Puritans and Humanists Essay Gordon B. Hickley, the 15th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asserts that “it is not enough just to be good. We must be good for something. We must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for our presence” (A Quote by Gordon B. Hinckley). Hickley uses anaphora to persuade his audience to better the world with their good works. The Puritans lived in America between the early 1600’s and the 1750’s, and believed that they must obtain God’s salvation was only attainable through God’s grace. In order to maintain God’s grace the Puritans completed good deeds and had faith in God. Humanists were logical thinkers who resided in America during the Age of Reason, between 1750 and 1800, and believed people made the world a better place through their actions. Today, people improve the world through the giving of financial aid and by following the lead of influential figures and organizations; however, some people do good deeds in fear of the consequences of not doing good deeds. …show more content…
For instance, the United States spent in excess of 4.7 billion dollars annually on humanitarian assistance (Global Humanitarian Assistance). Does the United States give humanitarian aid to improve the world through their actions? In order to answer this question one must know who the humanitarian aid benefits. Recipients of humanitarian aid are victims of humanitarian disasters, and the money given helps improve their health and safety. Furthermore, in, The Autobiography, by Benjamin Franklin, Franklin exemplifies the Humanists point of view when he provides bread to a famished mother and her starving child (Franklin 69). Benjamin Franklin lived from 1706 to 1790, and understood that the world is enriched when people completed selfless acts of good. Franklin displays his beliefs when he gives bread to the