The Search For Truth Through God - 1354 Words

Joseph Bianchi Prof. Loebenberg Honors 171 November 8, 2014 â€Å"Love Loves Difficult Things† The search for truth through God is where the philosophy of attaining knowledge intersects with religious doctrine. Although the esoteric and mystical system of Sufism has its origin in Islamic orthodoxy, Sufism can be seen as less as an individual sect and more of a stepping-stone towards Christian revelation. In the Sufi allegory The Conference of the Birds by Farid Ud-Din Attar, God is represented as a mystical essence within and beyond all of creation, closer to a state of being that can be obtained with the discovery of true love and wisdom. In comparison, the God described in Christian texts by medieval authors such as St. Augustine is singular and whole, but in three parts: The Father God, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, or the spiritual component that dwells within the souls of believers. The Christian God is permanently unreachable due to humanity’s sinful nature and is only known through redemption via the grace of and faith in Christ. The Sufi’s re lationship to God is a depiction tantamount to the entirety of their accepted belief system. While Sufi Mysticism and medieval Christianity share a monotheistic vision of God, Sufism blurs the lines by emphasizing the series of tribulations necessary to obtain the knowledge of God. The nature of Sufism is not to find redemption for sins through faith or grace, but is to be made one with God himself at the end of aShow MoreRelatedWhat Is A Religion?1317 Words   |  6 Pageson a common principle shared by a community. Some of the most famous religions are Christianity, Buddhism, and Judaism. The goal of Christianity is to be one with God. Key Christianity practices include Sunday service, reading bible, praying regularly, and pilgrimages to hold the community together and have a strong relationship with God. Christians also have a strong devotion to saints. In Buddhism, people practice detachment from everything that is impermanent; they believe that desire and attachmentRead MoreTh e Beginning Of The Humanities Sequence984 Words   |  4 Pageshave been expressed through various pieces of art and literature. A few of these themes have been so prevalent that they have flourished throughout the entire sequence of humanities classes. One of the major themes in particular is the idea of truth and where people have found truth in society. Some believe that truth comes from religion and higher powers, while others believe that knowing as many angles of a certain idea gains knowledge and achieves truth. Over history, truth has developed from anRead MoreSalvation, The Holy Spirit, Heaven And Hell1420 Words   |  6 Pagesto start than the Holy Bible. But, I’ve always wondered if the Bible was meant to be the only source of true spiritual wisdom, or was it simply a record of ancient historical events. As a young child I was taught that the Bible was the â€Å"Word of God† and therefore, infallible. My childhood denomination accepted every word of the scriptures in a literal fashion (except the ones which contradicted or distorted their message). We studied one version of the Bible, the King James. There was never anyRead More A Glimpse Into Robert Frosts for Once, Then Something Essay720 Words   |  3 Pagesfrom a fern, and lo, a ripple Shook whatever it was lay there at bottom, Blurred it, blotted it out. What was that whiteness? Truth? A pebble of quartz? For once, then, something. The Poem Written in hendecasyllabic meter (11 syllables per line) and unrhymed verse, the poem seems to be an easy read. It uses words so ordinary any reader could go through it without having to stop for the meaning. The persona tells of his experience of looking down into wells and being ridiculed all theRead MoreSearch For Absolute And Infinite Truth Within The Realms And Extensions Of Love And Beauty Essay1269 Words   |  6 PagesIn search for absolute and infinite truth within the realms and extensions of love and beauty, Augustine stumbles upon various belief systems during his pursuit of full faith. Confessions provides an autobiographical depiction of the struggles Augustine faces, and arranges a mode in which he can self-reflect and search his soul for the true origins and realities of his destined belief. Dispersion of scripture within each book shows his passionate belief that God was with and within him at all pointsRead More Odepius Rex Demonstrates Success Leads to Folly Essa y820 Words   |  4 Pagesof humility and recompense. Oedipus’ acknowledgement of the Gods’ superiority is evident in his fear of the prophecy coming true, indeed, he flees from Corinth for precisely this reason. But at the same time through Oedipus’ self-blinding (where he â€Å"alone† is responsible for his fate) there is a sense of wilful defiance in the face of the omniscient gods. The sane voice of the Chorus sheds light on the people’s fear and awe of the gods. And what of those who foolishly question prophets and fate?Read MoreEssay on Hazel Motes Spiritual Struggle1351 Words   |  6 Pagesno exception. The central spiritual struggle of the book is that of the character Hazel Motes. The protagonist goes through not simply one but several conversions throughout the book. His spiritual quest is his realization of the Church Without Jesus, and his search for a new jesus. As analysis in this paper will elucidate, Hazel spiritual arc is a crit ique of approaches to knowing God. The first such method, nihilism, is a belief in nothing. This exists not only as a rejection of belief in an areligiousRead MoreDifferences Between Oedipus And Hamlet982 Words   |  4 Pagesmentally unhinged, but rather incredibly devoted to their religious ideals. Hamlet, a Catholic, believes that his actions will determine his afterlife; the way he acts, though crazy, is an attempt to please God and avoid eternal damnation. King Oedipus, a follower of Apollo and the Greek gods, acts irresponsibly and makes rash decisions because he believes that his fate is set in stone and that his actions, no matter how extreme, can not change his destiny. Hamlet and King Oedipus are similar inRead MoreConfessions by Augustine Essay752 Words   |  4 PagesConfessions by Augustine Truth and piety are two terms Augustine illustrates throughout his book Confessions. There are two types of truth: the truth found in God, but also the truth found in oneself. The truth found in and through God is quite obvious throughout the whole book. The other requires the reader to search deeply in the text. Augustine feels that if you develop self knowledge, then you can find truth. You have to be true to yourself and God. With self knowledge, you can revealRead MoreAnalysis Of Heraclitus The Mind Of God 1574 Words   |  7 Pagesthe unity between experiences. He believed that in observation was necessary in the search for knowledge, but it is necessary to go beyond the observation presented. The basis of Heraclitus’ philosophy is based on what he called â€Å"logos†. He believed that there is a rational structure that controls the universe, and that this structure is the origin that everything arose out of. Logos was for Heraclitus â€Å"the mind of Godâ € , because it is a rational force within nature, and instead of being a supernatural

Fast Food Restaurants and the Decline of Americans Health...

One out of every three Americans is obese and the majority of these obese people in the United States have eaten regularly at fast food restaurants. As the obesity rate increases, the number of fast food restaurants goes up as well. Although it is not certain, many believe that obesity in the United States is correlated to eating fast food. Since the United States has the highest obesity rate out of any country, it is important for Americans to monitor the fast food industry that may be causing obesity. With the pressure to get things done in a timely manner, fast food became a big necessity. However, when creating fast food restaurants, the industries were not thinking about the negative effects such as obesity. Other than obesity, other†¦show more content†¦Fast food restaurants save their customers the time of getting out of their car, waiting for their order, and sitting down to eat. The drive-through has come in handy many times for those who are trying to get a bite be fore work. Most people do not have either the time or skills to prepare something at home, and fast food restaurants make it possible for their customers to still get a chance to eat no matter what the situation may be. Even worse, if a parent is taking his or her child to school in the morning, they will also get a happy meal for their kids to eat on the way to school. Advertisements have been targeted towards children to manipulate them that fast food is good and cool because it comes with a toy. This toy is a key player in getting more and more kids into fast food restaurants and eating their unhealthy food. More importantly, studies have shown that â€Å"Fast food is mainly targeted to children. The restaurants are advertising toys to children; this will bring them in. Some fast food restaurants are the worlds largest distributors of toys. A survey of American school children found that 96% could identify Ronald McDonald. Once the children are in the restaurant, they buy the fa st food to get a toy. The high fat foods taste good to these youngsters, which in turn makes them believe that fast food is quick, easy and satisfying. Fast food restaurants are now making value meals for children which have increased in portionShow MoreRelatedFast Food Nation Essay804 Words   |  4 Pagescalled â€Å"Fast Food Nation 2008. The panel consisted of 1,000 respondents of ages 16-65 who provided their inputs with an online survey which was conducted between March 13 through 2008. Which was based on results on fast food restaurants like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s are gaining popularity even through the economic hardship and recession. Marketing strategy has become more of influence on kids and young American’s. As population grows and the demand increases of fast food restaurants areRead MoreFast Food Mania Research Paper1019 Words   |  5 Pages1 Fast Food Mania What ever happened to a home cooked meal? Dinner time in a household was once special and food was prepared by people who actually cared about what they served. About a generation ago, more than half of the meals consumed were prepared at home. Today, a majority of the meals we eat are prepared by strangers who could care less about our health as long as they receive a paycheck. Our fast paced society no longer values the simple things of the past and the food that weRead MoreEssay about Fast Food Globalization1351 Words   |  6 PagesFast Food Globalization Some people get confused when they hear the word, globalization. What is it? Globalization is a modern term used to describe the changes in societies and the world economy that result from dramatically increased international trade and cultural exchange. That means the world is slowly becoming one by producing goods and services in one part of the world, only to share it on an international level. This is a deeply controversial issue, however. Proponents of globalizationRead MoreThe Time Has Come To End Obesity Essay1730 Words   |  7 Pagespopulation is obese and another third is declared overweight. The 1970’s was the kickoff to a major health decline that would soon demolish a wide range of citizens. Obesity and obesity related diseases, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance are now at the highest rates recorded. Portion sizes have expanded and processed food has become the norm to fulfil American’s cravings. Families have gone fro m being a two parent family to mostly single parent families. It isRead MoreObesity Essay1699 Words   |  7 Pagespopulation is obese and another third is declared overweight. The 1970’s was the kickoff to a major health decline that would soon demolish a wide range of citizens. Obesity and obesity related diseases, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance are now at the highest rates recorded. Portion sizes have expanded and processed food has become the norm to fulfil American’s cravings. Families have gone from being a two parent family to mostly single parent families. It isRead MoreEtiology of Pediatric Obesity776 Words   |  3 PagesFast food, as an aspect of our cultural identity, alone, cannot be responsible for the epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States, as the behavior of children is largely reliant on the influences of their parents. Home and social environments, parenting styles, family-feeding practices are the primary influences on early childhood nutritional behaviors. Obesity is a serious and widespread health problem in only certain kinds of societies characterized by economic modernizations, food surplusRead MoreEpidemiology And The Community Of Hartford Connecticut1489 Words   |  6 Pagesinformation from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH). The DPH is a leader in public health and advocacy, in which monitors at the state level providing information to the public, to the state, and federal government. Another data source I was able to obtain that is not controlled by the state and federal government was from Hartford Healthcare in which they are in partnership with the Hartford Hospital Group, in providing health information about the community to the state and communityRead MoreHidden Truths of the Food Industry2363 Words   |  10 PagesThe hidden truths of the Food Industry It was our normal routine during the week, driving through the drive thru to get the kids a bite to eat. One day it could be Jack n the Box, another day it could be Mc Donald’s or Carl’s Jr, which ever fast food was voted on amongst my daughters is where we went. This past summer what seemed to be just another trip through the drive thru became a nightmare after eating hamburgers at our usual Carl’s Jr. Not so long after we ate, my older daughter began withRead MoreTgi Fridays Marketing Plan4980 Words   |  20 PagesConclusion 20 References...................................................................................................................................................21 Executive Summary TGI Friday will strive to be the top casual dining food chain in the world. We aim to have our guest experience a great meal, in a fun lively atmosphere, at an affordable price. As times have changed TGI Fridays must change to accommodate there changing customers. Fridays will introduce an updated menuRead MoreWhat Was the American Diet Like 50 Years Ago8269 Words   |  34 Pagesmeals that were usually prepared at home using natural ingredients to today’s prepackaged, processed and convenience foods that are often eaten on the run with little thought towards nutrition or content. b) American diets have evolved in the last 50 years from natural ingredients to processed, high fat ingredients and will continue in the future to include convenience foods but with a greater emphasis on healthier choices. i) This wasn’t always the case. â€Å"Fifty years ago, people sitting

The Effect of Deforestation to Human Lives Free Essays

Deforestation is increasing as a global concern. In recent years deforestation has risen to dangerous levels. This reason is mainly due to the fact that most people have no idea what deforestation is. We will write a custom essay sample on The Effect of Deforestation to Human Lives or any similar topic only for you Order Now This lack of education has caused many changes in the global economy. The concerns no longer center on deforestation but in the effects it will have in our environment in the future. This issue has sparked national attention. It has caused a chain of recent plans and policies to be introduced. Also it has brought us together as a nation to fight a common problem. Deforestation is the clearing the land of forest or trees. Many people do not even know that this problem exists, although it may be occurring right in their own neighborhoods. The causes of deforestation are broad. It used to be thought that the lumber industry was much to blame, when in fact the industry is very low. Most of the land was used for various other reasons such as building and agricultural expansion. The land is used for growing crops and livestock grazing. In many cases the ?  §Slash and Burn? method is used. This is where the farmers cut down and burn forests to get to the land that is feasible for farming. Most of the tropical soils are very poor in nutrients and can only support crops for a few years. When the soil has been exhausted it is either abandoned or turned over for livestock grazing. The effects of deforestation on the environment are numerous. The reduction of forests upsets the entire ecological cycle. The forests are home to a number of plants and animals. When a forest is cut down, the whole cycle suffers. Most of all the forests act as a carbon ?  §sink?. That is they help to take in carbon, a green house gas, and offset its effect on the atmosphere. Also trees and plants on a forest can help to supply an alternative source of fossil fuels. Tree planting is also good for urban development. They help with heating and cooling costs to be lowered. There is evidence from the UN sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that came out in 1990. This organization records the change of climate control and has the best of these fields working for it. It predicted that if our economy keeps releasing emissions as we are that our annual temperature would increase at 0. degrees per decade over the next century. This is beyond what the earth has experienced over the past 10,000 years? (Muller Introduction). We currently are increasing at a rate of 0. 5 percent per year. To get these levels back to normal we would have to have a cut in emissions by over 60%worldwide. The greatest producer of these carbon gases is the burning of fossil fuels. ? § With just 5% of the worlds population, the United States currently accounts for 20%of both total warming commitment and carbon dioxide emissions? (Muller Intro. ). Congressional concern over ways to reduce deforestation has grown. They center mostly on developing countries where the deforestation is most rapid. Many new plans and programs are being introduced to help aid with the issue. The major organizations working on deforestation are: the Tropical Forestry action Program, the International Tropical Timber organization, the United Nations Conference on Environmental and Developmental Forest Principles and Agenda 21 chapter on forests, the U. S. Forests For the Future Initiative, and the World Bank. Some of these are centered strictly in tropical deforestation. The Tropical Forestry Action Program (TFAP) was started in June of 1985. Its purpose was to slow down the tropical deforestation and help countries develop plans to help with their management of such issues. It was a correlation of the World Resources Institute, the World Bank, the United Nations Developmental Program and work by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). The program is developed to help aid tropical countries in the reduction of deforestation. Currently 90 developing countries are participating-38 African countries, 20 in Asia and the Pacific, and 32 in Latin America and the Caribbean. (Fletcher, Lyke 6) The objectives of the plan are as follows. They plan center on five major issues in tropical countries. These were defined by the 1987 TFAP. „h Forrest in land uses. Action is this area is at the interface between forestry and agriculture and would aim at integrating forestry into agricultural systems in order to conserve the resource base for agriculture, and, in general, achieve a more rational use of the land. h Forest based Industrial Development. Planning in this area would promote appropriate forest-based industries, reduce waste, and develop the marketing if forest industry products. Fuelwood and energy. Action in this area would aim at restoring fuelwood supplies in the countries affected by shortages through foreign assistance and support for national fuelwood and wood energy programs, development of wood-based energy systems for rural and industrial development, regional training and demonstration, and intensification of research and development. h Conservation of tropical forestry ecosystems. Action planned in this area would aim at conserving, managing and utilizing tropical plants and wild animal genetic resources through the development of national networks of protected areas, the planning, management and development of individual protected areas, and research into the management of tropical forests for sustainable production. „h Institutions. Goals would be actions to remove the institutional constraints impeding the conservation and wise use of tropical forest resources by strengthening public forest administration and related governmental agencies, to integrate forestry concerns into developmental planning, providing institutional support for private and local organizations developing professional, technical and vocational training, and to improve extension and research. (Fletcher, Lyke 6-7) The funding for the project is provided by governmental and private sources. It plans on spending roughly eight billion dollars over the next five years (1985-1991). It would be divided among the five areas just mentioned. There have been numerous criticisms about the plan. Mostly it has been that it is on the fact that it is concentrating mostly on the deforestation factor and failing to recognize other environmental issues. It has been said to isolate groups of people. Also, they fail to get to the real source of deforestation, which to some, are things such as over population and poverty. They say that it doesn? t give any incentives or sanctions. Although this centers more on the tropical regions, there are also many other plans to help out in our areas. The easiest way to combat deforestation is through reforestation. This is, planting new trees. This does not mean just going out and planting seeds, but actually planting grown trees. There needs to be educated environmentalist who know what they are doing to plant these trees. We can not just go and place them anywhere and expect then to work to their potential. They need to be strategically placed in areas where they can work the best that they can. This is not to say that everyday people can? t help. We can definitely all try. By planting a tree we can do our best, while making the world a more beautiful place. Deforestation is an increasing global concern. In recent years it has risen to dangerous levels. This is due to the fact that many people do not even know what it is. This lack of education has caused the problem to get to intense levels before there has been any plans to reverse its effects. Its effects are effecting the whole ecological cycle, and if not dealt with could lead to an ecological disaster. Although there are many companies out there to try and solve this problem, many people have a common misconception. They believe that we could all just plant trees, and save the world. Although tree planting would be great that is not true. There needs to be the right trees planted in the right areas, where they can work to their highest potential as carbon sinks. This way they can help to reduce carbon in the atmosphere, while looking beautiful. Wouldn? t it be nice if we could just have a world with normal carbon levels covered with beautiful trees? Personally I would rather look at a beautiful oak or maple rather than a cloud of smog. So, in conclusion, we can all try to help, plant a tree. How to cite The Effect of Deforestation to Human Lives, Essay examples