Religious Tolerance in Ottoman Empire

In the Ottoman Empire, there was religious tolerance because religion played a critical role in enhancing peace and stability. Religious leaders were respected because they were depended upon during calamities and disasters. Moreover, religious leaders had a big role to play in ensuring that people lived in harmony.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Religious Tolerance in Ottoman Empire specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Religious tolerance in the Ottoman Empire could not be compared to religious tolerance in the Roman Empire because diversity was not allowed in the Roman Empire. Non-Muslims, often referred to as dhimmis, were allowed to practice their forms of religions, but under close supervision. Christians were allowed to exist freely, as long as they accepted the fact that Islam was the supreme religion in the empire. In matters related to religion, the Ottoman Empire formulated policies that favored freedom of religion. This was because the clergy had the role to play in the running and management of public affairs. Religion was treated as an institution of government with powers to execute governmental policies. In this regard, the government formulated a number of policies aimed at regulating the performance of religious organizations. The empire had strong relationships with other empires that respected religious institutions, such as the Greek Orthodox Church (Karpat 78). Religious tolerance in the Ottoman Empire was very important in two major ways. One is that the empire was surrounded by states that practiced Christianity. In fact, it was the only state, which practiced Islam as its major religion in Europe. The neighboring states embraced Christianity meaning that it could have lost its status in case it proscribed other religions. For instance, the neighboring states, such as Greece, never tolerated Islam. It could be disastrous in case the state neglected the rights of other re ligious groups supported by major powers in Europe. To avoid political inconsistencies, the state allowed other religious groups to exercise their rights. Moreover, the state had an ambition of expanding to other regions. This ambition could not have been achieved in case religious tolerance was not adopted.Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It became easy to conquer other states because conquered states could be allowed to practice their cultural beliefs. Many kingdoms and chiefdoms resisted foreign powers because they interfere with their cultural rights and freedom. By embracing religious tolerance, the empire negotiated easily with other foreign powers on matters related to cooperation and security. The millet system refers to the system of governance in which minorities are given powers to conduct their activities without interference from dominant groups. Arabs in the Ott oman Empire introduced the system after the adoption of Islamic religion. Before the establishment of the Ottoman Empire, the millet system was used to cater for the needs of the poor in society. The government would provide basic needs such as food to the needy. In the Ottoman Empire, minor religious groups were given a set of norms that would control their behavior in the empire. Their existence in society was recognized legally because they were allowed to worship their gods without interference. Under the millet system, the majority was viewed as the mainstream while the minority was expected to conform to the norms and regulations of the majority. Christians and other minority groups were supposed to follow the Islamic laws, by appreciating the fact that Islam was the main religion in the Ottoman Empire. In this case, Christians and other minorities were not supposed to act in a way that would compromise the belief system of Muslims. Individual millets in the Ottoman Empire wer e taken care of by their local leaders. The millets lived in groups and could form their own states within the larger empire. They could be allowed to establish their own taxation system. However, their agencies could only be functional after receiving approval from the Ottoman Empire officials. Moreover, the millets could have their own set of laws, which could only apply within their boundaries. In case of an inconsistency with non-millets, Islamic laws could be invoked (Imber 12).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Religious Tolerance in Ottoman Empire specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Millets were left to enjoy their rights, but they were supposed to show loyalty by paying taxes to the main government. The millet system applied to the confessional communities only. Each community could come with its own laws, as long as the laws were not contradictory to the laws of the Ottoman Empire. In the current internation al system, the word nation is used to mean the same thing as the millet. Each person was supposed to respect the laws of his community under the millet system. The system was very effective, though a number of European states opposed it. Millet system is used by various countries, including Israel, to solve issues related to religion and culture. The millet system is used mainly because of cultural diversity among the Israeli populace. Israel is a state that was established in 1948 under the supervision of United Nations. Its population has a diverse culture, which makes it difficult for the government to use a single set of rules. The application of the millet system is aimed at enhancing Jewish identify. Moreover, the country cannot afford to apply Jewish laws to all people because it would risk being isolated by other states. Therefore, the state allows various groups to apply their private laws to resolve internal conflicts. Scholars observe that legal pluralism (millet system) in Israel has not been successful. Under the millet system, the Israeli government gives various groups the power to establish courts that would resolve issues related to the family and marriage. Moreover, each group is given the power to establish its own religious court, which is charged with the responsibility of resolving issues related to faith.Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In this case, groups can only endorse marriages that their cultures support. In the Islamic culture, Muslim men can marry Christian women, but a Muslim woman cannot marry a Christian man because it is against the Arabic culture. In matters related to divorce, each religion has its laws and regulations. The millet system allows each group to apply the set of laws that are recognized culturally. In the Israeli society, a Muslim should not marry a Jewish because it is unconstitutional (Turchin 14). This rule is in the constitution implying that the millet system cannot be used in such cases. In some parts of France, the millet system is applied effectively. For instance, women are expected to wear hijab while men are expected to keep long hair. In such regions, there are tight laws regarding the sale of certain commodities. For instance, alcohol is not sold to certain age groups while pork is prohibited. Moreover, there is a public order regulating the licensing of clubs, cinemas, and theaters. Social places are termed places of sin because they do not conform to the provisions of the Islamic religion. In the Ottoman Empire, the regime tolerated religious diversity because of the factors discussed in the previous sections. However, religious tolerance was weak because it favored one religious group. The political elites observed that Islam was the supreme religion and other religious groups had to obey it. This was unacceptable because favoring one religious denomination amounted to discrimination. Religious toleration emerged from Islamic teachings, not the constitution. This meant that Islam would be applied in interpreting major religious issues. For instance, it was against religious codes to practice homosexuality and abortion because Islam was against it. Moreover, Islam never allowed Muslims to interact with other groups socially. Religious tolerance in the empire was weak because Muslims were not allowed to convert to other religious denominations. Moreov er, leadership was supposed to be offered by religious leaders from Islamic religion only. In public places, all non- Muslims were expected to wear clothes that would distinguish them from Muslims. In fact, no-Muslims were restricted from participating in key political processes such as voting and applying for senior positions in government. Other religious groupings were supposed to pay a special tax referred to as jizya. This was a tax paid by all non-Muslims for them to be allowed to practice their cultures peacefully. In other words, non-Muslims were allowed to buy their freedom, unlike Muslims who could be allowed to exercise their freedom without restriction. All adults living in the Islamic states were supposed to pay taxes as a sign of loyalty to the government. Christians who never showed loyalty to Islam were often persecuted and oppressed. Ottoman tolerance was based on goodwill and cleverness because it only benefited Turkish Muslims. Works Cited Imber, Colin. The Ottoma n Empire, 1300–1650: The Structure of Power. Palgrave Macmillan, 2002. Print. Karpat, Kemal. The Ottoman state and its place in world history. Leiden: Brill, 1974. Print. Turchin, Thomas, and J. Adams. â€Å"East-West Orientation of Historical Empires†. Journal of World-Systems Research 12.2 (2006): 219–229. Print. This essay on Religious Tolerance in Ottoman Empire was written and submitted by user Logan Chan to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Describe a memorable character in the text Billy Elliot Essays

Describe a memorable character in the text Billy Elliot Essays Describe a memorable character in the text Billy Elliot Essay Describe a memorable character in the text Billy Elliot Essay Essay Topic: The Piano Lesson Eleven-year-old Billy lives with his father Jacky, older brother Tony, both coal miners, and his frail Nana in a mining town in the north of England. Life is not easy; the miners are on strike and times are tough. In this mining community boys are expected to do tough sports like boxing. Billy tries to fit in the world of his father Jacky and Brother Tony. Billy goes to boxing lessons every week though he is not very good at it and his heart is in Ballet. He is passionate about dancing and we are shown this in the opening scene of the movie, where we are shown a close up of hand putting long play on turntable song I was dancing when I was 12. Then Billy bounces on bed where we again see a close up of his face, arms, hands and feet Sunflowers on wallpaper, yellow T short, green shorts describes the mood of exhilaration and shows a sense of joy in his own body, in the music. He shows an uninhibited delight in his body and in the music that inspires him. We see his sensitivity through the treatment of his grandmother. Billy is responsible to take care of her nana. When Billy realizes that his nana is missing he comes out of the back door towards the camera, up to the street, little girl in the blue watches him, he pauses and then a close up of Billys feet are shown running away from camera. In shrubby area Billy sees her and runs to her. He puts a hand on her shoulder, she turns and is frightened and lost, and Billy takes her hand and leads her pas the camera which stays on a wide shot of trees and shadowy vans and police on the roads above. In every scene with his Nana he is shown to be affectionate and caring His tolerance is shown when Billy accepts Michael for his sexuality. Unlike his father and brother he is able to express his feelings through the dance. The director shows this when Jacky finds out about his ballet classes. His dance of defiance to his father is one of the most significant. It not only tells us and his dad that dancing is what he is about, it also defeats his fathers fears and prejudice. The dance of defiance to his fathers also shows his stubbornness. It was also shown early in the movie when he continues to play piano even his father stops him. The unthinking violence of his father and brother and their narrow minded view of the world make him lie rather than risk confrontation. This was shown in the starting when Tony takes off his earphones, complains that Billy has been playing his records and hits him. Billy denies it a lie and complains about Tonys smoking dope. The director uses darkness in the same room where Billy was dancing in the opening scene of movie to foreshadow the relationship between Billy and his brother and to also show the darker side of the movie. Billy lies automatically which indicates that he is going to be deceitful over many things to avoid confrontation.

Are You Willing to Relocate for a Job 5 Questions to Ask Yourself

Are You Willing to Relocate for a Job 5 Questions to Ask Yourself With the internet continually breaking down barriers, the job hunt has gone global. In fact, relocation rates are at their highest since 2009, according to analysis from the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray Christmas. Your perfect job may be hundreds - or even thousands! - of miles away, but while relocating may sound like a no-brainer, the fact is that many more factors go into the decision process than simply salary. Consider these five questions for determining whether relocating is right for you. Is this in your future?1. Can you maintain your standard of living?It’s easy to get carried away by a salary offer, but the truth is that compensation is relative due to cost of living differences.For example, let’s say you’re contemplating a cross-country move from Portland, Maine to San Francisco, California. According to NerdWallet’s handy Cost of Living Calculator, the cost of living is a whopping 54 percent higher in San Francisco than in Maine. More specifically, if your current salary is $50,000, you’d have to make more than $76,000 to maintain your current standard of living. Certain factors vary more than others: while transportation varies by just eight percent between the two cities, the cost of housing differs by a staggering 161 percent.2. Is the position stable?Job security is never guaranteed, but some jobs have more potential than others in terms of security. Before accepting a position and agreeing to uproot your life, do your homework. Has the potential employer been in business for a long time? Are they financial solvent? Sources like the Better Business Bureau, the company’s SEC filings, and even quick Google news search can turn up useful information about whether the benefits of relocating for a prospective company outweigh any accompanying risks.3. Are you prepared to pay steep moving costs?While some companies cover moving costs, this is becoming less common practice in today’s tight econ omy. In some cases relocation expenses are negotiable, so be sure to inquire about the possibility. And keep in mind: a company’s willingness to pay for your move demonstrates an appealing investment on their end.If relocation coverage isn’t possible, don’t underestimate how much you’re likely to spend on the process. While costs vary by family size, distance, and your household goods, the average price tag on a domestic move is nearly $13,000. If you don’t have these funds set aside, it can make or break the possibility of a move.4. How will your family be affected?Let’s face it: moving is no fun. And even the most seamless relocation can place stress on the family unit. Keep in mind that the move isn’t entirely about you, but about all of the members of your household. Are the long-term gains worth any temporary stress and/or upheaval?Be sure to check out everything from academic rankings to college matriculation statistics in advan ce in order to determine whether the schools, programs and resources are good.Also, don’t forget to take into account your partner’s career prospects, as well as your kids’ interests and activities.5. Will you enjoy living there?All cities and towns have their own unique strengths and weakness. Before agreeing to relocate, it’s helpful to first spend some time in the prospective city. Explore everything from neighborhoods and housing to shopping and attractions. This will help you get a sense of the local vibe.Choosing to accept a new job is a momentous decision on its own, let alone when a relocation is involved. By taking time to think through all of the considerations, you can make a decision that will ensure both professional and personal fulfillment. Wondering what jobs are out there waiting to be discovered? Sign up for real-time Job Matching today!

Organizatinal Culture Profile Analysis of Imperator Slovakia Ltd Essay

Organizatinal Culture Profile Analysis of Imperator Slovakia Ltd - Essay Example Currently, Imperator manufactures 120 assorted brands. It has over 90 employees and the company continues to develop from time to time. It has maintained ISO standards since 2003. The company has been successful in the development and sale of different products around the world. Imperator has won numerous awards throughout the world and it continues to maintain high performance standards in the face of high level competition from brands from Russia and other parts of the world. The organizational vision is tied with the attainment of the best results on the international front. This is because Slovakia's location makes it a geo-strategic point. The writer of this article seeks to blend his role as a manager in the industry with the internal structures of Imperator. This paper will use organizational culture profile methodologies and tools to match the corporate systems and structures of Imperator Slovakia and how it impacts on the individual activities and capabilities of the writer and other individuals in the organization. The paper will use the models of O'Reilley et al as well as Cable and Judge. This will attempt to examine the linkages between the corporate view and the individual expectations of the company. Organizational Culture Profile Models O'Reilly et al identify that there are three core themes of organizational behavior (487). First of all, research into organizational behavior has renewed focus on person-situation constraints. In other words, organizational behavior is based on the relationship between the people of the organization and what they organizational rules, regulations and culture permit them to do or not to do at different points in time. The second emphasis is on the quantitative assessment of organizational culture. This implies that the organization uses a collective approach to identify the extent to which different features exist within an organization. This is done through the attribution of values or figures to various compone nts of organizations to ascertain the important structures that define and shape up an organization. Finally, there is the use of statistical methods to aggregate and provide definitive cultural features within organizations. In their journal, O'Reilly et al identified through longitudinal data, the components of organizational culture (487). This provided the dimensions within which different organizational cultures could be defined and predicted. This model is known as the Organizational Culture Profile (OCP). The OCP provides the fit of organizations and predicts organizational commitment and job satisfaction that exists within the organization. This paper will apply the OCP to Imperator and attempt to define the organizational culture and system. Cable and Judge on the other hand, defined the relationship between individual persons and the organizational culture or system (548). In their analysis, they identified that the person-organizational fit is important. And individuals a pply to organizations based on their personal qualities. These applicants are selected based on their unique personality and how well that personality fits into the organization (Cable and Judge 551). This paper will also use the P-O model of Imperator to define my

Mental Process Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mental Process - Research Paper Example It is an operation, which has an effect on the mental contents of an individual. It can also be seen as the thinking process or the cognitive remembrance operation. Overall, it is all the different things that an individual can do with his or her mind including emotion, volition, reasoning, belief, conception, imagination, creativity, memory, introspection, and perception. 1. Compare and Contrast the Four Styles of Creative Intelligence and their Influence on Organizational Decision Making. Intuition is focused on the production of results and is reliant on experiences in the guidance of decisions (Bara, 2010). Most people consider the implications of comprehending the past as most believe that a majority of mistakes can be escaped if one understands its historical significance. Every organization, from a perspective of business, needs to consider patterns and exhibit caution at every turn. Strategic planning lets organizations prepare for possible scenarios via the forecasting of al l outcomes that are possible (Bara, 2010). Some of the biggest successes, as well as failures, can be traced back to reliance on results that are past. Businesses will consider several factors, for example, the market’s current conditions, segmentation, objectives, and experiences that it relates to in the past. The mindset of inspiration is focused on the change in society and the presentation of dedication aimed at changing results (Bara, 2010). People whose working is grounded in this mindset are imbued with positive energy and are able to remain focused, motivated, and logical. Organizations that possess this type of individual are enabled in their ability to visualize situations currently and use that as inspiration to create a positive future outcome. These individuals have the ability to promote change, which could limit the organization in a number of ways (Bara, 2010). They have a tendency to lose focus on everyday functions, as they are highly adept at assessment of the bigger picture. The style of imagination targets artistic individuals, who enjoy writing, and show qualities of strong leadership (Brown, 2006). Individuals with this mindset show the ability to visualize various scenarios. They possess a huge impact in the process of decision making especially in organizations where there are chaotic times since they are able to visualize beyond the current situation, which gives them excellent coping skills for solution for problems. They have an ability that is unique in their ability to remain confident and poised which rubs of on the rest of the organization. They also inspire others allowing them plan for and envision the future. One limitation is that these people are not totally focused on the immediate future, which could be problematic since all aspects should be placed in perspective (Brown, 2006). Individuals using the innovative style tend to stick to the issues before them and on evidence (Brown, 2006). It is the most logical of t he styles since it is clearly focused on evidence that is visible like data. However, this makes it impossible to see the organization’s apparent vision, which it is attempting to achieve. Successful organizations need a balance of different mindsets, which are found suited well to different roles. Precision is needed by all industries and organizations thus innovation is vital. This mindset comes

Shawshank Redemption by Frank Darabont Essay Example for Free

Shawshank Redemption by Frank Darabont Essay * Read each question carefully to determine which one you will answer * When you have selected the question you will spend a few minutes breaking it apart to ensure that your response answers all aspects. If you are looking for Excellence you want to select a question that will allow you to demonstrate that you are able to connect your text to society.| To show that with friendship and hope one can break free from their oppression Example: Identify what you consider to be the director’s main purpose in producing a text you have studied AND explore, in depth, one or two main techniques used to achieve it. Camera shots and dialogue Think of your essay like an hour glass. You are going to start wide (general) with your thoughts get narrow (very specific) and then end wide (generally again). Step Two: Introduction (Same as Novel) With your introduction you want to capture your reader’s attention. You are going to begin your essay with a few general statements. Quote; historical background; comment on a relevant issue in your text; use a statistic to highlight another issue that relates to your essay’s topic| Then you will move into the specific details of your text: * You must include the title and DIRECTOR of the text * You must echo the key words of the question (use these words exactly as it indicates to the marker that you understand what the question is asking) * You must also include or make reference to visual and verbal techniques When you see the word HOW it means techniques! I.e. How does the director craft the text-Visual-lighting, costumes, props, camera shots, camera angles, cuts, jump cuts, dissolve edits, cross cuts, colour filters, *cinematography, post productionVerbal-dialogue, music, non diagetic, diagetic, voiceovers, sound effects| Example Introduction: Green-interesting start/connection Blue-identifies techniques Purple-key elements Yellow-echoes the question â€Å"Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.† (Thich Nhat Hanh) Hope can sometimes be a hard concept to understand for many who are in difficult situations.In The Shawshank Redemption directed by Frank Darabont, hope is an elusive idea for many of the prison’s inmates-except Andy Dufresne. Andy Dufresne is a character that helps to reveal Darabont’s main purpose in producing the film, that with friendship and hope people can break free from their oppression. The film uses camera shots and music to portray this main purpose. Notice how the writer has combined all of the different elements. Does this appear different to a Level 1 introduction? Step 3: Body Paragraphs Remember that now the ‘hour glass’ is beginning to become narrow. This is where you become specific with your information. You will need to: * Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the reader to your focus * You may then need to develop out these ideas (another sentence ) * Add a verbal technique (dialogue, voiceover, music, sound effects) that supports the topic * Add a visual technique (camera shots/angles, costume, symbolism, special effects, editing techniques etc.) that supports the topic * THINK ABOUT ADDING A THIRD OF EITHER VISUAL OR VERBAL * Explain how the visual and verbal features support the technique and topic * Try to connect the topic to modern day society-how is what you are watching still relevant? This is for excellence. Does not have to be in every paragraph. Green-society Blue-identifies techniques Purple-explanation Yellow-echoes the question Example Body Paragraph: Andy Dufrense was a character who never fit into the world of Shawshank Prison. Unlike other prisoners who claimed their innocence Andy was a wrongfully accused man a common occurrence for 8-12% of today’s inmates (Truth and Justice, 2011). Although Andy’s faith and hope does falter at times throughout the film it never dissolves. Music is a verbal feature used to help the audience understand the main purpose of the film that with friendship and hope one can break free from their oppression. Music was used to help show us Darabont’s idea of freedom and institutionalisation. Andy deliberately disobeys the warden and plays â€Å"The Marriage of Figaro† on the large speakers. He is severely punished for this and is sent into â€Å"the hole†. As the music is playing, all the prisoners stop what they are doing as they are awed by the beautiful voices of the Italian women. The long shots and extreme long shots reveal the prisoners as they all stop their activities and listen to the music. This gives the prisoners freedom as it brings back memories and takes them to a place outside of the prison. It gives them hope that someday they might be free of this prison. When Andy is sent to the hole as a result of disobedience, he says that he took the music down there with him. A close up of Andy being initially locked in reveals a smile on his face. He had the music in his head and it gave him hope. This hope helped him survive throughout the following years in the prison. You then need to repeat this process TWO MORE TIMES! You must remember that your body paragraphs is where you demonstrate your knowledge of the text. It is also the place where you analyse the features and key ideas and how they worked together. Step Four: Conclusion (SAME AS NOVEL) We are now at the end of the essay. This is a CRITICAL paragraph as this is the last element of the essay your marker will read. You want to put in just as much effort here as you did at the beginning. Introduction-catches the reader’s attentionConclusion-reminds them just how brilliant you are!| You will start your conclusion with the specific: * You must include the director and author of the text * You must echo the key words of the question (use these words exactly as it indicates to the marker that you understand what the question is asking) * You must also include or make reference to the visual and verbal techniques Your last sentence or sentences will be general. Remember we are now at the bottom of the hour glass. You want to end with a statement or idea that leaves the reader thinking. End with a connection to current society; end with a reflective observation about your text; a lesson learned| Green-society Purple-key elements Yellow-echoes the question Hope is an important element of survival in any environment. In Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption both camera shots and music have been used effectively to help develop the main purpose that with friendship and hope one can break free from their oppression. At the start of this film, Andy is shown to be a dis-passionate man who has lived in comfort. Throughout The Shawshank Redemption, his journey to express his emotions, build up his courage and withstand the ultimate battle between mind and authority helps him gain back the freedom took from him.

A Comparison of Two Types of Treatment for Alcoholism Essay -- Biology

A Comparison of Two Types of Treatment for Alcoholism One of the largest debates in the study of alcoholism is the etiology of the disorder. The prevailing theory today seems to be that alcoholism is a disease, a biological affliction that can only be ameliorated by abstinence or medication. However, there are those who believe alcoholism has its roots in environmental influences and that the disorder is a maladaptive pattern of behavior. The two main methods currently employed for treating alcoholism reflect the foundations of the two main theories. Perhaps the most widely known method is the "Twelve Step" program created by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) (1). Underlying this process is the belief that alcoholism is a biological disease that can never be cured, nor can it even be hindered without the use of external forces(2).. Members of AA are required to admit that they are powerless to fight alcoholism and need to relinquish control to a "power greater than ourselves." (3).This power can take any form for the adherents to the program, yet there is repeated mention of God and other aspects of Christian spirituality(4). More relevant to the topic at hand is the belief that alcoholism is a biological disease, which can be inferred from the acknowledgement that help with alcoholism can only come from God. This implies that alcoholism is out of one's own hands and thus should not be considered a "character flaw" or an aspect of personality; it also implies that alcoholism is something more intrinsic to the individual. In fact, the Big Book, the handbook of AA, states that alcoholism is a medical disease. (5).. Indeed, there is a substantial amount of evidence to support this assertion; this is based on tre... ...h in U.S./Canada http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/em24dc14.html 2)The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/em24doc6.html 3)A Newcomer Asks http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/ep24doc1.html 4)The 12 Step Cafà © http://www.12steps.org/Brochure/12step/STEPS/STEP1.htm 5)The Doctor's Opinion http://www.recovery.org/aa/bigbook/ww/doctors_opinion.html 6)Neuroscience Research and Medications Development http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/please-note.htm 7)Alcoholism http://www.noah.cuny.edu/wellconn/alcoholism.html 8)Animal Models in Alcohol Research http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/please-note.htm 9)Children of Alcoholics: Are They Different? http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/please-note.htm 10)The Genetics of Alcoholism http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/ 11)Treatment of Alcoholism http://www.mentalhealth.com/mag1/p5h-al10.html

Philosophies from Aquinas, Augustine, and Irenaeus and other theologians Essay

The study of religion and philosophy is infinitely confronted with the problem of evil and its broad association to sin. In facing this debacle, there is a tendency for religion to deny the existence of evil and clearly explicate that it is a mere event in the undeveloped minds of people. Religion may also uphold that there is a competent rivalry between evil and good as evil can be considered as a rival authority, containing power equal to the divine good. It can also be derived that evil is the imperfect cooperation in the good explained under the presence of a deity deemed as omnibenevolent and omniscient. Some response concerning the evil include that debates which inculcate that the true free will cannot be established without the possibility of evil. This idea can be translated to the notion that humans are not able to understand and comprehend God, that spiritual growth and development necessisitates suffering and that evil is the impact of effect of the fallen and disrupted world. Many disciplines have attempted to provide a concrete definition of evil and sin and the proposed assumptions on the connection of evil to sin have encountered denials coming from other scholars. In this paper, multiple philosophies and valuable insights concerning the association of evil to sin will be explored. The teachings of Thomas Aquinas, Irenaeus and Augustine and of others will be discussed in order to define evil and sin, describe the relationshipof evil to sin, and to explicate the difference and the causality of sin and evil in the contemporary world. This paper’s central focus is on the inquiry: Every evil is sin, but is every sin evil? The Teachings of Thomas Aquinas on Evil and Sin The concept of evil by Thomas Aquinas and his entire miscellany of philosophy are naturally grounded upon the teachings of the St. Augustine who created a philosophical theological position on evil. Evil is an English noun that is commonly used today to describe anything that is undeniably horrendous, particularly in the aspect of human behavior. However, Thomas Aquinas says that the term evil has more inclusive sense than evil does for people. According to Aquinas, â€Å"we are dealing with evil whenever we are faced by whatever can be thought of as a case of falling short. † For Aquinas, there is no evil substance in the world and neither God nor man creates evil. In saying this Aquinas proves that the world is â€Å"created and governed by a perfectly good God who is also omnipotent and omniscient. † This teaching negates the argument of humans who say that each time some of the good stray aways from an object then it is evil. Aquinas says no this argument by declaring that no evil exists materially. Aquinas explicates that human beings are wholly good but have the tendency that some of their goodness will be removed. Aquinas strongly argues that there is a â€Å"serious sense in which it can be thought of as lacking in being. † Take for instance the thought of Adolf Hitler as wholly good. This example may raise several criticisms since Hitler has enjoyed being a household name for evil, but it is to illustrate Aquinas’s concept of evil caused by the removal of good. For Aquinas, Hitler is good- he has competent brain, his physique is complete, and he almost bares resemblance to God. But Hitler has some of his goodness removed when he tries to rule the world with tyranny. According to Aquinas, â€Å"evil ‘is there’ only in the sense that something is missing. † Aquinas continues to say that â€Å"what is not there cannot be thought of as made to be by the source of the being of things. † In this sense, Aquinas follows Augustine’s thought and says that God can never be the cause of evil because evil is not an actual thing but the â€Å"absence of a good that ought to be present. † What causes people to be bad is the gap between who they are and how they should be but are not. Aquinas points rules out his concept of evil by illustrating that there will be no badness unless there goodness yet there can be goodness without any badness. In the aspect of sin, Aquinas writes that it is not the disobedience of irrational authority, but it is a violation of well-being. According to Aquinas, heologians may describe sin as an act againts God and philosophers may signify it as opposed to reason, but it is St. Augustine who aptly defines sin. Aquinas explains that it is more accurate to define sin â€Å"as being contrary to the eternal law rather contrary to human reason, especially since the eternal law includes many things beyond the scope of reason, such as matters of faith. † Even though Aquinas is an advocate of the philosophy of Augustine, he recognizes that the Augustine sometimes talks only about will in describing sin. Aquinas explains thaat the exterior act, which is the veruy substance of the sin, is evil itsefl and thus it is necessary to include exterior acts in the definition of sin. † However, Augustine and Aquinas both agree that the sin is evil because it harms and diminishes natural good. Aquinas takes into consideration the application of the natural law. According to Aquinas, â€Å"when it is said that all sins are evil but not because they are prohibited, that prohibition is understood as an act of positive law. † Aquinas emphasizes that since the natural law comes fron the eternal law and acts of positive law are derived from the natural law, then all sins are evil. It is argued by Aquinas that evil is the privation of good and an individual can identify the extent of privation by what is left after such action. In this idea, Aquinas is stressing that â€Å"what remains of good after every sin is the same, since there remains after every sin the very nature of the soul and the freedom of choice by which humans can choose good and evil. † Aquinas tells that all sins are equal and are evil. The focal point of Aquinas in saying that all sins are evil and that all sins are equal is the only main source capable of commanding humans what they ought to be. As a theologian, Aquinas gives emphasis to God as the main source the nature and eternal and divine law. Aquinas says that â€Å"since all are the same in turning away from God, all sins are equal. † For Aquinas, every sin is evil because it is a deviation from reason and law. Aquinas describes sin as having no cause because it has the nature of evil. It has been discussed earlier that evil is the removal of goodness whats is lacking in humans as a wholly good. Aquinas emphasizes that what is missing cannot be thought of as made to be by the source of the being of things. The same goes for sins. This concept makes both sin and evil as original which thrive on will that act against reason and divine moral law. Same with evil, God can never be the source of sin. Likewise evil can never be the cause of sin. In this sense, the evil of punishment serves as the sequel to sin. He compares evil of guilt to sin and declares that they have no difference. In saying that sin has a cause, Aquinas is quick to clarify that such cause is not necessarily a cause for sin can be impeded. This musing denotes that if there should be a necessary cause for sins, then people will keep on making sins since there is a cause inherent to them that makes them commit sins. Such notion echoes the perspective of Aquinas on whether sin has an internal cause. Aquinas argues that if sin has an internal cause, then man would always be sinning and since it has a cause, there will always be an effect. Aquinas also defines sin by mentioning virtue. Aquinas says, â€Å"But sin is evil because it takes away virtue. Therefore, all sins are equally evil, since every one of them equally takes away virtue. † Aquinas thinks of sins as contrary to virtues and that all virtues are equal. Therefore, Aquinas reaffirms that all sins are equal. He also come up with the idea of malice that is the equalizer of all sins. Aquinas says that â€Å"sin has malice in relation to turning away from God. † This feature in relation to the deviation from God states that circumstances tag the malice of sins as being more serious. Aquinas adds that â€Å" if circumstances should themselves have malice, they constitute species of sin and if they should not in themselves have any malice, there is no reason why they should make the sins more serious. † On the on the hand, the diversity in sins that other arguments are pointing to is a mere presentation of morally indifferent genus. Overall, Aquinas writes that all sins are evil in a sense that they both result in being unnatural, the failure of the natural rule that man ought to observe and obey. Evil and Sin According To Augustine Many of St. Augustine’s teachings on evil substantiate Aquinas concept. They both believe that the immutable God created only good things and He alone is the source of all being. Augustine negates all forms of theological and metaphysical dualism and puts great emphasis on God who is wholly good. According to Augustine, there is no dualism existing in the problem of evil. The thought of evil as not a being, a thing, or substance or entity liberates him from the Manichaean dualism,the belief that there exists two powerful beings, the good and evil. He realizes that all the God created are metaphysically and ontologically good in their being. He proposes that if evil were a being, a thing or an entity, then the problem fo evil will not be solved because it has a source. If the evil comes from God, then God is not all good and if it does not come from God, then He is not the powerful creator of all things. Augustine says that God is a spiritual and not a corporeal being and he â€Å"rejects Manichaeism’s materialistic dualism but embraces a different dualism between corporeal and spiritual beings, with God, angels, and human soul falling into the latter class. † Upon rejecting the Manicheism and its simple concept on the origin of evil, Augustines obliges himself to establish an alternative solution to the origins of evil and starts to proclaim that evil represents a free deviation from God and is not a positive entity in its own right. All of the works of the immutable Creator of men are revelations of God’s nature and therefore, all of His works are of wholly good. Both Augustine and Aquinas believe that evil does not come from God. In his struggle concerning the confusion over evil, Augustine further says that the evil is not something that is completely real biut only fragment that is dependent on that which is absolutely real. According to Augustine, evil is not a thing or substance but he is aware of its existence and that it can be divided into three kinds. Metaphysical evil is the lack of man’s perfection not because of his given nature but because they all fall short of complete perfection that only God can obtain. This is not actually considered evil. The second kind is the physical evil that is the privation of a certain perfection because of nature. This kind is being justified by Augustine together with the other theologians as under the jurisdiction of the general order of nature. The third kind if the moral evil, the only real evil. It is a sin or an act opposed to the will of God. The source of the moral evil is the faculty of free will in which man is able to turn away from the right order and deviate himself from the will of God. Augustine says, â€Å"sin is so voluntary that there is no sin unless it is voluntary. † He implies that there needs to be an act of moral will in any sin or the consent to turn away from God and to His will. Augustine emphasizes that moral evil is truly a sin for there is a consent. Sin settles itself in the free will, option, intention, and the motion of the soul, which instigates a wrong order into the world. Evil is â€Å"nothing but a privation of good until at last a thing ceases altogether to be. † An evil will is a kind of will that deviates away from God, the creator. Moreover, Augustine says that it is a disordered love and will, the wrong conformity to God’s will. The writings of Augustine on sin are associated with his Christian definition of evil. Augustine defines sin as the movement or the deviation of will endowed to humans away from God. He furthers his discussion of sin by stating that God can never be the author of sin just as He can never be the source of evil. Such movement of the human will away from the God the Creator is also referred by Augustine as the misdirection. According to him, as there is a misdirection on evil will, there is also a misdirection in the aspect of sin. Augustine explains that â€Å"sin is therefore an error or untruth and based upon the misconception of what is good for us. † Augustine says that when people choose to sin, they must have an intention of obtaining goodness or getting rid of something bad. He suggests that sin is more than an intellectucal error, it is the â€Å"misdirection of the will. † Augustine’s musing on sin as the misdirection of human will is demonstrated in man’s pursuit of happiness or pride. Augustine notes that pride is the â€Å"an appetite for inordinate exaltation,it when the soul cuts itself from the Source to which it should keep close and somehow makes itself and becomes an end to itself. † Augustine continues that inordinate exaltation takes place when the â€Å"soul is inordinately pleased with itself, and such self-pleasing occurs when the soul falls away away from the unchangeable Good which ought to please the sould far more than the soul can please itself. † He also validates his definition of sin by saying that what the people do for the sake of goodness ends in something negative or bad , and what people do in making things good ends in just making things worse. Augustine explains this paradox by writing that â€Å"except that the happiness of man can come not from himself but only from God, and that to live according to oneself is to sin is to lose God. † This paradox explicates that sin is the possibility of man to focus on himself rather than on the all-knowing God. It is therefore suggested that, based upon the writings of Augustine, not all sins are considered evil due to the categorization of evil involving nature. Irenaeus On Evil and Sin Little is known about Irenaeus and his works are mostly generated fromScriptures and the biblical domain. The understanding of sin found in the works of Irenaeus of Lyons has some contradictions when compared to the dominant Christian perspective influenced by Augustine in the fifth century. Irenaeus of Lyons interprets Genesis as the disobedience of man with Adam acting like an impulsive child. Irenaeus thinks of sin as pains and errors which grow. He says that there is no such a things as original sin or guilt that man inherited from his forefather, Adam. It is seen that he has a different view of the man’s fall compared to the teachings of later writers particularly Augustine. This idea posits that Irenaeus thinks of of the fall of Adam and Eve is not a rebellion against God the Creator but is a concrete illlustration of the failure of man to rise to greater heights and that humanity does not lose its original perfection. His view concerning the fall of the humanity’s forefatther raises many questions as it does not seems to be based on Scripture but it is derived solely from his rational interpretation. He further suggests that the without loss of life and the presence of evils, humanity will not repent. Unlike, Aquinas and Augustine, Irenaeus imparts that evil comes from God. In this idea, it is clearly manifested that Irenaeus upholds that the appearance of evil is of righteous purpose. According to him, the elements which appear evil, like death are planned by God. He says, â€Å"it is for this reason therefore that Paul calls Adam himself the ‘pattern of the one to come’ because the Word, the artisan of the universe, had sketched out in advance, in order to prepare the ground for himself, the future plan of the human race in its relation to to the Son of God, with God first of all establishing natural man order, quite obviously, that he might be saved by spiritual man. † In the said notion, Iranaeus outlines two distinct phases. Iraneaus writes that the â€Å"creation of humanity comes first, secondly comes its perfection through the incarnation of the Son, Christ Jesus, who transmits the Spirit of the whole human race. † It is evident that the advent of Christ is the sole purpose behind the creation of Adam. It is written that Irenaeus â€Å"does not identify evil with sin. † It is because he acknowledges the two types of evil. The first type is the physical evil that Irenaeus refers to as â€Å"arising from the nature of the creature for its is due to the opposition of contrary forces or to the sequences of events that obey natural laws: what seems to be an evil in the short run is a good on the cosmic. † According to Irenaeus, the second type of evil is the moral evil that he considers as sin. He declares that this type of evil is sin because it arises from the â€Å"jealousy of Satan and or certain angels who lured Adam into transgression. † Influenced by the writings of Johannine, Irenaeus defines sin as the â€Å"condition of human existence rather than a collection of individual actions. † According to Irenaeus of Lyon, moral evil is to be considered as a sin because it reflects God’s original design that is putting man into the test. This type of evil is generally accounted for man’s free will and his ability to discern right from wrong. Irenaeus says that â€Å"God had foreseen the angel’s sin as well as that of man, including the consequences, and he had sanctioned it. † Iraneaus places sin in history and writes that the fall of man is the gradual spread of evil because of the inevitability of personal sin, not as a particular shift in the human nature. Moreover, Irenaeus has made a comparison between the natural person and the perfection of the person to describe sin. According to him,body and soul constitute a natural person while the perfect human being is made up of body, soul and spirit. The inclusion of God’s spirit is the essence of Irenaeus idea of the redemption. People have been redemeed and have been saved so that they may flourish into what God wants them to be. For Iranaeus, not all sins can be considered as evil as man is not accountable for some existing evils such as those coming from the natural disasters known as natural evils. The only evil that can be deemed as sin are the moral evils caused by the selfishness of humanity. Sin and Evil According to Other Theologians Lactantius is one of the Christian thinkers to respond to the problem of evil and sin referring solely to God’s laws. According to Lactantius, the â€Å"chief good of the humanity is not to be found in the theories of the philosophers, for these have to do things common to animals as well as humans or things not available to all humans. † He refers to the one and true God as the chief good and the things which meant to satisfy the body that perishes as not good at all. For him, pleasure, power and wealth are not good and anything and the disobedience of God’s laws are evil and sin. Reinhold Niebuhr belongs to the category of formative Christian moral theorists. He says that sin is â€Å"inevitable but not necessary. † He furthers his explannation of sin by stating that the â€Å"temptation to sin lies in the human situation itself. † Niebuhr stresses that the will and freedom endowed to man is the basis of his creativity and it is also his temptation. While Irenaeus declares that people need evil to spiritual grow, Niebuhr upholds his realist theory that people do not need sin and no perfection can completely liberate human beings from the reality of sin. Walter Rauschenbusch is included into the group of thinkers who deal with the importance of sin in salvation. According to him, â€Å"when we undertook to define the nature of sin, we accepted the old definition, that sin is selfishness and rebellion against God , but we insisted on putting humanity into the picture. † He further explains that the description of sin as selfishness will be accepted for as long as the humanity is perceived as a great solidarity with God thriving on it. He emphasizes that if sin is selfishness, then â€Å"man’s selfishness consisted in a selfish attitude, in which he was at the centre of the universe, and God and all his fellowmen were means to serve his pleasures, increase his wealth and set off his egotisms. † He also rescue the dosctrine of the origin of sin from literal interpretations by recognizing the active sources of sin in the later generations and in the contemporary period. He was criticized upon recognizing that both goodness and sinfulness can be determined by social environment. Rauschenbusch explains that what can be evil is dictated by the society and the same goes for sin. He says that the good maybe forced to do bad while the bad maybe forced to do good as dictated by the society. Conclusion In the tradition of religion and theology, the definition of sin is related to the problem on evil. The question addresed in this paper is whether sin leads to evil or evil leads to sin. The definition of evil and sin according to several theologians were explored in this paper in order to understand the relationship between evil and sin. Based from the literatures studied, it is said that the relationship between evil and sin can be associated with reconciliation, salvation, the fall of Adam and the society itself, and morality. It is clearly manifested that the connection between sin and evil can be interchangeable such that evil can lead to sin and sin can lead to evil. The interchangeable connection is due to the observed judgement that evil and sin have the same feature as the deviation from what man ought to be. In this sense, all evil can be sin but not all sins are considered evil due to the fact that sin comprises only the moral and spiritual side of the humanity. The inquiry on whether every sin is evil is answered on the definition of evil in which various theologians categorize into various theories. This paper has observed that every theologian has his or her own conception on evil and sin and it is evident that their concepts have been derived from other theologians who took insights also from other thinkers. This is to say that evil and sin can be both the same in a sense that they both have the same characteristics constructed by thinkers who draw insights from their influences. BIBLIOGRAPHY Aquinas, Thomas. â€Å"The Subject and Approach of the De Malo,† in On Evil, eds. Richard J. Regan and Brian Davies. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. Aquinas, Thomas, Summa Theologiae: Volume 25: Sin. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Lacoste, Jean-Yves, ed. Encyclopedia of Christian Theology, Vol 1. New York: Routledge, 2005. Mann,William E. â€Å"Augustine on Evil and Original Sin,† in The Cambridge Companion to Augustine, eds. Eleonore Stump and Norman Kretzmann. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Wogaman, J. Philip. Christian Ethics: A Historical Introduction. Kentucky: Westminster/John knox Press, 1993.

Barriers of Communication Essay

Everyone has experienced, at one time or another frustration of feeling misunderstood and being unable to make us understood by others. Communication should be simple but is often difficult because people tend to create barriers. Barriers often lead to your message becoming unclear and confusing to others. For communication to become more effective one has to overcoming these barriers to send a clear message. Cultural Differences can be a barrier to communication because of the variations between cultures and the different background, beliefs and opinions of others. Some people may think your being racist because of the way you speak to them and if you argue back to them about their opinions and beliefs, they may get offended. Cultural Differences can also be the way people dress, their religions, interests and the kind of food they may eat. Read more:  Identify different reasons why people communicate  essay Also certain hand gestures in America may have different meaning in other countries which could distort your message. A way to overcome this barrier is to respect other people’s opinions and beliefs and to educate yourself. Foreign languages are also barriers to communicate because you might attempt to speak to someone in English but the other person may speak Spanish. You wouldn’t be able to communicate with them due to the language you speak. A way to overcome this barrier would be attempting to use the other individual’s preferred spoken language to communicate or get an interpreter to help you. One barrier of communication can be the surroundings of which the communication is going to take place. The space of which the communication is being held is very important, as it is vital that all people communicating can see one another’s facial expressions. Since we spend more time hitting the letters on a keypad than actually participating in face-to-face communication it is important to try and overcome this barrier when possible. For example when you’re having a conversation with another via text messaging or emails it is very easy for the message to be misinterpreted because emotions are sometimes hardier to decipher. A lot of communication is based on body language when talking face to face. When we communicate things that we care about, we do so mainly using nonverbal signals. Wordless communication, or body language, includes facial expressions, body movement and gestures, eye contact, posture, and the tone of your voice. By texting and emailing this barrier is created and confusion can happen. So, if it is an important conversation or an important message to relay to another person it is best to talk to them face to face. This would lower ones chances of distorting the message or creating more problems because of a distorted message. Identify the barriers that you put up can help you overcome them and communicate better with others. Effective communication helps us better understand a person or situation and enables us to resolve differences. By learning these effective communication skills, you can better connect with your spouse, kids, friends, and coworkers. References MUSCARELLO, P. (2012). Breaking the Communication Barrier. Business Officer, 46(1), 11-13.

Apply the budget surplus to science essays

Apply the budget surplus to science essays For years, everyone has opined on what to do with the budget surplus: fund new educational programs, cut taxes, and so on. Science needs the money. In some technologies, we are beginning to fall behind other countries. We must not allow this to happen. Everyone reaps the benefits of science; increasing funding for research programs would only enhance these benefits. Where would the United States be today without science? Science is a big part of our economy, but today most research and development occur in the private sector. Why has the government cut spending? Because they know that the private sector will do the work. Money motivates the private sector to perform research; when profitability wanes in a certain area, research by the private sector also declines. Kenneth Brown asserts that private firms often focus on their own product rather than work on a broader understanding of science. Should Uncle Sam allow such a deficiency in research? Increased government spending in science would produce a greater breadth and depth of knowledge. You may ask yourself: why is this important? As the world leader in virtually everything, it is imperative for the US to lead the world in science also. Not only for defense reasons, but also to keep pace with other countries so no country can monopolize a scientific breakthrough. Would we want Japan or Russia to come up with a cure for AIDS and have to purchase the knowledge from them? The US needs to lead the world in science; to maintain this position we must apply the budget surplus to federal science research programs. ...

A Business Relationship

In the short story ‘A Business Relationship’ Carl’s character is revealed as a simple man. He doesn’t need anything over the top, he’s practical when it comes to money and housework, and he’s incredibly thoughtful when it comes to his wife. To start, Carl seems to be a pretty simple man. The way the author describes their home; he didn’t need much to be happy.They had a small house, and not a lot of money but he was satisfied. When it came to their wedding, he wore an old black suit where the minister’s and the janitor were the only witnesses. Secondly, Carl was very practical. When it came to money, he knew exactly how to handle it. He didn’t want to waste it when he didn’t think he needed to use it. For example in the story, when Olga wants to take him to the hospital he refuses. He thinks it’s too expensive to stay there, and that they don’t have enough money for it. Lastly, he was very thoughtful when it came to his wife.When she stated she’d like to look out while she was working at the counter, he built her a window immediately. He liked to compliment her, for example on her gardening, he says ‘no one would ever know you hadn’t come from the country’. And when he had the extra money he’d brought her ‘marigolds and snapdragons to add to her border of wildflowers’. In conclusion, the way the author wrote the story, you can tell a lot about Carl’s personality. The way he speaks, how his wife acts around him, and in what he does. He lives a simple happy life, and he doesn’t need anything more to be pleased.

MARKETING Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 4

MARKETING - Essay Example Which is why we attend colleges and vocational education? A career is a journey not a destination. It is made up of a series of job profiles that a person has to fulfil before he attains his goal. Therefore, it is very important for a person to have a clear idea about what he wants to accomplish. Every job includes certain tasks, duties and responsibilities. In order to execute a job one needs to have certain skill sets. Through a reflective commentary one can analyse the skill sets that a person has to inculcate in order to reach his career goal. This can be done through a proper analysis of one’s skills and abilities. First and foremost, a person should define clearly what his career goal is. No analysis is complete without accurate determination of one’s career goal. Then one should know exactly the skill sets that are needed to achieve that goal. After that a person should do an introspection of his skills and abilities. If he has the required skills matching his ca reer goal, he should look for avenues for its development. If he does not have the skills he should look for developing them through self development, training and counselling. I am a student of Westminster University which is located at London in the United Kingdom. I am studying International Business with Spanish. I have certain strengths and weaknesses. My strengths are self confidence, the ability to think high, the ability to work in a team. The area of my weakness has been my introvert nature. Also, at times I get confused under pressure. I believe that my educational background and also my attitude provide me certain opportunities in life. I believe in learning from others and acquiring experience. Experience can also help me to acquire more ideas and knowledge. Besides knowledge of International Business, I am also well versed in the maintenance of aircraft. I have got a rich and vivid work experience. I have worked in Saudi Airlines along