A Christian Learning about Islam - 793 Words

I went to the Islamic Center of peace in Orlando to learn more about the Islamic religion. I was very curious about learning and wanted more understanding on the subject of Islam. I went there also for the free dinner. I also wanted to see what it be like to see another religion would look like. Since I was raised in a Christian environment all of my life. I wanted to experience what a completely different church and religion was like. To their culture and food how much different it was from my own. I was pleasantly surprised when I had arrived at the mosque especially because I was late. I did not know where I was supposed to be and no one knew where I was supposed to go. I previously was told that the mosque that I was in was sacred as been told previously and I must take off my shoes while I am in a holy place. I found a shoe stand and left my shoes there and walked around the compound barefooted because I did not know which places are holy and which were not. I walked in on a session where a bunch of people where on their knees bowing (praying) towards a wall I asked the lady their where was I supposed to go and she pointed towards a direction and did not speak a word in the mosque. So I followed where she had pointed and walked around more in the compound barefooted. This is where I realized the place was also a school because I was going into several classrooms until I found this nice Muslim girl who led me there in the meeting room where the service was at.Show MoreRelatedIslam: Examination of Misconceptions and Beliefs1663 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Islam - A Highly Controversial Sensitive Issue in Todays World: Examination of Misconceptions and Beliefs Objective The objective of this work is to examine Islam, a highly controversial sensitive issue in todays world and specifically to examine the misconceptions, beliefs, and values of those of the Islamic faith. Most people think that the majority of Muslims live in the Middle East, while in reality there are more people of the Islamic faith living in Indonesia. Islam, just as Judaism andRead MoreIslam In Russia976 Words   |  4 PagesIslam throughout Russian and spanish history For hundreds of years, Russia has been one of the most diverse countries of the western world, where Christians and Muslims have lived peacefully side by side. Unlike other western countries where Muslims are minorities, Muslims in Russia are more than 15% of the Russian population. Muslims in Russia have played a huge role in founding what is known nowadays as the Russian civilization. During the fifteenth century, muslims fell under the ruling of theRead MoreCompare And Contrast The Three Pillars Of Islam1157 Words   |  5 PagesPillars of Islam Compared to Christian Beliefs In Islam and Christianity, there are similar and different beliefs and practices. In Islam, the five pillars form the core of the religion. Muslims go about their lives abiding by these pillars (â€Å"Islam†). In Christianity, there are not necessarily pillars, but there are commandments that one should live their life by (â€Å"Christianity†). The three pillars of Islam that will be identified resemble some of the beliefs in Christianity. The declaration of faithRead MoreThe Spread Of Christianity And Western Europe1637 Words   |  7 PagesThe spread of Christianity in Western Europe was both similar and different to the spread of Islam. The rise of Islam starts with the Prophet Muhammad, believed by Muslims (followers of Islam) to be the last in a line of prophets that includes Moses and Jesus. Because Muhammad was the chosen one to be the messenger of the word of God, Muslims from all around the world work to follow the example he set. For Muslims after the Qur an (their bible), the sayings and teachings of Muhammad and the descriptionsRead MoreDifferences Between Islam And Hinduism1280 Words   |  6 Pages Islam and Hinduism are both very large, popular world religions. Although the two religions have some common ground, there are many distinct differences between the two religions. Many of the differences are centered around two major beliefs. The two major beliefs are the means of salvation and the number of Gods the followers of the religions worship and believe in. Religions often answer questions about spiritual life. A question that is often asked is, â€Å"What happens after death?† Many peopleRead MoreIslam And Its Influence Throughout Prominent Kingdoms1274 Words   |  6 PagesTim Matoba Dr. Marsh 13 November 2015 World History, pd. 7 Islam and Its Influence Throughout Prominent Kingdoms Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire, one of the most valiant world powers of its time, received heavy influence from the spread of Islam through Europe and Asia Minor. Culture, military, and politics also held a stranglehold on the Ottoman Empire. Emerging as one of the many Turkish states in Asia Minor from the decline of the Seljuk Turk Empire, the Ottoman Turks began to engulf surroundingRead MoreEssay Understanding Islamic Religion and Culture1221 Words   |  5 Pages Instead of learning and exploring new things about the world they stick to what they know because it is easier and comfortable for them. The Islamic people live in different culture, have different beliefs, and live in a part of the globe that has turmoil in the world surrounding the Middle East and the Islamic faith; however it is imperative that we understand and respect their traditions. The paper examines exactly what Islam is, the relation between the Islam faith and Christian faith, and uncoveringRead More Thomas W. Lippma ns Understanding Islam Essay1224 Words   |  5 PagesThomas W. Lippmans Understanding Islam Thomas W. Lippman gives an introduction to the Muslim world in the book Understanding Islam. He has traveled throughout the Islamic world as Washington Post bureau chief for the Middle East, and as a correspondent in Indochina. This gave him, in his own words, sharp insight into the complexities of that turbulent region. However, the purpose of the book is not to produce a critical or controversial interpretation of Islamic scripture. It is insteadRead MoreThe Lost History Of Christianity By Philip Jenkins954 Words   |  4 PagesIn the novel title â€Å"The Lost History of Christianity†, author Philip Jenkins attempts to convey the message that there are many aspects of Christianity that are unknown to Christian followers today. Jenkins start by implying that Christianity essentially starts in Northern Mesopotamia. Jenkins then traces the history of Christianity from Africa to the Arab world to the heart of Asia, in what he consider to be the â€Å"golden age† of Christianity. He informs the readers of the stories of churches andRead MoreMuslim World Cosmopolitanism1699 Words   |  7 Pagesearth, can we talk about â€Å"Muslim† world cosmopolitanism? That is just how Allah or His prophet, Muhammad (570-632), from day one, viewed Islam, whether anyone liked it or not, as the religion for entire humanity. Listen to its first revealed injunction â€Å"Read in the name of thy Lord, Who created Man from congealed blood; Proclaim that thy Lord is Most Bountiful, Who taught with Pen; Taught man that which he knew not.† (Quran, 96: 1-5). In this first proclamation of Islam, Allah reveals Himself

The Myth Of Modern Mythology - 2239 Words

In old times, humankind has looked to utilize stories to clarify the world in which it lives. Similarly, as old man utilized stories of divine beings and creatures to clarify the world; superior person utilizes stories of exceptional legends and colossal scoundrels to do likewise (Stuller). Comic books are modern mythology, in that they are superior man s strategy for clarifying their general surroundings through the fantastical. The characters frequently handle such major, philosophical, (Ahrens, Jà ¶rn, and Meeting) social and story ideas as the nature of sound and malevolence, man s inward battle, the wannabe, the women s activist, and the rescuer. Wonder Woman is, maybe the most obvious case of a comics as an advanced myth (Smith, 145). Wonder Woman s stories are soaked profound inside traditional mythology. Wonder Woman was made as old Greek Amazon, shaped from a portion of the mysterious earth, and presented with power from the divine beings. Her mom, who shaped her from the m ud, was Hippolita, the ruler of the Amazons in traditional Greek mythology. Rising up out of a starting point inundated by myth, the majority of Wonder Woman s most notable and critical stories have been profoundly embedded in related characters and ideas (Ndalianis, 116). Indeed, as indicated by modern comic book coherence, Wonder Woman s trip to the super courteous universe of costumed adventuring started when the Amazon s held a challenge to pick a commendable champion to voyage to manShow MoreRelatedThe Importance of Greek Mythology1650 Words   |  7 Pagesimportance of Greek mythology Today, the ancient Greek myths still fascinate readers throughout the world. There are thousands of books written about the importance of Greek mythology in the formation of modern-time societies. There are hundreds of movies created about the adventures of Greek heroes. Apparently, the events, creatures, and people described in the ancient Greek myths were not real; however, their mythical nature does not undermine the importance of Greek mythology in defining the worldRead MoreAnalysis Of Disney s The Lion King1055 Words   |  5 Pagesof the modern era s most famous books and movies trace back to the Greek myths. Medicines are named after the characters of famous myths. Businesses choose the names of their companies and products from the ancient myths, lores, and various deities. Everyday phrases reference the centuries-old stories. Today, Greek mythology can be found in modern medicine, businesses, and language. Names of various Greek deities and other symbols from mythology have maneuvered their way into modern medicineRead MoreSignificance And Significance Of Mythology1743 Words   |  7 PagesIn order to understand the importance and meaning of magic in mythology, it is helpful to try to understand why human cultures create myths. Mythology can refer to the collected myths of a group of people—their body of stories which they tell to explain nature, history, and customs—or to the study of such myths. As a collection of such stories, mythology is a vital feature of every culture. Various origins for myths have been proposed, ranging from personification of nature, personification of naturalRead MoreJoseph Campbell: The Power of Myth1469 Words   |  6 PagesRitchey Literature and Composition 21 February 2013 Harkness Questions: The Power of Myth Chapters 1-3 1. Myth reveals spiritual truth about the world. Why read myths? You need myths to find your truth. You have elaborate myths to compare to everyday experiences and to other myths. â€Å"Myths give a meaning to life (Campbell, 5). Mythology is a collection of stories based on one’s knowledge and stories of experience. Myths are clues to life meaning. They are clues to â€Å"spiritual potentialities† or yourRead MoreMythology In Fan Mythology742 Words   |  3 PagesThe definition of the term Myth is that it is defined by its content, context, and/or its function. Most often when we think or hear the world myth we think of ancient Greek and Roman stories that tell us tales of gods, heroes, and monsters; in the modern world it is also used to butter up advertisements, and of course in fan fiction. When you look at the concept of myth it has been important to the practice and analysis of fan work, including fan fiction, on three levels: content, form, and theoryRead MoreGreek And Roman Painting And Floor Mosaic Essay1228 Words   |  5 Pagesand Romans. An example of this can be seen in the usage and importance of Greek mythology. Greek Mythology: In the ancient Greek artwork, the term muthos (ÃŽÅ"ÃŽ ¥ÃŽËœÃŽÅ¸ÃŽ £) is often used to describe myth. The primary meaning of a myth is a word, speech, conversation, things said, or fact. Other meanings for the same term, however, include tales, stories, narratives, fiction, and legend. The earliest accounts of the Greek mythology can be seen in the Archaic pre-classical period through any of the nine sisterRead MoreThe Importance Of Greek Mythology1605 Words   |  7 Pagesthat we use in our life sometimes, are inspired by Greek mythology. Sports brands, movies and T.V shows, the most complicated technology, books and many more, are all examples of Greek Mythology. If you take modern day items that we use and compare it to Greek mythology, believe it or not there is a big connection. But how come people today are inspired by Greek mythology? Also, why is Greek mythology important to us if they were just myths? It was such a while ago, so why do people still reflectRead MoreWhy Greek Mythology Is Still Relevant Today And Why We Still Use It1588 Words   |  7 Pagesstatement- A lot of popular everyday items that we use in our life sometimes, are inspired by Greek mythology. Sports brands, movies and T.V shows, the most complicated technology, books and many more, are all examples of Greek Mythology. If you take modern day items that we use and compare it to Greek mythology, believe it or not there is a big connection. This essay will explain about why Greek mythology is still relevant today and why we still use it. Literature Review- Summary #1 In â€Å"The GreekRead MoreWhy Greek Mythology Is Still Relevant Today And Why We Still Use It1585 Words   |  7 Pagesstatement- A lot of popular everyday items that we use in our life sometimes, are inspired by Greek mythology. Sports brands, movies and T.V shows, the most complicated technology, books and many more, are all examples of Greek Mythology. If you take modern day items that we use and compare it to Greek mythology, believe it or not there is a big connection. This essay will explain about why Greek mythology is still relevant today and why we still use it. Literature Review- Summary #1 In â€Å"The GreekRead MoreI believe that mythology should still be taught in schools, although with less of an emphasis and600 Words   |  3 Pages I believe that mythology should still be taught in schools, although with less of an emphasis and across more cultures. Myths are important parts of literature, and have complexity that is different than normal novels. Also, myths teach about the culture of their time, as well as how people lived and what they believed. Along these lines, I think that other cultures’ myths should also be taught, as they also teach about the people of their time. Mythology is an important form of literature that

Vdot Paper Free Essays

Running head: VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CASE STUDY Virginia Department of Transportation Case Study A high-performance business or body, time after time, attains excellence whilst fashioning a first-rate work atmosphere (Schermerhorn, 2010). The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) was once considered a premier transportation department, but over the years their reputation had become damaged due to budget overruns and a public perception that VDOT could not do its job. When Mark Warner was elected governor of Virginia in 2001, he wanted a new commissioner for VDOT that had private sector experience to turn VDOT around. We will write a custom essay sample on Vdot Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now His search led him to appoint Philip Shucet, a transportation engineer with both public and private sector experience. This paper will discuss some of the management theories that could have been applied to problems at VDOT, as well as how management has reacted to challenges. Next, an environmental analysis will be conducted and short, mid, and long-term goals will be discussed. Finally, Shucet’s motivation to take the job and the motivational problems at VDOT will be addressed. Management Theories McGregor’s Theory X â€Å"assumes that people dislike work, lack ambition, are irresponsible and resistant to change, and prefer to be led† (Oke, 2011, pg. 26). Theory Y â€Å"assumes that people are willing to work, accept responsibility, and are capable of self-direction and creativity† (Oke, 2011, pg. 26). When Shucet arrived at VDOT, Theory X was much more in place, as is often the case in large bureaucracies. There was little teamwork or communication between departments and no one really knew the status of any of the projects (Clawson Yemen, 2011). If Shucet implemented Theory Y much of this would change as employees took responsibility for their projects and became motivated to succeed. Frederick Taylor’s scientific management theory would also help to improve performance at VDOT. Taylor’s theory stresses finding the right workers for the job and training them correctly (Oke, 2011). Downsizing led to massive retirements of highly skilled workers during the 1990’s. This pushed under or unqualified people into positions they were not ready for (Clawson Yemen, 2005). An evaluation of the staff and their qualifications for their current positions could result in a restructuring that would better match skills with job requirements. Implementation of Henri Fayol’s administrative principles would have had a significant impact on VDOT. Fayol spells out five duties of management; foresight, organization, command, coordination, and control (Oke, 2011). While there were deficiencies in all of these categories, two in particular were weak, coordination and control. Coordination is defined as actions that â€Å"fit diverse efforts together and ensure that information is shared and problems solved† (Oke, 2011, p. 22). As discussed earlier, information sharing was a significant weakness at VDOT. Control is actions that â€Å"make sure things happen according to plan and to take necessary corrective action† (Oke, 2011, p. 22). Since no one knew the status of the projects, management could not take corrective actions in a timely manner. Six Challengers The six challenges in today’s workforce are ethics, globalization, technology, knowledge, diversity, and change (Oke, 2011). Ethical issues were a significant problem at VDOT. The commissioner of VDOT was a political appointee and this sometimes led to under-qualified individuals or people with their own agendas being placed in charge of a multi-billion dollar organization (Trying to Keep Virginia Moving, 2005). The appointment of Shucet corrected this, as he did not have political aspirations and was concerned only about getting VDOT functioning correctly for the long-term. Globalization was not much of a factor at VDOT since they are a governmental entity that does not compete on the open market and their business is entirely located in Virginia. Shucet noticed quickly that there were technologies available to the employees that were not being utilized efficiently or effectively. This increased workloads and reduced the communication. VDOT had lost a significant portion of their most knowledgeable workers to early retirements and resources needed to be devoted to improving the knowledge and skills of the current workforce. Diversity is a challenge in all organizations, but was not specifically addressed in this case study. The final challenge is change, which is often difficult for large, bureaucratic organizations like VDOT. There was much that needed to change, from the organizational structure, to communications, to major procedures such as budgeting and tracking of projects. Private businesses are forced to change to keep pace with competition. However, until Shucet arrived, VDOT did not have the necessary motivators to implement the necessary changes. Environmental Analysis The specific and general environment conditions played a pivotal role in the effectiveness and trustworthiness of the VDOT organization before Shucet was hired. The organization was barraged with scrutiny from both ends of the hierarchical spectrum. The politicians in Virginia created an impression that VDOT was both poorly managing and severely under-funding their proposed projects. Virginia citizens were also criticizing VDOT wondering and if their tax dollars were being spent properly (Darden, 2005). VDOT is a government organization that must face the pressures of scrutiny from many groups and should have had answers to provide the stakeholders. The taxpayers had a right to know why projects were being under-funded, why approximately 15% of VDOT’s projects were going unfinished and what they were going to do about fixing it. Unfortunately, VDOT did not have the answers (Darden, 2005). Economic conditions were negatively impacting VDOT. They did not have the current or projected revenue to complete the projects within the six-year plan. Their estimates were based on expected population growth in Virginia as well as expected growth in tax revenue that the population increase would generate. When the projections fell short it resulted in VDOT’s projects not being fully funded. The political conditions created a sense of tension among VDOT and the many political bodies that had influence over it. In addition, local politicians were publicly criticizing their own transportation department, demeaning the organization in the eyes of its most critical stakeholder, the taxpayers of Virginia. Goals Based on the environmental analysis, one short-term goal for VDOT would be to decrease the political impact on the organization. Governor Warner accomplished this goal by appointing Shucet and then leaving him alone. In an interview, Shucet said that in the three years since becoming commissioner, the governor had called him â€Å"about six times† (Bacon, 2004, n. p. ). This allowed VDOT to plan for the long-term and not just to meet a political agenda. Another short-term goal would be to make VDOT more transparent to the public. Shucet did this by creating a website showing the status and cost of all of the VDOT’s projects (Bacon, 2004). A mid to long-term goal would be increasing the completion rate of VDOT’s projects. In Shucet’s second year, VDOT’s completion rate increased to 39% and was expected to meet its projection of 60% in year three. The long-term goal was to reach a completion rate of 80% (Bacon, 2004). Both of these goals should decrease the taxpayers’ displeasure with VDOT. VDOT was experiencing significant revenue shortfalls. Rather than just raising taxes to increase revenue, a final long-term goal would be to change the focus of transportation planning in Virginia away from just building new roads to finding new, more economical solutions to the state’s transportation problems (Bacon, 2004). This goal will help to ensure the taxpayers are getting the most value for their tax dollar. Shucet’s Motivation There are a number of theories that could apply to the motivating factor that led to Shucet taking on the VDOT commissioner position. However, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs provides an excellent one. Shucet had met all of his lower order needs and was looking to fulfill his need for self-actualization through creative and challenging work, by having decision making authority, and by being autonomous (Oke, 2011). VDOT was a complex problem. This was an opportunity for Shucet to fix the third largest transportation department and regain their status as one of the best departments of transportation in the country. The commissioner of VDOT is a high-ranking state position and Governor Warner allowed him the autonomy he needed to freely make decisions to improve the department. Motivational Theories Motivational theory is composed of four sections; content, process, reinforcement, and job enrichment. Herzberg’s two-factor theory is a content theory that states that by increasing satisfier factors, a manager can increase job satisfaction. Prior to Shucet’s arrival, individuals were not accountable for their projects. By making individuals more accountable and acknowledging accomplishments, Shucet could motivate his employees to perform better. Expectancy theory, a process theory, links achievement and reward to performance. Because of the lack of accountability under prior commissioners, there was not a link between performance and achievement, and most likely no rewards system. People are motivated to work harder if they know it will make a difference and that there is a reward for them. By implementing a rewards system, VDOT could motivate their employees to accomplish the mission of the organization. Positive reinforcement â€Å"strengthens or increases the frequency of desirable behavior by making a pleasant consequence contingent on its occurrence† (Oke, 2011, p. 93). With all of the public scrutiny of VDOT, morale was very low. By identifying the things the groups were doing well and by providing praise and other rewards as new goals were accomplished, Shucet could turn the attitudes of the employees around. Job enrichment increases job scope and job depth (Oke, 2011). Since one of the goals of VDOT was to hold individuals more accountable for their projects, enriching their jobs would allow them the flexibility and authority to truly take ownership of their jobs. When employees feel they have a stake in the outcome of a project they are more motivated to do well. Discussion Even when an organization is as dysfunctional as VDOT was, there are numerous tools available to managers to improve their organizations. Everything from the structure of the organization as a whole to the definition of each individual’s job contributes to the success or failure of an organization. The ability to implement the correct tool for the situation at the correct time is what sets great managers apart from the rest. References Bacon, J. A. (2004). The Shucet Shakeup. Retrieved October 5, 2011 from http://www. baconsrebellion. com/Issues04/09-07/Bacon. htm Clawson, J. G. Yemen, G. (2005). Virginia Department of Transportation: Trying to Keep Virginia Moving. Charlottesville, VA: Darden Business Publishing. Retrieved October 12, 2011, from http://it. darden. virginia. edu/VDOT/studentWeb/ content/index. htm? speed=128 Oke, R. (2011). Management and organizational behavior. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Custom Learning Solutions. Custom text ISBN 13: 9780470942710 Schermerhorn, J. R. (2010). Management. (10th ed). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Trying To Keep Virgina Moving. (2005). Retrieved October 14, 2011, from http://it. darden. virginia. edu/VDOT/studentWeb/content/index. htm? speed=128 How to cite Vdot Paper, Papers

Archimedes (446 words) Essay Example For Students

Archimedes (446 words) Essay ArchimedesArchimedes was born in 287 BC in Syracuse, a Greek seaport colony in Sicily. Archimedes father was Phidias. He was an astronomer; this is all we know about his father and we learn this from Archimedes work, The Sandreckoner. Archimedes was educated in Alexandria, Egypt. Archimedes friend, Heracleides, wrote a biography about him, but this work was lost. Some authors report that he visited Egypt and there invented a tool known as Archimedes screw. This is a pump, still used today in parts of the world. It is likely that, when he was a young man, Archimedes studied with the followers of Euclid. Many of his ideas seem to correspond with the mathematics developed there. This speculation is much more certain because he sent his results to Alexandria with personal messages. He considered Conon of Samos, one of the greatest achieving mathematicians at Alexandria, both for his abilities as a mathematician and he also respected him as a close friend. Archimedes spent most of his life in Sicily, near Syracuse except for his journeys to Alexandria. He never held any public office but he was faithful to his lifetime of research and experiment. At times, Archimedes became so immersed in his work that he would forget to eat. He used every surface available to do his work on, including oil on his skin to ashes from a fire. Many of Archimedes discoveries were put to the test during the Roman conquest of Sicily. His mechanical tools and machines were used, including the legendary catapult which he is credited for making. This was all for the protection of Syracuse. Despite the use of Archimedes inventions, Syracuse was captured during the Second Punic war. A Roman soldier who found him drawing a mathematical diagram in the sand killed Archimedes. It is said that Archimedes was so preoccupied in his calculation that he simply said to the intruder, Do not disturb my diagrams. Aside from the fame Archimedes earned from his work on the Archimedes screw, he was also famous for his relationship with the king, Hiero. Hiero often had complicated problems to solve, and Archimedes solved them causing surprise among the town. The king often challenged Archimedes. One of Archimedes quotes is ?Give me a place to stand and I will move the Earth.? The king took him up on this challenge and invited him to move a ship that even all the men in Syracuse. With his knowledge of levers and pulleys, Archimedes was able to create a machine that could move the ship. Archimedes was far beyond his time. With his discoveries in mathematics, he was able to predict and imit ate much of modern science. Bibliographyn/aMathematics