Religious teaching Essay Example for Free

Religious teaching Essay Religious teachings offer the only sound basis for moral reasoning. Critically examine arguments for and against this opinion. Morality is the knowledge and practice of what is moral, which may, according to your personal view be instinctive, be associated with religion and culture, or be acquired by reasoning. Most, if not all religions have a human moral code, which follows Gods will. Religious people will consult their religious text, whether it is the Bible, Quran or Torah ect, when making a moral decision. Very often these religious texts will lay out a set of rules or guide lines. In Christianity it is the 10 Commandments, in Buddhism it is the 8 Fold Path. Although these rules do provide a good moral base, if taken to their logical conclusion they are objective and absolute, leaving no room for the flexibility needed in todays society. This is taking a Deontological approach; this is when a person has a set of rules that they consider to be absolutely right. They abide by these rules, as they are more important than the effect or outcome. We can use the example of abortion and the 10 Commandments. These religious laws state that Thou shalt not kill. If taken absolutely this means that abortion is wrong no matter what the circumstances are, even if the child will be born severely disabled or will be born into extreme poverty. For many people moral values are relative to a specific society, time and circumstances, and their moral view can change through changed circumstances, needs, beliefs and knowledge. This flexibility is known as relativism and is the opposite of absolute. This is also known as taking a Consequential approach, when a person looks to the outcome, and decides how to act to achieve that result. They have in mind the aim and believe that actions can be deemed moral if they achieve that aim the end justifies the means. Because of this many individuals often experience conflict in making moral decisions because they have no absolute code of what is right or wrong. There are several different methods subjective morality: Utilitarianism is the view that you decide whether an action is right or wrong by looking at the consequences, and you should choose they action that will produce the most happiness/least-suffering to the greatest number of people. If we consider whether abortion is right or wrong using the utilitarianism view we would have to say that it depends on the individual situation, and whether the baby would be born healthily or not, and whether the baby would be loved, and the number of people affected by the pregnancy, amongst other things. Natural Law states that morality should use the natural form of behaviour, and that humans and society should follow this natural law. Therefore anything that is deemed as un-natural is wrong. This means that in the case of abortion it is always wrong, as pregnancy is a natural occurrence and it should not be ended un-naturally. Social contract theory claims that laws and morals are a human invention upon which we agree to make life better for ourselves. When making a moral decision a person would have to consider the impact upon society and peoples freedom, amongst other things. Once again considering the case of abortion, a person using social contract theory, would consider the effect having a baby would have on their lives, the lives of people around them, and how the life of the bay would be once it is born. I conclude by saying that I think that religious teachings do not offer the only sound basis for moral reasoning. I feel that the individual situation also needs to be considered when making a moral decision as every case has different circumstances. I also feel that although the religious laws do give a good, sound basis for morality the objective and absolute rules stated by religion do not leave room for the flexibility needed in todays society.

Kiel :: essays research papers

Kiel   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kiel is the capital of Schleswig-Holstein. Schleswig-Holstein is located in West Germany. Kiel is located at the head of Kieler Fà ¶rde which is an inlet of the Baltic Sea. During World War II three-fourths of the city was destroyed by bombs. Kiel was a major naval base during the war. Kiel's major industries now are shipbuilding and also building machines such as the diesel engine. They also manufacture electric and electronic products. Kiel also is known for brewing and the proccessing of food, such as fish. The medievel Church of St. Nicholas overlooks the Old Market which still survives from Old Town. It was built between1233-1244. The Old Market has been rebuilt in modern style and is used as a center for a network of shopping streets. There are no cars allowed in this area. A modern Cultural Center has replaced the castle that used to guard Old Town. The western shore of the Fà ¶rde is where the Kiel's famous Oceanographic Institute and the State Parliamen t are locacted. The Kieler Fà ¶rde is the best natural harbor on the Baltic. That is why it has been the principal base for the German Navy. In 1866 Kiel became part of Prussia. Kiel saw a rapid growth in population between 1866 and 1914. While the Nazi's were in control Hitler built up the Navy in Kiel. Kiel's economy got away from its large concern with the Navy and shipbuilding after the war. Kiel is the place that all German yachtsmen dream of. Kiel also has a nice sized university. The school offers a large array of subjects and was founded in 1665. Many of the students like to sail in there spare time. Kiel is also the home to one of Germany's largest indoor shopping centers. Kiel is also a popular place for Olympic sailing competitions. In 1994 the population of Kiel was 248,930. Kiel is the most economically important city in Schleswig-Holtstein, as well as the largest. Kiel was founded in 1242 and then in 1284 joined the Hanseatic League. Kiel aslo became the home of the d ukes of Holstein. Kiel was passed to Denmark in 1866. The sailors mutiny that started at the end of World War I started the socialist revolution in Germany. Kiel is the home of many museums, such as the oldest art gallery and Botanic Gardens in Germany. The sailing and yachting events of the 1972 summer Olympics were held in Kiel.

People Have Become Overly Dependent on Technology Essay

The world today is more dependent on technology than ever. Over 90% of Americans today own a computerized gadget (Gahran, 2011). People receive email and text messages on cell phones, order fast food online, cars can park themselves, and even when we are driving, the traffic lights are controlled by a centralized computer system (Greenman, 1998). But what is all this access to technology doing to humans? What would we do if our high-tech gadgets failed us do to a wide-spread lack of power or cyber-related attack? The fact is that people of become so dependent on technology that they aren’t prepared for service interruptions. With non-disaster related blackouts up 124% since the early 90’s (Patterson, 2010) and disruptive weather patterns on the rise, people should begin to take steps to break their dependence on technology, or at least have better planning in place when the things do go dark. We should also be more aware of what information is available about us online. The most damaging information is often information released willingly, with little regard for who is viewing it. Read more: Is Society too Dependent on Technology Essay People are too dependent on technology related services for communication, internet commerce, and social media. Technology has had a huge effect on the way people communicate. Many people have traded the convenience of a wired phone in their homes in favor of only cellular phone service. In fact, a study in June 2010 showed that more than one in four homes only has cellular service, up from 13. 6 percent in 2007 (Blumberg, 2011). It’s not just urban areas that have seen in increase in cellular service, every state in the US experienced an increase (Blumberg, 2011). Electing to only subscribe to cellular service is dangerous because cellular phones require frequent charging to function. Additionally, the cellular towers must have power to provide adequate coverage of the signal. Finally, in the event of an emergency, cellular signals can become overloaded. Last August when the East Coast experienced an earthquake, cellular service was disrupted in the DC area for as much as 20 minutes due to the overwhelmed relay stations (Goldman, 2011). Wired phone service doesn’t require power to operate. Choosing to retain wired phone service is one way we can reduce our reliance on technology. You can’t write a paper about technology without mentioning the impact of the internet. For many of us, internet related technologies have forever changed how we work and play. The internet can bring vast amounts of information, entertainment, and conveniences to our fingertips. However, it can also bring unwanted guests in the form of cybercriminals and spammers. A computer virus disguised as or targeting one of these amenities could have serious effects on our personal finances and privacy. Internet commerce has changed the landscape of the business world. Amazon. com and Google have been become two of the most powerful companies in the world, ranking #56 and #73 on the 2012 list of the Fortune 500, but how? Amazon uses the internet to link sellers to consumers, taking a small percentage of the transaction in the process (Kay). When this process is repeated millions of times a day, profits roll in. Google on the other hand generates most of its revenue through advertising (Google). The Amazon’s and Google’s become dangerous when crooks get involved. With Amazon there are many fraud reports concerning both the buyers and sellers. Since Amazon is just the company that brings the parties together, they will investigate but are not liable for fraud. Some of Google’s ads have been unknowingly infected with malware and computer viruses (Mills, 2010). The perpetrators of the Amazon fraud and Google viruses have one goal; your personal information. Information gained from internet commerce transaction can be used to steal your identity. We need to demand that these retailers work harder to eradicate these crooks from penetrating their networks. Social media has become the next big thing in the internet media revolution. People can give friends and family up to the minute updates on their activities and events. Ever look at a typical teenager’s Facebook page? It often reads like a book of their thoughts, ideas, and sensitive information. Allowing this type of access to our most private information could have personal ramifications for years. The internet’s memory is unlimited. What may be funny, interesting, or newsworthy today may not be interesting in the future. In fact, what we say and post online has become the items that make up our â€Å"online footprint† (Clark, 2009). This online footprint is being used by potential employers as a background check type tactic to gain access to people’s private information. Users of social media sites are basically giving their personal information away. A recent study found that 13% of Facebook users and 92% of Twitter users connect with anyone who initiates a connection request (Bradley, 2009). We need to be smarter about what we post and who we allow access to. All users of social media must learn to educate themselves about the privacy policies of these social media outlets before they join and post information. As mentioned, people are too dependent on technology related services for communication, internet commerce, and social media. These technologies in particular have lowered our defenses to cyber criminals and make us less prepared if a true disaster strikes. We need to learn to use these technologies in the proper context and take the appropriate precautions to ensure that our lives are not adversely affected if technology fails us.

The Prayer Of A Public School - 768 Words

Many people in Southern Missouri believe that we need to have more religion in schools. â€Å"Keep Christ in Christmas,† â€Å"One nation under God,† and post the Ten Commandments on every wall in public buildings. This is an easy rallying cry because most people in rural Southwest Missouri share the same Christian beliefs. There is a place for these types of soapboxes. That place is called church. Schools are designed to prepare students for the college and career. Churches are designed to prepare congregations for the after-life. As the law mandates, each organization is separate and each plays a vital role in the betterment of our communities. In order to address religious celebrations in schools, one must address how religion should be handled in the day-to-day educational operation of a public school. The First Amendment Center provides a great guide and tips on â€Å"How to Handle Religious Holidays in Public Schools.† The article reminds educators that schools may not promote any religion, but may teach about religion. As an English teacher one cannot have their class read The Crucible without educating their students on the Puritan faith. Most freshmen in Missouri read Romeo and Juliet. To understand the true motivations of the Juliet the reader must have a basic understanding of Catholicism. The same idea is true in Social Studies. Educators cannot ignore religion, they just cannot promote it. Students in rural Southwest Missouri have not experienced theShow MoreRelatedThe Prayer On Public Schools1240 Words   |  5 PagesFor much of the 20th Century and into the 21st, school prayer has been the focal point of an ongoing debate about the position of religion in American civilization. The question of the legality of prayer in public schools brings together a number of important notions in American government and legal philosophy. Opponents and proponents of school prayer set forth their arguments in such major consti tutional issues as the separation of church and state, the right to free exercise of religion, and theRead MorePrayer in Public Schools656 Words   |  3 PagesThe United States was built on prayer. Prayer or religion is on our currency in the many halls of our justice and federal buildings so no matter where we go, we cannot escape prayer. Our founding fathers did not exclude the bible in building our nation and educating our future and there will be no expectation. No matter what there will be prayer no matter where you are. Some people just don’t believe in God that’s why some don’t want prayer in public school. Though each of the clauses are originallyRead MorePrayer in the Public Schools1111 Words   |  5 PagesPrayer in the Public Schools Diana Brown Everest Online Composition 1-226 ABSTRACT This essay is composed of facts supporting that prayer in Public Schools would be beneficial for the children and the United States of America. Prayer is an address to God or a god in word or thoughts. The Anti- Defamation League states that, â€Å"A moment of silence will inevitably be unconstitutional or the purpose and effect of such moments of silence are invariably to advance religion. The U.S. Supreme CourtRead MorePrayer in Public Schools894 Words   |  4 Pages Should prayer be allowed in public schools? This is a question with a highly controversial answer. There are many different angles to this question with varying ideas and opinions that never seem to agree with one another. The issue of prayer in public schools has, and will continue to be, at the center of many controversial debates. Just consider the fact that public educational system in United States is a secular or non-religious one that is quick to shut down any religious actions. This isRead MorePrayer On Public Schools : The Public School System1032 Words   |  5 PagesAllow Prayer in Public Schools The public school system should allow students, all across the United States of America, to express themselves freely whenever they would like. Most Americans support the idea of allowing students to pray during school. In the year 2001, 66% of Americans voted that they favor the idea of prayer during school; however, 34% opposed the idea of praying during school. In the year 2014, 61% of Americans voted that they support the idea of praying during school; howeverRead MoreEssay on Prayer in Public Schools1051 Words   |  5 PagesPrayer in Public Schools An issue that has been constantly debated for years is whether voluntary prayer in public schools should be permitted. A student should be allowed to pray voluntarily at the beginning of each school day based on many reasons. Prayer based on moral beliefs reinforce good citizenship as defined by our forefathers. A daily reminder of a need for the belief of good over evil is a necessary part of this society. Daily voluntary school prayer should be re-instated in publicRead More No Prayer in Public Schools Essay746 Words   |  3 PagesNo Prayer in Public Schools Chapter three of Civil Liberties: Opposing Viewpoints inspired me to research today’s issues of school prayer. To understand how we got to where we are today, I first delved into our countries history of court cases pertaining to rulings on prayer in schools. Lastly, to update my audience on how our lives are being affected today, I directed my efforts toward finding current situations. By analyzing these situations, I gained knowledge for a better understanding ofRead MorePrayer in Public Schools Essay1440 Words   |  6 Pagestype of school students attend, organized prayer is mandatory, allowed, or banned. In the United States, organized prayer in public schools is prohibited because it goes against the Constitution’s separation of church and state (Jinkins 123). The United States promises religious freedom, but is yet to define the degree and limitation of that liberty. However, American citizens have been debating for many years, whether organized prayer should be an option or obligation in public schools. Some peopleRead More Prayer in Public School Essay3032 Words   |  13 Pagesthere is a way to express ones deepest thoughts and feelings--prayer. Prayer is something that most people due naturally. Whether it is in the morning before you start your day, before a meal, before you go to sleep, or when you just feel the need to express your feelings, prayer is always there. Religious faiths believe that this is central to human life. Even those who are not religious pray. Prayer affects the material universe. Prayer can be defined as an earnest request; a humble entreaty addressedRead More No Prayer in the Public Schools Essay3232 Words   |  13 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚   Over the past three decades, the issue of the role of prayer in the public school system has become increasingly controversial. The current debate juggles the opposing interpretations of the exact intentions of Americas Founders, who came from an other country, England, in pursuite of expanded freedoms. The first colonists in the 17th century especially desired religious freedom, because their former British government forced them all to learn and practice a centralized religion. Consequently