Andrea Paola Martinez
9/13/06 ENG 110 C Prof. Guthrie

                 

                                                                

                                                                       One God – Divided People

My idea for this assignment was to choose two images: One of the Christian God, and the other representing Allah; the name that the Islamic religion uses to identify God. Unlike in the Christian faith, prohibit the physical representation of Allah. Therefore, I chose to exhibit the physical image of Allah through the use of Allah’s written name. These two images, through their conjunction, bring forth numerous issues of relevance to myself while at the same time can be related to issues and current events occurring in and out of our nation.
         The juxtaposed presence of these two images induces many mixed feelings and topics of discussion to come to mind.  Both Islam and Christianity are immensely alike in their origins and fundamental beliefs, yet presently, many ‘representatives’ of these two religions are in a state of immense tension. These images represent two religions that preach love, service to the less fortunate, peace, forgiveness, and acceptance, but that have inadvertently been used to cause much death, tension, destruction, and feelings of hate. On more than one occasion, the ‘followers’ of each respective religion have misused and perverted their faith’s teachings to the point where they have used them to justify their own violent actions. Such occurrences are the ones that cause people to feel resentment towards religion. The destruction of the twin towers, for example, was justified by one of the accomplices as obedience to Allah. Islam, translated, means submission to Allah, and does entail total obedience. Though I am unfamiliar with the teachings of the Qur’ an, I do know that Christians and Muslims both worship God, and I know enough about God’s teachings to know that mass killings is in no way justifiable through either religion. The Crusades are another perfect example of the desecration of the Christian religion. Similarly, the United States is currently being ‘operated’ by a man who presents himself to the world as a Christian, and (the U.S.) is said to be ‘one nation under God’, with the words “In God We Trust” written on its currency. Yet, if this nation were truly being run with God, the Christian religion, and its basic teachings in mind, can one imagine how dramatically different things would be from the way that they are now?
 The message that I intend to convey through the comparison of these two images showcases the extent to which people today (not just followers of their religions) seem to have forgotten what is truly important; which can be found, whether you believe in God or not, through the teachings that these two images represent. Religion used to be the foundation of society, and its teachings; the basis of human interaction with one another. I am not a very religious person, but I know that the teachings and practices of these religions are just, and that they promote compassion and peace. It is a sad thing that it seems as though people have strayed so far from religion, but it is sadder still that people in general, looking at the present state of this world, have strayed so far from compassion and respect for one another and their world (including nature) in general.

Images (no information) taken from the following websites:
http://battellemedia.com/images/sistine%20chapel.jpg
http://www.semazen.net/Ecard/albums/userpics/10001/Allah.jpg
ENG. 110
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