The Role of Word and Sacrament in the Life of Catholics

Catholics in the United States are the representatives of one of the largest religious groups, and Catholicism has deep roots in the country’s history. That is why, the Catholic tradition and the views of Catholics on Word and sacraments can be discussed as reflecting the visions of the majority of Americans.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of Word and Sacrament in the Life of Catholics specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The role of Word and Sacrament in the life of those Catholics who follow their religious tradition strictly is significant because Word of God is associated with main religious doctrines and principles of Catholicism, and sacraments can be discussed as the main rites of passage which determine the major stages in the human life and accentuate the connection of an individual with the faith. Catholics focus on belonging to the community and church while following the fundamental relig ious principles and doctrines. The everyday life of Catholics should be based on spirituality, faith, and religious tradition. Moreover, Catholicism provides people with a set of moral norms and rules which are necessary to follow and live according to God’s laws (Allitt, 2003). The principles of Catholicism are meaningful for Americans because they depend on the aspects of the historic development (Hemeyer, 2010). According to Corbett and Hemeyer, â€Å"Catholics were among the first, if not the first, Europeans to set foot upon the shores of America† that is why it is quite usual for Americans to share the Catholic tradition (Corbett Hemeyer, 1997, p. 89). As a result, â€Å"the majority of people in the United States consider Catholics to be a part of consensus religion. Catholicism is not viewed as ‘out-of-the-ordinary’ religion† (Corbett Hemeyer, 1997, p. 92). From this point, the main tendencies of the American society’s development a re formed within the Catholic communities which can influence the life of a lot of Americans considerably. Thus, Catholics’ visions of Word and Sacrament become especially significant for discussing the Americans’ religious tradition and spirituality in relation to Christianity. The guidelines to find the principles of religion and rules to follow can be reached with references to Word of God presented in the Bible. Catholics are inclined to discuss Word of God as God’s will or even as the equivalent of God. Thus, God’s will make Catholics act according to this will and according to the specific doctrines and codes presented in relation to the dogmas of Catholicism (Hemeyer, 2010).Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Catholics follow Word of God because it can be discussed as the single truth presented directly by God. From this perspective, following Word, people have to provide the definite response to this will. Catholics react to Word of God with following the religious principles and building their life according to the Catholic tradition. God’s truth is reflected in Word that is why people can grow spiritually basing on the visions provided in the Bible (Allitt, 2003). Furthermore, Catholics can draw conclusions about the aspects of religion only referring to Word of God. However, to build the life according to Word of God and main Catholic principles, it is necessary to follow definite religious procedures known as sacraments. Thus, Word of God and Sacrament are the basic aspects of the Catholic worship. The American Catholic Church provides people with the opportunity to attend it as the centers for worship and for developing the community life (Hemeyer, 2010). Church is significant during the periods of trouble and when people experience crises in their life. Those Catholics who cannot find the answer to the quest ions of spirituality with the help of interpreting Word of God are inclined to act and follow sacraments which reflect the main stages or passages in the human life such as the process of adopting the religion or marriage (Corbett Hemeyer, 1997). Sacraments are the meaningful rituals which can deepen the individual’s faith and connect the person with God more closely, developing one’s spirituality. Thus, to accept God’s will and to participate in Sacrament, Catholics should follow a range of rituals. Moreover, the role of sacraments is incomparable because they help determine the main aspects of the life and accentuate the sacred fields of the human existence. Catholics determine seven main sacraments which are Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Marriage, Eucharist, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. According to Hemeyer, the first and the main sacrament that Catholics participate in is Baptism. Thus, Catholics believe that â€Å"baptism is necessary for the removal of the inborn sin that is a part of all persons simply because they are human† (Hemeyer, 2010, p. 99).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of Word and Sacrament in the Life of Catholics specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To become a Catholic, it is necessary to be baptized according to the principles of this religion. Baptism is an important stage of cleaning the soul and body from the sins, and it is a kind of protection for a human provided by the religion. Baptized Catholics begin to celebrate God and his will fully. Eucharist is a ritual when Catholics share Christ’s Body and Blood in the form of bread and wine. It is an important stage of becoming closer to Christ spiritually. Sacraments are significant to teach Catholics the basics of religion according to God’s Word. Thus, God forgives the people’s sins, and Catholics are taught to forgive during the sacrament of Reconciliation (Hemeyer, 2010). To develop the mature spirituality, Catholics are expected to follow the ritual of Confirmation. Holy Orders help Catholics join Church and share the basic religious doctrines. Anointing of the Sick is a specific sacrament in which a priest usually uses oil to anoint a person â€Å"who is ill or in danger of dying from accident or old age†, and this sacrament is a way of â€Å"mediating the concern of Christ and the Church for the suffering person† (Hemeyer, 2010, p. 103). Marriage is one more Catholic sacrament. Getting married in front of God, Catholics state their belonging to their spouses and accentuate the religious power of the union of persons who love each other. Sacraments in the form of definite rituals and ceremonies help Catholics share the love of Christ and follow God’s will reflected in Word. Moreover, Word of God can be regarded as the single source of God’s will available for Catholics’ understa nding. The interpretation of Word of God presented in the Bible is the Catholics’ way to deepening their faith and spirituality. Furthermore, the Bible is the source of ethical rules and codes for the Christians.Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Thus, Catholics receive the knowledge of God with references to Word of God provided in the Bible. Sacraments are extremely significant for Catholics because these acts help people connect their lives with God. According to the religious visions, Catholics can feel God’s grace and love while following these sacraments. References Allitt, P. (2003). Religion in America. USA: Columbia University Press. Corbett, J. M., Hemeyer, J. C. (1997). Religion in America. USA: Prentice Hall. Hemeyer, J. C. (2010). Religion in America. USA: Prentice Hall. This essay on The Role of Word and Sacrament in the Life of Catholics was written and submitted by user Kaliyah S. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Gabon essays

Gabon essays Africa- To most people in this class, it is just another country. We do not know that much about it, and truthfully do not care to. For me, the only things that I knew of in Africa were Nelson Mandela, Egyptians and the pyramids, and that Kenya is a country there. Yet after this course, I have learned much that had never been presented to me before. Also, because of these student projects and papers, I have learned that there are more countries in Africa besides Kenya and Egypt. One of those countries is Gabon. Gabon is located in Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the equator and between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea. It's capital is Libreville and the total population is around 1,208,436. The total area of it is 102,000 square miles. So for us, that means it is about the size of Colorado. The climate is tropical, so it is almost always hot and humid. There is almost no rainfall between June and September, but the rainfall in the other months totals around 100 inches per year. The terrain consists of a narrow coastal plain, with a hilly interior, and savanna in the east and south. Some of Gabon's natural resources are petroleum, manganese, uranium, timber, gold, iron ore, and hydropower. Pertaining to its environment, Gabon is currently worried about deforestation and poaching. The majority of Gabons people live in the cities and larger towns. So who are these people? The nationality is recognized as Gabonese. Most people of are Bantu origin. There are four major tribal groupings of the Bantu. Those are the Fang, which is the largest, the Eshira, the Bapounou, and the Bateke. Other groups include the French and other persons of dual nationality. The Ethnic group boundaries are lesser than in other African countries. This is primarily because the official language, French. It seems to tie things together. Other languages include Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, and Ba...

Challenging Reality Essay

Challenging Reality Essay M.C. Escher: Challenging RealityM.C. Escher was a master of perspective. He challenged reality, and his critics minds. His artwork was considered to be highly mathematical, even though Escher never had any formal training in the math or sciences. Yet artists around the still world regard his work as great. Escher was able to manipulate geometry to create illusions that were often used to tell a story. In Day and Night and Ascending and Descending, Escher illustrated daily events and their meaning by using his artistic and mathematical techniques.In Day and Night, one of Eschers most acclaimed pieces, the idea of transformation from basic geometric shapes was used to depict a linking together of two separate events. In the center of the woodcut he began his design with a simple square which transformed into the farmland and geese. From these geese a city, in both the day and the night, emerged. The city in the day was a mirror image of the city at night that suggested the two events w ere inseparable. Day and Night was particularly special because Escher eliminated all negative space. Every inch of the paper was used to illustrate an event, which aided in the idea of day and night being one. Ascending and Descending is another well-known piece by Escher. This architectural drawing illustrated Eschers ability to create realistic designs, or did it? If the viewer took a closer look, he would see that Escher was once again playing with perspective to tell a story symbolically. To every person (monk) walking on the castles roof, there seemed to be an endless amount of stairs. Yet, these stairs were completely useless. These fictitious monks were either perpetually ascending or descending hence the title. This lithograph appeared to show the mundane and useless life that was lead by a monk in this time period. Once again Escher was able to symbolically show the life of a monk through his mathematical techniques. In contrast to both Day and Night and Ascending and Desc ending was a piece titled Grasshopper. This woodcut did not contain a symbolic message or tell a story of the grasshoppers life, but rather was a still life. Here Eschers realistic artistic ability shone. The detail that was carved into the woodcut was intense and very finely created, which proved, if not otherwise seen, that Escher could create extremely detailed and beautiful pieces of art that were completely realistic in form. Eschers use of intricate repeating patterns and mathematically complex structures created wonderful illusions for his viewers. However, he was able to depict realistic events with the same amount of mastery. MC Escher was, and will continue to be through his art, one of the great artists.

English 1010 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

English 1010 - Essay Example It was actually the conversation that Edge had, earlier in the day, with Lionel Dufour, the proprietor of the Farm Fresh Supplier Company, the Company that specialized in the making of the pickled pig lip, concerning the use of pickled pig lip as human food, that gave Edge the courage to taste the pickled pig lip. In the conversation, Dufour had reassured Edge that pickled pig lip is a very good human food. The article lastly describes how Edge eventually ate the pickled pig lip, despite being squeamish about eating it. With his courage bolstered by the conversation that he had with Dufour and, also, having been encourage by Audrey, the bar owner’s wife, Edge eventually ate the pickled pig lip together with some potato chips. Edge, however, fought the urge to vomit as he ate the pickled pig lip; but after eating it, Edge said that, although the taste of the pickled pig lip was foreign to him, the taste wasn’t altogether

Maple Leaf Shoes Ltd Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Maple Leaf Shoes Ltd - Assignment Example Such discrimination is uncalled for and no matter individual’s status of HIV virus infection one has to be human; enough with each other and any form of segregation is unjust and controversial of to the human rights. In this case, Jon should be candid enough and openly state the fact as they are. HIV infection is not in any point a measure of alienating individuals from us or discriminating them from being part, participating or engaging in any thing anyone else is doing. Jon should advice the supervisor that the HIV-virus infected people should be treated with just, fairness and love. The transmission of the HIV virus infection is not in any way through working with the individual or just mere contact and therefore no isolation or evil perception towards such people in the society we live in. The development of the policy on AIDS would benchmark on the fact that we live a society where we are well endowed with knowledge and tools required to slow the spread of HIV infection and result to improvement of the health of people living with HIV. There is need to take bold steps in ensuring that the policy is effective since we face an era of rising infections, coupled with enormous challenges in serving individuals with HIV, and also a higher health care costs. Formulation of a well-coordinated national and institution level response to the HIV epidemic. The strategy is geared towards a concise plan that will identify a set of strategic actions and set of priorities linked to measurable outcomes. As an institution, the set strategies should be accompanied with particular steps that are supposed to be taken by various stakeholders within the government and other institutions in support of the high-level priorities as outlined in the policy. The success of all these is through a coordinated national response towards the epidemic. This calls for commitment from every level of the

Human Resources Policies Essay Example for Free

Human Resources Policies Essay Armstrong, (2006) defined Human Resource policies as continuing guidelines on the approach the organization intends to adopt in managing its people. In addition, it can also be defined as the philosophies and values of the organization on how people should be treated, and from these are derived the principles upon which managers are expected to act when dealing with Human Resource matters. Human Resource policies therefore serve as reference points when employment practices are being developed, and when decisions are being made about people. Mullins, (2005) highlighted that Human Resource Management must be committed to creating a working environment free from discrimination and where all employees are treated equally with dignity, courtesy and respect. This can be done by putting into place Human Resource policies that shows how people should be treated, and from these are derived the principles upon which managers are expected to act when dealing with Human Resource matters. The most common areas in which specific Human Resource policies exist are HIV and AIDS, discipline, employee development, employee relations, recruitment and selection, equal opportunity, grievances, health and safety, managing diversity, promotion, redundancy, reward, sexual harassment, substance abuse and work life balance and e-mails and the internet. Cole (1997) argued that this employment equity policy helps in preventing discrimination and promoting equality in the workplace. The equal opportunity policy should spell out the organization’s determination to give equal opportunities to all, irrespective of sex, race, creed, disability, age or marital status. The policy should also deal with the extent to which the organization wants to take affirmative action to redress imbalances between numbers employed according to sex or race, or to differences in the levels of qualifications and skills they have achieved. According to the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01),Section 5 states that no employer shall discriminate any employee or prospective employee on grounds of race, tribe, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed, gender, pregnancy, HIV/AIDS status or subject to the Disabled Persons Act (Chapter 17:01). Every manager must take steps to promote equal opportunity in the workplace by eliminating unfair discrimination in any employment policy or practice within their sphere of authority. All forms of unfair discrimination, whether direct or indirect, are prohibited and it is the responsibility of all employees to inform themselves about and refrain from perpetrating unfair discrimination. The sexual harassment policy is another policy which aims at preventing and managing sexual harassment in the workplace. Sexual harassment is unwanted and unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment; or is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such an individual. The company must prohibit inappropriate conduct that is sexual in nature at work, on company business, or at company sponsored events. This can be done by prohibiting comments, jokes, or degrading language or behavior that is sexual in nature, sexually suggestive objects, books, magazines, photographs, cartoons, pictures, calendars, posters or electronic communications and unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or any sexual touching this is according to Armstrong (2006). Sexual harassment is prohibited whether it’s between members of the opposite sex or members of the same sex. All managers have a key responsibility in establishing and maintaining a workplace free from personal harassment and they are directly responsible for the conduct of their staff. Sexual harassment is regarded as gross industrial misconduct and if proved makes the individual liable for instant dismissal. Less severe penalties may be reserved for minor cases but there will always be a warning that repetition will result in dismissal. Therefore all employees are expected to comply with this policy and that it is the pers onal responsibility of each employee to ensure that inappropriate conduct does not occur, as stated by Armstrong (2010). Safety policies should reflect the employers commitment to safety and health at work and should indicate what standards of behavior are to be aimed for in safety and health welfare matters. The policy statement should be drawn to the attention of all employees. In practice this is achieved by issuing a safety policy document to all employees via their pay packets, or by issuing company handbooks which include details of the policy. The important point is that the employer should be able to show that he has done more than just pin up a notice in various parts of his premises, this is postulated by Mullins (2005). The HIV/Aids policy is also used and its purpose is to provide guidance on managing departmental responses to HIV/AIDS in a manner that complies with the National Aids Policy and applicable laws, eliminates unfair discrimination and enables the harnessing of each person’s full potential. Employees who know that they are infected with HIV will not be obliged to disclose the fact to the company, but if they do, the fact will remain completely confidential. There must be no discrimination against anyone with or at risk of acquiring AIDS. In addition, employees infected by HIV or suffering from AIDS must be treated no differently from anyone else suffering a severe illness. All human resources processes and practices should promote an affirming non-discriminatory environment that fosters respect for the dignity of all while ensuring the maximum productivity of each employee regardless of HIV/AIDS status. This will be done through a regular review of all human resources practices and processes to eliminate existing or potential direct and indirect discrimination on the ground of HIV/AIDS. A prospective employee will not be required to disclose his or her HIV/AIDS status, there shall be no pre-employment HIV/AIDS testing in respect of a prospective employee and both permanent and contract employees are not obliged to disclose their HIV/AIDS status, as subject to Labour Relations Act (chapter 28:01). Recruitment and selection policies are also used to ensure a work environment that is anti discriminatory, democratic, respectful of rights, mindful of dignity and legally sound or legitimate. The Human resource department must be committed to utilise recruitment and selection practices that are based on merit, equity, objectivity, fairness and the need to redress the imbalances of the past so as to achieve a department that is broadly representative. According to Storey (1995), the recruitment process should reflect the department’s employment equity values and goals. Moreover, all phases of the recruitment process must support the recruitment of suitably qualified men and women from diverse racial and other backgrounds with a view to giving them an opportunity to serve all the people with excellence and responsiveness. Considerations of affirmative action will inform the entire recruitment process. The policy on age and employment should take into account that age is a poor predictor of job performance. It is misleading to equate physical and mental ability with age. More of the population are living active, healthy lives as they get older. Therefore the policy should define the approach the organization adopts to engaging, promoting and training older employees. It should emphasize that the only criterion for selection or promotion should be ability to do the job; and for training, the belief that the employee will benefit, irrespective of age. The policy should also state that age requirements should not be set out in external or internal job advertisements. Armstrong (2006). Diversity management policy is a concept that recognizes the benefits to be gained from differences. A policy on managing diversity recognizes that there are differences among employees and that these differences, if properly managed, will enable work to be done more efficiently and effectively. This concept does not focus exclusively on issues of discrimination but instead concentrates on recognizing the differences between people. Maund (2001) express it, the concept of managing diversity is founded on the premise that harnessing these differences will create a productive environment in which everyone will feel valued, where their talents are fully utilized and in which organizational goals are met. The diversity management policy must acknowledge cultural and individual differences in the workplace, state that the organization values the different qualities that people bring to their jobs, emphasize the need to eliminate bias in such areas as selection, promotion, performance asse ssment, pay and learning opportunities and focus attention on individual differences rather than group differences. Mathis, (2003) is of the view that the disciplinary policy should state that employees have the right to know what is expected of them and what could happen if they infringe the organization’s rules. It would also make the point that, in handling disciplinary cases, the organization will treat employees in accordance with the principles of natural justice. It must be the policy of the company that employees should be given a fair hearing by their immediate supervisor or manager concerning any grievances they may wish to raise, have the right to appeal to a more senior manager against a decision made by their immediate supervisor or manager and have the right to be accompanied by a representative of their own choice when raising a grievance or appealing against a decision. Cole, (1997) highlighted that the reward policy must cover matters as providing an equitable pay system, equal pay for work of equal value, paying for performance, competence, skill or contribution, sharing in the success of the organization and the relationship between levels of pay in the organization and market rates. There must not be discrimination of employees in pay levels. This will encourage the optimum productivity from employees and ensures high level of quality output. A performance management system must be put in place so as to pay employees according to their performance and efforts. Armstrong (2006) is of the opinion that job evaluation must also be done in a fairly and equitable manner so as to have a free work environment. In conclusion, companies must be committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Human Resource policies must prohibit discrimination and harassment in the workplace, whether committed by or against managers, co-workers, customers, vendors, or visitors. Employees must work and develop in an environment that is anti-discriminatory, democratic, respectful of rights, mindful of dignity, legally sound and productive. Workplace discrimination or harassment based on an employee’s race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age status, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law, must not be tolerated. REFERENCES Armstrong, M. (2006) Strategic Human Resource Management, (3rd Ed), London: Kogan. Armstrong, M. (2006) A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice, (10th Ed), London: Kogan. Cole G.A. (1997), Personnel Management, Theory and Practice, London: Continuum. Labour Relations Act Regulations (1998), HIV and AIDS, Government Printers: Zimbabwe. Maund, L. (2001), An Introduction to Human Resource Management Theory And Practice, New York: Palgrave. Mullins, L. J. (2005), Management and Organizational Behavior, England: Prentice Hall. Storey, J.(1995), Human Resource Management: A critical text, London: Routledge.

Arguments for Open Adoption Records Essays -- Law

For those who are a part of the adoption world one of the most hotly debated issues is whether birth records should be open or closed to adoptees. With this issue comes strong feelings on both sides. In most states adoption records are fully sealed and inaccessible, unless the adoptee petitions the court. In 16 states these records are fully or partially available upon request with no court involvement, and also may depend upon when you were born. In a few states records are completely prohibited and the adoptee will never have any access to them. Alaska and Kansas have always made original birth records available. As an adoptee, I feel that all adoption records should be open. I believe that this can only strengthen the quality of the institution of adoption itself and positively affect all those involved in it. I am not one of those people who did not know I was adopted. I have always known. My parents are good and loving, and provided me with all that I needed as a child. However, just because they were very good parents did not decrease the inherent need I had to look at a face that is similar to my own. Open adoption records would provide the tools for people to learn indispensable information that is provided to all other Americans beside themselves. Sealed records violate adoptee’s rights as human beings. Adoptees are discriminated against like no other group in this country. Records should be opened so that we have the same rights as those who are raised in their biological families. Open records in no way threaten the institution of adoption. There will always be mothers and fathers who are willing to chose a different path by giving their child away, just as there will always be those parents who wish to provi... ...2002): p271-310. Academic OneFile. Web. 17 Feb. 2012. Fleming, Caroline B. "The open-records debate: balancing the interests of birth parents and adult adoptees." William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law Spring (2005): 461-480. Academic OneFile. Web. 17 Feb. 2012. Freundlich, Madelyn. For the Records: Restoring a Legal Right for Adult Adoptees. Evan B. Don Aldson Adoption Institute. New York, NY. (November 2007). www. Adoptioninstitute.org. Web. 17 Feb. 2012. Sorosky, A.D., Baran, A., & Pannor, R. The Adoption Triangle. New York: Doubleday. (1984). Print. Whittaker Hughes, Susan. â€Å"The only Americans legally prohibited from knowing who their birth parents are: a rejection of privacy rights as a bar to adult adoptees' access to original birth and adoption records.† Cleveland State Law Review. 55.3 (Summer 2007): p429-461. Academic OneFile. Web. 17 Feb. 2012.

Karl Marx and Max Weber Essay

Karl Marx and Max Weber are among the famous theorist who formed the pillar of the study of society. This come about in their contradict theories the conflict and protestant ethic respectively. It is understood that these two people lived in different eras, Marx being exposed to conditions and perspectives of the eighteen century whilst Weber dwells in the nineteen century where noticeable changes on the fast emergence of innovative technology, and a path where modernity take its toll (the industrial revolution) (Tui, 2014). The theories of Marx and Weber were applicable in their times with regards to the type, functions and interactions existing within society. As follows is the discussion of their main arguments on the contrary of their perspectives on the basis of society. According to Karl Marx, society of all hitherto is the result of social stratification and conflict. The organized economic activities and mode of production, determined the division of labor which causes the formation of two classes, the bourgeoisies and the proletariat (the rich and the poor) showing opposition (antagonistic interaction). The proletariat (working class) controlled the modes of production while the bourgeois owned the means of production (Brym & Lie, 2007). The conflict theory by Marx, argued that a position in a productive system is the basis of peoples conflict. The rich attained privilege of accessing revenue and surplus whilst the poor did not resist, but remained subordinate. The bourgeois also maintained their interest by suppressing and maintaining the subordination of the proletariat (Worsley, et al., 1970). A revolution originated on the fact that men realized how capitalism deprives them of self-independence and freedom. Capitalism also increased inequality within society and enhanced further subordination of the working class. Marx believed that in the f uture there will be classless societies ( (Worsley, et al., 1970)). Therefore modern society is the result of the breakdown of the feudal system; the proletariats were being absorbed by the bourgeois to work in their factory, hence bringing society to the end of communism (Tui, 2014). But also a classless society still experienced antagonistic, a trend of dependency between these two class, that is the bourgeois depend on the manual labor and productivity of the proletariat and vice versa, for their stability and co-existence. In contrast, Weber, in his theory, the protestant ethics, believed in hard work, personal achievement and motivations. It focuses on  individual actions and most importantly an individual’s knowledge and skills to bring about transformation of new society. In other words people consciously making decision at important times or junctures (Tui, 2014). People whom abided to protestant ethics and maintain the spirit of capitalism succeeded economically. He emphasized the importance of the growth of the service sector of th e economy, with its many non-manual workers and professionals. He also articulated that capitalist development was not just caused by favorable economic conditions but religious beliefs also plays an important role (awareness to the society of values and virtues: right and wrong) of facilitating great capitalist growth. He argued that Marx, fails to see that people in society can improve their condition in terms of education, technology to attain a better standard of living. Weber, also showed the flaws of the Conflict theory whereby he said that a revolution is not necessarily the solution to dissatisfaction and grievances. There are medium of resolving matters peacefully whereby the government is required to improve such conditions (Weber, 2005). In light of the above arguments, there is also controversy and contradiction in their discussion of class (created by eligibility and accessing to product of economy), status (social honor or professional position) and power (the ability and opportunity to control) (Worsley, et al., 1970). According to Marx, in society, there are two distinct classes: the bourgeois and the proletariat. These classes were inherited and there is nothing that can be done apart from revolution that can make the differences. The revolution would result in a classless society where the state come to own the means of production. According to Marx, whoever has a class will have a complimentary standard of status and power. For him class is the originator of all kinds of status in society and source of power. He also stated that traditional status ascribed was used to acquire power such as the members of the noble family were born and entitled to rule. This class of nobles subsequently has high social status (Brym & Lie, 2007). Weber strongly argued that class, status and power were three totally different categories. Status and power were achieved through ones commitment and successes. It favored the concept of meritocracy which allows people to rise or fall to a position that matches their talent and efforts ( (Brym & Lie, 2007)). All of these were independent of each other. It is not necessary of an individual  or group of people in high class to have a corresponding level(s) of status and power. In general, class is directly related to how people have access to part of the society’s resources. Class should be related to your ability to buy power or your market position (Tui, 2014). Such as a proletariat can become a very important figure in government just because of his/her qualification, oratory skills and achievement. For example a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), commissioner of police, captain. These people worked their way like every proletariat from scratch and because of their ambition and hard work they are able to become successful, even though they do not have a royal or ruling background After having compared the two theories of Karl Marx and Max Weber, the latter theory of protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism by Max Weber is considered the best and useful theory to understand and explain the dynamics of my local society. Kiribati society is an example of an egalitarian society whereby people are equal and have the same rights and opportunities. The decision making process and access to government’s resources and all opportunities are carried out following established processes and procedures. Everyone is given a chance to talk for themselves or by a representative (Teitiniman, 1993). As mentioned earlier, access to opportunities are open to everyone such as position in government and non-government organization through advertisement. Eligible candidates announced and a screening test is conducted to screen out best candidates. It takes one’s effort, hardship and commitment towards professional development in order to improve life conditioning, status and attainment of power for example people acquiring scholarship for higher qualification and to qualify a higher post with high salary in the government institution (Itaia, 1979). According to Koae (1993) and agreed by Macdonald (2001) there are existing mediums of solving any grievance and dissatisfaction. These are put up in writing to the concerned department and or are taken up to court. Communities’ views and perspectives are considered as a means of improvement to policing strategies such as that adopted by the Kiribati Police Services. Elections of leaders are conducted on the basis of the public vote towards candidates (Brechtefeld, 1993). As Weber highlighted, class, status and power are achieved which is correspondingly true of my Kiribati so ciety. Peoples’ hard work irrespective of religious beliefs and traditional social class and status, have equal and equitable access to opportunities which determine social and economic standings in my society. Bibliography Brechtefeld, N., 1993. The Electoral System. In: H. V. Trease, ed. Atoll Politics. Christchurch: Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, pp. 43, 44, 45. Brym, R. J. & Lie, J., 2007. Sociology Your Compass for a New World. third ed. California: Thomson Wadsworth. Itaia, M., 1979. Rebirth Te Mauri, Te Raoi, ao Te Tabomoa. In: KIRIBATI Aspects of History. Suva: Institutes of Pacific Studies, The University of the South Pacific, pp. 123,124. Koae, T., 1993. Corrupt and Illegal Electoral Practices. In: H. V. Trease, ed. Atoll Politics. Christchurch: Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, pp. 105-110. Macdonald, B., 2001. Cinderellas of the Empire. Suva: Institute of Pacific Studies, The University of the South Pacific. Teitiniman, T., 1993. Serving the People. In: H. V. Trease, ed. Atoll Politics. Christchurch: Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, pp. 343, 344, 345. Tui, R., 2014. Social Structures in Modern/Contemporary Societies. Suva: s.n. Weber, M., 2005. The Protestan t Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism. New York: Taylor & Francis e-Library,. Worsley, P. et al., 1970. INTRODUCING SOCIOLOGY. 1 ed. Victoria: Penguin Education.

Commentaire †Jude the Obscure, Thomas Hardy Essay

Thomas Hardy described the novel in his preface as dramatizing â€Å"a deadly war between flesh and spirit†. This quasi reference to St Paul’s conception of human dualism goes far towards explaining the nature of Jude’s tragedy. This dualism appears also in the book. Jude The Obscure is the last of Thomas Hardy’s novels published in 1895: its critical reception was so negative that Hardy resolved never to write another novel. The passage under analysis is situated towards the beginning of the novel, at the arrival of Jude at Christminster (the fictional name of Oxford). He found a job at a stonesman’s to make a living while studying by himself to try and achieve his dream. Indeed, Jude’s first concern is a job, though his working is to be done only as a way of supporting himself until he can enter the university. Our commentary will fall into two parts. First we will study the isolation of Jude, and the opposition between Jude’s world and the world of his enthusiasm that is to say the world of Oxford students. Then, we will study the omnipresence of spirituality that contrasts with the materiality in the text. As we have said before, this novel is the last novel of Thomas Hardy. This novel recounts the painful process of his disillusionment and his final destruction at the hands of an oppressive society, which refuses to acknowledge his desire. Even if this extract does not seem so sombre, and presents a real hope, we can notice that the theme of the contrast or the opposition exists all the text long. Thus it is interesting to underline that play of opposition which appears quite characteristic of the novel as it is implied by the sentence of Thomas Hardy that we have quoted in the introduction where he describes his book as â€Å"a deadly war between flesh and spirit†. In a strikingly similar vein, Hardy tells also that the † ‘grimy’ features of the story go to show the contrast between the ideal life a man wished to lead, and the squalid real life he was fated to lead.† There is a play of opposition and parallelism that exists in this extract that presents contrast also. The first opposition that can be noted is the opposition between Jude and the others. Indeed, there is a real separation  between Jude and what he calls â€Å"his inmates† on line 11 or his â€Å"happy young contemporaries†. That is also obvious with the use of the pronoun. All the text long, and mostly in the first part of the text – when the narrator describes Christminster and the students – we can see appearing two different groups as clearly underlined on line 25: â€Å"Whatever they were to him, he to them was not on the spot at all; and yet he had fancied he would be close to their lives by coming there†. This sentence permits really distinguish the opposition between those to entity. This idea of separation exists in all the text, with different symbol of separation. Thus we can say that even if the â€Å"Christminster ‘sentiment’ (†¦) ate further and further into him†, Jude is clearly not in the Christminster ‘way of life’. This situation of exclusion is described implicitly, by the narrator, as quite unfair, when he underlines for instance that â€Å"he probably knew more about those buildings materially, artistically and historically, than any one of their inmates. We could perceive this remark and all the text as an implicit criticism of the fixed class boundaries that exist in the Victorian society. Indeed, we know that Jude has a real willpower of being â€Å"someone†. He left his life in the country town to come into the big city in the hope of succeeding in life. But that society seems quite close as described by Hardy. That is probably why the narrator and Hardy himself insist on the separation of Jude, his isolation and even a sort of imprisonment. He is all alone, in a big city, living apar t and a lot of elements in the text can induce this idea. Firstly let’s notice the â€Å"echoes of his own footsteps†. Echoe occurs most of the time in big and empty spaces, thus using the world ‘echoe’ the narrator wanted to show the isolation of Jude. The adjectives â€Å"impish† and the comparison with â€Å"blows of mallet† are also relevant is that respect. The character appears then, at first sight, isolated, alone with some kind of harsh condition. The evocation of the â€Å"wall† is stronger in that respect. The wall is the symbol of separation, division and exclusion; and here this symbol is used several time as on line 10 â€Å"Only a wall divided him from those happy young contemporaries† or on line 14 â€Å"Only a wall – but what a wall!† showing us the real feeling of exclusion of Jude. This image is reinforced by the metaphor of the â€Å"gates† saying that: â€Å"For the present he was outside the gates of everything, colleges included†. Otherwise the gates can refer to heaven, as we will see later. This division appears also in the  room itself, showing that it exists two worlds: â€Å"rigged up a curtains on a rope across the middle, to make a double chamber out of one†. As we have said, there is a gap between Jude and the rest of Christminster; it is also suggested with the world ‘antipodes’ used on line 21. Nevertheless, it seems that Jude look like ‘their inmates’. The narrator on line 11 underlines it when he says ‘he shared a common mental life’ or on line 20 â€Å"they seemed oftentimes (†¦) to be particularly akin to his own thoughts†. The difference is then more a difference of wages, and not of cleverness or aspirations, we can thus see an implicit criticism of the system by Hardy: they are equal but separate, and they don’t have the same chance to succeed in life, and this opposition drawn by Hardy permits to understand that. The picture painted of the education system is very bleak for the common man, who can study day and night, but will never walk through those great doors of learning. There is a dichotomy between manual work and intellectual work: the young workman in a white blouse vs. the young students. Jude seems to want to realize a synthesis of those two worlds as underlined on line 38: â€Å"He was young and strong, or he never could have executed with such zest the undertakings to which he now applied himself, since they involved reading most of the time after working all the day†. Indeed this text not only presents this division between two worlds but also sort of hope concerning the future. The way of writing of Hardy permits us to understand Jude’s enthusiasm and his faith in future, and permits then to comprehend the mind of Jude: the landscapes of this extract is both Christminster and Jude’s mind: Christminster changes and evolves in Jude eye’s. . Even if Jude The obscure is Hardy’s most sombre novel, here, it is the beginning of the novel and faith and hope are still allowed. This hope appears on line 28 â€Å"But the future lay ahead after all (†¦)†. Desire and enthusiasm are perceptible in the text and particularly in the last paragraph. However the last sentence permits to understand that the future will be more difficult than he probably thinks: â€Å"His desire absorbed him and left no part of him to weigh its practicability†. And Christminster will not be probably the city he was expected. Indeed, this text is situated toward the beginning of the novel when Jude has just arrived at Christminster. In  that respect, he is still full of hope, and enthusiasm even if we can see that he realises â€Å"how far from the object of that enthusiasm he really was†. But it is more a dream than anything else: indeed, Christminster’s phantasmal allure, glimpsed by Jude from the top of his ladder, becomes after his arrival in the city the sinister phantasm of feeling himself disembodied and different. This idea could be illustrated by the description of the Cathedral in the text with the insistence of the size (grandeur ) of it on line 59 : â€Å"Tall tower, tall belfry windows and tall pinnacles†. The anaphora permits to show the discrepancy between Jude, alone and the big city, bigger than his country town where everything is closed for the moment. But as we have said, there is still hope, and the reference to the Cathedral permits to underline another aspect of this extract, which is faith and spirituality as implied by the use of the word â€Å"faith† on line 61. In Hardy’s book, Bible is omnipresent. The text is full of biblical allusion, so much that The Ecclesiasts are a privileged intertext. We can say that God is everywhere, and this extract presents us a lot of references to spirituality that contrasts with materiality of his life conditions. The use of Biblical analogy separates it from all the others novels of Hardy. In it Hardy traces the odyssey of Jude, showing that at important turning points in his life Biblical references serve as guideposts marking his direction. Christminster is tinted with spirituality and so does the extract under study. Firstly, we can point out the name of the city because even if Hardy refers to Oxford, he gives to the city a fictional name that is â€Å"Christminster†, mixing Christ, which is the title, also treated as a name, given to Jesus of Nazareth and â€Å"minster† which is a large or important church, typically one of cathedral status in the north of England that was built as part of a monastery. So, it is a double reference to religion and spirituality. Then there are a lot of references in the text itself, and the place of Christminster seems impregnate with religion and spirituality, which are two notions not exactly similar. Indeed, religion is the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, spirit; and spirituality is relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or  physical things. In those definitions, we can then clearly see that spirituality is opposed to materiality, which seems also the case on that extract. Spirituality or religion appears first throughout the abundant lexical field: â€Å"haunted† on line 1, â€Å"cloisters† (l.1), â€Å"God†, â€Å"Cathedral†, â€Å"Belfry†, etc. More of that, Hardy plays with the meaning of some words; firstly, with the meaning of the world enthusiasm. As we have said before, Jude’s enthusiasm is one of the major stakes of the extract. It could be understand as the intense and eager enjoyment or interest, which is probably the case. But not only, enthusiasm has also an archaic and religious meaning: indeed, enthusiasm is a religious fervour supposedly resulting directly from divine inspiration, typically involving speaking in tongues and wild, uncoordinated movements of the body. This religious could also cast a different light of the expression â€Å"Christminster ‘sentiment’†. This sentiment could also be a religious feeling, a spiritual fervour that pervades Jude. God is thus present in the text, and Jude is not an atheist as underlined on line 30: â€Å"So he thanked God for his health and strength, and took courage†. The world courage is also relevant in that respect. Courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. But In both Catholicism and Anglicanism, courage is also one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. With the gift of fortitude/courage, we overcome our fear and are willing to take risks as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person with courage is willing to stand up for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, verbal abuse, or physical harm. The gift of courage allows people the firmness of mind that is required both in doing good and in enduring evil. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are thus wisdom, understanding, wonder and awe, right judgement, knowledge, courage, and reverence. And it seems that Jude possesses some of them, just like â€Å"knowledge, wisdom or understanding† as implied in the text, or at least that is what let us hear Thomas Hardy in some sentences as on line 29 â€Å"If he could only be so fortunate as to get into employment he would put with the inevitable† which shows the â€Å"understanding† of Jude for instance. It is also obvious on the end of the extract with the quotation of The Ecclesiasts â€Å"For wisdom is a defence and money is a defence; but the Excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it†. We can see that God, spirituality and religion are everywhere in Jude’s life  and in this extract. But this quotation of the Ecclesiast permits also to cast a light on a major opposition in the text between that spirituality and the materiality. Indeed, Jude seems in a state of imprisonment also because of his lack of money. He is met with obstacles time after time, mainly due to his social station as a common stonemason. This lack of money is thus a real obstacle as underlined one line 49 â€Å"Having been deeply encumbered by marrying, getting a cottage and buying the furniture†. That sentence permits to see that those things of life are limited the freedom and the development of his mind. That is why there is real opposition between spirituality and materiality. In the same way poverty seems contradictory to wealth of mind: â€Å"After buying a book or two he could not even afford himself a fire†. Thomas Hardy gives details about the price of the lamp, in order to insist on this problem of money. Money problem seems to be an obstacle to think well as implied on the beginning of the text when the narrator says â€Å"men who had nothing to do from morning till night but to read, mark, learn and inwardly diges t†. The real difference between Jude and his inmates is that, they don’t have to preoccupy about money, they are totally free of materialist preoccupations and thus, they only have to think, learn and understand. Their mind is not hobbled by money questions. Throughout this opposition, we can maybe perceive the denunciation of the author. Jude’s cousin Sue Bridehead describes his situation very succinctly few chapters later: â€Å"You are one of the very men Christminster was intended for when the colleges were founded; a man with a passion for learning, but no money, or opportunities, or friends. But you were elbowed off the pavement by the millionaires’ sons.† The image of the ogee dome can also be relevant in that respect. Indeed, the ogee dome is the dome of Tom Tower in Christ Church, and it was at one time the signal for all the Oxford College to lock their gates. We find back the image of the gates that could also by a symbol of the Gates of Heaven. But here again, they are closes, and locked showing how vain and difficult it is to try to penetrate in it. Thomas Hardy touches on several socially relevant and subversive themes in Jude The Obscure: education, social ranks, and religion. Those themes appear  in the extract under analysis. This one is particularly interesting because of Hardy’s craftsmanship. He uses a subtle play of opposition and parallelism that convey a peculiar atmosphere and permits to understand Jude’s feelings and situation. He seems thus alone torn between his desire of knowledge and his social condition, but also between spirituality and some kind of materiality inherent to his condition.

The Niagara Movement essays

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