Middle East Essay Example for Free

Middle East Essay The central difference between Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims is the manner in which they have chosen to recognize leadership in Islam following the death of the prophet Muhammad. Etymologically, Sunni people are those who â€Å"follow the traditions of the Prophet,† whilst the Shia are those who follow the â€Å"Household of the Prophet,† and these are apt descriptors of the manner in which they differ. Sunni Muslims chose to recognize the authority of Muhammad’s companions, who declared that the role of leadership was to be accorded to one deemed capable, establishing a Caliphate under Muhammad’s confidante, Abu Bakr. Shia Muslims on the other hand, chose not to recognize the authority of the Caliphate, and instead devoted themselves to a line of Imams they believe to be appointed through divine right. Shia Muslims are essentially the minority, with Sunni Muslim comprising 85% of the world’s Islamic population. Generally speaking, Amin maintains that despite these political differences, their core beliefs are fundamentally the same. The fundamental analogy he provides is the contrast between Protestantism and the Roman Catholic Orthodoxy. The Shia Imam is essentially a nigh-infallible figure accorded Pope-like reverence, while the Sunni choose a more individualistic and secular form of respect, eschewing formal clergy in favor of scholarship and independence much like Protestantism. Other than that, they agree on many critical aspects of Islam: the Five Pillars, and neither group denies the other’s right to identifying as Muslim. As Athar observes, many Muslims do not actually actively distinguish themselves nominally. However, Athar also argues that the political ramifications of their differences have led to an unfair stigmatization of the Shia Muslims within Western media, if it chooses at all to inform non-Muslims of these differences. One notable misconception is the notion that Shia do not pay ‘zakat’ or poor-due when in fact, they do. They simply choose not to make this contribution through the Sunni government, which they believe to be corrupt. Works Cited Amin, Hussein Abdulwaheed. â€Å"The Origins of the Sunni/Shia split in Islam. † Islam For Today. 17 August 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2008 from: http://www. islamfortoday. com/shia. htm Athar, Shahid. â€Å"Shia Sunni Unity: Shia Sunni Differences, Shia Sunni Conflict. † Islam Online. 5 June 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2008 from: http://www. ezsoftech. com/Akram/shiasunniunity. asp

Psycho :: essays research papers

1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Watching the shower scene with and without music helped me to understand Hitchcock’s use of music throughout the film. Hitchcock used the high-pitched music during the scenes that were intended to have a high-tension effect. For example, when Marion was stealing the money, talking to the cop, and driving especially. The movie would probably get boring if we were just watching her driving and driving and driving. By adding the high-pitched music, Hitchcock created tension and suspense. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In my opinion Marion Crane is innately a good person. Although she stole the money, I think she did it mostly out of desire to help her boyfriend and to get out and away from her home and live with her boyfriend. It is obvious throughout the movie that Marion knows that stealing the money was a bad idea, she was extremely paranoid, she was obviously not used to doing anything considered â€Å"bad† or illegal considering the way she acted towards the cop, and in the end I think that if she were really a bad person the killer would have not been identified. Before she was murdered she was planning on returning to Phoenix, which she knew was the right thing to do. If Marion’s sister hadn’t gone looking for her, no one would have known she was even murdered. I think that since she was innately a good person, that that is the reason the murder was pieced together and solved in the end. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I think this was a good film to show in this class. It showed us a lot about techniques to create suspense, and it helped show us how different horror movies were when they first started out. I thought it was funny that they could use chocolate syrup as blood since it was in black and white. Black and white movies must be a lot cheaper to make even when not considering color price. The censorship was so different when this movie was made. Most of us I think were stunned that they didn’t actually show the murders (being stabbed), and couldn’t even show Marion’s butt in the shower. I’m personally a wuss when it comes to horror movies, and I thought I’d be scared of Psycho just because I normally would be. But I realized that after watching this movie that I’m more afraid of the blood and the music than anything else. A friend and I used to watch scary movies sometimes during sleepovers and we’d always hit the Mute b utton every time we got really scared, because we realized a lot of what causes us to be scared is the suspense that the music in a movie builds.

Honesty in the Crucible Essay

The phrase â€Å"honesty is the best policy,† applies to Arthur Miller’s history-based drama, The Crucible, in a variety of ways. The accusations throughout the story build on lie after lie after lie from those trying to protect their own name, thus putting the whole town in a state of confusion and chaos. Nobody in the small town of Salem, Massachusetts knows whom to trust anymore, after all of the false allegations made. There are three characters in particular in the story that, if they had told the truth from the commencement, the town would have been in a state of peace rather than mayhem. If Abigail Williams, John Proctor, and Elizabeth Proctor had been honest, many innocent lives could have been spared and Salem would not be in such disarray. Abigail Williams lies many times throughout The Crucible. In Act I, Abigail deceives Reverend Parris by claiming that the reason she was dismissed from working for the Proctors was due to the fact that â€Å"She [Elizabeth Proctor] hates me, uncle, he must, for I would not be her slave† (Miller 12). The reality of this statement is that although Abigail claims, â€Å"there be no blush upon my name† (Miller 12), Abigail was discharged from her laboring duties because she had a love affair with John Proctor. Abigail continues with this deception throughout the entire story, which later leads to the downfall of many others. Another example of Abigail’s dishonesty is while dancing in the forest one night with other girls, Abigail tried to cast a charm to kill Elizabeth Proctor so she could have John all to herself. When the villagers of Salem received word of this, Abigail quickly denies the accusations of witchcraft by diverting the attention to others by lying and claiming to have seen many people with the devil while in the forest. Another lie Abigail concocts in The Crucible is that Elizabeth Proctor sent her spirit on Abigail and claims â€Å"a needle were found stuck into her belly† (Miller 76), when in fact, Abby stuck herself just to make it appear that Elizabeth committed the heinous act. If Abigail had not continuously lied to protect her reputation, none of the suspicion of witchcraft would have occurred and innocent people would not have had to go through the burden of trials, prison, and the fear of sure death. John Proctor also lies throughout The Crucible. Although he has come clean to his wife, Elizabeth, about his love affair with Abigail, it is still a secret to the rest of the citizens of Salem. John is severely ashamed of his act of adultery, and has trouble admitting it to himself. When Elizabeth suggests early on,†I think you must tell him[Hale], John† (Miller 67), Proctor evades admitting the truth to Reverend Hale of his affair even though it could have been a valid excuse for the Proctor family’s lack of attendance at church and John’s inability to say the commandment, â€Å"Thou shalt not commit adultery.† In Act III, when John finally is forced to admit his clandestine affair with Abigail to the court, nobody believes him. Because John has waited so long to confess his affair, it just looks like a poor attempt to save him and Elizabeth from the indictments. If John had divulged the secret of his affair earlier on, people might scorn him for his sin, but he would have evaded the allegations of witchcraft. Although John Proctor and Abigail Williams are dishonest throughout the majority of The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor remains truthful for most of the story. She does make one very grave mistake that sets the precedent for her husband’s future. When asked, â€Å"To your own knowledge, has John Proctor ever committed the crime of lechery?† (Miller 113), Elizabeth lies to the court in agony answering, †No, sir.† (Miller 113). John, having already confessed the sin to the court, is believed a liar and sentenced to death by hanging. Although Elizabeth only lied to protect her husband’s good name, if she had been honest with the court, John’s life could have been spared. If Abigail Williams, John Proctor, and Elizabeth Proctor had been honest, many innocent lives could have been spared and Salem would not be in such disarray. They lied for different reasons (Abigail out of greed, and John and Elizabeth to spare John’s reputation), but nevertheless, the lying lead to bedlam throughout the city, distrust, confusion, and more lies. Arthur Miller’s idea of the theme of honesty in The Crucible is that the truth is always meant to always be told, and no matter how painful the consequences, the penalties for lying will always be heavier.

Sexual Orientation Struggles By Jennifer Brown - 1175 Words

Sexual Orientation Struggles Jennifer Brown National University Author Note A brief author note (which should not be included in papers submitted in Paul Rose’s classes) goes here. It may include acknowledgment of funding sources, expressions of gratitude to research assistants and contact information for the author who will handle requests. I have a few notes of my own to share here. First, I am very grateful to everyone who has emailed me with suggested improvements; I’m sorry I can’t acknowledge you all here. Second, you are hereby granted permission to use this document for learning and research purposes. You may not sell this document either by itself or in combination with other products or services. Third, if you use this†¦show more content†¦Despite many supporters the troubles persist. History proves the LGBT’s have been subject to harassment by their employers and other employee’s, they’ve been denied jobs, denied promotions, terminated, denied leave, and been denied benefit coverage of partners am ong other things. (1) Individuals may not accept the decisions of the way other choose to live their lives but tolerance should exist at the very least as John Moran states in other words. (2) For the most part, what these individuals being discriminated against are striving for is not unreasonable. They deserve the same rights as any other employee and that’s what they have long fought for and continue to seek. Discrimination of any kind has a huge effect on people and shouldn’t be tolerated in any situation. Current Efforts to Provide Equality As of today there are still no federal laws protecting the rights of employees with non-traditional sexualities of being discriminated against in their workplace. There have been no consistencies shown from the federal government regarding this matter. Although there are efforts currently taking place to pass a federal law to prohibit discrimination based on sexuality along with increasing numbers of supportive congressmen, the bill still hasn’t yet become a law. It is referred to as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act or ENDA which was introduced in 1994. There has been more acceptance of sexual orientation at the state level than at federal. Many states have