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does religion define and shape who a person is?

(PRO)
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(CON)
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sir king debatesir king debate (PRO)
Each individual in society is strongly influenced by culture, and therefore does define and shape the type of person we are and will be in the future. Thus, I strongly affirm the resolution "does religion define and shape who a person is?"

First, the affirmation would like to define the following terms in order to clarify the grounds of this debate. Merriam-Webster defines "religion" as "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith". Furthermore, the same source defines "define" as "to characterize or distinguish". Finally, "shape" is defined as "to modify (behavior) by rewarding changes that tend toward a desired response". 

The affirmative would also like to provide the following burden's to be able to determine the voting in this debate. The affirmative has the BOP, and therefore, the affirmative must PROVE that religion is one of the many factors that will characterize, distinguish, and modify our person or personality. Therefore, we can assume that this is the determination throughout the most important places of a person's life, which would be the transition of child to adult, where most people make decisions that will shape the way they handle there whole future. The negative burden is to SHOW that there is religion DOES NOT define and shape a person, therefore, they must clearly prove that there is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY that religion would define and shape a person's future and decision-making. 

Let us now observe that in order for religion to define and shape a person, that religion, regardless of its topicality, must drive the decision-making process in a specific way. The decision-making process is defined by UMASS DARTHMOUTH as "Decision making is the process of making choices by identifying a decision, gathering information, and assessing alternative resolutions. Using a step-by-step decision-making process can help you make more deliberate, thoughtful decisions by organizing relevant information and defining alternatives." This is a fair definition and observation for both sides. 

UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS I WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO PRESENT THE TAGLINES AND SOME BASIC INFORMATION FOR EACH OF MY CONTENTIONS DUE TO THE TIME CONSTRAINTS. I WILL PROVIDE FULL AND THOUROUGH CONTENTIONS IN MY NEXT ARGUMENT, WHICH WILL ALSO INCLUDE REFUTATIONS. I WILL ONLY PROVIDE 1-3 SENTENCES OF INFORMATION PER CONTENTION BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE 25 MINUTES LEFT TO FORM THIS ARGUMENT.

Contention 1: Parental influence using religion, Scripture, and the Church. 
Ever since we are born, we are told what is right and wrong, and we determine our morals from there. This is simply why humans are naturally able to distinguish right from wrong, it is right to not kill, it is wrong to kill, and these ideas are not from society, there basis is entirely from religion. The US Constitution is simply based of God and the Christian religion, and the rights of LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS are introduced, but such ideas are presented in the Bible by God. For example, if we have the right to live, God also said "Thou shalt not kill", clearly stating that it is wrong for one to kill another person, an idea presented to children not just by society, but by the parents, that are the first ones to introduce the living being to religion in the first place. Religion would define and shape how a person makes a decision and how they interpret their morals. 

Contention 2: LGBTQ+ community and religion. 
It is well known that gays are thought as "sinful" in Christianity, one of the most popular forms of religion. This would shape the decision making process of a person that is gay or straight VERY MUCH. If one is Christian and is gay, then they are unable to express their full love and desire to be the person they actually are because they are rejected by everything that they have been taught since they have been young. If one is straight, then they are most likely not to be an ally of the gay community, which is crucial in our society. The religion and the Church itself can determine whether a person will be happy for the rest of their lives, whether they would come out to their family, whether they could take their lives or not. THIS IS SERIOUS. Religion defines and shapes how a gay person feels in a community and how they decide on one of the most important things in there whole life. 

Contention 3: History and the Church, the future and the influence of religion. 
Throughout all of history, the Roman Catholic Church has influenced many decisions, those of monarchs and the government and even scientists. This is important to consider how this would translate into modern society. Our religion is based of the fact that an individual is more powerful than us an controls all of our movements, therefore, religion is what would drive our influence to do things. We are used to consider whether doing something would be sinful and send us to heaven or hell. Of course, heaven is known to be of great peace and serenity. This is what would drive and shape everything we do. 

Thus, I must stand on the affirmative. 





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2017-11-03 15:58:42
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keenadmirerkeenadmirer
ok, so according to me, religion does define and shape an individual's personality in the initial years of life. a child is a clay whom the potter can shape as wish to. we are shaped on the basis of our beliefs, yes we do question it but subconsciously follow it as well...
anyways give away your thoughts on it and we shall have a healthy discussion.
Posted 2017-10-25 04:40:53
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