The Pursuit Of Truth Through Religion And Science Religion Essay Example

The Pursuit Of Truth Through Religion And Science Religion Essay Truth as defined in the lexicon is something that corresponds to fact or world. In recent civilised history, scientific and spiritual positions have frequently conflicted with one another. However, truth can be proven in legion ways. Religious thoughts are usually presented foremost, and so sufficient scientific grounds gathers to make bold spiritual beliefs. The 2008 Mumbai onslaughts were an illustration of strong and devoted spiritual beliefs by Islamic terrorists from Pakistan. In add-on, 90 per centum of the universe s population believes in religion of God go forthing the others sing scientific discipline and assorted positions. Albert Einstein and Galileo Galilei had a greater scientific spectrum and deemed it had an reply to about everything. These finds of scientific discipline are met with amazement and most are considered a divergence. Life of Pie by Yann Martel and Robert Zemeckis movie Contact, contribute significantly in understanding decently, the definition of truth. These two illustrations and the people involved are portrayed by their undetermined heads to happen the chase of truth. So, what is truth? The ethos of scientific discipline was ever been about seeking for the truth. Science is demonstrated clearly and has a distinguishable point in the two comparings. Mr. Satish Kumar from Life of Pie is an Atheist. He says, I do nt believe in faith. Religion is darkness. ( Martel, 29 ) . This statement proves that he disapproves of faith and does non hold religion. He believes in scientific discipline since he is a Biology instructor. Mr. Okamoto and Mr. Chiba doubted the being of religion since they do non believe Piscine Patel s ( Pi ) narrative about the carnivorous island drifting bananas. Therefore, he has a more scientific position. Dr. Eleanor Arroway from Contact, a dedicated truster of scientific discipline was determined to happen other signifiers of life utilizing radio uranology. She says, It s like you re stating that scientific discipline killed God. What if scientific discipline merely revealed that he neer existed in the first topographic point? Contact. This demon strates that she has a higher spectrum towards scientific discipline, and considers that scientific discipline can turn out that God neer existed. Michael Kitz, has a deep scientific head and inquiries Ellie about her experience in the wormhole and, if to believe in religion. Dr. Arroway and Mr. Okamoto both have similar constructs and inquiry themselves about What is truth. We will write a custom essay sample on The Pursuit Of Truth Through Religion And Science Religion specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Pursuit Of Truth Through Religion And Science Religion specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Pursuit Of Truth Through Religion And Science Religion specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Faith is understood to be an unverified cognition that is acknowledged and believed through faith missing the demand of cogent evidence. In some cases, faith is demonstrated significantly, by terrorist act Acts of the Apostless and protest. Pi s male parent has faith in faith and accepts it as truth. He merely wants Pi to believe in Hinduism. He utters, But Muslims? It s wholly foreign to our tradition. They re foreigners. He is dedicated to one faith and wants Pi to be attached to it besides. Joseph from Contact who is a passionate truster in faith represented himself dramatically by perpetrating a self-destructive mission. He did that to give any new informations found on the exhibition. Joseph is the leader of an organisation that prohibits the usage of scientific discipline and merely believes in God. This bold act demonstrates his domination of religion and being of the God. David Drumlin from Contact claimed to believe in God but is unsure of truth. Therefore, is truth faith? The Centre of the spectrum, both includes spiritual and scientific beliefs. Pi accepts and considers both in the being of God and the survey of scientific discipline. In add-on, he besides studied fauna and faith. He prays to three different Supreme beings. He says I merely want to love God ( Martel, 69 ) . His cognition about God and faith helps him last the assorted obstructions he faces on the lifeboat. Pi besides thinks about ways to last utilizing the scientific cognition taught by his instructor. Palmer Joss from Contact spent his life seeking for truth through the religion in God. He replies, Ironically the thing that people are most hungry for, significance is the one thing that scientific discipline has nt been able to give them Contact. This statement shows that he believes in faith but, he besides considers scientific discipline since he is destined for truth utilizing both signifiers of information and besides an writer of an astronomy book. Truth is better understood by these persons. Truth plays an of import function in the defining of an single character. This is represented in infinite ways and has legion accounts. Religion and scientific discipline have ever been in clang with one another because they each demonstrate complete opposite ideals. Religion is widely accepted since 90 per centum of the universe s population believes in religion of God. Most scientists believe that scientific discipline can explicate that God neer truly exists and there is nil like religion or hope. Therefore, what is truth?

Comparison between ancient roman lifestyle to today essays

Comparison between ancient roman lifestyle to today essays Roman lifestyle is very similar and very different compared to life today. Rome had a harder way of life, and a shorter one too. They had ways of entertainment similar to ours. Also they had some similarities and differences in their meals. The places they bought those meals from shows that roman shopping and daily errands are different too. When Romans were bored they went out, just like us today. They often went out to plays held in large, open theatres. They also went to other special arenas to see people competing in games, and a circus. Our entertainment today is roughly similar. Plays are held at theatres. Games are also played in big arenas, and a circus does come to town. Although, our games today do not involve gladiators fighting animals to the death, we are still entertained by sports. In Rome there were two kinds of people the upper-class patricians, and the lower-class plebeians. This means two different meals. The plebeians might have a meal of bread, dry or dipped in wine, and water. Sometimes olives, cheese, or raisins were sprinkled on the bread. They also had fish and vegetables. It became the custom to distribute bread daily to the unemployed. Workmen, on their way to work, grabbed some bread, and ate it on the way. The Patricians enjoyed fresh meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, bread, and used honey to sweeten food. (Sugar was unknown). They had slaves to cook and clean. Slaves cut their food for them, because they didn't use forks or knives, they ate with their fingers. A wet towel was handy (or brought by slaves) to tidy up after a meal. Today we pretty much eat the same foods, but we dont enjoy the same services. We have lower class people who cant afford great meals, and we have upper class people who can afford better ones. The one thing we do not have is slavery. Daily errands and shopping were done at the forum. The forum was the main marketplace and business center, wh ...

Comparison between ancient roman lifestyle to today essays

Comparison between ancient roman lifestyle to today essays Roman lifestyle is very similar and very different compared to life today. Rome had a harder way of life, and a shorter one too. They had ways of entertainment similar to ours. Also they had some similarities and differences in their meals. The places they bought those meals from shows that roman shopping and daily errands are different too. When Romans were bored they went out, just like us today. They often went out to plays held in large, open theatres. They also went to other special arenas to see people competing in games, and a circus. Our entertainment today is roughly similar. Plays are held at theatres. Games are also played in big arenas, and a circus does come to town. Although, our games today do not involve gladiators fighting animals to the death, we are still entertained by sports. In Rome there were two kinds of people the upper-class patricians, and the lower-class plebeians. This means two different meals. The plebeians might have a meal of bread, dry or dipped in wine, and water. Sometimes olives, cheese, or raisins were sprinkled on the bread. They also had fish and vegetables. It became the custom to distribute bread daily to the unemployed. Workmen, on their way to work, grabbed some bread, and ate it on the way. The Patricians enjoyed fresh meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, bread, and used honey to sweeten food. (Sugar was unknown). They had slaves to cook and clean. Slaves cut their food for them, because they didn't use forks or knives, they ate with their fingers. A wet towel was handy (or brought by slaves) to tidy up after a meal. Today we pretty much eat the same foods, but we dont enjoy the same services. We have lower class people who cant afford great meals, and we have upper class people who can afford better ones. The one thing we do not have is slavery. Daily errands and shopping were done at the forum. The forum was the main marketplace and business center, wh ...

A Cross-Cultural Study of British, Indian, and Portuguese College Students Essay Example for Free

A Cross-Cultural Study of British, Indian, and Portuguese College Students Essay College (1014) , Cross-cultural (58) , College Students (39) company About StudyMoose Contact Careers Help Center Donate a Paper Legal Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Complaints ? Love Styles: A Cross-Cultural Study of British, Indian, and Portuguese College Students Love is a feeling known to many people. Sometimes, it becomes a goal for different individuals to find their love through different ways. Moreover, love is a feeling which helps individuals to be compassionate to other people. Hence, love is not a mysterious thing yet no one has really attempted to study such topic for its very vague concept. However, there is a study which presented varying aspects regarding love. The article Love Styles: A Cross-Cultural Study of British, Indian, and Portuguese College Students. Furthermore this article provides a very significant understanding towards the subject of love. Therefore, as stated by the author is categorized into six different types of love. The types of love which were mentioned are Eros, Ludus and Storge which are categorized as the primary styles of love. The secondary styles are Pragma, Mania and Agape. These are all composed of different categories which mostly provide the concept of love in the current society. Eros is known to be the romantic and passionate type of love. Ludus is known to be the game playing love. Storge is a love which is based on friendship. Pragma is meant to name the practical kind of love. Mania is the possessive or dependent kind of love while Agape is the unselfish kind of love. Thus, all of these kinds of love is dynamic that could interchange or develop through time (Neto, 2007). Hence, the author was able to create a study which does not focus on the concept of romantic love but also the varying kinds of love in the society. Hence, in order to understand the concept of love, the author view various culture such as the British, Portuguese and the Indians in order for to attain the accurate results of the data. In the conclusion, the author realized that the need to view love must go through a gender, cultural and psychological aspects for there are great differences in the ethnicity of varying individuals. The research question in the author’s mind is definitely leaning on the concept of love through utilizing the concept of Lee on various students from India, Britain and Portugal. Hence, this is the main basis utilized by Neto in order to derive to such study. In order to get the accurate data, the author used various students of different nationalities such as Indians, British and Portuguese that shall provide different view points of the study. The study was composed of 562 individuals who are not equally divided between male and female. The results stated that different cultures of people are important in predicting the kind of styles of love which they make. Furthermore, the cultural perspective mainly predicts what kind of love the participants wanted to experience. Moreover, the gender of the students who participated is significant in the study. Therefore, there are studies which show that Eros is important to both genders. Hence, in the study Indians is much leaning into three secondary type of love such as Pragma, Mania and Agape (Neto, 2007). Thus, the Portuguese and British participants are much active in the Ludus kind of love. In the whole study, I view that all the information provided is very interesting. The kind of love that is being practiced by different individuals from varying countries is truly affected by the culture and environment they have experienced. Furthermore, I find it very interesting that Indians tend to have a Mania style of love. Although I have learned their culture, I do not believe that Indians’ love style could lead into a very deep and possessive state. I have learned that although love is needed by everyone, the types of love could be different. Love is not only defined through an Eros relationship but also through different kinds of love such as Storge or Agape. Most people see love as a serious relationship that could end up in marriage. Friendly relationships and companionships are also love but with limitations. References Neto, F. (2007). â€Å"Love Styles: A Cross-Cultural Study of British, Indian, and Portuguese College Students. † Journal of Comparative Family Studies. Retrieved on May 13, 2010 from http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_hb3248/is_200704/ai_n32226385/? tag=content;col1 A Cross-Cultural Study of British, Indian, and Portuguese College Students. (2016, Sep 19).

Teaching Assistant Duties Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Teaching Assistant Duties - Assignment Example He is a visual learner, which would account for his enjoyment of reading. Nathans communication skills need to be further developed through social interaction, ie. playtime, in order for him to feel more comfortable during group activities. Rebecca has developed some level of communication and language learning, however, she is behind in development with her age group. Her profile indicates that she has difficulty concentrating and is easily distracted. This would indicate that she has a short attention span and would require shorter, more interactive lesson activities in order to improve her learning. 1. Learning activities, materials and/or equipment, the organization of pupils, staff, and parent helpers are differentiated by the teacher to ensure that the â€Å"programme of work enables pupils to develop in the manner, and the rate, most appropriate to them† (p.145). This provides pupils with learning activities that offer a â€Å"variety of learning modes and experiences, and a fair balance of both mental and physical activity† (p.145). 4. Praise and encouragement are used by staff towards pupils in the form of â€Å"positive feedback, continuous assessment, and clear explanations† in order to continue and promote steady progress made by the pupils. As a teaching assistant, their role in planning and preparing learning activities involve meeting with the teacher regularly to discuss the â€Å"teachers lesson plans, the objectives of the learning activities†, what the teachers expectations are of the teaching assistants contributions to learning activities and the type and level of support for pupils that is expected (p.130). The teacher and teaching assistant will also discuss strategies for learning activity support. Short, after-lesson discussions should also be included as part of the planning and prepare role. During these discussions, the teaching assistant will give feedback about pupil progress during individual and group activities.

PSYCHIATRIC NURSING SPECIALTY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

PSYCHIATRIC NURSING SPECIALTY - Essay Example Even though such psychiatric nurses have been in existence for a very long time, there continues to be changes or evolutions that are experienced in the delivery of their roles. The current stage in the specialty’s evolution can be pointed to be concentrated on the nature of management interventions that are used in treating patients. By this, reference is being made to the introduction and use of multi-formulated interventions to care. Such multi-formulated interventions focus on the combination of psychosocial interventions, spiritual interventions, medication, and therapeutic relationships (Penades, Catalan and Salamero, 2006). In order that psychiatric nurses will be able to go about this evolution well, the body which is responsible for certification of students which is the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has introduced a new competency area for students which aim to promote advanced practice nursing. Once the need for the evolution was made public, there were several experts and commentators who expressed doubt at the possibility of the change being possible. The author however holds the opinion that the specialty has the potential to evolve. For those who argued that the evolution was not possible, their major point of argument was that the multi-formulated intervention was going to defeat the conservative practice where care giving had been very concentrated on specific areas of disorder (Kemp and Davis, 2006). This should however not be seen as a reason for the failure of the evolution. The reason this is said is that mental health conditions come in many different forms and are often accompanied with the exhibition of different lines of disability. Often, these disabilities touch on several aspects of life including cognition, behavioral, psychological, social, and spiritual. In the light of this, using an isolated and focused intervention

Ethics and Morality Essay Example for Free

Ethics and Morality Essay â€Å"In philosophy we have a problem knowing the origin of right and wrong, there are various theories and ideas but we do not seem to have a definite answer to this question. † By Jamee Ford In life people are brought up in different homes, surrounded by different people and are taught different ways of life. As we grow up we are taught the difference between what is considered right and what is considered wrong, which is based on what is socially acceptable. We learn from a young age how we are expected to behave, the rules we have to abide by given from family and the morals we should have and grow up with. In this society it is difficult to find the origin of right and wrong for there are so many theories and ideas, but yet there is no definite answer. I believe morality comes from us citizens, the law, our feelings and our religion can give a certain indication to how we set our values, but I belive it is an objective fact that what is said to be wrong is wrong and what is said to be right is right. A minority of people believe that morality comes from God. These people have a lot of faith and get their morals and understanding of right and wrong from their belief in god and their bible. For example in the Bible, there are the 10 Commandments, a list of what is acceptable and unacceptable according to God. But what if we don’t believe in god, where would our sense of right and wrong come from? If we can’t change people’s options and feelings on what is right and wrong just by saying that it is acceptable or unacceptable, then why is it okay to say God can. Without god, would their still be morality? Because if god made it acceptable to kill other people, that still wouldn’t make it okay, so I believe this theory is unproven and morality and our right and wrongs can’t come from this theory. Another theory that has brought to the attention of the origin of right and wrong is The ‘Feeling Theory’ and the ‘Boo-hoorah’ theory. The feeling theory is an example of how morality does come from us. We make things right or wrong by approving or disproving of them. If a person has certain feelings about another person’s actions, it is saying something about them. If they disprove of an action, it is considered morally wrong to that person. This theory is people making a claim about what they think; they are claiming whether the action is right or wrong. The ‘Boo-Hoorah Theory’ is another example of how morality comes from us but involves expressing what we think is right or wrong rather than making a claim about it. Something is neither true nor false and according to this theory there is no fact of the matter just an expression of what the person observing thinks. The feeling theory and the boo-hoorah theory are both wrong for everyone is different and raised differently with different beliefs (everyone has different feelings). So technically one person can truly believe that it is okay to kill while another says it’s not okay, these two people are contradicting one another which rules out both theories. Some children are brought up in an abusive home environment; does this mean that morally they think its okay to treat people differently based on how they were raised? All people are raised in a different environment, under different circumstances so if morality comes from us then morality would have to include a whole lot of different views. Another important theory is that morality and our right and wrongs come from the law. Morality and the law often correspond, our morals are what we consider right and wrong, While the law is what has been decided as right and wrong for us. Both murder and stealing are things we consider morally wrong and are also against the law. In the perfect world we all want the law to coincide with morality, but in reality most likely will never be like that. For example drugs are illegal and the law will not accept any sort of behaviour involving drugs, but in some cases people justify that is morally acceptable to deal drugs use it for personal use because of financial situations and pleasure. So they morally justify it in their own head for it to be okay. Even though morality can be guided by the law, helping us understand the differences between right and wrong, morality can’t come from the law, for there are a lot of things the law accept but us civilians see it as wrong. As we can see morality cannot come from the above theories, for they all leave the question of the origin of right and wrong UN answered. I believe that morality comes from us and that things are right and wrong anyway. I believe G. E Moores theory of the extra fact (the six sense) that can detect wrongness. I truly believe this for it is true that there is that something inside of us, guiding us and helping us know what is right and wrong. We don’t necessarily have to be taught about all the wrongs in life to just get that gut feeling that mugging an elderly person is just wrong, why do we feel that? Why don’t we do it? It is because it is something that is just there. Also everyone in the world is different, we all come from different backgrounds and everyone has been brought up differently, in different environments. So therefore we all have different feelings and beliefs, for someone can truly believe that stealing is acceptable, when another thinks it is wrong. Morality is based on how you feel and how you treat people, expecting the same in return; you wouldn’t want someone to hurt you, so why would you want to hurt them. There are no proven facts to where right and wrong comes from but it is something that is just there. It changes over time, and things that were once believed as right are now seen as wrong. So therefore we cannot place judgements for we don’t know what morality and right and wrong will be seen as in ten years time, it’s based you as a person.

My Dream of Becoming a Web Designer :: Admissions Essays

My Dream of Becoming a Web Designer As a young child, my dream occupation was to dig up dinosaurs. As I grew older and my interests changed, my dream profession changed also. Although most of these dreams were not very long lived, one occupational dream has outlasted all others, and has finally emerged as the dream I passionately pursue. It all started when my grandparents purchased their first computer. Being as this was the first computer I had ever used, I did not know how to use it very well. I mostly used it for games, which my grandma would set up for me to play. I also drew pictures with the computer's paint program, the functionality of which, unfortunately, was very limited. The relatively new computer industry's technology could not produce enough colors to portray very realistic pictures. Despite this fact, I spent many contented hours creating images on my grandparent's computer. A few years later, my family moved. As we were no longer close enough to use my grandparent's computer, we purchased a new one for ourselves. I again used the computer for games and did some text editing, but started to utilize the paint program even more than I had before. The up-to-date colors available meant that I could create fairly high-quality pictures. However, my limited paint program again handicapped my skills, its inadequate tools requiring me to draw every pixel manually, which proved very time consuming. After using the new computer for a few years, I sent a picture I had created to my uncles who work with 3D imaging. They were impressed, and asked me if I would like a professional imaging program. For my next birthday I received the digital imaging software Photoshop LE, renowned for its professional capabilities. This tool took my imaging skills to all new heights. I was able to quickly and easily create high-quality images, and could edit and enhance existing photos for professional-like results. Photoshop became by far my favorite program, and I spent much time expanding my imaging skills and knowledge. Now, years later, I am working towards a B.S. in Professional and Technical Communication. I plan to use my imaging skills for the Web, a media that relies heavily on images for communication.

Nike Financial Analysis Essay

Nike  is a company that has thoroughly embedded itself into the psyche of people around the world. It’s a company that started with humble origins from selling footwear in the basement to becoming the behemoth in the athletic industry. Bill Bowerman, University of Oregon track ; field coach, and Phil Knight, middle-distance runner under Bowerman co-founded Nike. Nike was first established as Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 as a partnership and the name Nike was officially adopted on May 30, 1978. The infamous Nike Logo – Swoosh, was created for a fee of $35 by Carolyn Davidson, a graphics design student. In 1980, Nike becomes a publicly traded company with the completion of its Initial Public Offering of 2,377,000 shares of Class B Common Stock on New York Stock Exchange with the stock symbol NKE. Today, Nike employs over 27,000 people across the globe, and has net revenue in excess of $13 billion. The purpose of this paper is to provide investors with comprehensive information on Nike, its financial health and activities, its strength and weaknesses, and whether Nike creates value to its shareholders. This paper will analyze Nike’s capital structure, scope of international operations, recent stock performance, and dividend policy. We will examine how Nike’s international operations are conducted, its criticisms and strengths. Nike’s debt ratios, dividend payout ratios, dividend yield, and interest coverage ratios over the previous 5 years will be discussed and compared with industry benchmarks. Its bond ratings and the relation between the operating characteristics and its leverage will also be analyzed. Managers for Nike are creating value for shareholders by expanding Nike operations in foreign markets as much as possible. Nike’s sales and earnings outpaced Wall Street estimates FY 06. Nike’s sales reached $15 billion and its earnings per share were up 18%. Over the past 5 years, Nike’s earnings per share on compounded rate were up 20%, gross margins averaged 42% and in the past year, Nike delivered 44% margins in a period of rising costs. The current managers are maximizing shareholder’s wealth but in the footwear industry, Nike’s performance still falls. The footwear industry averaged about 14. 25%, while Nike’s growth in stock was 10. 48%. If the increase in value of shares is a benchmark of performance for managers, Nike’s performance is unimpressive. Nike has a Price to Book (MRQ) ratio of 3. 97, while the industry Nike competes in has a ratio of 3. 96. S;P 500 has a Price to Book (MRQ) ratio of 3. 90. Nike has a Price to Tangible Book (MRQ) ratio of 4. 26, while the industry has a ratio of 4. 44, and the S;P 500 has a ratio of 7. 22. The Nike brand itself is the biggest strength of Nike. Its other strengths include international operations where it is expanding aggressively, innovation of new products and ability to connect with its consumers. People’s perception of Nike as an exploiter of workers in developing nations, might cause considerable damage to its brand, and the poor performance of its stock relative to its industry is also one of its weaknesses. Nike’s managers must maximize shareholders wealth, which is not at its optimum level. As a world-renowned multi-national corporation, Nike has a presence in almost every nation. Nike itself started by importing athletic shoes from a Japanese company called Onitsuka Tiger Company. Nike earns more revenues from its international operations than its domestic market. Nike earned about $6. 5 billion FY 2005 from its international operations, compared to $5. 1 billion from its domestic market. International operations appear to be a key driver of Nike’s growth. Nike’s international operations are divided into 3 different regions. The EMEA region oversees operations in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. The Asia Pacific Region oversees operations in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. The Americas region oversees operations in South America, and North America (excluding United States). Europe, Middle East, ; Africa (EMEA) is headquartered in Hilversum, Netherlands. In terms of revenue, the EMEA is Nike’s second largest region. EMEA region contributed about $4. 3 billion in revenues for Nike. Of these, footwear revenues contributed $2. 5 billion, apparel revenues contributed $1. 5 billion and equipment revenues contributed $284.million. FY’05, 31% of Nike brand revenue was generated by sales in the EMEA region. This region is also the third largest in terms of manufacturing. EMEA region employs about 6,000 Nike employees, and has about 104 contract factories. These factories in addition, employ 29,242 workers. The Asia Pacific region is Nike’s third largest in terms of rev enue, and the largest in terms of manufacturing. Nike has 13 branch offices and subsidiaries in the Asia Pacific region. China has become both a source country and a vital market for Nike. Asia Pacific region has 3,282 Nike employees approximately. The region also has 252 contract factories located in North Asia, and 238 contract factories located in South Asia. Combined, these factories employ 550,821 workers. Nike’s revenues for year 2004 from its Asian operations were about $1. 6 billion. Of these revenues, approximately $855 million were from footwear sales, $612 million from apparel sales and $146 million from equipment sales. The Americas region is the smallest in terms of revenue 2nd largest in regards to manufacturing. The first Nike shoe ever contracted out was done in Mexico in 1971. For year 2003, the region provided Nike with revenues of $624 million. Of these revenues $412 million were from footwear sales, $166 million from apparel sales and $47 million from equipment sales. This region has approximately 1076 Nike employees and additional 44,568 workers working in 137 total contract factories. Nike has branch offices and subsidiaries in five countries. Some of the challenges that Nike has faced and still faces are in regards to its manufacturing facilities and violation of labor laws. Nike has been accused on numerous occasions of employing children in its factories or exploiting workers in developing countries. In response to these allegations, Nike implemented strict standards for manufacturing facilities, including minimum age, air quality, mandatory education programs, expansion of micro-loan programs, factory monitoring, and enhanced transparency of Nike’s corporate responsibility practices. In order to better its image, Nike even ceased orders from Pakistan in November 20, 2006 as the soccer-ball manufacturer there failed to correct labor-compliance violations. Examination of Nike’s debt ratios reveals that the company has less debt in proportion to its assets. In 2002, Nike had a debt ratio of . 404 with total assets being worth about $6. 44 billion, and total debt of $2. 60 billion. In 2003, Nike’s debt ratio increased to . 415, its total assets increased by $378. 1 million, and its total debt increased by $226. 4 million. Debt ratio fell to . 394 in 2004, and fell further in 2005 to . 358. In the year 2006, Nike’s debt ratio increased to . 363, and had total assets of $9. 87 billion and total debt of $3. 58 billion. Examination of Nike’s interest coverage ratio reveals that the firm can sufficiently pay outstanding debt. If one were to take only Nike’s interest coverage ratios into account, it can be said that Nike generates sufficient revenue to satisfy interest expenses. In the year 2002, Nike had an interest coverage ratio of 22. 43. This further increased to 29. 04 the following year with EBIT amounting $1. 25 billion and interest expense amounting to $42. 9 million. In the year 2004, interest coverage ratio increased phenomenally to 59, with EBIT being $1. 48 billion and interest expense being $25 million. Finally for the year 2005, the interest coverage ratio was 388. 485 with EBIT being $1. 86 billion and interest expense being $4.million. Nike has a 5-year average leverage ratio of 1. 5, the industry leverage ratio is about 1. 5, and S;P 500 Index has a leverage of 4. 9. The firm’s leverage shows that Nike is using long-term debt, and it is measurable and appropriate. The operating characteristics include volume of sales in tune of $13,739. 7 million FY 2005, $12,739. 7 million sales in 2004, $10,697. 0 million sales in 2003, 9893. 0 million sales in 2002, and 9488. 8 million sales in 2001. These financial conditions indicate that Nike, Inc. percentages are not high and provide protection for the stockholders. Nike’s bond ratings by Moody for Senior Unsecured loan has a rating of A2, an Aa3 rating for Credit Default Swap, Aaa for Equity-Implied, and an A2 rating for Bond-implied. Nike pays dividends to its shareholders every quarter. In the past 5 years, Nike’s dividends ranged from $. 12 a share in March of 2002 to $. 37 a share in December of 2006. Nike’s dividend rate is much higher than both the industry average, and the S;P 500 Index. For the last 12 months, the dividend rate paid by Nike was 1. 48; while the industry average was . 32, and the S;P index dividend rate was . 74. Nike’s annual dividend yield is about 1. 0%, while the payout ratio is 24%. K-Swiss, one of Nike’s competitors has an annual dividend rate of . 20, annual dividend yield of . 60% and a payout ratio of 9%. Skechers USA, another competitor, paid no dividends. The dividend yield of S;P 500 was 2. 06%, while the dividend yield in the footwear industry was 1. 44%. The payout ratio f or the footwear industry was 20. 37%, and the S;P payout ratio was 28. 23%. Although, S;P 500 performed better than Nike in regards to dividend yield and payout ratio, one has to take into account that in footwear industry, Nike’s dividend yield and payout ratio were considerably higher than its competitors. In regards to its dividend policy, Nike is very attractive, and is very much â€Å"ahead of the pack†. Nike also has a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) and allows its shareholders to participate in it through its Nike Direct-SERVICE Program. Through this program, shareholders can convert their cash dividends into shares at a significant discount to the current share price. Nike has a market value of $24. 41 billion. Approximately 1. 33 million shares are traded daily on average. Over the course of 5 years, Nike’s stock price went from $56. 92 as of Jan 2, 2002 to $97. 45 as of Dec 11, 2006 – an increase of 71. 5%. The graph below illustrates Nike’s 5 Year trend. In the recent year, the firm’s shares were traded as high as $99. 30, and as low as $75. 52. The firm started with a stock price of $85. 95 in the beginning of the year and as of December 12, 2006 closed at $96. 57 – a . 90% decrease from the previous day. The stock performance trend reveals that Nike experiences a greater loss during the months of August and September, and greater gains in October thru December, which is the holiday season. The graph below shows Nike’s stock performance trend in the recent year. The chart below shows growth in Footwear Industry in comparison to S&P 500 index. In conclusion, Nike’s future growth would primarily derive from its foreign operations. As the footwear industry in the domestic market has slowed, Nike has to expand aggressively in foreign markets. Nike pays more dividends in comparison to its competitors; the firm should reinvest that money in aggressive expansion in foreign markets rather than giving back the shareholders the profit. Nike’s returns are also significantly less than the S&P 500 index and within its own industry.

Ministering to Mormons

Reflecting on I Love Mormons: A New Way to Share Christ with Latter-day Saints Most people associate the Mormon faith with the church that is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, Mormonism has its roots in New York State, where Joseph Smith founded the Church of Latter-Day Saints during the nineteenth century, when he was allegedly visited by an angel that he called â€Å"Moroni.† The principles upon which he based this church underwent many changes as the founders of the faith traveled westward, so many that people might question whether it is the same faith or not.   It is not unusual, however, for a young faith to undergo many changes: it can be argued that Christianity experienced many of the same dynamics in it beginnings as it moved from its country and culture of origin and spread across the world.   David Rowe’s text suggest that individuals who would preach Christianity to Mormons should approach Mormonism as less of a cult and more of a culture and will less zeal than love, Section 1: Overview of Mormon Theology According to its founders, the Mormon faith is based on the teachings of the descendents of ancient holy men and the faithful who came to this continent even before the birth of Christ.   The original teachings of the church were supposed to have been translated from golden plates that the angel Moroni, which were given to Joseph Smith. Some of those early teachings have fallen into disuse or have changed completely. For example, while Smith might have included polygamy and believed in a priesthood open to only a chosen few, polygamy is now discouraged, if not openly condemned by the church and the priesthood has been open to men of all races (Rowe 2005).   Other tenets have been added or subtracted from the faith or have altered in some way as the Mormon faith seeks to solidify itself. While the Mormons consider themselves to be a Christian faith, a number of beliefs and practices set them apart from other Christian denominations.   Some of these beliefs and practices include: Baptism of the dead Eternal marriage, known as a â€Å"celestial marriage† performed in the temple The belief in four sacred texts: the Holy Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and The Book of Mormon, and Teaching that God, the Father and Jesus Christ, the son, are of separate earthly bodies (Rowe, 2005). The Mormon Church also places a lot of emphasis on the family and on gender roles.   The church emphasizes the woman’s role in staying home and caring for the children, while men typically take on leadership roles–although these things are not absolute.   In addition, church members are intended to follow the law of chastity and to abstain from certain food, drinks, and substances. Church members are expected to proselytize.   All male members of the church are expected to perform a mission, which begins at 19 years of age and lasts two years.   Although women are not forbidden from going on missions, the requirements for women are different in terms of serving during a mission.   Finally, the LDS Church tends to believe that the individual can receive revelations from God, particularly in personal matters.   There are many precepts of this complex faith that are not covered by this paper; however, the ones that are listed represent some of their more important beliefs. The Mormon faith does not have a single, monolithic form.   Rather, it is comprised of splinter groups.   Given the statement   in Rowe (2005) that Mormonism â€Å"may stand as an indictment to Protestants because they arose to compensate for some perceived failure in the Christian movement† that encouraged him to start â€Å"a single ‘true Church’ that he believed would unify all members and spell an end to denominational schism,† this fact is interesting and interesting one (pp. 18-19). In general, the term â€Å"Mormon† is most accurately applied to the individuals who followed Smith’s teachings and settled in Utah; however, the church elders prefer that it be known by the more accurate name of â€Å"Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints† (Rowe, 2005). Section 2: â€Å"Wisely and Gently† Kraft (1998) reminds the reader that God apparently wants people to be respectful of other cultures and that He gave such directions through the Holy Bible.   In 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, Kraft states, God’s purpose is indicated through Paul’s words about living like a Jew when among the Jews and living like a Gentile when among the Gentiles, and so being â€Å"all things to all men, that [he might] save some of them by whatever means are possible† (p. 384). Kraft discusses the various levels of culture, which is the manner in which people live their lives.   People are products of their culture, which determines the manner in which they view the world and the pressure for the individual to conform within that worldview is strong (Kraft, 1998).   In addition, Kraft reminds the reader that Jesus worked not by attacking people or their cultures, but by working with people within their cultures to effect change. Overall, Mormonism has a number of good principles behind it and yet its worshipers have been widely persecuted for their faith.  Ã‚   Today’s Mormons tend to be â€Å"thin-skinned, hypersensitive, and virtually expecting to be attacked† for their beliefs (Rowe, 2005, p. 49).   Whether or not the individual talking with a Mormon agrees with the positions of that person’s faith, Rowe states that they are deserving of respect. This position is particularly important, since Mormons typically have a certainty in the truth as preached by their prophet and the awareness of their nature as what Rowe (2005) calls â€Å"an exodus community† (pp. 48-49), both of which cause them to close the doors to communication more readily than individuals in other faiths.   Despite the apparent wisdom behind this statement of affairs, however, it appears to contradict the author’s assertion that Utah’s admittance to the Union ended the â€Å"us against them† mentality that existed between Mormons and the United States government at the time (p. 47). Section 3: Proselytizing Rowe (2005) constantly reminds the reader that the Mormons have their own culture.   For this reason, Christians are to treat them as they might adherents to Islamic, Hindu, or Buddhist cultures, as well as any other non-Christian cultures.   Rowe (2005) describes the Mormon Church as being â€Å"Christianesque† in that it is â€Å"linked to statements and images from the Bible† (p. 42).   However, some of the teachings are not Christian in nature, such as Joseph Smith’s vision of separate beings for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Because this teaching is so different from that held by other Christians, it is important to be prepared with gentle teachings about its error, as well as other errors held by the Mormon Church.   It is doubly important because the worldview of Mormonism is compulsive in its teachings, just as is the case in many Muslim cultures (Duin, 2006, p. 2).   Because it is not possible for Mormons to examine their faith for themselves, other Christians should be able to help them do so. According to Coleman (1993) Jesus was able to start with a small group of disciples because â€Å"it did not matter how small the group was to start with so long as they reproduced and taught their disciples to reproduce (p. 102).   It was a strategy that, as stated earlier, depended on assimilation to achieve results.   One thing to share, then, would be that Christ died for everyone on the Cross, not just for a significant few.   He accepted and cared for all faiths and races (Coleman, 1993). Rowe (2005) suggests trying to bring the two value systems into perspectives by working with the person being instructed to put the message of the Gospel into words according to each faith and then using that as a basis for discussion (p. 65).   Final, it would seem important to understand the Mormon teaching of two Beings known as God in the Mormon Church, and how it relates to or differs from the traditional Christian teaching of monotheism.   By understanding these differences and by being able to speak in a learned and intelligent manner to another individual from a Mormon perspective. References Coleman, R. E. (1993).   The master’s plan.   Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (3rd ed.), Ralph D. Winter and Stephen C. Hawthorne (eds.).   Pasadena, CA: William Carey. Duin, J. (2003).   The Washington Times.   New World Communications, Inc. Kraft, C. H. (1998). Culture, worldview, and contextualization. Rowe, D. (2005). I Love Mormons: A New Way to Share Christ with Latter-day Saints. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

African Americans essays

African Americans essays In the period after Reconstruction the position of African Americans in southern American society steadily deteriorated. After 1877 the possibilities of advancements for African Americans disappeared almost completely. African Americans experienced a loss of voting rights and political power created by methods of terrorization such as lynching. The remaining political and economic gains that were made during reconstruction were eventually whittled away by Southern legislation. By the 1900s African Americans had almost no access to political, social, or economic power. Shortly after this Jim Crow laws began to emerge, segregating blacks and whites. This dramatic transition from African American power to powerlessness after reconstruction gave birth to two important leaders in the African American community, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. Although these two remarkable men were both in search of a common goal, their roads leading to this goal were significantly differen t. This is most evident in the two most important documents of the mens careers: Booker T. Washingtons, 1895 Atlanta Exposition Speech and W.E.B. DuBois response to this, The Souls of Black Folks. These two men were both dedicated to solving the difficult problems African Americans experienced in the post reconstruction south. Both DuBois and Washington wanted economic prosperity for African Americans but they differed on what would be done to achieve this. Both men focused on education as a key to the improvement of black life but they differed on the form education should take. The true difference in these mens extremely different routes to better the lives of African Americans after reconstruction was a product of their extremely different backgrounds. In this essay I will examine the documents, 1895 Atlanta Exposition Speech by Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois, The Souls...

Constructivist Learning and VLEs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Constructivist Learning and VLEs - Essay Example As the essay stresses learning theories are the basis of instructional-design theories. Reigeluth comments that the relationship between a learning theory and an instructional theory could be equated to that of a house and its foundation. Problem-based learning (PBL), is a constructivist learning model, which is fundamentally an instructional-design theory. Reigeluth observes that a theory is considered to be an instructional theory if it â€Å"offers explicit guidance on how to better help people learn and develop.† From the report it is clear that constructivist theories are based on the assumption that students must construct their own ideas through the guidance of a teacher. Here the teacher is a mere guide and the student shoulders the responsibility of unravelling knowledge for themselves. In constructivist model of education, there is no memorising of theory and data. Students have to reach upon their conclusions and have to develop knowledge by themselves. As Miller suggests, if the learner is to acquire specific knowledge, then the instruction must employ the correct instructional strategy for promoting the acquisition of that kind of knowledge. Cognitive Constructivism propounded by Piaget believes in the supremacy of mind in learning process and considers the organization of information around concepts, problems, and the interrelationships of associated subjects and ideas.

Issus on Populr Journlism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Issus on Populr Journlism - Essay Example In rÐ µcÐ µnt timÐ µs Ð ° numbÐ µr of issuÐ µs Ð °nd notions hÐ °vÐ µ Ð °ppÐ µÃ °rÐ µd in thÐ µ fiÐ µld of journÐ °lism Ð °s its dÐ µvÐ µlopmÐ µnt hÐ °vÐ µ broÐ °dÐ µn Ð °nd gÐ °inÐ µd morÐ µ Ð °rÐ µÃ °s to discovÐ µr. OnÐ µ of such issuÐ µs rÐ µfÐ µrs to tÐ °bloidisÐ °tion which is Ð ° tÐ µrm frÐ µquÐ µntly usÐ µd in journÐ °lism Ð µnvironmÐ µnt. JournÐ °lists, mÐ µdiÐ ° critics Ð °nd Ð °cÐ °dÐ µmics Ð °pply this tÐ µrm to chÐ °rÐ °ctÐ µrizÐ µ rÐ µcÐ µnt trÐ µsnds in thÐ µ mÐ °ss mÐ µdiÐ °. Ð ° shift to nÐ µw Ð °nd morÐ µ Ð µntÐ µrtÐ °ining kinds of journÐ °listic contÐ µnt with thÐ µ dominÐ °ncÐ µ of visuÐ °l prioritiÐ µs ovÐ µr thÐ µ vÐ µrbÐ °l tÐ µstifiÐ µs thÐ µ involvÐ µmÐ µnt of tÐ °bloidisÐ °tion. ThÐ µ shift in thÐ µ kind of lÐ °nguÐ °gÐ µ usÐ µd, Ð °nd thÐ µ strÐ µss upon thÐ µ sÐ µnsÐ °tionÐ °l Ð °nd thÐ µ Ð µmotivÐ µ, Ð °nd thÐ µ incrÐ µÃ °sing dominÐ °tion of visuÐ °lly dÐ µtÐ µrminÐ µd discoursÐ µ, undÐ µrminÐ µ thÐ µ plÐ °cÐ µ of rÐ µÃ °son. Ð °t thÐ µir most Ð µxtrÐ µmÐ µ, critics of tÐ °bloidisÐ °tion sÐ µÃ µ it Ð °s onÐ µ mÐ °jor Ð µlÐ µmÐ µnt provoking Ð ° crisis of public lifÐ µ thÐ °t is Ð µroding thÐ µ bÐ °sis of dÐ µmocrÐ °cy. On thÐ µ othÐ µr hÐ °nd, thÐ µrÐ µ Ð °rÐ µ thosÐ µ who Ð °rguÐ µ thÐ °t thÐ µrÐ µ is littlÐ µ or no Ð µvidÐ µncÐ µ for growing tÐ °bloidisÐ °tion, Ð °nd thÐ °t thÐ µ trÐ °ditionÐ °l functions of thÐ µ mÐ °ss mÐ µdiÐ ° continuÐ µ to bÐ µ dischÐ °rgÐ µd Ð °t lÐ µÃ °st Ð °s wÐ µll Ð °s thÐ µy hÐ °vÐ µ bÐ µÃ µn in thÐ µ pÐ °st. OthÐ µrs wÐ µlcomÐ µ thÐ µ sprÐ µÃ °d of tÐ °bloidisÐ °tion, which thÐ µy sÐ µÃ µ Ð °s broÐ °dÐ µning Ð °nd dÐ µmocrÐ °tizing thÐ µ contÐ µnt of thÐ µ mÐ °ss mÐ µdiÐ °. ThÐ µ old wÐ °ys of thÐ µ mÐ µdiÐ ° wÐ µrÐ µ thÐ µ prÐ µsÐ µrvÐ µ of Ð °n Ð µlitÐ µ minority.