Securalism - Society

"We have just religion enough to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another" - Jonathon Swift

Across the world, we find political leaders constantly highlighting their religious beliefs as sources for actions. There seems to be automatic acceptance when spirituality is cited with regards to government. But this innate reverence for religion (especially in politics) creates many problems.

When a ruling body decides to make decisions based on religion, the people are subject to any interpretation that said leaders come to. War, destruction and division emerge where these policies are followed. Even when politicians simply pander to a religious electorate they validate the prominance of spirituality within the decision making body of a country.

Instead of showing equal respect to all religions, governments should strive to completely seperate themselves from all forms of spirituality. While many religious people would claim that it is impossible to remove ecclesiastical concerns from any decision, this attitude does not take in to account the varying beliefs found throughout the population. These differences will not be reconciled, but instead should be bypassed.

I am no enemy of religion, but i do oppose the use of spirituality as an excuse for government actions.

-The English Student

Travel Literature

Beyond the confusing maritime language, travel literature can be said to have three things in common.

The seafarers of these stories refuse to abide by normal societal expectations. Gulliver's wanderlust causes him to leave his family on four occassions, while Crusoe and Rasselas recognise the advantage of their stations in life and yet reject them. These characters take to the sea, rebelling against their family, friends and responsibility.

The austere sea is enormous, bleak and solitary. It is into this physical isolation our protagonists arrive. There is no law at sea, no justice, no remorse and no mercy. These characters that have rejected society consequently find themselves at odds with humanity and as such, choose the only place devoid of this company.

Although our heroes set off as children, they return as adults, growing up abroad. In the case of Crusoe, it seems that he must undergo this experience on his island, as doing so at home would just further his contempt for the "middle life". Our travellers eventually learn that while we may often despise society, we cannot live without it.

While Swift asserts that "writers of travels...are sunk into oblivion", by using these three traits, their usefulness to humanity will always be recognised.

-The English Student