I Am Ot Esther

In the novel â€Å"I am not Esther†, by Fleur Beale, a character I admired was Kirby. I admired her because she kept strong after her mum abandoned her, she helped Maggie and developed a strong relationship with her, and she left The Fellowship to find her mum and get her life back again. Firstly, I admired Kirby because she stayed strong when her mother abandoned her. Kirby was a complete mess about what happened, but she stayed strong as best as she could and tried get on with the change of lifestyle that was made to her.Kirby did find it hard, but she found a way to deal with it and not be so depressed. Maggie and Daniel helped with this, as Kirby felt less alone with their kindness. â€Å"I'm Kirby, I yelled. I'm not Esther for God's Sake! â€Å". This shows that Kirby is staying true to herself and staying strong with who she really is and that she will not let them change her identity completely. Another reason why I admired Kirby is because she helped Maggie become a happier child and she developed a strong relationship with her.The first time Kirby observed the Pilgrim family praying, Maggie stood out to Kirby because of how young she was, also by seeing how upset it made Maggie when they prayed, and Kirby knew it was wrong and felt sorry for her. Kirby then started to spend more time with Maggie and develop a bond between them, which made the two of them happier and stronger together. â€Å"Come along princess. Come and show me how to get into these funny clothes. This is showing that Kirby is wanting to start a good relationship with Maggie, and that she wants Maggie to be a happier child living with their religious ways. Lastly, I admired Kirby because she left The Fellowship to go find her mum because she knew that living with the Pilgrim family was not what she wanted, and she knew that she needed to be with her mother. Kirby was happy to announce that she would be leaving The Fellowship to return to her mother.She knew it was the right t hing to do, but that meant she was expelled from The Church and that Kirby would be dead to them all. Kirby knew that she would not become Esther Pilgrim, and that she knew deep down inside that she was Kirby Greenland. â€Å"Let's get out of here! † This is what Kirby says to Daniel when The Church kick them both out after they both decide to leave The Fellowship. This is showing that Kirby is eager to escape from The Fellowship, and get her old life back with her mother and other family me†¦

Outline and Evaluate the Psychological Research Into the Link Between Stress and the Immune System Essay

The main function of the immune system is to protect the body from infectious agents such as viruses and other toxins. The immune system can fail us in two ways-either by, letting infections enter the body, or being over-active, so that it is the immune system itself, rather than an infectious agent that causes illness. Most studies of the relationship between stress and the immune system have focussed on acute stressors and have found a decrease in immune cell function. One study which relates to stress and the immune system was Cohan (1993). Cohen investigated the role of general life stress on vulnerability to the common cold virus. Three hundred and ninety-four participants completed questionnaires on the number of stressful life events they had experienced in the previous year. They also rated their degree of stress and their level of negative emotions such as depression. See more: argument essay format The three scores were combined into what Cohen called a stress index. The participants were then exposed to the common cold virus, leading to 82% becoming infected with the virus. . The findings were that the chance of developing a cold was significantly linked with stress index scores. A strength of this study was that it did measure health outcomes, showing a relationship between life stress and illness. This can be compared with studies that use measures of immune function rather than illness outcomes. Also, this was an indirect study in the sense that there were no direct measures of immune function. However it is supported by Evans and Edgington (1991) who found that the probability of developing a cold was significantly correlated with negative events in the preceding days. However there are many limitations. During the study participants should be constantly monitored to check for any reactions to the viral challenge which had affected their health and the scientific value of the study should be balanced against any psychological or physical distress to participants. Another study which looks at the link between stress and the immune system was a study carried out by Brady in 1958. He linked high levels of stress to increased hormone production and the development of ulcers. In an early study he placed monkeys in â€Å"restraining chairs† and conditioned them to press a lever. They were given shocks every 20 seconds unless the lever was pressed in the same time period. This investigation came to an abrupt halt when many of the monkeys suddenly died. After 23 days of 6 hours on, 6 hours off schedule the executive monkey died due to a perforated ulcer. He tried various routines, such as 18 hours on and 6 hours off, or 30 minutes on, 30 minutes off. However, no monkeys died from ulcers. He then tested the stomachs of executive monkeys on a 6 hour on, 6 hour off schedule, and found that stomach acidity was greatest during the rest period. Brady concluded that it was clearly stress, not the shocks that created the ulcers. One criticism made of Brady’s study in general was that the monkeys were not randomly selected, the â€Å"executive† was chosen because it was faster at learning an avoidance response. This may of course have parallels with the human world. Also, the fact that the study was carried out on monkeys means that the results cannot be generalised for humans. Also another limitation was that a more serious problem was raised in the research by Marshall et al (1985). They found strong evidence of another cause of stomach ulcers, a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori not stress related.

Security in New Generation Cell Phones Research Paper

Security in New Generation Cell Phones - Research Paper Example Technology in every new generation provides major improvements from the previous generations. In the cellular communications, there was first the 1G and 2G generations. These generations contributed to the provision of the internet for the mobile phones through the 3G dominated the scene. The third generation cell phone internet had advancements that made it stand up from the earlier versions of 1G and 2G. The 3G had the capacity to converge voice and the data with the wireless internet. This makes it suitable for transmitting data in high quantities. Additionally, migration towards the 4G technology has been witnessed. Regardless of these processes and developments, the security of cell phone remains paramount. Ensuring the security of the cell phones The continuity in the manufacturing and distribution of cell phones leads to the rise in the security risks in different ways. Users of electronic gadgets like cell phones should be more concerned about their safety. Lately, electronic devices such as the Apple’s iPhone latest version and the Google’s Android have committed themselves to the manufacturing and development of cell phones with 3G networks so that they possess the same features and functions of computers. Although this promotes great conveniences, it also comes with severe security risks. Both the new and future generations of cell phones require the setting up and update of security software. This software includes firewalls, anti-virus software, operating system patches, anti-spam software, file encryption, and the anti-spyware software. This requires the observance of the basic home computer internet safety and guidelines. The revolution in the field of information technology has enabled most financial institutions to adopt mobile banking technologies to enlarge their customer bases. Cell phones users are required to conduct their business and financial transactions online. As a result, they will need to store their login passwords w ith the information pertaining to their credit card and personal details. With this trend, there will be more cases of online fraud, identity theft, more spam, digital forgery, data theft, and any other cyber crimes. Besides, it can also lead to the denial of disseminated service attack. This has the risk of disabling the network service supplier. Additionally, cell phones are prone to theft based on their portability compared to desktop computers. Since most theft cases occur unexpectedly, a cell phone user can lose a lot of information and data stored in the mobile device. In the event that the mobile device contains business and financial information of the user, the thief can use it to defraud the user of his or her finances. This is a major security concern. Additionally, the new generation cell phones come with applications that display the user’s location and movements. One such application is the opt-in text advertisements that give information on the whereabouts of t he user round the clock. Hacker stalkers can use this information to trail their victims and even do felony acts to them.

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 84

Summary - Essay Example b. The issue is clearly stated and there can be no confusion in regard to its aspects. It should be noted that the issue is made clear in the following two ways: a) direct reference is made to the issue and b) the potential implications of the issue for humans and the planet are mentioned, leading the reader to the identification of the article’s main issue. b. The conclusion is clearly stated. In fact, in the last paragraph the author notes that ‘weve remained too silent for far too long’; this phrase illustrates the view of the author in regard to the strategy followed up today for handling the particular problem. c. The conclusion is related to the question raised in this article but not directly. In fact, the conclusion highlights the fact that no action has been taken up today for addressing global population growth but it does not focus on the key reason for which such action should be taken. a. The reasons that support the evidence are differentiated: a) for Paul Ehrlich, the continuous global population growth could result to a chaos, b) in the context of an article published in Time magazine, global population growth could lead to the increase of instability and c) the magazine Scientific American has promoted the idea that global population growth would threaten the availability of food. b. The first of the above reasons is based on a personal belief of Paul Ehrlich; the relationship between global population growth and instability is based on the personal experience of the General Michael Hayden, the author of the article published in Time magazine. As of the third reason, the relationship between global population growth and increased food needs is based on the personal belief of the American economist, as this belief is probably resulted from the study of demographic trends in countries worldwide. c. The evidence is related to the conclusion but not directly. In fact the evidence helps to understand the reasons for which initiatives

Business driven information technoligy Term Paper

Business driven information technoligy - Term Paper Example By taking into consideration of these policies, IBM effectively secures its information assets in quite an ethical manner. The company delivers two types of services one is ‘Managed Security Services (MSS)’ and the other one is â€Å"Cloud Security Services (CSS)’. Through MSS, IBM offers ‘single management console’ by which IT department team frequently monitors its overall information infrastructure. With the help of CSS, the company provides an advanced technological platform called ‘IBM Virtual-Security Operations Centre’ by which it delivers high value services to its customers which does not require low cost security devices and maintenance (IBM, 2012). Apart from these two services, IBM also offers application & data security services, identify and access management services and IT & network infrastructure security services. With the help of these services, the company has been ethically capable to secure its information assets. S ince the initiation, IBM has followed certain business conduct guidelines in quite an ethical way by which it has been able to maintain confidentiality among its service software, application and information assets. The company ensures that every level of personnel should comply with IBM directives, polices and mentioned guidelines. For instance, employee who expertise in specific areas such as procurement, tax, imports and export must also obey certain kinds of guidelines. IBM has extensive precious assets which comprise huge proprietary information such as the company’s intellectual property, confidential information assets, system software and physical property. The company’s wide variety of services helps to strengthen its abilities in order to ethically manage, digitize and secure its valuable assets (IBM, 2012). Recommendations for Additional Types of Ethical Practices and Security By taking into concern regarding IBM’s business code of conduct, it has bee n observed that the company secures its information assets in quite an ethical manner. However, it is necessary for the company to understand employees’ issues and satisfaction levels regarding business policies and working environment. IBM should assess whether or not the employees are comfortable with the specified laws and policies. IBM’s top level must understand and analyze every employee’s issues, behaviors and attitudes towards the workplace and should justify them in quite an ethical manner. Contextually, the security issue for IBM can be strengthened further with the frequent changes in passwords by the employees related to intellectual assets of the company such as project related blueprints among others. Upgradation of security software to track malpractices such as hacking of confidential organizational data can be ensured through use of firewall and augmentation of network security. Chapter 5 Steps taken by Popular Technology Manufacturers to Reduce E-Waste ‘Electronic Waste’ or ‘E-Waste’ is one of the rapidly developing problems all over the world. E-waste primarily consists of a huge amount of various components such as toxic materials and hazardous materials among others which create undesirable impact upon human health and environment if it is not dealt with adequately. The United Nations, non-governmental organizations and private IT sector companies have agreed to take serious

Elfego Baca American Hero Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Elfego Baca American Hero - Research Paper Example Elfego Baca’s Help for the Hispanic Community Elfego Baca’s political efforts can be estimated from the fact that he held a whole range of public offices that included but were not limited to the country clerk, the Socorro superintendent County, the Sierra Counties, and Socorro’s district attorney. Various writers have identified Elfego Baca as a peacemaker. Elfego Baca has been recognized as the â€Å"best peace officer Socorro ever had† (Thrapp 50). Elfego Baca has been America’s official representative of the Victoriano Huerta’s government from the year 1913 till the year 1916. That was while the Mexican Revolution was in progress. This post got Elfego Baca indicted for the criminal conspiracy as Jose Ines Salazar, the Mexican general had escaped from prison. Elfego Baca’s case was defended by Octaviano Larrazolo who was both a politician and a layer from the New Mexico which also led to spread of the name of Elfego Baca amongst the Southwestern residents. In the year 1912, when New Mexico attained the status of a state, Elfego Baca ran as a Republican for the Congress unsuccessfully. However, as a result of his immense tendency to turn the votes out among the people of the Hispanic population, Elfego Baca remained a very popular political figure. Sometimes, Elfego Baca worked like a private detective. He worked with Bronson Cutting who was the longtime Senator of the New Mexico. Elfego Baca offered the political investigation services for him and also wrote a column in Spanish on weekly basis in which he praised the work of Bronson Cutting. His praise represented the praise of the whole population of the local Hispanics for Cutting’s work. In spite of the decline in his health, Elfego Baca tried to run for the governor. However, he could not manage to get the nomination of the Democratic Party for district attorney in the year 1944. At the time when Elfego Baca rendered these services, the Hispanics we re far less popular in the US as they are today. They were not adequately represented in the media or the literature. The lack of popularity of the Hispanics of his time was one of the factors that differentiated Elfego Baca from the rest of his countrymen. Over the passage of time, Elfego Baca was represented in the media and literature for all of the aforementioned reasons in general and the famous gun battle with the 80 cowboys that is indeed, the single most severe gunshot battles in the history of the US in particular. â€Å"Baca also stood out as a rare example of a Latino hero at time when Hispanics were rarely seen on American TV. Elfego Baca proved popular enough to be recut and released theatrically outside the United States† (â€Å"Swamp Fox And†). Elfego Baca’s famous gun battle with 80 cowboys Elfego Baca was in the West’s greatest gunfight from 29 October 1884 to 31 October 1884 at Frisco. He was fighting opposite to 80 to 84 cowboys in tota l. At that time, Elfego Baca was no more than 19 years old. Elfego Baca entered Frisco as a Deputy Sheriff upon an electioneering visit. There, he located Charlie McCarty who was a cowboy and was shooting a plaza. Elfego Baca captured him and resolved to escort McCarty for trial to Socorro since the justice of the peace had declared retaliation from the Slaughter cowboys if

Andrew Jackson and the Tariff or Bank Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Andrew Jackson and the Tariff or Bank - Essay Example Jackson’s problem with the Second Bank started when he noticed that the Bank controlled most of the country’s financial issues; loans, monetary notes, and deposits. According to Jackson, this was a threat to his re-election since it manipulated the voting patterns and the electoral process. He settled with the decision of seeing to it that the Bank is shut down. The Bank noticed the move Jackson was plotting against it making it to initiated counter moves. The Bank embarked on negotiating for an early four-year re-charter from the Congress which succeeded. However, Jackson and his team formulated a veto against the re-charter when it came time for its approving it. Jackson supported his decision by reiterating that the Bank’s policies were contrary to what the government promoted equality, fairness, and honesty. The veto went to Congress which, unfortunately, was unable to overturn it. After the polls, Jackson was again determined to destroy the Bank by withdrawi ng governments fund from it. That was done through the Treasury ordering all government deposits be put in state banks (Sauers & Weber 14). Jackson’s conflict with the Bank resulted in a nationwide panic when the Second Bank stopped giving out loans. Although Jackson was protecting his self-interest, it was at the cost of the country which suffered in turn. His fellow Democrats were terrified with his moves resulting in there demise from the party. All in all the moves against the Bank proved to be successful since it died in 1834 and Jackson  triumphed.

Nokia marketing analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Nokia marketing analysis - Essay Example This Finnish telecommunication giant has developed expertise in transmission system manufacturing. They are the largest selling mobile phone company across the globe (Younis, 2009). In modern era telecommunication industry has created a lot of interest among people. People use mobile for daily communication purpose. This report will try to throw light on different marketing models used by Nokia to sustain in market. These marketing models include PESTLE (considering political, economical, social, technological, legal, environmental condition of a particular country), Porter's Five Forces of Competition and SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity and threats) for Nokia. PESTLE Analysis for Nokia Nokia has emerged as international telecommunication company in last 50 years. They need to focus on macro environment of a particular country to expand their business. The company must have clear knowledge about market condition of origin country in terms of macro environment (Political condition, Economic situation, social factors, technological aspects, environmental condition and legal structure of the country).

An Accurate Reflection of the State of Corporate Crime Literature review

An Accurate Reflection of the State of Corporate Crime - Literature review Example On another level, given the absence of political control today, corporations serve to destroy the foundations of the civic community and the lives of people who reside in them. There are, of course, many different types of corporate crime. There is what is known as "corporate manslaughter", as when it involves a corporation causing a fatal disaster resulting in massive loss of lives. A good example of this would be the Union Carbide case of 1984. A more common type of corporate crime is one involving embezzlement by the directors of the corporation, resulting in prejudice to the minority shareholders and the public at large. In cases involving tax evasion, there is prejudice to the government as well. There is no dearth of examples of abuse of fiduciary duty by company directors. This paper will focus on the latter type of corporate crime, wherein fraud is perpetrated by directors wielding control over the corporation in a bid to earn a maximum profit at the expense of the other shareholders. The move to develop the notion of corporate governance and make it apply to corporate enterprises in the United Kingdom began in the late 1980s to the early 1990s, as a result of corporate scandals like Polly Peck and Maxwell. The idea of corporate governance is rooted in the idea of agency. Those who infuse capital into a business enterprise hire managers to run the business for them and see to its day to day affairs. The board of directors and institutional investors also play a role in the monitoring and control of firms. However, the relationships of these players - to each other and to the general public -- must not be left alone and unregulated. It is imperative that there be well-established rules for companies to follow as they navigate the course of the growth. (Demott, 1999.) In a company, virtually all policy-making is left in the hands of the Board of Directors or on the majority shareholders. The definition of the directions given in section 741(1) of the Companies Act 1985 'includes any person occupying the position of director by whatever name called. This definition can also be found in the Insolvency Act 1986 section 251 and the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 section 22, where it is extended to include shadow directors. While allowing directors to control business strategies has merit - for instance, decision-making is streamlined and businesses largely depend on the need to be able to respond to issues not only with soundness but also with dispatch -- some problems inevitably arise. Â  

Women in the Media in Kuwait Essay Example for Free

Women in the Media in Kuwait Essay Kuwait is a Middle Eastern country boarded on the east by the Arabian Gulf and slot in between Iraq and Saudi Arabia on the south and west. Kuwait became a fully independent country since 1961. Kuwait was the first Arab country in the Gulf to have an elected parliament. Women were not allowed to vote or elect or stand as candidates in the elections until 1999, when Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah issued a decree giving women their political rights but it was defeated in the National Assembly. Finally, in 2005 Kuwaiti parliament gave women their fully political rights. In pre-oil, Kuwaiti women were forbidden from going to schools and usually were allowed only to recite Quran at (Al Mutawa’a) house. The merchant classes were the first to educate their daughters to extend their families’ power. After the new oil economy stage, women started to participate in the society to change stereotypes and traditional role. In addition they started to deal with the positive changes on lifestyle and contributed in the development of Kuwait society. Without any doubt, when women in Kuwait were granted the right for education by law, their life started to change and became part of the workforce. Education gave women the power to claim for their rights by the efforts of other women who were working in media sectors. Kuwaiti women in media highlighted and raised their problems and demands through TV and Radio programs, articles published in the newspapers, TV drama and plays on the theatre stage. Media was the most effective field that women made progress and gained power to achieve their goals. Media is a broad term that includes mass and social media; mass media is the means of transmitting messages to broad audiences. It includes television, radio, newspaper, magazines, books and so forth. Social media are the means of connecting and interacting actively it includes cell phones, e-mails, PTA and the web. Media in Kuwait includes news, newspapers, television, radio, journals, news services, press abstracts, publishing and bookseller associations. Kuwaiti women made a good contribution in the media because Kuwait has the most vocal and transparent media among Arab countries also well known in the freedom of press. The government funds some of the newspapers and satellite channels and owned Kuwait news agency (KUNA). I 2009, Kuwait had fifteen newspapers companies besides the English newspapers; Arab times, and Kuwait times. The Kuwaiti law controls media to forbid insulting religion references related to God, Islam, and Profit Mohammed (PBUH). Moreover, another law was made to forbid anybody from criticizing the ruling family in specific the Emir. In order to join media a person has to stick to the pervious laws concerning religion and the Emir otherwise he/she will be eligible for fines or send to the jail. Under the Press and Publication Law, the government suspended some of the local newspapers for violating this law for example; Al-Anba’a was suspended for five days for publishing an article about separating between the positions of crown prince from prime minister. Women respected both laws in media especially in the press. In the old days rarely women were encourage to join media in Kuwait because it is an Islamic country and women were preferred to stay home. Some women were very lucky because they have been married to an open-minded educated husbands and made positive impact on the women who had joined Kuwaiti media and became stars of Kuwaiti society. It was noticeable that Kuwaiti women in the media were attacked by some Islamic groups. Kuwaiti women who wear the hijab didn’t dare to study any subject related to media. Studies and social research proved the impact of media messages on the individual behavior and collective beside their power on the political decision. Women started media in Kuwait through television, radio, the press and other means; the famous publication was through T.  V. Kuwait T. V. began to broadcast at the earliest sixties in black and white, the building was closed to the Dsman Palace. The first Kuwaiti woman who entered the media on Kuwaiti television in 1961 was Fatima Hussein, followed by a number of announcers such as Nouria Al-Sdani, Anissa Jafar who was known as â€Å"Mama Anissa†. Other active women in Kuwait radio were; Amina Al-Ansari, Iqbal Al-Gharaballi and Amal Al-Abdullah who later turned to the T. V. activities, the previous names were the first generation of female announcers in Kuwait T. V. and radio. One of the most famous announcers in Kuwait T.  V. and radio is Fatimah Hussein. Fatimah Hussein Al-Essa Al-Qanaie, born in Kuwait 1937, completed her Secondary School Education in Kuwait and was granted a scholarship by Government to study abroad in the University. She was the first woman who was allowed to study out of Kuwait at Cairo University, College of Arts, and Journalism Department 1956-1960. After graduation she was married in 1960 to Suliman Al Mutawa and accompanied him to the USA for his Master Degree. She did not waste her time and decided to study English at the Community Services Department of Columbia University. She started to practice broadcasting in New York, with the Voice of America Radio, where she prepared and presented messages to Radio Kuwait, under the theme name â€Å"Journal of a Kuwaiti Lady in New York†. Radio Kuwait awarded her efforts and offered her another scholarship to study the art of Broadcasting in the University of New York and she managed to take several courses in the Art in the Art of Broadcasting. After she returned to Kuwait and started to work at Radio Kuwait she prepared he own daily program about woman and the family for 15 minutes. She became a media woman with the programs she prepared on the family issues. Kuwaiti Journalist women were the less in media sector due to the nature of work and the difficult circumstances. Hidaya Sultan Al-Salem was the owner and editor of the weekly al-Majales. She was supposed to be honored for her contributions and articles but instead she was murdered on 20 March at her 66 years old. She was famous and active journalist when she was killed on her way to work. A Kuwaiti military man was following her and in the middle of the street he opened fire on her chauffeur-driven car in Kuwait City. The killer confessed that he took revenge and killed Hidaya because of her article about the girls of his ribe Al Awazem. Moreover, Kuwaiti women made significant contributions in TV drama and were famous in Gulf and Arab countries. Also, they made influential contribution in Kuwaiti movie (Bas Ya Bahar), which presented the old Kuwaiti life when they were diving for pearls and traveled six months away from their homes. In this movie Hayat Al Fahad expressed the life of Kuwaiti women at that time. More contributions of Kuwaiti women in media were developed by Dr. Suad Al Sabah; one of the ruling family members in Kuwait. She was graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences at Cairo University in 1973. In 1981 obtained PhD in economics from Guilford University (UK). She established Suad Al Sabah Publishing and Distribution House. She writes poetry that was published in several books. Another famous flag does not need any introduction, who does not know Mama Anissa? More than 45 years she was introducing and preparing programs for children in Kuwait. Her programs attracted children beside adults and brought happiness to the children who participated from all over Kuwait. She approached the childhood world and became the mother of all Kuwaits children. Conclusion  Kuwait, which is located in the north west of the Arabian Gulf generally, divided into two different periods: pre-oil and after the discovery of oil. In the pre-oil period Kuwait society was controlled by male only while women were not involved in any work except house working and did not attend schools for education, they were reciting Quran at (Mutawa) house. Kuwaiti women had very hard life , they were not involved in the public life and were forbidden from education. The first who made changes in women life were the merchant families when they sent their daughters to schools. Education was the spark that lightened women life. After oil, the government realized that education is necessary to make the progress and development. Women claimed for their rights and struggled until they were able to elect, vote and nominate in 2005. They fought for their freedom by different means. Kuwaiti women who were involved in Media encouraged women to claim for their rights. Women in media have a powerful role in the social and political life. Some of these women joined Kuwaiti TV such as Fatima Hussain who was famous for the family program, Mama Anisa who was famous for Children programs, Amina Al Sharrah, Mona Taleb who were from the irst generation of media women. Other women became journalist such as Hidaya Alsalem who was murdered because of her politics view and articles. Moreover, Kuwaiti women developed the drama, poetry and movies to express their demands. I believe that Kuwaiti women deserve to be honored for their will to win, as they did not slender to the cruelty of traditions and custom. Even though they have paid their life for the sake of their beliefs and courage but at the end they made progress and moved on to share with men all aspects of life and cancel the discriminations between men and women.

Buddhist And Christian Ethics Theology

Buddhist And Christian Ethics Theology Buddhism and Christianity are religions with comprehensive and contrasting ethical laws and customs. Throughout this essay the ethical practices of both religions will be described in detail, with an exploration of their similarities and differences presented. Description of Buddhist Ethical Practices Seven weeks after Prince Siddhartha Gautama had attained enlightenment whilst meditating under a bodhi tree, he delivered his First Sermon to his five former ascetical companions under that same tree. The contents of that initial sermon are knows as the Four Noble Truths, which are essentially the foundation of the religion. They are as follows: (Gwynne 2011, p. 93) 1. Suffering: Now this, monks, is the noble truth of suffering: Birth is suffering, ageing is suffering, sickness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering. 2. The Source of Suffering: Now this, monks, is the noble truth of the origin of suffering: It is the craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there; that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination. 3. The Cessation of Suffering: Now this, monks, is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering: It is the remainder-less fading away and cessation of that same craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, and non-reliance on it. 4. The Way to the Cessation of Suffering: Now this, monks, is the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering: It is this Noble Eightfold Path: that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Like its parent religion Hinduism, Buddhism teaches that the ultimate goal of the lives of adherents is to break free from the wheel of reincarnation and attain nirvana. Where it differs from Hinduism is instead of stressing the importance of obligations related to caste, gender and age (varna ashrama dharma), it stresses the embodiment of the sublime truth that was rediscovered by Prince Siddhartha on his night of enlightenment, which was imparted to his early followers in his First Sermon. The essence of Buddhist dharma (as opposed to Hindu dharma) is the Four Noble Truths which, along with the Buddha himself and the community of adherents (Sangha), make up the Three Jewels of Buddhism. The last of the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, is often divided into three categories: 1. Wisdom (panna) right view and right intention 2. Meditation (samdhi) right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration 3. Virtue (sila) right speech, right action and right livelihood. This category specifically provides ethical instruction for Buddhists, insisting that adherents must refrain from abusive, deceitful or divisive words through right speech; calling buddhists to be generally righteous in their actions; and implying that certain occupations may be immoral and hence unsuitable. (Gwynne 2011, pg. 92) Buddhism lacks a clear belief in a supreme being, resulting in Buddhist morality being based upon the degree as to which thoughts and actions will advance or impede ones quest for final liberation. It is not based upon commandments issued by a transcendent God which are to be unquestionably followed by adherents, as is the case in the Abrahamic religions. Without a God to dictate what is good and evil, Buddhists refer to certain actions as skillful (kausalya) or unskillful (akausalya) rather than right or wrong. Buddhist morality is based upon considerations of individual progress on the road to liberation from the wheel of reincarnation rather than practicing the will of a divine God. The cornerstone of Buddhist ethical teaching is the Pancasila, the five precepts. They are as follows: I refrain from destroying living creatures I refrain from taking that which is not given I refrain from sexual misconduct I refrain from false speech I refrain from intoxicants which lead to carelessness. (Gwynne 2011, p. 94) These precepts provide a basic moral code for Buddhists, so integral that they are often recited on a daily basis by the laity, chanted by monks at crucial moments such as birth, marriage and death, and are a popular sermon topic. The Pancasila can be interpreted in a variety of ways. In one sense it provides a basic definition of goodness or skilfulness in Buddhist faith, reflecting the virtues of a spiritually advanced person. In another sense it is understood as the five training rules (pancasikkha) as they were sometimes referred to as by the Buddha. In this view the Pancasila can be seen as a list of practical guidelines to ethically guide the individual Buddhist toward a more liberated state of being, rather than a set of moral commandments cast down from the heavens by almighty God. The Pancasila is mostly negatively phrased, focusing on what actions should be avoided rather than encouraging virtuous actions. However, upon closer inspection one notices that with every negative, I refrain from phrase, there is a positive phrase to compel the adherent to strive for higher spiritual advancement, getting closer and closer to enlightenment. Thus the first precept is to refrain from killing living beings, not just humans but also animal and even plant life. This idea fits perfectly with the wheel of reincarnation as within the Buddhist world view one may be reincarnated as other life forms. (Gwynne 2011, pg. 95) The second precept forbids theft, stemming into the obsessive desire of material objects which leads to stealing. This positively encourages adherents to be generous in all aspects of life, not just financially but in their time and energy. The third precept discourages sexual misconduct, making it known that sexual desire is such a strong human instinct that it poses a considerable threat to ones spiritual path. It is not considered unskilful for adherents to have sexual relations, but it is known that celibacy is a higher form of spiritual existence. The fourth precept forbids any lying or form of deceit, forging a reverence for truth which is a crucial component of individual enlightenment. Finally, the fifth precept prevents the consumption of any intoxicant, instilling on adherents the importance of clarity of mind, an essential quality for Buddhists who are serious about their spirituality. (Gwynne 2011, pg. 96) Description of Christian Ethical Practices Jesus, when approached by a teacher of religious law and asked which of the commandments is most important, answered The most important commandment is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbour as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these. (Mark 12:29-31, NLT) The commandment for Jews to love the one and only God with all their being is found in Deuteronomy, with Leviticus stressing the importance of loving ones neighbour. What Jesus said was not revolutionary, he merely reinstated the ethical values that are symbolized in the Jewish Decalogue. A comparative table of the Decalogue in its various forms is provided below (Gwynne 2011, p. 102): Jewish Catholic and Lutheran Orthodox and Protestant 1. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the house of slavery. I am the Lord your God and you shall have no other gods before me. I am the Lord your God and you shall have no other gods before me. 2. You shall have no other gods besides me. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. You shall not make for yourself any graven image. 3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. Remember to keep holy the Lords day. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. 4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Honor your father and mother. Remember to keep holy the Lords day. 5. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not kill. Honor your father and mother. 6. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not kill. 7. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not commit adultery. 8. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. You shall not steal. 9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. You shall not covet your neighbours wife. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. 10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbour. You shall not covet your neighbours goods. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbour. Jesus himself demystifies any misunderstandings that may occur regarding the Christian perspective of the Jewish ethical teachings in Matthew 5:17 with Dont misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfil them. (NLT) Like its parent religion Judaism, the Christian mindset involves an intelligently designed world in which humans have the opportunity to live out Gods divine plan for them, to have eternal communion with him. Moral behaviour is an integral component of this divine plan, being part of the final judgement each person must face. However, as can be seen in other religions, Christianity acknowledges that all human beings have an instinctive moral code regardless of their faith or lack of faith (Gwynne 2011, pg. 101). This inner morality is mentioned by St Paul in Romans 2:14-16 When outsiders who have never heard of Gods law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that Gods law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes Gods yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to Gods yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences. (The Message Bible) Although the existence of this instinctive moral code is confirmed throughout Christian denominations, there is debate over the extent as to which it can be distorted by human sinfulness. The Catholic church takes a rather accepting stance on the issue, acknowledging the existence of natural law within its moral teachings, while Protestant and Orthodox churches tend to be more suspicious of non-religious sources of ethics. All the denominations are however united in their belief that Christian ethical teaching are a more comprehensive guide to moral living. The Old Testament, as aforementioned, is the essential first step towards Christian moral living, whilst Jewish customs and practices such as kosher, Sabbath laws and circumstances were abandoned by the early church as they were deemed unnecessary in the development of ethical living practices within the religion. As important as the Jewish tradition is in providing a moral base for Christians, they are often deemed insufficient in the eyes of Christians. Evidenced in the writings in St Paul, the law of Moses is respected as good and holy yet somehow incomplete, lacking the motivation that drives Christian ethics. Christians believe in the importance of a new law which provides the motivation behind embodying the type of ethical practices expressed in the Decalogue, faith that Jesus is the incarnate Son of God and Saviour of humankind. (Gwynne 2011, pg. 93) The ethical practices of Christianity are unsurprisingly christocentric. Christians view Jesus as sinless and perfect, making him the ultimate model for Christian living. The Christian understanding of the next stage of pre-established Jewish ethics were unveiled through Jesus, and a standout instance of his moral instruction is contained within his Sermon on the Mount. The comprehensive sermon notably contains moral instruction on the topics of anger, adultery, divorce and, strikingly, love for ones enemies. A selection of verses particularly relevant to Christian ethical practices is presented below: You have heard that the law of Moses says, Do not murder. If you commit murder, your are subject to judgement. But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgement! Matthew 5:21-22 (NLT) You have heard that the law of Moses says, Do not commit adultery. But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28 (NLT) You have heard that the law of Moses says, A man can divorce his wife merely by giving her a letter of divorce. But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Matthew 5:31-32 (NLT) Again, you have heard that the law of Moses says, Do not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you have made to the Lord. Just say a simple, Yes, I will, or No, I wont. Your word is enough. Matthew 5:33-37 (NLT) If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. Matthew 5:39 (NLT) You have heard that the law of Moses says, Love you neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Matthew 5:43-44 (NLT) Similarities and Differences Although Buddhism and Christianity may outwardly seem very different, it may come as a surprise to some to learn that at the heart of their morality, as is the case with all the major religions, they are very similar. This is largely due to what the Catholic church refers to as natural law, the inner sense of morality which is shared throughout humanity. Perhaps the most important piece of evidence for this concept is the fact that the Golden Rule of ethics in both religions (and the other major religions) is essentially the same: (Gwynne 2011, pg. 111) Comparing yourself to others in terms such as Just as I am so are they, just as they are so am I, he should neither kill nor cause others to kill. (Sutta Pitaka) In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (Gospel of Matthew) Although the ethical practices taught in both religions are similar, perhaps the most striking difference between the two religions in the role that God plays in their ethical practice. Christian ethics are viewed as the result of divine intervention through the prophets and the human incarnation of God himself. Obedience to the will of a omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent divine being is undoubtedly a crucial component of Christian morality. This is a stark contrast with Buddhism as it is the only major religion which does not acknowledge the existence of a God at all. Buddhist ethics are not handed down by almighty God, they are teachings designed to guide the individual on their path towards attaining enlightenment in accordance with the eternal dharma. It is also worth noting that Buddhist teachings are generally understood to be less strict than their Christian counterparts, more like suggestions of how to live a spiritually advanced life than divine commandments. While Christianity and Buddhism differ considerably in regards to the contrasting ideas of living a single life then facing judgement versus the wheel of reincarnation (Samsara), both religions are concerned about the repercussions that an individuals morality will have on their spiritual status. Christian ethics are understood by adherents to be a set of guidelines put in place to achieve and maintain eternal communion with God in heaven (Gwynne 2011, pg. 110), and are a crucial aspect of the criteria used in their final judgement, while the aim of Buddhist ethics are to guide the Buddhist throughout their journey towards nirvana. Although the practicalities and world views of the two religions are contrastingly different, the concern for the individuals spiritual progress and future is a common theme. Perhaps the strongest similarity in the ethical laws and customs of Christianity and Buddhism is the total emphasis Jesus Christ and Sakyamuni are given. Both are infallible models for adherents to base their morality upon, and in both cases they single-handedly (along with their early followers) provide the next stage of religious ethics of their parent religions, as well as abolishing former practices that were deemed unnecessary, inadequate, or even counter-productive. Much of the New Testament is devoted to narrating the life of Jesus and the lessons to be learnt from it, and Buddhists are even able to study the previous lives of the Buddha through the Jataka Tales in addition to the close study of his final incarnation before reaching nirvana. In conclusion, through the exploration of the two contrasting religions, Christianity and Buddhism, an immense ray of apparent similarities appear among what one would expect from a clash of western and eastern philosophies. One can argue that their differences can be set aside to make way for the common ethical laws and customs they both share, with their pivotal figures, Jesus Christ and The Buddha, providing examples of morality which are very similar in nature. The end result of this is Christians and Buddhists leading ethical lives which both have their own merits and most importantly a common love for humanity.