The Problem with Hell
To paraphrase Tina Turner, "What's Hell got to do with it?"
In this concluding section of the course, we ask how we should deal with experiences of Hell on earth. Human beings sometimes do barbaric and unimaginable things to each other. Over our "Century of Hell" alone, consider such events as the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, the communist extermination campaigns in Russia, China, and Cambodia, and the atrocities in Bosnia and Rwanda. It is hard to imagine that anyone among us can find the appropriate words to express the meaning and the gravity of these atrocities.
How should we respond, both as citizens and fellow human beings, to such acts of systematic evil? One possibility is to accept these horrors as part of the cold reality of life. Another is to make our peace, however reluctantly, with these events in order to create the necessary political conditions for a return to civilization. Still another response is to seek revenge on the evil doers. A final option is to use legal tools and institutions to bring the offenders to justice.
A related issue is how we as individuals should come to terms with these acts. As you know, this is a major theme in Christianity. But, our options often depend on our circumstances. First, if someone hurts us, we could demand retribution or we could practice forgiveness. Second, there is the possibility that we are the perpetrators. How should we expect our victims to deal with us? Finally, how can we come to an inner peace with our own offenses?
Image IX. Terrorism: "It was Hell on earth"
27. Tuesday, April 21
Damon DiMarco, Tower Stories, pp. 310-319.
Osama Bin Laden, "Your Security is in your own Hands": READ
"Lacking visa, Islamic Scholar Resigns Post at Notre Dame": READ
Geoffrey Galt Harpham, "Inadmissible Evidence" READ
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. "(Matthew 5:43)
Various songs censored in the wake of the attacks on 9/11/2001
The Essay Question for your Final Exam is HERE
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Image X. Torture and Justice: "To hell and back . . . ?"
"Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they are doing"
(Luke 23:34)
28. Thursday, April 23
Discussion: Practicing Hardnosed Indifference versus Caring for Others and Forgiving Ourselves
William Bole, "Forgiveness Makes the Future Possible" READ
Background:
CBS Reports: "Prisoner Abuse at Abu Ghraib": SKIM
Department of Defense: "Report Faults Intelligence Soldiers at Abu Ghraib": READ
Sworn Statements by Detainees at Abu Ghraib (These are graphic documents. Read only as many as you need to gain a basic impression of the issues.)
Abu Ghraib photos (These are graphic photos. Again, look at only as many as you need for a basic impression.)
29. Tuesday, April 28
McAdams breaks down and allows "The Hotel California" to be sung in his class:
"Hell is Over"
