Sin, Forgiveness, and Repentance

One of the main themes of the book is the theme of Sin, Repentance, and Forgiveness. The characters in the book are bound by a very strict set of laws that many of them feel are unnecessary. That being said, each of them has their own set of laws that they abide by as well. The same can be said for all of us. We all abide by multiple sets of laws. For students, you may be bound by the law of the country, religious law, your parents rules, as well as your own personal code of conduct.

For example, one of my personal laws is that I try to say hello to strangers as often as possible. Growing up in Northern California, it is something that has always impressed me about people that live here and I want to keep that tradition alive. It is not a law by any means, but when I break it, I feel bad.

That leaves us to forgiveness. The other main problem that plagues the Puritans, and still plagues us today, is that we have no good way for forgiving people. For many, that means that we still hold grudges sometimes for years. You hear people say things like "I forgive, but I don't forget." Outside of the country we see evidence of other cultures that have been in a perpetual war for decades. Fighting over grudges that were started long before any of the fighters now were born.

What set of laws govern you? Where does your personal code of conduct enhance of take away from the laws we are all bound by?

When we commit an error, or when others commit errors against us, how soon do we forgive them or ourselves? Are you the kind of person who forgives easily, or do you hold onto grudges forever?

America and Religion

Last week, the Presidential candidates held a quasi-debate with a religious pastor in Southern California. The pastor asked them both a series of questions about several different topics both religious and non-religious. This is not something new to American politics as candidates often tout their religious fealty in order to gain votes. However the constitution specifically forbids a religious test in order to gain office and the bill of rights guarantees us freedom of religion. Not only that, but the separation of church and state suggests that there should be no state sponsored religion.



Consider and discuss the questions below:
Many argue that freedom of religiong means freedom from religion. In other words, when the government and religion mix, it is both dangerous and often excludes non-christian religions and non-believers. Others argue that this government was founded by Christian beliefs and that christians are the majority therefore, the government should acknowledge and celebrate christian holidays, beliefs, and values. What does freedom of religion mean when it comes to the government?

Consider these ideas as well:
1. During the presidential primaries, Mitt Romney, a Mormon, felt the need to prove his christian beliefs by holding a press conference to address his religion. It echoed a similar speech by John F. Kennedy in the 1960's who felt he had to prove he wasn't tied to the Catholic pope.

2. The idea that since the majority of people are christian therefore the government should be too might be a bad precedent as both English and French christians are quickly becoming the minority in their countries as muslim immigrants have become the majority.

3. Many students at Del Oro are non-christian, but the school schedule is built around some major christian holidays such as christmas and easter. How does this exclude them? Consider that Muslim students don't get to eat or drink during the month of ramadan (october during daylight which means they are extremely tired during the school day as they can only eat at night) or Jewish students who don't get days off for their holiest holidays.