OIL AND WATER
Will politicians stop using their religion to enforce their religious agenda? Will our country crumble to the ground under control of abusive politicians?
The conversation revolving around the idea of religion and government is often hushed--when the silence is broken the political debate is never ending. Government that is based on religion has been around since we could remember. However, if you live in a culturally diverse country, the idea of basing governmental regulations on certain religion biases, is an idea that would lead to disaster. We see it everyday, our least favorite politician wants to take away some of our own rights because of his/her religious beliefs; for example, some politicians may find the use of birth control or other things that prevent pregnancy “inappropriate” because it’s against their religion. The human race is unique because we are all different and we want to live our lives how WE want to live it. Bias governmental decisions only lead to an uproar from the people negatively affected--causing finger-pointing and a thoughtfully planned 280 characters.
This particular political cartoon is satirizing the back and forth arguments between Democrats and Republicans regarding religion and politics.
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A screenshot from the film version of The Handmaid's Tale--Ofglen is seen with something covering her mouth so she cannot speak. This symbolizes the fact of women having their voices hushed in the society we have established.
The critique of religion and government is brought to life in Margaret Atwood’s, The Handmaid’s Tale. The story is told from a young woman’s point of view--Offred--who lives in the Republic of Gilead. Gilead is a place of corruption and selfishness that only worsen as the story continues. The religious bias of the government in Gilead causes the women to become restless as they know they should fight for what’s right. Religion and government are a combination that should not go together as it causes corruption and chaos that leads to an unsuccessful foundation for the country you live in.
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Offred begs the question many of us ponder about today--why? Why does the government try to force their religious beliefs on us and rid us of our freedom?
Offred is one of the Handmaids--the women who conceive the Commander’s children--and she feels trapped in the dystopian society of Gilead. Gilead is more of a prison that takes advantage of the women who live there. It’s early on in the book when Offred notices
“why there is no glass, in front of the water color picture of blue irises, and why the window opens only partly and why the glass in it is shatterproof. It isn’t running away they’re afraid of. We wouldn’t get far. It’s those other escaped, the ones you can open yourself, given a cutting edge (Atwood, 8).
If you read by this fast, the true meaning behind what the author means may not even cross your mind. Atwood plays with her diction and syntax with these couple sentences to leave the reader with suspense, Atwood is hinting at the fact that life in Gilead is so brutal, they put safety measures in place so no one will try to kill themselves; the battered women of Gilead just wanted to be put out of their misery.
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Citizens of Gilead were often hung if they failed to follow the unfair rules. They were hung for gender treachery--which is still a topic that is heavily talked about today--and even adultery, which is wrong, but it should not result in death.
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Folk art was traditionally made by peasants or other laboring tradespeople. The Handmaids are forced to make folk art which means the leaders of Gilead portray them as objects instead of equals.
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The higher ups in Gilead continue to force their religion on these innocent people--even after they recognize that it’s so horrendous, it may cause someone to commit suicide. If the Handmaids failed to obey the rules they take part in a salvaging ceremony where the hangings take place. This is what some Handmaids wanted because it was the only way to find closure. Offred explains to the reader that Gilead’s leaders like “folk art, archaic, made by women, in their spare time, from things that have no further use. A return to traditional values. Waste not want not. I am not being wasted. Why do I want?” which signifies the women in this society as objects, not humans. The women and the art are the same: decorative and useless. Every woman in this society has a role--big or small--that the government thinks will make Gilead better. By forcing their own religious views down on their people, it causes a tempestuous outroar by the people. Religion and Government are like oil and water, they don’t mix; when they are put together it’s just one big mess no one can seem to clean up.
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Why does America face so many racial/religious problems today? What can we do to resolve these issues to make America a great place for everyone?
America is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, which is why we are known as the “melting pot.” Some politics in America try to use their power to patronize US citizens into following their religion. However, they must not realize there are over 310 religions and denominations in the United States. Trying to force your religion on someone is completely senseless. In fact, we are currently living proof that religion and politics don’t go together; notice the amount of turmoil we have in regards to heavily controversial topics like gay marriage and abortion. The heads of our country want to make these things illegal because of their religious beliefs; you should feel inclined to practice whatever religion you want, however, you can’t control people’s lives because of what YOU believe in. America will continue to have a decaying government until someone steps up and draws the line between religion and politics.
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America was dubbed the "Melting Pot" in the early 20th century by a British writer named Israel Zangwill in one of his plays. America earned it's nickname because of all the different cultural differences that are present in the United States.
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What do other people think of our societal issues regarding politics and religion?
In Shanna Babilonia’s article, “The Problem With Faith: 11 Ways Religion Is Destroying Humanity,” (See #6) he discusses the issues that are ignited when politicians force their religious beliefs on their people. Babilonia states that “Some people simply follow certain political and religious leaders and trust that they have their best interest in mind; but, in reality, the agenda they support will both further corrupt and further oppress their own country and its people.” The author is critiquing the idea that we often blindly vote for candidates and completely ignore their RELIGIOUS AGENDA.
We will sit in front of our TVs and yell in excitement as our favorite politicians vocalize all the things they’re going to do to fix our broken government and completely turn a blind eye to the things they actually want to change. Babilonia begs the question “How many more women are to be disparaged, mutilated and controlled by governments whose religious rule makes such atrocities acceptable?” which directly correlates to our situation here in 2017. That quote also ties into Offred’s situation in Gilead. She and other Handmaids are treated as property rather than humans; their only job is to reproduce and keep their head down. The Handmaid’s bodies are controlled by Gilead’s suffocating government which continues the dehumanization.
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It's estimated that 97.6 American households have a TV set which means nearly everyone sees the Presidential election ads every four years. Many people also tune into the political debates to cheer on their candidate.
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It’s simple, the combination of religion and politics will cause destruction to our country and society. We must not let our nation’s leaders inflict their religious views on us simply because they have the power to. If we fail to recognize this as an issue, it will be the main cause for the fall of the United States government. Once we realize religion should be practiced in religious buildings and government should be practiced in governmental buildings, we may again find a way to prosper as a country.