Jesus Christ Essay Example for Free

Jesus Christ Essay What are some ways the Christian gospel is perceived in our culture? Unfortunately, the Christian gospel is perceived negatively by many people I have encountered in everyday life. Many believe Christianity is a list of â€Å"do’s† and â€Å"don’ts† to which they are not willing to subscribe. Others believe the Christian gospel is one of many paths to heaven. Still, others consider the Christian gospel to be mythological. 2. What are some specific moral reasons people may reject the Christian gospel? People may reject the Christian gospel due to the belief that an all-knowing, all-powerful and loving God would not allow injustice or suffering to exist in the world. Another reason people may reject the Christian gospel is because they cannot believe a loving God would allow anyone to suffer for eternity in hell. 3. What are some specific emotional reasons people may reject the Christian gospel? I have heard numerous people reject the Christian gospel, because of the actions of a few â€Å"bad apples† that have ruined their impression of Christians in general. Therefore, they discount all Christians as â€Å"hypocrites† and reject the Christian gospel entirely. Another emotional reason that a person may reject the gospel is that someone close to them has endured hardship, illness or death that was a â€Å"good person† and they feel this would never happen if God was real. 4. What are some specific intellectual reasons people may reject the Christian gospel? People may reject the Christian gospel, for intellectual reasons, because they cannot comprehend that Jesus Christ was God in human flesh. They cannot comprehend that Jesus Christ could die and then be resurrected, because, in their minds, this defies logic and reason. 5. What can Christians do to address these objections and better communicate the Christian gospel? In order to better communicate the gospel, it is important to be non-argumentative and respectful of the other person’s beliefs when sharing the gospel message. As Christians, we can address these objections by citing the Scriptures, while at the same time putting the message in language that the layman can understand.

Candlelight Dreams :: essays research papers

My older friend next door once told me that if I shut my eyes and blew on a candle, all of my wishes would come true... I used to believe her and go around the house candle hunting. How my parents must have laughed to see me scrambling around the furniture, picking up the candles around the room , and blowing the little flame out until my cheeks hurt.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I made the most outrageous wishes. I wished to own a monkey, a horse, and a dragon; I wished to grow-up and be just like Sailor Moon. And, of course, I wished for a thousand more wishes so I would never run out.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I always believed my wishes would come true. When they didn’t, I ran next door and demanded and explanation. She laughed and said I just hadn’t done it right. â€Å"Hadn’t done it right?,† I would say. â€Å"Then how should I do it?† â€Å"It only works if you do it a certain way,† she told me with a little smile, â€Å"but you’ll have to figure that out by yourself.† I watched her with wide, admiring eyes and thought she must be right. She was ten years older than me and knew the ways of the world; nothing she said could be wrong. I went back and tried again. Time passed, and I grew older. My â€Å"perfect† friend started spending less and less time with me†¦.got busier and busier. Distressed by the scant attention I received from her, I spent most of my time staring out the window. I wondered what she was doing, where she was, and if she was having fun. Occasionally, I would wander around the home, blowing out a few candles, wishing for my friend to be how she used to be. Each time I hoped desperately that I had done it the right way and that the wish would come true. But it never happened. After a while, I gave up—not only on my friend—but on the candles as well. Distress had turned into anger and then to rejection of my friend and every thing she had told me. The old dreamer within me vanished and was replaced by a harsh teenage cynic who told me over and over that I should have known better than to believe in free wishes. It chided me for my past belief in dragons and laughed at the thought of my growing up to be a five foot ten, make-believe, Sailor Moon.

Systems Life Cycle

Systems Development Life Cycles (SDLC) is just one model that follows the development process of analysis, design, development, and maintenance of information systems. There are many different methods and techniques used to direct the life cycle of a software development project. Each is designed for a specific purpose or reason and most have similar goals and share many common traits. Kal Toth describes typical activities performed as including the following â€Å"System conceptualization, System requirements and benefits analysis, Project adoption and project scoping, System design, Specification of software requirements, Architectural design, Detailed design, Unit development, Software integration & testing, System integration & testing, Installation at site, Site testing and acceptance, Training and documentation, Implementation, Maintenance† (Kal Toth, 1997) One model that sticks to this main frame of system development is Ad-hoc Development. Ad hoc analysis may be used to create a report that does not currently exist or may go deeper into a static report to get details about accounts, transactions, or records. Ad hoc testing is done as a precautionary measure to ensure that there are no gaps left in a developed system before releasing it to the consumer. The drawbacks of using Ad hoc is the lack of data for metrics analysis, lack of comfort on coverage of Ad hoc testing and that the exact steps taken are difficult to record. Another model is the Waterfall method, also called the linear sequential method. This specific model is easy to understand and supports the â€Å"define before design† and â€Å"design before code† logic. The advantages of a Waterfall method is that output is generated after each stage, therefore it has high visibility. The client and project manager gets a feel that there is considerable progress. This methodology is significantly better than the haphazard approach to develop software. It provides a template into which methods of analysis, design, coding, testing and maintenance can be placed and allows project management to determine and place deadlines for specific milestones and phases. The drawbacks of the waterfall method are that it is difficult to define all the problems that could be found at the beginning of a project which can therefore lead up to an unrealistic expectation of a final product. While early all system development efforts engage in some combination of the above tasks, they can be differentiated by the feedback and control methods employed during development and the timing of activities. It is important to note that in any projects psychological factors also play an important role as the development of a system is being achieved. Though there are several methods to produce the proper system for a consumer, it is important to remember that not all consumer needs will be met with the same method. Reference Kal Toth. (1997). Software Engineering Best Practices. Retrieved from http://www.intellitech.net Rainer, R. K. & Cegielski, C. G. (2011). Introduction to information systems: Supporting and transforming business (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. University of Alabama. (1998). A Survey of System Development Process Models. Retrieved from http://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/reports/survey_of_sysdev/survey_of_sysdev.pdf

America s World War I - 1725 Words

Before World War I, America had been primarily an isolationist nation with little dealings with the world. As time went on America took more of a role in world affairs. With World War II and the post war, America took its place as one of the most dominant nations in the world. Post war, America’s economy led the world and helped rebuild war ravaged nations. Government efficiency in the economy and increased production led America to emerge as one of the biggest economic powerhouses in the world. Before America entered World War II the economy was starting to explode with new found production capabilities. The Great Depression left America with a reduced production capability, but with a large flow of money coming from Britain, more†¦show more content†¦However, a new source of laborers joined the ranks of factory lines to help support the nation in the war against the Axis. â€Å"The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor evoked a widespread wave of patriotism and national purpose. Few Americans, black or white, dissented from a war spirit intensified by media publicity and a government-orchestrated campaign to rally round the flag† (Harper 109). The government, needing new and able bodies, campaigned unions and minorities to help support the war effort. Minority unions pledged one hundred percent commitment to the war effort in hopes of being a more equal force in the economy once the war was over. Jobs once only held by white men were now being given to minoritie s and women. This hugely untapped area of manpower was needed to supply all of the new factories that were being built. Production power from these factories eclipsed anything the world had ever seen before. After the war some of these new workers left seeing their national duty as done but many stayed and continued to work which was needed to fulfill all of the consumer demand that started to shoot up after the war. After the war domestic and foreign demand was on the rise thanks to the passing of the Marshall Plan which opened up new markets that were in dire need of goods. These new markets also produced the raw materials that were needed to fuel the American economy. The government spent billions trying to rebuild

Tennessee v. Garner Court Case, Arguments, Impact

In Tennessee v. Garner (1985), the Supreme Court ruled that under the Fourth Amendment, a police officer may not use deadly force against a fleeing, unarmed suspect. The fact that a suspect does not respond to commands to halt does not authorize an officer to shoot the suspect, if the officer reasonably believes that the suspect is unarmed. Fast Facts: Tennessee v. Garner Case Argued: Oct. 30, 1984Decision Issued: March 27, 1985Petitioner: The state of TennesseeRespondent: Edward Eugene Garner, a 15-year-old shot by police to prevent him from escaping over a fenceKey Question: Did a Tennessee statute authorizing the use of deadly force to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect violate the Fourth Amendment?Majority Decision: Justices White, Brennan, Marshall, Blackmun, Powell, StevensDissenting: Justices OConnor, Burger, RehnquistRuling: The Supreme Court ruled that under the Fourth Amendment, a police officer may not use deadly force against a fleeing, unarmed suspect. Facts of the Case On October 3, 1974, two police officers responded to a late night call. A woman had heard glass breaking in her neighbor’s house and believed a â€Å"prowler† to be inside. One of the officers went around the back of the house. Someone fled across the backyard, stopping by a 6-foot fence. In the darkness, the officer could see that it was a boy and reasonably believed the boy to be unarmed. The officer yelled, â€Å"Police, halt.† The boy jumped up and began to climb the 6-foot fence. Out of fear that he’d lose the arrest, the officer opened fire, striking the boy in the back of the head. The boy, Edward Garner, died at the hospital. Garner had stolen a purse and $10. The officer’s conduct was legal under Tennessee law. The state’s law read, If, after notice of the intention to arrest the defendant, he either flee or forcibly resist, the officer may use all the necessary means to effect the arrest. Garner’s death sparked over a decade of court battles resulting in a Supreme Court ruling in 1985. Constitutional Issues Can a police officer use deadly force against a fleeing, unarmed suspect? Does a statute that authorizes the use of deadly force on an unarmed suspect violate the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution? The Arguments Attorneys on behalf of the state and city argued that the Fourth Amendment oversees whether a person may be detained, but not how they may be apprehended. Violence will decrease if officers are able to do their jobs by any means necessary. Resort to deadly force is a â€Å"meaningful threat† to deter violence, and is in the interest of the city and state. Furthermore, the attorneys argued that the use of deadly force against a fleeing suspect was â€Å"reasonable.† Common law revealed that, at the time of the Supreme Court’s ruling, multiple states still permitted this type of force. The practice was even more common at the time of the passage of the Fourth Amendment. The respondent, Garner’s father, alleged that the officer had violated his son’s Fourth Amendment rights, his right to due process, his Sixth Amendment right to trial by jury, and his Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment. The court only accepted the Fourth Amendment and due process claims. Majority Opinion In a 6-3 decision delivered by Justice Byron White, the court labeled the shooting a â€Å"seizure† under the Fourth Amendment. This allowed the court to determine whether the act was â€Å"reasonable† when taking into account a â€Å"totality of the circumstances.† The court considered several factors. First, the court focused on whether Garner posed a threat to the officers. He was unarmed and fleeing when an officer shot him. Justice White wrote: â€Å"Where the suspect poses no immediate threat to the officer and no threat to others, the harm resulting from failing to apprehend him does not justify the use of deadly force to do so.† The court was careful to include in its majority opinion that deadly force may be constitutional if a fleeing suspect is armed and poses a significant threat to officers or those around him. In Tennessee v. Garner, the suspect did not pose a threat. The court also looked to police department guidelines across the country and found that the long-term movement has been away from the rule that deadly force may be used against any fleeing felon, and that remains the rule in less than half the States.† Finally, the court considered whether its ruling would prohibit officers from effectively accomplishing their jobs. The Justices concluded that preventing officers from using deadly force against an unarmed, fleeing suspect would not meaningfully disrupt police enforcement. There was no proof that the threat of deadly force increased the effectiveness of policing. Dissenting Opinion Justice O’Connor was joined by Justice Rehnquist and Justice Burger in her dissent. Justice OConnor focused on the crime Garner was suspected of, noting that there is a strong public interest in preventing burglaries. Justice OConnor wrote: The Court effectively creates a Fourth Amendment right allowing a burglary suspect to flee unimpeded from a police officer who has probable cause to arrest, who has ordered the suspect to halt, and who has no means short of firing his weapon to prevent escape.† OConnor argued that the majoritys ruling actively impeded officers from enforcing the law. According to OConnor, the majoritys opinion was too broad and failed to provide officers a means of determining when deadly force is reasonable. Instead, the opinion invited a second-guessing of difficult police decisions. The Impact Tennessee v. Garner subjected the use of deadly force to Fourth Amendment analysis. Just as an officer must have probable cause to search someone, they must have probable cause to fire on a fleeing suspect. Probable cause is limited to whether an officer reasonably believes that the suspect is an immediate threat to the officer or the surrounding public. Tennessee v. Garner set a standard for how courts handle police shootings of suspects. It provided a uniform way for courts to address the use of deadly force, asking them to decide whether a reasonable officer would have believed the suspect to be armed and dangerous. Sources Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1 (1985)

Analyse How Christian Religious Practices Influence the...

Analyse how Christian religious practices influence the lives of adherents. In your answer, refer to baptism. â€Å"Christianity has developed into a highly ritual-filled tradition and many of its significant practices are acts of public worship associated with the sacraments.† – Living Religion, 4th edition pg. 266. Ever since its inception, Christianity has been epitomised by a range of religious practices that explore the sacred beliefs that have been upheld and spread around the world. These practices thus continue to bear a significant influence over the lives of adherents and how they seek to express their faith in Christianity. One such religious practice is that of baptism which functions as a significant milestone in the life of any†¦show more content†¦Baptism has many inextricable ties to the beliefs that are held so very tightly by the Christian church and its adherents. It is one of the many traditions of the faith that seeks to express aspects of the religion that are essential to its practice. Baptism is linked to beliefs about: spiritual rebirth through Christ who seeks to cleanse and purify each individual from their sins, admission into the Christian Church and its mission, faith in the Holy Trinity, particularly in the power of the Holy Spirit which seeks to bring know ledge of God to the world as well as the need for salvation from eternal damnation as emphasised in Lewis Sperry Chafer’s book Major Bible Themes which states that: â€Å"...baptism when practiced can be no more than an expression of faith and the hope...that the child will ultimately be saved.† Baptism also highlights the Christian beliefs based on faith and repentance-reconciling with God and accepting one’s role as His son/daughter, participation in the life, death and resurrection of Christ by being able to partake in celebrating His sacrifice for mankind, and finally the forgiveness of sins- turning towards a life filled with God’s guidance and righteous presence. Baptism is often understood to symbolise the resurrection of Christ-the revival of the sinner to a life of righteousness. Romans 6:3-11: â€Å"Do you not know that all ofShow MoreRelatedRastafarian79520 Words   |  319 PagesCongress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Edmonds, Ennis Barrington. Rastafari : from outcasts to culture bearers / Ennis Barrington Edmonds. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-19-513376-5 1. Rastafari movement. 2. Jamaica—Religious life and customs. I. Title. BL2532.R37 E36 2002 299†².676—dc21 2002074897 v To Donnaree, my wife, and Donnisa, my daughter, the two persons around whom my life revolves; and to the ancestors whose struggles have enabled us to survive and

Observation of social situation Essay Example For Students

Observation of social situation Essay While systematically observing a social situation for approximatly one week, I have observed some common patterns of interaction and have rendered some possible explanations for these patterns of behavior. While there were some irregular observations, most of the behavior was consistent with that of my hypotheses. My research question involves the behavior of males versus females in the setting of a workout room or gym. I hyptohesized that males are more likely to interact with each other than females are, and males are more likely to use weights than females, while females are more likely to utilize aerobic activity machines more than males. All of these hypothesis will be further supported within the basis of my My basic observation technique included using qualitative research methods and concentrating on how people interacted with each other, how they themselves acted , and how other people reacted to them. This included using the participant observation technique where the researcher participates in the activities of the unit under study. All of my observations took place in both the Bream Wright Hauser weight room and the ________________ workout room. I chose to observe both of these locations because of the varitey of people who could be observed and the type of people who used both of these facilities. In the Bream Wright Hauser weight room, there are three step machines, and a bike located along the left wall, and the whold right side of the room includes weight machines to work various parts of the body. In the middle of the room and to the back are the free weights and weight benches. This room includes mostly weights and very few aerobic machines. In the______________ weight room, however, there are very few weight and an abundance of aerobic machines. One small corner contains weights and the rest of the room includes several step machines, bikes, and other aerobic machines. One observation which I noticed was that while the Bream Wright Hauser room included predominatly males with a few females, including myself, the ____________room comtained all women and no men. I think this is owed to the contents of the room. Even in Bream Wright Hauser, the small number of women tended to use the aerobic machines. This leads me to one observation that the women are much more likely to use the aerobic machines than men. Also, because there was not a single man in the ___________room, I also concluded that men tend to utilize the weights much more frequently than the aerobic machines. The situation which I observed is located on the Gettysburg College campus in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The participants include men and women in the age range of approximatly 18 23 who constitute a social aggregate. The number of participants vary from night to night and depending on the time of the day in which the observation is taken. The characteristics of the participants also vary but include both men and women from mostly middle class, white backgrounds who come together for the common goal of physical fitness. The patterns of interaction which I observed basically coinsided with the statements in Bibliography: .