Abstract This paper discusses the existence of the Star of Bethlehem and examines what the Star of Bethlehem was. The paper also identifies and discusses the first reference to the Star of Bethlehem in the New Testament of the Bible. Specifically discussed by the paper is the debate of whether the Star of Bethlehem was a myth or if there is conclusive evidence for its existence.
Table of Contents:
Did the Star of Bethlehem Exist?
What are Possible Explanations for the Star of Bethlehem?
Did Saint Matthew Create This Myth for the Birth of Jesus?
Is there Conclusive Evidence Identifying the Star of Bethlehem?
From the Paper "In conclusion, there is no evidence that signifies conclusively that the Star of Bethlehem actually existed because these are all merely theories from which astronomers and historians alike justified that the Star of Bethlehem existed when Jesus Christ was born. All historians and astronomers have at this point are fascinating speculations and theories like those by Molnar as well as the many other authors and scientists who have attempted to uncover the mystery surrounding the Star of Bethlehem. Perhaps the mystery about the Star of Bethlehem will never be completely solved, but it is the mystery itself that drives us to find a solution."
Abstract This paper focuses on Joan Didion's most intriguing book, "Slouching Towards Bethlehem." The essays in the novel present a somber tone and, thus, meet cliches such as "don?t judge the book by its cover" and "what meets the eye is not always true". This paper also discusses the themes of Didion's essays.
From the Paper "Joan Didion's "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" provides its readers with archetypal examples of the social criticism permeating through new Journalism. This book is Joan Didion's second novel, which immediately established the young writer as one the best essayists of a stellar generation. Didion was restrained, classical, with emotions only hinted at; her effects depended less on obvious narrative experiment or hilarious excess than on the exact balance of a sentence and the careful placement of a clause or adjective, and on a pervasive sense of melancholy. Nearly all her longer essays might bear the classical epigraph Sunt lacrimae rerum -- There are tears in things (Michael Dirda, The Washington Post Book Club; Slouching Towards Bethlehem)."
Abstract This paper examines in-depth the popular essays of American writer Joan Didion in the collections, "Slouching toward Bethlehem" and "The White Album". It describes that Didion's essays are always focused on her point of view, not just in what she sees, but also her opinion. The paper analyses her writing style and illustrates that these essays are an excellent example of effective personal writing, which makes for interesting content.
Table of Contents:
Examples of the Essays of Joan Didion
The Writing Style of Joan Didion
The Value of Didion's Essays
Works Cited
From the Paper "Joan Didion is a writer best known for her essays. These essays were collected in two volumes, Slouching toward Bethlehem (1968) and The White Album (1979). Both of these established Didion as a successful essayist. While she also wrote novels, fiction and screenplays, it was always her essays that remained most popular. To consider this further, the essays of Didion will now be analyzed. This will begin with a look at several examples. Her writing style will then be considered. Finally, this will be concluded with a look at why her work is worth reading."
Tags: personal, writing, opinion, style, white, album, bethlehem
Abstract This is an examination of the environmental issues surrounding the Patapsco River, Inner Harbor, and Chesapeake Bay. It hints as to where the pollution comes from, and gives solutions on what society needs to do in order to clean up our rivers and save our environment.
From the Paper "The Patapsco watershed, particularly some sections in its upper region, suffers from high levels of nutrients, bacteria, and suspended sediments. The known heritage of close to three centuries of pollution and abuse of the Patapsco's resources seem to blame our ancestors for the low oxygen levels, disease, algae blooms, and excess nutrients that are destructing the water (Alliance, 2). It is unfortunate that little used to be known about the harmful effects resulting from damming, channel dredging, pollution, and dumping and how they have taken their toll on the river."
From the Paper "Bethlehem steel is the nation's second largest integrated steel produce; its primary business is the manufacture and sale of a wide variety of steel mill products. Additional business segments include producing and selling coal and other raw materials, repair ships and offshore drilling platforms, and manufacturing forging and castings. This research examines the recent performance of the company with a particular emphasis on current and potential activities which might be undertaken to maximize the performance of the stock (traded on the New York Exchange). Incorporated in 1904, Bethlehem's history dates back to the mid-nineteenth century when the Saucona Iron Company was founded in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to roll railroad rails. When the current name was ..."
Abstract This paper contends that Jesus was born a Jew and died a Jew and that he never severed his ties with the Jewish people. It explains that it was only following his death that commentators and his followers moved away from his original beliefs and became a different sect/religion. The writer argues that the hatred and anti-Semitism that occurred over the centuries was as a result of a misunderstanding of Jesus's roots.
From the Paper "Christianizing significantly Jewish concepts and texts led the Jewish philosopher to declare that it was, in fact, God's chosen people, Israel, who were or was the suffering servant of God and that Isaiah described them and their suffering with precision and grandeur in his 53rd chapter in the hands of their Christian tormentors through the ages.
It is clear to the Jews that the most fundamental teachings of Christianity have not only been non-Jewish, but also pagan, such as the immortality of the soul, the Holy Trinity, eternal torment in hell and the veneration of Mary and the saints. The Jews argue that these teachings have no biblical basis and would have outraged even the first-century Christians. They strongly oppose the propagation of such teachings as completely devoid of the essential truths of Christianity itself. They perceive modern Christianity as lacking even in the most basic characteristics of Jesus Christ's teachings to his original Jewish followers. These included the resurrection of the dead, the kingdom of God on earth and practicing biblical commandments according to the Law of Moses. They and other critics of Christian churches found the latter teaching what they should not and failing to teach what they should."
Abstract This paper traces the lives of Jesus and Mohammed relative to Christianity and Islam respectively. The paper compares and discusses the impact that the death of each had on their followers and how they are worshipped today. The paper further discusses the messages that each carried and continue to bring to their followers today.
Contents:
Introduction
Life of Jesus
Life of Mohammed
Impact of Jesus's Death on Christianity
Impact of Mohammed's Death on Islam
How Jesus was/is Worshipped
How Mohammed is/was Worshipped
How the Message of Jesus is Carried Out in the World Today
How the Message of Mohammed is Carried Out in the World Today
From the Paper "Jesus taught people by way of sermons and parables and through it, Jesus instructed his listeners to (i) love their enemies (ii) not to judge others (iii) have trust in God (iv) not to be anxious regarding tomorrow and the most important (v) Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you. This is known as the Golden Rule. (Teachings of Jesus) Jesus' discussion regarding true worship comprises of (i) the necessity of complete revelation of God for a true knowledge regarding Jehovah (ii) The admittance that salvation resides with the Jews (iii) A discussion of worship under the purview of the new covenant (iv) The Father's desire for genuine worshippers (v) The nature of Biblical worship that is completely dependent on the Holy Spirit and His revelation. (The Teaching of Jesus on Worship) These messages of Jesus are being accepted by the Christian Church and being tried to be followed by Christians all over the world."
Tags: Allah, absolute, faith, prophet, judgement, sermon, resurrection, sin, mecca, bethlehem, angel, disciples, mary
Abstract This paper explains that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, sometime between 8 BC and 29 AD, of virgin birth; whereas, Mohammed was born in a well-to-do family in Mecca (in present-day Saudi Arabia) in 570 AD and was raised by his uncle Abu Talib,the leader of the Hashim clan of the Quraish tribe. The author points out that the death of Jesus and Mohammed did not impede the growth of their religions mainly due to the efforts of their disciples. The paper relates that, although moderate Muslims emphasize the peaceful character of the religion, the extremist elements among the Muslims emphasize the aspects of Mohammed's teachings relating to "Jihad" and his military conquests; however, Jesus' message is purely non-violent and stresses the infinite love of God for humanity.
Table of Contents:
Tracing the Lives of Jesus and Mohammed
Jesus
Mohammed
Impact of the Deaths of Jesus and Mohammed on their Religions
How the Messages of Jesus and Mohammed Being Carried out in the World Today
From the Paper "Most Christians believe that Jesus is divine and a member of the Holy Trinity, i.e., one of the three divine persons who are God (the other two being the Father and the Holy Spirit). They believe that he is the Son of God and the Messiah. Hence all those Christians who consider Jesus as divine consider it appropriate to worship him. They do so by singing his praises in hymns, psalms and spiritual songs and by praying to him in the Church. They also quote passages in the Gospel in which the faithful are commanded to worship God (Matthew 4:10; Revelation 19:10; 22:9) and point out that Jesus never objected to his own worship."
Abstract The paper discusses measures companies can use to manage employees, including the setting of benchmarks for employee performance, the consideration of metrics for assessment of employee and team performances, and the overall shift from financial models of management to employee-centered strategies. The paper refers to the histories of industrial development and the discourse on its psychological effects as shown in the Bethlehem Steel company. The paper believes that by diverting attention from a singular focus on profitability, it is likely that organizations will achieve higher marks in categories that are more beneficial to the consumer, to the bottom line and to the personnel involved at every level.
From the Paper "It is important for an organization attempting to evaluate its own performance to consider a wide range of factors. Though financial indicators are often used to evaluate performance, there is evidence that these indicators result in what is called a lagging outcome, where companies rely incorrectly on economic factors from the past to make decisions about the present and the future. (Rodrigue, 1) Instead, a more effective evaluation strategy should include performance indicators for organizational qualities that produce these financial indicators. Most specifically, by better understanding the implications of such factors as personnel performance and the managerial oversight of such operational performance, it is distinctly possible to create a more relevant way to motivate and measure performance than the typically outdated ways of financial measurement and singular financial incentive. Indeed, this is reinforced by current and predominant research, which contends that "the conceptual and empirical work relevant to this question has progressed far enough to suggest that the role of human resources can be crucial." (Becker et al, 779)"
