The influence of religion on people’s lives

By Gabe Richard

Thesis: The accepted religion clouds one’s mind, diminishing progress in their society.
With a lack of progress, a solution to any problem can’t be harboured.

Argument 1: Religion sees technology as an attempt to be God-like which is

prohibited.
Evidence:
● Reg says, “A clone with a soul? ... No. I don’t think it would be possible for a
clone to have a soul.”(Douglas Coupland, page 82)
Explanation:
● Clones has the possibility of solving the great problem of death, but religion looks
down on the research of clones and the possible advance in technology, halting
progress and leaving the problem of death once again mysterious.

Argument 2: Religion demolishes one’s hopes and dreams.

Evidence:
● In the movie “Saint Ralph”, Ralph’s school priest restricts him from running in
the Boston Marathon which has been his dream. He wanted to win the marathon
for his mom who is in long comma from a disease.
Explanation:
● The priest used religion to convince Ralph that running the marathon was not for
him and that the “miracle” he was trying to produce was unacceptable to God.
The priest used religion to diminish the boy’s dreams of running the marathon for
his mother. The priest was trying to end the boy’s training and ultimately end his
shot at making a miracle. Religion sees God as the only one capable of making
miracles and any attempt to copy this action is strictly prohibited. With one’s
hopes and dreams destroyed, there is no goal to move forward, therefore
diminishing progress overall.

Argument 3: Religion destroys unity within families

Evidence: Reg says that his son is a murderer rather than a hero, therefore looking down
upon him
Reg put religion before his family, willing to sacrifice his family in front of God
Reg wished his son died in the massacre so he would be able to go to heaven
after death
Explanation: Reg used his family in front of God, putting religion before family. He
blocked out his family from his life and he would no longer interact with his family
unless it would have to do with God. Reg ended up pulling the family apart, being hated
by his son Jason and he would eventually split with his wife for considering his son a
murderer for killing one of the gunmen at the massacre. Because of Reg devotion to his
religion, he has wrecked the unity in his family, bringing progress in unity to a halt.