Evaluate The Circumstances In Which Pluralism Will Develop Essay Example for Free

Evaluate The Circumstances In Which Pluralism Will Develop Essay Pluralism is a system of government that allows and encourages public participation so the state can satisfy the needs of the people. This is achieved through a multitude of organisations, such as pressure groups, trade unions, environmentalists and civil rights activists, seeking to influence the making of laws and policies. It ensures that power is dispersed rather than concentrated within a select few and enables minority groups to voice their opinion. If Pluralism is to develop, it cant be possible for a single group to dominate. Political force exerted by one group will be counteracted by equal and opposite political force exerted by other groups. For that reason, there are multiple centres of power and authority, as opposed to one where the state controls peoples actions. This encourages political participation as everyone can exercise influence over decision makers. An example of this would be Medieval Europe where the Monarchy and Church were co-equal rulers in their different spheres. In democracies, people vote for representatives and in the UK, MPs have this role. If the majority dont like what their representatives are doing, they can vote them out of office at elections. This means representatives have to act in a way which satisfies the majority. But our electoral system often produces representatives who are unrepresentative because only those voters who voted for the winner are represented by their member of parliament. Another problem is that this system doesn’t allow voters to influence specific issues. Therefore people then join interest groups such as pressure groups. These are a vital for the growth of a pluralist political system. Robert Dahl saw that pluralism responded to a high degree of industrialization. Therefore it’s highly unlikely that a pluralistic democracy would be seen in developing nations, where people are undernourished, uneducated and illiterate and as a result unable to participate. The aim of pluralism is to set limits on the power of the rulers over the community. This is achieved by agreeing certain rights and liberties which the rulers can’t infringe. Therefore there is a requirement for checks and balances to occur on the relationship between the state and the individual to allow pluralism to develop. Freedom of association is a necessary condition of political pluralism so that opposition is able to occur within the public domain of the media. This is usually prohibited in totalitarian states, as seen under Hitlers regime when he banned trade unions and suspended the right to assemble. When individuals are given that freedom though, they tend to form into groups. These are needed to assert individual interests and in turn acquire political power. This could be used to change a governmental policy in a way that advances the interests of the groups members. Therefore, while a single individual is basically powerless when it comes to changing state policy, the coming together of several individuals presents a more challenging contender. The pluralistic political model is one in which groups are used as a means to vindicate the interests of its members rather than dominate other groups as the latter encourages tyranny. Citizens are therefore organised into a variety of interest groups that must bargain with each other for the influence over government. This competition between groups is precisely what ensures that the key characteristic is maintained no group dominates as power is openly competed for. In order for Pluralism to grow, the state must act as a mediator in the political process when responding to the demands of all segments of society and distributing policies in such a way that all of the groups have some influence on government strategy. Ideally the government should intervene to help the weaker groups and that they consider alternatives in order to meet national interests. This means that the people within society need to be open-minded and show tolerance towards the ideas of others. In conclusion, there are many basic conditions necessary for pluralism to develop, including fundamental freedoms such as free speech, a free media and fair elections. Yet the key requirements appear to be a genuine toleration of other people’s beliefs and interests, as well as the ability to form into groups such as trade unions and pressure groups which stand for all the different interests of the population. The collective power of these associations representing different interests provides a counter to the tyranny of the state and that of the majority.

An Exegesis Of Colossians 3 12 17 Religion Essay

An Exegesis Of Colossians 3 12 17 Religion Essay Introduction In society there are innumerous encounters and engagements between Christians and non-Christian daily, some of these encounters are religious in nature the others are secular. The challenge to the Christian is to continuously exercise the commandment or requirements that God revealed via the Prophet Micah to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8, NLT).  [1]  The elements for living a holy life are not difficult and they are not exhaustive; however, because of so many different interpretations available to the Christian readers, congregants and students, there is a high probability that confusion will reign in the minds of many. There are myriad teachings available to the Christian that are full of error, personal interpretations, non-Christian agendas and false teachings to name a few, that will lead to inappropriate application of biblical principles that will not properly represent Christ in the Christian ambassadorship to each other and t o the world. Following this further, living a holy life is a requirement for all Christians and the instruction for how to live holy is imperative knowledge for the Christian. Colossians 3:12-17 is an excellent source of instructions for Christian living. The passage asserts that God chose Christians to be a holy people. It stands to reason that He authored provisions to help Christians reach that goal. The passage presents several principles for instructing the Christian how to exhibit him or herself as a representative of Christ. The exegesis of this passage will disclose if the principles are applicable to the contemporary audience as it were to the original audience or if there is time driven deviation that renders it less impactful for modern application. Setting/Historical Background In order to comprehend the context of Colossians 3:12-17 it is important to have background information for the period in which it was written. Pauls penned intervention had to reflect his understanding of the Colossians worldview. It was a worldview that was eclectic and problematic. Its multiculturalism created a challenge for a church leader who was not versed and or educated in true Christian doctrines and its applicability. Paul is the author of the letter to the Colossians, he has the authority to write an account of holy living because of his conversion and life experiences. His history prior to his conversion on the road to Damascus and his experiences that trained him as an apostle to the Gentiles equipped him with the wisdom and knowledge for teaching and instructing. His pre-apostolic days begin with him being born into and raised in a prominent Jewish-Roman family. He is from the tribe of Benjamin which is where he obtained his name Saul, but his Roman name is Paul. He was circumcised on the eight day in accordance with the law; he was afforded the opportunity to be educated in the Greco-Roman rhetoric as well as Hebrew.  [2]   Paul was a student of Gamaliel (Acts 5:34) who was the grandson of Hillel and one of seven scholars to obtain the title Rabban which means our master.  [3]   The church in Colossae was composed of Jews and Gentiles which created a culture of syncretism, mixing Jewish legalism, with Greek speculation and the mysticism of the Orient.  [4]   The city of Colossae was a major city located on the Lycus River with accessibility to trade routes. It was downgraded to a secondary city by the first century A.D. Colossae was a neighboring city to Laodicea and Hierapolis; each city was approximately 10 miles from Colossae.  [5]  The church at Colossae received the gospel from Epaphras, a convert from the church in Ephesus; he urged Paul, who was in prison in Ephesus, to write a letter to Colossae to address heretical issues that were plaguing the church in Colossae regarding its battle with heresy; which was creating disruption in churches all over the western portion of Asia Minor.  [6]   Although, Paul never visited the city of Colossae, he was aware of the heretical spirit that swept the region. Like its neighbors, Colossae was infiltrated by a mixture of pagan doctrines influenced by pre-Gnosticism that regarded the body as evil to promote spiritual/non-material items as superior human form, known as mystical wisdom. The pagan influence led to questions about Jesus having a physical body as an ordinary man, error in esteeming angels, and proclaimed that salvation was the result of knowledge rather than faith.  [7]   There is contention that Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians from Rome and that it was delivered to the church by Tychicus during the early 60s. This is supported by those who refer to 4:7-8 as the reason for choosing Rome over Ephesus and Tychicus over Epaphras.  [8]   Analysis of Colossians 3:12-17 The Colossians comfort with pluralism subjected them to vulnerability in achieving solidarity in understanding and incorporating the doctrines of their new Christian faith. Their failure to comprehend the true essence of Christ and his personage as well as exclusiveness of Christianity revealed their need for intervention from one of authority in the doctrines such as an apostle in the faith. Therefore, Pauls letter to the Church of Colossae was necessary to substantiate the tenets of the faith and to emphasize as well as educate the new Christians regarding the expectations of their lives as Christian. Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles and it is incumbent upon him to respond to the needs of the Colossians as they struggle to manifest their faith and its tenets according to their understanding. Pauls letter is an instructional guide as well as being comprised of words of encouragement. Chapter 3 and verses 12 through 17 describes to the new Christians how they are new creatures in Christ. He reaffirms that Christ is deity in bodily form and the supreme head of the church (1:15-23). He also warns against false teaching and calls for the rejection of it. He further instructs them on how to live holy (Chapter 3). More specifically, Colossians 3:12-17 concentrates on two main ideas; one idea focuses on how to live holy as an individual and as a member of the body of Christ; and the other focuses on holy living as an individual and as a collective member of the body of Christ. The tools used to explore passage 3:12-17 are the King James Version (KJV), the New International Version (NIV), the New International Readers Version (NIRV), The Message (MSG) and the New Living Translation (NLT) Bibles, along with The New Analytical Greek Lexicon (The Lexicon), The Greek English Interlinear New Testament (The Interlinear) and Strongs Strongest Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Strongs) with various commentaries. Colossians 3:12-14 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection. In verse 12 holy living entails more than a confession or conversion experience, it regards a change in lifestyle. The Interlinear uses put on (endysasthe) in the active continuous form emphasizing that Christians must continuously display Gods characteristics which manifests his holiness. They are manifested as mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, and longsuffering. The Message says, Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you. Its rendition offers that these characteristics are not natural human characteristics; therefore, it requires action on the part of the individual and is attainable with the guidance of God. In the KJV, the word bowels (splagchna) are used; The Lexicon defines it as the heart or affections of the heart, meaning these qualities must come from within. By separating the characteristics by commas the KJV, NIV and the NLT indicate that each of the characteristics is part of a whole. However, the NIVR presents them in multiple sentences to demonstrate them as de finitive commands. The NLT renders that the Christian should demonstrate holy living by being clothed in tenderhearted mercy which is a translation for compassion (oiktirmou), kindness(chrestoteta), humility(tapeinophrosyne), gentleness for meekness(prauteta), and patience as longsuffering(makrothymian); these are acts that God has demonstrated towards us. Bruce Buoton describes the characteristics of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as imitations of Gods acts towards man.  [9]   In verse 13 holy living is explored further, here all Christians are required to forgive one another because Christ has forgiven (charixomenoi) them. Failure to forgive others whom God has forgiven results in suffering. Robert E. Wall expressed that the holy response (to any offense) prompted by grace is to forgive. . .We forgive because we are already forgiven, we secure Gods forgiveness by forgiving others.  [10]  Forgiving allows the Christian to tolerate the offenses of others and to act in their behalf for their benefit. Forgiveness is essential in Christian growth, fellowship and manifestation. It is one of the characteristics of God that allows Christians to imitate him without necessarily displaying overt actions. The act of forgiving is a sign that the Christian is maturing as a Christian. In verse 14 love is exhorted above all the other characteristics and is determined to be the virtue that bonds all the characteristics together. It is impossible to live a holy life without love, The MSG expresses, And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It is your all purpose garment. Never be without it. All of the aforementioned translations agree on loves ability to make the other virtues possible, for instance the NLT interprets the verse as, Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect unity. The Greek word for bond (sydesmos) in The Lexicon is described as bundle or connection. It is used in the same way in Ephesians 4:3 make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (NIV). Love is the adhesiveness that unites all the virtues; it is joined in significance by the virtue of peace. Colossians 3:15-17 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body: and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. When the Christian has adopted the characteristics in verses 12-14 and internalized them, a notable change should be evident by familiar observers. Holiness should be readily manifested and perceivable. One of the key words in verse 15 is the word rule. The Interlinear, shows rule is derived from let arbitrate (brabeutw) in all of the translations besides The MSG. The MSG converts the Greek into in tune. . .in step with each other. Pauls familiarity with the word, in accordance with The Lexicon, would have been umpire, or someone who governs a conflict. The Colossians would have understood keeping the peace as tantamount to resolving conflicts.  [11]   The MSG emphasis is the body of Christ unified (swma(i))as it addresses the meaning of the verse. It emphasizes every collective decision and action that comes from the community will have the character of peace if all members stay in tune and/or in step with each other.  [12]   Furthermore, verse 15 exhorts Christians to be thankful (euchiaristoi) or mindful of the benefits  [13]  if being part of the body of Christ. Strongs Concordance clarifies thankful as in mind and attitude which enhances the spiritual well-being concerted with the physical well-being of the individual and the body of Christ.  [14]   Verse 16 moves the reader or Christian to the command to teach and admonish one another in wisdom (sophia) which has both divine and secular connotations, according to Strong; however, Pauls inclination was a reference to Christian enlightenment as found in 1 Corinthians 12:8.  [15]  There is variance between The MSG which denotes this virtue or command to mean use common sense, whereas, the NLT state Teach and counsel one another with all the wisdom he gives. Verse 16 iterates to Christians to exercise the virtues of holy living and to continuously communicate that to one another. The emphasis is that when God enlightens a person that person is qualified to exercise authority to teach and admonish others. Each member of the body of Christ is called to model the holiness demonstrated by Christ. In order to imitate his model the individual must have the Spirit of God residing inside of him, moreover, the Spirit of God can only dwell in the individual if the that individual lives a life of holiness. The Interlinear text uses let dwell (enoiketw) in the imperfect tense in verse sixteen. It is used to demonstrate that Christs spirit within the heart first occurred when the individual accepted Christ as Lord; it is an action that is present and ongoing. The other aspect of verse 16 includes the singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. The MSG says sing your hearts out to God whereas the NIV, NIRV and NLT render the concept as to sing with thankfulness. The KJV links both sections of verse 16 as a single action, meaning that the singing and teaching are synonymous to praise and admonishing. Also, the singing of the songs, spirituals and hymns with joy and thanksgiving display to others that the Spirit of Christ dwells within. When Christs spirit dwell within the Christian then Christ rules the heart and life and the person is authorized to teach and admonish because it is accommodating the Spirit of Christ. Verse 17 mandates that whatever and whichever virtue the Christian manifests, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus with thanks to God and the Father through him. The primary responsibility of living a holy life is for the glory of God. In concert, the verses 12-17 equip the Christian with guidance and instructions to live a holy life within the ability of the Christians and in response to Pauls exhortation in Romans 12:1-2. Applications The worldview has crept into the church and some of the moral authority of the church has come into question because of the level of tolerance experienced by the church today. Tolerance is not a negative thing, but there are mandates such as notable in the Ten Commandments that restricts some tolerations. The behaviors exhibited by a large number of highly visible Christians (not just renowned ministers) in their lives denote that holy living has been compromised. There are denominations that allow clear abominations to exercise the office of pastors and ministers, such as ordaining homosexual ministers and subjecting Christians in need of guidance, teaching and admonishing to their authority. Equally compromising is the congregations that outwardly support and accept this deviancy. The modern society in First World countries is replete with narcissism, public acceptance of vulgarity (as demonstrated in music and audio-visual media)and Christian lifestyle has become compartmentalized. Applying the principles or virtues found in the passage of Colossians 3:12-17 in todays society should be exceptionally easy because of the communications capabilities that are available such as the internet, satellites, cell phones and public forums. These same forums are used to counter the work of the church emphatically. The Church has to do as Paul and the other apostles and early Christians did in building up the faith and the church. It must espouse it doctrines at every opportunity and do not settle for a small corner to shout from. It must begin within the body of Christ first. The church must hold Christians accountable for their behaviors that are compromised and encourage them in the behaviors that exemplify the virtues found in the passage. Heads of households must take the responsibility of their family religious education in the home environment and not allow worship and services to be a Sunday event only. Holiness must become a lifestyle; it must be exhorted within the body of Christ community first and then missioned to the rest of the world. Music must be acceptable, television and other media must adhere to family values by presenting wholesome entertainment. Finally, each Christian has to develop the attitude to teach one, reach one so that no Christian is left behind. The children must be taught Christian values at home without compromise. Most importantly, Christian hearts must be governed by Christ and honor given to God. There needs to be a campaign to teach and encourage each Christian to exert the virtues of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering/patience, forgiveness and love. Each church should have an education plan to initiate and sustain such a campaign. Conclusion The Bible is composed of mandates, laws and principles for Christian living that is sometimes explicitly clear such as You must not murder. (Exodus 20:13), and some not so evident such as And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. (Colossians 3:15). There are several translations of the Bible that create debate within the Christian community and sometimes result in controversial applications in some aspects, such as Exodus 20:13 rendered in the New Living Translation as You shall not murder. whereas in the King James Version it is rendered Thou shall not kill. The impact of the two different wordings has affected the secular arena as well as the religious one. Abortions, military wartime service and the death penalty are three of the subjects associated with controversy regarding both editions of the verse. Avoiding confusion and controversy is not always possible, there are passages in the Bible that are not just principles but also instruct the Christian how to live. A law or situation is not necessarily transferrable from the context known to the original audience to the conditions and situations in modern times; some applications are situational and time sensitive. The instructions are clear and applicable to life situations for the environment of the original audience or for the contemporary audience. Sometimes they are applicable to both audiences but there must be some parallel but not necessarily the same conditions present. The examination of the words of Paul in Colossians 3:12-17 reveals there are instructions that are clear and applicable for holy living and they migrate across the time spectrum from the original audience through the contemporary audience. Living a holy life is mandatory for Christians and necessary to please God. It is the Christian responsibility to present God to the world, the passage aforementioned provides instructions and guidance for execution. How the Christian lives should reflect what he or she believes in accordance with the conditions set forth by the applicable Scriptures. The Christian walk should parallel the Christian talk. As a member of the body of Christ the modern Christian incurs the responsibility to teach and admonish fellow Christians as needed. He and she have the advantage of hindsight as well as the principles denoted in the passage 3:12-17 to aid and assist their growth and development as productive Christians with the same urgency and proficiency of the early Christians. Appendix Block Diagram Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV) 12Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Therefore As Gods chosen people Holy and dearly loved Clothe yourselves With compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other And Forgive whatever grievances You may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And Put on love over all these virtues Which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts Members of one body (Since As) You were called to peace. And Be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly As you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs With gratitude in your hearts to God. And Whatever you do (Whether) in word or deed Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Giving thanks to God The Father through Him. Sunday School Lesson for Adults Colossians 3:12-17 Focus verse: Colossians 3:13 Introduction Forgiveness -As for volunteers to read each verse. -Give an illustration of a marital event that requires forgiveness although it is very difficult to do. Why do we forgive? Definition of forgiveness Explanation Discuss focus verse and Gods command to forgive Inquiry- Have class name times/situations that they have done something wrong and how they felt. Bearing with one another/ Ways to forgive. Explanation We are to forgive others because God forgives us refer back to verse. Explain how the husband is a reflection of God and wife is a reflection of the sinner. Demonstration- Two class members will act out scenarios followed by brief discussion of the incidents: -inappropriate conversations with the opposite sex -meeting someone other than the spouse for friendly night out Application- Have class name situations in which they/others should be forgiven and how to do so. Reiterate the passage that emphasizes that God forgave us first. Illustration- Finish story with husband forgiving wife due to her sincere apology. Re-emphasize how God forgives us and we should forgive others. Conclusion We are to seek forgiveness and forgive others because God forgives us. -Review of passage focus verse. Allow for questions/comments. -Prayer asking God to forgive us for our sins and help to forgive others. -Song.

Effect of the Moon on Planet Earth

Effect of the Moon on Planet Earth Josh Chaplin â€Å"The Earth would be a very different place without the moon. Discuss†¦Ã¢â‚¬  It’s true that without the moon, the earth would be a less romantic place. Mythical werewolves would never have been conceived, nor would we have a calendar based on the concept of the lunar phases. It has undoubtedly influenced human culture over millennia, but can the same be said for our neighbouring celestial satellite in geological terms? A seemingly insignificant lump of rock in comparison, it can be hard to comprehend that the moon has had such potentially significant impacts on shaping the earth as it appears today. But as it seems, a chain of events were set in motion from the instant the moon was formed which have not only left us here perplexed by it, but have left us here in the first place. The bulk of the moon’s responsibility for impacting upon the planet lies with its gravitation and proximity to the earth. Such a scenario allows for it to have a profound influence on the tides of our oceans, which in turn serves to slow the earth’s rotation and hurl the moon further away from us. The gravitational attraction of the moon is also the stabilising factor in a celestial battle between the large bodies of the solar system to throw the planet’s axial obliquity off-balance. The very fact that the moon is here in the first place tells of how fortunate the impact that formed it was, because were it not for that humble collision over 4.5 billion years ago, life on earth would be vastly different today at the very least (and conceivably even absent at worst). Its presence has also stimulated the application of mathematics and induced superstition in generations of humans, whilst providing total solar eclipses which are a universally rare, defining aspect of earth. The regular monthly cycle of the lunar phases has also been linked to mating sequences, hunting rituals and even the menstrual cycle, which 51% of the earth’s human population will experience for a large quantity of their lives. On top of all of this, the moon has defined the scenery of the night sky along with the stars and reflected the sun’s light to dampen its pitch black darkness since time immemorial, achieving omnipresence in a multitude of modern media. â€Å"The earth would be a very different place without the moon†. It only seems prudent to commence with the earliest chronological appearance of the moon. The most widely accepted modern theory for its formation is centred around a hypothetical protoplanet by the name of Theia. It is proposed to have been around the size of Mars, and about 10% of the mass of the earth. [1] Isotope analysis of lunar rocks bought back from the Apollo mission tells us that Theia is hypothesised to have collided with the earth at 4.527  ± 0.010 billion years before present. [1] Earth as it was back then would have been wholly transformed by this impact, altering its composition and ultimately allowing it to become the planet it is today. This collision would have also produced a considerable amount of debris, which would have subsequently accreted to form the moon. [2] This is the only feasible model which explains why the moon finds itself in orbit with the earth; physics- based computerised reconstructions show that it would not have been possible to capture a pas sing-by moon with the gravitational field of the earth, nor would it have been possible to originate from ejection of material from the molten earth due to fission by centrifugal force. [3] Assuming that this hypothesis is correct, it is obvious that earth has been extensively altered because of the moon. For one, upon impact, material from the dense iron core of Theia would likely have sunk towards the core of earth due to gravity, whilst mantle material would likely have been accreted onto the surface of the early earth. [2] This is the reason for the characteristic inner layers of the earth today. The moon would have then formed from excess material from the impact coalescing in the surrounding vicinities of the early earth. Thus, the formation of the moon both added and took away material from the early earth, heavily influencing its very composition from as early as 4.537 Ga. [1], [2] Having considered that this moon-forming impact would have been a major source of much of the terrestrial iron found on earth today, the size of our iron-nickel core would have been directly affected by it. The earth’s mantle chemically differentiated in an event called the iron catastrophe, throughout the first 500 million years of the planet’s formation. Extremely large quantities of iron succumbed to gravity and sunk to form the core. The innermost part of the earth was thus comprised of conductive elements, an iron-nickel alloy, which became able to generate electrical currents whilst rotating due to the coriolis effect in interaction with convection in the mantle [8] (which originated in the first place from heat escaping from the core). As a result, the roughly dipolar magnetosphere was conceived, giving rise to the radioactive Van Allen Belts by trapping charged protons and electrons in concentric bands surrounding the planet. [8] Figure 1 above is a scaled repre sentation of the invisible magnetosphere and Van Allen belts surrounding the earth. Only discovered in 1958, the infamously ‘deadly’ belts have been unvoiced yet fundamental in the development of life on our planet. This is due to the particles’ ability to prevent horrific ionising radiation to reach the surface of the earth and effectively fry anything which ever endeavoured to exist on the surface. The magnetosphere itself would also have prevented any charged particles of solar wind from reaching the earth’s surface and causing similar damage. Amongst other variables, the strength of the earth’s magnetic field would be directly proportional to the size of the core according to dynamo theory, [8] and therefore we have the moon-forming impact to thank for a hospitable and agreeable planet. It’s therefore fair to say that without the moon coming into fruition, the earth may never have done either. There are more obvious ongoing effects of the moon on the earth today though, than there were back in the Hadean. It is fairly common knowledge that the moon has influence on the tides of our seas and oceans. Along with the sun, it produces the twice-daily rise and fall of the seas that boggled coastal dwellers for millennia prior to Newton’s formulation of the universal law of gravitation in 1687. Naturally, the gravitational attraction between two separate entities is inversely proportional to the distance between them. [4] Thus, whilst the sun may be roughly 400 times as large as the moon, it is (coincidentally) around 400 times further away than it, and so exerts less influence over the tides. [4] The area of the earth closest to the moon at any given point will see a protuberance of its oceans, as the water is attracted to the moon’s gravitational field. [4] Simultaneously on the opposite side of the earth furthest from the moon, the crust itself succumbs to the lunar gravitation and is, in effect, marginally subsided, producing an additional oceanic bulge. [4] Figure 2 (right ) illustrates and annotates this gravitational phenomenon, by ever-so-slightly exaggerating the potential bulge of the tides! However, depending on the topography of shoreline localities and nature of continental slopes around the globe, the fluctuation can vary wildly between low and high tides. [4] In extreme cases, this can affect the livelihoods of littoral inhabitants by dictating fishing schedules or putting their homes in danger, showing how the moon really is a foremost influence on making the earth the place it is. One such scenario is the extraordinary tidal range at the Bay of Funday in Eastern Canada, which can surpass 12 metres. [4] Circumstances like this can occur upon the arrival of ‘spring’ tides (from the German verb springen, ‘to leap’, not from the name of the season) whereby the sun and moon align, causing maximum attraction in their direction and thus amplifying the height of the tides. [4] Alas, the moon is a dictatorial authority on the tides of our oceans, and presumably has been since the oceans formed around 3.8 billion years ago. Swishing and swashing the oceans for eons of geological time has not passed by without its consequences however. The moon’s gravity has created the tides on the one hand, whilst the rotation of the earth has slightly offset the location of them on the other; the actual location of the peaked tidal bulge is slightly ahead of where it would logically be, at the closest point on the earth’s surface to the moon. [7] As a result, a surprisingly large amount of mass (the tidal protuberance of the oceans) is offset slightly from the closest locality on earth to the moon at that point in time, meaning that a certain quantity of the gravitational pull is no longer directly between the earth and moon, but at a 90 ° angle to it. [7] Thus, torque is effectively created between the two planetary bodies, [7] and is often called ‘tidal friction,’ ‘tidal acceleration’ or ‘tidal braking’. This means that the presence of the moon causes our charac teristic 24 hour days to lengthen by around 2.3 milliseconds every century. [7] Taking Newton’s third law of equal and opposite reactions into account, the earth is also pushing the moon away by 3.82 ±0.007 cm per year as a result of this ‘torque’. [7] Would all of this really mean though that without the moon, the earth would be a very different place? Extrapolating back in time to 4 billion years ago tells us that the moon was some 15,000 km closer. Tidal forces would have been gargantuan, with hypothesised constant tsunami waves ravishing the planet. Perhaps, this would not only have served to shape the landscape by causing erosion, but it would have also dictated when proportions of the land surface would have been settled enough for life to flourish. In addition, the day would have been much shorter, with the year being around 400 days long due to the faster rotation of the earth. Looking ahead to the future, the earth may very well slow until it reaches t he same rotational speed as the moon, and then the exact same visage of the moon will always face the earth as in the Pluto-Charon arrangement on the outskirts of our solar system. [7] This demonstrates how that over short periods of time, the consequences of the moon’s presence on the earth are subtle, nigh negligible, but are not to be taken lightly in the (very) long run. Moving on from the tides of the planet, there is another reason in addition to the earlier-discussed Van Allen belts that the moon may well be the reason that life exists on earth as it does today. The axial tilt of the earth (also referred to as obliquity, a Milankovich cycle) is currently measured at 23.4 ° (and decreasing) between the earth’s rotational axis and the perpendicular to its orbital plane. [5] Whilst all sizeable bodies in our solar system (such as the sun and the gas giants) have an effect on this angle of tilt, the much closer proximity of the moon means that it is the most regulatory factor in this cosmic gravitational tug-of-war. [5] Figure 3 (left) shows the range between the earth’s minimum and maximum axial tilt values, for which we have the moon to thank for keeping the planet within those parameters. Without such a valuable sidekick, the tilt of a planetary body could incline wildly. In fact, there is evidence that Mars has tilted by up to 60 ° in the past, [5] presumably no thanks to the inferior gravitation of Phobos and Deimos in comparison to our moon. In a more horrific circumstance, computer models have liberated the earth of the moon’s gravitational effects and shown that it could tip by as much as 85 °, essentially interchanging the locations of the equator and the poles! [5] The would-be climatic consequences of such an event are naturally rather sketchy, but it is safe to presume that life on land would have been hard-pushed to adapt and may very well have been diminished. [5] Extrapolating from this, perhaps life on earth would be completely different, with organisms such as thermophiles at oceanic ridges, migratory birds and aquatic beings flourishing in the absence of land-dwelling mammals. It’s hard to imagine that the moon has the potential to command the diversity of the species in existence on the planet, and that it has been maintaining our climate and giving us our seasons, all due to the fact that it is steadying our axial tilt. This is the reason why the moon is such a prominent part of the ‘Rare Earth’ hypothesis, which explains how there are many different astrological criteria which must come together in order for a planet to prospectively bear life; [6] in other words, we owe our existence to the moon. Regardless of our location in the galactic habitable zone, our rocky terrain (not gaseous) and the fortune to have evolved beyond microbial life, the arrival of the moon was the ultimate (and perhaps the flukiest) stroke of luck to have ever graced the planet from a human perspective. [6] In conclusion, it’s obvious to draw from these analyses that the earth simply wouldn’t be the same without the moon, not only from a geological perspective, but from every perspective conceivable when its role in putting us here in the first place is considered. The moon is receding from our planet, and only time will tell if earth will succumb to life without it. References [1] Wieczorek, M. et al. (2006)The constitution and structure of the lunar interior Pages 322-323 [2] Canup, R.M. (2004) Simulations of a late lunar-forming impactIcarus Issue 168, Pages 433–436, 453-456 [3] Stroud, R. (2009)â€Å"The Book of the Moon† Pages24–31 [4] Grotzinger, J. Jordan, T. (2010) â€Å"Understanding Earth† Sixth Edition, Pages 540-541 [5] Dartnell, L. (2007) â€Å"Life in the Universe, a Beginners Guide† Pages 69-70 [6] Ward, P.D. Brownlee, D. (2000) â€Å"Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe† Pages 191, 194 200 [7] Chao, B.F. Ray, R.D. (1998) â€Å"Oceanic tidal angular momentum and Earths rotation variations† Page 403 [8] Glatzmaier, G.A. Roberts, P. H. (1995) A three-dimensional self-consistent computer simulation of a geomagnetic field reversalNature Issue377Pages 203–209 Image References Figure 1 – http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/gallery/Magnetosphere.html Figure 2 – http://science.howstuffworks.com/moon4.htm Figure 3 – http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Milankovitch/milankovitch_2.php 1

Judaism :: essays research papers

Early History of Judaism It has been argued that Judaism can be seen not only as a single religion, but as a group of similar religions. It has also been pointed-out that through all the trials and tribulations that Judaism has suffered through, that there have been common themes that have proven omni-pervasive. Any institution with roots as ancient and varied as the religion of the Jews is bound to have a few variations, especially when most of its history takes place in the political and theological hot spot of the Middle East. In this discussion, many facets of Judaism will be examined, primarily in the three temporal subdivisions labeled the Tribal / Pre-Monarchy Period, the Divided Monarchy, and the Hasmonean / Maccabean and Roman Era. Among all the time periods where the religion has been split, these three seem to be the most representative of the forces responsible. As for a common thread seen throughout all Judiasms, the area of focus here is the place associated with the religion : Jerusalem. This topic will be covered in detail first, and then the multiple Judaism arguments will be presented. In this way, it is possible to keep a common focus in mind when reading about all the other situations in which the religion has found itself. A brief conclusion follows the discussion. A Place to Call Home No other religion has ever been so attached to its birthplace as Judaism. Perhaps this is because Jews have been exiled and restricted from this place for most of their history. Jerusalem is not only home to Judaism, but to the Muslim and Christian religions as well. Historically this has made it quite a busy place for the various groups. Jerusalem is where the temple of the Jews once stood; the only place on the whole Earth where one could leave the confines of day to day life and get closer to God. In 586 BCE when the temple was destroyed, no Jew would have denied Jerusalem as being the geographic center of the religion. From that point on, the Jewish people have migrated around the world, but not one of them forgets the fact that Jerusalem is where it all began. It is truly a sacred place, and helps to define what Judaism means to many people; a common thread to run through all the various splinters of the religion and help hold them together. Even today, as the Jewish people have their precious Jerusalem

Poor Parents Must Educate Their Children Essay example -- Solutions to

A child does not show up for school for the third day in a row and the teacher notices that a pattern of absences has appeared. Is it the child’s fault? The parents’ fault? Can the school do something to stop this trend? There is a definite association between the parents of a child in poverty and the education that child does (or does not) receive, and there are many factors that play into this connection: intimidation the parents feel, expectations put on the child, parent employment, location and condition of the school, and health issues. Unfortunately, all of these issues mean that children in poverty are on an unequal plane when it comes to education, compared to children in higher classes of socio-economic status. Lord Acton wrote of the United States over 140 years ago, â€Å"In a country where there is no distinction of class, a child is not born to the station of its parents, but with an indefinite claim to all the prizes that can be won by thought and labor . It is in conformity with the theory of equality . . . to give as near as possible to every youth an equal state in life. Americans are unwilling that any should be deprived in childhood of the means of competition.†1 It is sad and ironic how this statement is not true in the United States today. Parents may not want to get involved in their child’s school life because schools have a negative connotation in their minds. Many adults in poverty grew up in poor families and have bad memories of school from their childhoods. They may have been bullied or did not make good grades. There may be an association for them between school and feeling stupid. Also, some parents of students in poverty have a lower level of education than the people working at schools. When talking to principals or teachers, a parent does not want to feel inferior in the conversation. The more diverse vocabulary used by the faculty and staff at schools can be intimidating. This is one reason why parents are reluctant to get involved in reading programs, the Parent Teacher Association, and other extra-curricular activities. In order to distance themselves from the feeling of inferiority, parents distance themselves from their children’s schools. In addition to being physically distant from the place their children receive their education, parents of children in poverty may not breach the topic verbally. Parental encouragement ... ...91. Philipsen, Maike Ingrid. â€Å"The Problem of Poverty: Shifting Attention to the Non-Poor.† In Late to Class: Social Class and Schooling in the New Economy, edited by George Noblit and Jane A. Van Galen, 269-285. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2007. Polakow, Valerie. â€Å"In the Shadows of the Ownership Society: Homeless Children and Their Families.† In Invisible Children in the Society and Its Schools, edited by Sue Books, 39-62. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2007. Pollitt, Ernesto. â€Å"The Relationship between Undernutrition and Behavioral Development in Children.† The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 125, No. 8S (August 1995). http://www.unu.edu/ (accessed on April 6, 2015). Sato, Mistlina, et al. â€Å"Poverty and Payne: Supporting Teachers to Work with Children of Poverty.† Phi Delta Kappan Vol. 90, No. 5 (January 2009): 365-370. http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com (accessed April 6, 2015). Shipler, David K. The Working Poor: Invisible in America. New York: Random House, Inc., 2004. Weissbourg, Richard. â€Å"The ‘Quiet’ Troubles of Low-Income Children.† The Education Digest Vol. 74, No. 5 (January 2009): 4-8. http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com (accessed April 6, 2015).

Sleeping Late Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Life is so busy sometimes we don’t get enough sleep. Some days our bodies need more sleep than others. Some people like to sleep in after a busy week at work, or a long night of partying. Others feel that sleeping in can help them relieve some stress. Trying a few of these trips may help you to sleep in.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In order to sleep in longer, you should plan ahead for the weather. For example, when the weather is going to be hot and muggy, crank up the air conditioner. When your body gets too hot, you will wake up. Just keeping your body cool will help you feel more relaxed so you can get those few extra hours of rest. If the weather forecast calls for a steady rain crack open the windows so the rhythm of the soothing rain drops help you fall into a deeper more relaxed sleep.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another important part of sleeping in is a dark room. When too much light breaks into the room, you might have trouble falling or staying asleep. Light makes it easier to stay awake, thus making it harder for you to stop thinking. If you have curtains, close them almost all the way. Roll mini-blinds with the blades in the upward direction, because if they are rolled down when the sun comes up, too much light will come in. As the sleeper you want some light in the room, just a lot.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hunger will also prevent you from sleeping in. Near your bed keep a few handy items. I...

Julius Caeser Essay

â€Å"Beware the Ides of March† (I. iv. 52). This familiar line by the Soothsayer in Julius Caesar reflects the presence of omens and ghosts in the play. What exactly is the significance of these supernatural references? The supernatural establishes mood, develops character, and foreshadows the plot. First, the supernatural creates mood in the play. The most important mood is impending doom which gradually increases until the scene of Caesar’s assassination. This mood is first introduced with the scene of a terrible storm on the night before Caesar’s murder. Many supernatural things happen during this storm, including men on fire and lions walking on the streets of Rome. Tension is further created as Casca describes his unearthly visions. The feeling of doom continues as Calphurnia’s dream is revealed when Caesar says, â€Å"She dreamt tonight she saw my statue, / Which, like a fountain with a hundred spouts / Did run pure blood, and many lusty Romans / Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it† (II. ii. 1. 76-79). The audience feels that something is about to happen and that the dream is an omen that foreshadows Caesar’s demise. Tension builds once again as Caesar is warned repeatedly by the soothsayers to beware the ides of March. The supernatural events which occur in the play clearly help to create the mood which keeps the audience’s interest throughout the rest of the play. A second purpose of the supernatural is to reveal characters. Julius Caesar is a self-confident, conceited man when he ignores the warning of the Soothsayer in his statement, â€Å"He is a dreamer, let us leave him. Pass! † (I. ii. 1. 22-24). His words show that either Caesar does not believe in omens, or he is trying not to appear superstitious in front of the crowd to keep up his public image. Caesar is not the only character in the play who can be assessed by the way he reacts to the supernatural. Some of Brutus’ characteristics are also revealed when he comes into contact with unusual forces of nature. For instance, Brutus is unmoved when the storm is raging outside. However, when Caesar’s ghost appears in front of him, he is shown as a superstitious but noble man, who accepts his destiny. Brutus says, â€Å"The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me / Two several times by night, at Sardis once / And last night here in Philippi fields. / I know my hour is come† (V. v. 1. 16-19). Brutus believes that everything is predetermined and that there is no way of changing his fate; therefore, he does not try to battle with it and accepts his punishment readily. Clearly, Shakespeare reveals characters through their reaction to the supernatural. The final dramatic purpose served by the supernatural is to foreshadow the plot. The storm before Caesar’s assassination is a perfect example. Casca, who is deeply influenced by the storm, describes the unusual sights, â€Å"A common slave – you know him well by sight – / Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn / Like twenty torches joined, and yet his hand, / Not sensible of fire, remained unscorched†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (I. iii. l. 15-32). These terrible phenomena prophesy violent times for Rome and the death of the emperor. Also, Calphurnia’s dream and the soothsayer’s warnings convince the audience that the murder of Caesar is inevitable. Another superstitious event that foreshadows the action, occurs in the first scene of the last act, when Cassius says: And in their steads do ravens, crows and kites Fly o’er our heads and downward look on us As we were sickly pray; their shadows seem A canopy most fatal, under which Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. (V. i. l. 84-87) The ravens and crows are a bad omen and the audience expects the defeat of Brutus and Cassius’ troops. However, the spectators may not be sure and may, therefore, anticipate the ending with interest. Clearly, plot is developed by the supernatural. In conclusion, supernatural events create the moods of tension, suspense or impending doom; they reveal some strengths and weaknesses of the characters; and they also foreshadow the action which helps to keep the audience’s interest. The characters are warned by the forces of the supernatural about their gloomy future; everything seems to be predetermined. The spectators are left with the feeling that the destiny of humans is preordained and they cannot change their fate.