The Qur`an Essay Example for Free

The Qur`an Essay This website contains selections from the Quran, particularly those sections fundamental to Islam. These sections deal with Allah (God), the worship of Allah, mans purpose in relation to Allah, and the purpose of the revelation to Muhammad.   In addition, this website provides scripture about the Quran, belief and disbelief, the relationship between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity and the Islamic view of an afterlife. Given the history of wars between these three faiths, it is interesting to note just how much their scriptures teach similar precepts. Islam views Mohammed (approximately 570 A.D. until 632 A.D.) as the final revelation from God or Allay to people of this world until the world comes to an end. Like Judaism that had been in existence for at least 1500 years and Christianity that had been in existence for more than 500 years, Islam is a monotheistic religion based on a book, the Quran. Each of these religions come from the tradition of Abraham and his descendents. Given the world today and the current animosity between those nations considered Christian and those considered Muslim, there are a surprising number of similarities between the two religions. In addition, given the strong anti-Semitic feeling among the more radical groups of Islam, it is hard to believe that they both come from similar traditions. In the discussion of Muhammads purpose, we read. Thus have we sent amongst you an apostle of yourselves, to recite to you our signs, to purify you and teach you the Book and wisdom, and to teach you what you did not know; remember me (God), then, and I will remember you; thank me, and do not disbelieve. This is remarkably similar to much of the teachings and actions of Jesus who worked against the Pharisees to purify Judaism in Jerusalem in the first century A.D. In the section called God it is interesting to read and note how much of the description is like the book of the Old Testament. Your God is one God; there is no God but He, the merciful, the compassionate of the Quran compares to the ten commandment statement of thy God is a jealous god, Thou shalt have no other god before Me. In the Quran Allah seems more mature. It is claimed that he is the one god, but that he is merciful and compassionate. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, God seems less mature, more given to anger and more demanding of those who worship him/her. There is a more alive and celebratory quality to the writings of the Quran. Instead of saying something like God created the heavens and the earth as in the Old Testament, just a simple declarative statement, the Quran provides a different slant, He created the heavens and the earth. May God be exalted above all that which they join with Him! This passion and emotion expressed in the Islamic tradition is greatly different than what is experienced in many Christian Churches today. This is reflected in the behavior of Muslims, who are passionate and open in newscasts today, as opposed to the restrained, remote, detached worshipping that many Christians and Jews do. The Quran and the Bible offer many similar teachings. Sadly, Moslems, Christians and Jews seem determined to emphasis the differences instead of embracing the similarities. Works Cited Hooker, Richard. Islam the Qu-ran. 02 Dec. 2006 http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ ISLAM/QURANSEL.HTM

Behind the Arch: The Truth about Drinking at Buena Vista University :: Journalism Alcohol Drinking College Essays

Behind the Arch: The Truth about Drinking at Buena Vista University Behind the Arch: The Truth about Drinking at Buena Vista University, is book with written stories and events relating to drinking on the campus of Buena Vista University (BVU). Behind the Arch is published by the English 300 class of 2001, including students Chris Allen, Alisa Dixson, Jennifer Durham, Shelley Katzer, Max Kenkel, Teri Kramer, Toby Malavong, and Courtney Weller. Many questions came up about the alcohol use among the BVU students and community. This book is a great source for BVU because it shows causes relating to its effects of drinking on and off campus. These students reflect on their past experiences and explain what incoming freshmen students may expect in a college setting. Also, upperclassmen share their experiences in this book explaining what to expect as the years pass. High school students always look forward to the college life and surroundings. Most cannot wait until they are free from their parents and free to do whatever they want. As incoming freshmen attend Buena Vista University, many are afraid of what to expect. Talking from my own personal experiences, college is coming easy to me so far. From talking with other students, life is tough for them. As I have talked to other students, the problem is not so much the school work, but it is the social life. Many are afraid of what to expect. Many feel drinking may solve their problems because it may help them associate with others easier. This is where the drinking problem on the BVU campus begins. Here at BVU, party nights usually fall on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. This is because the local bars such as Puff’s and Malarky’s have specials on drinking. The biggest night most students talk about is nickel pitchers, which falls on Wednesday nights. If a student is of legal age of 21, they are able to purchase as many pitchers of beer for only five cents apiece. I think this is where most of the problems start. Many students drink even before they go to the bar, then when they get to the bar, they consume so much alcohol to get drunk. Most people know a nickel pitcher is a great deal, which is why a huge percent of students go party on Wednesday nights.

The Role of Violence in Beowulf

It is clear that violence, or at least military action plays an important role in the world of Beowulf. The events in Beowulf's life are strongly connected to combat: he saves the Kingdom of Denmark by defeating both Grendel and his mother; he serves as the King of Geatland's advisor and champion; he is elected King of Geatland after the former king and his son are killed in battle and successfully for fifty years; and he kills the fire-monster and save Geatland (Slade; Bullfinch).The violence in Beowulf does not appear to be engaged in gratuitously, for its own sake, or out of cruelty. Instead, the violence serves as a tool to achieve various goals. The men in Beowulf engage in violence in defense against an attack, threat or as Hill suggests, a feud. Military action is used as a method of getting wealth and additional territory. Lastly the use of violence is seen in terms of good versus evil, with Beowulf and his people in the role of the good.Both of the major scenes of violence i n the poem are aimed at specific targets and occur as responses to attacks made by Grendel, his mother, the lady troll-wife on Denmark, and by the dragon that attacks Geatland. When Beowulf saves the kingdom of Demark from destruction at the claws of Grendel he is responding to the attacks Grendel has been making on the Danish court. Hrothgar, king of Denmark, was â€Å". . . success in warcraft given,/honour in war, so that his retainers/ eagerly served him until the young war-band grew/into a mighty battalion† (Slade, 64-66).As a result of his success he decides to build a â€Å"mead-hall† where he can give his wealth to â€Å"young and old, such as God gave him† (Slade, 72). The poem does not tell us against whom Hrothgar has fought to gain his wealth, but the description of his lineage is a positive one that does not lend itself to indiscriminate attacks and raiding (Slade 1-63). When the Danes are unable to defeat Grendel Beowulf leads a group of men and su cceeds in killing Grendel and, when she seeks revenge on Beowulf the next day, Grendel's mother.Although Beowulf's purpose was to save Denmark from Grendel, due to his great deed, Beowulf receives both wealth and reputation. He returns to his own country: Geatland. There he serves the country well, ultimately becoming King of Geatland. After Beowulf had been king for fifty years, a dragon attacks the country; Beowulf is the only one who will fight it. He succeeds in killing the dragon, but is killed during the fight. It is clear the people in the world of Beowulf used violence to gain both wealth and honor. As mentioned above Hrothgar has made his fortune by military action.Since Hrothgar is not condemned for his acts, but is celebrated by men and given gifts from the gods, in fact the poet tells us that Hrothgar is â€Å"old and good† (Slade 130) Based on this it appears unlikely that such a method of gaining wealth was considered inappropriate, but is a tool to be used to g ain wealth. Beowulf himself leaves Denmark with a great wealth of gold and an honorable reputation for his abilities to fight. Since Beowulf is the celebrated hero of the poem it appears certain that violence as a means to wealth is accepted by the people in the world of the poem.The people in the poem regard themselves as engaging in the universal fight between good and evil with themselves fight on the side of goodness. The poet tells us that Grendel was â€Å"condemned with the kin of Cain† (Slade) and a result of the feud between Abel and Cain, i. e. , good versus evil (Slade 106-114). Consequently when Beowulf fights against Grendel, his mother, and the dragon, he is fighting against creatures that were brought into being when Cain murdered his brother.Kennedy proposes that not only does Beowulf describe the battle between good and evil, but contains â€Å"a deeply pervasive infusion of Christian spirit coloring thought and judgment, governing motive and action, a conti nuous and active agent in the process of transformation† (Kennedy, xlix). Gordon takes a more conservative approach and points out that Christianity did not supplant the native pagan beliefs all at once, but co-existed in Northern Europe at this time (Gordon 1). It is evident that violence plays an important part in the live and traditions of the people of the poem.It appears however that instead of indiscriminate raiding, raping, and pillaging one associates with the Vikings, violence was seen as a tool for defense, building wealth, and participating in the fight against evil. However it must be remembered that Beowulf presents only the side of the Danes and the Geats and does not tell how the people who lost their lives and wealth to Hrothgar viewed these people.Works CitedBullfinch, Thomas. The Age of Fable. Published April 2000 by Bartleby. com;  © 2000 Copyright Bartleby. com, Inc. 29 Mar. 2007 < http://www.bartleby. com/182/301. html>.Gordon, R. K. trans. Anglo-Saxon P oetry. London: J. M. Dent & Sons, 1954.Hill, John M. â€Å"Anthropological Approaches to Old English Literature: A Special Issue. † Philological Quarterly (1999): 1. Questia. 30 Mar. 2007 .Kennedy, Charles W. trans. Beowulf: The Oldest English Epic. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1978.Slade, Benjamin, Ed. and Trans. , 2003. Diacritically Marked Text of Beowulf Facing a New Translation. 29 Mar. 2007 < http://www. heorot. dk/beo-intro-rede. html>.

Advancements And Advancements Of Technology - 1588 Words

Matthew Kivlahan Ms. Maynard ENG 3U1 Friday, October 3, 2014 Positive Developments in Technology Advancements and innovations in all fields are necessary if humanity wishes to create a brighter and better future. Technology that has been created and improved throughout the recent decades is proof of this philosophy. Medical innovations, such as the MRI machine and advanced disease treatments, have helped to reduce deaths over the last half-century. With new diseases and complications arising frequently, keeping up with the times becomes a vital matter – and recent inventions have made sure that lives are preserved rather than destroyed. Another area of interest is the internet, which allows people to access a wealth of information and communicate with others from around the world. Computers, satellites, and other tech are related to this subject, and all components combine to form a network that offers our world a collective database – an notion that would have seemed outrageous more than 50 years ago. Technology is even allowing humankind to extend our reach beyond our Earth – our solar system can be explored thanks to inventions made since the Cold War s â€Å"space race†. Rockets, probes, and other developments have made the vast unknown less daunting – and also furthered our knowledge of chemical composition, elements, and other related scientific principles. By saving and improving lives, technology has had a profound positive impact on the world over the last 50 years.Show MoreRelatedTechnology Advancements895 Words   |  4 Pagesstones and rocks to butcher dead animals, to date, this was the first known use of technology on earth. Since that time, both we human beings and our technology have evolved. Over the course of history, technology has evolved from stone flakes to a world of space travel and super-computers. The increased availability to information could lead to the development to several necessary and desired advancements in technology over the next ten years that could affect El Arco and the world as well. Read MoreThe Advancements Of Medical Technology1549 Words   |  7 PagesAdvancement in medical technology is happening every day. Doctors are looking for the best and most modern methods to help them take care of their patient’s needs. The advancements in medical technology have been immense in the last decade, and they are only going to keep advancing. Medical technology incorporates a wide variety of healthcare tools and is used to diagnose, monitor and treat diseases or medical conditions. 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The idea of technology as a part of our daily lives, can affect how people use technology in the future. The reliance on technology, that a lot of people today have when using their mobile cellular phones and gaming technology such as computers and gaming consoles, can cause negativeRead MoreComputer Technology And Its Advancement765 Words   |  4 Pages Computer Technology and its Advancement in Nursing As nursing students, we are taught to utilize the nursing process in almost every aspect of our work. The nursing process communicates and coordinates care with all other clinical disciplines. It assists in coordinating discharge planning, education, teaching, and transition of care. Utilizing informatics and healthcare technologies is one of the nursing essentials of the Master’s in Education Program. 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Forensic science involves gathering fingerprints, palm prints, footprints, tooth bite prints, blood, and hair and fiber samples and bunch of other things in order to investigate a crime scene. Ballistics techniques are employed to make out weapons in addition to voice identification methods used to recognize criminals