Christianity in the first three centuries Essay Example for Free

Christianity in the first three centuries Essay After the terror of September 11 the American people wanted to know what type of people would fly airplanes into buildings killing thousands of their good citizens. The left wing media and the Bush administration, which often patronizes left wing, political correctness, provided the most typical ‘spin’ for public consumption. This interpretation works within the typical left-wing paradigm, which deems all religions as essentially the same and politics as Ð ° separate category of life, removed from the private concerns of true religion. It is only when conservative religious-types attempt to impose their narrow minded beliefs upon the peaceable world of religious and political communities that problems arise. (Sherifa 2005 28) Therefore, it is not Islam that brought about September 11. ‘Islam is Ð ° religion of peace’. It is ‘fundamentalists’ who are most to blame for disturbing the peace. After all, the term Islam means ‘peace’. â€Å"Enhanced analysis is where â€Å"the rubber meets the road† Up to this point in the analytical process, personnel have primarily been cleaning data and analyzing information using broad approaches. Transforming the information into quality intelligence requires time and skill. Whether some forms of analysis are art or science is debatable. In the case of homeland security and terrorism analysis, it is both. Methods employed by an analyst can be replicated for use on many different fronts. In addition, there are numerous scientific models and tools available for analysts that can be utilized by anyone to prove or verify information. The data should yield the same results for whoever undertakes the process. (Paul 2002 31) Use of Ð ° checklist is encouraged due to the magnitude of events that can be faced by an analyst undertaking terrorism or organized hate group investigations. Too many steps are involved in the intelligence process, and information often arrives at intermittent times, making organization of the information difficult. Matrixes, link charts, time lines, and maps also play important roles in transforming information into enhanced intelligence. Whatever techniques are used to analyze the information, it is crucial to know ones criminal data and what information is available. In warfare, one needs to know the enemy, and in the analytical world one needs to know the enemy (subject or target) as well as the data. If you do not know what you have, how can you transform it into intelligence? (Michael 2004) Today the term is used by the media and intelligentsia as Ð ° form of hate speech an epithet to curse those who disagree with them. In the present context it is used as Ð ° means of casting aspersions upon conservative Christians in relating them to terrorist activity. Stephen Schwartz serves Ð ° good example of this type of rhetoric. In his work on the Saudis and Wahhabis, The Two Faces of Islam, he skews an otherwise outstanding work with Ð ° continual reference to ‘fundamentalist’ Muslims as perverting ‘true’ Islam. The term serves as Ð ° source of pure rhetoric throughout the work, disembodied from any specific reference to Ð ° movement, group or set of beliefs. There is only one section where he even bothers to relate it to Ð ° specific viewpoint. In this place he condemns Muslims who limit ‘all historical and cultural development in Islam after its first two generations’. However, this understanding of fundamentalism in terms of literal interpretation and living-in-the-past contradicts the overall thesis of Schwartz and his liberal constituency that would characterize the religion of Muhammad the ‘true’ and ‘authentic’ Islam as Ð ° religion of peace. If Muhammad was Ð ° man of peace, literal Islam would have produced the same sort of pacifism that we observe among early Christianity in the first three centuries. But the real truth is that it produced much the opposite. Islam does not exist in the world of ideas as Ð ° disembodied, un-interpreted spirit, subsisting above and beyond the communities who represent the faith. ‘True’ Islam exists only in the mind of those liberals who wish that Muslims would find in Islam what they want them to believe. No religion, philosophy or political ideology exists apart from those who interpret it in accordance with their own purposes. For example, one could find Nazism within the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche if one wishes to use his writings to deconstruct certain themes in certain ways. His writings contain that possibility, even if Nietzsche himself was not an anti-Semite. All works contain enough tensions within them to allow the interpreter to choose this or that reading as more indicative of the true essence of the text, It is all Ð ° matter of choice, If Ð ° reader wishes to find the good things of liberalism within the Qur’an feeding the poor and helping widows and orphans in their distress, there is much in the text that lends itself to this direction. (Paul 2002 56) However, Ð ° liberal cannot deny that there is more Ð ° pretext for deconstructing the Qur’an and proceeding in the horrid direction of September 11 than there is in the Bible or the sacred texts of most other religions. The Bible certainly contains imprecatory psalms and holy wars, but within its writings, especially those of the New Testament, there is much to counteract the more bellicose verses of the old Testament and marginate them or treat them as Ð ° product of Ð ° bygone dispensation. Within the Qur’an there are Ð ° number of disturbing sections that could lead in the direction of September 11 if so interpreted, and little else to counteract them. There is no concept of the historical progress of revelation, as the divine revelation did not take place over Ð ° period of time. According to most Muslims, the Qur’an is an eternal and uncreated book. Its Arabic is God’s Arabic its words God’s Words. Nevertheless, Islam does not exist as Ð ° simple monolith, which demands our acceptance or rejection. â€Å"Since the events of September 11, the American people may have been treated to more truth from their government than ever before. In the post Vietnam era, when the notorious Phoenix program of assassinations finally came to light, public indignation was sufficient to empower investigation by the Church Committee, and Ð ° subsequent ban on foreign assassinations. Over the past decade and increasingly under the Bush Jr. administration, however, open talk of intended foreign assassinations, efforts to overthrow the leaders of other sovereign states, or invasions of an unspecified array of nations can reach the daily papers through on-record remarks by elected officials. † (Amit 2003 127).

Robert E. Lee Essay -- Biography Biographies Bio essays research paper

Robert E. Lee Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Few episodes in history are more painful to Americans than the Civil War, fought between the North and the South. This biography, Great American Generals - Robert E. Lee, by Ian Hogg, takes the reader through the life of one of the greatest heroes of that war, Robert E. Lee. It is a thorough, in depth record of the life of Lee and begins with a detailed account of his family history and his birth, through his college years, military experience and his work in later life to his death on October 12, 1870. The first few pages set the scene by listing a substantial amount of facts about the names and backgrounds of his parents Harry and Ann and Lee's wife, Mary Custis, with some reference to his father's army career and political life. After Lee's early years, the reader will learn of his schooling at the Military Academy, West Point, followed by his life in the Army before and after the Civil War. The biography ends in the latter pages with an account of his work after his military career came to an end, and finally, with his death after a prolonged period of ill-health, thought to be stress induced.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Author Ian Hogg is a prolific writer in the field of defense and military technology. He is a weapons expert, having written many books on all types of rifles, shotguns and small arms, such as Modern Rifles, Shotguns and Pistols, and Modern Small Arms. He is an acknowledged expert on infantry weapons and is thought to be the world's leading expert on this and artillery strategies. He is a well known author of military history, and works as a weapons evaluator in addition to his writing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Robert E. Lee was born in Stratford, Virginia on January 19, 1807. His father, Henry Lee, had achieved fame with Washington's army as "Lighthorse Harry,"and it was a fame that rested not only on his cavalry exploits but upon sound strategic and tactical ability. A significant portion of his fame was credited to him for beating off a surprise British attack at Spread Eagle Tavern in January, 1778. Unfortunately Harry was egotistical and had a high opinion of his own abilities. Although he achieved the rank of lieutenant-colonel, he felt that he deserved more. When the war ended and he had not advanced in rank he resigned from the army to pursue a career in politics. Henry decided to run for the position... ...nd the circumstances into which he was born on January 19, 1807, and ends with his death on October 12, 1870.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hogg relates the intervening years in an extremely interesting fashion, providing many fascinating and detailed pieces of information. The story is presented in a way that keeps the interest of the reader, and is not boring, even when giving statistics of the various campaigns that Lee undertook. The book appeals not just to Lee fans, but to all history students.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The pages are filled with numerous detailed maps, and colorful pictures that enhance the view of Lee and his life. Military students will delight in the descriptions of the war, while students of Lee's character are rewarded by fascinating facts of his and his parent's lives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hogg presents this painful episode in America's history in a balanced, non-judgemental way. He portrays Lee as a man of great integrity and honor, a true Southern gentleman, and casts no slurs concerning the fact that Lee was on the losing side of a war in which there were no winners.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This is an exciting and informative book and is one of the more enjoyable books which are required reading for this course.

Individualism vs Conformity

Individualism vs. Conformity The lives of human beings are centered around the thin blue line that separates conformity and individuality. Many times one is confused and rushed, and this line is drawn too short or too long, thus being too much of a conformist or an individual. The â€Å"individual,† in the American conception, is an independent and inventive agent, relatively autonomous and morally responsible to him or herself.A widespread of specific propositions concerning â€Å"human nature† was derived from this ethnocentric premise. While these cultural propositions are still maintained, at least on the ideal level, in reality a considerable degree of dependency and conformity has developed. Conformity is, in a sense, the remedy for isolation. In the opinion of many Americans, this trend threatens standards of individualism by personal property and product, decisions amongst American youth, and conformity as a whole.First and foremost since the beginning of time, men and women were ideally allowed to voice disagreement with the decisions and practices of the authorities, they were expected to choose the occupation of their preference and be self-supporting, and encouraged to follow their own convictions and beliefs. A number of regulations have been introduced, presumably guaranteeing security and consistency of economic well-being for all Americans; these include, for example, Social Security, Medicare, and other similar measures.However, claims are made that freedom is no longer clearly tied to a social system of private property and passive government. Aside from human property there is human production. In the industrial realm, modern technology and its efficiency have resulted in establishing norms and standards for production as well as consumption. Efficiency and expediency has always been of fascination to outside observers. In the course of this growing industrial efficiency and expediency, individualistic and creative participation in the production process has become greatly reduced for the vast majority of employees.There is even a question whether the product itself meets standards of individuality and uniqueness, since it has been mass-produced and is designed to suit the tastes of thousands of people. Secondly, American youth, on one hand, are brought up in the knowledge of American history, which includes many well-known and glorified examples of individualism and are encouraged to practice this â€Å"truly American† trait. On the other hand, however, American youth are constantly challenged to conform to national and patriotic standards requiring high degrees of conformity to majority opinion.There is a widespread public opinion which perceives an expression of independent individual thinking and believing but as subversive and â€Å"un-American† conduct. One is inclined to conclude that the original individualism is now at war with a strong emphasis on conformity. It appears then that th ere is a serious discrepancy between the American ideal of â€Å"rugged individualism† and its actual implementation. A teenager has to learn carefully that this blueprint for American individualism is not generalizable and that there are definite areas of limitations and prohibitions.The fact of non-generalizability destroys the simplicity and predictability of always responding in identical or similar ways, thereby complicating the learning process and rendering the behavioral blueprint. Conformity is some sort of a psychological shelter. If one does not know what to do and are scared, it is natural to follow the steps of others so that eventually one can find a group to take shelter in. Conformity is essential to life. Humans, being complex animals, live in a society that functions as a whole.If there is a mistake, the entire system may crumble. So, they are obligated to pay taxes and respect the law so that they can stay together as a whole. Conformity is perfectly natura l. Everyone naturally wants to belong to something bigger. They naturally want to be accepted by others. However, in modern terms this acceptance can only be obtained by going further than natural conformity and stepping into popular conformity. At that certain stage Americans tend to follow the same trends in style and personal taste, whether it is music, movies, or even morals.In conclusion, individuality, like conformity, is essential to life even though modern society may not appreciate its value. At one point Americans want to be different from all the rest in one way or another. So one might dress a bit differently and choose to do things that intrigue one another. And, for once, individuals might form our opinions based on what they really feel. However, sooner or later Americans are forced to curb their spontaneous desires so that society does not label everyone as eccentric or weird.Modern life is confusing, so sometimes the vision is blurred and the choices, made in the mi dst of confusion, may force people in extreme directions of either conformity or individuality. Many Americans may follow everyone in everything they do, or may so much of an individual that they become somewhat of a hermit. Yet the trends that threaten standards of individualism by personal property and product, decisions amongst American youth, and conformity as a whole may show a sign of weakness. However, conformity may dominate the lives of Americans, but there is always the chance to make a mark, to become more of an individual than a clone.

Internal Analysis External Analysis - 3595 Words

External Analysis MGT 431 Section 1. Identifying The Industry Within the industry of plastic surgery the total revenue is currently around 13.5 billion dollars and still growing at an annual growth rate of 2.3 percent. The growth rate is expected to rise to around 5.5% in the next five years according to Ibisworld.com. In 2012, the industry reported around 12 billion dollars of revenue for both surgical and non-surgical procedures, which indicated a 12 percent overall increase in procedures according to surgery.org. The top five surgical procedures over the most recent year were injectables, laser hair removal, chemical peels, breast augmentations and reductions, and microdermabrasion. In 2012 the top five procedures were liposuction,†¦show more content†¦With the information provided, in comparing the industry to Porters Five Forces, the market has a lot of room to grow and it will do so. There is plenty of competition, yet the barrier to entry is low and the industry is still within the realms of developing a â€Å"dominant design † for general practitioners to use that could control the market in the future. According to IBIS World, the barriers to entry are medium and the most challenging barriers are government regulations, competition, and technological change. â€Å"Everybody is looking for no down time, limited costs, and maximum results†, says Robert Singer, a board-certified plastic surgeon. The types of products sold within the industry are generally segmented into two categories. The two major categories are surgical and non-surgical procedures. Throughout the years non-surgical and surgical procedures have continued and are predicted to continue to increase with more non-surgical operations taking place than surgical operations. This may be due to the fact that within non-surgical treatments there is a wider diversification and implementation of treatments. Not to mention, with the wider variation in treatments there is reduced government regulation. Therefor, cutting the cost for t hese treatments and providing a basis for a more general market with varying income backgrounds to take part in the services offered at differing price ranges. Products available to customers in this industry