The Old Religion Why Are They Pagans free essay sample

The Old Religion: Why Are They Pagans? Essay, Research Paper The Old Religion An extract from the Malleus Maleficarum written by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger reads, # 8220 ; Enchantresss are so called on history of the inkiness of their guilt, that is to state their workss are more evil than those of any other criminals. They stir up and confuse the elements by the assistance of the Satan and arouse awful hailstorms and storms. They distract the heads of work forces driving them to madness, insane hatred, and excessive lecherousnesss. By the awful influence of their enchantments entirely as it were by a draft of toxicant they can destruct life. # 8221 ; The mere reference of the words enchantress or witchery automatically convey to mind either the green skinned broom-riding beldam of The Wizard of Oz or visions of some Devil-worshipping cult. Witchcraft is non a cult. It is a heathen Earth faith that has origins dating back before any other formalistic faith. We will write a custom essay sample on The Old Religion Why Are They Pagans or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Some enchantresss prefer to idolize in groups, normally known as covens. However, since there is no individual worldwide establishment for the practicians of witchery others are free to idolize entirely as lone enchantresss. Witchcraft in one signifier or another has existed longer than Christianity. This is evidenced by the Christian holidays that have been adapted from older Pagan jubilations. Long before the universe had heard of Jesus. Wiccan # 8217 ; s had been detecting the season by conveying in the Yule log wishing on it and illuming it with the remains of the last old ages log. The Roman Catholic vacation of Candlemas is an version of the heathen Celebration of Imbolc ; this twenty-four hours is besides known as Brigit # 8217 ; s Day. The Goddess Brigit symbolized the fire of birth and healing. Early heathens celebrated her twenty-four hours by inflaming sacred fires. The Roman Catholic Church adopted the fire symbolism and used this twenty-four hours to bless all the church candles that would be used during the coming twelvemonth. The name Easter was taken from the name of a heathen travel ddess Eostre whose Symbols were the bunny and the egg. Aside from that symbolism most heathen faiths speak of the goddess falling into the Underworld for a period of three yearss. This is reflected in the Christian tradition that Jesus died on the cross, descended to hell ( during the three yearss he was entombed ) , and on the 3rd twenty-four hours he arose and ascended into Eden. Witchcraft may be the oldest faith. It is really different from all the alleged great faiths. The Old Religion, as enchantresss call it, is closer in spirit to the Native American traditions or to the Shamanism in the Arctic. It is non based on a tenet or a set of beliefs. Witchcraft takes its instructions from nature. To the enchantress the rhythms of the seasons and motions of the Sun, Moon, and stars are beginnings of inspiration. Neither Jehovah, # 8220 ; the Lord # 8221 ; , or Satan are portion of the Wiccan pantheon of Deities. Witches worship a apparently eternal figure of pre-Christian divinities but these three are non included. Wiccan # 8217 ; s do non believe there is an absolute immorality or absolute good ; there are merely appropriate or inappropriate actions. The Devil is a Judeo-christian innovation, most likely devised from a heathen God. The God of the Old Religion was the Horned God ; hence, Christianity associated this God with the Devil and the church deemed enchantresss Devil believers. Witchcraft is a manner of looking at the universe merely as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Unlike cults, enchantresss do non look to a individual leader to work out all their jobs ; alternatively they tend to be really individualistic and freethinking people. Witchcraft has ever been a faith of poesy instead than divinity. The enigmas of the unknown can neer be explained, merely felt. Just as some people are good at repairing autos or computing machines, some enchantresss can and make, develop proficiency with enchantment work and healing. However, there is a cosmopolitan moral principle by which the Wiccan community adheres. The # 8220 ; Wiccan Rede # 8221 ; provinces, # 8220 ; An it harm none, do what you will. # 8221 ;

Some Tips For Writing a Physical Therapy School Application Essay

Some Tips For Writing a Physical Therapy School Application EssayIf you are still in the process of applying for a physical therapy school, then you probably want to start with an essay. You are more likely to get accepted if you can convince the admissions office that you have the writing ability to write your own application essay. While it is important to show your enthusiasm and interest in the course of physical therapy, you should also be able to show why you are the best candidate for the job.Your physical therapy school application essay will not only be read by the admissions office, but by other students as well. They may even be a great reference point when you are applying for other graduate programs. In this case, you need to ensure that you are thorough in your research.One of the most important parts of your physical therapy school application essay is your background information. Write a paragraph about what you have been doing in the past, and who you know in the med ical field. Some suggestions include:Be sure to list all the relevant points that make up your physical therapy school application essay. Include information about your skills in math, science, and English as well as your extracurricular activities and achievements. You should also talk about how your interests and talents have benefited others, and about how you are a team player.You should then include a few statements about why you want to study medicine. It would be best to begin your statement with a question such as: 'What are the reasons that have driven me to pursue a career in medicine?' Your statement should also talk about how you could benefit from physical therapy as a profession, and why you think you would be the best candidate for the job.When you get ready to write your physical therapy school application essay, you should make sure you include your maximum ambition for the future in the section that asks for your information. Don't forget to answer the questions on your essay completely, and to state your passion for medicine. You should also include personal information such as a telephone number and email address, so that you will be able to respond to any inquiries that the admissions office may have.Finally, before you go any further with your physical therapy school application essay, you should make sure that you include all the required information for submission. The essay should be typed, double-spaced, and do not exceed four hundred words. You will want to print the essay out before the deadline, so that you can immediately follow-up with any further correspondence.You may also want to print out several copies of your physical therapy school application essay. You can then use the essay samples as a guide for your own essay.

Family Therapy

Family Therapy The Bowenian therapy At first, it is possible to speak about the application of the Bowenian approach. This model is based on the assumption that a counselor should increase a client’s differentiation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Family Therapy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In other words, this individual should be able to distinguish his/her own identity from the identities other family members (Ziegler, 20005, p. 80). This concept can be relevant to Ellen who becomes vulnerable to stress because she associates herself too closely with the feelings and emotional problem of her relatives. However, this behavior eventually poses a threat to her emotional wellbeing and socialization. This form of therapy includes several techniques that can throw light on the origins of emotional problems faced the family of Grace Brown. First of all, a Bowenian therapist would construct a genogram of this family. It shou ld be based on information collected during the interviews. This chart should depict genealogical relations, communications patterns within a multigenerational family, or emotional alienation (Rasheed, 2010, p. 193). This method of analyzing information can give many valuable insights to a therapist. In particular, it can show that emotional alienation and suicidal ideations are the problems that affected several generations of this family.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For instance, one can mention that Ellen’s grandmother made a suicide attempt. Moreover, her biological father Nick was more attached to his mother, rather than father. To some degree, this behavior is displayed by Ellen. Additionally, this technique is helpful for measuring the degree of differentiation or fusion within a family. While collecting and analyzing information, a Bowenian therapist shou ld understand Ellen’s emotional relations with other family members. In this case, one should speak about such a problem as emotional cutoff. The Bowenian therapy implies that very often people try to resolve their emotional conflicts with relatives by reducing or avoiding any contacts with these people (Goldberg, 1990, p. 293). This is one of the behavioral strategies that Ellen adopts when she distances herself from her stepfather, Henry. Yet, other family members also act in this way. In particular, one can mention Grace and her brother Ted. The main problem is that these individuals are not able to identify and resolve their tensions (Goldberg, 1990, p. 293). Overall, one can say that the collection and analysis of data can be regarded as critical components of the Bowenian therapy. Apart from, the Bowenian therapy includes such a technique as taking an â€Å"I† position. (Rasheed, 2010, p. 199). The main peculiarity of this intervention is that a therapist objecti vely expresses his/her opinions about the family without criticizing or supporting some family members. He/she does not get involved into the emotional conflict. For instance, a Bowenian therapist may argue that Ellen seeks a person who can play the role of a father. Yet, Nick does not call her often enough, while Henry is not willing to be an authority figure for this child.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Family Therapy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is why this child accepts the idea of suicide. The adoption of such a strategy can make a therapist unpopular among some family members (Rasheed, 2010, p. 199). However, this approach is useful for identifying the most urgent problems that should be addressed during therapy sessions. This intervention can be implemented at the time, when a therapist has collected and analyzed relevant information about the family. Moreover, a counselor should make sure that his /her arguments do not resemble an accusation. One can say that this intervention involves such a process as de-triangulation (Ziegler, 20005, p. 94). This means that people, who may have some disagreement, are encouraged to respond to each other’s concerns without asking a third person to act as a referee (Ziegler, 20005, p. 94). For example, Henry should suppose that Grace can always act as mediator between Ellen and him. Such an attitude is not compatible with effective parenting strategies. This is one of the issues that should be considered by a therapist. Furthermore, the practitioners of the Bowenian therapy lay stress on the importance of role playing. They encourage clients to act out various situations during which they experience emotional distress (Rasheed, 2010). This intervention can be relevant to the needs of these household. For, a counselor may prompt Grace and Henry to act the situations when they have to demonstrate their parenting skills. At this point, a therapist can modify some of the behaviors than they displays. In this way, a counselor can help this family develop more effective methods of conflict resolution. For instance, he/she should urge the relatives to communicate more with Ellen. This argument is particularly relevant if one speaks about Nick who does not call Ellen often enough.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More He should keep in mind at this point, Ellen is too dependent on her mother, and it is difficult for her to live without the support of a father figure. This is one of the details that should be singled out because it can be useful for explaining her experiences. Thus, role playing can be an effective intervention. Apart from that, this model includes such techniques as letter and journal writing. It is possible to ask a client to write about his/her daily experiences (Rasheed, 2010, p. 199). The main advantage of this method is that a counselor can better evaluate a person’s reaction to therapy. For instance, it is possible to ask Ellen to write such a journal because in this way, a therapist can learn more about the attitudes of this child. Moreover, journaling can help Ellen formulate her major requirements for her relatives. Furthermore, journaling can benefit other people such as Grace who should also reflect on her experiences and interactions with close and distant rela tives. These are the main benefits of this intervention. Additionally, it is important to speak about such an activity as coaching. At this stage, a therapist should explain how clients may resolve their emotional conflicts. The main task of a counselor is to help clients anticipate possible challenges that they can encounter in the future (Rasheed, 2010). This intervention can also be applicable to the needs of this family. In particular, it is necessary to describe the parenting strategies that Grace and Henry should adopt while interacting with Ellen and her stepbrother Todd. Grace and Henry should demonstrate that they are equally attached to both children. Their failure to display this attachment can be underlying cause of her alienation and suicidal thoughts. On the whole, these people should place themselves in Ellen’s position. In this way, they can understand why their daughter remains distant from them and even her peers. Thus, a therapist should clearly communicate these ideas to the parents. This is one of the main goals that should be achieved by a counselor. Finally, it is possible to discuss the so-called Bowenian conference. At this stage, a therapist should encourage family members to express their concerns or opinions about the behavior of other family members. For example, Ellen may speak about the roles that Grace, Henry, and Nick should play. Secondly, Grace may air her views about her needs as a wife and a mother. It should be kept in mind that the recommendations or suggestions made during the Bowenian conference should not be regarded as imperatives. However, they can be viewed as a roadmap that family members can use in the future (Rasheed, 2010, p. 201). It should be kept in mind that the participants should not immediately express their agreements or disagreement with the opinions of others (Rasheed, 2010, p. 201). Instead, they need to think about the experiences of their relatives. At this point, a therapist should reduce th e risk of mutual accusations because they are not likely to benefit the participants. This is one of the limitations that should not be disregarded. Yet, one can say that this technique is critical for promoting empathy. These examples suggest that this form of therapy can benefit Ellen and other members of the family. It is possible to say that by using the principles of this model, a counselor can help them resolve various emotional problems. In particular, these people can become more autonomous. Moreover, various interventions can eliminate the risk of suicidal ideations. The main advantage of this model is that it can people identify and resolve conflicts, instead of avoiding them. This is why this approach can be considered by a counselor who works with this family. Narrative Therapy It is possible to apply other models of therapy. For instance, one can speak about such an approach as narrative family therapy. This approach is premised on the idea that there are no objective s tandards according to which reality should be evaluated. Instead, it is necessary to examine the subjective perceptions that are constructed through language (Bitter, 2010, p. 497). Moreover, a therapist should pay attention to way in which people portray themselves and others through their narratives. Therefore, it is critical to focus on the stories that Ellen, Grace, Nick, or Henry can provide. It is quite possible that they can offer different interpretations of the same events. Additionally, a therapist should pay attention to the way in which these people portray their close and distant relatives. These are the main aspects of this approach. Thus, one should discuss the specific techniques that be applied. A supporter of narrative therapy can implement several interventions. First, a counselor should try to externalize a certain problem (Gabbard, 2007, p. 750). In other words, he/she should emphasize the idea that certain difficulties or negative feelings should not be attribu ted to some in-born characteristics of a person (Gabbard, 2007, p. 750). This externalization means that a problem can be resolved or removed (Gabbard, 2007, p. 750). For instance, a therapist may show to Henry that Ellen is not an alienated and troubled girl. Instead, this professional should emphasize that she suffers from alienation and anxiety because she passes through a difficult period in her life. In this case, the use of different words can eventually change people’s attitudes towards one another. This is one of the points that can be made. To a great extent, this intervention is necessary to demonstrate that these suicidal ideations can be effectively addressed provided that parents improve their parenting strategies. Additionally, a therapist should pay attention to the way in which family members describe each other. For instance, from Henry’s perspective, Grace is often high-sprung. Instead, a counselor should urge Henry to remember she is just a person wh o can be affected by anxiety due to some reasons. She is extremely concerned about the wellbeing of her family, and these thoughts increase her nervousness. However, one should not suppose that she is always nervous. Additionally, it is vital to demonstrate to Ellen that she is not a bad person who has no reason to live. Instead, a therapist should emphasize that her depression is just the result of external problems; however, Ellen should not be overwhelmed by this feeling because it can prevent her from enjoying her life. This is the most important issues that should be addressed. On the whole, the externalization of a problem is important for changing the perceptions and attitudes of family members. It is the first step that each of the clients should take in order to reduce the impact of traumatic experiences on a person. This is one of the arguments that can be advanced. Furthermore, it is important to speak about such a technique as the deconstruction of a problem. In other wo rds, a therapist should encourage a client to explain the specific aspects of the problems that he/she experiences (Bitter, 2010, p. 497). It is much easier to view an emotional problem as a set of experiences that have certain causes. In this way, a therapist can demonstrate that the challenges faced by the family are more manageable (Bitter, 2010, p. 497). For example, both parents agree on the idea that Ellen is too dependent on her mother. However, the statement is too generalized because it does not describe the specific instances that explain her dependence. For instance, this girl may act in this way because she cannot rely on Henry’s support and encouragement. Additionally, her biological father does not talk to her on a regular basis. Thus, a counselor can encourage parents to discuss Ellen’s behavior in greater detail. Much attention should be paid to the emotional experiences of Ellen. It is vital to understand why this girl believes that she is not a good p erson. Such a view can produce disastrous effects on a person. In turn, a therapist should identify situations when such thoughts overwhelm her. This information is critical for reducing various risks. Furthermore, one should find out why she chose to write a suicide note. It is possible that in this way, she attempted to raise parents’ awareness about her problems. Yet, this is just a hypothesis that should be verified. Overall, by deconstructing Ellen’s experiences, a counselor may understand the origins of her behavior. So, this intervention is critical component of this therapy. Yet, a therapist should not force responses from clients. So, these are the main pitfalls that should be avoided because a counselor should make sure that he/she does not misinterprets the experiences of family members. Instead, this professional should prompt them to create their narratives freely. Moreover, a therapist should focus on the way in which family members can describe the most important events in the life of the family. In many cases, their accounts can differ significantly from one another (Bitter, 2010, p. 497). Therefore, a counselor should ask Grace, Henry, and Ellen to describe any disagreement that they could have. By examining their depictions of possible emotional conflicts, a therapist can understand the relations within a family. Moreover, a counselor may ask Ellen and Nick to describe their relations with one another. Nick should see that his daughter wants to communicate with him. The main benefit of this intervention is that it helps people to empathize with one another (Bitter, 2010, p. 497). They must see that the same event can be examined from various perspectives and it is difficult to find a single interpretation of any conflict. So, this technique is an important part of narrative therapy since family members gain a better idea about the attitudes and values of the close relatives. Moreover, in this way, they can identify the shortcomi ngs of their behavior. So, a therapist should help them to achieve this transformation during the therapy sessions. Additionally, a therapist should prompt clients to think about the positive events that produced a strong impression on them. Therefore, the main task is to attract people’s attention to those experiences that they find most enjoyable. For example, a therapist may ask Ellen whether she likes anything in Henry’s behavior. By acting in this way, one can make this girl less restraint and alienated from Henry. Furthermore, a counselor should prompt Ellen to speak about the most joyful moments in the life of her family. This approach is useful for promoting the positive attitudes of the child. At this stage, a counselor should assist a client in identifying the so-called unique outcomes or those events and feelings that contradict the depressing thoughts of an individual (Gabbard, 2007, p. 750). If one can cope with this task, it is possible to eliminate suici dal ideations. However, this goal can be effectively achieved provided that Grace and Henry adopt effective parenting strategies. So, they are primarily responsible for Ellen’s emotional well-being. This is the main point that they should keep in mind. Finally, a narrative therapy is aimed at constructing a positive story that can increase people’s attachment to one another. Very often, relatives are asked to create an idealized version of their family. Similar, Grace, Ellen, Henry and Todd may be encouraged to describe the expectations that they set for each other. Certainly, it is possible that clients may not necessary meet the expectations of each other. However, this positive narrative can remind these people of the things that they value most. Overall, the interventions which have been described can strengthen the internal cohesion of this family. Moreover, they can elaborate people’s skills that can be used to address various emotional conflicts. This dis cussion shows that the narrative family therapy can be a useful approach to various problems within a family. By examining the individual stories of family members, a counselor may better understand the nature of different emotional conflicts among close and distant relatives. Furthermore, this model is useful for describing and changing their perceptions of each other. The model can be applied if a therapist can interview each of the clients. Ethical considerations of the case and the chosen theories When working on this case, a therapist should take into account various ethical issues that should be addressed. One of them is related to the confidentiality of information that will be collected and recorded. For instance, one can mention the data about people’s mental problems, employment, drug abuse, family relations and so forth. Thus, a therapist must make sure that these records are not used by unauthorized third parties. This task is critical for safeguarding the rights of clients who put their trust in family counselors. So, this is one of the issues that should be addressed during the therapy. There is another ethical question that should be considered. The family, which has been described in this case study, faces a variety of problems, for example, conflicts between spouses, low self-esteem, and alienation of some people. However, one should concentrate primarily on Ellen’s suicidal ideations since this is the most imminent threat that should be lifted. Thus, a counselor should make sure that the life of this girl is not endangered, even if he/she can enter into a conflict with other family members such as Henry, Grace, or Nick. This is one of the details that can be identified. Apart from that, there is always a risk that children can be physically or sexually abused. Certainly, the probability of this event is not very high. Provided that a counselor sees the evidence of abuse, he/she should report this case to the police because the w ellbeing of a child is the top priority for this professional. Finally, it is important to obtain the informed consent of clients. These people should be informed about the main interventions or the way in which the information will be used. These ethical principles should guide the work of a therapist. To a great extent, these rules can always remain relevant, even though a counselor can choose different approaches. These are the main details that can be singled out. Additionally, it is important to examine the ethical peculiarities of the theories that have been examined in this paper. First of all, the Bowenian therapy lays stress on the impartiality of a counselor. The main problem is that an individual can involuntarily emphasize with some of the family members. This is one of the ethical challenges that a person should be aware of, if he/she chooses the Bowenian therapy. By taking the so-called â€Å"I† position, a therapist can increase his/her impartiality. Without th is objectivity, an individual cannot provide valuable recommendations to the family members. Apart from that, a counselor should remember that clients may not necessarily agree with one another, even at the end of the therapy. Some of these people may still believe that their needs are overlooked by their relatives. This is why these professional must not guarantee that clients will achieve complete reconciliation. Such a promise may not be always fulfilled. This is one of the aspects that can be distinguished. Furthermore, the supporters of the Bowenian approach should end the therapy sessions provided that he/she is not allowed to obtain relevant information about the family. One should bear in mind that data collection is a vital element of the Bowenian therapy. At the very beginning, a counselor should construct a genogram that is essential for identifying the most important problem. A continuation of the therapy without accurate and relevant data can be viewed as a violation of the ethical principles. To a great extent, this behavior can be compared to negligence. This is one of the details that should be singled out since it is important for understanding the strategies of a Bowenian therapist. Moreover, it is important to discuss the ethical issues related to the narrative therapy. To some degree, this method is aimed at raising a person’s self-esteem. This individual should not believe that he/she has some serious flaws that cannot be removed or minimized. This is one of the main objectives that should be attained. Nevertheless, a therapist should make sure that a client is able to avoid wishful thinking or even delusions of grandeur. In the course of the family therapy, people should construct collective stories that they can share. However, these stories must not involve deception. A counselor should keep in mind that this worldview can result in dire consequences for a client, especially when he/she sees that the objective reality significant ly contradicts his perceptions of oneself. This is why this issue should not be disregarded. Furthermore, a therapist interprets the narratives offered by clients. Therefore, this professional should reduce the risks of prejudices and stereotypes because they can profoundly influence the attitudes and behavior of a client. This is one of the main pitfalls that should be avoided during the sessions. These examples show that a counselor should consider the peculiarities of a certain theory in order to ensure that the interests of clients are not endangered. These are the main points that can be made. Appendix Reference List Bitter, J. (2010).Theory and Practice of Family Therapy and Counseling. New York, NY: Cengage Learning. Gabbard, G. (2007). Gabbards Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders. New York, NY: American Psychiatric Publications. Goldberg, J. (1990). The Psychotherapeutic Treatment of Cancer Patients. New York, NY: Transaction Publishers. Rasheed, M. (2010). Family Therapy: Models and Techniques. New York, NY: SAGE. Ziegler, S. (2005). Theory-Directed Nursing Practice: Second Edition. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Critically evaluate the banking system in Switzerland Essay

Critically evaluate the banking system in Switzerland - Essay Example In 2002, the FBC called for stricter regulations to combat money laundering and the funding of terrorist activities as well thorough regulations in dealing with assets belonging to infamous political figures. An edict calling for eradication of unidentified overseas money transfers was introduced in 2003. These legislation have aimed at streamlining the structures and offer more flexible systems in order to improve competitiveness. 1.2 The Universal system However, there are several specialized banking groups in Switzerland. The domestic banking market is dominated by eight groups of banks. Two of the largest banks, United Bank of Switzerland (UBS) and the Credit Suisse Group, offer varied financial services that include portfolio management and underwriting. They also participate in the stock market. Switzerland has seen a reduction of the number of banks from more than 600 banks in 1990 to slightly more than 350 in 2004 courtesy of consolidation and mergers. It is the purpose of this paper to look at some of the considerations taken into account by the regulatory authorities (Swiss National Bank & The Federal Banking commission) as they endeavor to provide direction for banking institutions. Deposit acceptance and lending are some of the fundamental functions of banking institutions. A section of this paper will focus on costs and degree of risk associated with banks' lending activity in a rapidly changing financial market. Hanson, J.L. (1974) Mergers bring with them

The Christian Tradition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Christian Tradition - Essay Example The moral issue regarding homosexuality is clear. Actually gays and lesbians are immoral people and do immoral acts, at least according to the Bible. Homosexuality violates many Christian principles. However, homosexuals should be loved and accepted even though we cannot accept their homosexuality. The issue regarding homosexuality is actually based on whether it is an individual’s choice or not. If it is an individual’s choice, then homosexuality is evil and the homosexual who practices it deserves to be criticized. However, if there is a reason that homosexuality is not an individual’s choice like it is genetic, then it means that homosexuality is not such a bad thing after all because it is beyond human control. According to a study by Allen and Gorski of the University of California in 1992, â€Å"The midsagittal plane of the anterior commissure in homosexual men was 18% larger than in heterosexual women and 34% larger than in homosexual men† (Allen & Gorski). This means that a part of the brains of homosexual men are actually larger than the brains of heterosexual men. A group of Swedish scientists from the Karolinska Institute also had the same findings. According to the researchers, the brains of gay men have the same sizes as the brains of heterosexual women (Park). ... and should help solve the discrimination and hatred that homosexuals experience, especially that homosexual hate groups are usually based at the church. Therefore, the Church must begin the campaign to help homosexuals, and the Church should also remain open-minded at all times. After all, Jesus said, â€Å"Love your neighbor as yourself,† he particularly did not say, â€Å"Love your neighbor s as yourself† except if he is gay (Mt. 22:39, New International Version). Therefore, in following the footsteps of Christ, a Christian should therefore be the first to understand the grieving homosexual, because Christian love is supposed to be universal. However, even though some scientists and experiments say that homosexuality has a genetic basis and that it is not the homosexual’s fault to be homosexual, the Church maintains its opinion against homosexuality. According to the Book of Leviticus in the Bible, which says, â€Å"You must not have sexual intercourse with a male as one has sexual intercourse with a woman; it is a detestable act† (Lev. 18:22). God is advising a Jewish man here and so God does not agree that it is all right for a man to have sex with another man. The Book of Leviticus is the book of Law of Moses, and therefore it should be obeyed and followed. Homosexuality violates other passages of the Bible. In the Book of Genesis, the men of Sodom want to have sex with the male angels who accompany Lot. They ask him, â€Å"Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them?† (Gen. 19:5). Then, later on, God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah. Thus, we assume that God destroys these cities because of their many moral violations including homosexuality. Another violation of homosexuality is against Romans 1:26-27: â€Å"Even

The Ethical Revolt of Slave Morality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Ethical Revolt of Slave Morality - Essay Example In Friedrich Nietzsche’s On The Genealogy of Morals, he explains how a slave revolt takes place in history, which is emphasized through the predominance of Christian morality. In this essay I shall explain how Nietzsche arrived at such a claim. I shall argue that despite Nietzsche’s criticisms on the dogmas of Christian morality, values, and tradition, he extols principles that contribute to the emancipation of the individual self. It is in this regard that I agree with Nietzsche when he claims that a slave revolt has taken place, for along with this revolt was the degradation of the human subject as powerless, and thus stagnating one’s potentials for self-actualization. However, in order to understand Nietzsche’s contentions, it is important to understand first, what dominated his thoughts. One of the elements which is central to Nietzsche’s thought is illustrated in his famous declaration that, â€Å"God is Dead!† (â€Å"Thus Spoke† 77). This affirms a complete rejection of metaphysical and religious truths as grounds for reality. To Nietzsche, the existence of God, the afterlife, immortality are nothing but imaginary causes. In his view, such are nothing but mere projections of one’s psychological desire for security and calculability in life. In line with this, Nietzsche believed that once the existence of God is unveiled as an illusion, then it follows that God could no longer be implemented as the foundation for human ethical conducts. This leads to the assertion that all morals will be founded on the subjective will of individual self. Thus, Nietzsche affirmed the individual self as the basis of all inquires and norms. Based on this argument, we are led to the question on how can the individual achieve its highest level of affirmation i n a world without a divine providence? The answer to this query is found in the Nietzsche’s theory of the will to power. Nietzsche’s will to power is defined as â€Å"the drive to dominate the environment. This drive, so central is the will to power. This will to power is more than simply the will to survive. It is, rather, an inner drive to express a vigorous affirmation of all a person’s powers† (Stumpf 380). Given this, the will to power can be characterized as the inner propensity to dominate and assert superiority over one’s life. Furthermore, it allows individuals to reach their highest potentials through the overcoming of barriers and constraints. In this manner, individuals increase in power and vitality. However, Nietzsche cautioned us that if one decides to practice a certain code of ethics, the will to power gradually declines. By this, the individual weakens and suffers. Herein, Nietzsche accused Christianity for advocating virtues that undermine and destabilize one’s will to power. But prior to Nietzsche’s presentation of his criticisms towards the teachings of the Christian religion, he first explains how and why Christianity became the dominant religion in human society. Master Morality His explanation is found in his doctrine of the two-fold history of good and evil. This doctrine reveals that there were two types of moralities, which were practiced during the ancient Greeks. These are master morality or aristocratic morality and slave morality. For Nietzsche, Master morality is one that is founded upon the will to power. He claims: â€Å"What is good? – All that heightens the feeling of power, the will to power, power itself in man. What is bad? – All that proceeds from weakness. What is happiness? – the feeling that power increases – that a resistance is overcome† (â€Å"Twilight of† 127). With this in mind, master morality advocates that â€Å"goodâ⠂¬  is identified to that which is powerful and noble. On the other hand, â€Å"evil† is linked to weakness and cowardice. In line with this, In Beyond Good and Evil, Nietzsche describes the temperament of the noblemen. To begin with, Nietzsche says, â€Å"

Mary Whiton Calkins Essay -- essays research papers

Mary Whiton Calkins was the first woman to be elected as president of the American Psychological Association in 1905. The majority of her adult life was dedicated to her work in the development of â€Å"psychology of selves.† She was very passionate about the relatively ‘new’ world of psychology and was highly active in the field of philosophy. Mary Whiton Calkins was not deterred in her ambitions because she was a woman, instead she used her struggles to gain a voice and to speak out against the oppression of women during the 1920’s.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Born in 1863 to a Presbyterian minister and his wife, she grew up in a very tight-knit family as the oldest of five children. In 1880, the family moved to Massachusetts where they settled and built a home. Mary’s father wanted the best for his daughter, and designed and supervised Mary’s education until she graduated in 1882. Upon graduation, Mary attended Smith College with an advanced standing as a sophomore. In 1893, Mary’s sister passed away and Mary dropped out of college for a season, taking her classes through private lessons at home. Mary returned to Smith College in 1884 as a senior and graduated with a concentration on philosophy and classics. In 1886, two years after graduation from college, the Calkins family went to Europe for a holiday that lasted for sixteen months. Mary continued to expand her knowledge of the classics and upon returning to America, her father arranged an interview with the President of...