Friday, December 27, 2019

Gay Marriage Should Not Be Denied Service - 1457 Words

Stores across America have established themselves as Christian businesses and refuse to cater to gay marriages. They do this based on their belief that gay marriage is wrong, and against their faith, and because of this they can’t provide their services or they would be supporting it. In Indiana, a small town pizzeria was asked what their position was on the Religious Restoration Freedom act, and stated that they were a Christian establishment and could not cater to gay marriages. However they would serve gay people and couples in their store. The gay community and supporters immediately bashed at the pizzeria, saying they discriminated the gays, causing them to close down, possibly having to leave town. Religious freedom has been a big†¦show more content†¦Much commotion has risen from both sides of these laws, and it is important to see as to what the laws protect/define. The Religious Freedom Restoration act laws that have been passed by some of the states gives th e rights for people to deny service based on religious belief. The RFRA’s ensure that the interests in religious freedom are protected. Many states have adapted their own form of the RFRA’s. On the other side, some states provide LGBT protection that illegalizes discrimination in public places. These rights are aimed towards the protection of homosexual, bisexual, transgender, etc. to protect them from public discrimination. However one must view how or if discrimination is occurring. There is a difference between not wanting to serve someone because they are gay, and not being able to cater (support) to a same-sex wedding due to religious beliefs. Yes there is discrimination in society today that undermines and demeans the gay community. However the religious community does not look to discriminate people that are homosexual. Religious doctrine denies that a sacred marriage can be between two of the same sex, and because of this, a religious person, group, business, e tc. cannot support a gay marriage with their services. The question now is whether Religious freedom can deny a person of their freedoms. This is something that can really go both ways. Christians are merely expressing their religious

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

The Problem of Evil in Philosophy - 1684 Words

The Problem of Evil in Philosophy What is the classic problem of evil in the Western philosophical/theological tradition (the trilemma)? The problem of evil is the question of how to reconcile the existence of evil with that of a deity who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent. The trilemma was stated by the Greek philosopher Epicurus during antiquity and was restated during the modern period by David Hume. Epicurus poses a trilemma in order to refute the notion of an omnipotent and omnibenevolent God. He first argues that if God is unable to prevent evil, he is not omnipotent. If, alternatively, God is not willing to prevent evil, he is not good. How then, Epicurus asks, can evil exists if God is both willing and able to prevent evil? Epicurus trilemma exposes a logical contradiction in the Judeo-Christian conception of God and his creation of the world. He attempts to force his opponents to either admit that God is not omnipotent or not omnibenevolent. In order to escapes this trilemma, one would either have to deny the existence of evil in the world or come up with an explanation for how evil can exist when God is both willing and able to prevent such evil. What does Immanuel Kant mean by radical evil? Radical evil refers to a source of misbehavior that is caused by unfaithfulness, hypocrisy, and delusion in a person who aims to be moral or good. Kant believes that this unfaithfulness stems from a perversity of heart rather than a desire to beShow MoreRelatedThe Existence Of God : Evil1293 Words   |  6 Pagesthat we are surrounded everywhere by evil. This seems to conflict with the belief of theism, one who believes in a God or Gods, especially a personal God who’s in control of the world. If there was an all-omnipotent, all-omniscient, and all-benevolent God, then he should have consummate knowledge that there’s evil in the world. Given that, if he knows there’s corruption in the world then he should have pure benevolence to stop the evil. So if God wanted to cease evil, he could since he should have completeRead MoreThe Existence Of God : Evil1297 Words   |  6 Pagessurrounded everywhere by evil. This seems to conflict with the belief of theism, one who believes in a God or Gods, especially a personal God who’s in control of the world. If there was an all-omnipotent, all-omniscient, and all-benevolent God, then he should have consummate knowledge that there’s evil in the world. Given that, if he knows there’s corruption in the world then he should have pure benevolence to want to stop the evil. So if God really wanted to cease evil, he could since he shouldRead MoreThe Existence Of God. Throughout The Years As Human Beings1201 Words   |  5 Pageswe are living in a world where evil surrounds us. This belief conflicts with the beliefs of theism, one who believes in a God or Gods, especially a personal God who’s in control of the world. If there was an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God, then he should have the knowledge that there’s evil in the world, he should have the benevolence to want to stop the evil, and he should have the ability to make the evil vanish. We can know that the problem of evil exists in the world by having toRead MoreOverview of The Consolation Essay795 Words   |  4 Pageswas written while Boethius was in prison awaiting execution. The work is cast in the form of a dialog with Philosophy, who explains to him the true nature of happiness, why the wicked appear to prosper while the good suffer, and many other difficulties. By the end, Boethius sees clearly the goodness and sovereignty of God. (Section numbers follow those in Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, New Yo rk: Penguin, 1969.) Things to Think About as You Read 1. Boethius constructs a harmony betweenRead MorePhilosophy And Philosophy Of Religion Essay1681 Words   |  7 PagesPhilosophy of religion is basically the philosophy with questions regarding the religion, the nature and the existence of god and also the religious vocabulary and texts followed by the people. The religious philosophy and philosophy of religion are very different from each other, in philosophy of religion we discuss the questions regarding the nature of religion as a whole rather than seeking the problems brought by a particular religious system. In philosophy of religion we discuss the questionRead MorePhilosophy and Evil695 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿Philosophy and Evil Genocide is a traumatic part of the worlds history. The term genocide was coined in the aftermath of World War II following the liberation of Nazi concentration camps. When the world learned that more than six million Jewish people had been murdered by the German military because of their beliefs, the universal reaction was disgust and disbelief. Despite all the wickedness that has occurred throughout history, this event was of such a disturbing nature that some had troubleRead MoreProblem of Evil1614 Words   |  7 PagesThe Problem Of Evil There are many events throughout the world that occur, that we cannot explain. The evils that exist are moral and non-moral evils. The moral evils that exist are poverty, oppression, persecution, war and injustice. The non-moral evils that occur frequently but not usually on a daily basis are earthquakes, hurricanes, storms, flood, drought, and blight (philosophy. Lander.edu/intro/hick.stml). These evils happen with thousands of people dying daily for no reason. The problemRead MoreA Critical Evaluation of the Deductive Argument from Evil1710 Words   |  7 PagesCritically Evaluate the Deductive Argument from Evil Logically, can Evil and the â€Å"three-O† God co-exist in this universe? The deductive argument from evil says they cannot. In this essay I will explain the argument and analyze why it is valid but unsound. I will do this by discussing fallacious nature of the premise that if God were omnipotent and knew he could prevent the existence of evil without sacrificing some greater good he would then necessarily prevent it. The essay will proposeRead MoreSt. Augustines important philosophical contributions to defend the philosophy of Christianity.1709 Words   |  7 Pagescontributions to defend the philosophy of Christianity. One of these contributions concerned the philosophical problem of evil. Up until St. Augustines time, philosophers questioned the idea proposed by Christians that evil generated in a world created by a perfectly good God. The problem is easy enough to understand, yet slightly more complicated to solve. St. Augustine raised some fairly good propositions to o ffer an explanation for this question. Although the problem of evil has been answered for theRead MoreReligion Is A Big Part Of My Family999 Words   |  4 Pagesnews and you can see all the evil in the world. Terrorist attacks, kids getting shot down by cops, and school shootings. How can someone be so evil to walk into an elementary school and kill innocent 6 and 7-year-olds? There isn’t any justification for this; the kids and parents didn’t deserve this undeserved pain and suffering. That’s why I believe that there is an evidential problem with evil. The argument goes as follows, premise one: God would not permit an evil. This is a pretty concrete statement

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Marketing Plan Phase Two Paper free essay sample

Running head: MARKETING PLAN: PHASE II PAPER Marketing Plan: Phase II Paper MKT 421 This paper will provide in detail researched information regarding marketing plan as it relates to the Mammography Cup. Ideas and information consists of the segmentation criteria, target market, organization buyers and consumers, factors that influence purchasing decisions, and the current competition. The company Gentle Life is in the market of a pain free product that will make life easier for those people whom are in need of breast examinations. The company will present product to Konica Minolta Imaging, which is one of the leading imaging digital companies in America. The equipment for mammograms designs have remained the same. The segmentation idea of the product we created derives from the other version of mammogram equipment. The equipment currently used in hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities consists of a flat surface that the breast is pulled into and then pressed down by another flat surface to keep the breast in place, followed by a scanner that scans just a portion of the breast at a time. We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing Plan Phase Two Paper or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This procedure is long and painful to most patients because of the continuous turning of the breast to image different sides and the flat cold surface and the pulling of the breast onto the flat machine. With our product improvement it will be in the same market for the breast, however with a different tactic to decreasing the pain and the coldness of plastic and also the long procedure of time used. Instead of a flat surface that pulls the chest, the breast mammogram cup will fit onto any breast or chest for males or females. The word cup is important because the purpose is gently to cup the area without pulling, yanking or tugging. The market we are trying to impact is those individuals who are need of mammogram examinations but feel embarrassed, shy or even skeptical of the procedure. For those who have had the examination before know how the process works, but for those who have never had one which is required after age 40 to do so or if medical history of breast cancer exists should be encouraged to have one done. Gentle Life wants for those individuals who are skeptic to try a new product but with the same techniques and results as the one that is used today. The organizations such as hospitals and other medical fields that are in use of mammogram imaging will impact our marketing strategy because the need for a more comfortable way of imaging the breast is long overdue. The pricing of the item will be more affordable and durable. The quality will be top notch and the timing in getting the work done will be beneficial. For many companies that do mammograms the time it would take to get one done will be at least an hour but with the new technology our organization will present, it should cut down time by 30 minutes. We will strategically focus on the medical field and we will input the fact that it is breast cancer awareness month for people of age or health risks. We will focus on the medical insurance agencies to back our product to pay for the procedures and we will ensure that the word gets out commercially and nationally because having an exam when anyone need it may help doctors locate any possible abnormalities in the breast before it is chronic. Because a number of people can influence purchases of business to business products, business buyers face a variety of organizational influences in addition to their own preferences. A design engineer for our product helps set the specifications that potential vendors must satisfy; such as the type of material used to manufacture our product. A procurement manager may invite selected companies to bid on a purchase. A production supervisor may evaluate the operational aspects of the proposals that the firm receives, and the vice president of manufacturing many head a committee making the final decision. Consumer decision making follows the sequential process with interpersonal and personal influences affecting ever step. The process begins with the consumer recognizing a problem or opportunity. If an unusually form of lump forms around the breast area, that issue/need becomes a problem which needs to be solved. To solve the problem or take advantage of the opportunity, the consumer/ patient seeks information regarding potential problem from specialist who then can assist with evaluating alternative. The goal is to find the best response to the problem or opportunity. Eventually, the consumer reaches a decision and completes the transaction/ service. Later, the consumer/ patient evaluate the experience by making a decision to continue with treatment. Feelings about the experience serve as feedback that will influence both interpersonal and personal factors. Gentle Life organization may even offer free breast exams to allow people to believe safe with our product and get a better understanding of how it is used. To compete with others industry, for our new product we must first know our competitor and the current industry technique by mapping the competitor’s landscape then act as a customer who mean putting themselves inside of their minds. Be knowledgeable about your business. Know all the loop-holes, hire outside consultants who are familiar with the marketing mix. Utilize the four P’s, price, place, promotion, and product. By having a sound foundation of the products, price and quality features of various companies’ chance of success will be beneficial to Gentle Life organization. On the other hand, it is important to know what our customers need and effectively compete within the competitors market. Our customers want a product that will save their lives, be accurate and answering future questions. Patients needs to know that our product and service is reliable and safe that is why Konica Minolta use extensive research techniques before entering any product of service into market for distribution. The product like this will not only want to save lives but also to make a profit as well. SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, threat, and trend) analysis is useful techniques that can identify the competitive landscape for a product or service and measure strengths and weakness of the company in relation to its competitors. ’ The SWOT analysis technique gives the marketing research and strategic planning team a clear idea of strategic positioning of the organization and an understanding of the competition that are in the industry. In closing, the information stated above relates to marketing plan for the Mammography Cup, which gives details relating to the target market, sales and profits from buyers and consumers who are an important factor, and the competitors in the mammography market. By reviewing this marketing plan, the company should now be prepared to move into the implementation phase of this product. References 1. â€Å"The Essential Imaging†, Retrieved October 10, 2009, 2. â€Å"Medical Imaging Products†, Retrieved October 09, 2009, from http:// http://konicaminolta. us/. html

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Salem Witch Trial Theories Essay Example

Salem Witch Trial Theories Essay Brennyn Mackey 2 May 2011 The Secret War of Salem Exposing the Culprit behind the Mass Hysteria The Salem Witch Trials were a series of infamous events that demand an explanation for their occurrence. The trials that took place in 1692 caused neighbors in the community of Salem Village in the colony of Massachusetts to turn on one another out of paranoia, accusing one another of witchcraft. According to Carol Karlsen, a longtime author of the subject, nineteen people were hanged and about 200 others were imprisoned (40). A few theories have been offered in order to explain the root of this mass hysteria. The theories in question need to be examined to see which holds the most credibility. Most historians who have studied the subject agree on the chronological order of events that set this dark episode of history into motion. They believe it began in the household of Reverend Samuel Parris. Reverend Parris owned a West Indian slave named Tituba. Tituba would tell the young girls stories of her experiences in sorcery when the reverend was away. This small group of girls started with Abigail Williams, the reverend’s niece, and Elizabeth Parris, his daughter. Soon, a few girls from neighboring homes joined. Eventually, the girls began to exhibit exceptionally erratic behaviors. They would have hallucinations and convulsions. A physician checked the girls, but he failed to find a natural cause for their behavior. He attributed their ailments to a supernatural cause (Salem Witch Trials). The girls began to claim they were being afflicted by witches and started making accusations. Thus, the panic ensued. We will write a custom essay sample on Salem Witch Trial Theories specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Salem Witch Trial Theories specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Salem Witch Trial Theories specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Those who have studied the subject of the Salem Witch Trials have very few disagreements on these events. Though history may have documented the events, it has not presented a clear underlying cause to their occurrence. Why did the girls act in such a manner? Scholars have presented their own theories for this mystery. One theory that attempts to explain the hysteria is that there was a fungal poisoning such as ergot in the bread that the girls ate. This would be an ideal explanation for their convulsions. Another theory is that witchcraft was actually being practiced. This theory states that the incredibly odd behavior of the girls was attributed to the practices that Tituba was teaching them. A final theory that draws much interest is that the girls were acting. Scholars have looked at these events from a political perspective and suggest that Reverend Parris persuaded the young girls to act in an odd manner. The theory that answers the most questions without raising an equal number of new questions is the best explanation. The theory that Reverend Parris used the girls to gain wealth holds such a status. The theory that there was an ergot infestation is advocated by a professor named Linnda Caporeal. Caporeal has argued that a fungal poison known as ergot, which grows on rye, had been ingested by the girls, causing their behaviors. She goes on to explain that â€Å"all the symptoms [of ergot poisoning] are alluded to in the Salem Witch Trials† (Caporeal). This theory does not make sense when considering why the only ones affected were the young girls in the Parris household. Convulsive ergot poisoning most often affects small children, but the Salem Village had hundreds of residents. The whole village ate grains harvested from the same fields and this theory does not have an account of anyone else exhibiting the slightest convulsions. It is far too coincidental that the only ones affected were a few young girls. This theory has also been attacked by researchers such as Spanos and Gottlieb. They address the point previously mentioned as well as the nutritional condition of the villagers. In another article, they responded to Caporeal’s arguments regarding the afflicted girls as well as the villagers’ nutritional susceptibility. Spanos and Gottlieb state that â€Å"the fact that most individuals [†¦] living in the same households as the afflicted girls showed no signs of symptoms is attributed by Caporeal to wide individual differences in susceptibility to ergot poisoning. † They also discuss vitamin A deficiency. According to their research: Ergot poisoning in individuals with adequate vitamin A intakes leads to gangrenous rather than convulsive symptoms. Vitamin A is found both in fish and in dairy products. Salem Village was a farming community and Salem Town, which bordered the village, was a well-known seaport; cows and fish were plentiful. There is no evidence to suggest a vitamin A deficiency in the diet of the inhabitants, and it would be particularly unlikely for the so-called afflicted girls, some of whom came from well-to-do farming families. The absence of any instance of gangrenous symptomatology makes it highly unlikely that ergot played any role in the Salem crisis (Spanos). The theory that there was an ergot infestation does not seem to hold up to the accounts of Spanos and Gottlieb. The theory of ergot infestation has slowly lost credibility due to these pieces of evidence. Another theory that attempts to explain the paranoia is the theory that witchcraft was being practiced in the community. The word â€Å"witch† came into English from Wicca, an Anglo-Saxon word that means â€Å"wise one† (Buckland 26). Witches have been viewed throughout history as servants of Satan, spreading misfortune. This is an exaggerated stereotype similar to the misconception that witches fly around on broomsticks and transform into animals. A Wiccan author known as Sheena Morgan addresses issues regarding false stereotypes of witchcraft. She states that people â€Å"have lots of misconceptions about what Wicca and witchcraft actually entail. People seem to confuse witchcraft with Satanism or devil worship [†¦] Wicca [†¦] does not seek new adherents† (14). The author implies that Wicca is a pantheistic religion that promotes harmony with the natural world and does not entail bloodletting rituals. All the â€Å"Halloween† aspects of Wicca are stereotypical misrepresentations of their beliefs. The Puritans had a deep fear that those dark conceptions were a reality. Such preconceived notions and religious beliefs that the Puritans had regarding witchcraft must have been the fuel for the trials. According to Puritan beliefs, witches worshipped Satan. Melanie Gauch, a lifetime Wiccan, has stated that Wiccans do not believe in a devil. That is a Christian notion that the Puritans associate with paganism. The Puritans exercised complete intolerance of the Wiccan beliefs and created the paranoia in their own minds when they felt threatened. In the Bible, Exodus 22:18 states, â€Å"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live† (King James Bible). The puritans followed the Bible wholeheartedly, and their beliefs carried them to accusations, and then on to interrogations. However, the main problem with the witchcraft theory is that it cannot be proven. The accusations themselves could not even be proven. One way to accuse someone of witchcraft was by use of spectral evidence. If an apparition appeared to an individual, they could point a finger at someone and accuse that person of afflicting them (Salem Witch Trials). This spectral evidence was only witnessed by the afflicted, but was generally accepted as credible evidence. Due to fear and hysteria, accusations could be made without proof of any witchcraft. It is highly unlikely that witchcraft played any part in the terror of the trials. The theory that Reverend Samuel Parris was the true incendiary behind the trials carries the most logic. Samuel Parris was closely associated with the Putnam family and had been given a minister’s contract that included all the usual benefits, such as a decent salary, a house and free firewood. However, Parris had received all this in addition to a title and deed to the parish, which enraged the residents who did not want to be congregationally separate from Salem Town (Saari 35-6). He was in desperate need of securing his position as minister and the outbreak of witchcraft accusations was the best way to do it. In a time of such paranoia regarding satanic forces, the villagers would be in desperate need of his services. Ernest King and Franklin Mixon Jr. authored an article discussing that concept. According to them: Salem Village, both before and through the witchcraft trials, was a religion-based community, allowing its minister to exert a level of political–economic control over its citizens. During the height of the itchcraft episode, there was an increased demand for ministerial services (salvation) in the Salem area. Recent research has argued that the minister used the witchcraft episode to maintain and build upon personal and corporate wealth (King and Mixon). This demonstrates that Reverend Parris had the political motives for taking advantage of the girls’ behavior. When witchcraft accusations arose, some of the Salem residents who had o pposed the reverend’s contract had no choice but to attend church and pay any offerings they could. If they did not do so, they would run the risk of being accused of witchcraft. This was a simply perfect solution for Reverend Parris. Before continuing to examine the reverend, it is necessary to understand his background. Samuel Parris was born in London and grew up to inherit his father’s plantation. After a hurricane devastated the plantation, he became a merchant. However, when his business failed, he decided to be a minister (Orr 16). It seems the reverend’s life had a series of failures. According to Frances Hill, author of numerous books on the subject, Parris’s first misfortune had been dropping out of Harvard (117). After all the other hindrances, he was ready to accept a job as minister of Salem Village, but then demanded more and more changes to his contract over time, continuously negotiating matters such as firewood and corn provisions, the deed to the ministry house and salary (118). The Putnam family controlled most of the farmland in Salem Village and played a large part in his ministerial contract. This evidence shows there may have been a political partnership between the two. Salem Village and Salem Town were in a period of great political tension. During this time, the Putnam family owned most of the farmland in Salem Village and wanted to become separate from Salem Town, the nearby thriving seaport on which the other villagers depended upon for economic reasons (Salem Witch Trials). This divided the village, and the Reverend Samuel Parris became minister during this turmoil. Other than political division, the villagers had everyday worries such as Indian raids and smallpox outbreaks, which increased tensions. This was the social situation at the time of Parris’s ascent to position of minister. In order to gain political power, Reverend Parris would have had to do something about those who opposed him. The authors Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum examine the social history of the Salem community in their book, Salem Possessed and they have noticed a pattern. A series of petitions against the reverend were collected and the names of those who opposed Parris in the past were the ones most often accused of witchcraft. The names included the majority of the Proctor family and Rebecca Nurse (183-6). The most astounding case was the account of George Burroughs, the previous minister of Salem Village. When George Burroughs spoke out against the trials that Reverend Parris was championing, he was immediately tried for witchcraft. He was found guilty. Soon before he was hung, he had recited â€Å"The Lord’s Prayer,† which was supposedly impossible for a witch (Salem Witch Trials). Unfortunately, it is not known for certain whether or not Reverend Parris had been advocating against him until his moment of death, but this was another accusation that worked in Parris’s favor. The Salem Witch Trials may have been an irrational event, but they still have a rational explanation. Numerous scholars have attempted to explain away the events with multiple theories, but only one explanation has withstood questioning. The theory that Reverend Parris used the girls to gain political influence is most sensible. The reverend would have lost his job and after so many setbacks in his earlier life, he would not have been prepared for another loss. The relationships between two of the girls and the reverend makes the reverend highly suspect, but even more so was the fact that the accused were the ones who had usually opposed Parris in the past. The accounts of George Burroughs and the political partnership between the Putnam family and Reverend Parris carries also carries a lot of weight. In the end, the evidence shows that Reverend Samuel Parris was the culprit behind the mass hysteria. Works Cited Boyer, Paul, and Stephen Nissenbaum. Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft. Harvard, 1974. Print Buckland, Raymond. Witchcraft from the Inside: Origins of the Fastest Growing Religious Movement in America. St. Paul: Llewellyn Pub. , 1971. Print. Caporeal, Linnda. Ergotism: The Satan Loosed in Salem? † Science Vol. 192 (1976) Web. 30 Apr. 2011. Gauch, Melanie. Facebook Personal Message Interview. 1 May 2011. Hill, Frances. The Salem Witch Trials Reader. Cambridge: Da Capo P. , 2001. Print. Karlsen, Carol F. The Devil in the Shape of a Woman: Witchcraft in Colonial New England. Ontario: Penguin Books Canada, 1987. Print. King, Ernest W. , and Franklin G. Mixon. â€Å"Religiosity and the Political Economy of the Salem Witch Trials. † Social Science Journal. 47. 3 (2010): Abstract. Business Source Premiere. Web. 29 Apr. 2011. Morgan, Sheena. The Wicca Handbook: A complete Guide to Witchcraft and Magic. London: Vega, 2003. Print Orr, Tamra. People at the Center of: The Salem Witch Trials. Farmington Hills: Blackbirch Press, 2004. Print. Saari, Peggy. Witchcraft in America. Detroit: UXL, 2001. Print. â€Å"Salem Witch Trials. † In Search of History. History Channel. AE Television Networks, 1998. DVD Spanos, Nicholas and Jack Gottlieb. â€Å"Ergotism and the Salem Village Witch Trials† Science Vol. 194 (1976) Web. 30 Apr. 2011.