The Works and Life of Charles Dickens Essay Example For Students

The Works and Life of Charles Dickens Essay Charles Dickens was a very well known and loved author for his time. Though his stories contained complex language and include many adult points and key ideas. Most of his works assume the view of a young person growing up. His novels contain many key insights which can only be fully appreciated by those who have already grown up, or those who are in the process of growth. In his enormous body of works, Dickens combined masterly storytelling, humor, pathos, and irony with sharp social criticism and an acute observation of people and places, both real and imagined (Sundell). We will write a custom essay on The Works and Life of Charles Dickens specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Most of Dickens works have the main character as a young boy facing the hardships of growing up in a poor family or having the life of a pauper in a big city. In these tales, though at times fictional, Dickens seems to portray his life as a child through his books. The time period about which Dickens books were written is the mid nineteenth century. They were written as if through the eyes of a child no more than twelve years old. The response that the reader may have to this situation is that of a warm and understanding feeling. The joy and bliss of the main character is rarely showed; the main attitude is the overwhelming complexity of situations that a boy of that age must face. The readers reaction to this may be to feel depressed because Dickens has not showed more blissful times in the lives of his main characters. In the ending, however, Dickens always seems to leave the reader with a warm feeling since the last scenes are usually happy. The personal life that Dickens had when growing up must have been tough due to the harsh tone used in describing the growing up of his characters. Dickens life was that of a well respected author and novelist. Growing up with a childhood of poverty, Dickens became one of the most famous and best loved authors of his time. Dickens was born on February 7, 1812 in Portsmouth, yet spent most of his childhood in London and Kent. He started school at the age of nine, but his education was soon halted when his father was incarcerated for debt in 1824. Feeling utterly humiliated, Dickens was forced to support himself working in a shoe-polish factory. Later, Charles described his youth in the novel David Copperfield with little change from what had occurred in his own life. Between the years of 1824 and 1826, Dickens again attended school, though he was for the most part self-educated. In the year of 1827, Dickens took a job as a legal clerk. Soon, learning short-hand, Dickens began to interview the courts of parliament where he adapted the technique of quickly describing situations in great detail which lead to his creative writing later in his life. In December of 1833, Dickens published the first of many sketches of daily life in London called the Sketches by Boz. Later, in 1836, Dickens would go on to publish his first comic narrative The Pickwick Papers. The success of his first novel made Dickens famous. Subsequently, Dickens maintained his fame with a constant stream of novels. Composing traveling books, editing weekly periodicals, administering charitable organizations, and social reforms, Dickens became very well known. In 1842, he lectured in the United States in favor of an international opposition to slavery soon to be followed by the publication of A Christmas Carol, an ever-popular childrens story. Well known throughout America and England, Dickens life was shadowed by domestic unhappiness. He later divorced his wife in 1858. In spite of this, Dickens went on to help in a major stage production performed for Queen Victoria in 1851. Dickens continued to write until his death on June 9, 1870, leaving behind ten children. .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969 , .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969 .postImageUrl , .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969 , .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969:hover , .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969:visited , .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969:active { border:0!important; } .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969:active , .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969 .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua4f3ea0f81ae5290f3aed9d9646e2969:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Christopher Columbus Essay He was buried in the Westminster Abbey five days later where his grave remains today. (Sundell)As an international favorite, Dickens has been praised and critiqued many times regarding his works. During the later nineteenth century near the height of Dickens popularity as an author, his novels were often critiqued regarding his unusual views. Dickens was also criticized for the

The Art of Receiving - Guest Post by Ann Murgatroyd-Soe

The Art of Receiving - Guest Post by Ann Murgatroyd-Soe A few weeks ago, I went to my spinal care practitioner and asked her to check some pain I’ve been having in my wrist. After completing some physical adjustments to my arm, she said, â€Å"Remember to receive. You don’t need to push all the time. Just receive.† Receiving is not something I’ve historically been great at, but I’m inspired to do more of it. That’s why I was particularly inspired by the following article by a woman leader in my community. I think you’ll be inspired too by her vulnerability and willingness to receive, when she has always been the â€Å"strong† one. When the Helper Needs Help Christie and I talk and teach often about The Art of Receiving. Most of us tend to be great givers, but we struggle with receiving.  Christie and I had just decided this would be the playshop we would be holding for our travel tribe on this trip-little did we both know how we would personally be in the need to receive on this trip! We were coming off an amazing, deeply spiritual sunrise ceremony on the sacred Ganges River.  I was in an open, loving, peaceful state as we entered the streets of Varanasi, where my senses were overtaken by the sheer magnitude of people, sounds, uncontrolled traffic speeding within inches of us, the unrelenting pace and push of the street vendors and people seemingly in need at such a level that I had never witnessed before.  We had been advised not to bring out money and had been â€Å"prepped† for what we would see and experience, but I was still completely overwhelmed in both heart and mind. My love and I were approached by a woman with a baby that appeared lethargic in her arms.  She cried and pleaded with us over and over for money for food. I tried to keep moving and look ahead for safety as we were instructed to do.  The sound of her pleading and of Joel having to say over and over he was sorry but couldn’t stop or help was just more than my heart could take. In my thoughts there was no acceptable answer or action.  If it was the truth, she and her baby were in such need and we wanted to help.  If it was that she was being exploited by men who would then collect all the money or objects she was given it was a terrible abuse and we would be enabling if we reached out. There was no way in that moment we could help.  The helper in me was devastated.  The thoughts hit me so hard I was literally stunned. I had a completely unexpected, shake me to my core, break my heart open, can’t process fast enough, can’t breathe, can’t, can’t, can’t moment on the streets of Varanasi.  I could feel the breath leaving my body and the sights and sounds begin to dim around me. I called out to Joel as we got separated and my arm got lightly clipped by a passing motorcycle. He thought I was just asking him to walk with me so he stayed his helpful course.  It was the last straw and I burst into tears calling out to him loudly that I couldn’t make it, that I wasn’t okay. Here I was, the helper, the facilitator, the leader, in such a state of vulnerability and overload that I couldn’t get my breath or my bearings. I was quickly wrapped in the safety of Joel’s arms and in the love of several of my travel companions who approached gently from behind and let me know they were right there with me. I let myself be held and protected for the res t of that long walk back to our bus. As I was crying and trying to catch my breath a young man came up likely to sell to us but he saw my pain and didn’t.  He asked Joel several times, â€Å"Why is your wife sad, why is she crying?† Joel’s reply as he held me tight and kept walking was â€Å"She is just a little sad, a little overwhelmed.† I will never forget what that young man said next and it was what quite literally brought my breath back and helped me regain my strength.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"You are a very lucky man, your wife has the most beautiful, loving heart.†Ã‚  This is the core of love in the people that we saw and experienced over and over on our journey through India. Back at our hotel, I was feeling embarrassed. I thought I had let others down. I found myself starting to apologize but was quickly met with another opportunity to receive. This is just a bit of what I heard:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"No need for sorry.  You were just in complete compassion in that moment.†Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"It was beautiful how much your heart felt.†Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"No need to apologize, you were just the one to express and release what all of us were feeling in that street today.† This was a life-changing lesson in the Art of Receiving for me and this Helper has learned on an even deeper level how to open herself to help. Ann Murgatroyd-Soe, Hot Pink University When’s the last time you found yourself apologizing for having your feelings or showing your weakness? To me, the ability to show this level of vulnerability is a true strength. As you venture further into the year 2016, I encourage you to find your own opportunities to receive. I think you’ll find that the people around you are more than willing to give. Category:Life and LeadershipBy Brenda BernsteinJanuary 25, 2016

Chick-fil-As Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Chick-fil-As - Article Example Following the CEO’s remarks against LGBT rights, a customer yelled at a drive through employee telling her that he could not understand how she could manage to work at such a place. The customer seemed very angry and used abusive and threatening language. The customer was caught on video by a security camera and the matter was taken to the police. The issue of making statements like these can be a very emotional one, and can cause a lot of problems both to the person who gives such comments and to the public. The Chick-Fil-A case is a classic example of how random remarks on such groups can cause trouble. For instance, the CEO’s remarks on LGBT rights led to a lot of problems for the CEO as well as the Chick-Fil-A restaurants especially, considering that some municipalities threatened to deny operation licenses for Chic-Fil-A restaurant franchises. On the other hand, the artist act of vandalism in response to these remarks and the act of the man yelling at the drive through employee are also classic examples of how such comments can lead to dire repercussions. Not only that but their actions did not help in improving the image of LGBT groups, and many LBGT groups have come to condemn the actions of the two. Although the artist was charged in court for his acts of vandalism, he was to pay a bill of $700 to paint the wal l in order to remove the offensive graffiti on the wall. Facebook has been on the lime light with regards to how they the firm manages the privacy of users’ data. While the firm has improved the privacy mechanisms and privacy policies of the data it has about individuals, it is apparent that users’ ignorance on how to use these controls has been a major issue. Refraining from putting personal data on Facebook can be very useful, because it is probably the only way to guarantee that the users will not lose their personal information to other people. This is especially important considering that

Vipassana Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Vipassana - Essay Example In 528 BCE, after his enlightenment, the Buddha spent the 45 years of his life that remained teaching on the way out of suffering. Vipassana symbolizes the most vital part of his teachings. For 5 centuries, millions of people in the Buddha’s homeland- India were helped by Vipassana. However, after around 500 years, the practice had vanished from India. Luckily, an uninterrupted chain of meditation teachers in the neighboring country of Burma maintained it until the present day. In recent times, the practice of Vipassana has been to India and to individuals worldwide. This has been done by a retired industrialist named S. N. Goenka. He is of Indian heritage but was born in Burma. Mr. Goenka was taught the technique of Vipassana by Sayagyi U Ba Khin. U Ba Khin was a famous lay Vipassana teacher and was the first one to teach westerners in English. In 1969, Goenka was appointed by U Ba Khin to teach Vipassana (Hart, 1987). Vipassana is translated to mean ‘insight’. It utilizes awareness to take note of all details of our physical as well as mental experiences from time to time with an attitude that is without bias. There are three methods of practicing Vipassana. The main focus of all three is on breathing and the difference is the points on which attention is focused when breathing. The first method involves watching the belly. The belly is regarded as the location where the Hara center is. The Hara is a point of awareness that is regarded as the center of one’s subtle body. It is found just behind and below the navel. One can easily achieve a meditative state of mind by focusing their attention on the Hara center (Catherine, 2011). The second method is watching the coolness in the nostril. When the air enters an individual’s body through the nostril, it creates a little coolness that is soothing. This method involves focusing one’s attention on this

Catcher in the Rye chapter 14 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Catcher in the Rye chapter 14 - Essay Example That, and if he really had been shot in the stomach, instead of punched. This falls under Holden’s views of what is, or is not, phony. The whole scene he imagined was phony. There was not even the slimmest chance that it could happen, even if he did have what it took to follow through with it. He found the perfect definition of phony within himself; he thought of a complete scenario, played it through in his mind, and then came back to reality again. â€Å"What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window. I probably would’ve done it, too, if I’d been sure somebody’d cover me up as soon as I landed. I didn’t want a bunch of stupid rubbernecks looking at me when I was all gory.† This quote shows a bit of a reflection on how Holden views himself, though it can be interpreted in two ways. One, his overall feelings are that he would feel ashamed for committing suicide, and not wanting others to know how weak he is. Two, he could feel that he is too high above those that would be interested in his committing suicide. Either way, he does not want the involvement of others in his extremely personal affairs. Holden’s character grows a little bit more in this chapter. The opening scene of the chapter shows Holden thinking about and talking out loud to his deceased younger brother Allie. Holden’s sense of guilt towards his younger brother is obvious is this section. While Holden says that he sometimes talks to Allie when he feels depressed, it seems that by doing this it only feeds his depression. Holden seems even more vulnerable in this chapter, by the way he reacts to Maurice and Sunny, and by his thoughts regarding suicide towards the end of the chapter. He lets his weakness show by crying during his encounter with Maurice, and then by showing that Maurice intimidates

The Needs For Sustainable Crop Production Methods Environmental Sciences Essay

The Needs For Sustainable Crop Production Methods Environmental Sciences Essay With the world population projected to be 9 billion by 2050 and doubling of the global food demand there is need for increased food production to feed the increasing mouths. In a bid to increase sustainable arable crop productivity three important tasks need to be done: (1) increasing crop yield per unit of land area, (2) increasing crop yield per unit of nutrients applied and (3) increasing crop yield per unit of water used. However, sustaining continuous arable crop productivity for future generations without compromising environmental integrity and public heath still remains uncertain due to fundamental shifts in politics, policies and incentives, institutions and technological advances (Tilman et al., 2002). 1.1 Sustainable arable crop production Sustainable agriculture is defined as practices that meet societal needs for food and fibre, ecosystem services for healthy lives by maximizing the net benefits to society when all costs and benefits of the practices are considered for both the present and future generations (Tilman et al., 2002; Bjà ¶rklund et al., 2009). Sustainable arable crop production can be achieved by using ecologically sound management technologies to achieve long-term sustainable yields. It requires production economics aspects as well as considering vital issues of ecological stability and sustainability through restoration of agricultural diversity and landscape (Altieri, 1995). Sustainable arable crop production should aim at meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their needs (Chizari and Ommani, 2009). In my own opinion, sustainable arable crop production involves the management, use and conservation of productive resources in a manner that ensures continuous provision for all needs of the present and future generation. 1.2 Types of agriculture Agricultural types influence the level of food production and impact on environmental sustainability. They are largely influenced by culture, soil type; international, regional or individual government polices as well as advances in science and technology. A wide range of agricultural practices are exercised under the different agricultural types. These include: use of agro-chemicals like synthetic fertilizer, herbicides, fungicides and nematicides, irrigation and use of genetically modified varieties. Organic agriculture Organic (biological or biodynamic) farming is an agricultural production system which seeks to avoid the direct and routine use of synthetically compounded chemicals like fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, nematicides, growth regulators and all biocides in order to minimise environmental degradation at both micro and macro levels (Lampkin, 2002; Altieri, 1995; Hole et al., 2005; Ammann, 2008). The tools for organic farming include; crop rotation, tillage, time of sowing, varietal resistance and diversification and biological control. Organic farming is currently practiced in more than 150 countries and occupies 35 million ha of agricultural land globally (IFOAM, 2009). Conservational agriculture Conservational agriculture is an integrated approach to crop management which minimises soil cultivation and utilises agrochemicals in a manner to reduce disruption of natural biological processes. Its key features include: minimum mechanical soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and diversified crop rotations. Conservational agriculture has been advocated for by the FAO in developing countries like Brazil, Burkina Faso and India and has reaped significant benefits like increased crop and livestock productivity and biodiversity conservation (http://www.fao.org/ag/ca/) The agricultural practices under organic and conservational agriculture have been reported to significantly reduce the use of agrochemicals and tillage operations since they rely more on rotations, use of farmyard manure and crop residues to optimize productivity. This has resulted into a reduction in the emission of GHGs like CO2 and N2O (Chizari and Ommani, 2009; Brookes and Barfoot, 2008). Conventional agriculture In conventional farming, farmers can use agrochemicals like synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, nematicides in their farming operations extensively without any restrictions (Altieri, 1995). Conventional farming heavily relies on the application of a range of modern management systems and external inputs to achieve high yields (Hole et al., 2005). The efficient use of nutrients by hybrid varieties achieved through precision agriculture practiced under large-scale intensive farming results into high yields compared to organic farming (Tilman et al., 2002) Agroforestry Agroforestry denotes a sustainable land and crop management system; that strives to increase yields by combining production of woody forestry crops with arable crops and or animals simultaneously or sequentially on the same unit of land. It incorporates four main characteristics and these include: structure, sustainability, increased productivity and socioeconomic. Structurally agroforestry systems are grouped as: agrisilviculture, silvo-pastoral, agro-silvo-pastoral and multipurpose forest tree production (Farrell and Altieri, 1995). Polyculture cropping system Polyculture involves the growing of crops in mixtures or intercrops; annual crops with annuals, annuals with perennials or perennials with perennials grown in a spatial and temporal manner (Liebman, 1995). However, mixed agriculture is inhibited by the land tenure system and design of farm machinery. 1.3 Impact of agricultural types on sustainable arable crop production Organic farming Sustainable arable crop productivity requires proper management of soil fertility and biodiversity conservation. The productivity of or ­ganically grown food has increased annually by 15 percent with a global market worth US$50 billion per year mainly in developed countries. Organic farming has well established practices that simultaneously mitigate climate change, build resilient farming systems, soil structure and fertility and increase biodiversity which builds resistance to storms and increased pest and disease pressure (IFOAM, 2009). Organic farming is reported to increase species richness with an average of 30% higher than conventional farming systems. However, other studies have indicated a 16% negative effect on species diversity due to organic farming. Literature shows that some organisms are more abundant in an organic farming system for instance; weeds, predators like carabid, beetles and spiders. In addition, non-predatory species were more abundant under the convention al farming system thus natural enemies are negatively affected by conventional management. Organic farming practices are believed to be more environmental friendly than intensive agriculture which is dependent on the routine use of herbicides, pesticides and inorganic nutrient applications in the production of crops and animals (Bengtsson et al., 2005). However, practicing organic farming requires careful planning, management and decision making in order to establish a viable system and maintain farm income. The rotational design, crop types and varieties and timely soil management are important in maximising crop productivity in organic farming (HGCA, 2008). Below are some principle agronomic practices used in organic farming! Push and pull approach The push and pull technology has significantly resulted into increased arable productivity in many parts of the world. In East Africa (EA), the technology has been exploited to maintain soil fertility, control pests and parasitic weed; Striga. Lepidopteran stem borers like: Chilo partellus, Eldana saccharina, Busseola fusca and Sesamia calamistis cause 50% yield losses to maize, sorghum and sugarcane. This technology integrated with other crop management approaches has contributed to the sustainable production of maize in EA by increasing farmers yields from 1 t/ha to 3.5t/ha with minimal inputs and currently used by 25,000 small holder farmers. The technology involves intercropping maize with a repellent plant (Desmodium) and planting an attractive trap plant (Napier grass) as a border crop around the intercrop. Gravid stem borer females are repelled from the target crop by stimuli and simultaneously attracted to the trap crop, leaving the target crop protected. Desmodium produces some root exudates which stimulate the germination of Striga seeds and others inhibit their growth after germination. This combination provides a novel means of in situ reduction of the Striga seed bank. Desmodium also acts perennial cover crop and able to exert its Striga control effect and together with Napier grass protect fragile soils from erosion. Desmoduim fixes nitrogen, conserves soil moisture, enhances arthropod abundance and diversity and improves soil organic matter thereby enabling cereal cropping systems to be more resilient and adaptable to climate change while providing essential ecosystem services and making farming systems more r obust and sustainable (Cook et al., 2007). Table 1: Push and pull strategies used in arable crop production Target insect Protected source Country Push Pull Population regulation used Cotton bollworm Cotton Australia Oviposition deterrent: neem Trap crop: maize with sugar bait Insecticides, pyrethroides Pollen beetle (Meligethes aeneus) Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) UK Non-hostile repellents: lavender Trap crop: turnip rape InsectidesBiopesticide: (Metarhizium anipsoliae) Adopted from (Cook et al., 2007) Biological control Biological control involves the use of parasites, predators or pathogens to maintain another organisms population at a lower average than would occur in a naturally in their absence. The aim is to reduce and achieve long term stabilization of weeds and pests. The technique has been utilised to control the Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica using Aphalara itadori (http://www.cabi.org/japaneseknotweedallaiance/). Most biological control studies have been largely successful on a small scale and have reduced the reliance on pesticides, insecticides and herbicides thus conserving biodiversity. Despite of its potential for biodiversity conservation, organic farming has been reported to have limited output and productivity. This could be attributed to the limited use of synthetic fertilizers which results into unavailability of important soil nutrients, increased perennial weeds, pests and diseases. As a result, the organic fields are abandoned in the long run or farmers adopt conventional farming practices. All the different types of agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment (Ammann, 2008). 2.0 SCIENTIFIC ADVANCES Scientific advances have significantly contributed to the sustainable production of arable crops to feed the increasing global population. These range from the discovery of the DNA structure and genetics by Craig and Watson and Gregor Mendel respectively to high throughput genomics-based approaches. They have been exploited by plant breeders to generate genetic diversity among crop species by crossing varieties with desired characteristics, use of mutations; chemical mutagens like gamma, x- and ÃŽÂ ²-rays. Other scientific advances that have contributed to sustainable arable crop production include; discovery of agrochemicals like fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides and nematicides; agricultural machinery and equipments like; tractors, planters, harvesters, ploughs, sprayers and irrigation equipments which facilitate precision agriculture. 2.1 Impact of scientific advances on sustainable arable crop productivity Many factors impact on arable crop productivity and these include: land, climate change, production economics, legislation, breeding, labour and management and agronomic practices. Scientific advances in plant breeding are reported to have a significant impact on sustainable arable crop productivity (Tong et al., 2003). Plant breeding Conventional breeding Advances through conventional breeding and genetic transformation have provided genetic change to crops like wheat, rice, maize, cotton, soybean resulting into sustainable increased yields. These approaches have been used to exploit heterosis and feed the increasing world population; circumnavigate the effects of climate change by producing drought tolerant and disease and pest resistant varieties. For instance, the production of new rice for Africa (NERICA) a cross between Oryza sativa indigenous to India and West African native Oryza glaberrima through inter-specific hybridization. The drought and weed resistant variety is widely adopted and cultivated under the rainfed systems in SSA (Dingkuhna et al., 1999). Its cultivation has resulted into a reduction in paddy rice growing which emits GHGs: N2O and CH4 thus mitigating the adverse effects of global warming through destruction of the Ozone layer. In addition, world wheat production increased significantly due to the adoption of h ybrid dwarf wheat varieties and use of agro chemicals. The hybrids have a short stature, resistant to lodging and early maturing (Peng et al., 1999). In the UK wheat yields were reported to be increasing with an average of 110kgha-1 annually though further increase in sustainable wheat productivity can be achieved through by breeding resource use efficient varieties (Austin, 1999). Genetic Transformation Globally, transgenic crops are cultivated in 23 countries and occupy 114.3 million ha of land with an average increase of more than 12% annually. The number of transgenic crop traits and hectares planted are predicted to double by 2015. The use of rDNA technology in plant breeding has resulted into sustainable arable crop production through biodiversity conservation. This has been achieved by reducing pesticides and herbicides use and adoption of reduced tillage practices (Craig et al., 2008; Bitista and Oliveira, 2009; Hillocks, 2009). The development of insect resistant transgenic cultivars like Bt cotton transformed with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene which controls the production and expression an endotoxin within the plant to control Lepidopteran tobacco budworm, cotton bollworm and pink bollworm pests does not require pesticides. Bacillus thuringiensis has been used as an organic pesticide for decades and poses no threat to biodiversity which makes crops transformed with the Bt gene acceptable on the organic market and have an adoption rate of over 66% and 85% in China and South Africa respectively (Hillocks, 2009). Despite of its potential in ensuring sustainable arable crop production; GM technology has been criticised by anti GM activists as a threat to biodiversity. Concerns of horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance markers (ARMs), allergenicity and toxicity of the new GM food products have been reported as possible threats to biodiversity (Craig et al., 2008; Bitista and Oliveira, 2009). The use of insect and herbicide resistant varieties has resulted into emergence of new pests and herbicides resistant weeds due to selection pressure which results into secondary pests becoming major pests. GMOs contain ARM genes which are used in the selection process during transformation. The ARM commonly used is Neomycin phosphotranferase II (nptII) which inactivates the aminoglycoside antibiotics neomycin and kanamycin. There is concern that ARMs when introduced into food or the environment could drive the evolution of drug-resistant bacteria by functioning as sources of antibiotic resistance (Craig et al., 2008). Several transgenic plants constructed to be resistant to herbicides, insecticides or diseases are transformed with genetic material containing genes coding for compounds like antimicrobial agents. These could affect non target microbiota such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi and other beneficial soil microorganisms. For instance; a reduction in the colonisation potential of mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae has been attributed to the production of anti-fungal pathogenesis-related proteins from a transgenic tobacco plant containing ÃŽÂ ²-1, 3-glucanase (Araujo and Azevedo, 2003). Using insect resistant transgenic canola increases fitness in oilseed rape varieties expressing the Bt gene. However, pollen flow between canola cultivars with different herbicide resistance traits resulted into gene stacking causing genetic contamination of seed. In addition, gene flow can lead to development volunteer oil seed rape with multiple tolerance to several herbicides due pollination between adjacent crops (Natarajan and Turna, 2007). Controlling these super weeds requires toxic herbicides like 2, 4-D and paraquat which are hazardous to man and the environment. Agrochemicals The use of agrochemicals like inorganic fertilizers (NPK) during crop production has increased world crop productivity and reduced the rate of encroachment on natural ecosystem like forests and virgin land (Tilman et al., 2002). The increased use of fertilizers has been a major contributing factor to the increase in yield growth in developing countries since the Green Revolution. In addition, globally fertilizer use has plateaued due to a decline in its use in industrial countries and Soviet Union countries after joining the market economy (Fischer et al., 2009). In China increase in cereal production has been attributed to introduction of agrochemicals; yields increased from 1.21 t/ha in 1961 to 4.83 t/ha in 1998 (Tong et al., 2003). It is presumed that the historical decline in crop yields is due to the genetic ceiling for maximal yield potential being reached. Figure 1: Long-term trends of wheat yields in selected countries (Fischer et al., 2009) Despite their potential increased use of agrochemicals has resulted into environmental pollution, eutrophication of water bodies and global warming due to its emission of GHGs and stratospheric ozone depletion (Tong et al., 2003). Environmental pollution is due to nitrate leaching into ground water causing nitrate toxicity due to elevated nitrate levels in drinking water; chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) released from fertilizers applied as aerosols. Eutrophication results into death of aquatic fauna and flora hence threatening biodiversity. Technology Advances in scientific technology like agricultural engineering and development of modern farm equipments and machinery has boosted the agricultural sector and is one of the factors that will ensure sustainable arable crop productivity. The growth of irrigated area has expanded steadily over the last decade at 0.6 percent annually in developing countries and irrigation technology accounts for 0.2 percent in overall cereal yields from 1991-2007 (Fischer et al., 2009). Irrigation equipments like sprinklers have significantly contributed to the continued cultivation of arable crops throughout the year and under drought conditions. Farm machinery like combine harvesters, sprayer, planters, ploughs among others have helped in the efficient management of farm operations. However, the use of fuels by farm machinery during farm operations has been cited as a source of GHG, CO2 leading to an increase in atmospheric CO2 levels (Brookes and Barfoot, 2008). 2.2 Impact of science and policies on sustainable crop production The government land laws and policies, product prices and social economic factors like population migration, urbanization and world trade play a significant role in ensuring sustainable arable crop production. Figure 2: Shows area planted with cereals in China between 1961 and 1998 under principal government agricultural policies (Tong et al., 2003) Organic farming is viewed as a solution to biodiversity conservation and has received substantial support in form of subsidy payments through EU and national government legislation. As a result the certified organic and in-conversion area within the EU increased from 0.7 to 3.3 million ha from 1993 to1999 accounting for 24.1% of global organic land area (Hole et al., 2005). In 2007, 3% of the total UK land area is managed organically (HGCA, 2008). This direct support and intervention through fixation of ceiling and floor prices protects farmers from exploitation at both the domestic and international market hence producing more crops under organic farming whilst conserving the environment. However, enacting of the healthy check on CAP will remove restriction on farmers thus helping them to respond to new market signals, opportunities and challenges (http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/healthcheck/index_en.htm). In SSA the cultivation of GM crops has been hindered due to lack of a biosafety legislation supporting the biotechnology policy that can allow them acquire GM crops from the biotechnology companies that hold the intellectual property rights (Hillocks, 2009). CONCLUSION To ensure sustainable arable crop productivity; agronomic, breeding and institutional or infrastructural factors like increased investment into research and development of appropriate tool and technologies need to be considered.

Eulogy for Grandfather :: Eulogies Eulogy

Eulogy for Grandfather My grandfather will be remembered as a hardworking and modest man. He had simple needs. He was forthright and honest, a person with humble beginnings who placed a great value on education and friendship. I will remember him as the only grandparent I ever knew. I will remember him as a man who was content with what life had given him. He never asked for much and in the years I knew him, he lived a simple life. My grandfather's lifetime could be divided into three different parts. He was born in An Kai Lai, Kaiping, Guangdong, China on May 29, 1909. The direction of this early period started with his steamship voyage at the age of 14 from China to Victoria, B.C., Canada, in 1923. He was held in a holding cell until his 6th uncle came and paid the Head Tax. His early life was marked with many obstacles and hardships. He worked as a kitchen aide and cook in various small towns in Saskatchewan, where he learned to speak and write English. He developed an independence that I could still see during the time that I knew him. At age 19, he returned to China in 1928 to get married to Der She, returning to Canada alone in 1930. He lived through the Great Depression of the 1930's in Saskatchewan, becoming prematurely grey in his 20's. He didn't talk much of this period of his life. From the bits and pieces he shared with family, it was a very difficult time for him. However, he did learn the game of curling, a favorite Saskatchewan sport. His love of curling never left him. Up to his last days, it was the only event he thoroughly enjoyed to watch on TV. He even timed his meals around the curling schedules. It gave him great pride whenever Canada won the world titles. From 1943 to 1960, he purchased and operated the Liberty Cafà © in Elrose, Saskatchewan. Despite the long days in the restaurant business, he developed many close and valued friendships with the Canadian townspeople and farmers within the community. People called him "Lee" and loved his home-baked pies, sugar doughnuts, and fresh bread. When the surrounding farmers came into town for their supplies, it was a special treat to stop into the Liberty Cafà © for coffee and a piece of pie. He took pride in his abilities and in the respect he had earned in the community. Eulogy for Grandfather :: Eulogies Eulogy Eulogy for Grandfather My grandfather will be remembered as a hardworking and modest man. He had simple needs. He was forthright and honest, a person with humble beginnings who placed a great value on education and friendship. I will remember him as the only grandparent I ever knew. I will remember him as a man who was content with what life had given him. He never asked for much and in the years I knew him, he lived a simple life. My grandfather's lifetime could be divided into three different parts. He was born in An Kai Lai, Kaiping, Guangdong, China on May 29, 1909. The direction of this early period started with his steamship voyage at the age of 14 from China to Victoria, B.C., Canada, in 1923. He was held in a holding cell until his 6th uncle came and paid the Head Tax. His early life was marked with many obstacles and hardships. He worked as a kitchen aide and cook in various small towns in Saskatchewan, where he learned to speak and write English. He developed an independence that I could still see during the time that I knew him. At age 19, he returned to China in 1928 to get married to Der She, returning to Canada alone in 1930. He lived through the Great Depression of the 1930's in Saskatchewan, becoming prematurely grey in his 20's. He didn't talk much of this period of his life. From the bits and pieces he shared with family, it was a very difficult time for him. However, he did learn the game of curling, a favorite Saskatchewan sport. His love of curling never left him. Up to his last days, it was the only event he thoroughly enjoyed to watch on TV. He even timed his meals around the curling schedules. It gave him great pride whenever Canada won the world titles. From 1943 to 1960, he purchased and operated the Liberty Cafà © in Elrose, Saskatchewan. Despite the long days in the restaurant business, he developed many close and valued friendships with the Canadian townspeople and farmers within the community. People called him "Lee" and loved his home-baked pies, sugar doughnuts, and fresh bread. When the surrounding farmers came into town for their supplies, it was a special treat to stop into the Liberty Cafà © for coffee and a piece of pie. He took pride in his abilities and in the respect he had earned in the community.

Deception Point Page 35

The tourists laughed. Gabrielle followed past the stairway through a series of ropes and barricades into a more private section of the building. Here they entered a room Gabrielle had only seen in books and on television. Her breath grew short. My God, this is the Map Room! No tour ever came in here. The room's paneled walls could swing outward to reveal layer upon layer of world maps. This was the place where Roosevelt had charted the course of World War II. Unsettlingly, it was also the room from which Clinton had admitted his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Gabrielle pushed that particular thought from her mind. Most important, the Map Room was a passageway into the West Wing-the area inside the White House where the true powerbrokers worked. This was the last place Gabrielle Ashe had expected to be going. She had imagined her e-mail was coming from some enterprising young intern or secretary working in one of the complex's more mundane offices. Apparently not. I'm going into the West Wing†¦ The Secret Serviceman marched her to the very end of a carpeted hallway and stopped at an unmarked door. He knocked. Gabrielle's heart was pounding. â€Å"It's open,† someone called from inside. The man opened the door and motioned for Gabrielle to enter. Gabrielle stepped in. The shades were down, and the room was dim. She could see the faint outline of a person sitting at a desk in the darkness. â€Å"Ms. Ashe?† The voice came from behind a cloud of cigarette smoke. â€Å"Welcome.† As Gabrielle's eyes accustomed to the dark, she began to make out an unsettlingly familiar face, and her muscles went taut with surprise. THIS is who has been sending me e-mail? â€Å"Thank you for coming,† Marjorie Tench said, her voice cold. â€Å"Ms†¦. Tench?† Gabrielle stammered, suddenly unable to breathe. â€Å"Call me Marjorie.† The hideous woman stood up, blowing smoke out of her nose like a dragon. â€Å"You and I are about to become best friends.† 41 Norah Mangor stood at the extraction shaft beside Tolland, Rachel, and Corky and stared into the pitch-black meteorite hole. â€Å"Mike,† she said, â€Å"you're cute, but you're insane. There's no bioluminescence here.† Tolland now wished he'd thought to take some video; while Corky had gone to find Norah and Ming, the bioluminescence had begun fading rapidly. Within a couple of minutes, all the twinkling had simply stopped. Tolland threw another piece of ice into the water, but nothing happened. No green splash. â€Å"Where did they go?† Corky asked. Tolland had a fairly good idea. Bioluminescence-one of nature's most ingenious defense mechanisms-was a natural response for plankton in distress. A plankton sensing it was about to be consumed by larger organisms would begin flashing in hopes of attracting much larger predators that would scare off the original attackers. In this case, the plankton, having entered the shaft through a crack, suddenly found themselves in a primarily freshwater environment and bioluminesced in panic as the freshwater slowly killed them. â€Å"I think they died.† â€Å"They were murdered,† Norah scoffed. â€Å"The Easter Bunny swam in and ate them.† Corky glared at her. â€Å"I saw the luminescence too, Norah.† â€Å"Was it before or after you took LSD?† â€Å"Why would we lie about this?† Corky demanded. â€Å"Men lie.† â€Å"Yeah, about sleeping with other women, but never about bioluminescent plankton.† Tolland sighed. â€Å"Norah, certainly you're aware that plankton do live in the oceans beneath the ice.† â€Å"Mike,† she replied with a glare, â€Å"please don't tell me my business. For the record, there are over two hundred species of diatoms that thrive under Arctic ice shelves. Fourteen species of autotrophic nannoflagellates, twenty heterotrophic flagellates, forty heterotrophic dinoflagellates, and several metazoans, including polychaetes, amphipods, copepods, euphausids, and fish. Any questions?† Tolland frowned. â€Å"Clearly you know more about Arctic fauna than I do, and you agree there's plenty of life underneath us. So why are you so skeptical that we saw bioluminescent plankton?† â€Å"Because, Mike, this shaft is sealed. It's a closed, freshwater environment. No ocean plankton could possibly get in here!† â€Å"I tasted salt in the water,† Tolland insisted. â€Å"Very faint, but present. Saltwater is getting in here somehow.† â€Å"Right,† Norah said skeptically. â€Å"You tasted salt. You licked the sleeve of an old sweaty parka, and now you've decided that the PODS density scans and fifteen separate core samples are inaccurate.† Tolland held out the wet sleeve of his parka as proof. â€Å"Mike, I'm not licking your damn jacket.† She looked into the hole. â€Å"Might I ask why droves of alleged plankton decided to swim into this alleged crack?† â€Å"Heat?† Tolland ventured. â€Å"A lot of sea creatures are attracted by heat. When we extracted the meteorite, we heated it. The plankton may have been drawn instinctively toward the temporarily warmer environment in the shaft.† Corky nodded. â€Å"Sounds logical.† â€Å"Logical?† Norah rolled her eyes. â€Å"You know, for a prize-winning physicist and a world-famous oceanographer, you're a couple of pretty dense specimens. Has it occurred to you that even if there is a crack-which I can assure you there is not-it is physically impossible for any sea-water to be flowing into this shaft.† She stared at both of them with pathetic disdain. â€Å"But, Norah†¦,† Corky began. â€Å"Gentlemen! We're standing above sea level here.† She stamped her foot on the ice. â€Å"Hello? This ice sheet rises a hundred feet above the sea. You might recall the big cliff at the end of this shelf? We're higher than the ocean. If there were a fissure into this shaft, the water would be flowing out of this shaft, not into it. It's called gravity.† Tolland and Corky looked at each other. â€Å"Shit,† Corky said. â€Å"I didn't think of that.† Norah pointed into the water-filled shaft. â€Å"You may also have noticed that the water level isn't changing?† Tolland felt like an idiot. Norah was absolutely right. If there had been a crack, the water would be flowing out, not in. Tolland stood in silence a long moment, wondering what to do next. â€Å"Okay.† Tolland sighed. â€Å"Apparently, the fissure theory makes no sense. But we saw bioluminescence in the water. The only conclusion is that this is not a closed environment after all. I realize much of your icedating data is built on the premise that the glacier is a solid block, but-â€Å" â€Å"Premise?† Norah was obviously getting agitated. â€Å"Remember, this was not just my data, Mike. NASA made the same findings. We all confirmed this glacier is solid. No cracks.† Tolland glanced across the dome toward the crowd gathered around the press conference area. â€Å"Whatever is going on, I think, in good faith, we need to inform the administrator and-â€Å" â€Å"This is bullshit!† Norah hissed. â€Å"I'm telling you this glacial matrix is pristine. I'm not about to have my core data questioned by a salt lick and some absurd hallucinations.† She stormed over to a nearby supply area and began collecting some tools. â€Å"I'll take a proper water sample, and show you this water contains no saltwater plankton-living or dead!† Rachel and the others looked on as Norah used a sterile pipette on a string to harvest a water sample from the melt pool. Norah placed several drops in a tiny device that resembled a miniature telescope. Then she peered through the oculus, pointing the device toward the light emanating from the other side of the dome. Within seconds she was cursing.

Christian Missionary Activity on Indigenous African Religion 1800

Christian Missionary Activity on Indigenous African Religion 1800 Introduction Religion is a very complex and wide issue. It can be defined as a set of beliefs in regard to the various aspects associated with the universe for example its cause, nature and purpose. The universe is perceived as the creation of a supernatural being and hence there are devotional practices and ritual performances that are directed towards the relationship between people and the superhuman being and a set of codes that oversee the way people attached to a certain religion behave.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Christian Missionary Activity on Indigenous African Religion 1800-1900s specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It can also be said to be a particular set of beliefs and practices established and approved by a group of individuals such as Islamic, Buddhist, and Christian religions. Various parties were involved with the changes that have been experienced in the indigenous African religion. Christian mis sionary is one major factor that cannot be underemphasized when talking about religion in Africa. This piece of work looks at the issue of Christian missionary activity on indigenous African religion in the 19th and 20th century. The focus will be on the extent to which Christian missionary activity effectively suppresses the religious traditions which in one way or the other strived to replace it. The focus will be on the Europeans experiences with indigenous African religions especially those in East Africa. Background information Traditional or indigenous religion has been there as long as human beings have lived. In Africa, it was orally transmitted as opposed to the use of the scripture. There has been not much distinction when it comes to concepts of Islam and Christianity in most parts of Africa. This is because these aspects usually co-exist with components of indigenous spirituality. Although there have been a controversy on whether Islam should be termed as a traditional r eligion, a significant number of people argue that it is a traditional African religion based on the fact that it not only co-exist in Africa but it has also been absorbed into the African culture. Christian religion is also not a new aspect but rather a concept that have existed for approximately 2000 years. It mainly entails following the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Although the initial Christian church faced a lot of challenges and opposition from the Roman officials, Christianity spread rapidly. Right from the beginning, there was the belief that it is the responsibility of Christians to share their religious beliefs in an effort of converting others into Christianity. Starting from the early 19th century to the end of the 20th century, a significant number of Christian missionaries from different parts such as North America, Europe as well as West Indies was all over Africa. The work of Christian missionaries was enhanced in a way by the European colonialism. The main g oal of the missionaries was to spread Christianity as wide as possible through converting as many Africans as possible. This was made possible through teaching and preaching about Christianity1.Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Discussion General Overview Christian missionary is an aspect that is highly associated with the changes that have taken place in the field of religion in different parts of Africa. A Christian missionary can be defined as a member of a Christian-related religious group or association who is sent in specific areas with an aim of perpetrating some evangelism services such as education and promotion of literacy, promoting some economic development, enhancing social justice in some settings and more so teaching religious issues to the communities. The teachings could either be aimed at converting the people to some beliefs and practices or else t o inform them so that they may make an informed decision in regard to religious practices. Christian missionary activity in African countries between the 19th and 20th centuries was not without some notable impacts but rather, some of its effects are still felt up to the present times. Just like any other aspect Christian missionary activity is linked with both positive as well as negative effects on many aspects more especially indigenous African religion. Although it is clear that there were positive changes brought about by the Christian missionary activity, it is much easier to spot the negative attributes for instance where the African were forced into some practices instead of being given the freedom to choose on how to live their religious lives. All in all, from the available literature on this topic of discussion, it is evident that there existed the concept of religious syncretism where there were instances of a variation of beliefs among the individuals involved. This is more so because of the diversity that exist among human beings making uniformity in ideas and perceptions to be somehow a hard concept to achieve. This difference helps in bringing out both positive as well as negative attributes that are associated with Christian missionary activity2. Although the Whites or rather the non-Africans were involved with most of the missionary related work especially the preaching of the gospel, the process was not effective until the Africans themselves were actively involved in the work, either voluntarily or under some pressures from the missionaries. This was more so when it came to the issue of preaching the gospel with the name of bringing about some desirable changes among the African communities, or rather changing some of the beliefs that were so much engraved into the indigenous African religious beliefs to fit the beliefs of the missionaries.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Christian Missionary Activity on Indigenous African Religion 1800-1900s specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Missionary work through the Africans was deemed to be more effective than that perpetrated by the Whites since they were able to understand the Africans better and interact with them using their local languages. Some of the active African missionary groups include the National Baptist convention and the African Episcopal Methodists among other groups. In as much as there is usually a strong belief that Christianity brought about by missionaries was a form of suppression of the indigenous African religions, there was more to this as this research will clearly reveal to us. Much evident can also be deduced from the situation that prevails in religion today. There are still varied religious beliefs shaped by what different religious groups perceive to be right and wrong, based on some doctrinal backgrounds. Form this reason; we can therefore state that the Christian missionaries had both positive and negative effects towards the African religions although the positive impacts seem to surpass the negative ones. This is because the missionary activities were accompanied by a lot of social and economic developments. In the process of perpetrating their missions in different African countries, the missionaries faced some challenges in the form of rejection and resistance from the African. This can be drawn from the natural attitude exhibited by human beings as they tend to resist change mainly because of some doubt in a new aspect or else because of the fear of the unknown and the need to adapt to the changes. For this reason, we can find some instances where there existed different levels of conflict between the Christian missionaries and the Africans. Despite the conflicts, there still exist some instances of friendly coexistence between Christianity and the indigenous African religious traditions. The conflicts arose when the Christian missionaries decided to re voke traditional practices in an unruly manner rather than impacting sense into the Africans or incorporating the changes in the existing practices. Friendly coexistence on the other hand was experienced whenever there was mutual benefit to be achieved by parties, the missionaries and the Africans3. In order to gain a deeper understanding of this issue it is good to ask ourselves about the various issues and circumstances that surrounded the issue of conversion from traditional religious beliefs into the so called modernized Christian missionary beliefs. A brief analysis of the conversion process is also crucial.Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Conversion entails changing the traditional Africans and the Muslims into Christianity and their practices. Although the conversion process out to be a smooth one, without force, it was not the case but rather the missionaries opted to achieve their target and goals irrespective of the means they used without caring about the consequences involved. This left some people to suffer as a result of opposing what the missionaries wanted. From research, it is evident that the conversion processes was in most cases associated with a lot of evil, deception, persecution as well as exploitation. Despite this, we still cannot underemphasize the fact that the conversion also had some benefits. In as much this paper focuses on Christianity as the main religion of discussion, there is need to cover the concept of Islam especially in the in the context of being a product of slave trade in different parts of East Africa. Christianity has been associated with slave trade. For instance the Roman Cath olic Church and other protestant religious groups in Europe did not contest slave trade. Some even used the bible to base their arguments about slavery and slave trade. Muslims were however the majority of people who were on the receiving end. This does not however imply that Christians and members of other religions were not involved in the slavery trade. There has been great struggle between Christianity and Islam where the Christians usually perceive themselves to be more superior to the Muslims. For this reason, the Christians have been on the fight towards outdoing the Muslims in different ways especially through converting them into Christianity. However, it has not been a smooth move but rather one full of conflicts especially due to the fact that there are very parallel beliefs between the Islamic and Christianity religions. Each religion tries to defend itself based on the doctrinal beliefs and so the only solution left is to respect each other and look for ways through whi ch they can both co-exist in harmony and peace. This is part of exercising freedom of religion or rather worship. Nevertheless, with the passage of time some Christians were able to stand against slave trade. They strategically used the bible to oppose slavery as they could not really point out the scriptures that advocated for slavery. African Christians are also credited for their fight to abolish slavery. Through their anti-slavery movements, most slaves converted into Christianity and hence helping greatly to the achievement of the Christian missionaries’ main agenda. Following the existence of numerous changes that have taken place in the indigenous African religion as a result of Christian missionary activity, there has been a notable increase in the attempts to come up with a global church history that in one way or the other reflects the changed realities and at the same time, exposes all aspects that are associated with everything that surrounded the changes. Various writers have tried to bring out the issue in different perspectives all in an effort of enhancing understanding of the issue among people. For further understanding of the concept of Christianity, I would suggest that there be comprehensive comparative studies in the history of Christianity and its role in transforming the indigenous African religion4. Apart from discussing the topic in general I will take some African countries as examples to enhance our understanding in regard to the changes experienced in indigenous African religion as a result of the Christian missionary activity. Some of the countries that I will cover include Botswana, Zimbabwe as well as South Africa. Zimbabwe and Religion Just like any other, Traditional Zimbabwe religion is unique. What is clear is that the religion has a strong monotheistic profession of faith which is rooted in the belief of a Supreme creator or God. However, there has been a change that was brought out by the Christian missionary activi ty in the country. The faith that prevails among the communities in Zimbabwe is now melded into a part traditional and part Christian. The joint faith has gathered a lot of support from the local community. The traditional concept of this two-sided faith in Zimbabwe is entrenched in the custom of presenting all prayer needs to the supreme God mainly through the family ancestors. There was some form of opposition in the course of adapting the new beliefs that were brought about by the missionaries. A notable example was when the Ndebele took up arms against the European missionaries in the year 1986. This was after a consultation and agreement was made between priests and the so called oracles of ‘the place of the benevolent spirits’. The early Christian missionaries in this country realized the holiness of the Shona and Ndebele and more so the strong belief they had upon their God. For this reason, they opted to adopt the local concept into their scriptural teachings an d practices making it one and the same with the Christian faith. This made things better since the missionary Christianity did not seem to be a completely new concept and thus did not face a lot of opposition as a result of the change. There is a coexistence of the traditional religion and the modern Christianity concepts. A significant percentage of the country’s population has however believed in Christianity outright mainly the Roman Catholic. Nonetheless there are great followers of denominations such as the Anglican, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventists, Apostolic, Presbyterian, Salvation Army as well as Baptist. The first missionary stations were established in the year 1859 at Inyati and at hope fountain in 1870. The two were controlled by the London Missionary Society. Other mission centres followed as years passed by. The Zimbabweans took a relatively long time before they took charge of the missionary related activities such as teaching and preaching. Although Zimbabwe religion is dominated by Christianity, it also has some Hindus, Muslims and Jews5. Botswana and Religion This is a republic in central southern Africa. The first missionaries to perpetrate Christianity activity in Botswana were Elder Bruce Midgley and his wife by the name of Sister Patricia Midgley under the direction of Pres. R.J. Snow, the then South Africa Johannesburg Mission leader. Approximately 50 percent of the total population in Botswana is Christian. The missionaries considered Botswana to be a very promising country where the gospel would be easily spread and in future, many stations ought to be set up to reinforce Christianity missions. In a nutshell, despite the fact that Botswana cannot be claimed to be an absolute Christian country, it is evident that the Christian faith in the country has played a critical role in nation building through bringing about a lot of development projects as well as promoting high levels of education and literacy among the communities. Th e most notable Christian church in the country is the London Missionary Society/ the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa. This church among other religious groups greatly changed the beliefs that were engraved in the indigenous African religion. Christianity effects can also be felt in other sectors for instance the economy, politics as well as education. It also changed the way of life of the people in Botswana as they had changed perceptions towards various life issues. The London Missionary Society aimed at converting the Batswana to Christianity and thus they persuaded the people to do away with the traditional practices they were used to for instance polygamy, rain making, alcohol, witchcraft, initiation schools as well as dowry issues that in one way or the other contradicted with Christianity practices. Even currently, the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) leads in various developmental projects in Botswana for instance in politics, education , health as well as politics6. South Africa and Religion South Africa was also not exempted from Christian missionary activity. Right towards the end of the 18th century, European missionaries played a pivotal role in the transformation of the African community in South Africa. Christianity in this region came along with other aspects of civilization and development. European missionary’s activity in South Africa is a concept that is very interesting in that it had a lot of contribution in the region. The missionaries for instance aimed at serving humanity and more so bringing about social and other changes aimed at improving their quality of life. They however had a negative side where they were so much into moral righteousness that they saw the Africans to be very wrong and judged their practices wrongly due to lack of understanding. It is important to note that missionaries and Christianity were accepted in South Africa as a result of the positive changes they were able to bring along for instance on the side of technological advancement like irrigation practices. It is also worth noting that it was not an easy aspect for the missionaries to covert the Africans in South Africa since most of them had other personal agendas such as the attainment of psychological security and to gain other material advantage other then spiritual reasons. Converts were also not appreciated by the rest of the society and for this reasons it took a relatively long time for the missionaries to reach their target in South Africa7. Conclusion From the above discussion, it is evident there exist a lot of discussion elements in relation to the topic of study; Christian Missionary Activity on Indigenous African Religion in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Christian missionaries are associated with bringing a lot of changes among the African communities not only in regard to religious issues but also when it comes to other general life aspects for instance literacy and education as well as economic developments among other aspects. All in all, Religion is a very complex and wide issue. Various parties were involved with the changes that have been experienced in the indigenous African religion, the Christian missionaries being a major element. The main goal of the missionaries was to spread Christianity as wide as possible through converting as many Africans as possible. This was made possible through teaching and preaching about Christianity among the local African communities. Although the Whites or rather the non-Africans were involved with most of the missionary related work especially the preaching of the gospel, the process was not effective until the Africans themselves were actively involved in the work, either voluntarily or under some pressures from the missionaries. The Africans are therefore deemed to have played a great role in effecting the changes that were experienced in the indigenous African religion. Bibliography Chidester, D. (2001). Chr istianity: A Global History. New York, Penguin. Chidester, D. (1996). Savage systems: colonialism and comparative religion in southern Africa. Cape Town, University Press of Virginia. Cool, E.D and Cool, M.S. (1990). â€Å"Missionary work begins in Botswana† Web. Zvobgo, J.M.C (1996). A History of Christian Missions in Zimbabwe, 1890-1939. Gweru, Mambo Press, Zambezia XXIV (ii) 412pp. Footnotes 1 D. Chidester (2001). Christianity: A Global History. New York, Penguin 2 D. Chidester (1996). Savage systems: colonialism and comparative religion in southern Africa. Cape Town, University Press of Virginia 3 D. Chidester (2001). Christianity: A Global History. New York, Penguin 4 D. Chidester (1996). Savage systems: colonialism and comparative religion in southern Africa. Cape Town, University Press of Virginia 5 J.M.C Zvobgo (1996). A History of Christian Missions in Zimbabwe, 1890-1939. Gweru, Mambo Press, Zambezia XXIV (ii) 412pp 6 E.D Cool and M.S. Cool (1990). â€Å"Missionary work begins in Botswana† 7 D. Chidester (1996). Savage systems: colonialism and comparative religion in southern Africa. Cape Town, University Press of Virginia

Sociology Research Method essays

Sociology Research Method essays Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior. As the study of humans in their collective aspect, sociology is concerned with all group activities: economic, social, political, and religious. Sociologists are the researchers of sociology. Sociologist study such areas as bureaucracy, community, deviant behavior, family, public opinion, social change, social mobility, social stratification, and such specific problems as crime, divorce, child abuse, and substance addiction. Sociology tries to determine the laws governing human behavior in social contexts. Sociology focuses on how groups affect the individual. There are many factors that play a role in sociology such as , ethnic background , gender and peers. I find the ways we research and study sociology to be very interesting. I will explain how it is done by sociologists. The ways sociology is researched is by the scientific research method. The scientific research method is pretty standard for most scientific exploration. The scientific research method is a method of posing and answering questions that relies on clear, objective guidelines for gathering and interpreting observable evidence. The steps to the scientific method are as follows. First, of all you are going to want to find to what question of sociology you would like to find the answer. This first step is called defining the problem. When defining the problem, you decide what the purpose of the study is. At this stage in the research you are also trying to figure out what information is needed and how it will be used. Next, you are going to want to review previous research. In this step you will find out what studies have been done on this topic, and what additional information you will be need to gather. After the research is done your going to want to state a hypothesis as to the outcome of the experiment. Technically speaking, the hypothesis is a statement that predicts a relationship betw ...

A close reading of a specific and familiar space Essay - 1

A close reading of a specific and familiar space - Essay Example In ancient period, most houses were divided into two parts at a point one third of the way across its length using a small lattice work wall reaching the top of the house. The main area is reserved for human living and was covered by a layer of black clay and cow dung that women polished over it with a stone. The other reduced area paved with flagstones was meant for animals. These rooms had only one entrance and the house was organized in such a way that one end has provisions ready for consumption like flour, figs, and leguminous plants that had been preserved. Near the door, there was water jars while on the stable part from any type of tool and equipments, a number of straws and hay for animals were stacked up and this region is where the children and the women sleeps especially in winter. The male on the other hand, slept on the larger area as a symbol of authority as they were known to have visitors and could share the room. A number of items inside this house have different na mes with different meanings. For instance, kanun was the upper part of the stable where kitchen earthenware was kept (cooking pot, ladle, and dish for cooking bannock). A fireplace was also on the woman’s side and was place of cooking. The male sleeping area is usually dark since it symbolize place of intimacy and recreation. After birth, boys and girls were isolated based on their sexes and introduced to their roles within their early stages of life. However, males needed to undergo additional cultural rite to make them courageous and face the outside world suitably. Women stayed within the house most of the time as their duties were mainly cooking and washing dishes while male perform their duties outside herding or hunting for food.. The division of labor was so significant that women were to remain in the dark part of the house. These

Spotify E-Commerce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

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