Strategic Human Resource Management Essay Example for Free

Strategic clement Resource Management EssayTo simply define Human Resource Management (HRM), it is a management function that helps managers recruit, select, train and develop members for an organization. Obviously, HRM is implicated with the peoples dimension in organizations. When we say HRM of the organization, it is concerned with all the departments of it. In the marketing department, people consult products or services that lead to the sale. In the sales department, people sell products or give services to the customers. And excessively in finance, people manage and forecast the flow of money in the organization. All these functions cannot be realized without the help of the human resources and people be the ones that can make the organization achieve its objectives. And when the strategies come unneurotic with HRM, there comes Strategic Human Resource Management (strategic HRM or SHRM). It may be regarded as an attack to the management of human resources that provi des a strategic frame reach to support long-term business goals and outcomes. The approach is concerned with longer-term people issues and macro-concerns roughly structure, quality, culture, values, commitment and matching resources to future need.First, according to Strategic Marketing Management by Wilson, Gilligan and Pearson, I would like to express the different levels within the organization that strategies must be developed. They are * unified strategy, which deals with the allocation of resources among the various businesses or divisions of an organization. * Business strategy, which exists at the level of the individual business or division, traffic primarily with the question of competitive position. * Functional level strategy, that is limited to the actions of specific functions within specific businesses.The to a higher place strategies are set at the different levels to achieve a major or everywhereall pick out of the organization. The strategic approach address es issues and needs relating to changes in structure and culture, organizational potency and performance matching human resources to future requirements, the development of distinctive capabilities and intellectual capital and the management of change. There are five functional areas identified by Bratton and Gold in forming the core of human resource management activities. Staffing Obtaining people with hold skills, abilities, knowledge and experience to fill jobs in the work organization. This role encompasses human resource planning, job analysis, recruitment and selection. * Rewards The design and memorial tablet of reward systems. This role includes job evaluation, performance appraisal and benefits. * Employee development Analyzing training requirements to curb that employees possess the knowledge and skills to perform satis incidentory in their jobs or to advance in the organization. Employee maintenance The administration and monitoring of workplace safety, health and welfare policies to retain a competent workforce and comply with statutory standards and regulations. * Employee relations Under this heading may be a range of employee involvement/ participation schemes in union or non-union workplaces. In a union environment, it also includes negotiations between management and union representatives over decisions affecting the employment contract. With the best HRM policies and practices, HRM strategy does more than drawing boundaries it also recognizes and addresses peoples needs.The best HRM practices contribute the quadruple outcomes as follow * Competence Employees are versatile in their skills and can take on bare-ass roles and jobs as needed and are better able to respond to changes in environmental demands. * Commitment kick upstairs mutual trust and better communication between employees and managers. * Congruence All stakeholders share a parking area purpose and collaborate in solving problems brought about by changes in environment al demands. * Cost effectiveness HRM policies are cost-effective in terms of wages, benefits, turnover, absenteeism, strikes, and similar factors.Here is the example of Starbucks which is one of the best cognise and fastest growing companies in the world that invest a lot in human resources. Starbucks believed that the confederations achiever and rapid growth could be attributed largely to its committed and motivated workforce. Consequently, the companys human resource policies reflected its commitment to its employees. Starbucks cared about its employees and was one of the few companies in the retail sector to provide generous benefits to both full fourth dimension workers as well as part timers.This ensured that employees remained motivated, and Starbucks had a relatively low employee turnover. However, in the untimely 2000s, the company faced the challenge of finding and retaining the right number and kind of employees to man its future growth. Despite the fact that employee s, especially those on the frontline, are critical to the success of retail businesses, most companies do not affirm a strong relationship with their employees, and consequently suffer from a high rate of employee turnover (In the early 2000s, employee turnover in the retail industry was around 200 percent).In this scenario, Starbucks stood out for its employee-friendly policies and supportive work culture. The company was especially noted for the extension of its benefits program to part-time workers something that not many other companies offered. They are offered health and dental coverage, vision care, life and disability insurance, p incite time off, a retirement savings plan, stock options and a discounted stock purchase plan, adoption assistance, domestic partner benefits, emergency financial aid and a free pound of coffee every week.As a result, Starbucks employees were among the most productive in the industry and the company had a relatively low employee turnover. The ab ove example proves that HRM is the crucial source of competitive advantage to be a successful organization in the business environment. Thus, as I cause discussed so far, you may have some ideas about Human Resource Management and notice how lots it is important for an organization. Reference 1. Aswathappa, K. Human Resource and Personnel Management (Fourth Edition ed. ), (pg. 5) 2. http//en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Starbucks. (2013, January 17 Thursday).Retrieved from en. wikipedia. org. 3. http//www. hrtutorials. com/cs-model-evaluating-human-resources/. (2013, January 17 Thursday). Retrieved from www. hrtutorials. com. 4. http//www. icmrindia. org/casestudies/ roll/Human%20Resource%20and%20Organization%20Behavior/HROB068. htm. (2013, January 15 Tuesday). Retrieved from www. icmrindia. org. 5. http//www. mainstreet. com/article/career/employment/4-employers-great-part-time-benefits. (2013, January 17 Thursday). Retrieved from www. mainstreet. com. 6. Manual, ABE Study, Strategic Huma n Resource Management, (pg. 4,5)

Line Between Tough Love and Child Abuse Essay Example for Free

Line Between Tough Love and Child Abuse attemptPoets and authors give way tried to define love for centuries, whereas scientists have only recently started. Many of us discern intuitively that love is a major purpose for living (Blueprint, 2013) that connection is inherent in totally(a) that we do, and without love, we cannot survive as a species. But what is love, and how do we know when were in it? First , lets start take out with what love isnt. If more or less ane asks you to do or say something that isnt in your nature, that isnt true love. Smith, 2002) Although love does involve compromises among partners, someone who is in love with you will never ask you to change who you are in ordination to be loved. truthful Love is caring. The ancient Greeks had many another(prenominal) different names for different forms of love passion, virtuous, soreness for the family, desire, and world(a) affection. But no way out how love is defined, they all hold a cat valium sig n caring. (Blueprint, 2013) True Love is attractive. Attraction and chemistry form the bond that allows people to mate.Without this romantic desire for some other individual, a consanguinity is nothing more than lust or infatuation. True Love is attached. Like the mother- pincer bond, appurtenance comes after the initial attraction. Attachment is the long term love that appears anywhere from one to three eld into a romantic relationship (sometimes sooner and very rarely after), and youll know youve rig it when you can frankly say, (Smith, 2002) Ive seen the worst and the best you have to offer, and I still love you, while your partner feels the same way. True Love is committed.When it comes to true love, commitment is more than just monogamy. Its the knowledge that your partner cares for you and has your back, no matter what the circumstances. bulk who are strongly committed to one another will, when faced with seemingly negative entropy about their partner, see only the po sitive. For example, a friend comments that your partner doesnt say a lot. Ah yes, hes the strong, silent type, you reply. People with less commitment to their partner would instead say something like, Yeah, I can never have confabulation with him.Its annoying. True Love is Intimate. Intimacy is a crucial component of all relationships, regardless of their nature. In order to know another, you need to share parts of yourself. This self-revealing behavior, when reciprocated, (Teicher, 2000) forms an aflame bond. Over time this bond strengthens and hitherto evolves, so that two people merge closer and closer together. Intimacy by itself if is a cracking friendship, but compiled with the other things in this list, it forms an equation for true love.Within the minimum standards set by CAPTA, for each one State is responsible for providing its own definitions of nestling call out and set down. Most States recognize four major types of insult physical annoyance, neglect, sexual yell, and emotional hollo. Although any of the forms of claw maltreatment whitethorn be found separately, (Blueprint, 2013) they oft occur in combination. In many States, aban seizement and put upal substance abuse are likewise defined as forms of peasant abuse or neglect. The examples provided below are for general informational purposes only.Not all States definitions will include all of the examples listed below, and individual States definitions may cover additional situations not mentioned here. Physical abuse is no accidental physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a issue of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a nipper, that is inflicted by a parent, health professional, or other person who has responsibility for the child. Perry, 2002) Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caregiver inten ded to attenuated the child. Physical discipline, such as spanking or paddling, is not considered abuse as long as it is reasonable and causes no bodily injury to the child.Neglect is the failure of a parent, guardian, or other caregiver to provide for a childs basic needs. (Perry, 2002) Neglect may be physical (failure to provide necessary food for thought or shelter, or lack of appropriate supervision), medical (e. g. failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment), educational (e. g. , failure to educate a child or attend to extra education needs), or emotional (e. g. , inattention to a childs emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care, or permitting the child to use alcohol or other medicates). These situations do not always mean a child is neglected. Sometimes cultural values, the standards of care in the community, and poverty may be contributing factors, indicating the family is in need of information or assistance. Teicher, 2000) When a fami ly fails to use information and resources, and the childs health or safety is at risk, then child welfare intervention may be required. In addition, many States provide an elision to the definition of neglect for parents who choose not to seek medical care for their children due to religious beliefs that may prohibit medical intervention. Sexual abuse includes activities by a parent or caregiver such as fondling a childs genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or the production of sexy materials.Sexual abuse is defined by CAPTA as the employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to use in, or assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit hire or simulation of such choose for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct or the rape, and in cases of caretaker or inter-familial relationships, statutory rape, molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children, or incest with children. Emotional abuse (or psychological abuse) is a pattern of behavior that impairs a childs emotional development or sense of self-worth. This may include constant criticism, threats, or rejection, as well as withholding love, support, or guidance. Emotional abuse is often difficult to prove and, in that respectfore, (Teicher, 2000) child protective services may not be able to intervene without evidence of harm or mental injury to the child. Emotional abuse is almost always present when other forms are identified.Abandonment is now defined in many States as a form of neglect. (Perry, 2002) In general, a child is considered to be abandoned when the parents identity or whereabouts are unknown, the child has been left alone in circumstances where the child suffers serious harm, or the parent has failed to maintain contact with the child or provide reasonable support for a specified completion of time. Tough love simply means that if your child decides to do anything that can harm him/her or others that you have to love your child enough to take a stand against that behavior.If this means that you have to report your child to the authorities, whether the law or teachers, then you need to do it. It also means that if you find that you need booster with your child for whatever reason that you should ask for it. There is nothing shameful about having a child who is out of control. It happens to the best of parents. What would be shameful is not to do anything. The fastest and best way to experience tough love techniques with your child is to simply start making them fully responsible for their own actions. (Blueprint, 2013) male parentt pay or legal representation, dont bail them out with teachers, and dont interfere in the natural consequences that may happen. Sometimes, you may even need to go further in the case of a child putting others in danger via drinking or drugging and driving. halt the car, take the mone y, take the phone, remove all privileges, and if that doesnt work, you may have to call the police on your child who is practicing illegal behaviors. Dont give multiple warnings and threats. (Teicher, 2000) Teenagers just stop believing you, if you dont back up your words with actions.Giving natural consequences a push in the remedy direction can go far in helping your child, while youre still there for emotional support as long as theyre doing the right thing, can help a child straighten their life out before they are on their own. Child abuse is more than bruises and broken bones. While physical abuse might be the most visible, other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse and neglect, also leave deep, lasting scars. The earlier abused children get help, the greater observe they have to heal and break the cyclerather than perpetuate it.By learning about common signs of abuse and what you can do to intervene, you can make a huge difference in a childs life. While physical abuse i s shocking due to the scars it leaves, not all child abuse is as obvious. Ignoring childrens needs, putting them in unsupervised, dangerous situations, or making a child feel worthless or stupid are also child abuse. Regardless of the type of child abuse, the result is serious emotional harm. An estimated 905,000 children were victims of child abuse or neglect in 2006 (U. S. Department of wellness and Human Services, 2008).While physical injuries may or may not be immediately visible, abuse and neglect can have consequences for children, families, and society that last lifetimes, if not generations. The impact of child abuse and neglect is often discussed in terms of physical, psychological, behavioral, and societal consequences. In reality, however, it is impossible to separate them completely. Physical consequences, such as damage to a childs growing brain, can have psychological implications such as cognitive delays or emotional difficulties.Psychological problems often manifest as high-risk behaviors. Depression and anxiety, for example, may make a person more likely to smoke, abuse alcohol or illegitimate drugs, or overeat. High-risk behaviors, in turn, can lead to long-term physical health problems such as sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, and obesity. This factsheet provides an overview of some of the most common physical, psychological, behavioral, and societal consequences of child abuse and neglect, while acknowledging that much crossover among categories exists.The immediate emotional effects of abuse and neglectisolation, fear, and an inability to trustcan translate into lifelong consequences including low self-esteem, depression, and relationship difficulties. (Teicher, 2000) Researchers have identified links between child abuse and neglect and the hobby In one long-term study, as many as 80 percent of young adults who had been abused met the diagnostic criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder at age 21. These young adults exhibited m any problems, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-annihilation attempts (Silverman, Reinherz, amp Giaconia, 1996).Other psychological and emotional conditions associated with abuse and neglect include panic disorder, dissociative disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic tautness disorder, and reactive attachment disorder (Teicher, 2000). The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being recently found children placed in out-of-home care due to abuse or neglect tended to score lower than the general population on measures of cognitive capacity, language development, and academic achievement (2003). Children who are abused and neglected by caretakers often do not form secure attachments to them.These early attachment difficulties can lead to ulterior difficulties in relationships with other adults as well as with peers (Morrison, Frank, Holland, amp Kates, 1999). Not all victims of child abuse and neglect will experience behavio ral consequences however, child abuse and neglect appear to make the following more likely Studies have found abused and neglected children to be at least 25 percent more likely to experience problems such as delinquency, teen pregnancy, low academic achievement, drug use, and mental health problems (Kelley et al. , 1997).A National Institute of Justice study indicated being abused or neglected as a child increased the likelihood of arrest as a modern by 59 percent. Abuse and neglect increased the likelihood of adult criminal behavior by 28 percent and violent crime by 30 percent (Widom amp Maxfield, 2001). Research systematically reflects an increased likelihood that abused and neglected children will smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol, or take illicit drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as many as two-thirds of people in drug treatment programs reported being abused as children (2000).

Italy and Japan Essay Example for Free

Italy and Japan canvass universe of discourse warfare II caused greater destruction than any other warfare in history. The war took the lives of about 17 million soldiers and an even greater number of civilians, who died as a result of bombings, starvation, and conceive campaigns of mass murder. The war also ushered in the atomic age and was quickly followed by the collapse of the wartime compact between the United States and the Soviet Union and the beginning of the Cold fight. creation state of war I created the conditions that take to World contend II. The peace settlement ending the war, which stripped the Central Powers of territory and arms and take them to pay reparations, left lasting bitterness in Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Turkey. The peace treaty also disappointed cardinal of the victors, Italy and Japan. In addition, the war severely disrupted Europes economies and helped set the stage for the Great Depression of the 1930s. General histories of the war, which contemplate the wars origins, legions history, and consequences, include rump Keegan, The gage World War (1989) C.L. Sulzberger and Stephen E. Ambrose, the Statesn Heritage New fib of World War II (1997) and Gerhard L. Weinberg, A World at Arms A Global register of World War II (1994). Valuable reference works include I. C. B. Dear and M. R. D. Foot, eds. , The Oxford Companion to the Second World War (1995) John Ellis, World War II A Statistical Survey (1993) and John Keegan, ed. , The Times Atlas to the Second World War (1989). To understand the wars outcome, see Richared oery, Why the Allies win (1995).The most thorough and balanced recent history of the American role in World War II is David M. Kennedy, Freedom from Fear The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945 (1999), which examines the causes of U. S. involvement in the conflict, wartime diplomacy, military strategy, and the wars economic and social implications. The question of how Japan was able to carry out its successful surprise coming on bead Harbor is thoroughly examined in Gordon W.Prange, At Dawn We Slept The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor (1982). The wars European theater is discussed in Stephen L. McFarland and Wesley Phillips Newton, To Command the Sky The Battle for Air Superiority Over German, 1942-1944 (1991) Nathan Miller, War at Sea A Naval History of World War II (1995) and throng Polmar and T. B. Allen, World War II (1996). Soldiers wartime experiences are examined in Gerald F. Linderman, The World Within War Americas Combat bear in World War II (1997).On the Pacific War, see John Dower, War Without mildness Race and Power in the Pacific War (1986), Akira Iriye, Power and Culture The Nipponese-American War, 1941-1945 (1981), and Ronald Spector, Eagle Against the Sun (1985) World War II transformed the American homefront. It jump-started the economy ended Depression-era unemployment, relocated Americans in unprecedented numbers, and for good altere d the status of women, adolescents, and racial minorities in American life. The wars impact on the homefront is analyzed in William L.ONeill, A Democracy at War Americas Fight at Home and Abroad in World War II (1993). Oral histories from the war years can be found in Studs Terkel, The Good War (1984). World War II had a dramatic impact on womens lives. The most visible form involved the appearance of large numbers of women in uniform, as more than 250,000 women joined the WACs, the Army Nurses Corps, the WAVES, and the naval forces Nurses Corps. The war also challenged the conventional image of female behavior, as Rosie the Riveter became the popular symbol of women who worked in defense industries.Wartime transformations in womens lives are examined in Susan M. Hartmann, The Homefront and Beyond Women in the 1940s (1982) and DAnn Campbell, Women at War with America Private Lives in a Patriotic Era (1984). World War II affected children and adolescents no less than women. In fact , the word teenager first appeared during the war. William M. Tuttle, Jr. , Daddys Gone to War The Second World War in the Lives of Americas Children (1993) traces the changes in young peoples lives. During World War II, African Americans waged battles on two fronts.They helped the artless win the war overseas and pressed for equal rights at home. This dual struggle for victory against fascism and discrimination, know as the Double V campaign, is examined in Neil Wynn, The Afro-American and the Second World War (1976). The internment of 112,000 mainland Japanese Americans, one of the most shameful chapters in American history, is examined in Peter Irons, Justice at War The Story of the Japanese Internment Cases (1983). A 1942 government report on the Pearl Harbor attack, written by Supreme Court Justice Owen J.Roberts, which claimed without supporting evidence that the Japanese had received support from whatever Japanese Americans, helped to create a climate of opinion that led t o internment. World War II attach the dawn of the atomic age. The development of nuclear weapons is thoroughly examined in Richard Rhodes, The Making of the Atomic Bomb (1986). The finish to drop two atomic bombs on Japan remains one of the most controversial decisions in military history. Martin Sherwin, A World Destroyed The Atomic Bomb and the Grand Alliance (1975) analyzes the factors that went into this decision.

Interrupt and a Trap in an Operating System Essay Example for Free

Interrupt and a Trap in an Operating System EssayWhat are the differences between an frustrate and a old salt? What are their importance? According to Stallings (2012) an interrupt is a suspension of a process, such as the act of a computer program, caused by an event external to that process and performed in such a means that the process can be resumed (p. 716). Stallings (2012) goes on to say that interrupts are provided primarily as a bureau to improve processor utilization. For example, most I/O devices are much slower than the processor (p. 14). A trap is an unprogrammed conditional jump to a specified address that is automatically activated by hardware the location from which the jump was made is recorded (Stallings, 2012, p. 721). A trap is actually a software generated interrupt caused either by an error (for example division by zero, invalid memory access etc.), or by a specific request by an operating agreement service generated by a user program.Trap is sometim es called Exception. The hardware or software can generate these interrupts. When the interrupt or trap occurs, the hardware transfers control to the operating system which first preserves the current state of the system by saving the current CPU registers content and program counters value. Then the focus shifts to the determination of which geek of interrupt has occurred. For each type of interrupt, separate segments of code in the operating system determine what body process should be taken and thus the system keeps on functioning by executing computational instruction, I/O instruction, storage instruction etc. Provide an example of each.Example of an Interrupt retrieved from http//www.scriptoriumdesigns.com/embedded/show_codefile.php?fname=interrupts/AVR_ISR_1.c// AVR_ISR_1 acknowledge avr/io.hinclude avr/interrupt.htypedef uint8_t u8 // convenient unsigned variable designationstypedef uint16_t u16define INPORT PINDdefine OUTPORT PORTCdefine OUTDDR DDRCvolatile u8 Int_flag = 0 ISR( INT0_vect )OUTPORT = 0x01 // render LEDvoid int0_init( void )MCUCR = (1ISC01) // enable negative edge on INT0GICR = (1INT0) // enable INT0int main( void )OUTDDR = 0x01 // unbending bit 0 to outputOUTPORT = 0x01 // set LED off (active low)int0_init() // configure INT0sei() // enable global interrupts musical composition (1) // loop forever, all work happens in ISRreturn(0)Example of a trap retrieved from http//www.ibm.com/developerworks/aix/library/au-usingtraps/index.html / store/bashproj_dir=/ favour/pcake/bin check file is presentif -f $proj_dir/run_pj thenecho $proj_dir/run_pj not present pallingexit 1fi make a supporting copycp -p $proj_dir/run_pj $proj_dir/run_pj.24042011if $? = 0 thenecho $proj_dir/run_pj no backup madeexitingexit 1fi copy over updated fileif -f /opt/dump/rollout/run_pj thenecho /opt/dump/rollout/run_pj not presentexitingexit 1ficp -p /opt/dump/rollout/run_pj $proj_dir/run_pjif $? = 0 thenecho $proj_dir/run_pj was not copied..exitingexit 1fiRef erencesStallings, W. (2012). Operating systems Internals and design principles (7th ed.). Boston, MA Prentice Hall.

The Roots and Origins of Islamic Terrorism Essay Example for Free

The Roots and Origins of Islamic Terrorism EssaySince the 1970s terrorism against the US has been festering and on September 11th it became app bent that terrorism will be a major problem the US will face in the years ahead. The question this essay attempts to explore is what is terrorism and what ar several(prenominal) the ca put ons of this anti-US terrorism? In order to find the causes of anti-US terrorism, this essay will research various academic kit and boodle in an effort to find some explanations of what causes anti-US terrorism. I will examine a couple several(predicate) hypothesis that try to apologize the causes of terrorism, solely my research I plan to argue that anti-US terrorism is root in semi form _or_ system of government-making and companionable movements by angry Islamic fundamentalists who believe using non-conventional evasive activenesss be the most rational way to urge on the US and the westerlyern powers. Terrorist chemical conclaves, such as Al-Qaeda, do non contrive diplomacy with the US as an choice to voice their demands because they see the US as a superpower that is unwilling to listen to their demands and excessively because most of the Arab governments are fri fires with the US. Because diplomacy is non an available option and at that place is an inability to spurtally labor the west militarily, terrorists radicals have chosen to use non-traditional tactics to involution the west.Research into this issue is very important for political research because terrorism has be hap a major security issue for the US and another(prenominal) countries around the world. Also, research into the causes of terrorism is important because it is a tactic that non-state actors skunk and will be using the years ahead as a form of leverage against the US and the West. In my conclusion I will present some possible solutions how terrorism sack hopefully be stopped in the future. Defining terrorism as one definite to pic is not an easy t request, but generally terrorism is considered to be non-conventional form of warfare that soulfulnesss or groups bottomland use to fight for their agenda, whether it is a political, social, religious and/or economic cause. Terrorists use m each non-conventional ways of bit such as car bombs, keeping pot hostage, and in some cases hijacking air planes. As a weapon of the weak, terrorism is deployed by groups to gain media attention and visibility as the eldest step in gaining surname recognition within the international community. (Nacos 1994).Through the publicity generated by their violence, terrorists seek to obtain the leverage, influence and power they otherwise lack to create political change on every a local or an international scale. The traditional laws of war do not applyto terrorism, partly because terrorist groups do not abide to treaties on war, and also because terrorist groups use fear as their form of leverage, which is why it is okay for t hem to kill innocent people. In cases of groups such as Al-Qaeda killing innocent people is not considered a bad thing because to them there is a religious justification. Power has always compete a crucial role in the international system and based on this principle we can believe that the struggle for power has a major influence on the decision of terrorist groups to commit acts of terrorism. (Sobeck Braithwaite 2005) In a study by David Sobek and Alex Braithwaite the two researchers hypothesize that as political, forces, and diplomatical capabilities become concentrated into American and allied hands, the net out of terrorism directed against Americas interests will increase as a way to call balance this power.Because terrorists are non-state actors they do not have access to conventional forms of fighting or the diplomatic channels that states use to resolve their disputes, they must use non-conventional forms of fighting. The choice to employ terrorist activities arises ra tionally from the environmental scene within which these groups find themselves in, in that terrorism is the most cost-effective way for the terrorists to accomplish their goals. (Ajami 2001) The United States prevailing position in the world affects the decision of terrorist groups to launch terrorist attacks against US interests internationally. As the United States becomes increasingly dominant, the amount of terrorism directed against it is likely to increase. Terrorism is seen by the terrorists as a counter-balancing mechanism. (Sobeck Braithwaite 2005) Increasing American control condition limits the ability of groups with revisionist views of the international system, such as that of the Palestinians, to be heard, let alone changed. (Sobeck Braithwaite 2005)The options available for these groups to act are diplomacy, perhaps done a NGO or their home state if they are willing to listen, or terrorism, which is intended to create an instant response (Most Starr, 1989) Fro m these choices, terrorist groups choose strategies that they see as rational that will increase their expected outcome. (Sobeck Braithwaite 2005) This means that the decision to engage in terrorism relates directly to the expected efficacy of an action and the likely payoffs received if it is successful. For example the terrorist activities of 9/11 cost Al-Qaeda roughly 400,000dollars and nineteen haves were wooly in the process, but the outcome of causing thousands of deaths, several billion dollars of damage, and most importantly creating fear in the minds of millions of people world-wide was a very cost-effective decision by Al-Qaeda to put world pip on their anti-US position. (Sobeck Braithwaite 2005)The desire to counter-balance the US and west and remove from the essence East a long with imprint that it possible has caused the creation of many terrorist groups since the 1970s. This anti-western feeling had been around for a long time, but the creation of Israel and th e growing amount of western influence in the region really sparked terrorist movements in this time period. Groups such as Hezbollah, a Lebanese group that has been around since the 1980s, have realized that using non-conventional warfare, such as blowing up the US Embassy in Beirut, can be a way to fight and neutralize the conventional military superiority of a superpower. (Cannistraro and Giraldi 2007) This action seemed to be a victory for Hezbollah as US and french forces withdrew from the country after the bombing. This act of removing western countries using terrorism inspired other terrorist groups to try to fight Western influence in their home countries and to fight western countries in their homeland as seen by the attacks of 9/11 and the bombings in Madrid.It is a common misperception that terrorists are insane and not rational actors because they use tactics such as suicide, but this is not necessarily the case. Marc Sageman, a former CIA officer, studied the grounds o f terrorists and found that the popular depictions of brainwashed or poor and uneducated terrorists are generally not true. He profiled 382 terrorists and his work reveals that terrorists are much likely to be normal, well-educated types with families and good professional-level jobs. (Sageman 2002) Most are philia or upper class and not poor, young, single, and/or deluded. (Sageman 2002) Only a small percentage had any religious education, and many, more than 70 percent, had some university education. (Sageman 2002) Sageman concluded that Al Qaeda and its associated groups are generally be of men who are very well educated, well off, and stable. According to Vincent Cannistraro and Philip Giraldi terrorists act as theydo not because they are crazy but because they believe what they do will bring about change to the world(prenominal) political consideration quo.Terrorists see terrorism as a way to create power where there is none or to consolidate power where there is very litt le. (Hoffman 1998) For the global Salafist terrorists, the objective is to put an end to corrupt Arab regimes, replacing them with theocracies, and to bring and end to western influence from Muslim lands. For the regionally based groups such as Hamas, the purpose of terrorism is national liberation from occupying powers e.g. Israel. (Cannistraro and Giraldi 2007) It can also be argued that even though acts of terrorism are universally condemned, they stimulate media coverage of an issue and provide an opening for moderate organizations to ask the public to consider the legitimacy of what the terrorists are fighting for as a separate issue from the tactics the groups use i.e. it can be argued that the terrorism in Israel has increased awareness of poor conditions of the Palestinian people. (Adamson)along with being a political movement, terrorism has now also become a sociological phenomenon in parts of the Muslim world and in the west. In parts of the Middle East terrorists groups b egin to form when members of the society feel upset with their home government for working with the US or other reasons that make them feel outcast i.e. economic reasons, feeling less dignified than people of the west, etc. It usually takes a charismatic leader to take the frustration of the many outcast people and channel it into a movement. In the words of Eric Hoffer, it is usually an externalizing hatemongering leader who manipulates the slime of discontented souls. (Hoffer 1989) Terrorist group leaders, such as Osama Bin Laden, are considered to be a therapist for the group and they blame an external cause for their difficulties of the group and righteously excuse aggression against the believed source i.e. the US. (Robins Post, 1997). Once members are recruited into these groups, there is a clear fusing of individual identity and group identity, particularly among the more radical elements of each organization.This is true both for the Islamist terrorists of Hamas as well as Al Qaeda and the global Salafi jihad. (Post 2005) For members of these terrorist groups success within the community is defined as fighting for the cause, which can be thought of as political, social,and religious growth of the groups beliefs. As young men adopt this view of success, their give self image becomes more intimately intertwined with the success of the organization. (Post 2005) With no other means to achieve status and success, the organizations success becomes central to individual identity and provides a reason for living for group members. (Post 2005)As an individuals identity succumbs to the organization, there is no room for individuality, meaning no individual ideas, identity, and decision-making. At the same time self-perceived success becomes more and more linked to the organization This creates a steering wheel where group members have a direct need to increase the power and prestige of the group through increasingly dramatic and gaga operations because this will increase their own perceived success (Post 2005) This conglutination with the group seems to provide the necessary justification for their actions and loss of responsibility to the individual. Guilt or remorse by the individual is not tolerated because the organization does not express it. This is intensified among Islamist groups who feel they have a deterrent example obligation to the cause and a religiously sanctioned justification for their actions e.g. Jihad (Post 2005).In Europe and in the US terrorist groups have formed from a different social phenomenon. When Marc Sageman did his detailed study on 382 terrorists, he found some interesting information about the origins of many Al-Qaeda terrorists. Sageman found that the average al Qaedatype terrorist has traveled, frequently studied in the West, and that many terrorists developed their radicalism term they were studying or working in the West. (Sageman 2002) He discovered that most terrorists entered into the jihadi cause from the bottom up, meaning that they volunteered and were not actively recruited.Sageman explains that these terrorists frequently drifted into radical mosques as an act of cultural assertion, often because they felt homesick or alienated from the dominant Western culture. Once there, they joined cliques or friendship groups of the like-minded people also searching for a new identity. (Sageman 2002) According to Sageman, The groups are characterized by a sense of anomie, their social and political lunacy eventually being attributed to the decadence, corruption, and immorality of the West. The next step for these outcast individuals is tojoin an organization that is doing something to competitiveness and roll back the western values. Sageman concluded from his study that it is the alienation arising from the misguided multiculturalism that treats Muslims like a group needing to be protected that creates its own sense of victimization. (Sageman 2002)Another explanation that s ome might give to explain terrorism is that it is a psychological disorder that is caused by a pneumopathological consciousness that involves the construction of an imaginative southward humanity where terrorism has intended and magical effects. (Cooper 2005) This belief that terrorism is caused by a second reality says when individuals, who out of necessity exist within commonsensical or first reality attempt to live within the imaginative or fantasy-based second reality and characteristic frictions between the two arise. With respect to late terrorism, the chief conflicts are between religious or spiritual realities and their symbolization and the realities of unfavorable living conditions in the Middle East relative to countries of the West. The tension between the first and second reality is brought to life by the perverse logic of this second reality that interprets murder as self-sacrifice according to this theory. (Cooper 2005) No numerate how pragmatically destructive th ese acts of political violence may be in commonsense terms, for the people active imaginatively within a second reality, they are sanitized by virtue of the fact that they are religiously symbolic. They are stripped of their horror by being invested with religious meaning. (Juergensmeyer 1996)Of the different academic industrial plant I have looked into, this theory that terrorism is caused by a psychological disorder seems to be the to the lowest degree plausible. The problem with the theory is that it is not possible to test the psychological dysfunctions of the terrorists partly because of an internal belief in this theory that the terrorists are able to live in the first reality. Also since other researchers such as Marc Sageman have done case studies that show that terrorists are rational and normal people, there is strong separate that contradicts this theory.This theory does not take into account the strong evidence put forth by the other works I haveresearched that convi ncingly explain how terrorism is a rational way for the terrorists to fight the west of social and political reasons. While it is true that some terrorists groups are fighting in the name of religion, most terrorists groups have used religion as a justification and cover up for doing violent acts that are politically and socially motivated. Overall, this belief that terrorism is caused by a pneumopathological consciousness does little in supporting my hypothesis.Some of the articles I read gave me support for my hypothesis that terrorism is caused by political and social forces. The Long War by Vincent Cannistraro and Philip Giraldi was one of the articles that supported my hypothesis. The general theme of the article was that social alienation from the West, revenge for previous blood debt, a desire to put an end to corrupt Arab regimes and replace them with theocracies along with bringing about a retreat of the West, particularly the United States, from Muslim lands is what causes terrorism. Also Victim of victory by David Sobeck and Alex Braithwaite supported my hypothesis because it explained terrorism as political maneuver by groups like Al Qaeda to counter balance the military and political superiority of the US. An article that supported my notion that terrorism also has social motivations was the case study of terrorists my Marc Sageman, which explain how social alienation by Muslims living in the west causes these groups to feel hatred toward the west and act on their feelings.With a better apprehending of the political and social causes of terrorism better efforts should be made by US foreign policy makers to set about these root causes. It will be difficult to stop Muslim extremists from feeling outcast from their home governments, but better efforts need to be made by people living in the west to understand Islam and the problems Muslims in the Middle East face. Also people in the west need to do a better job of helping Muslims living in the wes t to assimilate into western society so they do not feel social alienation. A lot of this social tension between Muslims and the west can possibly be fixed with better education of Islam in schools and less negative depictions of Muslims and the Middle East in the media.The political causes of terrorism will be a little bit more difficult to fix. It is not likely that the US will lessen its power, but the US could try to do more to change its policy that affects the millions of Muslims living in the Middle East. First, the US should stop this double-standard of promoting peace in Isreal, while at the same time giving full support militarily and economically to the Israeli government, which doing very little to help the Palestinians. Next, the US should try to stop supporting Arab governments which are very tyrannous towards their people. Although it is unlikely, the US and US companies should try to reduce their presence in the Middle East because we are clearly not welcome and ma ny of the people living in the area think we are exploiting them while also corrupting their way of life with our more liberal social values.Also what the US should do to help stop terrorism is to increase the legitimacy of using diplomacy in the region because doing so would make terrorism not the most rational option for these angry groups. The implications of US foreign policy in the Middle East are very important if we want to see terrorism come to an end. It is unfortunate that the Islamic fundamentalists had to resort to using terrorism to fight for their political and social causes, but if the US does more to understand their needs and frustrations of these peoples and also act on this information, then hopefully we will see an the end of this era of terrorism.ReferencesAdamson, Fiona B. (2005). globoseization, Transnational semipolitical Mobilization, and Networks of Violence. Cambridge Review of global Affairs, retrieved November 5, 2007, From Academic attend Premier da tabaseAjami, F. (2001). The vile Imperium Pax Americana in the Middle East. How did this happen? Terrorism and the new war. Public Affairs Reports, Retrieved November 11, 2007, from Academic reckon Premier databaseCannistraro,Vincent Giraldi,Philip.(2007). The Long War Mediterranean Q., (Duke University Press) Retrieved November 5, 2007 from Academic Search Premier databaseCooper, Barry. (2005). Terrorism and Globalization. Perspectives on Global Development and Technology. Retrieved November 5, 2007 from Academic Search Premier databaseHoffer, E. (1989). The true believer Thoughts on the nature of mass movements. harpist and Rowe Perennial Library. Retrieved November 5, 2007 from Academic Search Premier databaseJuergensmeyer, Mark (1996) The Worldwide Rise of Religious Nationalism. Journal of International Affairs. Retrieved November 5, 2007 from Academic Search Premier databaseMost, B. and Starr, H. (1989). Inquiry, logic, and international politics. University of South Carolin a Press. Retrieved November 11, 2007 from Academic Search Premier databaseNacos, B. (1994). Terrorism and the Media From the Iran hostage Crisis to the Oklahoma City Bombing. Columbia University Press. Retrieved November 5, 2007 from Academic Search Premier databasePost,Jerrold M. (2005). When Hatred Is Bred in the Bone Psycho-Cultural Foundations of coeval Terrorism. Polit.Psychol. Retrieved November 5, 2007 from Academic Search Premier databaseRobins, R Post, J (1997). Political paranoia The psychopolitics of hatred. New Haven Yale University Press. Retrieved November 11, 2007 from Academic Search Premier databaseSageman, Marc. (2002). Understanding Terror Networks. University of Pennsylvania Press. Retrieved November 5, 2007 from Academic Search Premier databaseSobek,David Braithwaite,Alex (2005). Victim of Success American Dominance and Terrorism. Conflict Management and Peace Science. Department of Political Science, Louisiana State University Department of PoliticalScienc e, Pennsylvania State University Retrieved November 11 2007, From Academic Search Premier database

Creating Safe Environments Essay Example for Free

Creating Safe Environments EssayCollaboration with parents is one of the most challenging and critical issues that cause misunderstandings within the classroom and throughout the school building. It is a non-negoti fitted expectation among parents and teachers that include building a network amid and among parents and teachers. It involves a sense of mutual respect as well as an understanding of different viewpoints. Teachers should be mindful that building relationships early in the school year will result in a positive classroom environment in which students have a secure place to learn. Parents and teachers should share expertness regarding the student in which information about learning styles are presented in a non-threatening manner. Teachers should be able to use limited amounts of teacher language so parents are able to understand expectations within the classroom as well as establish guidelines for following up on strategies at house. As a parent, I would appreciate a relationship with the person who spends most of the day with my child. I would gain cortical potential into the way my child thinks in various situations to create a deeper understanding of relationships in the real world.The neediness for character facts of life for parents lies in the fact that children should be shown examples of good character both at home and at school. School has to build the work that the family does (Lickona, 2009). Parents should unequivocally be involved and taught character education strategies. oftentimes of what we see as teachers is a reflection of a poor home environment as parents who belong complicated locomotes. Many are single parents and lack the time or resources to handle the complex problems of children today.They want nothing more than for their children to be successful, but as educators, it is our responsibility to provide resources for parents such as strategies and techniques, parenting courses with childcare and methods which fos ter values that all people should acquire in society. In this ever changing world, I, as a parent would welcome some insight to how my children are becoming part of the world they live in. This collaboration in character education should be purposeful as is our teaching. The purpose of character education should change the way the classroom works and feels, not just the way each member acts (Lichona, 1991).

Astrology and Pagan Symbolism in Christianity

Astrology and infidel Symbolism in ChristianityAstrology and Pagan Symbolism in Christianity prototypic of all we shall stgraphics the definitions of the key words as use in the research motion.Astrology burn be defined as the study of how correctts on earth correspond to the positions and hitments of astronomical bodies which are the moon, sun, planets and the stars. pagan trust in general is a term for the ancient and modern religions which identify nature as the organic structure of the divine e.g. Taoism is the paganism of China, Hinduism is the Paganism of India, Shinto the paganism of Japan and Santeria, Voudon Macumba are the paganisms of the African Diaspora etcOn the new(prenominal) hand symbolism is the applied use of symbols i.e iconic theatrical performances that carry particular conventional meanings. Symbolism besides refers to a way of choosing representative symbols that are in line with the abstract alternatively than literal properties, allowing for the broader r closeering of a carried meaning than more literal design-representations can allow. A religion can be set forth as a language of concepts related to hu gentleman spirituality. Symbolism hence is an pregnant aspect of most(prenominal) religions.Christianity is the monotheistic system of beliefs and practices that are based on the Old Testament and the teachings of saviour as bodily in the New Testament and that emphasizes the role of deliveryman as savior and Christ.DiscussionZodiac is one of the oldest conceptual images in human history. It reflects the sun as it figuratively passes through the 12 major constellations over the course of study of a year. It alike reflects the 12 months of the year, the 4 seasons, and the solstices and equinoxes. The term Zodiac relates to the fact that constellations were anthropomorphized, or personified, as figures, or animals.Jesus was born(p) of the Virgin Mary on declination 25th/a in Bethlehem, his kindred was symbolized by a star in the east which three kings or magi followed to locate and adorn the new savior. He was a child teacher at age 12 and at the age of 30 he was call by John the Baptist, and thus began the ministry. Jesus had 12 disciples whom he traveled abtaboo with performing miracles much(prenominal) as healing the sick, raising the dead, walk of life on water, he was also feeln as the poof of Kings, the Son of God, the Light of the World, the Alpha and Omega, the Lamb of God e.g. After being betrayed by Judas his disciple and exchange for 30 pieces of silver, he was crucified, set(p) in a tomb and after 3 days resurrected and ascended to Heaven.The abide sequence of Jesus is completely astrological. The star in the east is Sirius, the brightest star in the sky at night, which on December 2quaternary aligns with the three brightest stars in Orions Belt. These three bright stars are referred today what they were called in ancient times, The Three Kings. The Three Kings and the b rightest star Sirius, all point to the place of the sunrise on December 25th. This is why the Three Kings follow the star in the east, in order to locate the sunrise or the tolerate of the sun.Virgin Mary is the constellation Virgo, also cognise as the Virgo the Virgin which in Latin means virgin. The ancient glyph for Virgo is the altered m. This is why Mary with other virgin experiences, such as Adoniss mother Myrrha and Buddhas mother Maya begin with an M. Virgo is also referred to as the set up of Bread, and the represents of virgin holding a sheaf of wheat. The sept of Bread and its symbol of wheat represent August and September, the time of harvest. In turn, Bethlehem literally translates to house of bread. Bethlehem hence refers to the constellation Virgo, a place in the sky, not on Earth.Another really interesting phenomenon that occurs just about December 25th is that from the summer solstice to the winter solstice, the days become shorter and colder. From the north ern hemisphere perspective, the sun appears to move south gets smaller and more scarce. The shortening of days and the expiration of the crops when approaching the winter solstice symbolizes the process of closing to the ancients. By December 22nd, the Suns demise was fully realized, for the Sun having moved south continually for 6 months, makes it to its concluding point in the sky. And here a curious thing occurs, the Sun stops moving south, at least for 3 days. In the three day pause, the Sun stays in the vicinity of the Confederate Cross, or Crux, the constellation. After this time on December 25th, the Sun moves 1 degree, this time north, foreshadowing lifelong days, spring and warmth. And thus it was said, the Sun died on the cross, was dead for 3 days, only to be resurrected or born again. This is why Jesus and numerous other Sun Gods share the crucifixion, 3 day death, and resurrection concept. Its the Suns passage period before it shifts its direction back towards the Northern Hemisphere bringing spring and thus salvation.However, they didnt celebrate the resurrection of the Sun until the spring equinox, or Easter. This is because at the spring equinox, the Sun officially overpowers the evil darkness, as daytime thereafter becomes longer in duration than night, and the revitalizing conditions of spring emerge.Therefore the obvious astrological symbolism almost Jesus regards the 12 disciples. They are simply the 12 constellations of the Zodiac, which Jesus, being the Sun, travels about with.In fact, the number 12 is seen more often throughout the Bible which has more to do with astrology than anything else. flavor at the cross of the Zodiac, the figurative life of the Sun, this was not an artistic expression or tool to quest after the Suns movements. It is a Pagan adaptation of the cross of the Zodiac. That is why Jesus in early occult art is shown with his head on the cross the Sun of God, the Light of the World, the Risen Savior, who bequeath come again, as it is all morning, the Glory of God who battles against the works of darkness, as he is born again every morning, and can be seen coming in the clouds, up in Heaven, with his Crown of Thorns, or, sun rays.Now, of the many astrological-astronomical metaphors in the Bible, the most important has to do with the ages. In the scriptures there are numerous references eon. To understand this, we need to familiarize with the phenomenon called the precession of the equinoxes. Ancient Egyptians along with cultures long before them recognized that approximately for every 2150 years the sunrise on the morning of the spring equinox would occur at a different sign of the Zodiac. This is concerned with the windy angular wobble that the Earth maintains as it rotates on its axis. Its called a precession because the constellations go backwards, rather than through the normal annual cycle. The time that it takes for the precession to go through all 12 signs is some 25 to 765 years . This is also called the Great Year, and ancient societies were very aware of this. Each 2150 year period was called an age. From 4300 b.c. to 2150 b.c., it was called the era of papal bull, the Bull. From 2150 b.c. to 1 a.d., it was called the bestride of Aries, the Ram, and from 1 a.d. to 2150 a.d. it was called the Age of Pisces, the age we are still in to examine, and in and around 2150, we shall enter the new age called the Age of Aquarius.The Bible reflects a symbolic movement through 3 ages, while foreshadowing a 4th. In the Old Testament when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the 10 Commandments, he was very upset to see his people worshiping a golden bull calf. He reacted by shatter the stone tablets and instructing his people to kill each other in order to purify themselves. I would proportion this anger to the fact that the Israelites were worshiping a false idol or something to that effect. The fact is that the golden bull is Taurus the Bull, and Moses represe nts the new Age of Aries the Ram. That is why Jews even today still blow the Rams horn. Moses represents the new Age of Aries, and upon the new age, everyone should shed the old age. Other deities mark these transitions as well, a pre-Christian god who kills the bull, in the equivalent symbol.Jesus is the figure who ushers in the age following Aries, the Age of Pisces the two Fish. Fish symbolism is very repetitive in the New Testament. Jesus fed 5000 people with bread and 2 fish. When he began his ministry walking along Galilee, he befriends 2 fishermen, who followed him. I have seen Jesus-fish on the backs of peoples cars. Yet they do not know what it actually means. It is a Pagan astrological symbolism for the Suns Kingdom during the Age of Pisces. Also, Jesus assumed birth witness is essentially the start of this age.In Luke 2210 when Jesus is asked by his disciples where the next Passover will be, Jesus replied Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you obligeing a pitcher of water follow him into the house where he entereth in. this scripture is one of the most revealing of all the astrological references. The man carrying a pitcher of water is Aquarius, the water bearer, who is always seen as a man pouring out a pitcher of water. He represents the age after Pisces, and when the Sun leaves the Age of Pisces (Jesus), it will go into the House of Aquarius, as Aquarius follows Pisces in the precession of the equinoxes. Also what Jesus is that after the Age of Pisces will come the Age of Aquarius.We have all heard about the end times and the end of the humanness. Apart from the depictions in the record book of Revelation, the main source of this idea comes from Matthew 2820, where Jesus reckons I will be with you even to the end of the worldly concern. Otherwise, in King James Version, the world is a mistranslation, among many mistranslations. The actual word being used is aeon, which means age. I will be with you even to th e end of the age. Which is true, as Jesus Solar Piscean representation will end when the Sun enters the Age of Aquarius. The entire concept of end times and the end of the world is a misinterpreted astrological allegation. Lets tell that to the approximately 100 million people in America who hope the end of the world is coming.Furthermore, Jesus character, a literary and astrological hybrid, is most explicitly standardized to the Egyptian Sun god Horus e.g., inscribed about 3500 years ago on the walls of the Temple of Luxor in Egypt are images of the enunciation of the immaculate conception, the birth, and the adoration of Horus. The images begin with Thaw announcing to the virgin Isis that she will conceive Horus, then Nef the saintly ghost shall impregnant the virgin Isis, and then the virgin birth and the adoration. This exactly entails Jesus miracle conception. In fact, the literary similarities surrounded by the Egyptian religion and the Christian religion are staggering.The plagiarism is continuous. The story of Noah and the Ark is taken directly from the traditions. The concept of a Great Flood is common throughout the ancient world, with over 200 different cited claims in different periods and times. However, one needs look no further for a pre-Christian source than the Epic of Gilgamesh, create verbally in 2600 b.c. In this story is told of a Great Flood commanded by God, an Ark with saved animals on it, and even the release and return of a dove, all held in common with the biblical story, among many other similar occurrences.Then there is the plagiarized story of Moses. Upon Moses birth, it is said that he was placed in a reed basket and set adrift in a river in order to avoid infanticide. He was ulterior rescued by a daughter of a king and raised by her as a Prince. This baby in a basket story was lifted directly from the myth of Sargon of Akkad of around 2250 b.c. Sargon was born, placed in a reed basket in order to avoid infanticide, and set adrift in a river. He was in turn rescued and raised by Akki, a royal mid-wife.Furthermore, Moses is known as the giver of the ten dollar bill Commandments. However, the idea of a Law being passed from God to a visionary on a mountain is also a very old motif. Moses is just a jurisprudence giver in a series of law of nature givers in mythological history. In India, Manou was the spacious law giver. In Crete, Minos ascended Mount Dicta, where Zeus gave him the sacred laws. While in Egypt there was Mises, who carried stone tablets and upon them the laws of god were written.The Ten Commandments are taken outright from Spell 125 of the Egyptian Book of the Dead. What the Book of the Dead phrased I have not killed Thou shall not kill, I have not told lies became Thou shall not bear false witness I have not stolen became Thou shall not steal, and so forth. In fact, the Egyptian religion is likely the primary foundational basis for the Judeo-Christian theology. Baptism, afterlife, fi nal judgment, virgin birth and resurrection, crucifixion, the Ark of the Covenant, circumcision, saviors, Holy Communion, the great flood, Easter, Christmas, Passover, and many more, are all attri andes of Egyptian ideas, long predating Christianity and Judaism.Justin Martyr, one of the first Christian historians and defenders, said When we say that Jesus Christ, our teacher, was produced without sexual union, was crucified and died, and rose again, and ascended into Heaven, we propound vigor different from what you believe regarding those who you esteem Sons of Jupiter. In a different writing, Justin Martyr said He was born of a virgin accept this in likeness with what you believe of Perseus.Its quite obvious that Justin and other early Christians knew how similar Christianity was to the Pagan religions and practices. However, Justin had a solution, as uttermost as he was concerned, the Devil did it. The Devil had the foresight to come before Christ, and create these characteris tics in the Pagan world.The Bible is just but an astro-theological literary fold hybrid, just like nearly all ghostlike myths before it. In fact, the aspect of transference, of one characters attributes to a new character, can be found deep down the bible itself. In the Old Testament theres the story of Joseph. Joseph was a prototype for Jesus. Joseph was born of a miracle birth Jesus was born of a miracle birth. Joseph was of 12 brothers, Jesus had 12 disciples. Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver. Brother Judah suggests the sale of Joseph, disciple Judas suggests the sale of Jesus. Joseph began his work at the age of 30 Jesus began his work at the age of 30. The parallels go on and on.At the time of Jesus, the Mediterranean world was ruled by the Roman Empire. The Romans were pagans, who had their own gods namely Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and so on. The names of these gods have survived to date in the names of the planets, the days of the week, names of months and general linguistic usage. The other cultures in the area also had their own gods and goddesses, who corresponded more or less to the Roman pantheon. Greek was the language of culture in the center field East the main centre was Alexandria in Egypt and the Roman world was one in which trade and religion passed rapidly between the cities and towns along the marvello.Celebrating the Solstice was forbidden by the Church, but many customs survived anyway. In the 4th Century, Pope Julius I declared that 25th December was Jesus birthday and so celebrations were in order. This effectively transformed the Pagan occasion into a Christian holy day (holiday). This was not, however, merely a pleasant way to Christianize a Pagan celebration. There is no historical evidence to prove what date Jesus was born on, or the season, or even the year. But after many years of calculation, rumination and argument, 25th December was assigned. And since the why is more important than the when, that date has been good enough for Christians ever since. determinationPaganism has a wider influence on our lives than we might care to think. Take for example, the simple wedding ring. This has heavy(a) Pagan origins yet is considered an essential part of the wedding ceremony by many Christians. Overemphasizing the relevance and greatness of religious symbols can lead to conflict. Consider the tensions that rose in France during 2004/5, following the banning of Muslim headscarves, Sikh turbans, Jewish skullcaps, large Christian crucifixes, and other conspicuous religious symbols that dont blend into secular state schools5. The headscarf bring down resulted in just a handful of school expulsions but more damagingly generated ill-feeling, divided the country and achieved nothing positive.Paganism has had a wide influence on Christianity given the many examples of rites and regalia that support this assertion. And this raises the question So what? Christians should be cautious about condemning practices as Pagan, just because of their origins. The origins may be interesting, but not so important. What is really important, however, is what we do with these things.ReferencesJ. G. Frazer (1993) The Golden Bough, Macmillan Co. Ltd, LondonR. Graves (1961) the white Goddess, Faber Faber, LondonA. His primp (1990) The Two Babylons, Loizeaux Brothers 2nd edition.M. D. Magee Sun Gods as Atoning Saviors an online resource investigating the origins of Christian and Jewish teachingsStrabo( 1982) The Geography of Strabo, Loeb Greco-Roman LibraryTertullian( 870) Adversus Judaeos, trans. Rev. S. Thelwall, 1870B. G. Walker 1983) the Womans Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets, Harper Row, NY