Responding to argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Responding to argument - Essay Example While a group of people consider homosexuality as part of what God has intended for some people in the time of creation, some others consider all kinds of sexual orientation and its practical aspects as part of human freedom and susceptibility to sin. Naturally, the former group tries to justify homosexual tendencies as normal and not something to be cured, while the latter seek religious and other sorts of help to cure themselves of this ‘disease’. Fr.Hopko tries to substantiate the orthodox position with the help of scriptures. He chooses to make use of three references from the Bible – Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1: 26-27 and I Corinthians 6:9-11 – to display how the Bible considers homosexuality an abomination that deserves due penalty and how those who practice it will fail to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. However, the arguments are not totally intolerant towards people who happen to be homosexuals by choice or circumstances. Hopko asserts the concept that Christians are redeemed sinners and reveals the extent to which sinful acts are forgiven in the Christian ideology if the people acknowledge their sins and repent for them. There could even be cases where people are led against their will to commit sins, where their passions overpower their conscience. Even as such sins remain a serious affront towards Christian faith, Hopko points out how such sinners could seek the religious and community help to come back t o a true Christian life. He tries to strike a balance in his arguments by criticizing the mindless, truly demonic hatred of anti-homosexuals and also the mindless, equally demonic homosexual activity by its misguided advocates and enablers. He brings in the analogy of the burden of a cross to define homosexuality and affirms that there is redemption for people with homosexual affinities if they are willing to struggle against it. Though the entire article sounds sensible and balanced at first reading, anyone who is aware

HUM310 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HUM310 - Essay Example eparated from the Anglican Church and perceived the New Frontiers a place where they could put up their roots and established their own institutions of the same. Bradfords journal documented these sentiments through absorbing story telling techniques so that the reader could relate to the sense of community, the struggle of the early settlers, and the peaceful manners in which the Native Americans and the Pilgrims embraced each other. Had it not been for this peaceful integration with the Natives, specifically the Wampanoag tribe, later settlers from England would not have been able to establish towns and cities so easily. Indeed, through Bradford eyes, the challenge of "self-definition and establishment" (Parini 7), the origin of many of American traditions and culture such as Thanksgiving, could be seen to have emerged to shape the new nation. Moreover, "Of Plymouth Plantation" demonstrated the importance of compromise and peacemaking in the process of making a nation. Instead, of concentrating on "wealth and adventure" alone, Bradford encouraged understanding of the Natives and communication. He believed in embracing the value the locals had to offer to the new settlers through "sacred bonds and ties" of the "sweet communion" (Parini 10). At the same time one gets the sense of change during the 17th century. Bradford was saddened by the humiliation that the new generation brought with it by their violent behaviors and willful desecration of the locals. He believed the new colonists dissipated the foundations that were built by the early settlers particularly the Pilgrims of Plymouth that took years in the making. Although, Parini (10) sometimes believed Bradford to have veered from actual historical events, nevertheless one could relate to Bradfords experience at the time which were different from the narratives of the later colonists who were fiercer, resistant and against the Natives. Their dispositions resulted in bloody wars and waste of precious lives