Religion in My Life - 1122 Words

Religion is everywhere, even if we don’t notice it. Some common elements of religion include group activities, morals, actions, and rituals. It may not seem like it, but those factors in religion are involved in our everyday life, including mine. After learning more about religion, I am starting to realize how much it actually affects me daily. When it comes to group activities, I tend to get involved in them at school. Every now and then one of my professors assign me into a group in order to do a project or presentation. The same goes for sports. If I’m ever playing soccer, I am put into a team so I can participate in a game. When it comes to people in a religion, they tend to participate in some group activities as well. This†¦show more content†¦The reason I make promises to people is usually because they have once helped me in an extraordinary way, and making a promise to them is a way to show my gratitude. The more helpful someone is to me, the larger the promise I am willing to make. Another thing I do every now and then is pray. I always pray for one of two reasons, either I want something, or I am thanking God. These are rare moments, mostly because I’m not very religious. When it comes to asking God for something it is never for petty reasons. I pray usually out of fear. When it gets to a point in my life where something has frightened me to a point where I need immediate help, I turn to God. Maybe once every three months, I have a panic attack that I cannot control. These panic attacks cause me a lot of pain and so I pray to God to make the pain cease. After that I usually calm down, but I don’t always pray for myself. I also pray for my family when they are in need of assistance, whether it’s for finances or maybe a serious injury. For example, I remember when my older sister went to the hospital because her appendix erupted, I immediately prayed for her safety. Every time my prayers are heard I always tha nk God for aiding me in my time of need. Now for rituals, I feel like almost everything I do is part of my daily ritual. I, for the most part, have a daily routine.Show MoreRelatedGod And Religion Shaped My Life2218 Words   |  9 Pagesunderstand how God and religion have shaped my life, you would need to understand a little bit more about me and my past. My parents divorced when I was two and my mom remarried by the time I was 3, my ex-step dad’s family went to a local Christian Church and for the most part I really enjoyed their services, we went every Sunday, participated in other Church activities and attended Church camp in the summers and as a family we worshiped the Lord, and as a family, we lived our life through the Lord. HoweverRead MoreHow Religion Has Changed My Life And The Lives Of My Family Members2174 Words   |  9 PagesReligion has always played an integral role in my life and the lives of my family members. Growing up the son of a dad who was born into the Roman Catholic Church and a mom who converted to Catholicism at the age of 22 meant that I was schooled in the traditions and theology of the Catholic catechism from a very young age. My mom, who quite possibly possesses the most conviction and faith of any Catholic person I have ever met, only converted after she met my dad. They wanted to get married and startRead MoreReligion Is Not As Straight Forward As Many People1169 Words   |  5 PagesFrom my studying of religion, I have come to understand that religion itself is not as straight forward as many people, including myself, tend to believe it is. Religion has such complexity that it is extremely difficult to define it in just a few words. 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Ever since I realized that I no longer agreed with any of the religious viewpoints which I was brought up with, I have explained my opinions, as clearly as I can, to those who were interested, curious, or who challenged by beliefsRead MoreJehovah Witness : Their Distinctive Beliefs846 Words   |  4 Pages Jehovah Witness’: Their Distinctive Beliefs Religion is a topic that many people are interested in learning about. It brings many questions, and there are many unknowns that we don’t know about. People question as to where do certain beliefs come from and where certain religions were developed. Religion is a choice in every person s life. It is like having your own freedom. Having freedom gives every individual the choice to worship and pray to whomever they consider to be their one and onlyRead More What is Religion Essay1321 Words   |  6 Pages World Religion What is Religion? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;According to the American College Dictionary, religion is a noun defined as the quest for the values of the ideal life. This definition is vast and general, allowing for a variety of interpretations by people from all cultures. There is no single path to follow in order to lead an ideal life, only personal beliefs and experiences. Religion is non-finite so there is no way of determining a boundary (Smart, 5). In my quest for a trueRead MoreReligion Beliefs And Religious Beliefs868 Words   |  4 PagesReligion beliefs There are a lot of beliefs and religious thoughts that everyone believes in according to their religion. So, the world includes a lot of religions such as Catholic, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, Buddha but the most popular two religions are Islam and Catholic. Religion is a basic thing in a person life. Anyone in the world should follow what his family is following with religion, like my family they are Muslim, So, I should follow what my family is following but I have a friend hisRead MoreReligion Is The Root Of Personal Beliefs And Morals Of Oneself961 Words   |  4 Pagesimportant aspects of a culture has to be religion. It is the root of personal beliefs and morals of oneself, but when stuck in a situation of choosing whether to believe or not to believe, everything changes. I caused a big cultural change within myself when I first questioned my religion, decided whether to believe or not to believe, and how I determined my association with my religion. Since I grew up in a Mexican family, my life heavily revolves around religion. My mom is a strong believer of Roman

Analysis Of Drenched In Light By Zora Neala Hurston

Zora Neale Hurston and Jamaica Kincaid, both black women writers, give advice to their potential readers. Each writer comes from a different background and time period, yet both writers offer advice for every woman who reads their stories. The stories â€Å"Drenched in Light† by Hurston and â€Å"Girl† by Kincaid provides advice for the woman who needs to understand how to behave and protect her reputation. The reason for this article is to think about mother/daughter connections in Jamaica Kincaid’s â€Å"girl† Zora Neale Hurston’s â€Å"drenched In Light,† and Alice Walker’s â€Å"everyday use† through a Womanist hypothetical focal point with respect to personality, portrayals in the public arena, and reason. Zora Neal Hurston’s famous story â€Å"Drenched in†¦show more content†¦In Zora Neale Hurston’s â€Å"drenched in Light,† Alice Walker’s â€Å"everyday use,† and Jamaica Kincai d’s â€Å"Girl,† each of the three moms are managing issues with respect to their little girls’ personalities. For instance, Grandma Potts dislikes her granddaughter, Isis striking trademark attributes, which are womanist, thus she is exceptionally strict on her granddaughter. This is particularly evident when Grandma Potts says that she will beat her granddaughter for setting out to shave her bristles from her jaw while she was resting. Similarly, in Jamaica Kincaid’s Girl, the mother is so stressed over her little girl’s character that she gives a long address to the little girl while continually alluding to her as a prostitute with a specific end goal to keep away from her girl being marked in that capacity in the public eye. Moreover, in Alice Walker’s â€Å"Everyday Use,† the mother likewise tries to stretch the significance of personality to her girls by showing that their way of life should be showed off prideful by utilizing t he knit on a regular premise. Throughout time mother/daughter relationships have been tattered as woman’s liberation has taken place. Many mothers have the â€Å"old fashioned† opinion about what a woman should be. The short story â€Å"Girl†, by Jamaica Kincaid, is a prime example of this relationship. The theme in â€Å"Girl† strongly suggests that a woman should be domestic and there is a certain way that she

Leadership Research Findings - Practice - and Skills

Question: Discuss about the Leadership Research Findings, Practice, and Skills. Answer: Introduction Leadership is an important factor to make an organization successful. It maximizes the efficiency of an organization and helps it to achieve the organizational goals. A good leader has the potential to influence and drive the team efforts towards the accomplishment of goals, thus, directing the organization in a way that makes it more consistent and rational (Bryman, 2013). Leaders are invaluable when it comes to formulating new strategic plans, communicating with, and motivating employees to enhance dedications towards the organizational goals. Leadership styles: Autocratic form of leadership Bureaucratic form of leadership Laissez-faire leadership style Democratic form of leadership Leadership is an ability to get others to follow willingly. Now, different leadership styles are required for different situations and the leader must have the knowledge regarding the various forms of leaderships. A leader must know what particular leadership style to demonstrate in a particular situation (Bhatti et al., 2012). Background of chosen case study: In Saudi Arabia, there is a growing awareness among the Saudi businesses that the essential ingredient of a successful business is well-trained trainers. This has resulted in a customized Accelerated Leadership program that is organized for Saudi leaders to build and enhance their leadership skills. Most of the construction companies in Saudi Arabia have been facing protests from the workers over unpaid wages. The protestors argued that they owed more than six months worth of unpaid wages. According to recent news report, a number of workers damaged the companys property and attacked the administrative staffs. As per the recent media reports, South and South-East Asian migrant workers employed by the construction company, United Seemac, have not been paid for 20 months. More than 500 workers are unable to seek alternate employment or leave the country because the company has not only refused to issue exit visas but has also refused to renew their work permits. The company has offered repatriation to the workers subject to the condition that they can leave the country but with unpaid dues. The management ignored the needs of the workers; it failed to take necessary steps to provide the workers with appropriate remedies from the dire consequences faced by them and their families. Even resorting to the legal system was of no help as it failed to yield any remedy for the workers. As per the facts and circumstances, it is understood that the construction company/companies follows the autocratic leadership style. It is the classical leadership style where the manager retains the decision-making authority and the staffs neither are consulted nor are permitted to give any input (De et al., 2015). They are supposed to obey orders without any explanations. This leadership approach is not suitable to circumstances where staffs become resentful; where there is absenteeism and work stoppage. The financial crisis the construction companies are going through, at present, must be dealt with good leadership skill (Carmeli Reiter, 2013). In the present scenario, the leaders instead of trying to resolve the problem, the management made it worse. Now, different situations demand for different type of leadership (DuBrin, 2015). To be an effective leader, a person must adapt his or her style to the demand of the situation. The leadership style apt for such situation is the Democratic Leadership style. It involves participation of the staffs in the decision making process and is most effective at times when a complex problem requires lot of inputs to solve. The crisis that the company is facing can only be dealt with if the management and the staffs work on it together and for that, it is pertinent that problems that affect the staff are solved. According to the CEO of Renault, France, the top management level should not force organizational structure, it must come from the bottom level. Democratic form of leadership entails the following: competence, fairness, honesty, creativity, courage and intelligence. Leadership challenges faced by an Organization As per the issue identified, being a leader is in itself a challenge. The challenges faced by a leader in the organization are of three kinds- internal; external and challenges that arise from leadership itself (Haslam et al., 2014). External challenges: In the mentioned organization, various issues like lack of funds, social, economic and political forces have had an adverse effect on the company. If the leader is unable, to handle such constant crisis with an air of calm, the team themselves stress out and the work of the group suffers. The company must take initiative to resolve the issues affecting the workers. Internal challenges: The companys insecurity, impatience, lack of confidence, intolerance is some of the traits that is acting as hindrances to leadership. To accept the present traits and overcome them is an instance of good leadership. Challenges arising from leadership itself: Leadership is mainly difficult during unstable or changing situations. A leader not only motivates the employees but also acts as a mentor, model, fixer of broken things, etc. but the leaders have failed to display the same. The passion and dedication portrayed by leaders motivates people to remain focus during a time of crisis and encourages them to perform at a high level (Northouse, 2015). As the construction company United Seemca followed the autocratic form of leadership it has failed to resolve issues and failed to motivate the staffs as a result of which the company had to face work stoppage. In such a situation the leaders must remain calm and compose and adopt the democratic style of leadership. It is apt for the particular situation. The company faced problems like fund-deficit and is criticized by the public, structural changes and it is the responsibility of the leader to find solutions to such problems and to keep the team stable during such difficult times. In any organization, when the leadership is effective it can be felt throughout the organization (Pamfilie, Petcu Draghici, 2012). The management of the given organization may also adopt the ethical approach of leadership, as it is an essential element of effective management and success of an organization. It involves building good relationships with the employees based on integrity, honesty, justice, equity that is the key to sustainable success of the organization. Conclusion Leadership is considered the most essential element in an effective management of an organization. It is pertinent that leaders of the given organization must maintain an open and appealing relationship with the staffs in order to achieve the organizational goals of the organization. The company must pay at least a part of their outstanding payments to the workers. This will help the workers regain their trust in the company. The leaders of the company must emphasize upon creating an environment that helps the employees to excel. In other words, the key factor for making an organization successful is effective leadership. In order to achieve organizational goal, the leader must exhibit his or her leadership skills to secure high performance of the employees. The leaders in the organization are facing many challenges and their abilities are tested. A competent leader will adapt his or her style to the demands of the different situations. The management of the organization must demonst rate dedication and enthusiasm, outline the common goals of an organization, and inspire the employees to perform better and accomplish the set goals. Reference list Bhatti, N., Maitlo, G. M., Shaikh, N., Hashmi, M. A., Shaikh, F. M. (2012). The impact of autocratic and democratic leadership style on job satisfaction.International Business Research,5(2), 192. Bryman, A. (Ed.). (2013).Leadership and organizations. Routledge. Carmeli, A., Gelbard, R., Reiter?Palmon, R. (2013). Leadership, creative problem?solving capacity, and creative performance: The importance of knowledge sharing.Human Resource Management,52(1), 95-121. De Hoogh, A. H., Greer, L. L., Den Hartog, D. N. (2015). Diabolical dictators or capable commanders? An investigation of the differential effects of autocratic leadership on team performance.The Leadership Quarterly,26(5), 687-701. DuBrin, A. J. (2015).Leadership: Research findings, practice, and skills. Nelson Education. Haslam, S. A., van Knippenberg, D., Platow, M. J., Ellemers, N. (Eds.). (2014).Social identity at work: Developing theory for organizational practice. Psychology Press. Northouse, P. G. (2015).Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications. Pamfilie, R., Petcu, A. J., Draghici, M. (2012). The importance of leadership in driving a strategic Lean Six Sigma management.Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences,58, 187-196.

Pulling the Wool an Example of the Topic Psychology Essays by

Pulling the Wool by Expert Prof.Ashley | 02 Dec 2016 Abstract Need essay sample on "Pulling the Wool" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The sharp contrast between William Smiths Lectures on the Philosophy and Practice of Slavery and Frederick Douglasss Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave leads to important conclusions about the vast differences in perception between those who owned and those who were owned in the period of American slavery. Smiths work implores his fellow White landowners to practice what he sees as a just treatment of African slaves. However, his contempt for abolitionists and belief that Northerners are off the mark in understanding the state of slavery in the South show his belief that the institution itself is appropriate, even God-driven, and that only a minority of slave owners may require correction. Moreover, what drives Smiths philosophythe very religion from which Douglass saw the greatest brutality spring forthcauses him to assert and reassert the necessity of slavery for both White landowner and African slave. One cannot help but be struck by the stark contrast Smiths work shows to the real-life experiences of the ex-slave Frederick Douglass as he recounts a life in which all of Smiths proposals are brutally and routinely disregarded. Pulling the Wool: Slavery in the Opposing Eyes of Frederick Douglass and William Smith William Smiths Lectures on the Philosophy and Practice of Slavery and Frederick Douglasss Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave offer a stark contrast between the two mens views on American slavery. Smith, a White proponent of slavery, outlines what he believes to be a proper and just relationship between master and slave, and disparages those slave owners who do not follow the tenets of this relationship. However, he never hesitates in stating his full support for the institution itself. Douglass, who bears the burden of slavery firsthand, reveals to the reader a world vastly different from the fat, sleek, and cheerful, and long-lived (Smith, 1856, p. 291) slaves of some of Smiths observances. His own journey from slavery to freedom affords the reader a view into a brilliant mind in contrast to what Smith (1856) believes can only be the equivalent of minors, imbeciles, and uncivilized persons (p. 282). It is Douglasss account of his awakening, from a young slave ignorant of the reasons for his bondage to a learned man of inalienable self-respect, which topples the entire premise of Smiths philosophy. Smith believes the teachings of the Christian Bible dictate the proper relationship between master and servant. Smith (1856) also details what he sees as a moral imperative on the part of White landowners to have guardianship (p. 277) over Gods poor, committed to [the benevolent White master] (p. 309), believing that they must control and protect them for their profit as well as work them for [the slave and slave owners] mutual profit. (309). In Smiths estimation, slavery is proper and just because he assumes White intellectual and moral superiority over the African slave. He never confuses his call for benevolent treatment of slaves with the idea that the institution itself may be unjust. Smith lays out what he believes are the rights of slaves according to both Christian doctrine and the law of men in his society. He pides the duties of the master into 3 main categories: the duty of masters to their slaves considered as their money, their duty to their slaves considered as social beings, and their duty to their slaves considered as religious beings (Smith, 1856, p. 283). In the first part, concerning slaves considered as masters money, Smith includes all of the physical needs of the slave. Working conditions, food, clothing and bedding, sleep and rest, housing, and free time are all detailed according to what Smith sees as ideal treatment. Woven into the framework of these requirements is a Christian code that reminds the master that he, too, will have a master in heaven. (p. 277). Smith begins by discussing the rights of the slave in regard to labor. Interestingly, Smith (1856) first focuses on what he calls a known idleness (p. 284) among slaves and warns slave owners to be dutiful in making their slaves accountable for their labor. He weaves a pattern that not only offers a sense of Christian duty on the part of the slave owner, but of the slave as well. It is Smiths insistence upon the righteousness of slavery as a Christian imperative that continues to inform and guide his philosophy. Likewise, in all of the other physical comforts he asks the slave owner to provide the slave, he asks the slave owner to give unto your servant that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven (Smith, 1856, pp. 278-279). While Smith admonishes those he believes violate the Christian mandate, he shows some confidence that there is not a crisis in the treatment of slaves. In condemnation of the attitudes of Northern abolitionists, he says that A most f anatical spirit is abroad in the land on the subject of domestic slavery. The inhumanity of masters at the South is greatly exaggerated (Smith, 1856, p. 278). He goes on to compare the treatment of Southern slaves as equivalent to that of hired help in the North. Smith seems on one hand to implore the White master to better the circumstances of his slaves in order to save his very soul from damnation, while on the other to denounce the efforts of the Northern advocates of freedom. He truly believes in a system of slavery wherein the slave is completely satisfied with his lot in life, and the landowner finds himself a benevolent overseer who will profit in life and in heaven. The other two sections of Smiths call to righteous treatment of slaves follow a vein similar to the first. He repeatedly denounces those masters who violate his ideal image of slavery while insisting on the justness and necessity of the institution itself. While Smiths ideal slavery leads the reader to envision sunny pastures with young Black slave children frolicking and elders laughing and singing merrily, Douglasss account of real slave life offers a startling contrast. All of the Christian mandates of Smiths slavery are turned asunder, and, in fact, it is the very observance of the religion which causes some of the harshest abuses to occur. Born a slave on a Maryland plantation, Douglass witnesses repeated acts of brutality upon the adult slaves in his company. The rumored son of the master, Douglass is given some favor in his early years, although he is never fed or clothed enough. Held up to Smiths view of slavery, Douglasss constant hunger and discomfort seem all the more intolerable. If one compares the specifics, Smiths work calls for slaves to be offered a variety of the plantations food, cooked well and prepared ahead of time so that slaves may enjoy good nutrition and take two-hour lunches to properly digest their meal. Douglasss reality, a measly monthly supply of pork or fish and corn meal doled out uncooked, makes Smiths (1856) vision of the early roasting ear, the ripe fruit, the melons, the potatoes, the fat stock(pp. 297-298) seem like paradise for a slave. In contrast, Douglass, in chapter 3, describes a large and plentiful garden that slaves were routinely whipped for stealing from. Later, living with another master, Edward Covey, Douglass and his fellow slaves are afforded 5 minutes to eat before returning to the field to work until midnight. Douglasss account of his years in bondage read like a response to Smith at every turn. Douglass recounts continual starvation and discomfort, a world wherein his only clothing as a child was a linen shirt. While Smith talks of coats, hats, and shoes, Douglass speaks of children from 7 to ten years old running naked in winter for lack of clothing. While Smith discusses the necessity for comfortable beds and encourages the master to set up separate quarters to encourage fidelity and morality among slaves he believes are less geared toward fidelity than Whites, Douglass speaks with disgust of unrelated groups of people huddled together on dirt floors sharing a blanket in winter. Douglasss journey lands him in completely different circumstances when he is taken to live in Baltimore with family members of his master, and he shows a different side of slave life in the city. However, perhaps the greatest indictment against Smiths Christian ideal comes when the mistress of the house changes her demeanor from warm, humane, and welcoming to harsh and cruel under the fatal poison of irresponsible power (Douglass, 1845, p 18). Douglass (1845) notes that the cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery, soon became red with rage (p. 18). Douglass shows how, no matter what steps one may take to set a proper course for slavery, to offer the best of worlds for all involved, the premise cannot but collapse under the weight of its injustice. Setting a proper course for slavery is suddenly seen as being as impossible as setting a proper and just course for murder or betrayal. In Douglasss experience, the inhumanity of slavery leads to dead souls performing hideous acts upon their subjects. There is no room for benevolent treatment in a reality based on the subjugation and demoralization of others. Perhaps the most striking difference between the two mens view comes in the story of Douglasss outcast grandmother. He describes how, after raising generations of a plantation owners family as well as her own, she is left alone in the woods in a hovel to fend for herself, far from the care of her extended family. Smith asks the reader why it should be difficult to afford the elderly the soothing hand of relatives in his or her final days, and he implores the master to see that the older slaves are given the respect and care they have a right to. There is a grave sadness in the story of Douglasss grandmother who, treated like chattel, is offered no such comfort. If Douglasss account leaves the reader with anything, it is the impression that religion and the benefit of being on the fortunate side of a brutal reality have pulled the wool over Smiths eyes. It is hard to imagine that Smiths reflections are a mere cover for his undying support for slavery; he truly seems to believe that Christian charity, manifest destiny, and the rights of everyone involved can merge to form an ideal state of slavery. It is his undying belief in the inferiority of the African slave that ultimately makes him comfortable with the situation. One sees, however, that it is no secret to even the least experienced master that if you teach [a slave] how to read, there would be no keeping him (Douglass, 1845, p. 20). That one fear aloneeducating the slavewould not be a fear if the slave were truly the inferior creature described in Smiths accounts. And Douglass, who eventually does just what the White master fears, provides evidence that there can exist no happy bondage, Christian or other, among human beings. References Douglass, Frederick (1845). Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Boston: The Antislavery Office. Smith, William A. (1856). Lectures on the Philosophy and Practice of Slavery. Nashville: Stevenson and Evans.