Oedipus Complex an Example of the Topic Psychology Essays by

Oedipus Complex Oedipus complex is a term defined as a state wherein a child, specifically a boy, develops a lustful desire towards her mother and sees his father as a rival. The child feels the urge to compete with his father for his mothers love and attention. Sometimes they even develop evil thoughts of killing him. The counterpart of Oedipus complex, which involves girls developing desires for their fathers, is known as Electra complex. This theory is closely related to castration complex which is the early childhood fear of castration that Freud and Lacan both saw as an integral part of our psychosexual development (Felluga 2002). Oedipus complex was coined by a psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud, based on the story of King Oedipus by Sophocles. Need essay sample on "Oedipus Complex" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The story revolves on the life of Oedipus, a man destined to kill his father and marry his mother because of a prophecy. Because of this prophecy, his parents pierced his feet and sent him away to perish shortly after birth. He was adopted by the King and Queen of Corinth. Years after, he had suspicions about his true identity and left home to seek the truth. True to the oracles words, the prophecy came true. On his journey he unknowingly killed his father, the King of Thebes, and the Sphinx who terrorizes the kingdom. With an empty throne, the grateful people of Thebes offered Oedipus the position because he saved them from the Sphinx. Our Customers Usually Tell EssayLab support: I'm don't want to write my essay. Because I don't have the time Essay writer professionals suggest: Custom Essay Writing Company Writers For Hire Collage Papers For Sale Buy Papers Online He readily agreed and married the widowed queen who happens to be his real mother. He fathered four children by her. The truth about Oedipus unfolded because of a deadly plague. It is said that the plague would leave Thebes alone if the person who murdered the king would be punished. Oedipus soon learned that the old man he killed in the crossroad was King Laius, his father. Realizing what he had done, he blinded and exiled himself to death. Much of these Oedipus complex is said to be evident in one of William Shakespeares famous plays Hamlet. Hamlet is a story full of anger, revenge and deception. King Hamlet, the young Hamlets father, just died and shortly after his death his mother married his brother, newly crowned King Claudius. At the beginning of the play Hamlet saw the ghost of his father and revealed a horrible truth about his own death. The king was not bitten by a serpent. He was murdered. He was poisoned by his brother, King Claudius. Hamlet was fuming mad and swore to kill his uncle for revenge. He was more determined than ever to break his mothers marriage to the king. He decided to act insane so as to avoid suspicion while planning his revenge. He went to Ophelia, his love interest, and convinced her that he had gone mad. Ophelias father spread his theory that Hamlet had gone insane because Ophelia refuses to accept his love. The king and queen were disturbed by the news that Hamlet might be going insane. Then, Hamlet arranged actors to sort of re-enact the death of the king with the hopes of getting his uncle upset and guilty. As expected, King Claudius was angered and he ordered to stop the play. Having confirmed his suspicions, Hamlet went to see and warn his mother about this shortly after the play. Unknown to Hamlet, Polonius, Ophelias father and the kings friend, was hiding behind the curtains and eavesdropping on them. He killed him through the curtains thinking that he was King Claudius. The king soon realized that Hamlet was becoming a threat to him. He planned ways to kill Hamlet but to no avail. He sent him to England with two English men who were tasked to kill him. Hamlet was able to escape and went home. Then he tried to poison his wine but it was the queen who drank it. Finally, he sought the help of Laertes, Polonius son. He was to wound Hamlet with a poisoned sword. He readily agreed because he wants to avenge the death of his father and sister who committed suicide. He succeeded but he, too, was scratched with the same sword. On the verge of death, Leartes confessed that King Claudius was behind all this. Though wounded and weak, Hamlet still managed to stab his uncle with the poisoned sword. Moments later, he died. The play ended with Horatio, Hamlets dear friend, bidding him farewell. Although there is no direct reference that Hamlet has Oedipus complex, some parts of the play show some indications that he has a thing for his mother. He happens to be close to his mother. Thats probably one of the reasons why he seemed upset about his mothers marriage to his uncle right after the death of his father. She married. O, most wicked speed says Hamlet in Act I Scene 2 of the play. It is evident that he does not approve of his mothers early marriage to his uncle. But break, my heart; for I must hold my tongue, in this line we can feel Hamlets pain and frustration. It could be that he expects his mother to be fonder of him now that his father is gone. But then, Claudius came into the picture. He may be extremely jealous of his uncle and its heartbreaking for him to see the two of them together, especially now that he knows that Claudius killed his father. Though he disapproves of the queens decisions he cannot voice out his views as much as he wanted to. He knew that there would be grave consequences if he will give in to his forbidden feelings. When his father was still alive, Hamlet seems to be jealous of him too. "Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him, as if increase of appetite had grown" this line describes how his mother hungers for his fathers love and affection. There may be a tinge of bitterness in this statement. Now that his father is dead, he expected his mother to mourn longer considering the fact that she loved him dearly. In spite of the suspicions about Hamlet having Oedipus complex, his story revealed that he once fell in love and courted a lady named Ophelia. The sad part is that her father and brother does not approve of Hamlet. Even though she was beginning to let Hamlet sweep her off her feet, she chose to obey her familys advice rather reluctantly. Soon, she convinced herself that Hamlet is not the man for her when he appeared before her acting very strange. She lost hope on the promise of his love in later parts of the play when Hamlet said that he never really loved her. In fact, he told her many times to go to a nunnery. Maybe Hamlet really has Oedipus complex. He never showed Ophelia deep concern unlike his mother. There was never a scene in the play where he professed much attention and affection to her. He even denied giving her the gifts she was returning in one part of the play. He never talks about her the way he talks about his mother. In Act III Scene 4 of Hamlet, entitled The Queens Closet, Hamlet showed his disgust to his mother. He let all his suppressed emotions out. Hamlet was angry because his mother married his fathers murderer but for some reason instead of confronting her about this, he focused on his mothers sexuality (Anonymous 2002). He kept on stressing that she had sinned greatly being married to her husbands brother no sooner after his death, which clearly shows jealousy. He also said something about his mothers bed being all sweaty and stained with semen because of their love-making. He talked to her rudely and warned her to stay away from the king. Some of the lines goes like this; Good night: but go not to mine uncle's bed, Not this, by no means, that I bid you do: Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed; Pinch wanton on your cheek; call you his mouse; And let him, for a pair of reechy kisses, Or paddling in your neck with his damn'd fingers (Hylton 2000). Obviously, Hamlet does not want her mother to go to bed with his uncle or to even show him affection. Hamlets sexual thoughts and choice of words suggest that he has been thinking of his mother in a lustful way. He could even be fantasizing about her all this time. It is quite amazing that William Shakespeare was able to think of very controversial angles to his play. Who would have thought that long before psychoanalysts and psychologists formulated theories such as Oedipus complex, one of our greatest writers of all times already incorporated it in one of his master pieces. Work Cites: Anonymous (2006), 'Hamlet and the Oedipal Complex', , accessed November 21. Felluga, Dino (2006), 'Castration Complex', http://www.cla.purdue.edu/english/theory/psychoanalysis/definitions/castration.html>, accessed November 21. Hylton, Jeremy (2006), 'The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark', , accessed November 22.

All About Speciation

All About Speciation Evolution is most usually defined as a change in a population of a species over time through the accumulation of adaptations that are acted upon by natural selection. That may be a mouth full and nearly impossible to truly understand if there is not a full grasp on what a species actually is or how one changes over time. Sure, things change, but what makes them change? How does that affect other species? How long does it all take? Here we will shed some light on these questions and others like them about how evolution and speciation works. Definition of Species Perhaps the most important thing to be understood before truly grasping the idea of speciation and evolution is correctly defining the word species. Most books and reference materials will define the word species as a group of individual organisms that can interbreed in nature and produce viable offspring. While this definition is a good starting place, lets examine why it may not be quite  as accurate as it should be. First of all, there are many species out there that are asexual. This means there is no real interbreeding happening within those species. Any unicellular organism would be asexual. Some other types of fungi also produce their own spores for asexual reproduction. Some plants can also self-pollinate meaning they also do not interbreed. Do these species undergo speciation and ultimately evolution? The short answer to this question is yes, they do. However, while evolution is usually driven by natural selection, natural selection cannot work on a gene pool that does not have any variation. Offspring of an asexual organism are essentially clones and have no traits that are different within the entire population. However, some changes at the microevolutionary level may occur. Spontaneous DNA mutations are one way new genes can enter the picture and natural selection then has diversity to work on within that species. Eventually, those mutations and adaptations add up if they are favorable and the species changes. Another problem with the basic definition of a species is the existence of what are known as hybrids. Hybrids are offspring of two different species, like how mating a horse with a donkey gives a mule. Some hybrids are sterile, which is sort of taken care of with the viable offspring part of the original species definition. However, many other hybrids are capable of producing their own offspring. This is especially true in plants. Biologists do not agree on a single definition of the term species. Depending on the context, the word species may be defined in more than a dozen different ways. Scientists often choose a definition that fits their needs or combines several to take care of that problem. For the majority of evolution biologists, the general definition above usually suits their purposes, although alternate definitions may be used to explain various parts of the Theory of Evolution. Definition of Speciation Now that a basic definition of species has been decided, it is possible to define the term speciation. Much like a family tree, the tree of life has several branches that show where species change and become new species. The point on the tree where a species change is called speciation. Using the definition of species above, it is when the new organisms can no longer interbreed with the original organisms in nature and produce viable offspring. At that point, they are now a new species and speciation has occurred. On a phylogenetic tree, speciation is the point on the tree where the branches diverge from one another. The farther back on the tree the branches diverge, the less closely they are related to one another. Points, where the branches are closer together, means those species recently diverged from each other. How Does Speciation Occur? Most of the time, speciation occurs through divergent evolution. Divergent evolution is when a species becomes less similar and changes into new species. The original species that branches off is then known as the most recent common ancestor of the new species. That is the process that causes speciation, but what triggers divergent evolution? Charles Darwin described the mechanism of evolution which he called natural selection. The basic idea behind natural selection is that species undergo changes and accumulate adaptations that are favorable for their environments. After enough adaptations have built up, the species is no longer the same as it was and speciation has occurred. Where do these changes come from? Microevolution is the changing of the species on a molecular level like with DNA mutations. If they are significant mutations, they will cause adaptations that may or may not be favorable for their environment. Natural selection will work on these individuals and the ones with the most favorable adaptations survive to create the new species. Changes in species can also happen on a larger scale. Macroevolution examines those changes. One of the most common causes of speciation is called geographic isolation. This is when a population of a species is separated from the original population and over time, the two populations accumulate different adaptations and undergo speciation. If they were brought back together after the speciation has happened, they will no longer be able to interbreed and are therefore not the same species anymore. Sometimes speciation happens because of reproductive isolation. Unlike geographic isolation, the population is still together in the same area, but something causes some of the individuals to no longer be able to mate and produce offspring with the original species. This could be something along the lines of a change in mating season or a different mating ritual. In some cases, males and females of the species have special colors or distinct markings. If these mating indicators were to change, the original species may no longer recognize the new individuals as potential mates. There are four types of speciation. Allopatric speciation and peripatric speciation are caused by geographic isolation. Parapatric speciation and sympatic speciation are the other two types and are generally due to reproductive isolation. How Speciation Affects Other Species Speciation of one species can affect the evolution of other species if they have a close relationship in an ecosystem. When populations of different species come together to form a community, they often depend on each other in some way for survival or to make life easier. This is especially apparent in food webs and food chains and in particular predator and prey relationships. If one of these species were to change, other species may also need to change. An example of this coevolution or cospeciation could be the speed of a prey species. The prey may accumulate adaptations that create larger leg muscles to help them run faster. If the predator does not adapt, it may starve. Therefore, only faster predators, or perhaps stealthier predators, will survive to pass down their favorable adaptations to their offspring. That means since the prey evolved or became a new species, the predator had to also evolve or change.

The Emotionally Abused Population Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Emotionally Abused Population - Essay Example By seriously addressing and analyzing each of these issues, not only will we be able to see the current state of the emotionally abused population, but as well will be able to better recognize and understand about the solutions that can be sought and hoped for in the future. The aim of this paper is to do this, as well as discuss any and all other key and related issues. This is what will be dissertated in the following. The 'emotionally abused population' is a term which basically refers to just what it sounds like - the percentage of people in the world who would be medically classified as being emotionally abused. Emotional abuse can be caused by many different things and people, and in many different ways, and the worst part of all is that most of the time, people do not even realize that they have been or are being emotionally abused until it is too late. Emotional abuse "refers to a long-term situation in which one person uses his or her power or influence to adversely affect the mental well-being of another. Emotional abuse can appear in a variety of forms, including rejection, degradation, isolation, corruption, exploitation, and invoking terror" (Evans, 1996). There are many different indicators which may be a sign that a person is suffering from emotional abuse, and this includes that of the following: depression, withdrawal, low self-esteem, severe anxiety, fearfulness, failure to be able to establish a mutually acceptable manner in which to manage differences, failure to thrive in infancy, aggression, emotional instability, sleep disturbances, extreme dependence, and inability to trust, for example - there are many more. However, some persons who suffer from emotional abuse actually tend to show no signs at all, and this can be frustrating because it can thus often be basically impossible to notice whether or not someone is suffering from emotional abuse. Only a few studies actually have been able to provide any worthwhile insight into the matter of the prevalence of emotional abuse in North America, let alone the rest of the world, and there are many different reasons for this. The subject of emotional abuse is actually quite hard to research, for several different reasons in particular, including: in comparison to other forms of abuse, its effects have only recently been recognized; there are no consistent definitions and it is quite hard to define; it is difficult to detect, assess, and substantiate; and the majority of emotional abuse cases go unreported, thus resulting in a lacking of substantial evidence and data. However, there is a quite significant amount of statistical data which has been attained over the past few years in regards to emotional abuse, and in one study in particular, it was shown that "77 percent of women reported emotional abuse in combination with physical abuse81 percent of male respondents reported that they had psychologically abused a female partnerandthat

The process of growth and thus there is no optimum size of firm Essay

The process of growth and thus there is no optimum size of firm - Essay Example The economic theory believes in the premise that an organization would exponentially increase in size and shape if its growth and development regimes are in line with its requirements and desires in the long run. This brings to mind the debate that the process of growth is essentially linked with its success, both within the short term equation as well as in the long run scheme of things (Napach 1998). It is easily deducible from the said perspective that there is no optimum size of the firm but it is a relative matter nonetheless. The focus must remain on the manner in which the firm if growing to make it sound as big rather than going by the sheer size. The international and regional contexts of the firm are very important to understand because this is a sign of expansion and growth which are very appreciable within the thick of things. Thus the argument that the process of growth is linked with the firm in terms of its expansion and development seems valid yet devoid of its optimum size at the same time. This is because firms like to associate their own selves with the growing demands of the business rather than opening up offices which are neither manageable nor controllable. There is a dire need to comprehend that a firm will only grow if it wants to grow from its own roots, rather than banking on realms which are non-essential for its own basis. Size is therefore a by-product of a firm’s growth and is just a matter of the dimensions which are present within the context of the firm itself. These are hailed as trivial and have no role whatsoever in its growth and development regimes (Penrose 1995). The argument seems logical because a firm would only depend on its resources to get it to a position where it was never a part of, rather than depending a great deal on the aspects which would increase its size, which remains to be seen as a major force to reckon with in the changing

The History Of The Conflict Perspective

The History Of The Conflict Perspective The conflict perspective is one of two major sociological theories. Also known as the conflict model, it gives sociologists explanations for happenings in history and in society.The conflict perspective was planned by Karl Marx (classical founders of social science) in the middle 1800s. It is totally based upon the work of Karl Marx even though there are many scholars who have contribute in developing this perspective. Marx believed that conflict defined the happenings of society. His conflict perspective believed that the class conflict and class exploitation as the major moving forces in history. This view was revived by C Wright Mills, Lewis Coser, Raymond Aron, Dahrendorf and others. They see a society as held together through the power of dominant groups or classes. C. Wright Millss views, (the founder of modern conflict theory) in social structures are created through conflict between people with differing interests and resources. Conflict Theory: Conflict theory generally surrounds the idea that most struggles in society happen because of conflicts between different social classes or groups. Each group struggles to achieve more resources and because resources are limited, they must struggle with other groups. Groups try to protect their own interests, therefore blocking the progress of other groups. Individuals have aggressive impulses and these impulses are expressed in all relationships. Litarature review Marxism: Karl Marx (1818-1883): as a humanist, Marx wanted all individuals to reach their full human potiential. He belived that capatilism was economic system design to keep power in the hands of the few ,the owner of the means of the production, while the masses were forced to abide by a social system created by the privileged.Marx believed that all of history is characterized by an economics struggle between the haves and the have-nots. Marx was attempting to combine material and ideal factors or structural and cultural factors, and to illustrate their mutual relationship. The importance that Marx placed on using the historical method reflects his evolutionary ideas about human society. He explained how humans separated themselves from animals once they consciously realized that they could produce their own means of subsistence, rather than depending on what nature provided. According to Marx, Class struggle became the next to be expected step in the historical process of human development. Marx stated that class distinctions are heavily influenced by the ownership of personal property. Marx believed that once the exploited became conscious of their plight and misery, they would unite in revolution. The new society would be characterized by communism which was to be the economic and philosophical force that would remove class struggle. Marxs primary ideas of communism are described in the communist manifesto (1848), co written by Marx and Engels. In brief, Marx and Engels believed that the world would be a better place under communism. They believed that class inequality would end with the collective control of property and with the growth in size and power of the working class. The governmental abuse of workers would end with the take apart of government.  [i]   Max Weber (1864-1920): Weber agreed with Marx that ecnomics was an important variable in determining power differential among individuals in society. However, he believed that social divisions were based on two other factors as well: social status and political influence. Weber believed that someone how possesses a great deal of social status and yet is economically poor can still hold power in society. Additionally, Weber argued that social group would identify themselves not merely according to wealth, but more deeply by ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and by shared styles of life'. Weber belived that conflict underlies all social relations and determines power. The control of power is a critical element in conflict theory and power is a central aspect in Webers work on the types of athurity. According to weber, the distribution of power and athority is the basis of social conflict.  [ii]   Elite Conflict Theory (C. Wright Mills): (1916-1962) Like other cflict theoritists, Mills were deeply influenced by the idea of Karl Marx. Political power and class differences were the focus of Mills publications. Mills wrote that the working class is not a revolutionary class capeable of overthrowing capitalism. He did not believe that the rank-and-file workers were a militant force, and that they were more concerned with basic daily issues then with seeking loftier goals. Furthermore, Mills concluded that labor leader did not work in the best intrest of worker and were instead coopted by business and government. He believed that the lack of leadership, the working class could never become a revoluntary force. Power: Power is the critical element of analysis for all conflict theorists. Mills (1958b) described three types of power: Authority: Power that is justified by the beliefs of the voluntarily obedient. Manipulation: Power that is wielded unbeknownst to the powerless. Coercion: The final form of power is where the powerless are forced to obey the powerful. Mills acknowledge that in the modern era, power is more likely to be authoritarian. And yet, the reality remains that most people will always be relatively powerless. The power elite: Mills says about the power elite that the power elite is composed of men whose position enable them to transcend the ordinary environments of ordinary men and women; they are in position to make decision having major consequences. Mills (1958b) explain the unity of the power of elite in psychological and economic terms. The members of the elite generally share a similar origin, education and life style, and because of their similar social type, they easily mix together. Additionally, they are the society elite so they share economic goals. Mills acknowledge that the power elite were not solitary rulers. From the Marxist perspective, Mills felt that the people were subjected to, the will of the bourgeoisie. History has shown that when extreme conservatism is meet with a dramatically change society, conflict is inevitable.  [iii]   Parsonian Conflict Theory (Dahrendorf): (1929) Dahrendorf 1959 believed that sociological theories should be divided into two parts: those that concentrate on issues of consensus and those that concentrate on issues of conflict. Dahrendorf believed that conflict and consensus are both evident in any society. In fact, there cannot be conflict unless some degree of consensus has already been established. When a consensus has been reached, conflict disappears, temporarily. Dahrendrof 1959:162 refer his conflict theory as the coercion theory of society which can be reduced to a small number of basic tents: Every society is at every point subject to processes of change, social change is ever-present. Every society displays at every point dissensus and conflict; conflict is ubiquitous. Every element in a society cause to be contributions its disintegration and change. Every society is based on the coercion of some of its members by other. Dahrendorr believed that power implies the coercion of some by others but recognize that in organization and associations, the power held by certain persons is lawful authority. In making a distinctions from Marx, however, Dahrendrof suggest that authority is not bound by property rights and therefore believed that class conflict is best seen as arising out of a dispute over the distribution of authority in a given authority structure.  [iv]   Conflict theory of Randall Collins: (1941) Conflict theory generally emphasizes the role of power that one group, or person. Kemper and Collins (1990) argue that power and status are fundamental relational dimensions at the micro level of social interaction and perhaps at the macro level as well. Collins (1975) assumed that there are certain goods, namely, wealth, power, and prestige that people in all societies will pursue. Furthuremore, all people dislike being ordered around and will therefore that what they can to avoid the subordinate role. Thus, conflict is inevitbale, for everyone is in pursuit of scarce resources and the roles related to these desired resources. Collins (1975b) concluded that coercion and the ability to forceothers to behave a certain way are the primary basis of conflict. Collins developed five principles of conflict analyses (Ritzier, 2000c:130); Conflict theory must focus on real life rather than abstract formulation. Material arrangement effect interaction. . In some situation of inequality between persons, those who possess the power position generally attempt to exploit those who back resources. The role of culture phenomena, such as beliefs, values, and norms believe must be examined in term of their interest, resources and power. There must a firm commitment to the scientific study of stratification and every other aspect of the social world. In his conflict theory, it is clear that Collins focus on individuals and their inner struggles reveals a micro orientation.Collins believed that sociological research should be aimed at solving concrete problems in the world.  [v]   Feminist conflict theory: Conflict theory has been used by feminists to explain the position of women in society. Feminist conflict theorists argue that women have traditionally been demoralized so that men can benefit from positions of power, wealth, and status. These theorists would argue that the conflict over limited natural resources is what led men to relegate women to domesticity. This interpretation of conflict theory also leads to the idea that men cannot be trusted to give power to women because this gift would conflict with their inherent nature.  [vi]   Conclusion: So it concluded that mans struggle for power, be it family or work place, play group or politics, man wants to achieve the higher and authoritative position. It starts from personal level to national level. There are various groups and communities of people in society belonging to different classes, religions, and ideologies. All of them have different perspectives and values. The clash between these various perspectives leads to conflict between these groups. This conflict can arise from the desire to own the means of production, to own the power or land, or to own the realm of political power, and can be revolutionary. Under the conflict perspective we can say that the basic form of interaction in society is not cooperation, but competition, and this leads to conflict. Because the individuals and groups of society compete for advantage, there is constantly conflict for change. When there are large groups competing the outcome are often major social change. So conflict perspective i s all about the differences between social groups in the society.  [vii]  

Abraham & God Essay

Abraham is truly an exceptional man who completely surrendered his life to God’s will. However, while Abraham was a man of faith, he remained a man with flaws, asking God questions that implied confusions about the will of God and God’s omnipotence. For example, he laughed when God promised him that he will have offspring even in his old age. He also lied about Sarah being his wife for fear that he will be killed because of her and not trusting God will protect him. The greatest test, however, was when God asked him to sacrifice his only son. Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac to prove his love of God, and this should not be a question regarding his faith. But what of God who made a covenant with him stating the He will make a great nation out of Isaac? There is no doubt that God was testing Abraham. But what if Abraham had refused to sacrifice his son? Would that change what God had promised to Abraham regarding Isaac? This, to me, is a disturbing question regarding God’s purpose, and it is not an appealing image of God reconsidering His promise when His subject failed His test. See more:  Capital budgeting essay On the other hand, if Abraham was doing the sacrifice out of faith, then he would already know that God would not let the boy get any harm. How would God then fulfill his promise if Isaac was sacrificed? Knowing this, it would not be God who is really testing Abraham but the other way around. The story of God’s covenant to Abraham and God’s test to him, to me, does not really establish the faith of the religion but poses contradictions to divine purpose and the faith of the people. Credit #6 Jews and Christians look at the Messianic Prophecies on different context, hence while the other promote Jesus to be the messiah, the other reject him as such. Examining these contexts would allow us to understand why Jesus is accepted to be the messiah or not. The Jews believed the messiah to be human—not a god or a demigod. That the early Christians claim that Jesus was the Son of God and indeed a God himself made most of the Jews not accept him as the messiah. The Jews believe in only one God, hence the introduction of another, and a mere man claiming to be God, is seen as a heresy to the Jewish faith. The Jews believe that the messiah will unite all the Jews back to the land of Israel, reign in a time of world peace, and would be a great military leader. Jesus fulfilled none of these. However, the Christians believe that these prophesies will be fulfilled in Jesus’ second coming. On the other hand, the Jews believe that the prophecies will be fulfilled immediately and that there is no concept of a second coming. Hence, the Jews reject the idea of the second coming of Jesus. Other Messianic Prophecies have been justified by Christians to have been fulfilled by Jesus. The evangelists claim that, through Joseph the carpenter, Jesus was descended from the line of David, of which the messiah is said to come from. However, this claim is contradicted with the Christian doctrine of the virgin birth from which, strictly speaking, Jesus could not have been a direct descendant of David. The Christians also believe that Jesus have restored the temple, which they believe to refer to Jesus’ body, by his resurrection. On the other hand, the Jews believe that the messiah will be a strict observant of the Torah, which by all means and according to the accounts of the New Testament Jesus was not. Having said these, it is also important to note that the early Christians, as well as Jesus himself, were Jews. Accepting the teachings of the Apostles and disciples of Jesus depends on how one looks on messianic context. The fact that some Jews have accepted Jesus as their messiah while others clearly regarded him as a heretic and a threat to the Jewish faith proves this point. Jesus’ challenge to the Jewish law earned the right of the elders to suppress the sect that is slowly emerging. Considering however that Jesus lived an extraordinary life, with teachings of peace instead of being a war-like messiah, deserves credit for the Christian faith. Credit #7 Monasticism throughout the world shares a similar purpose—the renouncement of worldly pursuit in search for spiritual growth. Images of gods and holy men are usually present in monasteries. The Greek Orthodox Christianity justified the use of these images as â€Å"windows† to heaven. It is not these images that they praise, but those of which they represent, which are unseen. It is explained that the human body is comprised by two elements—the physical and the spirit—and that the physical part needs to see some representation of the divine and that the images are merely tools to help them in their journey. Monks practice strict compliance to the teachings of their religion, isolated from the city life, spending most of the day in prayer. Monks also have assigned chores they must perform. They were also expected to forget the physical element of their body for a while—getting sufficient for the body to have its strength needed for daily tasks, no shower, no shaving. There is limited conversation between monks—they spend each day in silence and contemplation and prayer. Furthermore, monks are taught to pray from the heart. One could only wonder whether these prayers are repeated, as if being recited. Whether or not this is the case, monks believe truly in their heart that they have found their peace and satisfaction apart from the calling of worldly desires.

Neck Rings and Lotus Feet

Bodily mutilation to achieve the goal of ultimate beauty for women resides within every culture in the world. An average American way of bodily mutilation to gain beauty is through plastic surgery. As for Africa, women believe having a long neck symbolizes their beauty and status within their village. In some parts of China, the women believe the smaller your feet are the more desirable you become. Within the Mae Hong Son area of northwest Thailand, the women of the tribes are more commonly known as the, â€Å"Long-Necks. The women in these areas are known for adorning brass rings around their necks, The rings on the neck reach from the clavicle up to beneath the chin, and these rings are held very tightly by the bone structure from clavicle to chin. This neck ring adornment is started when the girls are five or six years old and the neck grows longer as additional rings are added with each passing year. It is from this practice that this tribe has gained the name of â€Å"Long-Nec ks†. Some women wear thirty-seven brass rings around the neck and this is considered ideal.Not only do they wear the rings around their necks they will wear them around the arms and the legs, and for this tribe the rings are the most prominent sign of female beauty and status. â€Å"Lotus Feet† is an ancient Chinese bodily mutilation of binding the feet to make the size much smaller. to the restructure the feet by the breaking of the arch and four smaller toes on each foot. After the initial binding procedure, usually around the age of seven, the feet would remain tightly bound with long cloth strips until the feet were no longer growing.The ideal foot consisted of three features, which was the length of three inches, a cleft between the heel and the sole, which was wanted to be around two to three inched deep, and that the feet appeared to be an extension of the leg, instead of platforms for the legs. Binding of the feet symbolized a lily or lotus flower because of the similarities in looks, if the woman’s feet were bound, they would be comparable to the grace and delicateness of the flower.If a woman had a natural size foot similar to a mans, it meant she was the opposite of grace and beauty such as a man would be characterized. Neck rings and feet binding pose serious negative effects to a human body. Neck rings caused a woman who adorned them to never be able to look up or down. The mobility of the neck was restricted where they wouldn’t even be able to drink from a cup without using a straw. Stretching of the neck pulled the muscles rendering them useless, to the point were if they were removed, the woman would not be able to hold her own head up.Feet binding can cause the woman to be nearly crippled, they have trouble getting out of chairs, doing activties on their feet, and have hip and spinal injuries throughout life. Although Neck-rings and Lotus feet are very different practices of bodily mutilation, they create the same de sired effect. These practices are to convey a womans beauty through a painful act, creating a falsified version of what society believed to be beautiful. Every culture shares this common theme throughout history, although it may be painful and odd, it continues on through our culture today.