Preliminary Studies of Religion Depth Course: Christianity Essay

Christianity is more than a belief in one God. It isn’t just something a person is baptised into to. Christianity is a source of hope for those who doubt, it is a guide for those who are lost and it provides answers for those who wonder. Christianity is the belief in one true God and from there come various interpretations that religions such as Anglicanism, Christianity and Lutheranism have taken and formed a more specific faith. In this preliminary year we will explore the beliefs, values, ethics, rituals and practices of Christianity. The course will open your mind to enlighten and enrich your knowledge on what is, the worlds most dominated religion. We just have to look over history to see the impact that one man has made on a society. Today characteristics of Christianity stem from the major events of Christ’s life and various interpretations of his predecessors. Jesus was born to Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem in approximately 4 BCE. Up until age 30 we are unaware of the occurrences in Jesus’ life. Christians believe that God sent Jesus to preach God’s word and demonstrate the morals, values and ethics, through which Jesus lived. Christianity evolved around the first century AD, branching off from Judaism, Christianity shared the ethical teachings of Christ. Christians have faith in Jesus as the model of Christianity through the way he lived his life; preaching, healing and humbling the supreme presence of God. Jesus conveyed his unheard of message through parables to the outcasts of society; prostitutes, the disabled etc. were his followers. Faith came from the divine actions of healing, commanding the forces of nature and the forgiving of sins. So what do Christians believe? There are several principle beliefs of Christianity that share a commonness that dominates the foundations of Christianity. First of all they believe in the divinity as well as the humanity of Jesus Christ. This means that Christians take Jesus a legit being but that he is also one with God – divine. This leads on to the core belief of the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ. This belief in itself forms the foundation of all Christian beliefs which this event solidifies the dominance of Christ within Christianity. From this divine event, there is a core belief in the trinity, a belief that God exists as 3 beings Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So another legacy of Jesus Christ is evident in Christian ethics based from the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes as well. The Ten Commandments are viewed as the Law of God, his divine message conveyed through the way one should live their life. The greatest commandment is found in Matthew 22:36-40 where he is asked what is the greatest commandment? He replies quite simply â€Å"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind† Jesus also then goes on to emphasise the importance of the 2nd greatest commandment; â€Å"love your neighbor as yourself†. The Beatitudes laid down by Matthew and Luke are expressed as teachings through the blessings of various virtues of Christians. The Beatitudes and Ten Commandments are focused on Humility, Love and Compassion and are heavily practiced today through the interpretations of Christians. Christian practices refer to the way one practices their religion. In todays society Christian practices vary depending on the interpretations of Christian variants which include rituals and sacraments for example prayer, communion and baptism. Prayer is used as a spiritual connection to God and is highly encouraged throughout the bible. Communion and Baptism are both sacraments that again interpreted accordingly express ones faith and dedication to God. Baptism is the first initial step towards a relationship to God and following his Laws and the teachings of Jesus. Communion on the other hand relates back to the belief in the death and resurrection of Christ, it establishes belief and a relationship between human, Jesus and God. All of these Christian practices are fully implemented in the Churches of today’s Christian societies and have been practiced as a part of this religion for thousands of years. So where to from now? Year 11 is a year of growth and learning. We will look at these aspects in further detail to obtain the fullest knowledge of Christian practices beliefs and ethics and the impact these have through the legacy of Jesus Christ. Since the birth of Christ his legacy whilst yes wasn’t embraced completely throughout his lifetime has had a huge impact on the modern society, over approximately 2.1 billion people world wide follow the faith that was built from one man, one belief and one teaching that went against everything that society knew. The legacy of Jesus Christ is everlasting, a continuous evolution of the interpretation of the core values, teachings and beliefs of Christianity. Good luck for your journey that you will all take for year 11 and thank you for attentively listening to the legacy of Jesus Christ.

North and South Poles

Humans need fresh water. We use it for drinking, for washing and to water our plants. Industries need it to power the chemical reactions that produce our modern lives.Even if more than 60% of the Earth's surface is covered in water, this is salt water which is not adept for the purposes we listed above. Of the freshwater in the surface, a vast majority of it is locked in ice caps at the North and South Poles.Moreover, human activity has also slowly contributed to the degradation of surface freshwater sources such as rivers and lakes. Because of this, groundwater is slowly becoming an important source of freshwater for daily use.The search for aquifers would need to draw on some geological concepts. First, aquifers would need a source of groundwater. This groundwater usually comes from rainfall meaning that areas with higher amounts of rainfall are much more likely to have aquifers than areas which don't have as much rain.Some aquifers may be found in areas which do not have much rain . The water in these aquifers are prehistoric water which came from the previous ice age.While useful, these aquifers are not good sources as the water in the water table is not anymore replenished. Second, aquifers rely on th existence of semi porous rocks to store water. Knowledge of the composition of the rock in an area will help identify possible aquifers if the kind of semi porous rock needed for aquifer formation is found.Lastly, I'd also prioritize valleys and plains over hills and mountains. Specifically, I will choose low lying areas near open bodies of water as these areas would have more accessible ground water as the surface of the ground is not very far from the water table.Incidentally, I would avoid areas near the sea as the groundwater in these places are suspect for saltwater intrusion. Also, I'd be wary of human activity in the area as the aquifer may be located in an area such as a former landfill, chemical disposal, or city. These things may contaminate the grou ndwater and make it unsafe for drinking.BibliographyThompson, G.. & Turk, J. (2007) Earth Science and the Environment 4th edition. New York: Thomson Brooks Cole

How does the ideology New World Order help a country's effort to Essay

How does the ideology New World Order help a country's effort to identify, understand, and or address worldwide problems that go beyond the capacity of individual states to solve - Essay Example There will a unity of religion, some saying that no religion will be taught nor tolerated. There will be no visas required while travelling as there will be no borders. The same currency will be used all over the world. One military will be used to enforce the laws (Slaughter 9). The whole world will use the same language, monolingual. The New World Order was initially developed to deal with the changes in the world (Mark3). There are so many emerging issues that are as a result of things such as changing living patterns and technologies. The world is growing day by day. It has led to growing economies. People being able to have more purchasing power and better lifestyles. The changes have also led to problems in the social, economic and political fronts. The ideology was supposed to help control the negative changes. The ideology can be used to tackle issues and problems facing both developing and developed countries (Slaughter 9). The first problem that can be tackled is racism. Throughout history, people have been being discriminated on the basis of their skin color. By becoming one, the issue of racism will be eliminated in the world. As there are very few people who practice it in today’s world. Unity will see it come to an end. Secondly, the removal of borders will lead to economic growth. People will be able to move from one country to the next carrying out business activities. The removal of different currencies to have one will also help. There will be no need to exchange currencies during transactions. The economic growth will not be attributed to one particular country, but the world as a whole. Thirdly, healthcare will be provided to everyone in the world for free. Many countries are struggling to provide free medical covers. Developed countries like the United States are the only ones that have been able to provide free health services. Lack of medical services has led to a large population

A Kuwaiti National Studying in the United Kingdom Essay

A Kuwaiti National Studying in the United Kingdom - Essay Example The culture in Kuwaiti universities is more formal and structured. Instructors expect to be addressed using formal titles, with students to manifest respecting the barrier between students and professors, and to respect the level of prestige gained from the achievement of gaining higher education; otherwise, sanctions and penalties from violation of this code of discipline are applied. What I learned: The difference in cultural orientation has provided me with the privilege of gaining more knowledge in terms of interpersonal communication and relationships with people from various cultures and from different age groups, gender, and profession. The effects of this are an improvement in personal confidence as more training and practice were encouraged in the use of English, as a second language; and from insights and theoretical perspectives relayed by my mentors. I became happier and more optimistic, as a person, as a student, and as a colleague. How and When I Can Apply this Knowledg e: Due to experience, the improvement in English as a second language will increase future opportunities for employment, not only in Kuwait but in other global organizations, as well. Date: January 02, 2011 Place: In the University Activity Undertaken: Essay writing in the UK required the use of the Harvard style of writing. This is not at all used nor acknowledged in writing essays in Kuwait. Further, the university is very strict regarding the observance of plagiarism. It came as a culture shock to me because I panicked the first time I need to use Harvard referencing in my essay. I had to search through the library sources, through the Internet and reorient myself on rules on in-text citing, making the reference list, among others. I am also very careful in paraphrasing other authors’ statements so that I would not be charged with plagiarism.

Self Defense And International Law Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Self Defense And International Law - Case Study Example However the action initiated by the Republic of Bona by invading Malox can be termed as legitimate on the grounds of self defense as stated by the Republic of Bona. According to the Article 51 of UN Charter, the guidelines laid down by the United Nations Security Council will not weaken the rights of self defense of the member state of United Nations against armed attack carred out on them, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security. The invasion is legitimate on the grounds of self defense, until the Security Council takes stringent measures against the Malox Government. But instead, the Republic of Bona could have brought to the notice of Security Council, that it has evidence to show that the Alliance is responsible for the massacre that has taken place. Even though, one of the UN Security Council member, Kumara is an ally of the Alliance, he cannot on his own dismantle the efforts of the Bona Republic to counter terrorism. Then the Security Council may decide what measures, not involving the use of armed force, are to be employed to give effect to its decisions, and it may call upon the Members of the United Nations to apply such measures. These may include complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations as laid down in the Article 41 of United Nations Charter of International Laws. In this process, the Bona Republican has used cluster bombs, white phosphorus and depleted uranium to locate and destroy the Alliance terrorist camp before further more attacks on themselves. The arms that have been used by the Bona Republican are Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) which not only kills persons but will degrade the environment. The degraded environment will make the life on the particular place not only difficult but the persons living there will be effected in the sense, they may get physically or mentally handicapped. The next generation childs may be born physically or mentally handicapped as wel. Such mass destruction will also lead to failure in plantation and degradation of other human necessities. On the grounds of humanitarian, use of such WMD's shall be avoided, just to destroy the Allaince Terrorist Group. However, United Nations has condemned the use of WMD's that has severe and drastic effect on the life of human beings and the next generation. Massive amo unts of circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that the use of DU ammunition has known to cause dramatic side effects, such as health problems, stillborn babies, toxic and poisonous land, water supplies, and residential territories. Such ammunitions is unethical for we will demean ourselves as a civilized

Nile river Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Nile river - Essay Example The river is not only thought to have meant different things to the different countries of its basin, but also to have deeply intrigued the wider world. On the one hand it’s widely perceived as â€Å"Egypt’s lifeline† ever since the days of the earliest Pharaohs, which is best described by the well-known statement of the Greek historian Herodotus – â€Å"Egypt is the gift of the Nile† – uttered in 460 BC (Martinon 53). On the other hand, the Nile plays a crucial economic, political and cultural role nowadays, and its importance is considered greater than ever, with over 300 million people depending on the river for drinking water, irrigation, etc. (Tvedt 1). The Importance of Nile for the Nile Basin States and Societies As Tvedt points out, water has been the principal concern of humanity ever since the dawn of civilization, with most of the population living on the banks of large rivers, like Euphrates and Tigris, Ganges, Indus, Nile, etc.; not surprisingly therefore, the consecutive societies have been fundamentally shaped by that fact since the times of Sumer (2). No international river basin, however, has more complex and eventful history, either in terms of water politics and their impact on the respective societies or in terms of actors involved, than the Nile’s valley (Tvedt 3). On the other hand, it was the twentieth century, or the period of European imperialism, with its rapid technological and scientific advance that actually brought about a revolution in the conceptualization planning and use of Nile’s waters, and had far-reaching implications for the development of the Nile basin region. Being home to many polities, including â€Å"a number of kingdoms of various degrees of stability and forms of administrative machinery†, the Nile valley was both culturally and religiously diverse when the British took control over it (Tvedt 5). In northern and central Sudan – under the Mahdiâ⠂¬â„¢s rule – the irrigated agriculture had played rather modest role of economic importance, as against trade; while to the southeast, the islands of Lake Tana housed one of the world centers of the Coptic Church (Tvedt 6). Thus, according to Tvedt, there had not been processes of economic and cultural homogenization, but rather, the various Nile environments framed, although partly, many different â€Å"special patterns of man-river relationships and forms of regional identification† (6). The Importance of Nile for the Transformation of Egypt into a Modern State Although being a relatively short period in the overall history of the Nile, the years of the British colonial expansion into the Nile valley could be considered the first time when the river became conceptualized as a political and hydrological planning unit (Tvedt 7). During that period various actors, besides the British imperial system, got involved in what Tvedt calls â€Å"a great drama of Nile politic s and river-valley development† – Egyptian kings and nationalists, Ethiopian emperors and priests, Nilotic cattle herders, Mussolini, Eisenhower, Gamal Abdel Nasser, etc. (7). Insofar as the British played the major role, it’

Ronald Ernest Paul Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ronald Ernest Paul - Essay Example He was criticizing the same Congress in which he was part of it. Many critics observed that the critics from Paul were meant for individual benefits especially as campaign tools. He was quoted in his speech saying, â€Å"I think Congress is about 20 years behind† (Ron Paul’s Speech). In his speech ,he dwelt on the on the need to critically articulate the issues related to foreign and domestic strategy issues, which he said they negatively impacted on the economy and he said the country was headed to a worst economy crisis. It is ironical that Ron Paul’s criticism was on the same congress, which he is part of. He is one of the unsuccessful members of the congress, yet he appears the top critic. Ronald Ernest â€Å"Ron† Paul is one of the renowned United States Congressman and emerged to be repeat presidential candidature, having contented for the presidency in 1988, 2008, and 2012. In the year 1988, he was presidential candidate for Libertarian Party in the 12 years break in the years when he was Republican Congressman. In 2008, Ronald Ernest was presidential nominee for Republican Party. He believes on the supremacy of the Constitution and he never proposes a bill to be approved in the Congress, unless it is provided in the constitution. He is presently contesting for presidency under the nomination for Republican Party in the United States (Schoen & Rasmussen 102). ... 8 contestation for presidency under Republican Party, he has been the chief architect behind advocacy movement Campaign for Liberty and his ideas has been evidence in his speeches, journals, and books. He has become a leading critic in the aspect of civil liberties, gay marriage, taxation policies, foreign policies, health care, entitlements, and abortion. Paul has the believe and understanding that liberties in the market , reducing business regulations and lowering taxes will boost the market strategies ,as well as promoting favorable business environment . According to him, these aspects will have positive impacts on the economy of the United States and also increase employment opportunities within the market environment. He is the chief critic on Federal Reserve, arguing that this will present serious implications on the economy of the country. He said in his speech while in Michigan University addressing students that this will lead to the aspect of bust and boom leading to fina ncial crisis both in the United States and in the global platform. The boom and bust within the economy will promote unethical business practices (Schoen & Rasmussen 89). In his speech he said that, â€Å"The federal government does a lousy job providing the atmosphere necessary to be competitive and be able to compete around the world because they overtax and they over regulateâ€Å". In his entire speech in Michigan, he put more emphasizes on the element of abolishing the Federal Reserve ,an economic entity that he argued that is guilty of collapsing the U.S dollar value and obstructing ,not assisting ,the U.S economy. He said in his speech that the labor policies should be revisited by the Congress where he advocated for a countrywide Right to work policy (Schoen & Rasmussen 123). . He said