Preview

John D. Caputo's The Inherent Truths Of Man

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
568 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
John D. Caputo's The Inherent Truths Of Man
The Inherent Truths of Man
Throughout human history, man has found himself fascinated with the Gods and the mysticism that surrounds them. The idea of praying to a higher power has always appealed to the ethos of mankind, as a way of comfort. Divine intervention has led to the construction of grand temples, churches, and mosques while, the rest of the people lived in shacks battling destitute poverty. Religion has ignored many problems of the human condition in favor of the fantasy of revelation and salvation. It has led to vicious wars, disenfranchisement of entire groups of people all because of the sweet promise of salvation. In John D. Caputo's essay, Caputo highlights the divisive nature of religion and how the promises of revelation and salvation result ultimately lead to further perpetuate the lies and violence that religion has brought …show more content…
Caputo’s quote, can also illustrate some of the most violent wars in human history. Caputo’s quote also challenges the notion of faithful revelation being limited to an only particular faith. This is part of the reason that theology leads to so many issues. Theology promises salvation to those who only follow the rules and guidelines of that particular sect, while the rest are to enjoy a one way trip to the fiery depths of hell. Religion and theology also have a horrid habit of labeling those who are good and deserve salvation, and those who are bad who deserve hell. The problem with this mindset is that who is man to judge one another based on a series of unimportant theological laws attempting to answer questions that man will never be able
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    'God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything'
    • 1222 Words
    • 5 Pages

    'God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything'

    Christopher Hitchens’ New Atheist novel, “God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything” written in 2007, highlights everything that is wrong with religion, and how its effects are detrimental to society. Hitchens critiques Christianity, Judaism, and even Hinduism and Buddhism, for their atrocities and blasphemous beliefs and makes a very valid point as to why many individuals have turned away from religion. Though quite persuasive in some cases, other times the novel makes points that seem weak or trivial in regards to the “evilness” of religion. Each chapter of Hitchens’ book emphasizes a certain wrongdoing religion has committed, or how religion has poisoned society.…

    • 1222 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Cultural Differences In Elie Wiesel's Night
    • 1796 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Cultural Differences In Elie Wiesel's Night

    Since the beginning of mankind, man has sought some form of a higher entity and a basis for humanity. Since the beginning, it has always been important to find a greater purpose for human life--to discover life’s meaning. Naturally, due to cultural differences, incongruities arose in man’s interpretation of how best to live and how best to be faithful, and eventually man focused more on those differences rather than the similar theme that was emphasized in each of the Holy Books: to love our neighbors and to love God, or whatever higher entity we chose to worship (Interview). As time progressed, these differences in opinion began to become forms of identification, and man began to use faith and religion to distinguish themselves from one another.…

    • 1796 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Padre Ignacio Blazon: the Reality of the Soul
    • 2145 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Padre Ignacio Blazon: the Reality of the Soul

    Religion has forever been, and perhaps will forever be the most controversial topic of humanity. It is arguably one of the greatest characteristics of humankind, and yet it is also one of, if not the biggest cause of violence throughout history. One could spend an entire lifetime attempting to determine exactly what it is about religion that causes such violence. But many would agree at least, that it is interesting that the history and scriptures of most of the world’s religions speak of war and violence, as they preach of peace and love. As a result of this, it becomes easy for many individuals to become lost within their own personal interpretation of religious material. This widespread problem is why so much literature of every language revolves around such issues of religious understanding. Within the novel Fifth Business, Robertson Davies uses the character of Padre Ignacio Blazon to suggest that true spiritual understanding requires more than being a dogmatizing member of the church, or any religious establishment. This is accomplished by first establishing Blazon as the “wise old man” archetype, then by pointing out the benefits and limitations of organized religion, and finally by delivering his overall message about faith.…

    • 2145 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Solace in the Midst of Turmoil
    • 1643 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Solace in the Midst of Turmoil

    Many theorists have taken interest in religion for their fascination of its power to influence and shape human personality, behavior and action. Thomas Hobbes is one philosopher who attributed people’s clinging to religion as a logical alternative to find an acceptable explanation for things that are beyond their comprehension such as creation, the nature of things and ethics among others. Earlier philosophers adhered that the conception of religion is an inherent predilection of rational beings such that if lions and oxen have hands and feet, they too would conceive of a god that would look like a lion or an ox.…

    • 1643 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Martin Luther's Argument Essay: The Power Of Religion
    • 790 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Martin Luther's Argument Essay: The Power Of Religion

    Faith. Bloodshed. War. The power of religion has been a prominent and controversial one for as long as history has been recorded. God and his will have had several different interpretations in different times and areas. As these different ideas collide and meet, the truth of already established beliefs are challenged. How do these new ideas threaten longstanding powers? New ideas introduce thoughts that provide doubt, threatening already widespread truths and beliefs by decreasing their stability and strength.…

    • 790 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Imago Dei Research Paper
    • 1732 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Imago Dei Research Paper

    One does not have to look far to see the evil that has resulted from people rejecting God and oppressing one another. Slavery, war, greed, and oppression- an ocean of these disasters has swept through time, making every child ask “why?” and “how” could this be? Today, still, there are injustices to the human race that are hard to understand. In fact, people look everywhere for answers- to the media, to scholars, to historians, and to their leaders, but their search is in vain. Their hearts are left burning and throbbing. What then has led to the bullying of children, the gossip, and most frightening, the genocides that never cease to degrade the human race and leave us asking, “Why?” It is this: Man has rejected God and does not know who he is, and in turn, they do not know who their Creator has intended them to be. The more I see of the world, the more I know I have been spared. In knowing who God is and who he says I am, I have been set free. I am free to forgive, free to love, free to honor, and free to value each person that God has made in “his own image.” Knowing that every person on earth has infinite worth in God’s sight, so much that he came to earth to…

    • 1732 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Science And Religion In Frankenstein
    • 1718 Words
    • 53 Pages

    Science And Religion In Frankenstein

    VICTOR USURPS THE ROLE OF GOD AND CREATOR • Victor’s crea,on of the monster from dead ma2er to a living being is approached purely scien,fically and in an empirical manner. Taking his studies of the natural world and philosophers, he creates life and directly challenges the comfortable certain,es of religion. • By Victor’s example there is no longer just one benevolent God who bestows life, calling into ques,on the natural order of religion. • Arguably, Victor has enacted the most pronounced form of blasphemy by equa,ng himself with God and blessing himself the monsters ‘creator and source’.…

    • 1718 Words
    • 53 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Is Religion Useful Analysis
    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Is Religion Useful Analysis

    According to these critics, religion and faith get in the way of being truly human and make it more difficult for humans to live a healthy life and for society to make the world a better place. Some people such as Freud believe that religion is a crutch and that religion is something that people have been led to believe they need but really don’t. Some have characterized religion as a drug or opiate. These people believe that religion has been used to control the weak and poor throughout history by telling them to give money and to believe in authority without a good reason to do so. These same people point out that in addition to taking advantage of the weak, religion also divides people into clubs and groups and these clubs end up believing themselves to be superior to others. According to the author these ideologies has lead to wars and have in general made the world a more disagreeable…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Examine The Impact Of Religion On Ethno Religious Conflict
    • 2074 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Examine The Impact Of Religion On Ethno Religious Conflict

    Religion is supposed to be a positive factor in solving problems and disputes not only between individuals, but also between nations. Unfortunately, throughout history we have seen that religion was and still is used primarily by radicals to achieve their political, social, or religious agenda. This negative exploitation of religion by people of interest and radicals has distorted the image of various beliefs and their putative role in promoting peace. Negative exploitation of religion in the past and present is the main reason why secularism has become the most common phenomena, and has pushed many people to reject religion. People have come to consider religion, specifically monotheistic ones, as one of the biggest obstacles for world peace and…

    • 2074 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Things Fall Apart: Christianity vs. Animism
    • 1879 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Things Fall Apart: Christianity vs. Animism

    A major aspect of one’s society is religion. Without it, the way people hold themselves accountable would be nonexistent. In addition, many moral standards that exist today are values taken directly from religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Currently, there exists a feud between people who believe in a god, and of those who do not. Eventually those who believe in a higher power will fight against each other. In “Things Fall Apart”, Chinua Achebe brings to light the differences and similarities of Christianity and Animism in order to demonstrate the effects of religion upon one’s society, which is exemplified by Okonkwo and his people. This is noticed in the lives of the Ibo, the missionaries, and Okonkwo himself.…

    • 1879 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Religion And Reformation Impact
    • 592 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Religion And Reformation Impact

    Religion has been in existence for over 30,000 years throughout societies. By definition religion is the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. Over 4,200 religions have been rooted as a way to give humanity answers to the unknown. While religion is profoundly practiced it is also extremely controversial in civilizations. This argumentative topic will be discussed throughout this paper as well as the impact that it had during The Crusades and The Reformation.…

    • 592 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Sacred Vs Profane Religion
    • 1116 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Sacred Vs Profane Religion

    5 Eliade, Mircea (1959). Introduction. In The sacred and the profane: the nature of religion. New York: Harcourt Brace and World, pages 8 – 18.…

    • 1116 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Enlightenment; Can Mankind Live a Moral and Ethical Life Without Religion
    • 1714 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Enlightenment; Can Mankind Live a Moral and Ethical Life Without Religion

    The inspiration for my essay topic comes from a myriad of sources, and is in no way meant as an attack on religion. My main inspiration was a result of my contemplation over the short story “Letters from the Earth” written by Mark Twain. The story revolves around mankind’s hypocritical views on religion, faith, and prayer as viewed through the eyes of Satan. Due to his unfortunate death, in 1910, and the highly controversial nature of its content Twain’s story remained unpublished for 20 years. In this paper I will use this inspiration in an attempt to answer three questions: Would man revert back to his former state of savagery without moral guidance? If he did, would he then learn to redevelop a set of morals to live by? If this were possible, could it happen without religion as a guide with which to gauge moral values against?…

    • 1714 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Cosmic War By Juergensmeyer Summary
    • 428 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Cosmic War By Juergensmeyer Summary

    Images of divine warfare are persistent features of religious activism, as they provide the cultural content and themes within a world view that are played out in scenarios which lie behind contemporary acts of performance violence (Juergensmeyer, p 149). The term “cosmic war” according to Mark Juergensmeyer describes social images of war which, transcending human experience, evoke battles of the legendary past that relate to metaphysical, broader conflicts between good and evil, right and wrong, order and disorder (Juergensmeyer, p. 149). Perpetrators of religious violence have placed such images of cosmic war- a divine struggle- within global political battles, promoting religious terrorism from a tactic in political strategy to also bringing on a much…

    • 428 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    A Summary of the Essay, Ideas That Have Harmed Mankind by Bertrand Russell
    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A Summary of the Essay, Ideas That Have Harmed Mankind by Bertrand Russell

    Yet another harmful belief results from the delusion which men and nations sometimes have that they are the special instruments of the divine will.…

    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More