Abstract
This essay explains that, initially, abortion was banned on the grounds that it entails killing a form of life, and that it is equivalent to murder under the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. By citing existing legislation and exploring the social consequences of unwanted pregnancy, the paper goes on to argue that a fetus or an embryo is merely a developing human being - not a person - and therefore has no rights until its birth and separation from the mother, which marks its existence as a separate entity and entitles it to the right to life.

From the Paper
"Sometimes, it is in the best interest of both the mother and the baby to have an abortion. Rearing a child is not easy and requires great patience, selflessness and hard work. With teenage pregnancies on the rise, abortion is a wise decision. Doctors believe that pregnancy for a teenager can be physically difficult because they are still growing themselves and their bodies may have trouble handling the added demands of a pregnancy. They are also less likely to seek early and regular prenatal care, which means that conditions that could have been headed off by early intervention can become problematic. Consequently, they are also more likely to suffer from high blood pressure during pregnancy, which can lead to pre-eclampsia, a serious condition for both mother and child. Babies born to teen mothers are also more likely to be born underweight and are more likely to be born prematurely which increases the likelihood that the babies will require additional medical care and develop ongoing medical conditions (Consequences of Teenage pregnancy). Such a baby will not enjoy an acceptable quality of life and it is sometimes better to not put them through a life with such hardships that they are struggling with death at every breath. In such cases, abortion is the right choice."

Tags:law, fetus, reproductive

Abstract
This paper first explains that a person's value system is a consequence of conforming, without thinking about it, to the principles that the society holds in high regard. Next, the author presents examples of cultural relativism, which is the concept that an individual's beliefs and activities should be understood in terms of her own cultural norms that have a major influence on moral judgment. The paper concludes that, throughout the world, there is not a domineering universal morality but rather most individuals believe in the morality of the society in which they grew up.

From the Paper
"According to Kohlberg, Amy is operating at level 3 and Jake has advanced to level 5. However, this argument is now easily dismissed in current times - as while Jake may have provided a profound answer, Amy also gave valid thoughts - which included concern for the future, consequences, and other's feelings.
"It becomes obvious that the two sexes do not inhabit different moral universes; rather nurture and nature sometimes cause different genders to respond in various ways. Nurture causes women to think differently because of social role to which they are assigned."

Tags:morals, conformity, benchmarks, kohlberg, majority

Abstract
This paper examines the consequences and impact of bullying upon three stakeholder groups, which include the victim, the victim's family and friends and the bully. According to the paper, the long term, potentially devastating impact of bullying demonstrates the need to develop strategies to discourage future acts of bullying. The paper presents an in-depth analysis of the consequences of bullying on the three groups mentioned above. In particular, it notes the suffering of the victims and the psychological and academic consequences of bullying. It also notes the antisocial behavior of the perpetrator and how parents and friends of the victim must cope with the victim's pain. Studies are cites which reinforce the paper's claims. The paper concludes by stating that the consequences of bullying should not be overlooked, and that bully should not be accepted as a normal part of childhood.

From the Paper
"Bullying should not be ignored or simply accepted as a standard part of childhood. Bullying is a serious threat which ultimately has the potential to cause significant emotional, cognitive and physical harm. This paper focuses upon the impact of bullying upon three stakeholder groups: the victim, the victim's family and friends and the bully. The long term, potentially devastating impact of bullying demonstrates the need to develop strategies to discourage future acts of bullying.
"The first group impacted by the act of bullying is the most obvious: the victims. The victims often suffer significant psychological damage as they bare the brunt of the burden caused by bullying. What happens to the victims of bullies? The first negative consequence of being bullied is social isolation. The victim will often withdraw from others as a consequence of being bullied. This can occur in several ways."

Tags:social isolation, peer relationships, truancy, self-esteem, depression

Abstract
This paper discusses the social consequences that will result in traditional third world countries from gender imbalance due to a bias in male children, sex-selective abortion and female infanticide. Furthermore, the paper discusses the modern Western issue of the killing of infants who suffer from incurable illnesses. Specifically, the paper assesses the social acceptability of some nations in Western Europe that have in recent years attempted to enact legal protocols for neonatal euthanasia, by which the most severely ill infants may legally be killed following consultation between physicians, parents, and authorities.

From the Paper
"In contrast to the problem of mass, sex-selective infanticide in traditional cultures, in the West the issue of the killing of infants who suffer from incurable illnesses has recently arisen. It is important to clearly distinguish such euthanasia from infanticide proper, although opponents of such euthanasia are likely to argue that the distinction is not valid ("Outrage," 2004). In fact, euthanasia of both the elderly, the incurably ill, and infants (especially newborns) with incurable illnesses has taken place as long in Western nations as it has in other cultures, but only in recent years has it become a matter of controversy. One example of the controversy coming into a public debate is in the Netherlands, where in 2002, medical doctors from the University of Groningen working in cooperation with state prosecutors worked out what has come to be known as the Groningen Protocol, a set of guidelines for physicians treating severely ill infants who may not be capable of survival. According to these laws, physicians, in consultation with the infant's parents, social workers, and prosecutors, have the prerogative of making a decision concerning euthanasia in select and clearly limited situations. Of approximately 200,000 children born in the Netherlands annual, it is estimated that 600 of the most severely ill may be subject to physician-assisted euthanasia (Verhagen & Sauer, 2005). Whether this new attitude toward neonatal euthanasia will prevail and become more widely accepted remains to be seen."

Tags:euthanasia, sex-selective, western eastern, social acceptability, neonatal

Abstract
In this paper the author examines the theme of tragedy that runs through this play. In so doing he looks at the primary relationships in the play - the relationship between the Cardinal, the Duchess and Ferdinand and the relationship between the Duchess and Antonio which he suggests is central to the play. He also suggests that the character of Bosola is an additional factor in the events that lead to the tragic end. The author examines each of these factors in turn, looking at the characters involved, their characteristics and the meaning of each factor and concludes by showing, not only how all these events led to the tragic ending, but also what meaning this has for the reader.

From the paper:

"The central tragedy of the play is that of the Duchess. She is represented as a fine woman in terrible circumstances. Her tragic flaw is her need to follow her heart. She defies the reality of the situation and makes the decision to marry Antonio and ultimately suffers for this choice. The tragedy of the situation is that she does nothing wrong. Her relationship with Antonio is pure. Even with the tragedy that results, she accepts this as a consequence of loving Antonio and accepts her fate."

Tags:play, illicit, love, revenge, murder, tragedy, demise, heroine, duchess, family, values, ferdinand, antonio, bosola, evil, good, society, struggle

Abstract
The paper states that the conversion of the Rus - the medieval political entity centered on the city of Kiev - is dated from 988, when its pagan ruler, Vladimir, and his subjects were baptized under the auspices of the Byzantine emperor, Basil II. The writer explains that the acceptance of Eastern Christianity may have been determined as much by geography as theology. The paper explains that, over time, the architecture, decorative arts and music, in the area of the Kievan Empire, began to reflect Byzantine style. The writer shows that one of the most significant consequences of the conversion of the Kievan Empire was the division between church and state. The paper explains that the Byzantine view of church-state relations suited the rulers of Kiev and later the Russian Tsars, who saw themselves as Caesars, who were all-powerful in their realms. It explains that autocracy has been a factor in the development of Russian leadership until the time of the Soviet Union, which itself had all-powerful leaders. In conclusion, the writer posits that had the Kievan Empire not converted to Eastern Christianity, the society and culture in Russia today would be far different from what would have developed in the absence of that conversion a millennium ago.

From the Paper
"The acceptance of Eastern Christianity by the Kievan Empire may have been determined as much by geography as theology. Kiev, strategically situated on the Dnieper River, in the tenth century dominated the established trade route between the Baltic Sea in the north and the Black Sea in the south. This so-called "route from the Varyagi (Varangians or Vikings) to the Greeks," permitted trade from northern Europe to the Byzantine Empire, the Eastern Mediterranean, and various parts of Asia. The prosperity and influence of Vladimir's Kiev depended on the use and control of this route, which involved many rivers, lakes, and the portage of simple rafts and open boats between bodies of water (Barraclough 114-15). "Byzantium was not only Kiev's principal partner in this north-south trade, the two also at times fought wars against each other and at other times aided each other against the threat of third powers. In fact, the most direct cause of the conversion of Vladimir may have been an agreement between Vladimir and Emperor Basil that called for Vladimir to provide 6,000 troops to help Basil put down the rebellion of Phocas, one of Basil's generals, who had declared himself Emperor, taken over most of Asia Minor, and besieged Byzantium (Shchapov 58-59). What Vladimir got out of the agreement was marriage to an Imperial Princes, Anna, the Emperor's sister. "

Tags:autocracy, byzantine, church, state

Abstract
The paper examines the immense historical and religious consequences of the Byzantine's fateful refusal to accept the Union of Florence and discusses how this indicates that it was not right for the Byzantines to refuse to accept this Union. The paper explains that their refusal was a tragic blunder, for Byzantium's very existence was at stake at this time and acceptance of the Union of Florence may well have prevented Constantinople's conquest by Sultan Mehmet II and the Turks in 1453.

From the Paper
"Examining the immense historical and religious consequences of the Byzantine's fateful refusal to accept the Union of Florence indicates that it was not right for the Byzantines to refuse to accept this Union. Their refusal was a tragic blunder, for Byzantium's very existence was at stake at this time and acceptance of the Union of Florence may well have prevented Constantinople's conquest by Sultan Mehmet II and the Turks in 1453."

Tags:byzantium, and, florence

Abstract
This paper discusses the issue of homosexuality within the context of mainstream religious organizations and churches. It explains that generally speaking, homosexuality and consequently homosexual acts are not reconcilable with fundamental religious doctrine no matter the religion. It claims that while some religions have developed an uneasy relationship with homosexuality , no full acceptance of homosexuality in any form within the confines of traditional Christian based religious faiths.

From the Paper
"The issue of homosexuality within the context of mainstream religious organizations and churches is certainly a hot topic and one that has a long path of debate and contention before being solved. Generally speaking, homosexuality, and consequently, homosexual acts, are not reconcilable with fundamental religious doctrine no matter the religion. While some religions have developed an uneasy relationship with homosexuality, somewhat akin to the U.S. military's don't ask don't tell policy, there truly exists no full acceptance of homosexuality in any form within the confines of traditional Christian based religious faiths (Gallagher). The argument made here is that homosexuality and traditional Christian based religions cannot coexist in any fashion based on the current religious doctrine that all Christian faiths are based upon; i.e. biblical literature. The contention is that homosexuality within the confines of the individual should be considered a non-issue and thus simply a different aspect of ..."

Tags:roman, catholic, protestant

Abstract
This paper explains that sentiments towards violence are changing in society, which has led to a modification in the attitude and legal approach to crimes. The author points out that violence as a cure for evil is the attitude popularized by the mass media, and criminal statistics show that this has been wholeheartedly accepted by society. The paper relates that present law accedes that some circumstances may extenuate murder, which are described in the Criminal Code as defense of provocation.

From the Paper
"In social and legal matters, violence today is disdained. The fact that this law excuses violence in response to non-violent as well as violent acts is considered the fundamental shortcoming in the law of provocation. Studies have shown that men usually kill women in response to verbal taunting, infidelity or other sexual behavior while women are usually jailed for killing men as a response to physical violence. (Provocation, Self-Defense and Defense of Property 2003) Whereas one response panders to the male dominant stereotype, the other is obviously a survival instinct. "Loss of control" is being influenced and evaluated by ethnic and cultural values, not a standard moral code. The average prison sentence of men who kill their women partners is 2 to 6 years. Women who kill their partners are sentenced on average to 15 years, despite the fact that most women who kill do so in an abusive relationship and for self-defense."

Tags:women, films, code, modification, statistics

Abstract
An examination of three of Hawthorne's works: "Young Goodman Brown," "The Birthmark" and "Ethan Brand" . This paper shows that in all three, the author wishes to comment on the consequences of allowing religion to mar true recognition of goodness and beauty. All three stories highlight the fact that human kindness and faith are more important than obsession with religious teachings. Although Hawthorne's writings have often been interpreted as being influenced by the author's Puritan heritage, the writer shows that there is equally a wide acknowledgment that Hawthorne left the interpretation of any moral lesson in his tales to the reader.

From the Paper
"The influence of Puritan religion is a common theme in Nathaniel Hawthorne's works. Perhaps, it is the overwhelming presence of this theme that has led to Hawthorne's writings being interpreted as morbid and full of Puritanical gloom. This interpretation is also encouraged by well-documented facts about Hawthorne's strong awareness of his Puritan ancestry and his sense of guilt over their participation in the famous Salem witch trials. However, there is a much stronger case in favor of the fact that Hawthorne's purpose was to actually use his writings as an indictment of Puritan society and indeed the folly of blind acceptance of religious teachings."

Tags:puritan, young, goodman, brown, birthmark, ethan, brand, christian