Final answer:
Gratitude towards God is considered a gift as it signifies humility, is a virtue, aligns with religious commandments, and reinforces cultural practices. Quotations show varying perspectives on thankfulness and its link to faith and individual experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Our desire to thank God is a gift itself because...' touches upon the spiritual and cultural dimensions of gratitude within a religious context. The options for this question suggest different perspectives on why gratitude towards a higher power might be considered valuable or intrinsic to human experience. For instance, humility, as a state of being humble, may arise from recognizing one's own limitations and dependence on God, reflecting a personal spiritual posture. Moreover, gratitude itself can be seen as a virtue, enriching one’s character and personal development. In many religious traditions, God commands thanksgiving, thus making it a part of religious obedience and practice. Lastly, expressing thanks can reinforce cultural norms, as many cultures have customs and rituals centered around giving thanks, which in turn helps to maintain the social fabric of communities.
Examining the provided quotations, we see varying attitudes towards thankfulness. Ian Warden’s column in the Canberra Times suggests that recognizing our blessings could be a natural human inclination. Yet, the reality of global disparities in living conditions, as indicated by the second statement, shows that not everyone may feel grateful due to suffering. The final quotation, referring to escaping the bonds of slavery, demonstrates a profound sense of gratitude that is linked to one's personal faith and belief in divine intervention.