Essay Outline

Thesis: Religion welcomes other’s perspectives yet narrows our minds to rivalling views,
making us content with ourselves but not with others.

1st Argument: Opposing viewpoints on religion creates tension between parties.

- In “Saint Ralph” by Mike McGowan, Father Fitzpatrick’s view on miracles is that

only God can practice them. Meanwhile, Ralph wants to perform a miracle to spare his
mother’s life, but Father does not approve. The tension between these two builds because
of how they view religion. Due to the fact that they are both narrow minded about
religion, they created a friction between each other.

2nd Argument: Once someone has acquired a mentality of religion, all other beliefs are
passed over.

- In “Hey Nostradamus!” by Douglas Coupland, Reg has a certain belief that

not many other people agree with. On page 82-83, Riley asks Reg if he thinks
one of his twin grandsons don’t have a soul; Reg responded one of them do
not. This upset Riley and Barb to the point where she was going to smash his
head in. The reaction from the two had no effect on Reg because he has his
mind fixed on what he believes in. Reg was content with his beliefs that he did
not care about what others thought of it.

3rd Argument: People try to influence or change other’s beliefs due to a lack of
satisfaction.

- In “Saint Ralph” Father Fitzpatrick tries to change they way that Ralph
displays himself. Father threatens to send him to a foster home, take away his
education, and even forbid him from competing in the Boston Marathon. He is
so content with his beliefs that he tries to change Ralph’s; reason being is
Ralph does not think or act the same as Father Fitzpatrick. Father’s mind was
not welcome to any other ways of religion; happy with his beliefs but unhappy
with Ralph’s beliefs.