Understanding the context of the bible

Understanding the context of the bible Understanding the context of the bible Introduction Although the bible is a superb story-book, full of exciting tales well told, But it is more than just a collection of stories. Tthere is one big story told by the whole collection of individual stories. The centre of it is God, and all what he did in this world and for human race.[1] The bible was written by people in order to be understood by people, but there are some hindrances that makes difficult for it to be understood in its original meaning,[2] this is a demands when you interpret it you must consider the importance of historical, geographical and cultural context for effective preaching? Because if you miss Gods meaning you are no longer had? Gods word because you have to know what it says, understands what it mean, for this reason it must be interpreted in order to get a meaning, because this creates a gap in our understanding the original meaning of scriptures. The only way to get everything right on it is to consider its historical, geographical and cultural context.[3] So in this essay we will look the land of the bible geographical constitute the arena in which God chose uniquely to speak and act?[4] Because Gods revelation touches specific times and places. Geographically account begins in the so-called Ancient Near East or the present-day Middle East.[5] This essay will explain the importance of understanding the geographical context of the bible for effective preaching, because the purpose of preaching is for people to get the meaning of the bible. It is very much important to understand the bible passage in its historical context looking to the authors views. And place of writing also the reason for writing who were the readers political economic social religious legal ethically all will help in understanding the meaning of the passage, particular purpose and occasion. Culture is what people believe what they say, what they do, wear, eat make or practice with different customs would that cultural practice have the same significance today if not is there a timeless principle that could be practised today but in a different way? Geographical it is very important to consider that the bible was written in a different land in this way it will be easy to interpret it correctly. In stressing the necessity of determining the original meaning of the bible, John Chrysostom, also called the Golden Mouth He maintained that the bible is the infallible word of God and his exegesis was both spiritual and practical.[6] The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are clear infallible revelation of Gods will and His salvation. The Bible is the Word of God, and alone is the standard which all teaching and experience must be tested (2Tim. 3:15, 17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 2Thess. 3:14; Heb. 4:12). 1. Historical meaning The historical context provides us with the author, date, original audience, purpose, theme, and other important information about historical or background setting of the book, Scripture is an authentic, reliable record of history and Gods acts in history. It provides the normative theological interpretation of those acts. The supernatural acts re ­vealed in Scripture are historically true. For example, chapters 1-11 of Genesis are a factual account of historical events. The Antioch exegetes pose historical questions. They say the word in a passage of scripture must be understood and interpreted historically, that is, in terms of their ordinary meaning.[7] According to Augustine in Alexandrian and Antioch and methods, this means that to him each biblical text has literal (that is, historical) and figurative (that, is Spiritual) meaning. The most important thing, in short, in hermeneutical skill depends upon (1) ones knowing the bibles use of language properly and precisely, as well as distinguishing and representing to oneself the historical circumstances of a biblical discourse; (2) ones being able to speak today of these matters in such a way as the changed times and circumstances of our fellow human demand.[8] 1.1Interpret the bible in view of historical It is important that each and every verse or passage of scripture to be interpreted in its historical, in historical setting we consider firstly the author Walter Kaiser, JR says Interpreters often can understand authors better than they understand themselves. The promise that this saying appears to hold is that there is a stratum of thought, an inner form of the work (Dilthey), which in the creative process bypassed the authors consciousness, but is now left for the interpreter to uncover.[9] But for Schleiermacher, his technical and psychological interpretation (Ernestis subtilitas explicandi) involved the additional step of personally assimilating the subject by determining or attempting to reconstruct the mental process of the author-an altogether impossible task. We notice three divisions of the bible as well as in the New Testament is that in each case there are a number of distant of development in the formation of the Scriptures. There is original historical event in which the revelation is attested to or spoken of, then a period oral tradition, a period of fragmentary accounts, and finally books and collections of books as we have them today. Thus the meaning of a text always goes beyond what its author intended, and the true sense is an unending process which is never exhausted or captured by an infinite line of interpreters! So, as we read the bible, we need to keep asking ourselves; what did the author intend to convey by this? What is he actually asserting? What will his original hearers have understood him to have meant? As we attempt to transport ourselves back into the authors mind and times, and to listen to his words as if we were among his first readers, we shall need particularly to consider the situation, the style and the language in which [10] 1.1.1 The date of writing If we are to understand the text it is important to know the times in which he wrote. On the other side to know something of the conditions in which these books were written is to better understand the text itself.[11] A list of significant biblical dates to provide a framework for the flow of biblical History, The Patriarchal Era (1800-1290), Exodus and the Period of the Judges (1290-1050), Early Israelite Monarchy (1050-750), Assyrian Dominance (750-640 BC), The Rise of Babylon and Exile (640-538), the Persian Period and Return (538-323), the Greek Wars/Maccabean Period (323-63), the Rise of Rome (63-3)Chart of the reigns of kings of the United Monarchy and the Divided Kingdoms of Israel and Judah to the fall of Jerusalem (1050 586 BC), colours coded to show good and bad kings, as well as those deposed or assassinated.[12] 1.1.2 Place of writing Its context in scripture is the place where it is found. So each text must be understood both its historical and its scriptural background. Like the first testimony to the revelation of God was often given long before the written document this where Jacob called the place where God appear to him Bethel[13] Gen28:17) 1.1.3 Reason for writing Who wrote it and to whom? In what circumstances, for what reason it is the situation in which it was written. 1.1.4 Readers Although it was given to those who lived in an ancient Near Eastern/Mediterra ­nean context, the Bible transcends its cultural backgrounds to serve as Gods Word for all cultural, racial, and situational contexts in all ages.[14] 1.1.5 Political The bible gives relatively little direction on specific political and legal models. As a result Christianity is (or should be) politically non-partisan in the sense that no particular political system or philosophy can be truly defined as biblical or Christian. The bibles focus is on the ethical and spiritual relationships which inform the individuals of any given society.[15] Therefore individual Christians are free to choose and endorse political and legal systems (or parts of) which promote justice and good governance, so that people everywhere have their God-given dignity respected. As part of these two key political outcomes should be of special interest to Christians: First, (1 Tim 2) calls Christians to pray for (and support) government which allows people to hear the good news about Jesus Christ: I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. Second, while love of neighbour is a universal command (Matt 22:37-40; Luke 10:25-37; Rom 13:8-10) the bible has particular concern for the needy and marginalized. Neglect of these groups is frequently a reason for Gods judgment upon the ancient nation of Israel. For instance the prophet Zechariah delivered this message of condemnation: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another [11] But they refused to listen [12] Therefore great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 7:9 -12) 1.1.6 Social What are the various reconstructions of the specific context to which your text is addressed or in which it has been written? (The story behind the text) What alternate reconstructions have been suggested? E.g., the different theories about Pauls opponents in Galatians[16] or, the identification of large parts of Deuteronomy with the scroll found in the Temple as described in 2 Kings. (Note: Reconstructing a specific context is more difficult for the Pentateuch than for a prophetic book like Jeremiahor a letter of Paul where the specific situation is clearer.) 1.1.7 Religious Like circumcision of the Jewish nation (Gen 34:14-17, 22) and the term uncircumcised for the Gentiles Galm2:7-8; Col3:11. These are the historical religion of the bible that needs to be understood and interpreted in their context, so that the message of the bible will give a meaning to people.[17] 1.1.8 Legal An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth (Exodus 21:23-25)John 19:10-11Do you refuse to speak to me? Pilate said. Dont you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you? Jesus answered; you would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.The eye for an eye principle can be seen as a legal application of the golden rule (Matt 7:12): Do to others what you would have them do to you. Both principles assume that we humans are equal and should treat each other in an equal and fair manner. If we harm another fellow human we at the same time admit that according to the spirit of these principles that others (i.e. the state governed by law) can do the If a woman has intercourse before marriage (Deut 22:20-21).Same to us.For the Lord is a God of retribution; he will repay in full. Jer 51:56) 1.1.9 Ethical Many of the major problems in our time have to do with morals. In public life we have witnessed a breakdown of ethical standards. What is right? What is wrong? If the Bible gives an accurate description of Moses views, then by modern standards some of his commands might amount to calls for murder, war crimes or slavery. For instance, according to Numbers 31:15-18, he called for the massacre of boys and the enslavement of female children to Israelite veterans of the Midian war (kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the little girls among the women, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for you). It is important to note, however, that such ethical dilemmas can be cited without an adequate understanding of the historical context. In contrast, believers in the accuracy of the Bible can use assumptions to discourage exploration. But religions opponents can also discourage further exploration by making debatable assumptions about a text, classifying the intent of the text as immoral, and thereby dismissing the text as unreliable. In the above example some readers may infer an implied equality between slavery under Mosaic Law and slavery as understood in the New World. The political context of rights (individual v the state) doesnt appear to capture the bibles emphasis on responsibility. Despite these limitations, human rights have proven an extremely useful way to protect the dignity, freedom and equality of individuals. Equality is sometimes controversial but the bible underlines the inherent equality of all people in several ways: Every person is made in the image of God.[18] (Gen 1:27) All are sinners and equally in need of redemption (Rom 3:19-26, esp. there is no distinction) Hierarchies based on social rank, ethnic background and gender are counter to the gospel (Gal 3:28; James 2:1-10) In fact, God frequently favours people who are regarded as lesser in the eyes of people: But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) 2. Geographical The bible was written in a different land, it is impossible to understand the meaning of the bible without some knowledge of its geographical setting, and the story of the bible touches specific times and places. Geographically, the account begins in the so-called Ancient Near East or present-day Middle East. It includes the area known today as Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.[19] It is important to understand that the whole bible takes place in a rough rectangle of land five hundred miles from north to south and one thousand miles from east to west. Yet the very mention of geography especially bible geography, is enough to switch some people off. Some people who have no taste for geography if the bible gives a list o Kings of Israel and Judah in their chronological order. May ask rather impatiently why God did not reveal himself in a rather remote geographical context, so that we have to struggle to understand the context, so that we have to struggle before we can grasp the revelation?[20] God want to deal with us in our situation of time and place, as he dealt with the biblical characters in theirs. To understand his ways, we must understand this, we must know something of both where and when it all happened thats the importance of understanding and interpreting the bible in its geographical context, we must be able to visualise it. Consider the land of the bible including terrain, topography, weather, transportation, distance, cities, and agriculture, the land of the bible was highly with mountains, desert and seas, rivers, plains and coastline, Luke 10:30-37Jesus story of a good Samaritan this road made travellers to be vulnerable to robbers they could easily hide in the rocky place we see the valuable geographical context for the meaning of the story, preaching or giving the meaning of the passage it needs an understanding of the context in which the authors was writing on. Geographical context Consider the land of the bible including terrain, topography, weather, transportation, distance, cities, and agriculture, the land of the bible was highly with mountains, desert and seas, rivers, plains and coastline, Luke 10:30-37) Jesus story of a good Samaritan this road made travellers to be vulnerable to robbers they could easily hide in the rocky place we see the valuable geographical context for the meaning of the story, preaching or giving the meaning of the passage it needs an understanding of the context in which the authors was writing on. 3. Cultural settings It is very important that the bible to be interpretation including its cultural institutions and terms, and to make them into normative teaching on a par with any other in- junction of Scripture. Consider the culture in which author lived in order to understand what he meant. Culture is valuable only if the culture is in the passage. For instance Jesus conversation with the woman in the well is culturally significant because the bible says Jews had no dealings with Samaritans John 4:9) Contrast of ancient tribal cultures concern with community and communal ways of thinking with modern individualism, and its implications for understanding Scripture. A paper dealing with the Israelite appropriation of metaphors, symbols, and conceptual categories from the pool of ancient Middle Eastern culture, noting both the similarities and differences, and the implications both for understanding the OT, as well as for addressing the modern conflict of science and religion, to further complicate thi ngs, the original authors, while writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote in their own personal style using illustrations relating to their particular culture and history. Distinguishing between Scripture that is cultural relative and that which is relative for all times can sometimes be very difficult.[21] Theres not enough space here to deal with it adequately, but generally, to find the timeless principles, look to the Bibles core message (those messages that stay consistent across many cultures), the inherently moral or immoral items, and the items that are expressly accepted or forbidden (those which the Scriptures merely acknowledge). Guidelines for determining whether a passage is culturally bound or applicable today: What was the purpose of the cultural practice or teaching? Would that cultural practice have the same significance today but in a different way? Assume every teaching or practice of scripture is applicable today unless-but Mark 2:18-21 every cultural practice and tradition must be measured against the teaching of Gods word. Culture is what people believe say do wear eat make practice and how they think or process information[22]. Since God revelation was given in particular cultural setting and the social customs which from the background of some biblical instruction are entirely foreign to those of our day. Are we then rejecting the teachings because are culturally dated? It is better to accept the biblical instruction itself as permanently binding, but to translate it into contemporary cultural terms. John Stott mentions one of the more difficult examples which caused a tension between the permanently valid and culturally dated concerns the status, behaviour and dress of women. More especially when Paul addresses the church in Corinth the veiling of women, head covering when prophesying, here Stott says we must find other social customs which express a womans acceptance of the authority which God has given to man.[23] Consider the culture in which the author lived in order to understand what he meant. Culture is valuable only if the culture is in the passage. For instance Jesus conversation with the woman in the well is culturally significant because the bible says Jews had no dealings with Samaritans John 4:9).Contrast of ancient tribal cultures concern with community and communal ways of thinking with modern individualism, and its implications for understanding Scripture. Conclusion This essay describes the bible as superb story-book, full of exciting tales well told. It shows it as more than just a collection of stories but what is centred one big story which told by the whole collection of individual stories. The centre of it is God, and all what he did in this world and for human race.Since God revelation was given in particular cultural setting and the social customs which from the background of some biblical instruction are entirely foreign to those of our day Bibliography Burden, J.J., E.E, Deist., Biblical Studies (Honours) Biblical exposition (South Africa: University of Pretoria, 1992) Kaiser. Walter Jr., Toward An Exegetical Theology (Michigan: Baker book house, 1987) Stott, R.W John., Understanding The Bible (London: Scripture union, 1973) Schroeder, David., Learning to Know the Bible (Pennsylvania: Faith and life press, 1967) Towns, R.L Elmer., Bible Answers for almost all your questions (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc, 2003) William, H.Green., General Introduction to the Old Testament (Michigan: Baker book House, 1980) Gorder, P.R., The Old Testament Present (Michigan: Radio Bible Class 1982) Kaiser, Otto., Introduction to the Old Testament (Great Britain: , 1973) Drane,John., Introduction the Old Testament (England: Lion Publishing, 1987) Dyer, Charles., Eugene, Merrill., Old Testament Survey (Nashville: Word Publishing,2001) Purkiser, W.T Exploing The Old Testament (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1940) John Macquarrie., James Childress., A New Dictionary of Christian Ethics(London:SCM,1993) Harris, Marvin., Cultural Anthropology (New York: Harper Row, Publishers,1987) [1] Alexandra,Pat,.David Alexandra .,Zondervan Handbook To The Bible(Michigan: Lion publishing,1999),p.18 [2] Burden, Deist., Biblical Studies (Honours) Biblical Exposition,p.3 [3] Burden, Deist., Biblical Studies(Honours) Biblical exposition ,p.4 [4] Stott., Understanding The Bible (London: Scripture union,1973 ),p.35 [5] Stott., Understanding The Bible (London: Scripture union,1973 ),p.37 [6] Burden, Deist., Biblical Studies(Honours) Biblical exposition (South Africa: University of Pretoria,1992),p.4 [7] Burden., Deist., Biblical studies (Honours) Biblical exposition,p.3 [8] Walter,C.Kaiser Jr., Toward An Exegetical Theology (Michigan: Baker book house,1987) ,p.27 [9] Kaiser Jr., Toward An Exegetical Theology,p.35 [10] John, R.W, Stott., Understanding The Bible,p.225 [11] David, Schroeder., Learning To Know The Bible (Pennsylvania: Faith and life press, 1967),p.84 [12] American Academy of Religion,1955 [13] David, Schroeder., Learning To Know The Bible,p.39 [15]John,Macquarrie., James Childress., A New Dictionary of Christian Ethics(London:SCM,1993),p.484 [16]William, Hendriksen., Galatians Ephesians(Edinbuburgh:The banner of truth,1999),P.22 [17] Elmer, R. L. Towns., Bible Answers for almost all your questions (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, inc,2003),p.8 [18] Dyer, Charles., Eugene, Merrill., Old Testament Survey (Nashville: Word Publishing,2001) ,p.7 [19] David, Schroeder., Learning To Know The Bible (Pennsylvania: Faith and life press, 1967),p.17 [20] John, R.W, Stott., Understanding The Bible,p.33 [21] Harris, Marvin., Cultural Anthropolog ( New York: Harper Row,Publishers,1987),P.46 [22] Harris, Marvin., Cultural Anthropology,P.47 [23] John, R.W, Stott., Understanding The Bible (London: Scripture union,1973 ),p,229

The Fate of The Donner Party Essay -- American History, Cannibalism Th

Desperate times call for desperate measures. This advice has been used as a way to justify questionable actions in times of despair for many years. Following the advice, the Donner Party did whatever they could to survive. Stuck in a snowstorm, the group is believed to have reverted back to animalistic ways, and devoured each other to survive. While no one knows the truth of that fateful winter, many agree that cannibalism was their main form of survival. Though the Donner Party’s travels were not well documented and many details remain controversial, it is evident that they resorted to cannibalism to survive. During their western voyage, the group notoriously known as the â€Å"Donner Party† inevitably became trapped in a snowstorm in the winter of 1846 and 1847. Originally, the group set out for California in search of new opportunities. Figure 1 shows the path that the party followed to arrive in their set destination. After departing from Springfield, Illinois, the Donner’s first stop was in Independence, Missouri where they joined the rest of their traveling companions. The party had then planned on arriving at Fort Bridger to join another expedition, but they were too late and the expedition left without them (Johnson, 1). They left from Fort Bridger on July 31, 1846 using their own navigation skills in hopes of landing at their destination (Diamond, 2). When an unfortunate snowstorm hit, the group was left stranded. To make matters worse, they were split up between Truckee Lake and Alder Creek. They struggled during this time for they had few supplies and a limited fo od source. Of the 81 person party, only 45 survived the horrendous conditions (Johnson, 1). That number of casualties may seem fairly typical based on the condit... ... alone is irrational let alone poor reasoning to enforce the disagreement. They did most likely consume wild animals but were in no way dependent on them. Out of desperation, the Donner Party had to have resorted to cannibalism. The Donner Party experienced harsh measures and had to come to extremely important decisions regarding survival. Many still deny the possibility that the party resorted to cannibalism in spite of a serious lack of proof and virtually no records of the events stating otherwise. On the other hand, many just â€Å"want to tell the story of their life over those final months, not just of cannibalism. [They] wasn’t to restore the humanity to the members of that party – and to their descendants† (Bailey, 1). Despite such controversy, the party has ultimately been linked to cannibalism, and based on the events, that is most obviously what occurred.

Impact on Environment by Mining Essay

Overview Rainforests are the biggest source of oxygen, wood and medicines on this earth. Amazon rainforest is known for alluvial gold deposits. Gold is found both in river channels and at the banks of the river after floods (floodplains). Hydraulic mining techniques are used for mining gold. The method involves blasting at the banks of the river. This has caused irreversible damage to trees, birds and animals. While separating the sediment and mercury from the gold-yielding gravel deposits, small-scale miners who are less equipped than industrial miners, may ignore release of some mercury into the river. This mercury enters the food chain through aquatic animals and their predators. Highly poisonous compound ‘cyanide’ is also used to separate gold from sediment and rock. In spite of all precautionary measures, it sometimes escapes into the surrounding environment. Those who eat fish are at greater risk of ingesting such toxins. Read more:  Bad Effects of Festivals on Environment Effect on Land Deforestation: Mining requires large areas of land to be cleared so that the earth could be dug into by the miners. For this reason, large-scale deforestation is required to be carried out in the areas where mining has to be done. Besides clearing the mining area, vegetation in the adjoining areas also needs to be cut in order to construct roads and residential facilities for the mine workers. The human population brings along with it other activities that harm the environment. For example, various activities at coal mines release dust and gas into the air. Thus, mining is one of the major causes of deforestation and pollution. Loss of Biodiversity: The forests that are cleared for mining purposes are home to a large number of organisms. Indiscriminate clearing of the forests leads to loss of habitat of a large number of animals. This puts the survival of a large number of animal species at stake. The cutting down of trees in itself is a big threat to a number of plants, trees, birds and animals growing in the forests. Pollution: Despite measures being taken to release the chemical waste into the nearby rivers through pipes, a large amount of chemicals still leak out onto the land. This changes the chemical composition of the land. Besides  this, since the chemicals are poisonous, they make the soil unsuitable for plants to grow. Also, the organisms that live in the soil find the polluted environment hostile for their survival. Effect on Water Pollution: Chemicals like mercury, cyanide, sulfuric acid, arsenic and methyl mercury are used in various stages of mining. Most of the chemicals are released into nearby water bodies, and are responsible for water pollution. In spite of tailings (pipes) being used to dispose these chemicals into the water bodies, possibilities of leakage are always there. When the leaked chemicals slowly percolate through the layers of the earth, they reach the groundwater and pollute it. Surface run-off of just soil and rock debris, although non-toxic, can be harmful for vegetation of the surrounding areas. Loss of Aquatic Life: Release of toxic chemicals into the water is obviously harmful for the flora and fauna of the water bodies. Besides the pollution, mining processes require water from nearby water sources. For example, water is used to wash impurities from the coal. The result is that the water content of the river or lake from which water is being used gets reduced. Organisms in these wate r bodies do not have enough water for their survival. River dredging is a method adopted in case of gold mining. In this method, gravel and mud is suctioned from a particular area of the river. After the gold fragments are filtered out, the remaining mud and gravel is released back into the river, although, at a location different from where they had been taken. This disrupts the natural flow of the river that may cause fish and other organisms to die. Previously buried metal sulfides are exposed during mining activities. When they come in contact with the atmospheric oxygen, they get converted into strong sulfuric acid and metal oxides. Such compounds get mixed up in the local waterways and contaminate local rivers with heavy metals. Spread of Diseases Sometimes the liquid waste that is generated after the metals or minerals have been extracted is disposed in a mining pit. As the pit gets filled up by the mine tailings, they become a stagnant pool of water. This becomes the  breeding ground for water-borne diseases causing insects and organisms like mosquitoes to flourish. Examples of the Environmental Impact of Mining 1. Environmental Impact of Mining In Guyana In 1995, in Guyana, more than four billion liters of waste water that contained cyanide, slipped into a tributary of the Essequibo; when the tailings dam, which was filled with cyanide waste, collapsed. All the fish in the river died, plant and animal life was completely destroyed, and floodplain soils were heavily poisoned, making the land useless for agriculture. The main source of drinking water for the local people was also polluted. This was a major set-back for the eco-tourism industry on the river. When trees are cut (forest clearing for the construction of roads and mines, wood for the immigrated people, workers, etc.) and water sources are contaminated, animal populations migrate or die. Moreover, hunters are hired to feed the people working at the mining sites. 2. Mining in Goa Illegal mining in Goa is being projected as a bigger scam than Bellary. While revenue losses from illegal mining has been estimated at about Rs 3,000 crore, the loss by way of damage to the environment and loss of livelihood has not been estimated. | | Take the instance of Caurem village in Quepem taluka in south Goa. It has 2,000 families whose farms have been destroyed by illegal mines operating in the area. The silt from mining has entered the fields which now resemble a large quagmire. Tukaram Velip, a resident says that the perennial stream that irrigated the village fields is polluted and agriculture has been completely destroyed. People are left with no means of earning their living, he says.Most of the mines in the state are concentrated in four talukas—Bicholim in north Goa, and Sattari, Sanguem and Quepem talukas in south Goa. Activists say that an estimated 100,000 people living in the villages in these four talukas are affected. Besides loss of livelihood, they are also suffering from the adverse effects of air noise and water  pollution. â€Å"Mining has caused irreversible damage to forests, agriculture, fisheries and water aquifers,† says Abhijit Prabhudesai, member of Goyencha Xetkarancho Ekvott (GXE), a non-profit in Margaon city. He says the government has allowed mining even in forest areas despite the presence of wildlife. The mining has also affected the Salaulim dam on the Salaulim river in Sangeum taluka, which supplies drinking water to half the state’s population, besides providing water for irrigation and to industries. Over 20 mines are operating in the vicinity of the dam. Heavy silt has settled in the dam reservoir because of mining. An official in the state water resources department admits that mining has damaged the state’s water resources and says the department is now reassessing the life span of the Salaulim dam. The dam was commissioned in the 1970s with an expected life span of 100 years. A study conducted by The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) in 1994 showed excess iron and manganese levels in the Salaulim reservoir water. â€Å"This was when mining was at a much lower scale as compared to present level of mining. We have repeatedly asked the government to conduct a study on water availability and quality, but nothing has been done till date,† says Prabhudesai. 3. Environmental Impacts Of Mining On Bundelkhand Region In the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, mining has had a huge negative impact on the environment. A Study was done to quantitatively evaluate the extent of the impact and the results were disappointing. The desirable limit of Fe is 0.3 mg/l and maximum permissible limit is 1.0 mg/l as per Indian standards. If water content more than these limit gives brackish color and bitter or metallic taste, therefore may not be use for drinking purposes. Concentrations of Cu in GW and SW samples varies from 0.029 to 0.088 mg/l and 0.039 to 0.062 in all the three seasons indicates that samples have more than permissible limit of Cu (

Free sample - Modern religious faiths characteristics. translation missing

Modern religious faiths characteristics. Modern religious faiths characteristicsModern religious faiths characteristics Today, millions of people worship various religions around the globe. Two of the major religions in the world are Hinduism and Judaism and they have coexisted for very many years. Whereas they are similar in the way they set their morals and rules, they differ in their believes on the afterlife and on where they started from. While the Jews believe of the heaven as their afterlife, Hindus have a belief that one is reincarnated until he/she reaches the Brahma. Jews have a belief that if one did right in everything while on earth, then they shall expend the eternity in Heaven with their God. Bhaskarananda, 1994 argues that Hindus have believed in Karma which is the faith that if you do good things, then excellent things shall come about to you and vice versa. When one dies in Hinduism, he/she reaches the Brahma where the hurting cycle of rebirth is lastly ended. In Judaism one is supposed to lead a good life and to be kind to each and everyone. If one attains success at this, he/she will lead the whole of eternity in heaven with God. The Jews, adore only one god, who they trust to be the one and only creator and the ruler. Hindus endorse and believe in the Caste System, which is interrelated with their view on reincarnation. Jews necessarily lack this system because they do not characteristically concur with the thought of reincarnation, despite the fact that there are a few, the structure does not subsist as a major thing to this religion. Jews do not have an exact method of steady body discipline, to remain on the unchanged focus as their god, they do something to some extent the same. This is how they pray their God. For Hindus, Yoga is practiced, which is intended to bring their bodies and their souls on the same level and conveys them nearer to the Ultimate Being. According to Hinduism, remaining pure in life and keeping a good karma, as a result of their good dealings on earth is the key to staying a good life. Those who live both socially and morally pure, they get to have their way upwards the Caste System in their after that incarnation. After some reincarnations, the Hindus may accomplish their ultimate goal, which is to achieve faultless peace of mind, and to be one with Brahma. This happens when they have gone through a life having done no mistakes, and have been â€Å"perfect† in essence. In Judaism an individual endeavors to relate well with their god. Throughout their single life that they go through, they have a trust in God, â€Å"both love him, and reverently fear him† (Louis, 2007. Pg 511), and to establish a close relationship with him. This is their supreme objective. When they achieve such, â€Å"They will be rewarded by God, the messiah will come, and the dead will be resurrected† (Louis, 2007. Pg 511). T he religions most likely wanted its faction to believe in these, for the reason that it gave them something to look ahead to, and it presented them with grounds to be good throughout their life. According to Robert in his anthology of world scriptures, the Hindus have a somewhat unique view on death. Someone who dies, if they are not yet entirely pure, they are reincarnated into another incarnation. This helps them continue their path to ultimate peace and unification with the Ultimate Being (Bhaskarananda, 1994). If a Hindu has no black marks on his soul, and is absolutely pure, they may find this ultimate peace and unification. Their soul will no longer remain in a human body/vessel, but will be one with Brahma. The Jewish view on death is that it’s not something to grieve over, because it is all part of Gods plan, so their time of death, even if it may seem untimely, was planned, and timed perfectly. If the person led a good life, they can look forward to a nice afterlife, similar to the Christian Heaven, but not exactly the same. As they all know that a good person is going to a good place when they die, the death of another is not typically a sad occasion, but th ere may be grieving, in which there is a set process so a mourner can slowly return to a normal life. So after looking at both Hinduism and Judaism, which are some of our oldest popular religions, we can conclude that they are both indeed different. They differ a lot in some of the greater points, such as their 3 main focuses of their religion, their goal of life, and their views on death and dying. As we saw though, these could be somewhat similar in that their goal of life was closely intertwined with their views of death and dying. Though, they are typically different, otherwise. This shows that the religions, Hinduism and Judaism, are some of the most differing religions, as well as some of the most ancient. Robert in his anthology of world scriptures informs that Hinduism was started in India while Judaism started in Israel many years later. The Aryans were the first of the Indian people to establish the Vedas which formed the foundations of the Hindu as a religion. Every law that followed as well as the moral standards of Hinduism was founded off of the Vedas. In Israel just about 3000 B.C.E. people started worshiping God, and live according to the teachings of Moses. Torah, their holy book, comprised of various writings that were supposedly prepared by Moses throughout his 950 year life. These books have teachings about the same moral standards such as; don’t kill, steal, or commit adultery. Most probably, these religions started off where and in the way they did, for the reason that the governments required a way to maintain their people in line, so they came up with these standards and rules by which people could live by. While these two religions differ in some way, they have some similarities like in how they have some particular rules that must be obeyed by their followers who must do so to get to Nirvana. Each of these religions has got guild lines that state what one should do to appease their gods or God and how to be a good person. All of these rules and guild lines have been put down in their holy books; the Vedas and the Torah. These religions most probably had rule books to ensure that the people went by the accurate path and carried out the correct things in life so as to get to a happy and eternal afterlife. Judaism and Hinduism have several differences based on their origins and on their ideas of an afterlife, but they also have some similarities in the way they share laid down regulations that their faction ought to live by. These two religions have got a massive impact on the contemporary, for the reason that they are still put into practice by millions of people across the globe. They educate people how to lead truthful life, and how to be good to other people while they live on Earth. All interviews were done in person with two active members of Judaism and Hinduism. The chosen members are all youthful followers of the two religions respectively. The Hindu is a young man of age 24 years, single, staunch follower of Hinduism as a religion and studying in an American university. Here below are the questions I asked and responses from the young man: 1) What is your religious denomination? Well, I am a part of the Hinduism religion. 2) For how long have you practiced Hinduism? I was born into Hinduism as I was born in India. 3) State three tenets of your religion? The three I can think of off the top of my head is Brahmin, Brahna, and Reincarnation. 4) Who was the founding father Hinduism? The founder of my religion is not known and even the date it started is also not known. 5) What do you love about your religion? I love the fact that my religion is very old. The Orthodox Judaism is a university male student, 23years of age, single, and not a strong follower of Orthodox Judaism as a religion. My face-to-face interview with him ensued into the following discussion: 1) What is your religious denomination? Well, I am an Orthodox Judaism. 2) What is the difference between Christianity and Judaism? In Christianity Jesus is worshiped as the messiah, while Judaism doesn't. Also, Judaism believes in the Old Testament while Christianity believes in the New Testament. 3) Do you people believe that Jesus really existed or do you believe that his being was fictionalized? Our belief is that Jesus existed. In fact, Jesus was a Jew himself! 4) You just decide not to worship him? There is no reason for us to worship Jesus, who is just another man. Actually we are taught that he wasn’t such a good man. 5) So what you mean is that Mary the virgin was not actually a virgin? Hehe! Hehe, that’s not what I was getting to. I really know little about Jesus, but I know of him to do very un-Jew-like dealings. I don’t want to offend you man, so I am avoiding getting into so much detail about Jesus. Works cited: Bhaskarananda, Swami. â€Å"The Essentials of Hinduism: a comprehensive overview of the world's oldest religion† Seattle, WA: Viveka Press, 1994. Louis. "Judaism." In Fred Skolnik. Encyclopaedia Judaica. 11 (2d Ed.). Farmington Hills,  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mich.: Thomson Gale.2007, p. 511. Mary Pat Fisher, Living Religion 7TH edition Robert E. Van Voorst, Anthology of World Scriptures 8th Edition Jacobs,

SWOT Analysis of Apple Inc. Essay Essays

SWOT Analysis of Apple Inc. Essay Essays SWOT Analysis of Apple Inc. Essay Paper SWOT Analysis of Apple Inc. Essay Paper History of Apple Inc. Since its origin in 1976. the Cupertino headquartered transnational has recorded monolithic growing beyond the industry of personal computing machines. It has become a taking participant in planing and marketing consumer electronics. computing machine package and distribution of digital media content. Although sing a period of coggling gross revenues of its personal computing machine line and ouster of Steve Jobs in 1985. the acquisition of Next in 1996 marked a turnaround for the company. With Steve on board. the CEO led a corporate doctrine of prioritising recognizable merchandises and simpleness in design that has established Apple Inc. . a shaping trade name through its revolutionizing nomadic media merchandises and calculating devices ( Gupta A ; Prinzinger. 2013 ) . In today’s information and engineering sector. Apple Inc. is arguably among the most advanced organisations incorporated in the last four decennaries. Although being an information engineering giant that brought to the market merchandises and services that revolutionized the planetary consumer markets. Apple’s success emerges from incorporating advanced engineering with Steve’s airy personality. stressing corporate secretiveness and simpleness of undertaking squads in merchandise design ( Mallin A ; Finkle. 2011 ) . The success narrative of the corporation is attributed to its mileposts in the 2nd reign of Steve. including the world’s 2nd largest information engineering company by gross. the 3rd largest nomadic phone shaper. and the most admired company from 2008-2012 ( CrunchBase. 2014 ) . SWOT Analysis Performing a SWOT analysis involves the rating of a company based upon its internal strengths and failings. alongside external chances and menaces to obtain elaborate position of its hereafter. Organizational Strengths Invention The information and engineering environment show a clime of accelerated growing with rivals endeavoring to carry through better merchandise portfolio through invention. Apple accomplishes invention through relentless oppugning. re-imagining and iterating on every facet of the merchandise through design. development and selling. to condense it into a signifier. which straight meets their customers’ demands ( Webb. 2012 ) . This invention civilization enables the company design and market revolutionizing merchandises despite confronting tougher competition every morning. This civilization being nurtured since its origin enables the company to prolong its impulse by working at the same time on hardware. package and services that derive great client experience ( France-Presse. 2013 ) . Invention sustained through proactive orientation enables the company to avoid cases. it would see complete out-performance of nimble rivals. Consequently. the company emphasizes incremental inventions and the extension of its merchandise line to work emerging market spreads and output optimal client experience. The secretiveness nucleus emphasized by Apple doctrine. sustains a originative ambiance within the company through close competition between undertaking squads. Clarity of focal point by the Apple Design Teams enables the undertaking members to travel to extreme lengths in work outing the most intricate of jobs and give to detail that leads to the holistic merchandise experience ( Webb. 2012 ) . Against the modern-day feeling that invention outputs solutions to challenges confronting the organisation. Apple sustains existent subject and echt appetency for achieving better merchandises and services. which involves concentrating on terminal users in the full development procedure. Given the modern age of ubiquitous invention. Apple’s think-different image enables the company to present market-disrupting merchandises by concentrating on inventions that suit the consumer market it understand and the originative market it focuses upon ( Ezop. 2011 ) . Although rivals are besides advanced. the originative agitation of its merchandises including the iPod. Mac Pro and iOS7 demonstrate Apple’s advanced civilization. a nucleus competency driving it towards future success. Design With rivals working difficult to turn over out the alone design in their merchandises. Apple derives its repute from its merchandises that generate unbelievable trade name trueness. The company sustains this through handpicked design squads that commit on a outlook that extend beyond the completion of the undertaking within the stipulated clip. Here. the company nurtures a collaborative environment and committedness of different squads in researching new kingdoms of possibility. and polish all parts of the development procedure to present a superior solution ( Webb. 2012 ) . Sing the eternal competition posed by challengers such as Nokia and Samsung. Apple sustains its big customer-base by striking back with merchandises that revive its design infinite. The company manages this through product-line extensions and incremental inventions that provide a makeover such as the iOS7 owing to its alone multi-layered and semitransparent experience aimed at wowing end-users acquiring bored wit h Io ( Tokerud. 2013 ) . Emphasis on alone design infinite in Apple sustains the company’s repute that attracts immense client trueness. With its clients wishful of high-end merchandises. the company achieves this by piecing a design squad of huge endowment to prolong its repute of quality digital media and calculating devices. For case. Apple’s specifying qualities are about utilizing: easiness and simpleness with an intense focal point on cut downing the component down to its most simplistic and indispensable footing ( Webb. 2012 ) . The company accomplishes this through repeated paradigms by make overing on the product’s bantam inside informations. This translates into a differentiation channel that facilitates the company’s innovativeness right from its research centres to the selling of its merchandises. Similarly. Apple leading in the design infinite furthers the Apple civilization of invention. which attracts client trueness demonstrated in strong fiscal public presentation ( Jurevicius. 2013 ) . Organization Weakness Premium Pricing Apple Inc. carves out a market place through its premium pricing scheme attributed to its quality-packed merchandises and alone designs. While the company markets its merchandises viewed as high-end devices to bring forth the best client experience. it risks losing out its market portion to rivals siting high with cheaper merchandises utilizing the Android operating system. Sing the tough economic times strangulating the disposable incomes of consumers. Apple hazards losing loyal clients in India and China as they switch to cheaper trade names from rivals ( Jurevicius. 2013 ) . Although the company leverages its economic systems of graduated table. it continued invention. ensuing in packaged merchandises that attract premium monetary values that hardly factor in the client fiscal affordability. This forces clients to seek inexpensive replacements from rivals. Incompatibility of Apple Operating System Apple merchandises operate through unique hardware and package system that is entirely compatible with its merchandise series. In this respect. terminal users are limited to Apple merchandises and experience surety. as they can non incorporate with merchandises from other makers. unlike their opposite numbers utilizing Microsoft runing systems. This limitation is unpopular in consumer markets pitching towards planetary integrating. therefore the penchant to remain accustomed to competitors’ merchandises including Microsoft and Intel merchandise lines. This leads to stagnant market portion with possible to worsen as Apple can non act upon its possible clients and carry them to leap into utilizing Apple’s closed ecosystem merchandises. therefore a long-run gross border diminution ( Jurevicius. 2013 ) . Switch overing to merchandise lines compatible with selected merchandises from other makers would protect the eroding of its market portion. Organization Opportunities Explosive Demand of Smartphones and Tablets The desire of consumers to encompass technological promotions that enable them to deduce maximal end product from their Mobile and calculating devices is driving an explosive demand of smartphones and tablets. In a dramatic mark of how consumer gustatory sensations have shifted to new. more exciting radio merchandises. planetary factor gross for smartphones and tablets are lifting every twelvemonth as end-users find more value in their versatility and utility ( Segundo. 2013 ) . As these merchandises drive the demand for smart-connected devices ( SCD ) section following consumers switch to detailed use forms. it opens chances for tablet and smartphone makers. Sing that the market is still sing its accelerated enlargement period. Apple should work such chances by diversifying its tablet and smartphone lines through market-oriented attack to prolong and better its gross revenues gross. Growth in Mobile Advertisement The planetary demand of nomadic advertizement is speed uping in tandem with the mass incursion of nomadic phones across the universe. This arises in the aftermath of planetary interconnection in the information epoch owing to the technological promotion taking to low-cost communicating appliance. This presents an chance for nomadic advertizement channels as most organisations seek to retain direct contact with their mark clients. This is a dual-win chance for Apple to foster the incursion of its smartphones and prehend advertizement through its iAd advertisement platform ( Jurevicius. 2013 ) . As the company incorporates iAd in its closed ecosystem of its merchandise lines. this would interpret into gross beginnings given the personal relationships nomadic users set up with their phones. Entry to this nomadic advertisement section would tag a new beginning of gross as companies embrace iAd advertisement channel to make their consumers. Menaces Rapid Change in Technology Today’s environment is driven by rapid technological promotion that threatens its bing comparative advantages. This has made it easy for other technology-based companies encompassing the latest techniques let go of better merchandises every twenty-four hours. faster than Apple would alter its merchandise lines. Leting that. companies that fail to maintain abreast with the competition have seen their gross lines decline as clients switch to cheaper and better merchandises that yield more satisfaction for them. Apple may shortly fall a victim. Although Apple’s success is based upon advanced merchandises. acceptance of replacement merchandises such as Android by its challengers make its debuts have undistinguished impact in the extremely competitory market ( Jurevicius. 2013 ) . Particularly. the incursion of the Android operating system drains the power of iOS power. therefore reduced gross where Apple can non act upon consumers buy its merchandises. Agile Competition The company operates in extremely competitory sections where rivals are endeavoring to outwit each other through latest advanced designs. In peculiar. Apple faces menace from turning presence of reprisal merchandises and services from Nokia. Google and Samsung companies as they gear towards market enlargement. For illustration. Nokia is seeking to shoot fresh impulse into its smartphone scheme with merchandise releases that answers the iPhone domination ( Parker A ; Ward. 2009 ) . This would consequentially cut down gross as other companies adopt a similar scheme. besides the entry of new operators in the Apple-dominated sections. Sing the looming force per unit area from Samsung’s over cardinal constituents interpreting into higher monetary values for its application processors. Apple faces lifting production costs that could farther gnaw its long-run net income borders. already sing gradual eroding by the incursion of rivals’ merchandises. Drumhead Extension of the merchandise lines under its simpleness and leading design scheme enables Apple to prolong its enormous growing in the information-technology and consumer electronics sector. Although variegation of the company’s merchandise portfolio to integrate digital media and nomadic merchandises attracts immense gross. client focal point in its merchandises has grown Apple to the most valuable organisation. Unlike its challengers. Apple applies a alone doctrine of better invention and its lead in the design infinite to foster its trade name repute that translate to stronger fiscal returns. However. the company must endure down stiff competition from challengers such as Samsung. Nokia and Microsoft through high-end inventions. Furthermore. variegation to work chances such as nomadic selling channels and unsaturated SCD markets would give more gross. Unless Apple keeps gait with the technological promotions such as Android easing the release of merchandises by its challengers. curtailing its loyal clients to a closed ecosystem of its merchandises is neer plenty screening to its long-run nutriment of its trade name repute. MentionsCrunchBase. ( 2014 ) . Apple. Retrieved January 08. 2014 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. crunchbase. com/company/apple Ezop. ( 2011 ) . The Patterns of Successful Innovation. Retrieved January 08. 2014 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. ezopandassociates. com/nwsltr201109. html France-Presse. A. ( 2013 ) . Apple’s ‘magic’ and invention its biggest strength. says CEO Tim Cook. Retrieved January 08. 2014 from hypertext transfer protocol: //gadgets. ndtv. com/mobiles/news/apples-magic-and-innovation-its-biggest-strength-says-ceo-tim-cook-330109 Jurevicius. O. ( 2013 ) . Strategic Management Insight of Apple. Retrieved January 08. 2014 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. strategicmanagementinsight. com/swot-analyses/apple-swot-analysis. Html Mallin. M. L. . A ; Finkle. T. A. ( 2011 ) . Apple Inc. : Product Portfolio Analysis. Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies. 17 ( 7 ) . 63-74. Parker. A. . A ; Ward. A. ( 2009 ) . Noki a main pledges assault on Apple in war of the smartphones. Financial Times. Segundo. E. ( 2013 ) . Combined Smartphone and Tablet Factory Revenue to Exceed Entire Consumer Electronics Market This Year. Retrieved January 08. 2014 from hypertext transfer protocol: //press. ihs. com/press-release/design-supply-chain-media/combined-smartphone-and-tablet-factory-revenue-exceed-entire Tokerud. J. ( 2013 ) . Apple Strengths and Weaknesses 2013. Retrieved Janaury 08. 2014 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. tokerud. com/apple-strengths-and-weaknesses-2013/ Webb. J. ( 2012 ) . 10 Success Principles of Apple’s Innovation Master. Retrieved January 08. 2014 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. innovationexcellence. com/blog/2012/04/30/10-success-principles-of-apples-innovation-master-jonathan-ive/

The Big Bang Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Big Bang - Essay Example According to scientific findings, the â€Å"singularities† or the core zones of the black holes had been subjected to high intensity of gravitational pressure that they can be thought of to consist of an infinite density. This consequently directed the universe to be understood in the light of the singularity concept in being infinitely hot and boundlessly dense while the universe at its initial state is also infinitesimally small. Nevertheless, the exact source of ‘singularity’ remains unknown beyond nearly accurate speculations. Moreover, based on the Big Bang theory, the universe rapidly undergoes expansion since the beginning of time and â€Å"the more distant the light source is, the greater the rate of expansion and ‘redshift’ is as well. This theory further claims that it is the universe that sustained itself the energy to expand and that it expanded from almost a mathematical point or microbial speck under a closely infinite value of initial temperature and material density. The universe is proposed to have possessed an appearance which gradually inflated, expanded, and cooled, originating from a body of insignificant size yet of extremely hot conditions until these characteristics settle to the kind of universe conducive for our planet’s dwelling. The Big Bang theory holds that the formation of stars, galaxies, and black holes happened during the span of 500 million years when the universe was already in its expanded form, contrary to the conventional story of creation. NASA’s Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite has been able to demonstrate the strongest most reliable evidence for the ‘big bang’ possibility. As such, the 3-Degree Kelvin Background Radiation, otherwise called the Cosmic Background Radiation (CBR) serves as the Big Bang theory’s model of validity, having exhibited the blackbody radiation with

Report about Communication Law Case Comparison Essay

Report about Communication Law Case Comparison - Essay Example v. Sullivan, 1964). The text in the end, appealed for funds for purposes such as the â€Å"support of the student movement, the struggle for the right-to-vote, and the legal defense of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. against a perjury indictment (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). Respondent contended that although the statements do not mention the respondent by name, the word ‘police’ referred to him as he supervised the Police Department, and hence being accused of those alleged in the advertisement (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). He further claimed that the rest of the paragraph referred to the police (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). It was found that some of the statements were not accurate descriptions of events, which happened in Montgomery (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). The jury were under instructions by the trial judge upon presentation of the case, that the statements made were â€Å"libelous per se and were not privileged,† and hence the petitioners may be held liable if found to have published the advertisement and if the â€Å"statements were made of and concerning respondent,† (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). Being libelous per se, the judge cited that â€Å"falsity and malice are presumed from the bare fact of their publication,† (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). He added that general damages are presumed, hence, â€Å"need not be alleged or proved,† and that the jury may award punitive damages even though there is no showing of the amount of actual damages (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). The decision also failed to charge to the jury that there must be malice or â€Å"actual intent to harm or gross negligence and recklessness† and did not distinguish between compensatory and punitive damages (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 1964). These rulings and instructions were sustained by the Supreme Court of Alabama in all