Selected Songs

Analyzing a Written Argument

The general argument made by Bob Dylan in his work Selected Songs is that we believe that because we have God on our side he will help us with war. He also talks about others who fight in wars just for their own personal gain. More specifically Dylan suggests that if God was on someone’s side in war then he would prevent future wars. He writes, “If God’s on our side he’ll stop the next war.”  Pg. 916. In this passage, Dylan is suggesting that the fact that we are still going to war mean that God isn’t on our side. In conclusion, it is Dylan’s belief that being in war at all is a sign that God doesn’t approve of what we are doing.

Planning Your Own Argument

            In my view, Dylan is right because war isn’t a good thing and God only stands for good things. For example, there have been many wars and battles fought in the name of God but that doesn’t mean he approves of them. One example of this is the holy wars where many people were killed, “in the name of God.” All of the death and destruction was proof that God didn’t favor what they were doing. Therefore, I conclude that we wouldn’t be in war if God was actually on our side.