Religion Is Poison - 8248 Words

Jim Meyer Personal Research 4.12.2014 Religion has Proven Itself Poisonous and a Danger to Mankind Everybody knows what religion is before you ask them. But if you ask them what religion is, they will find it very hard to define! By definition we might also say religion is for people who feel that lack a core guidance system and need to have higher rules and guidelines to live their life to the fullest. Appropriately, this is identical to the definition of control. That is because religion is a complex subject and religion is only a word. Like all words, it can mean anything we want it to mean, but in a discussion, it is important that we understand how the word is used. I believe it is impossible to give a satisfactory universal†¦show more content†¦However, such aversion would not necessarily mean we should discard everything he has to say. Concerning faith Bertrand Russell said: â€Å"I am as firmly convinced that religions do harm as I am that they are untrue.† †¦. We may define faith, as a firm belief in something for which there is no evidence. When there is evidence, no one speaks of faith†¦We speak only of faith when we wish to substitute emotion for evidence. 3 Bruno Bauer (1809–1882), philosopher, historian, and theologian described religion as a form of alienation, which, because of the deficiencies of earthly life, projected irrational, transcendent powers over the self. He also explicitly equated Christianity and feudalism, and defended the freedom and equality of self-consciousness. Religion and the absolutist state were mutually sustaining, sharing the essential features of alienation and repression. Leo Strauss (1899-1973) was a German–American political philosopher was a Jew. He scandalized Christian Europe with his portrayal of â€Å"†¦the historical Jesus, whose divine nature he denied. His theory was that the Christ of the Gospels†¦was the unintentional creation of the early Christian Messianic expectation. In fact, Strauss strongly criticizes what he regards as a particularly Christian view of revelation not in order to banish revelation from intellectual conversation once and for all but to suggest that modernity s intellectual ills stem in large part from the legacyShow MoreRelatedGod Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything2031 Words   |  8 PagesNot Great: How Religion Poisons Everything uses his own personal experiences with religions and gives us an insight as to why he feels that religion is flawed. Throughout his book he uses arguments that is justified by modern science and social issues that uses religion as an excuse to execute unreasona ble actions. His arguments are from the consumption of certain meats to the war against nations just for defending the righteousness of each religion. Hitchens thoughts of human religion is back up byRead MoreThe Garden Of Love By William Blake1420 Words   |  6 Pagesthat life is in a constant state of inconsistency and that nothing can remain uniform. Blake uses religion in a negative light to convey that restriction on life, particularly love, corrupts life and prevents you from experiencing happiness. The main conflict presented in this poem is between the individual and religion. Blake uses religious symbols such as chapels, graves, and priests to show how religion can destroy the natural lover and creator in a person. The inconsistency of life emphasized inRead MoreEssay about God Is Not Great1024 Words   |  5 PagesIn his book God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, Christopher Hitchens dissects and criticizes the various claims of religions and the tragic ev ents that have been caused by various religions. The title of the book sums up the arguments of Hitchens in this book in the fact that he makes many arguments of why â€Å"religion poisons everything.† The majority of the chapters in this book discuss why he believes religion to be a manmade notion that has led to more trouble than anything else inRead MoreSummary Of Man Is A Social Animal 1275 Words   |  6 Pagesthem. Talking about the religions and the beliefs of the early man Evan stated that believers and non believers had different approach on studying religion. . He claimed that believers and non-believers approach the study of religion in vastly different ways. Non-believers, he noted, are quick to come up with biological, sociological, or psychological theories to explain religious experience as illusion, whereas believers are more likely to develop theories explaining religion as a method of conceptualizingRead More James Baldwin’s Critique of the Social Condition Essay1214 Words   |  5 Pagesmany of those legends, including Christianity, to which the world clings began their conquest of the world with just some such concerted surrender to distortion†. Religion may have good intentions in its teachings, but as to how it was spread and taught to people is something that Baldwin questions. The few lines that talk about religion may seem irrelevant to the essay, but because he introduces it through something relevant to the main idea, it suddenly does sound relevant. Again, it shows Baldwin’sRead MoreHinduism and Budhism: Two of the World ´s Largest Religions1201 Words   |  5 PagesReligion is everywhere. It influences us all on a daily basis, whether we are religious or not. While the subject of religion is extremely controversial, roughly 84% of the world is religious in some way. (84) Out of all the worldly belief systems there are twenty-two main religions that are recognized as having the largest population of followers.(Major) Of these, there are some that are not recognized as or do not fall under the definition of religion in their countries of origin. Two of theseRead MoreHamlet as a Revenge Tragedy Essay examples1285 Words   |  6 Pagesresponsibility to revenge the crime. The revenger is usually an outsider who lacks access to the criminal, who is at the centre of a completely corrupt court. Poison plays a large part and methods of killing are intricate, insidious and imaginative. The revenger dies at the end of the play, as he has gone against religion by taking the power of revenge from God. There will be many other deaths as the corrupt court is cleansed. Revenge tragedies contain visual references to deathRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Red Jacket757 Words   |  4 Pagespeople. In the speech, Red Jacket Defends Native American Religion, 1805, Red Jacket builds an argument to persuade his audience that Native Americans should have the right to practice the religion that is best suited to them by making the British feel like brothers, reminding them of the past relationship their people shared before the war, and invalidating the British’s reasoning for believing that their religion is the correct religion. Initially, Red Jacket repeatedly uses the word â€Å"Brother†Read MoreGod is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens1301 Words   |  6 Pagesseen in the many debates between Atheistic and religious individuals about the implications of religious belief on morality. One of the most famous Atheists, Christopher Hitchens, asserts that religion is not only unnecessary for morality, but actually impedes it. In his work God is Not Great: Why Religion Poisons Everything, Christopher Hitchens challenges religious believers to â€Å"name an ethical statement or action, made or performed by a person of faith that could not have been made or performed byRead MoreThe Adaptive Value Of Religious Ritual1528 Words   |  7 PagesReligion is the belief and rituals that are used to understand human existence and the flaws of our world, with the belief in a supernatural relationship and its forces. It has been found that for over 100,000 years people have been practicing some form of religion, wh ich means it has really stood the test of time regardless of any pain or discomfort that may be inflicted during rituals, or even without a true proof of religion (p. 112). According to the article, â€Å"The Adaptive Value of Religious

The Stolen Generation of Aboriginal Decent Essay - 933 Words

The Stolen Generation has left devastating impacts upon the Aboriginal culture and heritage, Australian history and the presence of equality experienced today. The ‘Stolen Generation’ refers to the children of Aboriginal descent being forcefully abducted by government officials of Australia and placed within institutions and catholic orphanages, being forced to assimilate into ‘white society’. These dehumanising acts placed these stolen children to experience desecration of culture, loss of identity and the extinction of their race. The destructive consequences that followed were effects of corruption including attempted suicide, depression and drug and alcohol abuse. The indigenous peoples affected by this have endured solitude for many†¦show more content†¦Although many of these children were later adopted and had experienced an extensive education, the emotional and social cost was too high. The heartache experienced was detrimental to the growth and to their very survival. The ‘Stolen Generation’ has had significant effects upon the Australian history and culture and destructive effects upon the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples affected. Assimilation policies existed in purpose of allowing the removal of Aboriginal children legal and believed as to be the right thing. The removal policy was managed by the Aborigines Protection Board. The Aborigines Protection Board was a government board established in 1909 with the power to remove children without parental consent and without a court order. These policies were especially detrimental to the Aborigines as a ‘government’ act prevented them with having authority over their own children and having no power in stopping the abducting of their children. Over causing a significant discrimination against the indigenous race, breeding hatred and inequality in Australian society, the implementation of these policies caused immense heartache and anguish for the Aboriginal parents for losing their children, the children of the Stolen Generation experiencing solitude and confusion for majority of their lives and the rest of society,Show MoreRelatedThe Stolen Generatio n : 1st Slide1420 Words   |  6 PagesThe Stolen Generation 1st Slide Since James Cooke’s possession of the entire Australian east coast in 1770, followed by the arrival of the first fleet in 1788, British perceived domination has caused momentous and historic controversy between the rightful owners of the land, the aboriginal people, and the early settlers, the British. 2nd Slide The ongoing spiral effect of clash after clash climaxed in 1897, when the Aboriginal Protection Act was passed in Queensland, allowing the chief protectorRead MoreHome by Larissa Behrendt Essay721 Words   |  3 Pagesissue of the stolen generation â€Å" Discuss. Between 1910-1970 up to 100,000 aboriginal children were taken forcibly from their homes and families, by police or welfare officers. These children were known as the ‘stolen generation’. The novel Home, by Larissa Behrendt puts a human face on the stolen generation by illustrating the acts perpetrated against them. In the novel home, this is delivered through the story of Garibooli and her family. Most children of the stolen generation were raised inRead MoreAssimilation Of Stolen Generations1413 Words   |  6 PagesHave you ever wondered what the Stolen Generations are and why they were taken from their families? Between 1910-1970, many Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families because of many government policies. The generations of children removed under these policies became known as the Stolen Generations. These policies left a heritage of trauma and loss that continues to affect Indigenous communities, families, and individuals to this current day. The violent removal of IndigenousRead MoreThe Dreamers Essay1312 Words   |  6 Pagestechniques to show that a large amount of change that occurs around the world results in negative change rather than positive change. The play the dreamers is about the impact on modern Aboriginals since the settlement of the â€Å"white† community it focuses on the dysfunctional lifestyle and problems of aboriginal people which is similar to the problems and lifestyle that is shown by the Wallitch family. At the starting of the play a silhouetted family walk slowly across the escarpment against theRead MoreThe Origin Of Aboriginal People1930 Words   |  8 Pagesdictionary defines the stolen generation as: â€Å"The Aboriginal people forcibly removed from their families as children between the 1900s and the 1960s, to be brought up by white foster families or in institutions.† But what the oxford definition cannot tell us is the horrible impacts of the stolen generation on the stolen children, their families, the Aboriginal culture and Australia as a Nation. The stolen generation was caused by European Australians belief that Aboriginal people were inferior toRead MoreThe Origin Of Aboriginal People1 930 Words   |  8 Pagesdictionary defines the stolen generation as: â€Å"The Aboriginal people forcibly removed from their families as children between the 1900s and the 1960s, to be brought up by white foster families or in institutions.† But what the Oxford definition cannot tell us is the horrible impacts of the stolen generation on: the stolen children, their families, the Aboriginal culture and Australia as a Nation. The stolen generation was caused by European Australians belief that Aboriginal people were inferior toRead MoreJohn Pilger s Documentary, Utopia1153 Words   |  5 PagesJohn Pilger’s documentary, Utopia (2013) exposes the government’s failure to invest in Aboriginal communities and Australia’s ongoing mistreatment of Indigenous Australians. The Aboriginal community of Utopia in central Australia live in third-world conditions and Pilger explores the experiences of Indigenous Australians and what he terms the denigrating of their h umanity (Pilger. J, 2013). The town, Utopia reveals that Indigenous health has not improved since Pilger’s similar documentary 28 yearsRead MoreIndigenous Australia And The Policies Imposed Upon Them1833 Words   |  8 Pagesthem? The ways in which Indigenous Australian peoples resisted the non-Indigenous of Australia were seen evident through the policies and practices imposed upon them. Such policies and practices were potentially seen as a common justification for Aboriginal peoples as it was viewed as â€Å"for their own good†. These policies include protection and segregation, assimilation, self-determination and reconciliation that occurred as a result as such resistance. Potentially, Indigenous people demonstrated actsRead MoreAustralian Aborigines Essay2225 Words   |  9 PagesAustralian Aborigines Until this paper, I never even knew there was such a word as â€Å"Aborigine† let alone it being a race of people dating back to the prehistoric times. I thought that all Australians were of Anglo decent, but I was wrong about that assumption. The Aborigines were the first and only inhabitants of Australia, until the late 18th century when European settlers came. Because of the Europeans, the Aborigines lives would change drastically. In this paper, I am going to talkRead More Australian Aborigines Essay2568 Words   |  11 PagesAustralian Aborigines Australian Aborigines are thought to have the longest continuous cultural history in the world. Yet, within a hundred years, the near extinction of the Aboriginal culture almost occurred. This single event, the invasion of the Australian continent by European settlers, changed the lifestyle, the culture, and the fate of Australian Aborigines. Their entire lives were essentially taken away and they were forced into a white, European world where the lifestyle change could

Gwendolyn Brooks Analysis Essay Example For Students

Gwendolyn Brooks Analysis Essay Peiffer 1Writing with uncommon strength, Gwendolyn Brooks creates haunting images of black America, and their struggle in escaping the scathing hatred of many white Americans. Her stories, such as in the Ballad of Rudolph Reed, portray courage and perseverance. In those like The Boy Died in My Alley Brooks portrays both the weakness of black America and the unfortunate lack of care spawned from oppression. In The Ballad of Chocolate Mabbie Brooks unveils another aspect of her skill by entering the domestic arena with the lingering limitations imposed by prejudice. These aspects, such as strength and finesse, are among Brooks great attributes. Worthy of exploration, Brooks powerful and haunting techniques can be separated and explored in the above mentioned poems. Each work contains a specific tactic, which effectively promotes her ideas. It is for that reason, tactics mixed with ideas, which have placed Brooks among the finest poets. Perhaps because of Brooks use of a stiff format, The Ballad of Rudolph Reed may be her strongest work. Imbuing the poem with incredible lines and description, Brooks transforms Rudolph Reed, who is the character the poem is built around, into a storybook hero, or a tragic character whose only flaw was the love he held for his family. Brooks creates a strong, solid character who is more than another fictional martyr, but a human being. The Finesse she imbued in this work from the first stylized Peiffer 2stanza: Rudolph Reed was oaken. His wife was oaken too. And his two girls and his good little man Oakened as they grew. (1081, 1-4) Here brooks symbolic use of the word oakened, coupled with the use of a rhyme scheme of the second and last sentence of every stanza causes the reader to more deeply feel what the character and his family are going through. Using the idea of a dream home, Brooks stabbed to the heart of the American dream and where those of African descent fit into it. Ever y person, man or woman, has at one time or another dreamt of living in a beautiful home: I am not hungry for berries. I am not hungry for bread. But hungry hungry for a house Where at night a man in bed May never here the plaster stir as if in pain. May never here the roaches Falling like fat rain. Where never wife and children need Go blinking through the gloom. Where every room of many rooms Will be full of room. Oh my house shall have its east or west Or north or south behind it. All I know is I shall know it, And fight for it when I find it. (1081, 5-20)Without her use of the above dream, Brooks would have been unable to bring an effective human perspective to Rudolph Reed and his family. Once this human side was Peiffer 3created, the horrible demise of Rudolph Reed struck with an intensity which would otherwise have been lost. Losing finesse in place of what at first seems a shallow attempt at poetry, The Boy Died in My Alley develops into an incredible exploration of enfeeblement. Brooks power comes again from her ability to bring the reader into a human world, with human characters. It explores the pain one person feels, and the hopelessness spawned from it. Although relatively few people live in an area where crime is so rampant as in The Boy Died in My Alley, it strikes a chord of fear and depression most in society may relate to. The use of a strong beat in this poem help to create the frantic yet uncanny depression found throughout the poem: Policeman pounded on my door. Who is it? POLICE! Policeman yelled. A boy was dying in your Alley. A boy is dead, and in your alley. And have you known this boy before? I have known this boy before. I have known this boy before, who ornaments my alley. I never saw his face at all. I never saw his futurefall. But I have known this boy. (1084, 10-21)The staccato rhythm Brooks uses is developed through repeating many of the lines. The lines are not exact copies, Peiffer 4but keep the poem rolling forward, which is important if Brooks hopes to keep the reader active in the storyline. Included for the staccato rhythm, is a short curt sentence structure: Without my having known. Policeman said, next morning, Apparently died alone. You heard a shot? Policeman said. Shots I hear and shots I hear. I never see the dead. (1083, 1-6)This use of rhythm is the style the work hinges on. In many ways the broken sentences remind the reader of the forms the English language have taken for black Americans. Again, it can be pointed out this was the intention of Brooks. In ways not seen in The Ballad of Rudolph Reed, Brooks acts as the conductor of a symphony of words and style. The revival of Jazz in South Africa EssayLosing finesse in place of what at first seems a shallow attempt at poetry, The Boy Died in My Alley develops into an incredible exploration of enfeeblement. Brooks power comes again from her ability to bring the reader into a human world, with human characters. It explores the pain one person feels, and the hopelessness spawned from it. Although relatively few people live in an area where crime is so rampant as in The Boy Died in My Alley, it strikes a chord of fear and depression most in society may relate to. The use of a strong beat in this poem help to create the frantic yet uncanny depression found throughout the poem: Policeman pounded on my door. Who is it? POLICE! Policeman yelled. A boy was dying in your Alley. A boy is dead, and in your alley. And have you known this boy before? I have known this boy before. I have known this boy before, who ornaments my alley. I never saw his face at all. I never saw his futurefall. But I have kn own this boy. (1084, 10-21)The staccato rhythm Brooks uses is developed through repeating many of the lines. The lines are not exact copies, Peiffer 4but keep the poem rolling forward, which is important if Brooks hopes to keep the reader active in the storyline. Included for the staccato rhythm, is a short curt sentence structure: Without my having known. Policeman said, next morning, Apparently died alone. You heard a shot? Policeman said. Shots I hear and shots I hear. I never see the dead. (1083, 1-6)This use of rhythm is the style the work hinges on. In many ways the broken sentences remind the reader of the forms the English language have taken for black Americans. Again, it can be pointed out this was the intention of Brooks. In ways not seen in The Ballad of Rudolph Reed, Brooks acts as the conductor of a symphony of words and style. An intoxicating work is The Ballad of Chocolate Mabbie. Second only to The Ballad of Rudolph Reed, Chocolate Mabbie has an unrivaled depth of character. Once again, Brooks draws the reader deep into the human soul. She bares the wheels and cogs which keep people moving. It is the one thing nearly every man woman and child has felt from one time or another, that Brooks delves into. Bringing to life a little girl of seven, Brooks creates a vision of human life. Unfortunately it is painfully aware to the reader Mabbies crush will never manifest itself beyond herself:Peiffer 5 Oh, warm is the waiting for joys, my dears! And it cannot be too long. Oh, pity the little poor chocolate lips That carry the bubble of song! Out came the saucily bold Willie Boone. It was woe for our Mabbie now. He wore like a jewel a lemon-hued lynx With sand-waves loving her brow. Mabbie is black, and her crush is white. Brooks again crushes the readers senses with the struggle of inequality and racism. As in The Ballad of Rudolph Reed, Brooks uses both finesse, and human characters. She allows the reader to feel close to the characters. She gives them a chance to realize they may have lived through a time in their lives which were as difficult. It is safe to say, Gwendolyn Brooks is a master of styles. Her ideas come to life on the page through careful examination of possible stylistic interpretations; will it be finesse, rhythm or a combination of both. Brooks brings out the best a work has to offer with strong, powerful lines, with enough finesse to lull the reader into the story. Category: Biographies

Social Psychology Definition, Aspects and Theories

Introduction Social psychology is a branch of psychology that studies actions, interactions, thoughts, and feelings of people under different social contexts (Kassin, 2013). It is mutually related to sociology. However, both disciplines have evolved differently over the years and deal with different social issues. One of the most important aspects of social psychology is research. Research applies to develop and study various theories that form its basis.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Social Psychology: Definition, Aspects and Theories specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It generates different theories that explain social behavior and different mental states. Social psychology varies greatly from other disciplines of psychology because of its unique approach to study of individuals and its application of different methods of information collection during research. It is important to study social psychology because it improves the understanding of the existence of stereotypes, racism, sexism, and discrimination in the society (Kassin, 2013). Discussion Social psychology is the methodical study of human feelings, thoughts, and actions in relation to their surroundings. Going by this definition, social psychology utilizes empirical methods of study, hence reference to scientific study (Myers, 2010). On the other hand, it involves study of variables that include thoughts and behaviors that are observed in individuals. In the study of social psychology, researchers and professionals use observed influences of certain social situations on humans to explain behavior. Social psychology establishes a mutual relationship between psychology and sociology (Myers, 2010). In the last century, psychologists and sociologists collaborated in many studies with efforts to develop both fields. However, the disciplines became specialized as researchers pursued different aspects of their respective disciplines. D ifferences from other disciplines Social psychology differs greatly from other disciplines such as clinical psychology, general psychology, and sociology. Social psychology differs from personality psychology because it lays emphasis on the influence of social context on behavior while personality psychology focuses on individual difference between individuals, human nature and similarities between people (Myers, 2010). In addition, it studies the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that influence individual perception and attitudes. In contrast, social psychology studies how social contexts influence behaviors, feelings, and thoughts (Kassin, 2013). There is a big difference between social psychology and sociology. While sociology focuses on social influences that form human behavior, social psychology deals with experiences and social issues that explain people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In addition, social psychology involves interpretation of individual attitudes and perceptions in relation to their social contexts (Myers, 2010).Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Sociology focuses on the whole society while social psychology focuses on individuals. As such, social psychology applies as an extended branch of sociology, because it studies how society affects the behaviors, attitudes, and thinking patterns of individuals (Kassin, 2013). There are distinct differences between clinical and social psychology. Clinical psychology deals with mental disorders that arise from intellectual, biological, emotional, and psychological inadequacies. Unlike social psychology, it does not focus on the effects of social aspects such as interactions on human behaviors. Clinical psychology deals with the biological effect on human behaviors and thoughts while social psychology deals with social aspects that affect behavior and thoughts (Myers, 2010). Social psychol ogy does not involve study of the causes of emotional or psychological disorders. Biological psychology focuses on the mechanical aspects of behavior, thought patterns, and attitudes. It is the scientific study of the biological basis of behavior and thought patterns. In contrast, social psychology is the study of the causes of behavior and mental attitudes. As such, psychologists explain why people interact with others, and why they behave in certain ways (Smith Mackie, 2007). The two fields are very different. However, they can be used to conduct research that could be used in development of new psychology theories. The role of research Research plays a very significant role in social psychology. Psychologists apply different inquiry methods to collect information and data. These scientific methods facilitate testing of hypotheses and theories that explain human behavior and thought patterns (Smith Mackie, 2007). In addition, they establish important relationships between differ ent variables such as feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Researchers use descriptive research, correlational research, and experimental research methods to attain their goals. Descriptive research aims to reveal what exists within a certain population such as a certain attitude towards a belief or cultural practice (Smith Mackie, 2007). However, it does not establish any relationship between variables. Methods used to conduct correlational research include use of surveys and observations. On the other hand, experimental research is used to reveal casual relationships between variables because a researcher can manipulate the independent variables (Smith Mackie, 2007).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Social Psychology: Definition, Aspects and Theories specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Conclusion Social psychology deals with the study of how different contexts influence human behavior, feelings, thoughts, and othe r mental states. It has evolved differently from other fields of psychology such as clinical, biological, and general psychology. It has a common origin with sociology. However, the two disciplines evolved to become different fields of study. For example, sociology studies the entire society while social psychology studies individuals. Research serves a central role in psychology because it allows researchers to develop theories that explain human concepts such as behavior and mental states. References Kassin, S. (2013). Social Psychology. New York: Cengage Learning. Myers, D. (2010). Psychology. New York: Worth Publishers. Smith, R., Mackie, D. (2007). Social Psychology. New York, NY: Psychology Press. This essay on Social Psychology: Definition, Aspects and Theories was written and submitted by user Kristen W. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.