What Was Greek Religion

In a compact phrase, the answer to the basic question is Greek religion was (literally) the tie that binds. However, that misses assumptions made in the preceding paragraph about religion. While the Bible and Koran might refer to old or even ancient religions—certainly Judaism is ancient by any count—they are religions of a different sort. As indicated, they are based on a book that includes a set of prescribed practices and beliefs. In contrast, a contemporary example of an ancient religion not based on a specific book and more like the Greek type is Hinduism. Although there were atheists among the ancient Greeks, Greek religion pervaded community life. Religion was not a separate sphere. People did not take breaks each day or once a week to pray to the gods. There was no synagogue/church/mosque of Greece. There were temples, though, to store the statue of the deities, and the temples would be in the sacred spaces (temene) where public rituals would be carried out. Proper Public Religious Behavior Counted Personal, privately-held belief unimportant or trivial; public, ritual performance mattered. While some practitioners of specific mystery cults may have looked to their religion as a way to attain the Afterlife, entrance to Paradise or Hell did not depend on ones religiosity.Religion dominated most events the ancient Greeks participated in. In Athens, more than half the days of the year were (religious) festivals. The main festivals lent their names to the months. Events that sound secular and like diversions to us, like athletic festivals (e.g., the Olympics), and theatrical performances were held purposefully, to honor specific gods. Going to the theater, therefore, combined Greek religion, patriotism, and entertainment. To understand this, take a look at something similar in modern life: When we sing the national anthem of a country before a sporting event, we honor the national spirit. We, in the U.S., revere the flag as if it were a person and have prescribed rules for how to handle it. The Greeks might have honored their city-states patron deity with a hymn instead of an anthem. Furthermore, the connection between religion and theater lasted beyond the ancient Greeks and into the Christian era. The names of performances in the Middle Ages tell it all: miracle, mystery, and morality plays. Even today, around Christmas, many churches produce nativity plays ... not to mention our idol worship of movie stars. Just as the goddess Venus was the Morning/Evening Star, might not the fact that we call them stars suggest deification Greeks Honored Many Gods The Greeks were polytheists.  Honoring one god would not be viewed as offensive to another god. Although you wouldnt incur the wrath of one god, by honoring another, you had to remember the first one, too. There are cautionary tales of gods offended that their cults were neglected. There were many gods and various aspects of them. Each city had its own particular protector. Athens was named after its main goddess, Athena Polias (Athena of the city). Athenas temple on the Acropolis was called the Parthenon, which means maiden because the temple was the place to honor the virgin goddess aspect, Athena. The Olympics (named in honor of the home of the gods) featured a temple to Zeus and annual dramatic festivals were held to honor the god of wine, Dionysus. Festivals as Public Feasts Greek religion focused on sacrifice and ritual. Priests cut open animals, removed their entrails, burned the appropriate sections for the gods—who didnt really need the mortal food since they had their own divine nectar and ambrosia—and served the remaining meat as a festive treat to the people. The Altar Priestesses poured libations of water, milk, oil, or honey onto a flaming altar. Prayers would be offered for favors or help. The help might be to overcome the wrath of a god angry at an individual or community. Some stories tell of gods offended because they were omitted from a list of gods honored with sacrifice or prayer, while other stories tell of gods offended by humans boasting they were as good as the gods. Such wrath might be demonstrated by the sending of a plague. The offerings were made with the hope and expectation that they would appease the angry god. If the one god wasnt cooperating, another aspect of the same or another god might work better. Contradictions Were Not Considered a Problem Stories told about the gods and goddesses, the mythology, changed over time. Early on, Homer and Hesiod wrote accounts of the gods, as later did playwrights and poets. Different cities had their own stories. Unreconciled contradictions didnt discredit the gods. Again, the aspects play a part. One goddess could be both virgin and mother, for instance. Praying to the virgin goddess for help with childlessness would probably not make as much sense or be as propitious as praying to the maternal aspect. One might pray to a virgin goddess for the safety of ones children when ones city was under siege or, more likely, to help in a boar hunt since the virginal goddess Artemis was associated with the hunt. Mortals, Demi-Gods, and Gods Not only did each city have its protector deity, but its ancestral hero(es). These heroes were the half-mortal offspring of one of the gods, usually Zeus. Many also had mortal fathers, as well as the divine one. Greek anthropomorphic gods lived active lives, primarily different from mortal lives in that the gods were deathless. Such stories about the gods and heroes formed part of the history of a community. Homer and Hesiod have ascribed to the gods all things that are a shame and a disgrace among mortals, stealing and adulteries and deceiving on one another.—Xenophanes

What Is the Appeal of Alcohol - 1662 Words

Alcohol is one of the most abused drugs in the world. Why do people use alcohol in the first place? Many people do experience a relaxed feeling known as a â€Å"buzz,† after having alcohol. They only focus on the pleasurable feeling the alcohol bestows on them. Each person has a different reason for drinking alcohol. Most people want to have an enjoyable time with others and drink. Others may drink to escape stress caused by a tough day in the office or being laid off from the company. Alcoholic parents do not mature decisions and should not be parents. Alcohol makes dealing with children tough, thoughts are slowed and the tendency to overreact to normal actions increases. By partaking in alcohol consumption, risks develop that ordinarily would†¦show more content†¦Jeff Stevens conducted a study on the effects of alcohol from parent to child and discovered, â€Å"Alcoholism can pass from one generation to the next due to the influence of the environment† (Is Al coholism a Disease?). While alcoholism has been proven to not be a genetic disorder, it can be strongly influenced by the environment and the people in it. â€Å"Markus Heilig, director at U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said, ‘Among alcoholic patients, rates for physical abuse were reported at 24 percent and 33 percent for men and women’† (Everyday Health). Parents are the role models that are supposed to guide young children to a successful future. Often children are not raised properly and are abused. Kenneth Leonard, Ph.D., conducted a study on alcoholic fathers and found, â€Å"The alcohol-abusing fathers were less sensitive in their parenting† (Mental Health). The alcohol tends to lessen the father’s sympathy, so he becomes more aggressive than normal. Physical abuse caused by the father leads to bruises, cuts, broken bones, or emotional scars. To relieve themselves of the pain, the abused children will experiment with alcohol. The escape route the abused children take is alcohol because it takes children to a place where they can be cheerful and away from the abuse. It is a fact that, â€Å"The experience of being abused as a child may increase a person’s risk for alcohol-related problems as an adult† (Alcohol Abuse asShow MoreRelatedDrinking Culture and American Social Norms1318 Words   |  6 Pagesdrinking age in the United States. Thesis Statement: I will discuss 1) the current legal drinking age, 2) the effect that this drinking age has upon American social norms, and 3) the potential benefits of a lower drinking age. I. INTRODUCTION A. Hook: Alcohol is ever-present in today’s American society. Television viewers are constantly bombarded with advertisements promoting its consumption. Social events rarely take place without their attendees drinking some alcoholic beverage or another. However, youngRead MoreAnalysis Of Pursuit Of Happiness By Kid Cudi1736 Words   |  7 Pagescomes together to create the content. An example of the use of the rhetorical triangle would be the song â€Å"Pursuit of Happiness† by Kid Cudi. This song could be interpreted in many different viewpoints based on the way you view the use of drugs and alcohol. One listener can perceive the song as a method of justifying the use of drugs, while the artist can view it as the struggles of a man trying to find true happiness and escaping his problems. With that said the rhetorical triangle could be used inRead MoreThe Drug That Pretends It Isn t By Anna Quindlen1002 Words   |  5 Pagesthe use of alcohol, and mentions the fact that it is very dangerous and should be consired a drug. Guindlen brings up very valid points regarding the alcohol abuse issue. She mentions that users don’t label alcohol as a drug because, they are blind towards the effect it brings on you and don’t realize that when you drink you are not in control of yourself that’s what a drug is. I am completely in agreement with Anna Quindlen and I agree that there should be more control towards alcohol. I am tiredRead MoreHooking Up : What Educators Need For Know954 Words   |  4 PagesIn Kathleen A. Bogle’s essay â€Å"Hooking Up: What Educators need to know† she talks about how in order to address the biggest problems in college campus life, such as alcohol abuse and sexual assaults, educators must first address the new hook-up culture. While Bogle may share several appeals to personal experiences college students go through, the lack of nearly any sources and facts causes the argument not to be a strong one. Being a college student myself, it is very easy to relate to and understandRead MoreDrinking At College Is Becoming An Epidemic1491 Words   |  6 Pagesparents should be notified when their child gets in an alcohol or drug related incident and shows how colleges have evolved to doing just that. In an article by Don Peterson of the Associated Press posted on NBC News we begin to get reaction from students and others towards this new way of keeping parents in the loop. The students’ responses were not very positive. All of these articles share a few commonalities on the broad topic of alcohol. One of the major themes that is shared is an understandingRead MoreVodka 42 Below1405 Words   |  6 Pagescrystal-clear spring flowing through a position just north of Wellington beneath an extinct volcanic area at 42degree of latitude. The name 42 Below vodka tells a story in itself relates to the 42 degree latitude below the equator and product contains 42% of alcohol. The company has typical New Zealand flavors, such as passion Fruit, Feijoa, Manuka honey, and of course, kiwifruit, to its original product line, as well as its 42 South gin.The success of product was its unique flavours and distinctive bottlingRead MoreThe Quality Of An Alcoholic Beverage Essay1224 Words   |  5 Pagesis of high and prestigious quality. At the price of $2.49 per bottle and being widely available at gas stations, and stores like Walmart, it is very accessible to its consumers. However, this ad is not very effective, be cause it lacks any form of appeals that would be capable of connecting to the viewer in any personal way. To begin with, this ad by Coors contain very weak claims that add little or no value to its product in the viewer s eyes. Reason being,Coors’ claims are very similar and indifferentRead MoreThe Effect Wine Causes On Ones Health And Weight1104 Words   |  5 Pagesfrom the original scientific study to a broad mass media article while attempting to appeal to the target audience. I recently came across a medical study regarding the effects wine causes on one’s health and weight. This article was geared towards health professionals and was based upon extensive research and studies. However, this information was slightly altered as it went to a newspaper article in order to appeal to the general public. The information was even further distorted when it appearedRead More Crusaders against the Wrong Choices Essay1489 Words   |  6 Pagesgrowing problem in our country and will most likely get worse before it gets better. According to http://www.madd.org, 41% of all traffic accidents in the country are alcohol-related. In 2002, this added up to a grand total of 17,419 deaths caused by somebody getting behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of alcohol (MADD). Naturally, statistics such as these, if the were presented effectively, would probably make quite a large number of people want to do something about the unnecessaryRead MoreLegal Drinking Age : Should It Be Altered?1408 Words   |  6 PagesShould It Be Altered? The legal drinking age has been an ongoing controversy for decades, consisting of people who are for lowering, raising, or keeping the age with multiple reasons behind each side. It is commonly known that consuming alcohol can have life-threatening effects on the human body, but these effects can be much harsher at a younger age. Reducing the age for eighteen year olds may result in senseless acts from the drug. Statistics prove that maintaining the legal drinking age

Important factors shaping social relationships under the French Free Essays

Social relationships were important components of the French absolute monarchy. Historians agree that to achieve supreme control and national unity, Kings relied heavily on military strength. There is little question that absolutist France came to posses the largest standing army Europe had ever seen. We will write a custom essay sample on Important factors shaping social relationships under the French or any similar topic only for you Order Now Armies made France a powerful state, and the King a powerful ruler. However kings also controlled through non military means, establishing bureaucratic and legal systems and developing an absolutist culture with the King at the centre. These manifestations of absolutism, at raying degrees of significance, helped shape social relationships, and in turn, enforced the absolutist regime. Contrastingly, other historians maintain that the absolute system worked within pre-existing social codes, which were more influential in shaping social relationships. Historians herald the significance of these different factors because they take a variety of historiographer’s approaches. Absolutism redefined the socio-political structures and language of court society. Court cabals and courtesies became important factors that influenced social relationships. Emmanuel Eel Roy Ladies uses the court memoirs of Duct De Saint Simons, to explain the system of court cabals. Ladies explains how the King placed himself at the top of the court hierarchy, and held a number of favorites. L Lower courtiers would group around these powerful Individuals, such as King Louis Xiv wife Madame De Imitation, to gain power, wealth, status and other privileges through association. 2 Saint Simony’s court memoirs are a more traditional historiographer’s source, detailing friendships, marriages and patronage relationships that formed and separated court cabals. However Lauder himself admits the limitations of the source, stating that It has a tendency to be subjective with some bias, and Inaccurate facts. 4 But as Ladler states, his purpose was not statistical detail, but to present a ‘model’ for the network of social relationships in court society, and to reveal that they placed the king in an enormous position of influence to determin e courtier’s social standing. 5 Rest Raman consults similar sources and concludes that courtesies were a new political language that redefined the way courtiers socialized and communicated, while also being a political tool for negotiating the cabal system. Raman analyses Theodore Goddesses Grand Ceremonial De France from 1619, one of the many courtesy manuals written for courtiers. 6 Absolutist monarchies did not invent courtesies, but Raman argues that these manuals justified and systematized these social codes. 7 Courtesy rules dictated the nature of social affiliations and interactions, becoming a vital political language in court society, as a means of showing or denying respect or favor to individuals and cabals. For example â€Å"hat doffing†¦ And lowered eyes† became the language of respect that carried on along the hierarchy, with the King at the top. Ere â€Å"insults to God himself, † enforcing enormous regal authority. 9 Moreover, under Louis XIV, all topics except frivolous small talk, were branded ‘discourteous,’ in an attempt to repress uprisings. 10 Both historians analyses similar sources and share the conclusion that absolutism created a new social order, designed to enforce the Kings po wer. Sarah Hanley however, argues bureaucratic models, established by the absolutist state, were important factors shaping family and gender relationships. Hanley investigates the ‘Family State Compact,’ revealing that it enforced distinct gender oleos and enshrined the patriarchal family model in legislation. This model was in turn used to explain and Justify absolutism. 11 Hanley approaches her study with an â€Å"ethnographic† perspective. 12 She states that conventional historiography has always been a uniform process of selecting documents to confirm a point, but more recent scholarship on social history now seeks to gain greater scope and depth by viewing a range of non-traditional sources. 3 From these historians may distill messages about social life. 14 Hanley use of primary government legislation and court case documents, are examples of expanding historical sources. The Marriage Regulations, Reproduction Rules and Marital Separation Arrangements ensured family finances remained under paternal authority, helped guarantee the legitimacy of children and made it harder to break up marriages and families. 1 5 B ut as Hanley indicates, the underlying purpose of these laws was to constitutionalism patriarchal control over all family affairs. 6 It was a key bureaucratic factor that helped enforce male social and economic dominance, within the family. Furthermore, the patriarchal family worked to Justify and naturalist the appointment of an absolutist ruler, who could be seen as he â€Å"husband† and â€Å"father† of the state. 17 Furthermore, Hanley examination of court cases exposes legal limitations on female political and economic privileges within their marital and civic relationships. Women gained social and economic status through marriage and childbearing, but the Compact put men in greater control these activities, disemboweling women and forcing them to break laws for economic and social survival. 18 In the Diagram- du Piqued case for example, Barber- Francoise Diagram was charged with â€Å"supposition attendant† because she faked the birth of a child to avoid becoming a childless widow and losing socioeconomic status. 9 Furthermore, this source reveals that legal structures shaped collaborative relationships between women of different social classes, as Barber sought the assistance of midwifes, paupers and a prostitute. 0 Thus while primary accounts such as Saint-Simony’s Memoirs explain social and genealogical connections at their surface, Handless wider variety of social records reveals in greater depth, the gendered social constructions that defined social relationships in the absolutist monarchy, as well as unexpected cross-class relationsh ips. Cultural manifestations of absolutism in art, gardens and entertainment were further significant factors shaping social relationships. Diverging from traditional and social historiographers, Peter Burke, Chancre Muskier and Craig Callously take an art historical concepts to court social life. He argues that the language of allegory, hyperbole and euphemism in songs, literature, sermons, painting and other mediums communicated a lofty ‘high style’ that associated the King with exalted figures and ideas. 21 For example Louis XIV was pained as SST John the Baptist and Apollo. 22 Courtiers learnt these references and conducted themselves accordingly, with grandeur and dignity. 3 In turn, this new language displayed, magnified and rationalized the King as a sublime and spiritual ruler. 24 In contrast, Muskier applies geopolitical concepts to understanding social relationships. Muskier references historian Michel Faculty’s theory that 17th century society began to view material possessions as indicators of wealth and power. 25 Increasing trade, scientific and technological innovations made material items more prominent in social gatherings and conversations. 26 Muskier argues absolutism worked within this materialist culture, valuing land the most as a material item. 7 In a geopolitical way, Kings enforced power by appropriating and manipulating land into formal gardens. In turn, this established material ownership as a language of power. 8 Material goods came to dominate social and political relationships during the 17th century. 29 Callously similarly seeks specialized research on theatre and festivals, alongside primary accounts. However he argues the political purposes of nocturnal entertainment were significant factors shaping court life. 30 For example, Baroque night time theatre developed and through its illusionist’s lighting, performa nces such as Louis Xiv Ballet De la Unit,† physically presented Louis as a ‘radiant’ King. 1 Furthermore, court diaries from Versailles reveal an increase in concerts, balls, and billiards, offering different opportunities for solicitation. 32 Nocturnal activities changed and began to characterize social life. 33 Memoirs by Louis XIV and absolutist critic Jean De La Buyer (1645-96) also divulge that night time entertainments were deliberate distractions from political issues. 34 Callously maintains Kings communicated and secured their power through nocturnal spectacles, which consequently transformed court social relationships. 35 However unlike other historians discussed, James Afar argues social relationships were shaped by concepts of ‘Honor’ that pre-dated absolutist expressions of power. Like other historians, Afar relies on a primary source: Farther Lame’s eye witness account of the trial and execution of disgraced nobleman Philippe Group. Unconventionally, Group did not confess his crime, thus preserving honor but damning his soul. 36 More important to him was maintaining honor for his family and young son. 37 Honor defined people’s positions of power and status. 38 It was treated as an item that could be appropriated through displays of respect. Lame’s text, confirmed by trial records, reveals Group bowed and spoke respectfully to colleagues and onlookers, to earn back some of the honor he had lost. 40 Through displays of respect, Group also sought favor with his patron the Prince of Condone, who could gain him a Kings pardon. 41 Fear’s study revises primary doc uments and challenges past historians such as Ladies and Rest, previously discussed. Courtesy codes, and court cabals were not Just to gain political power, but were part of a possible, albeit largely speculative, that Kings consciously manipulated this established framework of honor to their political advantage. But what Group’s trial reveals is honor was a precious commodity, and was central to the way people conversed and connected. The majority of historians discussed, agree that the most important factors shaping social relationships under the absolute monarchy, were essentially the absolute monarchy itself. Absolutism established a new laws, social customs, entertainment and art that had a dramatic impact on social relationships involving gender, class, marriage, family ties and friendships. But in contrast, historians also argue that, as in any society, there were already complex social codes that absolutism worked within. How to cite Important factors shaping social relationships under the French, Papers

US and North Korea Nuclear for Governments- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theUS and North Korea Nuclear for Governments. Answer: The nuclear relationship between the United States and North Korea is actually the outcome of years of bitterness between the two countries. The United Nations after the World War II divided on temporary basis but the failed relationship between the US and USSR. While the United States station its army in South Korea, the USSR supported North Korea. The United States Government in 1950 compelled the United Nations to support North Korea. The modern day nuclear competition between these two countries is the outcome of this support the US stills provides to South Korea. Trump administration resented growing nuclear power of North Korea as a threat to its own security and that of South Korea. North Korea keep on conducting nuclear tests which keep on fueling further tensions between the US and itself. However, in February 2018, the two nations have shown signs of negotiations when Washington said that the president would accept offers of negotiation meetings with North Korea to settle t he tension between the two nations (express.co.uk, 2018). The nuclear tensions between the United States and North Korea can be settled in two methods: Integrative Negotiation: The United States of America and North Korea can opt for integrative negotiation where the two leaders of the two countries can hold meetings to arrive at solutions to end the nuclear tensions. The governments of the two nations must trust each other and there must be transparent communication between the governments (Lewicki, Barry Saunders, 2015).