Cierra Patterson
Past Religious Based Issues in European Society Handled Today
From the jump of reading The Fall by Albert Camus, we are hit with religious symbolism, both from Christian and Catholic origin. The title alone has a direct connection to the story of Adam and Eve and their banishment from the Garden of Eden, a symbol of mankind’s fall from perfection. It should come as no surprise that religion appears so much in this story due to Europe’s deep connection with it. However, the story of religion in Europe during the 19th century is not a pleasant trip down memory lane. In The Fall, Camus uses his protagonist, Jean-Baptiste Clamence, to argue that Europe’s religious past is something it would rather bury than come to terms with …show more content…
He asks the reader, “Have you noticed that Amsterdam’s concentric canals resemble the circles of hell?” (Camus Chapter 1, Paragraph 14) referencing Dante’s Inferno in which he describes hell having being built in circles each containing different sinners. Hell is well known for being the place people are sent to if they have committed a sin that goes against the laws of the Bible. However, it is noted in many religions such as Christianity and the Catholic faith that one can repent to avoid such a faith. As noted in class, many European nations have done things that would be condemned as sinful. This can be a complicated issue to elaborate on if we were to try to base it on Camus’s argument against Europe not facing up to it’s past. During the 19th century, being openly homosexual was seen as morally wrong. It was heavily frowned upon and anyone caught was likely out-casted. This agenda was mainly pushed by church officials who often told its followers that being homosexual was a sin that would result in anyone who claimed to be one going to hell. This view has changed as of recent years thanks to the current leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, stating that we should not judge anyone based on their sexual preference. While on a plane returning from his week in Brazil, Pope Francis was quoted saying, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge? We shouldn't marginalize people for this. They must be integrated into society.” Although the pope made this statement, he never addressed the fact on if such a lifestyle was sinful or not. It did provide evidence that the pope was willing to make the church more “merciful and less critical and disciplinary” than it had been in the past. Regardless, people found this new attitude
Past Religious Based Issues in European Society Handled Today
From the jump of reading The Fall by Albert Camus, we are hit with religious symbolism, both from Christian and Catholic origin. The title alone has a direct connection to the story of Adam and Eve and their banishment from the Garden of Eden, a symbol of mankind’s fall from perfection. It should come as no surprise that religion appears so much in this story due to Europe’s deep connection with it. However, the story of religion in Europe during the 19th century is not a pleasant trip down memory lane. In The Fall, Camus uses his protagonist, Jean-Baptiste Clamence, to argue that Europe’s religious past is something it would rather bury than come to terms with …show more content…
He asks the reader, “Have you noticed that Amsterdam’s concentric canals resemble the circles of hell?” (Camus Chapter 1, Paragraph 14) referencing Dante’s Inferno in which he describes hell having being built in circles each containing different sinners. Hell is well known for being the place people are sent to if they have committed a sin that goes against the laws of the Bible. However, it is noted in many religions such as Christianity and the Catholic faith that one can repent to avoid such a faith. As noted in class, many European nations have done things that would be condemned as sinful. This can be a complicated issue to elaborate on if we were to try to base it on Camus’s argument against Europe not facing up to it’s past. During the 19th century, being openly homosexual was seen as morally wrong. It was heavily frowned upon and anyone caught was likely out-casted. This agenda was mainly pushed by church officials who often told its followers that being homosexual was a sin that would result in anyone who claimed to be one going to hell. This view has changed as of recent years thanks to the current leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, stating that we should not judge anyone based on their sexual preference. While on a plane returning from his week in Brazil, Pope Francis was quoted saying, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge? We shouldn't marginalize people for this. They must be integrated into society.” Although the pope made this statement, he never addressed the fact on if such a lifestyle was sinful or not. It did provide evidence that the pope was willing to make the church more “merciful and less critical and disciplinary” than it had been in the past. Regardless, people found this new attitude