Faith And Oppression

Oppression can be seen all over the world, in almost any culture, during almost any time during history. Oppression can happen to anyone, but it usually happens to minority racial or social groups. Society and its institutions often reinforce and stand by this oppression. Racism is very prevalent in America even to this day, though many claim we have overcome our oppressive history. Addressing this oppression can be incredibly difficult, not only for those being oppressed, but also for those who want to stand up for those groups. While it may be difficult to address oppressive structures, it is not impossible. Oppression can control one’s life and take a toll on their well being. Addressing oppressive structures can only happen when people or a group of people are able to make it their ultimate concern, and then come together as one to fight back.

In the Bible, the book of Hebrews states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” (King James Bible, Hebrews. 11.1).The spiritual tones of “things hoped for”, plays a significant role throughout Olaudah Equiano autobiography, “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano OR, Gustavus Vassa, The African”. His narrative was originally published in 1789 and went through a series of revisions throughout his lifetime, finally becoming a bestseller. Equiano’s treasured writings, depicts his personal accounts from childhood, holding the status of an African aristocrat in Benin West Africa, to being kidnapped and forced into slavery in the infamous Middle Passage slave trade. While slavery attempts to divest Equiano of his hope for freedom, his narrative asserts that spirituality and literary works produce its own liberty and identity in the world.

One of Cone’s most significant assertions is the declaration of God’s ontological blackness. This very strong standpoint has been taken to emphasize the fact that God stands with the oppressed. For this same reason, in a society where oppression is associated with color of the skin, God could never be colorless (Floyd and Pinn 21). Throughout the history of Christianity, God and Jesus Christ have always been depicted as white as one way to justify the oppression of African Americans and the supremacy of white people. To assert that God and Jesus are black also serves as a way to remind people of the injustices committed against black people. Indeed, Jesus was marginalized by the Jews, just like black people have been marginalized by the caucasian dominant community. Jesus was also killed as he was trying to subvert an unjust social order, just like many black people have been killed while trying to subvert white supremacy. This is also the reason why Cone compares the cross of Jesus with lynching trees. Another very interesting point made by Cone that strictly relates to the context of oppression from which Black theology was raised is the belief that since all humans are made in the image and likeness of God, none of them is created to be oppressed, but they are all meant for freedom. This also links to the theme of salvation which Cone identifies with liberation, and is seen in terms of bringing about the kingdom of God, heaven, which is also earthly, and that is the place

Ethics of Privilege Introduction Prior to beginning my social work education, I thought little about privilege. I felt as though I knew what it was, but now I realize that I had little idea about just how privileged my life has been. Mary E. Swigonski defines privilege as "unearned advantages enjoyed by a particular group, simply because of membership in that group" (1996). Some kinds of privilege are obvious, some are much more subtle.

Faith and reason can be viewed as opposites. Faith is an element of belief, something an individual does not necessarily require a reason for accepting without reason. For example, an individual’s reason for believing in God may not seem too rational when they are trying to explain them. They may not even stand up to criticism. On the other hand, reason is constructed as a formula. Faith is basically something we believe in, like something we learn in church. Reason is something we learn in school, such as a math formula.

Oppression is defined as being the “the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner” (Oppression np). This term superbly defines the situation the Netherland Provinces found themselves in before the year of 1684. Under the rule of King Philip II, the King of Spain and the Holy Roman Emperor, the provinces faced countless hardships. Nevertheless, between the years of 1568 to 1648, the seven northern states of the seventeen Netherland Provinces, formally united against King Philip II’s rule and began their fight for independence in the series of battles now known as the Dutch Revolt (Fritschy 58). This period of time featured multitudinous deaths of not only common folk, but also nobles such as counts and princes. With this in mind, one

The Case for Faith, was written by Lee Strobel who at the time was an outspoken atheist. Strobel set out on a mission to disprove the Christian faith. Along the way, as he gathered information he was slowly convinced that there was truth to the religion. In result of his findings Strobel published three books to help explain his findings. In this book he discusses objections that arise in the minds of believers. Strobel discusses eight different objection, thoroughly explains them, and provides deep information to help resolve these objections. Some of the issues that he touched on are tilled; Since Evil and Suffering Exist, A Loving God Cannot, A Loving God Would Never Torture People in Hell, and I Still Have Doubts, So I Can't Be a Christian. Within each obligation Strobel includes Bible verses and professional explanations on objection at hand. The most beneficial sections are those where he gives simple analogies that can benefit anybody no matter where one is in the faith journey.

This research paper will outline the causes and traits of oppression in America. Dynamics such as the social, historical, and psychological systems that serve as vessels of oppression will be addressed. Using academic research, the goal for this essay will be to discuss the characteristics of oppression and how those characteristics are connected to its origin. The research will develop major themes that will serve to define agents, including classism, discrimination, and the intersectionality of different types of oppression. Discussions on strategies for addressing and ending the current oppression in America and recommendations for the future will be highlighted as well.

Those in control of a society would want to suppress knowledge because it can show people the true nature of humanity. The people in control could radically enforce a new bill to the people. Society may view it as unconstitutional. It could for example ban sacrilegious people from having certain or the right to carry out their views as it could offend the people in religious power. Ideas are dangerous because it leads people to believe something, or on the contrary not to believe something that they thought was best all along. This can lead people to resist doing things that deface what they believe in or even lead to rebellion against the people in power.

Living in America gives us certain rights and protections. We enjoy the luxury of having the freedom of religion given to us by our constitution. But, many people within other countries cannot enjoy this simple freedom. Everyday they are oppressed by the government in addition to their own people. Persecution of belief may have been prominent in the older ages but even in today's age you can find it leaks into our society.

In my life, I have come across different religions such as Christianity and Judaism. I grew up in a Christian household and I have come across Judaism with family friends and even my own family. I have attended Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s for my family friends and I got to see a bit of Jewish culture and tradition which I greatly appreciated that I could be a part of. Along with experiencing Judaism, my aunt converted from Christianity to Judaism when she married my uncle. I got to see a conversion of religions which was very cool and fascinating. I have been guided in the right direction in regards to my faith by my parents, my youth leader and my grandmother. I have been open to learning about other religions and I accept other religions.

Being a native born United States Citizen, I get to enjoy all the wonderful opportunities our country has to offer. It doesn’t matter what my gender is, how much money I have, or my skin color. I have rights. For example, I have the right toward an education. I have the opportunity to go to school every day and earn my high school diploma. I now have the opportunity to apply to any college I want and further my education. I have the right to make my own decisions and be the person I want to be. Unfortunately my rights often goes unnoticed in my life, especially my right toward an education. Joseph B. Wirthlin once said, “The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to

Many people of race and color are citizens in United States , but do not have power or equal opportunity for education or jobs compare to white citizens of this country. Simply being white in the United States opens up many doors. However, because I don’t have to struggle through class and race injustice, I have been blind to how much gender oppression really will affect me and my experiences and goals. I acknowledge that as a white person, I have privileges, but if I look at the other part of myself, my being female, I recognize that I live in the society that does not provide me with the same privileges as men. Living in male - dominated culture has influenced me to want certain things that I may not have wanted if it was not for the oppressing of all less dominant groups, including women. Part of the problem is putting pressure

The Dynamics of Faith is an in-depth look at what faith is from a theological perspective. Tillich seems to be replying to all of the writers we have read thus far and placing their arguments within the context of faith. Nowhere is this more apparent than on page 24, in his discussion of community. He rightly acknowledges that faith is usually seen in its sociologic setting. He then proceeds to sort out the different claims, saying that

The concepts of religious faith, theology, belief and spirituality are all interconnected and very easy to get mixed up. This is because they all have something to do with the other. Richard P. Mcbrien explains how religious faith, theology, beliefs, and spirituality are all connected. Theology follows faith and belief follows Theology. Faith is our personal knowledge of God through human experiences and our openness to his love. Theology is our understanding of faith as revealed by God and our articulation of it. Beliefs are accepting these theological conclusions as true even without clear and convincing evidence. Spirituality is the practice of these beliefs, letting the spirit guide ones life. Although it’s easy to mix up the meaning of faith and belief or get confused the difference in understanding faith in Theology and being filled by God in your spirituality it’s pretty easy to grasp once you see how each influences the other.