Sacrifice Within The Israelite Religion Essays - Book Of Leviticus

Sacrifice Within The Israelite Religion The primary religious rituals of Israelite religion involved sacrifices and offerings. The ritual system within the Israelite cult evolved around gifts and offerings that were presented before Yahweh. In examining the book of Leviticus, the sacrificial system of the Israelites can be identified. It is this sacrificial system that was handed down by God through Moses that allowed the people of Israel to cross over the gap between their own weaknesses and corruption to the expectations presented by God. Sacrifices symbolized an acknowledgement of guilt and a need for divine grace and forgiveness. Understanding the Israelite Cult The Israelite cult is set apart from other cults in that the people were bound together to worship one God. ?The distinctiveness of the Israelite cult is nothing other than the limitation of cultic activity to one particular patron deity? (Anderson, 1987;3). The cult's foundation of worship centered on those sacrificial gifts and offerings that were given to Yahweh. In addition, the Israelite cults were village centered. In the beginning of the 12th century BC, settlements on the hill country of Judea and Ephraim began to increase in number and density. The farming that took place on these hills allowed Israelites to gain an independent economy from surrounding cult economies (Anderson, 1987;23). Sacrifice within the social context can be transgressed into two aspects, one relating to the offender, and the other being the offended one, God. ?If individuals entered a state incongruent with good relations with God, they had to undergo rites to restore them to a normative status? (Davies, 1985;155). Thus the sacrifice encompassed this social dimension. The part played by God in the social lives of man and the action of his divinity. The Meaning of the Sacrificial Ritual Man's very nature is sinful and redemption during this time was found in the rituals that they performed. It served as a medium between the people and God as a means of redemption for their sins. Sacrificial rituals were the mechanism by which disruptions within God's world were acknowledged and made right. ?A complete act of worship implies not merely that the worshipper comes into the presence of god with gestures of homage and words of prayer, but also that he lays before the deity some material oblation? (Smith, 1996:43). Thus, sacrifices created a ritual framework within the community, providing the Israelites with a system of order in their society. Sacrifices often took place within the temple. The tabernacle itself was established to be a place of communion between God and Israel. Here the rituals performed to God revealed not only their guilt offerings but it also was where God revealed his will anew to Israel. The physical structure here is important. The tabernacle is the threshold by which the ?transition from normal to abnormal, this world to other? is consecrated (Leach, 1985:144). The altar was a gateway to the world of God through which offerings could be made but also the channel through which the power of God is visible to man (Lev 9:24, 10:2). Sacrifices defined Defining the sacrificial rituals is complex. Some sacrifices were part of the daily rituals and considered voluntary. Other sacrifices took on deeper meaning and were considered compulsory, or to be performed on more special occasions. Nelson breaks down sacrifices into three separate categories: status maintenance rituals, status reversal rituals, and status elevation rituals (Nelson, 1993:55). All three categories share the same common practice of transference over some type of boundary. Maintenance rituals were intended to keep the daily life of the Israelite in equilibrium and to prevent disorder from occurring within the community or households (Nelson, 1993;55). The Day of Atonement, for example, was a day of rest where the people kept Sabbath and under the provisions of the Lord were not to perform any work during that day (Lev 23). The reversal rituals were designed to restore affairs to their proper condition by reversing impurity into purity and guilt into innocence. The cleansing ritual of the Leper transferred the individual from the unclean to the clean again prior to their entrance back into society (Lev 14). ?The elaborate anointing which follows the healing served to remove the person from his status of seclusion into a position of

John Calhoun essays

John Calhoun essays John Caldwell Calhoun was born in 1782 in South Carolina. Calhoun was born near Abbeville District, South Carolina, and was an honors graduate at Yale College in 1804. He practiced law in Abbeville District until his election to the South Carolina legislature in 1808. He was a major American political figure before the Civil War. Calhoun played an important part in national affairs for 40 years. He was Vice President of the United States from 1825 to 1832, and he ran for President several times but never won. He also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and of the Senate, and as secretary of war and secretary of state. Calhoun is best known for his doctrine of states' rights, in which he claimed that each U.S. state had a right to reject national laws. He wanted to use the doctrine to protect slavery and other Southern interests without requiring the Southern States to withdraw from the Union. Later, however, the doctrine helped bring on the Civil War 1861-1865. Calhoun entered national politics as a member of the House of Representatives from 1811 to 1817. He was a fiery nationalist, and together with other young congressmen he was called a War Hawk for advocating the War of 1812. He actively supported the government's postwar program, which included a protective tariff, a national bank, and an enlarged army and navy. He improved the army's organization while secretary of war from 1817 to 1825. Calhoun was the vice presidential running mate of both Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams in 1824. He won by a landslide, but the vote for President was uncertain. The House of Representatives picked Adams. In 1828, Jackson again opposed Adams for President, and Calhoun served as Jackson's vice presidential running mate. Jackson and Calhoun won the election. But after Jackson became President, the two men quarreled, especially over Calhoun's support of nullification. Calhoun felt th ...

Google Versus Microsoft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Google Versus Microsoft - Essay Example By designing strategies that enhanced further applications through the PageRank search algorithm, in concurrent with online advertising services and employing highly competent, qualified and professionalized experts in the industry, Google has managed to be the leader in the technology industry. On the other hand, Microsoft’s business model and strategies focused initially on the desktop computer with the applications provided by Windows operating system and Office desktop productivity programs. It is continually seeking innovative strategies that would enhance further applications of current core competencies, while trying to expand applications in the internet. (2) Has the Internet taken over the PC desktop as the center of the action? Why or why not? The Internet has continued to find ways and means to take over the PC desktop as the center of the action, specifically through Google’s cloud computing. Plummer (2009) defines cloud computing as â€Å"a style of Comput ing where scalable and elastic IT capabilities are provided as a service to multiple customers using Internet technologies† (par. 3). ... 289). For consumers without internet connections and are apprehensive to expand applications due to security reasons were appeased through Google’s emphasis on the ubiquitous characteristic of the Internet, as well as the increasing proliferation of Wi-Fi and broadband connections. However, users of PC desktop, particularly businesses and consumers who have been accustomed to Office and Windows applications aver that the wide range of applications provided by the PC desktop are firmly entrenched and innovative Internet applications would not abruptly shift their loyalty to these models. (3) Why did Microsoft attempt to acquire Yahoo!? How did it affect its business model? Do you believe this was a good move? As any organization’s reason for acquisition, Microsoft’s attempt to acquire Yahoo! was due to prospects of increasing its market share in the technology industry by combining Yahoo!’s second line leadership. As emphasized in the case facts â€Å"Micr osoft wanted not only to bolster its Internet presence but also to end the threat of an advertising deal between Google and Yahoo!† (p. 290). The move manifested an attempt of Microsoft to divert from its business model of confining to desktop computers by purchasing an organization with an antithetical business model focusing on the Internet and the search engine. Rather than going through the intricate details of learning the trades of the internet business model, Microsoft’s attempt could facilitate entering the search engine model through Yahoo!, deemed to be an expert in the field. Taking the decision in perspective, Microsoft’s attempt to acquire, despite being unsuccessful, was still a good move given the potentials and prospects that the strategy offers.

Introduction to Counseling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Introduction to Counseling - Essay Example This is what I call building. Yes, building or making my plans realized. Indeed, the choices we make affect our future. My decision today will shape my future. Before I have to make my choice of a course, and eventually a career that will accompany me for the rest of my earth's life, I have to get back to where I came from, of what led me to this institution to study. I can't think of any possible career. There is one story of my life however that is forever fresh in my youthful mind - a story of my childhood. Some humble beginnings nurtured my mind to an environment that values life above anything. I would prefer seeing people counseling others, giving them a touch of a loving hand, and young ordinary folks sacrificing personal happiness and pursuits for the service of people in the countryside, ordinary human beings who really come from the grassroots. Though I may not be them to the letter, I'll try to follow a path where my life will be focused of the goals set forth in my childhood - that of helping and counseling people. Most courses focus on improving. Improving ways to look for money. Improving or finding ways for fortune and fame. Others focus on serving not just with pay but with an enormous amount of pay. Simply put, they are not gratifying, albeit satisfying or comparable to helping people unselfishly by counseling them. What can be more rewarding than touching people and letting them feel that here's someone who cares, who prefers to listen rather than dictate. With my planned career of helping people I need to be more unselfish, to have a lot of sacrifices and concern. I have to be broadminded, and need to understand other areas of human relationship like the emotional, spiritual and social environment. On the other hand, I may further need a firm determination, lots of sacrifice, and some thought that by helping others I am making a profound difference on the life of another human being. This is a challenging and rewarding endeavor - to feel the needs of a patient, to listen and guide someone through a more secure and promising path through life. 3. My choice of my career is an extension of my personality What we want to be reflects what we always think of life, from the beginning when we build dreams and castles in the air, until we start a process of fulfilling those dreams. But these dreams and plans are usually influence by the environment, or how we were brought up, until we acquire a personality that we embrace all throughout. I have always planned of a helping career. My goal is to compassionately share my knowledge and resources to people in need of these resources. I have exhibited this since I was too young, and now it is high time that I start to frame and reflect what is really inside of me. 4. How an internship can help me develop as a professional Internship can help a lot because it is through this that I will be able to feel the real job of counseling, a true hands-on experience. It is like an on-the-job training that young graduates pass through before they go on with real work in the office or any workplace. I will be encouraged and challenged to work professionally, see for myself what really are the

Social Networking Effects on Society Essay Example for Free

Social Networking Effects on Society Essay Are Social networking sites negatively affecting our society as a whole? Currently, some media sources are claiming social networking sites like Facebook having a negative effect on society. Social networking sites should be used to the minimum as possible, if it was not used as much the society could have a lot more free time, less bullying, and even less social. Even though many businesses can say it is good for the society in a way where people can get more information or even do business meetings on Skype, another networking site. This paper is going to give information about all things that can affect people in negative ways. Even though there are a few ways it can help, it can still be dangerous without the right precautions. In this example of a social networking site becoming dangerous for society, Jain R. Rishbabh, a writer for the Daily Iowan newspaper, Rishbabh finds one student at the University of Iowa who deleted his Facebook account. â€Å"It just seemed a little ironic to me that a social-networking site was essentially making our society less social.† The student said he was annoyed at the fact he was wasting his time by going on these sites just to look at other people’s lives. Rishbabh found some information saying that people are spending less time on Facebook than usual. â€Å"They are partying like it is 2006,† said David Perlmutter, the director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa. He meant by this that people are less active on social networking sites like in 2006 when it wasn’t as popular. Mainly he is stating that he believes that many people aren’t using social networking sites as much because they are beginning to realize that it is â€Å"wasting their time,† much like the student who deleted his Facebook account, and many people are just getting annoyed of its success. Rishbabh used ethos in a pretty effective way by quoting actual students and socially respectable people. He also used pathos, first by quoting a student who said he it was effecting his study time, and again by scaring you to delete the facebook if you want to do better in school and social life. The logical appeal in which Jain Rishbabh used was that he brought up statistics from the magazine The Inquisitor stating that in recent year facebook growth users has dropped from 89 percent all the way down to a mere five percent. There is another article that has been gave insight on how time is wasted on social networking site. â€Å"Frazzled by Facebook?† an article that was written by Sharon Thompson and Eric Loghead, who are authors for the College Student Journal. In it they talk about how â€Å"almost 75% of teens and young adults are member of at least one social networking site†(Thompson). The main argument is that using the internet communication for longer than a person is suppose to be, may relate to social adjustment problems. They believe this is why because online communication is generally considered to be of poorer quality than Face-to-Face communication and that youth with social skill problems are often deawn to internet relationships. Thompson and Loghead created a survey, which included several questions regarding internet and social networking usage, such as; â€Å"in the past week, how many minutes per day have you spent on the internet?† (Thompson 4) and â€Å"in the past week, how many times have you visited a social networking site?†(Thompson 4). Results revealed that average people who were on thses sites were mainly college students around 19 years of age. Their social behavior was changed because of the large amounts of time the students where on the networking sites. Then the survey testers were split into two different groups, first group was the testers who are users who donts spend a lot of time on a social networking site and the second group consisted of users who are on a site for mare than one hour per day. From these studies, it shows that â€Å"Teens and young adults are spending more time that the Facebook Intensity Scale had expected† (FBI). Now it seems like bullying is happening more than ever. Cyber bullying may play a big part in that, probably because of the large blow up in the social networking sites, and that most people on the sites are the ages between 16 and 21( ). Cyber bullying affects everyone from young children to even college students. Cyber bullying is defined as â€Å"repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones and other electronic devices,† according to the Cyber bullying Research Center. Samantha Miller, an author who wrote an article about cyber bullying and its effect which featured in the American Observer, finds that the cyber bullying is more common than most expect it to be. She also finds out there are many types of this cyber bullying. She calls one an â€Å"invisible tormentor† which she gives an example where, a random girl, that was bullied and didn’t even know about it, and she also did not even know who the person doing the bullying even was. â€Å"Beyond the school house gates† she talks about the laws against cyber bullying in 35 states â€Å"the majority mainly prohibits the act on school grounds,† according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Most of her article represents on how the children to young adults can get harmed mentally through some of these social networking sites, in this way it could be dangerous in a different way than most because bullying doesn’t just hurt people physically but mentally and it could eventually lead to suicide (ABC NEWS). Another good argument about negative effects of social networking is an article written by Brian Feinstein. Called â€Å"Another Venue for Problematic Interpersonal Behavior: The Effects of Depressive and Anxious Symptoms on Social Networking Experiences.† Three hundred and one participants completed an initial survey and a follow-up survey. Results showed that depressive, global anxiety and social anxiety symptoms were not much related with changes in time spent on social networking sites. In contrast, the people being depressed were generally related with increases in negative interactions and negative influence following interactions. Further, global and social anxiety symptoms were generally not significantly associated with changes in the quality of social networking interactions. These findings say that social networking activities are another way in which â€Å"psychological problems manifest in dysfunctional interpersonal interactions.† (Feinstein) Further, different types of psychological problems appear to differentially influence social networking experiences.

Religious Ceremonies In Theatre :: essays research papers fc

Theatre as a Religious Ceremony   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The drama in Greece was inextricably bound up with religious feeling and religious observance.† (Cheney 33) The citizens of the Greek states were the first European communities to raise dramatic performances to the level of an art. Furthermore, the Greek playwrights still exercise a potent creative force, and many modern dramatists find strong relationships between these legendary themes and modern conditions. The Greek’s religion is wholly responsible for the creation of all facets of early Greek theatre; whether it is the content of the plays, or the immense size of the theaters required to accommodate the attendance of the city’s men.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although much is speculated about the origins of early Greek theater, it may be stated that the â€Å"source of tragedy is to be found in choric dithyrambs sung in honor of the god Dionysus† (Nicoll 9). The performance took place in an open-air theater. The word tragedy is derived from the term â€Å"tragedia† or â€Å"goat-song†, named for the goat skins the chorus wore in the performance. Originally these songs were improvised and rhapsodical as time passed by they were â€Å"poetized or rendered literary† (Nicoll 9). The word â€Å"chorus† meant â€Å"dance or â€Å"dancing ground†, which was how dance evolved into the drama. Members of the chorus were characters in the play that commented on the action. They drew the audience into the play and reflected the audience’s reactions. The change from freelance song to theatre was obtained at the hands of a Greek named Thespis. He turned what was originally a song lea der, or priest, into an actor whose words were answered by a chanting chorus. Thespis also â€Å"changed the subject matter of theatre events, expanding them to deal not solely on stories of Dionysus† (Nicoll 9). In the sixth century B.C., drama had been born in Greece and with the introduction of a second actor and later a third, this art form was ready to mature at the hands of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  These festivals grew in size and complexity, especially in Athens, where the largest of these festivals were held and only the premier playwrights released their plays. These prestigious and elaborate plays were performed at dramatic festivals. The two main festivals were the Feast of the Winepress in January and the City Dionysia at the end of March. The Proceeding began with the procession of choruses and actors of the three competing poets.

An Alternative Theory of Economics Essay

Economics is usually defined as the problem of how best to distribute limited resources, limited because wants are characterised as unlimited, but common sense tells us that rather than limited resources, there is an abundance of resources. The difference is one of perspective and this is core to any alternative understanding of economics. If wants are the focus, then of course resources are limited by definition, but if minimum needs or essentials are used as the foundation, then resources are seen to be abundant. The difference is between a description and an explanation. A focus on wants or desires describes a market situation, while a focus on essentials or needs allows an explanation of choices to begin. It is necessary to shift the basis of economic theory away from assumptions of scarcity and onto that of the reality of high production if a rational explanation is to be found as to why certain activities are profitable and others, despite their desirability on social or moral grounds, are not. This begins with the understanding that an abundance of resources means that not all need to work productively and that some use more resources than others. Who shall be the lucky ones and how to keep the unlucky quiet is fundamental to the running of most economies. Abundance is therefore an economic problem because the choices opened up by having more resources than is strictly needed to live presents a danger to those processes of production and the command that some have over resources that created the abundance in the first place. Why does so much waste exists along side so much poverty in the world? The orthodox assumption of scarcity has survived even the staggering levels of surplus of modern economies because this assumption suits the needs of those who command resources and who prefer to ensure that the economy does not become democratised; that unpleasant tasks are done by someone else, that some win and many lose. An Economic theory based not on scarcity but on abundance is a theory that seeks not to describe distribution but to explain choices. The development of such a theory would undercut the dominance of those satisfied with the current methods of production and control over resources. It would do so by revealing the choices made to limit the production of essentials and to divert resources to the production of luxury and fashion goods. A distribution of resources currently labeled scarcity’.