Hellenization and Its Affects on the birth and spread of Christianity

Hellenization and Its Affects on the birth and spread of Christianity What is Hellenization? Hellenization is a term that is commonly used in describing the spread of the culture of the ancient Greeks as well as, to a smaller degree, the Greek language in particular. This issue includes the indication of the rate at which the culture spread was the highest among all the foreign nations conquered by Greece or within its sphere of influence.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Hellenization and Its Affects on the birth and spread of Christianity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is worth noting that Alexander the Great is the historical figure who can be largely linked to the spread of Hellenization. His contribution to the development and promotion of the Greek culture and language is done through his conquests of the new lands and other cultures, thus enabling the spread of Hellenization within the period of his life, which was the fourth century BC (Eraman 34). The whole concept of thi s is what has been referred to as Hellenism, a study of ancient Greece, in modern days. In what ways do you think it might have affected the birth and spread of Christianity? As it is evident from most of the scholarly articles studying and examining Greek philosophy, Hellenism was a cultural force that significantly affected many lands and countries within the Mediterranean region. Furthermore, basing on the fact that Christianity arose, developed and received a wide spread in the countries along the Mediterranean area, there are a lot of reasons to believe that Hellenism contributed much to its growth and consequent spread. In his book, Brief Introduction to the New Testament, Bart Ehrman (45) argues that the majority of the early Christians insisted on borrowing some ideas from the Greek cultural world as well as church terms are derived from the Greek language. The factors that made the early Christians address to the Greek culture and language may be explained in the following way. In order to help the first missionaries communicate and spread the gospel to those who surround them, they decided to use the language that would be understood by a wide majority of people who may be viewed as a future congregation of a new developing religion. Moreover, to attract more church members, the early Christians used to implement some views and ideas of Greek culture to their propagation. Thus, they made the alien religion become closer and more understandable to the people with the Greek influenced vision of life. As such, Hellenistic ideologies gradually infiltrated into the Christian setting. As a matter of fact, Bart Erman argues that the outstanding and well-known Greek philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, as well as some others, greatly influenced on as well as remarkably contributed to the development of the ideologies that are represented in the New Testament (78). Ehrman, Bart. A Brief Introduction to the New Testament. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2 009. Print.Advertising Looking for report on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More

Rank of Four Countries by Various Democracy Rankings

Rank of Four Countries by Various Democracy Rankings to cover independent countries with population greater than 100,000. Vanhanen believes that the reason for the thirst for power is to get hold of the resources, increase in the power the people posses simplifies their access to scarce resources. Vanhanen democracy ranking offers an unconventional interpretation of democracy and autocracy. Autocracy is considered as the state where concentration of resources is higher in a single group. Democracy is achieved in situations where distribution of resources is among different groups. The conditions favorable for democracy are those which the spread of resources is broad and no individual group is neither able to retain its hold of the available resources over a long time nor is it able suppress the competitors. Variables indicating democratization level include competition (C) and participation (P). Competition and participation measures are combined into the democratization index through the use of the formula ID= (PC)/100. This formula is applicable in most countries independent of the civilization, economic, cultural, and geographic among other features that may be subordinate to the logic of evolution in political studies. Threshold qualifications for democracy are 10% for P, 30% for C, and 5% for the ID. (Melville et al, 2011). The human development index meets the wide concept of developments of the society and economy. From another perspective, although sometimes questioned the human development index is used as an indications of democracy. It is agreeable to say that the human development index offers the capability representing a greater measure of democracy. Although it is realized that the human development index considers life expectancy, GDP and other factors but fails to accommodate political structures. Democracy and political systems are correlated with democracy ranking placing great emphasis on the position of political structures on democracy In most cases a number of factors affect the democratic ranking of a country and they are politics 50%, gender 10%, economy 10%, knowledge 10% and health 10%(Campbell, 2008). According to polity project ranking the France system has a democracy of -8. This is because France in the recent years has witnessed political trends that have had the consequences of the country being downgraded and considered a flawed democracy state. Participation of public in politics has reduced and this has led to declined confidence of the public in political parties. With the nature of the French political system the president possesses great power and this is indicting a threatened democratic tradition. The current president, Nicholas Sarkozy uses an autocratic style, and this has seen the rise in anti-Muslim feelings and increased pressure on the media and journalist which has seen a decrease in the freedoms of the media (Liotier, 2011). Political parties are relatively few in France, workers unions are weak and the police system t is constantly accused with increased brutality the France government is highly undemocratic (Petzinger, 2011). With the justifications provided thereafter, the ranking of the United Kingdom using Dahls polyarchy measure is 5. Gender equity was already attained in the United Kingdom in the year 1928.The United Kingdom is believed to hold the reputation of being the mother of all parliaments but its system has complications that are mainly centered in key three areas. The ranking of the United Kingdom is downgraded by the fact that majority of its representation in parliament is distorted in that the actual seats in parliament is not solely determined by the votes. Other factors that reduce the ranking of democracy are; a media that mostly favors the interests of the private sector and the trust in the police force that is constantly declining (Petzinger, 2011). Basing on the Vanhanen index of democracy, Germany ranks at 10% in the ID. Germany accounts its high ranking in the democratic ranking to the comparatively large number of parliamentarians who are women and an impeccable separation between the arms of government that is the executive, the legislature and the judiciary with Bavaria being the most developed state. In most federal states a participation quorum of approximately 25% exists in any local referendum (Petzinger, 2011). Because of the suppressed political opposition and rights of the public, Russia ranks at 3 according to Dahls polyarchy measure. The trend in Russia system of government is that of unfair elections, intolerance of political oppositions, and courts that are characterized by high dependence. Currently Russia works on bribes and the opposition is literally invisible to the public, they cannot be allowed on television. Though there are constant demonstrations favoring democracy, they are largely ignored and authoritarian form of government presided over by Vladimir Putin is the order of the day (Lally Englund 2011). Out of the four democracy rankings considered in this essay, none of them is adequate enough to be satisfactory in the ranking of democracy. It is also noted that none of the democracy ranking measures includes (economic democracy) face four of Sodaros 4 faces which are: popular sovereignty, rights and liberties, democratic values, and economic democracy (Campbell, 2008). A number of factors have been found to contribute to democracy and as such must be included in the elements that are considered in the measure of democracy.

Skills Applicatio Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Skills Applicatio Questions - Essay Example In this scenario, the common goal was to design an effective power-point presentation that contains pertinent details on conflict negotiation techniques. Since each team is comprised of three members each, the team is expected to delegate the team leader and the respective team members together with tasks to be assigned and achieved. One was therefore elected the group leader and part of one’s responsibilities was to solicit information regarding tasks that each member needs to fulfill. One member was assigned to make the necessary research on all pertinent details that need to be incorporated in the presentation. The other member was supposed to integrate all information in a power point presentation. And finally, a group leader, one was tasked to report during the scheduled presentation date. Aside from assigning tasks, one made it clear that in a defined time frame, say in three days, the information should be ready so that the other member could finalize the power point pr esentation in two days’ time. Enough leeway was provided for me, as the leader and reporter, to review the materials and present effectively. The presentation was therefore a success due to clear objectives, roles, responsibilities and conformity to defined time frame. 2. Significant Achievement. Outside of your academic accomplishments, what would you consider to be one of your most significant achievements to date and why? Outside one’s academic accomplishments, one of the most significant achievements to date was being successful in current and previous work endeavors. Having had employment opportunities that ranged from being an Arabic teacher, to assuming the position of an assistant marketing manager for an organization in the UK, and finally working as a cashier, provided various chances for personal and professional growth. A variety of skills were likewise developed through the course of employment, such as interpersonal, cognitive and analytical, coaching and mentoring, leadership and administrative, communication and customer service relations skills. One acknowledges that working in the UK as an assistant manager was most challenging; yet rewarding, in terms of enhancing knowledge, abilities and skills in the application of marketing strategies that would ensure customer satisfaction and the achievement of organizational goals. The position was challenging as one was expected to apply the needed strategies that would respond to customers’ inquiries and complaints. In retrospect, one likewise realized that working as an Arabic teacher was also a challenging role since the students were in their primary level and were therefore considered in their most crucial developmental stage. Being able to successfully motivate young students to learn by assisting in the creation of a conducive learning environment was most rewarding. Part 2 1. Tell us about a difficult situation that you have encountered and how you resolved it. A difficult situation that one remembers clearly was trying to address a customer complaint. In business, there is the philosophy that organizations strive to satisfy customer’s needs. In this particular instance, the customer was definitely not satisfied with the organization’s product that was purchased and was asking for a refund. Through the skills gained on customer service, one was able to address the

Salary Disparity in USA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Salary Disparity in USA - Essay Example It is widely known that in the labor force of the United States, women are compensated less than men. According to the report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 1997, full-time working white women had weekly salaries equal to roughly 75% of white men’s weekly salaries (Keaveny & Inderrieden, 2000). The gender disparity in salary has shrunk slightly during the recent decades. In spite of this trend of lower salaries among women, investigations of salary satisfaction have discovered that women are not less discontented with their salary than men. In line with this report, when salary grade has been regulated, women have disclosed greater salary satisfaction than men (Figart, 2000). Because it is believed that salary satisfaction rests on whether salary received is equivalent to salary expected, it means that if women have lesser salary expectations, women are contented with lesser salary. Major and Konar (1984 as cited in Keaveny & Inderrieden, 2000) studied probable roots of gender disparities in salary expectations undergraduate and graduate students. Similar to previous empirical findings, women had lower salary expectations. The suggested explanations for these disparities in salary expectations were that females might be different from men in job value, comparison criteria, job inputs, and career directions. In relation to career direction, women and men may choose dissimilar areas of interest in school and may pursue dissimilar industrial areas and jobs (Gasser, Oliver, & Tan, 1998). Milkovich and Newman (1996 as cited in Keaveny & Inderrieden, 2000) claim that men are more probable to pursue high-paying jobs and industries. Job inputs as a predictor of pay equity have been taken into account mostly from the point of view of equity theory. Although equity theory premises put emphasis on comparing a proportion of a person’s inputs and outputs to a related other, Jacques (1961 as cited in Keaveny & Inderrieden, 2000) claims that workers may develop salary expectations founded on job features only, and discount what other workers are performing. The empirical reports are varied. Hills (1980 as cited in Keaveny & Inderrieden, 2000) located no substantiation for the notion that people draw upon an internal, self-assessment to identify salary equity. Nevertheless, Berkowitz and colleagues (1987 as cited in Keaveny & Inderrieden, 2000) discovered that the satisfaction of respondents with their salaries was linked to what they believed they are ought to receive, irrespective of what other workers were paid. Major and Konar (1984 as cited in Keaveny & Inderrieden, 2000), in line with this argument, propos e that gender disparities in job inputs may clarify portion of the gender disparities in salary expectations. Females may have lesser job inputs and hence feel they really ought to be paid less. Adam Smith, more than two centuries ago, proposed that employees take into consideration the entirety of the disadvantages and advantages of various occupations in making choices about employment, and that a person is pulled towards those prospects that offer the highest total benefit (Gibelman, 2003). Smith stated that employers regulate salaries to correct the weaknesses and drawbacks of particular forms of employment. If an occupation is dangerous, for instance, higher salary is needed to attain a specific salary satisfaction level than when an occupation is

My fellow thanes for Macbeths Coronation banquet Essay Example for Free

My fellow thanes for Macbeths Coronation banquet Essay My lady and I were asked to join my fellow thanes for Macbeths Coronation banquet. As we entered the cavernous hall, which had been decorated with splendid colours and banners, I noticed few people were talking. The sullen silence made the hall seem even bigger and perhaps even darker, and then, I gasped in astonishment as I noticed the feast (I do not know how I could have missed it) it was so vast it took up twenty full tables. Every imaginable food was there including much game. I had only just taken it all in when the sound of trumpets announced to the assembly the king was coming. He and his wife entered. Macbeth was dressed in fine clothes, red and gold silks and rare animal furs. Upon each finger a gold ring glittered , and of course the golden crown of the king. Lady Macbeth was also dressed in fine silks complimenting her pale cold looks perfectly, and also upon her hand rings glistened and gleamed like sun glinting off a newly forged sword. Around her neck many fine chains of gold and silver, the best that could be found. But soon things became not as they should, when my lord started seeing apparitions and things that were clearly not there. They may not have been there but the look of horror on Lord Macbeths face was enough to persuade me that he saw something others could not, and would not like to. But our Lady Macbeth reassured us and tried to explain it was a problem from childhood. But also throughout the most royal banquet our lord Macbeth disappeared and reappeared many times, he was rumored to have been seen with to shifty looking rogues. My lord and lady Macbeth were also seen to be quarreling throughout the evening, the air between them was thick with unsaid threats and promises, they were both on edge throughout the evening even though his lordship tried hard to hide it. Unfortunately we were asked to leave early as Macbeth had gone into another trance, seeing things that were not there, he talked about them too he spoke of grievances and of blood and injury but as soon as started they had finished and we were bid leave.

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time Essay -- Mark Haddon

In Mark Haddon's contemporary novel, "The curious incident of the dog in the Night-Time", the protagonist, Christopher Boone, does seem completely unsuited to narrating a novel, as he takes on his authorial voice, thus demonstrating symptoms of his disability, 'Asperger's Syndrome.' This is a syndrome that enables him to see the world only through his limited perspective, which is closed, frightened and disorientated - which results in his fear of, and inability to understand the perplexing world of people's emotions. His description of events can be somewhat unreliable as he is unable to see the real truths that lie before him. As he narrates, readers are confronted with his peculiarities - whether it is not liking to be touched, his fear of germs, strangers and crowds to his inability to eat foods with particular colors. However, through Christopher's authorial voice, his description of events in his life, and in particular, his description of his oddities those seem completely 'no rmal' to him, make him an interesting and fascinating narrator. As he can be proven to be an unreliable narrator as he is incapable of lying (and understanding lies) and this limits his ability to perceive the full reality of the world, thus providing him with a strange combination of credibility and unbelievability. Again, this is what makes him a wonderful narrator - at times readers can mistrust his interpretation of such events, or they can believe him. As the novel progresses, Christopher takes his audience onboard his personal journey, and explicates his phobias to us, whether they be 'not liking yellow things or brown things' and 'refusing to touch yellow things or brown things', 'not eating food if different sorts of food are touching' each o... ...ic at the same time which is uncomfortable and confusing...It is like three people trying to talk to you at the same time about different things'. Christopher turns into a wonderful narrator through this device as he introduces us to a syndrome which we find alters all perspective of a person's life. Laughter, something many of us take for granted, sadly isn't really experienced by Christopher, another reason as to why readers would empathize with him, as the only enjoyment he would attain out of life would be on the notions of Mathematics and Science. Therefore, we learn to admire and empathize with him because of his intellectual brilliance and his courage, evident through his detective sleuthing he undertakes to seek his mother. We see how this syndrome alters all perspectives of a person's life; however, we also see how he faces his demons to find the truth.

Little Miss Sunshine Film Review Essay

Little Miss Sunshine is a film about how families are always there for each other no matter how dysfunctional their family may be. Released in July of 2006, the film is directed by a husband and wife team, Jonathan Dayton and Vanessa Faris. The directors do a terrific job of keeping their audience engaged and amused throughout the film. The main character of the movie is a young seven year old girl named Olive Hoover, played by Abigail Breslin. Olive has always had a dream of being in a beauty pageant. One day her dream came true, when she was accepted into a beauty pageant in California. Due to certain situations in the family, all family members are forced to indulge on this journey to California with Olive. Having completely different personalities, each family member creates comical conflicts between characters. From this story of family bonds, viewers will realize as long as you strive for something you truly love, your family will be behind you whether you win or lose. The fami ly of Olive has many different quirks, from drug attics to suicidal members, nothing seemed right in Olive’s mind. Richard and Sheryl are the parents of Olive. Putting together s nine step plan to success, Richard thinks he is a brilliant. His family members and others around him consider him a complete loser. Frank, Sheryl’s brother is going through depression and suicidal thoughts due to a recent break up with his former boyfriend. Being forced to live with a family member who can watch over him, Frank has to stay in Paul’s room, Olive’s brother. Paul decided that being a jet pilot for the Nietzsche is the only thing he wants in life, everything else is absolutely stupid. For over a year he hasn’t spoken one word, using pen and paper to communicate with the outside world. This dysfunctional family would begin embarking on a cross country adventure that will change their lives forever. In Little Miss Sunshine, the film helps render the themes of family bonding in a dysfunctional way. Techniques in any movie are very important for a director to produce. One technique in this film is instead of using multiple themes in the film, the dominate theme is family. In many other films, viewers are introduced not only to the main characters, but also introduced to numerous side characters. Dayton and Faris do a very good job on only giving the main characters screen time, and no other side characters. This makes the viewer truly understand how the Hoovers work and bond together since there are no outside character. The whole dynamic of the film with the color, light, language and so forth gives the film a special painting in the viewer’s head. The lighting in the film is more granny than clear, giving off a sort of odd sense while watching the movie. Who would have thought pageants could be created into such a big deal for young girls. For Olive it was. All she could think about was standing on stage receiving that beautiful crown in front of a crowd of people. From the very beginning of the movie, the first scene is of Olive watching Miss America win in the U.S. pageant and being in awe of how she reacts. Her Grandpa, Edwin is the one person in her remote family she really looks up to and knows she can always ask him anything. He has been teaching her a solo performance for the pageant in California. Unlike most mature and wise grandparents, Edwin is a very perverted druggy, causing a bit of concern to Olive’s mother and father, since he, rather than a sensible adult, was the one coming up with a solo performance for Olive. Symbols in a movie are always very important because they are the effects that catch the viewer’s eyes. One example of a symbol in Little Miss Sunshine is the forty year old yellow volks wagon the family uses on their journey to California. However, the van definitely is a perfect match for the Hoover family. It matches how the family stands out because of their strangeness. The van also brings the family together. For instance, when one family member tries to start the van he has trouble, but once the whole family works together to start the van they have no trouble. The restaurant menu is also another symbol. On the road the family stops at a restaurant to grab a quick bite. Creating a big controversy when Olive states she wants to order ice cream with her pancakes, the family says how she should not have all that food since she is going into a pageant. The menu symbolizes America’s obsession with diets and weight. The final scene of the movie shows how families are willing to do anything while standing behind a family member. Olive’s performance turned into a very provocative dance. Instead of her dad going on stage to remove Olive from the pageant, he begins to dance with her. Then the rest of the family joins them on stage. Even though Olive lost the competition and was never allowed to come back to any pageant in the state of California, she didn’t care. She had a blast performing in her first pageant and she knew her family was proud of her. In the end, Olive was the one who brought her family together. She taught them that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, the way you look or act, family is all you need. Little Miss Sunshine depicts numerous conclusions. Stand behind your family no matter how ridiculous they may seem. Who cares about what others think about you. Maybe you don’t have the skills someone else has or the looks but as long as you try you know you are a winner in your own heart no matter the outcome. Sometimes there really is sunshine on a cloudy day. Works Cited ~ â€Å"Little Miss Sunshine.† www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/little-miss-sunshine. Rich Barton, 18 Dec. 2006. Web. 2 Oct. 2012. ~ â€Å"Little Miss Sunshine.† http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449059/. IMDB, 2006. Web. ~ â€Å"Random House Webst’s College Dictionary†; Random House New York; 1999