Christian Ethics

INTRODUCTION (DEFINITION) Christian ethics are theological teachings which govern decision making and the moral position of the Church based on various sources of guidance. These are traditions, church authorities, human experience, the Natural Law, the Bible; in particular Jesus’s Commandment of love, the Beatitudes and the 10 Commandments â€Å"You shall not steal† (Ex 20:15). HISTORICAL SETTING Christian ethical teachings vary between denominations for example, the Catholic Church places particular emphasis on Natural Law and authoritative bodies.The Protestant Church turns to scripture as its main source of ethical guidance due to the belive in â€Å"sol scriptura† (salvation through scripture alone, a belief originating in the Reformation of the Church. ) Despite these differences, the Bible remains the common source of morality among all denominations. SPECIFIC EXAMPLE: ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS/CLIMATE CHANGE Christian environmental ethics are specifically conc erned with the belief in humanity’s role as stewards of the Earth and how this role should be responsibly undertaken being a privileged bestowed by God.Prominent issues within Christian environmental ethics include Climate Change and deforestation. Climate Change is defined as a long term change in the Earth’s climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature. There are many factors believed to be contributing to Climate Change. These include an overconsumption of fossil fuels which when used emit greenhouse gases. The Church’s stance on Climate Change is that it is the result of humanity abusing the role as stewards of the Earth by taking more than they need from it.Using the words of Pope John Paul II, Climate Change is caused by modern society being given to â€Å"instant gratification and consumerism. † There are many national and international Christian initiatives which aim to address Climate Change such as Carit as Australia’s â€Å"A Just Climate† campaign. Established in 2011, this campaign aims to promote ecological sustainability to minimise the impact of Climate Change. Its focus is the poorer communities of the world, being the most vulnerable to the effect of Climate Change such as rising sea levels.Its methods include: community awareness programs and facilitating participation of poor communities in national discussions. Internationally, the Ecumenical World Council of Churches (WCE) is an example of the Christian communities response to Climate Change. It has been present since 1992 at every United Nations Climate Change Conference and is especially concerned with the effect Climate Change has on the world’s poor, promoting the concept of sustainable communities.It’s motivation lies in Genesis 2:15 in which God entrusts Adam with the Garden of Eden â€Å" the Lord God, took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it. † Today , humanity like Adam has the obligation to the world as responsible stewards. Using the words of Pope Benedict XVI â€Å"The wonder of God’s creation reminds us of the need to protect the environment and to exercise responsible stewardship of the goods of the Earth. † INTRODUCTION- DEFORESTATIONDeforestation is the loss of forest cover being converted into things such as agricultural land, golf courses and cattle paddocks. Consequences are wide ranging and include soil erosion, extinction of tree species as well as the endangerment or extinction of animal species which inhabit these forests. The Church’s opinion of deforestation is similar to that of Climate Change. Responsible stewardship of the land would not have caused not have caused such damage as deforestation has done.Society’s role as custodians of the land is demonstrated in the Bible by the quote â€Å"The land is mine;) with me you are but aliens and tenants† (Lev 25:23). This excerpt i llustrates society’s role as caretakers of the land and that the responsibility is to preserve the world. From this and other teachings found in the Church, it can be seen that the Christian ethical stance on forestation is that taking from the Earth should not be motivated by overconsumption but by sustainability.As Pop John Paul II said â€Å"Man cannot make arbitrary use of the Earth, subjecting it without restraint to his will. † Various Christian organisations established for the protection of the environment include Catholic Earthcare Australia (CEA), founded in 2003 by Australian Catholic Bishops. Its aim is to promote understanding of the sacredness of nature and functions as an advisory agent on ecological matters for Catholic Bishops and initiating sustainability programs.An example of this is the publication of â€Å"On Holy Ground† which is a faith based program for reflecting on environmental issues created by the CEA in conjunction with the Catholi c Education Office (CEO). An international example of the Church’s response to deforestation and other sustainability issues is POPPA Benedict XVI’s address at the opening mass of World Youth Day Sydney, 2008. He states â€Å"There are also scars which mark the surface of our earth: erosion, deforestation†¦ in order to face and insatiable consumption. With such a large audience the message of sustainability was spread to many countries. CONCLUSION Ethical issues are significant to the adherents of Christianity as they provide a means to living based on the teachings of Jesus who preached love and respect for God’s creation. The growing environmental concerns of Climate Change and deforestation are examples of modern society’s neglect of the Earth and, by extension their obligations to caring for it. Christian adherents are therefore called to encourage change and sustainability in the world around them.

Reading Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Reading - Assignment Example Most organizations have employees with creative ideas but unless they are recognized and given incentives and opportunity to exercise it, the society at large has a lot to lose. The assertion of the post regarding significance of recognizing creativity in an individual is true and valid. The posts show that creativity is the key quality that most employers seek in a potential employee. In the context of engineering, creativity has seen the revolution of technology with ever expanding advancement. The ideas emerging in the field of engineering are a product of creative minds which transverse the traditional concepts. By offering diverse scenarios where creativity boosts engineering discipline and other careers, the post asserts the need for managers to recognize productive recruits. The managers should have open mind and deep knowledge on how to identify creative employees and retain them for a prosperous performance. In that regard, the posts assertion on creativity and its overriding influence in an organization and individual productivity is reliable. This post gives an insight into the role of creativity for individual growth and sustained organization development. There are processes of recruitment which must incorporate the ability to select quality workers. Creativity and innovation should be valued in an individual as it adds credit to the quality of output in an individual. Organizations are currently engaged on formulating strategies towards recruiting and sustaining creative and innovative minds. Competitive strategies of organization has been shifted towards human capital which is significantly defined by ability to innovate hence boost the overall performance. The post therefore reiterates the importance of creativity in sustaining

Foreground, Middle Ground and Background. Winslow Homer compared to Essay

Foreground, Middle Ground and Background. Winslow Homer compared to Andrew Wyeth - Essay Example The grass in the foreground also suggests that the picture was drawn regarding to the dry spell or the harvest season in Chadds. Christina seems mesmerized by her rural setting, a suggestion of breeze stroking her loose features of hair as she stares in the direction of her home, totally fascinated. Besides, we can note the distinguished passive color palette in the foreground that helps us to differentiate the harvested grass and that which is yet to be harvested. Moreover, the different color used helps distinguish the clothes that Christina is wearing from the where she is crawling. The light sandwiched between the household and the barn is the brightest theme of the painting and Christina is leading her head upwards in the direction of it.   In the middle ground of the Christina world painting, we can note several different features from the foreground. The foreground contains a huge part occupied by dry grass fields. In addition, we can see a huge part of this grass field has been harvested exposing the Christians family home. There is also a path created by a car that is used to access Christians home. At the rear end of the middle ground, there is a fence that surrounds Christians home. In the background of the painting Christina’s World, we can see the the family home where she lives. The painting suggests that she might be living with her family since it shows a huge two storey family home with other structures surrounding it. Among the structures are two large separate houses and a small single structure built in the unharvested grass field. We can also see a huge section of Christian’s family home has a compound with harvested grass. From the picture, we can suggest that the economic activity in the Christian’s World was farming. Content, Style, Axis, Symmetry, and Asymmetry In Christina's World, Wyeth used subdued colors to convey the tranquility of being restricted to a country setting.  Andrew Wyeth’s works merged i nto his established and continuing style characterized by a passive color palette, convincing representations, and the illustration of emotionally charged, symbolic objects or people. Christina's World is based on a real life situation, which he encountered in Chadds, Ford area. This picture is a depiction of a victim of polio disease who tried to crawl up a hill. Christina looks as if fascinated by her rural background, a suggestion of just cuddling her movable filaments of hair as this woman stares en route to her home, entirely captivated. The perkiest part of the sky looks as if to gesture Christina like a blissful white light. A sole figure in the vast countryside, Christina is fairly susceptible to the harsh set up, but embraces it nevertheless to relish the attractiveness of the scene and her freedom. Andrew Wyeth’s, main passion of painting lay on the land and people around him. His works paintings were mainly based in his home town of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, and a t his seasonal family home in Cushing, Maine.  His most popular painting was Christina's World, a 20th century art, currently preserved in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.   This painting portrays his neighbor, Christina Olson, rambling on a dry ground fronting her house. The countryside is in her world is generally dry and unproductive but has a suppleness to it which is bizarrely appealing. An else intimidating scene emits a sense of safety to the onlooker. The addition of a "crippled" young girl alters the background to to some degree obliging and approachable. This meant that Christina Olson had to

Cross-cultural Scenario Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Cross-cultural Scenario - Essay Example Kimuri Plc was a human resource consultancy and training firm. Such firms help other companies to develop their staff to the level of competency required in customer service, marketing and front office management. The company had been established slightly over ten years, but it had advanced and grown to the level of the most respectable forms in the region for training and resolving the human resources issues associated with different firms, through its consultancy services(Holland, 2015:36). Mark had never been such excited before, as he proceeded to open the door for the founder of such a successful company. In his mind, Mark knew that Frank Kimuri would not come to work such early, unless there was something important he wanted to discuss with him. At the back of his mind, Mark knew it had something to do with how he should run the department, having been recently interviewed and hired, after the last holder of the position had resigned a month earlier. Mark opened the office and was instantly meant by the big smile of the company founder, whom the people around the office liked to refer simply as Frank. Frank was an easy going man, and it was such easy to approach and discuss any issue with him. Thus, when the last human resource manager left the firm, basing his resignation on irreconcilable differences with the managing director, everyone had reasons to believe that the manager must have been a very difficult person. Entering the office, Frank warmly shook the hand of Mark, and proceeded to welcome him to the company saying â€Å"it is our pride to have such a young and energetic man, who is not only qualified but also ingeniously able to advance the course of our company joining us†. To this, Mark was lost for words, and could only say ‘Thank You Sir’. It is my pleasure to join your firm. You have built a very prosperous company over

CORRECTIONAL PSYCHOLOGY Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

CORRECTIONAL PSYCHOLOGY - Research Paper Example Forensic hospitalization averages $500 per day while a jail’s housing cost is only $50.00. Buelle (2003) comments that â€Å"shifts in public policy regarding public safety, de-institutionalization of mental health populations and complexities in accessing funding for mental health treatment all have contributed to this problem† (p. 141). Sabbatine (2007) add that jail is the only institution that accepts everyone legally presented for custody unlike some mental health institutions which have admission criteria. That is why there is a growing population of mentally disturbed offenders in correctional facilities. However, since these inmates are psychologically ill, they have the right to be treated while incarcerated. The American Psychiatric Association, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care and the American Correctional Association all agree that these inmates need to go through screening and diagnosis so the necessary treatment can be done. Diagnosis is determined from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fourth Edition (DSM-IV). This system has a five axis/ level structure. The most significant disorders are on the first axis and are termed Axis I disorders, which include schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and major depression, among others. Mentally ill offenders are at times identified by these Axis I disorders. (Norton, 2005). Treatment would include a variety of care options incorporating crisis intervention, ongoing psychiatric treatment – accompanied by psychotropic medication, if prescribed, and well-trained mental health staff who undergo an ongoing training program in the treatment and care of the mentally ill (Maloney, Ward & Jackson, 2003). There are many available options for treatment of mentally disturbed offenders ranging from simple psychotherapy to psychotropic medication to community-based therapy. These shall be described in detail as follows: A number of counseling and psychotherapeutic

Franklin Roosevelt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Franklin Roosevelt - Essay Example He also had a natural charisma that helped him to connect to with all sections of American population. He was a natural orator whose powerful voice stayed the listener’s heart. He also had a sense of patrician responsibility towards the other people. FDR had a very strong character as well as requisite political skills to get his programs enacted and communicate his visions of America. FDR was a strong believer in democratic views that is  the center-left and  social-liberal platform and supported  social  justice and mixed economy.  To elevate the situation in 1930s, he offered various programs that were designed for promotion of economic and social equality of the people all over the country. These programs were specially designed for promotion of consumer protection, various social programs, environmental protection, universal health care, and equal opportunity for all. In 1910, when he entered politics and ran for state Senate from Dutchness County, the local Democratic  Party supported his candidature as the â€Å"paper candidate†. The main reason behind this was that it was  a Republican  seat so the party did not expect a  democratic  win.  However, with his typical strong character and charisma, he ran a tight campaign and won the election.  He used these qualities in his life  time and again  when he was facing adverse times in  his personal  and professional life  (Polenberg, 2000).  After this victory, he went from strength to strength in his political life and used creativity to attain his objective. On  the domestic  front, when he took power for the first time as the President, the country’s economy was in completely ruined due to deficit issues (Polenberg, 2000).  . As soon as he took the office, he enacted many  laws,  which were expressly designed to lift the country out of 1930s depression. Also, he as completely committed to New Deal concept and backed it completely. On  the foreign  front, the world

Oral Presentation on Drink Driving Essay Example for Free

Oral Presentation on Drink Driving Essay Intro: The topic I will be discussing today is a problem that occurs not only on Australian roads, but on roads worldwide. It is the topic of drink driving. I will be arguing why the Australian government should lower the Blood Alcohol Concentration limit to at least 0. 02 for full licenced drivers. Drink Driving is a serious offence that has MANY negative outcomes to it. Not only are you at risk of losing your licence, affecting day to day tasks and also receiving a heavy fine, but you are also putting yourself, your passengers and any person’s life, who is on the road, in DANGER. Paragraph 1: Each year on Victorian roads, approximately a quarter of drivers are killed or injured from drink driving related incidents where the driver has had a Blood Alcohol Concentration level of at least 0. 05 or greater. According to the Transport Accident Commission, with a blood alcohol concentration limit of 0. 05, the driver is already doubling their chance to be involved in an accident. At 0. 08 it is seven times the risk. At 0. 15, it is 25 times the risk. Statistics from the Transport Accident Commission have also shown that drink driving is most common between the ages of 17 to 25, promoting my main ARGUMENT that a person’s Blood Alcohol Concentration level should be at least 0. 02 which would significantly reduce the chance of an accident. Paragraph 2: Drinking Alcohol has a serious effect on our bodies. Drivers who drink alcohol before driving can be left with a loss of memory, blurred vision, slow reflexes, and lack of concentration and can also lead to dizziness. Drinking alcohol also increases self-confidence, which can lead the driver to feeling strong and invincible (LIKE SUPERMAN) . Look more:Â  problem solution speech essay Do you really want to be in a car with someone that can’t perform simple tasks such as reciting the alphabet or walking in a straight line? Each year Victoria Police breath tests over one point five million people. The government also exposes the public to many advertising campaigns through television about drink driving and its effects. An example includes the Transport Accident Commission advertisements that are shown regularly on television. Here is an example of one. [Drink Driving Advertisement 1 minute] Paragraph 2: In the commercial just shown, we witness some of the serious consequences that can take place as a result of drink driving, being serious injury, imprisonment, paraplegia and death. It goes to show a mother who has lost a son to drink driving, a woman killed by a drink driver, a man left paralysed after his drunk mate crashed the car he was in, and a drink driver entering jail. It shows the grief and loss families are left with, a sort of grief that no one should have to endure, especially because of one such reckless decision one decided to make, leading to the end of a life. Paragraph 3: I myself have lost a family member who was hit and killed by an intoxicated driver. He was not only a good and funny kid; he was a brother, a son, a nephew, a grandchild. I remember as a young child never seeing John again, I remember my family going through the grief, the in-denial, the anger, that someone so close to my family had died from such a careless and preventable act. It is hard to comprehend that someone you cared so much about has taken their last breath, smiled for the last time and is never coming back. It is something that no one should ever have to suffer. To see a mother and a father say goodbye to their young child is heartbreaking and inhumane to watch. Once again I hope that you understand that this is why the blood alcohol concentration limit should be lowered down to at least 0. 02. Many Australian experts and scientists believe that a blood alcohol concentration limit of 0. 05 is perfect and there is no need for it to be lowered. Experts argue that lowering it less than 0. 05 will do nothing in lowering deaths related to drink driving. But this is not the case. In two of the most developed and wealthy countries in the world, Sweden and Norway, the blood alcohol concentration limit is 0. 02. Drink driving is considered a very serious crime in Sweden and there is very little tolerance for alcohol. Laws where introduced in 1995 and 2001 in Sweden and Norway respectively which lowered the legal blood alcohol concentration limit to . 02 from the previous level of . 05. Since the blood alcohol concentration limit was changed, both Sweden and Norway have seen a dramatic reduction in deaths related to drink driving, some of the lowest rates in the world. I believe that by following the same lead set by Sweden and Norway we too in Australia can lower the amount of deaths related to drink driving significantly. Conclusion: Drink driving is something that takes place every day. Every day someone is involved, every day we are informed of it on the news, the radio, and through other various media outlets. Every day someone cries themselves to sleep, knowing they will never see that person again. I believe that by lowering the limit we can significantly reduce road trauma and the number of deaths related to drink driving. So, think, is that last glass really that important?