Saint Augustine’s View on Sexuality Essay -- Religion

Saint Augustine’s View on Sexuality The famous bishop of Hippo, St. Augustine, is claimed as a cornerstone of Christian theology by both Catholics and Protestants. Many of his views are regarded by Christians as authoritative interpretations of the Bible because they have withstood heated debate throughout the centuries. Christians ought to ask, however, whether such allegiance is justifiable in all cases. Augustine's idea of sex after matrimony, for example, is very narrow, restricting actions and emotions married Christians today consider part of the beauty of intercourse. A logical assertion then, is that Augustine's view of sexuality, as delineated in many writings, is a response to his life of sensuality prior to salvation; therefore, his idea about the intent for sex within marriage stems more from his former sin than from Biblical perspective. St. Augustine's sordid lifestyle as a young man, revealed in Confessions, serves as a logical explanation for his limited view of the purpose of sexuality in marriage. His life from adolescence to age thirty-one was so united to passionate desire and sensual pleasure, that he later avoided approval of such emotions even within the sanctity of holy union. From the age of sixteen until he was freed of promiscuity fifteen years later, Augustine's life was woven with a growing desire for illicit acts, until that desire finally became necessity and controlled his will. His lust for sex began in the bath houses of Tagaste, where he was idle without schooling and "was tossed about†¦and boiling over in†¦fornications" (2.2). Also during that time, young Augustine displayed his preoccupation with sexual experience by fabricating vulgarities simply to impress his peers. In descript... ... Anderson, Douglas L., ed. Augustine. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1979. Augustine. The Confessions of St. Augustine: Books I-X. Trans. F.J. Sheed. New York: Sheed & Ward, 1942. Babcock, William S., ed. The Ethics of St. Augustine. Atlanta: Scholars P, 1991. Battenhouse, Roy W., ed. A Companion to the Study of St. Augustine. Grand Rapids: Baker,1955. Halsall, Paul. "St. Augustine: From 'On Marriage and Concupiscence.'" Internet Medieval Source Book. Oct. 1998. 3 Nov. 2000 <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/aug-marr.html>. Hooker, Richard. Early Christianity: Augustine. 6 Jun. 1999. 3 Nov. 2000 <http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/CHRIST/AUG.HTM>. Oates, Whitney J., ed. Basic Writings of Saint Augustine. 1948. 2 vols. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1980. Rist, John M. Augustine: Ancient Thought Baptized. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1994.

Do Environmental Hormone Mimics Pose a Potentially Serious Health Threat? Essay

Chemicals affecting human health have been a problem for the past years and have still been a growing problem for our society. Issue 10 is concerned about this problem. It is pointing out the major harms and the reasons for this problem. First, it is talking about the argument that is against these chemicals. After this, an argument that says these specific chemicals do not necessarily have an affect in human health is discussed. What I really find distrusting is the numbers and the facts given in each argument were different. First argument gives examples and facts from experiments. The exponential growth in the industrial use and marketing of synthetic chemicals (xenobiotics) have been affecting human health greatly. Their effects were seen far from their introduction sites and their harm was great (Pg184, 1st paragraph). â€Å"Scientists also have postulated a relationship between these chemicals (endocrine disruptors) and abnormalities and diseases in humans† (page 186, 1st paragraph). Even though their argument seems based on commonsense (chemicals interrupt human systems), they do not seem to rely on scientific data very much; they seem to gather data based on their conclusion whereas they should draw a conclusion based on their data. For example they are giving examples of animals such as mice, mollusks, river fish, alligators, and some bird species and talk about how some chemicals affect their natural systems. However, humans and animals are not exactly the same and they are still uncertain about the chemicals’ effects (pg190). Sheldon Krimsky is even accepting the fact about uncertainty; â€Å"A single chemical can have multiple effects on an organism that act through several mechanisms, not all of which involve hormone receptors†(pg189, 3rd paragraph). Complexity is another factor making this argument weak. Three reasons are given to support that it is hard to create a link between breast cancer and these chemicals in page 191, 5th paragraph. The argument also talks about policies and programs regarding these chemicals. Even though they have drawbacks the argument seems to fully support the new regulatory approach. Using the drawbacks of the first argument, uncertainty and complexity, the second argument proposes a powerful argument. First the argument gives four reasons why we cannot directly relate chemicals and human abnormalities. Other then these specific reasons, the second argument talks about uncertainty and complexity of the procedures of detecting the effects, and using this as a strong weapon. The summary par they provide is an effective tool that we have not seen in any issue before and helps the reader to gather all the information and sub-arguments into a single argument. Nevertheless, the second argument accepts the fact that some of the chemicals disrupt the human systems however, it is too hard to get rod of them since they are an important part of our lives (pg199, 2nd paragraph). All in all, I found the second argument more powerful. However, if prepared correctly and more efficiently, the first argument would have been much more persuasive. Lastly, I believe the second argument would be â€Å"perfect’ if it provided a solution to the case instead of saying it is too hard to deal with.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Mary, The Mother of Jesus By Angelus Djugash Virgin Mary Jesus is God. Jesus was born to Mary. Mary is the mother of God. St. Luke introduces Mary when the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin betrothed to a man Joseph (Lk: 1:26-27). The virgin’s name was Mary. Virgin means that one does not know human love, but only the love of God. It means that one has no other thought but for the Lord. It means to remain children in the flesh and angels in the heart. It means that one has no eyes but to look at God, and ears to listen to Him, and a mouth to praise Him, hands to offer oneself as a victim, feet to follow Him fast, and a heart and a life to be given to Him. (1) Mary is the Virgin. She is the Only One. She is the perfect One. The Complete One. Conceived as such. Generated as such. Remained such. Crowned such. Eternally such. She is the Virgin. She is the acme of intangibility, of purity, of grace that is lost in the Abyss from which it emerged: in God: most perfect Intangibility, Purity, Grace. 2) Mary, Seat of Wisdom God created Heaven and Earth. Jesus, Son of God is the author of Wisdom. Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus. Thus Mary becomes the mother of Wisdom. King Solomon prophesied Mary in a figurative style by the word wisdom. We read in Proverb â€Å" God possessed me (Mary) at the beginning of His works, from the beginning, before the Creation. From everlasting I was firmly set, in the beginning, before earth came into being, the deep did not yet exist, I was already conceived† in the minds of God. 3) â€Å"For in Mary there is a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent and pure and most subtle. For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her. For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of His goodness. Though she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets. For she is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be superior, for it is succeeded by the night. She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other, and she orders all things well. (4) Though she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets. For she is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be superior, for it is succeeded by the night. She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other, and she orders all things well. (4) Mary, the seat of Wisdom, would remember what was said, â€Å"When He marked out the foundations of the earth, I was beside him, like a master workman; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always, rejoicing in His inhabited world and delighting in the sons of men. † (3) Immaculate Mary God created Adam in His own image. (5) Therefore, Adam was the only man created by God ‘Immaculate’. The Lord God formed the woman Eve out from the rib of Adam. (6) They lived in grace at the Garden of Eden. In eternity God knew that they would err and disobey. He had the plan to redeem the first parents and their generations. For that He had to born as a human being. He chose His mother an eternal Virgin and Immaculate. The most Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved immune from all stain of original sin. (7) It was granted from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God. The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person ‘in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places’. He chose her ‘in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love’. (8) She is ‘redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her son, Jesus’. In the year 1858 when Our Blessed Lady appeared to St. Bernadette in Lourdes on March 25th, She said to her, â€Å"I Am The Immaculate Conception (Que Soy Era Immaculate Councepcion)†. She has been Our Immaculate Mother. She will ever be so until we climb up in the ladder of purity imitating her. (1) Chapter 6 – The poem of the Man-God, Page 39, Vol. 1 (2) Chapter 5 – The poem of the Man-God, Page 32, Vol. 1 (3) Proverb – 8:22-31 (4) Wisdom – 7:22-30 & 8:1 (5) Genesis – 1:27 (6) Genesis – 2:22 (7) Catechism of the Catholic Church – 491 (8) Catechism of the Catholic Church – 492

Movie response

Movie Is take on a dark portion of the history of U. S. And are able to Illustrate not only a Journey but highlight prolific periods In time. Hooligan's movie Is a true story of an American legend, Jackie Robinson, who broke the racial barrier In Major League Baseball and became one of the most Inspirational leaders In the fight for call rights and equality. Throughout the movie, Robinson Is faced with outrageous comments and unjust treatment from a variety of sources. There is one significant leader that mirrors the same passive actions as Robinson is Mr..Martin Luther King Jar. Along with having an impact on the activist, Robinson was able to open to door for African- American athletes, not just in baseball but in all sports. Robinson not only proved his race was capable of competing, but was able to change the stigma and stereotypes that African-Americans faced. Another area that would see the influence of Robinson, and that was shown in the movie, was the role of sports journalis t named Wendell Smith. Although the movie might have stretched the relationship of Robinson andSmith, there Is no denying the impact they had on each other. Smith was tasked with not only covering Robinson but finding him places to stay, as well as to help protect him. Robinson on the other hand did more than give Smith something to write about, but to help open the pathway for African-Americans to Join other fields, even sports journalism Jackie Robinson did more than change the game of baseball. He was able to curb stereotypes with humility, change the way people see those of a darker complexion, and begin to open the door for African-Americans to belong in any occupation.He was able to use the platform of being a professional athlete to help shed light on the atrocious treatment and inequality people of color were forced to face. Robinsons whole journey as well as the purpose can be summed up in his own quote movie 42 response By vested â€Å"42† movie is take on a dark po rtion of the history of U. S. And are able to illustrate not only a Journey but highlight prolific periods in time. Hooligan's movie is a true story of an American legend, Jackie Robinson, who broke the racial barrier in Major LeagueBaseball and became one of the most inspirational leaders in the fight for civil rights and equality. Throughout the movie, Robinson is faced with outrageous comments American athletes, not Just in baseball but in all sports. Robinson not only proved his and that was shown in the movie, was the role of sports Journalist named Wendell Smith, there is no denying the impact they had on each other. Smith was tasked with face. Robinsons whole Journey as well as the purpose can be summed up in his own.

Chinese Nationalism Essay Essay

A? er a long ? me of peace and success the Qing dynasty was the highest point of its power. However, as ? me passes they were harassed and humiliated by western powers, quickly the Qing dynasty collapsed. But the Qing collapsed due to the tremendous external pressures of moderniza? on that the west implemented. Extraterritoriality was a huge contribu? ng factor to the fall of the Qing dynasty. China set aside (ve coastal ports for the Bri? sh to use in the southern part of the country. From the start this was a bad idea, basically China was giving them a part of their land for them to save and make money o* of. This caused a limit on their taxes for imported goods. Essen? ally, the Bri? sh were saving and making so much money from this that their army prospered. The Bri? sh army grew because now that they had an outstanding amount of money they were able to cover the costs of war and spend the money on their own country. But it didn’t stop there; China also gave the Bri? sh the island of Hong Kong. This meant that they were able to obtain even more wealth by taking advantage of the land. The ac? On that China made which allowed the Bri? sh to use a part of their country was set up to fail, nothing good could have came out of this to help China which is why external pressures were such a big factor in the fall of the Qing dynasty. Similar to extraterritoriality, an interna? onal economy also caused a decline in the Qing dynasty. During the ? me European traders moved into China, China’s trade and industry were doing extremely in large ci? es. At this ? me, westerners forced China to join the interna? Onal economy; this was huge for China’s economy because it would reach its utmost height; but in the long run was not bene(cial for China at all. Imperialism started to become a problem in China. Many of the Chinese were being used, and it caused a state of dependence on China. Also due to imperialism China was in a period of underdevelopment. This meant that because of foreign countries taking advantage of China; instead of the pro(ts Chinas new economy was making going to its own country it went to foreign na? ons. Chinas industry and trade went through a ? Me of deteriora? ng, which caused the economy to go down and China as a whole to weakening. China was also being used for its land and resources, which is why Jack Petersohn History in-class essay other countries were â€Å"carving up the Chinese melon†. Many European and western countries wanted to have a piece of China; therefore they were â€Å"carving up the Chinese melon†. These foreign na? ons forced China to reform to new ways and change even though they wanted to keep tradi? on. For example westerners introduced China to new means of transporta? On and technology. China may have enjoyed and used these new advances but it took them away from their tradi? on; this caused an outbreak for rebellion and revolt. Therefore triggering a decline in the na? on due to external pressures. The foreign in6uences on China caused the Qing dynasty to struggle in maintaining power. Westerners use China for its individual economical bene(ts while China was in a ? me of stress and were barely keeping power. Eventually China declined and the Qing dynasty fell due to the external pressures.

Toyota Organizational Culture Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Toyota Organizational Culture - Assignment Example Toyota is one of the most well-known automobile manufacturers in the world. In 2010 the company was regarded as the largest company by production in the automobile sector. The sales of Toyota have grown significantly in the first decade of the 21st century making the company the largest in the automobile sector. Toyota offers a wide range of products to customers and this allows the company to cater to the demand of many kinds of consumers. The company employs more than 300,000 employees worldwide and this depicts how large a name Toyota is. Toyota came up with its lean production system that reduces costs and increases production. The culture of the company is of continuous improvement. All processes are designed so that maximum value can be given to the consumers. All processes that do not add value to the consumers are removed so that the company focuses on value creation specifically. The culture of continuous improvement allows employees to focus on the core function of the company. The lean production system or commonly known as ‘lean culture’ is focused on quality and reduction of waste. In this section we will use cultural web as a tool to analyze the culture of Toyota. The cultural web is a useful tool for conducting a cultural audit of an organization. It includes paradigm, power, organization, control systems, rituals and routines, stories, and symbols. All these factors can help us understand the culture of Toyota. Paradigm tells the main business of the company and the way in which the company operates. It encompasses all the basic information about the company alongside with vision and focus of the company.

Violence among Nursing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Violence among Nursing - Assignment Example 1. Using Inductive Analysis, look at all of your data and begin to organize it into groups. Inductive analysis entails discovering patterns, themes, and categories of data (Johnson, 2005). This survey captures a sample size of 239 nurses. Group 1 Gender 20-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 >60 Totals % # Surveys Female 28 21 17 33 6 105 43.9% 239 Male 0 0 0 0 0 0       # Years RN                         36 0 0 0 2 4 6 5.7%    # Yrs @ current facility                      36 0 0 0 1 1 2 1.9%    no answer 0 0 1 0 0 1 1.0%    Group 2. ... 16 11 28 6 83 79.0% Divisiveness 21 16 14 24 6 81 77.1% Lack of cohesiveness 20 14 13 24 5 76 72.4% Silent treatment 24 19 13 27 6 89 84.8% None of the above 0 0 0 1 0 1 1.0% Group 3 Victims of Horizontal Violence Female Nurses Age Bracket 20-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 >60 Total percentage    Yes 21 15 8 22 3 69 65.7% No 7 6 9 10 3 35 33.3% no answer 0 0 0 1 0 1 1.0% The first group of data captures the number of female nurses who have been into the nursing profession and the current health facility in which they are working. The age bracket of the nurses ranges from twenty to sixty years and above. The number of years in the nursing profession captured in this first group varies from less than two years to more than thirty-six years. The total number of nurses interviewed in this survey amount to 239. The second group of the survey data comprises of different forms of violence against nurses. These varieties of abuses range from minor to dangerous ones. The minor categories of abuse inc lude gossiping, non-verbal innuendos, and sarcastic comments while the dangerous ones comprise backstabbing. The third group of the data looks at incidences of victims in the nursing profession. The data captures female nurses of age bracket of twenty and above sixty years. Describe patterns and themes that converge from three different data sources The data in second group presents a number of recurring forms of Violence among nurses in different age brackets. Some of the recurring forms of abuse comprise of withholding information, belittling gestures, abuse of legitimate authority, silent treatment, and nonverbal innuendos. The data in table two report a pattern of violence that is similar in the age brackets of 20-30 and 51-60 years. These two groups have the highest cases of violence