The most thought-provoking theology paper. EVER.

 DISCLAIMER: There were related questions to the topic headings that I responded to, I didn't come up with all this myself. Also, this may be one of the poorest papers I've ever written, but it was the most excruciatingly painful one to write. I had no idea where to start and still am not satisfied with how it turned out. I still have so many unanswered questions and thoughts. BUT I will say, this has probably been one of the most though-provoking assignments I've ever had in college and has thus been one of the most rewarding as well. It makes me want to talk to someone about getting more in touch with my spiritual side?


1. Humanity: as it exists.

I do not think that there exists a single faulty cause of war, oppression, torture, and corruption of the world. Rather, I believe that these things begin as a result of a small misunderstanding or lack of concern of those who are underrepresented. I guess, then, that it is a sense of alienation that begins with something that could easily be nurtured and reversed into something positive and influential. This feeling of neglect and oppression builds, eventually becoming something so concrete and foundational in a person or group’s mindset that trying to reverse it becomes virtually impossible. The illusion made by these alienated individuals becomes the only thing that they see and becomes the ultimate goal of their lives. They want to see change for themselves just as we want to see change, it just is a very different and extreme kind of change.

            I don’t believe that there is a defined line that separates “good” and “bad” people. Rather, I believe it’s all a matter of perspective; someone who looks “good” to me might not necessarily appear “good” to someone else. I also believe that people change over time so that someone who was “good” can go bad and vice versa. While I think we should give the effort to try and modify the thoughts and actions of those who are “bad”, I don’t believe it would be an easy task to try to “correct” their viewpoints and beliefs because they have often gone beyond a point of change. The best the “good” can do is show their continued efforts to the “bad” and to provide a helping hand when the “bad” realizes the efforts of the “good” or realizes his or her self that their actions aren’t “correct”.

2. Humanity: hope for change. 

I don’t have any real presuppositions about this particular topic, even after much thought and am writing about this concept as the very last one. I think struggles and challenges in life can allow us to become enlightened or feel like we’ve been saved. In times of struggles, I feel that we begin to truly see the power of faith and belief, as it becomes the only thing we can count on. I don’t know if a particular freedom or self-expression is appropriate or necessary. I hope to learn more about this as the semester progresses. 

3. How/whether God (gods) or a spirit world interact with our world of experience. 

            I strongly believe that there is a God. I believe that he exists among us and has the ability to reach us if we take the time to listen and open our hearts to Him. He has the ability to influence us, both directly and indirectly, but it all depends on whether or not we choose to listen to Him. I believe God expects a mutual relationship between Him and His followers. He desires to have a relationship with us and if we choose to, we can reciprocate a desire to share a relationship with Him as well. Once a person has developed a strong relationship and faith in God, I believe they begin to experience more spiritually and feel His existence in his or her life more by way of miracles, happiness, or personal fulfillment.

            I think there is a Heaven that people can reach as long as they maintain a strong relationship with God, immerse his or her self in prayer, and live their life to the fullest, in terms of what Biblical scripture, religious authorities, and religious doctrines can provide an individual with to live by. Prayer is a personal communication between God and an individual. While I believe God answers prayers, I believe that he doesn’t just flat out give a person what he or she wants. Instead, I think God provides a path and encouragement for that individual to try to obtain his or her desires or goals his or her self. 

4. How we determine good acts/choices.

            “Secular” experience and study can determine our actions and choices based on the knowledge we have collected in the sciences and by reason. For example, we know that violent acts can injure an individual, thus we shouldn’t do it because it will hurt someone. I also feel that societal pressures can also have a large influence on what we decided is a “good” action. We feel pressured by society to pursue “good” acts even if we don’t understand how these will impact other people or why we’re really doing them.

            Traditional authorities and scriptures should provide an ideal way of living and allow us to be able to feel comfort amongst a community who lives the same way that I do. I think that the major religions of the world emphasize a simplistic way of living that can provide the most for the common good and does not encourage “bad” acts. Thus, through sacred scriptures and the teachings of sacred authorities, I think we should take from the narratives and examples how to live life in the most effective and fulfilling manner, not only for ourselves, but also for God and the common good.

            Our personal struggles and beliefs may conflict with what God would want us to do, but overcoming those challenges make us stronger, both spiritually and mentally. By prevailing from obstacles, we can share our own narratives with others to provide personal reasons as to why we believe something and encourage others to pursue a more positive and considerate lifestyle. I don’t think God ever gives us struggles to punish us, but instead gives them to try to strengthen our trust in Him and ourselves. He challenges us to appreciate what we have and what we eventually gain. 

5. Place of persecution, suffering, and failure in our lives.

            I honestly cannot think of a logical explanation for the existence of suffering. Whether it is a child who is born into some kind of unforeseen circumstance that sets him or her at a disadvantage or an adult is forced into some kind of unfortunate situation that causes them to suffer, I don’t believe that it should happen. I don’t know how we can stop it, but I do think that we, as humans, have the capacity and ability to make some kind of change to get rid of or at least lessen the amount of suffering that exists in the world today. Some of the stuff that happens in the world today doesn’t need to happen.

            While seeing and learning about things such as the Holocaust during World War II or genocide in Africa should teach us not to follow or stand in the face of injustice, it still happens. I believe we learn about these things in school so we don’t ignore injustice and make the same mistake again. Maybe a stronger message needs to be made when teaching this kind of material that we can make an effort and difference, if not by ourselves, by reaching out to those who can. Pressuring governmental representatives can encourage change in policies and where energies are put.

6. Purpose of human life.

            My studies within the biological sciences make me think that the purpose of human life is to reproduce offspring. But I know that we are much more complex than animals, so I do believe that we do have some kind of other purpose in life. Growing up in America, I grew up thinking that “success” was defined solely by money and power. I believe that is still the case and remains a highly influential concept in the back of my mind. Looking at highly respected people of the world, very few of them are Good Samaritans who have dedicated their lives to improving life for the common good rather than just for themselves. Instead, we idolize those who are powerful, have lots of money, and live their lives in leisure.

            I think we live in order to create strong personal and spiritual relationships. Through those relationships, I believe we work to make a difference on a small scale. I think too many people believe that they can “change the world” and aren’t satisfied with the idea of making a difference in the lives of those who we can most directly inspire, influence, and impact. We are supplied with the power to influence those nearest to us, but as humans, I guess we don’t find fulfillment and satisfaction in making that kind of difference. By “changing the world”, I don’t think one can see how they improved the lives of every single person they helped and find the most complete fulfillment by knowing they made a difference somehow.
          I can’t help but think that sometimes, very rarely, that beyond helping others that it becomes another desire or greed for recognition and power. Seeing how we can change a person and bring happiness to another should bring us true happiness, not materialistic things or power. Money and power are very temporary and fragile; relationships can bring eternal happiness that can be built into strong pillars in one’s life. I believe that continuous efforts to build relationships with those who we chose to have by us and with God can bring us into a future life with God in Heaven.

7. Place of justice.

           For me, justice is a means of laws that everyone living under the same system should follow. It should provide a sense of equality and order to those who live under the particular justice system. The “right relationship with others” should provide the opportunity for everyone who lives under a justice system to have the same privileges and accessibility to everything that it promises to provide. Although I say this, I don’t think the dispersion of goods and access to services is always fair in any justice system.

            I strongly believe that freedom should be given to one who has earned and worked hard for it. Living under oppression has to be mentally and physically draining to a person, if one can escape those kinds of horrific circumstances, there should be no reason they should be brought back to them. I don’t think we should have the right to hold “advantages” over others, but that we should aid people in need as we find necessary and when we can. I don’t know that many are willing to take the risk to promote justice for others for fear of our own safety and because our courage fails us. It is unfair that we act this way, but because we are higher beings than animals we take into consideration the consequences that could result due to our actions and thus fear what is hiding around the corner. It is ironic at times that we work so hard for our own justice when we already have so much, but don’t want to give a collective effort to provide even a small amount of justice for others who have little or none.

8. Role of security.

            I think we can be secure about our spiritual relationships and our families. In this day and age, I don’t think we can really confidently feel secure about anything. Technology can fail us at any given moment, humans can terrorize other humans in the blink of an eye, and even Mother Nature can cause massive destruction throughout the world without notice. With that being said, it is hard to guarantee ourselves that we have the rest of the day or even tomorrow. Although humans have advanced so much in the last couple hundred years, I feel that it has also held us back.

          I think we handle feelings of insecurity and powerlessness in two general ways. Either we try to ignore life and live life as we normally we would or we live in constant fear. Whichever we choose, I don’t think we will feel content, but since we cannot guarantee security, we must resort to one or the other. I don’t know that we should maintain our security at the cost of someone else’s well being, especially if there is no surefire sign that our security is threatened. At the risk of being slightly endangered, I feel that we should allow ourselves to provide some security to those who may have much less than us. Often, I feel that our greed overrides our abilities to think of those who aren’t as fortunate as us, which leads to people to believe that they are alienated and thus leads them to become the culprits of the very crimes that threaten us.

9. Promotion or defense of good/justice/freedom/security/prosperity.

            I’m not exactly sure which we try to primarily defend or promote. Rather, it seems to me that we attempt to maintain some kind of balance amongst the five mentioned concepts. I think we claim that we are promoting these ideas and concepts for the common good, but that, ultimately, it ends up representing and protecting a small minority to the fullest. I guess that means we can end up causing more harm than good, in certain aspects of each of the five ideas.

            I believe that trying to change these can be both manipulative and respectful of human freedom, again depending on an individual’s own perspective of how they feel about how a system is run. Violence, though, should never be resorted to try to resolve anything. I believe it only makes matters much worse and that the original reason why the violence started in the first place becomes lost. I don’t know that there is a specific option that provides a solution in every case, but that each case can resort to some form of non-violent act to influence some kind of reform or change where they find it is necessary. I think education by providing awareness and understanding, especially with youth, can be highly influential and provide positive results.