Are Religious Festivals Just an Excuse for a Party free essay sample

â€Å"religious festivals are not a serious demonstration of faith; it’s just an excuse for a party.† Some people who follow a religion feel that people do not celebrate the religious festivals for the reasons of faith but it is an excuse for a party. There are some religious festivals that have parties because it is a happy occasion such as Christmas and Wesak. Wesak is a Buddhist festival celebrated on the full moon in May. It celebrates the Buddhas birthday. Furthermore, this festival is a happy festival because it is celebrating the Buddha’s birthday. On someone’s birthday, people have parties to share the happy occasion. Moreover, this religious festival is not an excuse for a party because it is a party festival. Christmas is a Christian festival celebrated on 25th of December. It celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians have advent which is the countdown to Christmas on Sundays. We will write a custom essay sample on Are Religious Festivals Just an Excuse for a Party? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Then on Christmas eve there is Christingle which is where they sing carols and say prayers. Furthermore, they have an orange which presents the world. Moreover, Christians will go to church on Christmas day. But many people who call themselves â€Å"Christians† or â€Å"Religious†, do some of these things or none. But these are the same people who have parties for Christmas. People who are not even Christians have Christmas parties. So is Christmas just an excuse for a party. For many people, yes which would be the â€Å"religious† or â€Å"Christians†. Not all religious festivals are a happy occasion such as Nirvana Day, Eid-ul-Adha and Easter. Nirvana Day is a yearly Buddhist festival that remembers the death of the Buddha when he reached Nirvana at the age of 80. It is also known as Parinirvana Day. Furthermore, this festival is depressing festivals because it isfestival about death. Nobody likes to celebrate death because it is a topic that is very sensitive. Buddhist celebrate this by meditating or going to the Buddhist temple. It is a reflective day as the Buddhist uses this day think about their lives and how they can reach perfect peace of Nirvana. They also use this day to remember friends and family who have died. In conclusion, Nirvana Day is not a festival that people would have parties for obvious reasons. Why would you have a party for someone’s death? Eid-ul-Adha is a Muslim festival. The festival remembers the prophet Ibrahims preparedness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to. This festival is a public festival is Muslim countries. Muslims who can afford it. sacrifice a sheep or goat as a reminder of Ibrahims obedience to Allah. In Britain, the animal must be killed at a slaughterhouse. The share the meat of the animal. On this day, they will get dressed in their best clothes and go to the mosque to say prayers and thank Allah for all the blessings they have received. Furthermore, this festival you could see it has a happy festival because it is a sacrifice, or a sad festival because it is about when Ibrahim’s sacrifice his son because God told him to. Moreover, maybe some Muslims might have a party for his bravery and for sharing the meat. Or some Muslims might use this day as a reflection on the blessing they have received and their life.

Some Effects of Lead Contamination on Liver and Gallbladder Bile

Some Effects of Lead Contamination on Liver and Gallbladder Bile Article Summary Lead poisoning is one of the common health problems affecting mankind today (Bhagwat, Patil, Sontakkem, 2008). The article â€Å"Some Effects of Lead Contamination on Liver and Gallbladder Bile† explores the toxic effects of lead on the human liver.Advertising We will write a custom article sample on â€Å"Some Effects of Lead Contamination on Liver and Gallbladder Bile† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to the article, lead â€Å"results in weight loss, poor liver functioning, and abdominal pain† (Bhagwat et al., 2008, p. 3). The authors wanted to examine how lead affects the hepatobiliary system. This system is mainly composed of the gallbladder and the liver. Medicines containing lead affect the normal functioning of the liver. The toxin can also result in â€Å"peri-portal inflammation† (Sipos et al., 2003, p. 140). The â€Å"toxic compound also causes proliferation-effect on smooth muscle cells† (Sipos et al., 2003, p. 141). Increased levels of lead will eventually result in liver damage. This situation occurs because there are free radicals associated with the toxin. Lead also â€Å"disturbs most of the biochemical processes associated with the hepatobiliary system† (Sipos et al., 2003, 141). This compound can eventually produce gallstones in the liver (Sipos et al., 2003). Review of the Article The article supports the toxicological effects of lead. According to many studies, lead is a toxic natural compound. The compound can be found in different food materials and water. The absence of a feedback mechanism explains why this toxin is less available. However, continued intake of certain compounds such as â€Å"amino acids, vitamin D, ascorbic acid, fats, and sodium citrate increases chances of lead poisoning† (Sipos et al., 2003, p. 140). The article goes further to highlight the effects of lead on the human liver. The compound als o affects the intestinal system. It causes abdominal discomfort. The â€Å"toxic compound also stimulates intercellular signaling between hepatocytes and Kupffer cells† (Sipos et al., 2003, p. 141).Advertising Looking for article on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Lead will eventually result in liver damage. Lead also affects different biliary processes in the body. Many people have developed numerous health complications due to prolonged exposure to this compound. That being the case, people should embrace the best practices in order to address the problems associated with lead poisoning. This practice will support the health needs of many people in the society. Analysis and Discussion The authors have used a proper approach to complete their study. They have highlighted the potential sources of lead. They have also analyzed the pathways associated with lead poisoning. They have also ex amined how this compound affects different systems in the body. The compound is also deposited in the liver. It affects the normal functioning of the organ. Prolonged exposure to the toxin will also affect many body functions (Bhagwat et al., 2008). This discussion supports most of the concepts gained in class. The authors have also explained how continued exposure to the compound can affect different biliary processes (Sipos et al., 2003). The body is also a complex system. Every organ or system supports a wide range of biological processes. Failure of different organs will â€Å"affect the normal functioning of the other systems† (Bhagwat et al., 2008, p. 5). This knowledge encourages people to focus on the best health practices. Patients should get the best medical support after ingesting large quantities of lead. New studies are also required in order to understand how this toxic compound affects other body systems. This knowledge will support the health needs of many pop ulations.Advertising We will write a custom article sample on â€Å"Some Effects of Lead Contamination on Liver and Gallbladder Bile† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Reference List Bhagwat, V., Patil, A., Sontakkem, A. (2008). Occupational Lead Exposure and Liver Functions in Battery Manufacture Workers around Kolhapur (Maharashtra). Al Ameen Journal of Medical Science, 1(1), 2-9. Kacew, S., Lee, B. (2013). Lu’s Basic Toxicology: Fundamentals, Target Organs, and Risk Assessment. New York, NY: Information Healthcare. Sipos, P., Szentmihalyi, K., Feher, E., Abaza, M., Szilagyi, M.,†¦Blazovics, A. (2003). Acta Biologica Szegediensis, 47(1), 139-142.

Noble Savages of 18th-20th Century and their relation to Puritan & Essay

Noble Savages of 18th-20th Century and their relation to Puritan & Quaker ideas about Native Americans - Essay Example Noble Savages of 18th-20th Century and their relation to Puritan & Quaker ideas about Native Americans According to Bryan R.Wilson, author of ‘The Noble Savages: The Primitive Origins of Charisma and Its Contemporary Survival’, the noble salvage believes in the existence of God in that it is inborn and exists within us rather than being an outside external power. It is innate. The concept of noble savage has become popular because it follows the concepts of being honest and of being a neutral but moral human being who believes in ethics yet is not as involved in religion or politics as the Puritans whose number one priority by all means was to follow religion. Puritans believed that this world is just a part of life and does not remain forever. They believed that Native Americans are people who believe in worldly pleasures which are not permanent. However the truth is that in today’s world, this is the kind of life which is very lucrative and seems practical for most people- on the path of righteousness in a worldly way with a lot of flexibility like those of noble salvages who were not considered pious in medieval times. Stelio Cro suggests that the beliefs of the noble savages were very impressive for many people who began following them, in his book ‘The Noble Savage: Allegory of Freedom’, which is a detailed analysis of the life of these noble savages and how they became so popular. They confessed that they had strong faith in liberty and freedom of speech and expression, in prudence and liberalism, in health and well-being- not only for themselves but for the greater world. They were strong believers of close ties with family and friends and were great advocates of fairness and equitable distribution of resources. They were followers of courage and had the confidence to speak the truth, stay on the right path, be nice to others, accept and respect diversity, and ultimately bring peace to this world. They were against the concept of fighting and war and had made it clear that humanity was more important to them than anyone else. In itself, these beliefs were strong enough attracts a h uge amount of people towards them from the other extreme of Puritanism and Quaker Ideas. Puritans were in essence the opposites of noble savages who were aggressive, Protestants, critical and extremists who were highly ethnocentric and would consider themselves as superior. They were of the view that worldly matters are just a matter of time before they vanish and do not matter anymore. During the period when the renaissance was coming to an end and enlightenment was underway in Britain and France as well, the ideology of noble savages had become very lucrative and attractive for people who were moving out of the dark ages and were becoming modernized, educated and enlightened. In the eyes of Robert J. Miller who very well described the noble savage ideology in his book ‘Native America, Discovered And Conquered: Thomas Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, And Manifest Destiny’ said that the noble savage concepts seem to have bought with it an array of hope and light of social revi val, peace and harmony to the world for which they were gaining importance and Puritans were losing control and popularity both because their focus was more towards religion than towards humanity and they were considered to be primitive in nature no that the Enlightenment was in process and people wished to move towards more humanitarian

Describe the properties and functions of the smooth, skeletal and Assignment

Describe the properties and functions of the smooth, skeletal and cardiac muscle. (b)Explain the sliding filament hypothesis of - Assignment Example The arrangement of these cells to form a muscle tissue is also unique as they do not form a syncytium but they contract individually or as group of cells. This property of smooth muscle allows it to contract slowly in a wave like motion making it a suitable for gastrointestinal tract. Circular and longitudinal muscles are two smooth muscles found throughout the GIT tract and are responsible for peristalsis. Smooth muscles also line the walls of the blood vessels. They play an important role, especially in the arterioles, by constricting or dilating the blood vessel thereby controlling the flow of blood. Smooth muscles are also crucial in bigger blood vessels, such as aorta, and enable them to withstand high pressure generated during systole or ventricular contraction. (Clark, 2005, p. 139) Skeletal Muscle: These are the muscles under voluntary control. Skeletal muscle is also sometimes referred to as striated muscle but this term should be avoided as cardiac muscle is also a striated muscle and leads to ambiguity. A cell of skeletal muscle is very long, up to 30cm in length, and has a cylindrical shape. The cross section size of these cells is about 10-100 micrometer. It is not surprising that cell of this length has multiple nuclei for support and survival. But these nuclei are not located at the center and rather aligned at the periphery. This is because the contractile components in the cell cytoplasm push these nuclei towards the call border. Skeleton muscles form bulk of a human body and perform various functions. They are essential for locomotion and to perform any movement of the body. Although, skeletal muscles are mostly under voluntary control they also take part in a reflex arc that does not involve the higher centers and, therefore, is an involuntary process. The contractions produced by skeletal muscles are forceful and quick as compared to the smooth muscle. (Clark, 2005, p. 139) Cardiac Muscle: Cardiac muscle is a specialized tissue perfectly ada pted to perform its function. It is the only muscle that is found in the heart. A very special property of a cardiac muscle is that is can contract on its own which mean it does not require an external stimulation. Certain specialized cardiac cells found in the sinus node, atrioventricular node and conducting fibers are capable of initiating an action potential and set up a particular rhythm for contraction of surrounding muscle cells. Due to these properties they are referred to as pace makers of the heart. Cardiac cells are arranged in a syncytium that helps them in conducting the electrical signals more efficiently. Moreover, these cells are joined to each other by special intercalated disks. These intercalated disks are actually fused cell membranes with gap junctions. Gap junctions allow fast sharing of cytoplasmic contents and help in the progression of electrical signals across this syncytium. The function of cardiac muscle is to set up its own rhythm and provide force requir ed to pump blood throughout body’s circulation. Sliding filament hypothesis of muscle contraction: The cytoskeleton and its arrangement are unique in myofibers as compared to other places in our body. The entire length of myofiber is studded in the center with large structures called myofibrils. These myofibrils are composed of two types of myofilaments; thick myofilaments and thin myofilaments. Thick myofilaments are made up of a protein called myosin. This protein has a special shape that is vital for its

Kim Fuller Essay Example for Free

Kim Fuller Essay In the early fall of 2002, Kim Fuller was employed as a district sales engineer for a large chemical firm. During a routine discussion with plant chemists, Fuller learned that the company had developed a use for the recycled material, in pulverized form, made from plastic soda pop bottles. Because the state had mandatory deposits all beverage bottles. Fuller realized that a ready supply of this material was available. All that was needed was an organization to tap that bottle supply, grind the bottles, and deliver the pulverized plastic to the chemical company. It was an opportunity Fuller had long awaited—a chance to start a business. In November 2002 Fuller began checking into the costs involved in setting up a plastic bottle grinding business. A used truck and three trailers were acquired to pick up the empty bottles. Fuller purchased one used grinding machine but had to buy a second one newï ¼â€ºSupplies and pans necessary to run and maintain the machines were also purchased. Fuller also purchased a personal computer with the intention of using it to keep company records. These items used $65,000 of the $75,000 Fuller had saved and invested in the company. A warehouse costing $162,000 was found in an excellent location for the business. Fuller was able to interest family members enough in this project that three of them, two sisters and a brother, invested $30, 000 each. These funds gave Fuller the$50,000 down payment on the warehouse. The bank approved a mortgage for the balance on the building. In granting the mortgage, however, the bank 0fficial suggested that Fuller start from the beginning with proper accounting records. He said these records would help not only with future bank dealings but also with tax returns and general management of the company. He suggested Fuller find a good accountant to provide assistance from the start, to get things going on the right foot. Fullers neighbor, Marion Zimmer, was an accountant with a local firm. When they sat down to talk about the new business, Fuller explained, â€Å"I know little about keeping proper records.† Zimmer suggested Fuller should buy an â€Å"off-the-shelf† accounting system software package from a local office supply retailer. Zimmer promised to help Fuller select and install the package as well as learn how to use it. In order to select the fight package for Fullers needs, Zimmer asked Fuller to list all of the items purchased for the business, a11 of the debts incurred, and the information Fuller  would need to manage the business. Zimmer explained that not al l of this information would be captured by the accounting records and displayed in financial statements. Based on what Fuller told Zimmer, Zimmer promised to create files to accommodate accounting and non-accounting information that Fuller could access through the companys personal computer. As Fullers first lesson in accounting, Zimmer gave Fuller a brief lecture on the nature of the balance sheet and income statement and suggested Fuller draw up an opening balance sheet for the company. Confident now that the venture was starting on solid ground, Kim Fuller opened the warehouse, signed contracts with two local bottling companies, and hired two grinding machine workers and a truck driver. By February 2003 the new firm was making regular deliveries to Fullers former employer. Questions 1. What information will Fuller need to manage the business? Classify this information in two categories: accounting information and non-accounting information. 2. See what you can do to draw up a beginning of business list of the assets and 1iabilities of Fullers company making any assumptions you consider useful. How should Fuller go about putting a value on the companys assets? Using your values, what is the company’s opening owners’ equity? 3. Now that Fuller has started to make sales, what information is needed to determine â€Å"profit and loss†? What should be the general construction of a profit and loss analysis for Fullers business? How frequently should Fuller do such all analysis? 4. What other kinds of changes in assets, 1iabilities, and owners’ claims will need careful recording and reporting if Fuller is to keep in control of the business?

Contradiction in Another Country :: Another

Contradiction in Another Country Another Country contradicts the age-old principle that the United States is a safeground for all people. James Baldwin compares living the life of a homosexual in Paris to living the life of a homosexual in the United States. The views of the French are much more liberal than the conservative views of the Americans. The life that Eric, the homosexual character in Baldwin's novel, leads in Paris is socially acceptable. Baldwin also depicts France as a haven for interracial relationships. Eric believes that living an openly homosexual life in Paris is more satisfying, rewarding, comfortable and protected because his choice of life is widely accepted by the French society. In Paris, everyone feels comfortable. Everyone feels free to live his or her own life and not adhere to the rules that society establishes. Homosexuals have the liberty to walk down the street, sit in public parks and show affection towards their partner free of worry, without the fear of "alley cats". The people of Paris condone and support Eric's happiness, as seen in this passage: "I see that. You seem much happier. There's a kind of light around you. She said this very directly, with a rueful, conspiratorial smile: as though she knew the cause of his happiness, and rejoiced for him" (234). In contrast, New Yorkers have a entirely different attitude toward homosexuality. New York is confined by America's conservative views. The New York society functions on the principle that different is bad. Anyone who strays from the norms of society is a threat. The people in New York vocalize their disdain for homosexuals and in some cases even threaten physical violence against those who are bold enough to come out of hiding. Eric describes the New York atmosphere to his partner using the metaphor "alleys and alley cats" to represent those who prey on the openly homosexual. He comments: "Getting you into America is going to be hassle enough, baby, let's not rock the boat. Besides, New York is full of alley cats. And alleys" (Baldwin 190). In addition, France proves to be a haven for interracial relationships as well. As seen in Another Country, the French society does not frown upon relationship between the races.

History and Culture Essay

Too long the country has been deprived of its national pride and independence. By 1911-1912, the foreigners were everywhere. The best way was to use them as sponsors for our changes, and let them call me â€Å"a dictator [corrupt and †¦ brutal] surrounding himself as soon as’ he could with some of the most despicable Chinese agents of the old regime; favoured [†¦] by foreign financiers [in the lust for] money and power and the means of extravagance and debauchery. † This year, the things are really disastrous. China’s foreign debt reaches 900 million taels. The dynasty has gone bankrupt undertaking expensive reforms of the governmental administration, military and educational system. The new regime followed the West in the enchantment with democratic elements of constitution, representative assemblies, separation of governmental powers, and political parties. On my side, I was more interested to pacify gentry and to centralize state power having been dissolved after foreign intrusions and imperialistic affairs. For me as President, therefore, the prior task is to obtain the loan from the Four Group Powers in order to keep a strong and obedient military resource to establish the right type of government. My fame played to the benefit of the task. I do remember how Dr. Morrison, the then political adviser to the Chinese Government, was trading with Mr. Crisp, the head of the firm of C. B. Crisp & Co, about the loan to pay for our administration needs this year, in 1912. We needed it badly in order not to depend so greatly on the Four Power Group, not to speak about Russia and Japan with their greed in regard to concessions. Then, the last persuasion for the â€Å"hard nut† Crisp to lend us ? 10,000,000 was delivered by Morrison in the words about my dictatorial position being the â€Å"benefit† of China. I am afraid, though, that we will have to owe the Four Group Allies ? 500,000,000, at the rate of ? 100,000,000 a year, not to forget about Japan and Russia trying to cut the fattest pieces of our cake in terms of territory, commerce and politics. Now I shall speak about my plans for the future. I really want to establish a â€Å"no-squeeze policy. † I believe that the modern Chinese state and nation should be centralised. The first step to do is to preserve the capital, thus, the centre of administrative authority, in Peking for the whole period of my office of President. Second, as I have never been a republican, I think about establishing a sort of a military dictatorship. I was often called the â€Å"strong man,† â€Å"a reputed reactionary,† and â€Å"arbitrary, tyrannical and self-indulgent† by my contemporaries, and, no doubt, I will be labelled like this by later researchers. My political opponents from the Kuomintang went even further referencing to me as nothing more than â€Å"[t]he fat bewhiskered general†. But even they can not deny that it was I who could build a strong army and placating fighting camps. That is why, in my opinion, there is no need to let those wordy democrats to spend time, effort and money on elections and the qualifications of voters. Let me stay â€Å"the strong dispenser of law and order† identifying the course of state policy by myself. Consequently, I plan to get rid of those tries to establish â€Å"popular sovereignty in the form of political parties and representative assemblies. † I watch them reorganising Sun Yat-sen’s Revolutionary Alliance into the Guomindang, or Nationalist Party, to dominate National Assembly after its election in December, 1912. I know that the trifle show with democratic elections for National/provincial/county assemblies could jeopardise the institute of centralised power I am planning to introduce. Later on, I will force the National Assembly to elect me as president for a long term, better for five years. Then, I will kick the Guomindang from the parliament because they are likely to assume too much political weight. The best solution will be also to dissolve all the assemblies that resemble a boiling pot, so â€Å"risky and messy† they are. Finally, I will do my best to consolidate all the state power in the hands of one person, and that person would be I. The best form to centralise power is monarchy, how ever discredited it has become. How about the British or Japanese constitutional model of the Emperor co-existing with the parliament? Lately, the title of â€Å"Grand Constitutional Emperor† has occurred to my mind as the best definition of the political system I want to achieve. Reanimating Confucianism as a state religion, there would be a chance to resurrect also the ideology of monarchism and to get back to traditional values, seeing also to the better economic and education opportunities to provide the nation with wealth and development. Bibliography Bowman, John S. , ed. Columbia Chronologies of Asian History and Culture. New York: Columbia University Press, 2000. Cantlie, James, and C. Sheridan Jones. Sun Yat Sen and the Awakening of China. New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1912. Croly, Herbert. Willard Straight. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1924. Eastman, Lloyd E. â€Å"The May Fourth Movement as a Historical Turning Point: Ecological Exhaustion, Militarization, and Other Causes of China’s Modern Crisis. † In Perspectives on Modern China: Four Anniversaries, edited by Thomas P. Bernstein et al. Armonk, NY: An East Gate Book, 1991, 123-138. Hyndman, H. M. The Awakening of Asia. New York: Boni and Liveright, 1919. Leang-Li, T’Ang. China in Revolt: How a Civilization Became a Nation. London: N. Douglas, 1927.