, their minds are opened up to much greater privileges. Johnson on the other hand, describes women as having a much better understanding of life compared to men because of their ability to carry life and conceive. The ability to conceive gives women a better understanding of God, the giver of life and the biological life as a whole. Also, Eiesland displayed a unique perception of Jesus by describing him as a disabled God. Having been born with a disability, Eiesland showed a rather different understanding of the resurrection of Christ by explaining that by retaining the marks of crucifixion, Jesus Christ reveals to us that disability is actually a symbol of perfection. Eiesland’s inability enabled her to have a different understanding of the word of God, which displayed a different level of knowledge that only a disabled person could comprehend. Overall, such re-conceptions are more relevant to the marginalized groups who suffer oppression and discrimination. Most individuals in marginalized groups feel a strong connection to the words of the theologians since they can relate to their writings. More so, marginalized groups consider their weakness ...