Understanding Islams Stance on Alcohol

Understanding Islams Stance on Alcohol Alcohol and other intoxicants are forbidden in the Quran, as they are a bad habit that drives people away from the remembrance of God. Several different verses address the issue, revealed at different  times over a period of years. A complete ban on alcohol is widely accepted among Muslims as part of wider Islamic dietary law. Gradual Approach The Quran did not ban alcohol from the beginning. This is considered to be a wise approach by Muslims, who believe that Allah did so in His wisdom and knowledge of human nature- quitting cold turkey would be difficult as it was so ingrained in society at the time. The first verse of the Quran  on the topic forbade Muslims from attending prayers while intoxicated (4:43). Interestingly, a verse revealed thereafter acknowledged that alcohol contains some good and some evil, but the evil is greater than the good (2:219). Thus, the Quran took several initial steps toward steering people away from the consumption of alcohol. The final verse took an unequivocal tone, forbidding it outright. Intoxicants and games of chance were called abominations of Satans handiwork, intended to turn people away from God and forget about prayer. Muslims were ordered to abstain (5:90–91) (Note: The Quran is not arranged chronologically, so the verse numbers are not in order of revelation. Later verses were not necessarily revealed after earlier verses). Intoxicants In the first verse cited above, the word for intoxicated is sukara which is derived from the word sugar and means drunk or intoxicated. That verse doesnt mention the drink which makes one so. In the next verses cited, the word which is often translated as wine or intoxicants is al-khamr, which is related to the verb to ferment. This word could be used to describe other intoxicants such as beer, although wine is the most common understanding of the word. Muslims interpret these verses together to forbid any intoxicating substance- whether it be wine, beer, gin, whiskey, etc. The result is the same, and the Quran outlines that it is the intoxication, which makes one forgetful of God and prayer, that is harmful. Over the years, the understanding of intoxicating substances has come to include more modern street drugs and the like. The Prophet Muhammad also instructed his followers at the time to avoid any intoxicating substances- (paraphrased) if it intoxicates in a large amount, it is forbidden even in a small amount. For this reason, most observant Muslims avoid alcohol in any form, even small amounts that are sometimes used in cooking. Buying, Serving, Selling, and More The Prophet Muhammad also warned his followers that participating in the alcohol trade is  forbidden, cursing 10 people: ...the wine-presser, the one who has it pressed, the one who drinks it, the one who conveys it, the one to whom it is conveyed, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who benefits from the price paid for it, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought. For this reason, many Muslims will decline to work in positions where they must serve or sell alcohol. Sources and Further Reading Kamarulzaman, A., and S. M. Saifuddeen. Islam and Harm Reduction. International Journal of Drug Policy 21.2 (2010): 115–18.Lambert, Nathaniel M. et al. Invocations and intoxication: Does prayer decrease alcohol consumption? Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 24.2 (2010): 209–19.Michalak, Laurence, and Karen Trocki. Alcohol and Islam: An Overview. Contemporary Drug Problems 33.4 (2006): 523–62.Why is it forbidden to drink alcohol? Islam Question Answer, October 21, 2010.

Describe And Evaluate Gender Schema Essay

Describe And Evaluate Gender Schema Essay Describe And Evaluate Gender Schema Essay Describe and evaluate gender schema – Martin & Halverson, based on Bem. Agreed with Kohlberg’s cognitive development theory that child’s thinking is the basis of their development of gender role behaviours. BUT – thought the process started much earlier. Says children gain gender identity between the ages of 2 and 3 when they work out if they are a boy or a girl. Their schema is now very simple, consisting of 2 groups, their own is the in group and the opposite sex, the out group. Then, they actively seek information about the appropriate behaviours and actions of their own group. Boys pay close attention to boy related toys and activities and vice versa. Children therefore look to their environment to develop and build their gender schemas which become progressively more complex Campbell – visual preference technique. 3 month babies showed minor preferences of watching babies who were the same sex, this was more noticeable in males. By 9 and 18 months it was much more distinct. Girls likes to look at male activities too but it was stronger with the boys. Supports idea that babies develop schemas for gender long before they start to speak and that these schemas drive their attention. Poulin-Dubois – choose doll to carry out tasks, male, female and neutral. Girl’s age 24 months chose the gender appropriate doll for the tasks but the boys didn’t, implying that girls as young as 2 had identified gender stereotypes. Boys did same at 31 months. Shows that young children between 2 and 3 select and pay attention to models on the basis of their sex Kohlberg – Childs understanding of own gender forms basis of

Loss Aversion and Its Effects False Impact in Decision Making Research Paper

Loss Aversion and Its Effects False Impact in Decision Making - Research Paper Example â€Å"People’s choices are often prediction-based about how different results will make them feel† including loss aversion. Naturally, people tend to trust that the effects of all the losses are superior to hedonic effects of a similar-sized gain. If these people are right that the irregularity of the foretold feedbacks to debts and credits matches true irregularity in real reactions to credits and gains, then they would be right and wise to avoid losses, if they are positive that the asymmetry of predicted reactions to losses (Deborah, Kermer; Erin, Driver-Linn, and Gilbert, Daniel). We acknowledge the fact that losses might have a larger hedonic impact compared to gains, but it is not so the case at all times. Even though the brain appears to processes negative events in different other regions compared to the positive events while triggering more concentrated neural activity than when it processes positive, but this does not mean that loss aversion always affects peo ple’s decision. Sometimes people trivialize negative results by persuading themselves that these negative outcomes will improve and will not be exceedingly damaging. This has led to the conclusion that not all people are negative. It is not a fact that all people are loss averse. It sometimes seems that people have learnt from experience that losses have less emotional impact than they predicted to have. However, studies showed that a number of impediments such as learning. As noted, a large number of psychological defences ensue outside of conscious alertness, making their anticipation difficult to observe. Further, for correct prediction, individuals have learnt to recognize how they recently reacted to a similar and previous occasion, and further, gotten to predict correctly. People have recognized experiences simulating how they are reacting. Individuals have mug up that loss has less emotional effect than what they predicted. They have learnt that these losses have less emotional effect than what they predicted due to facing repeated losses in the exact area over a short time. The theory of loss aversion does not apply at all times. It is not necessary that one bases his decision making on loss aversion. Research has shown that despite the fact that people try to make their decision on the fear that they might lose something and fall in a deep set back full of regret, they also try to link it to a past situation where a similar event happened, and the turnout was different. In contradiction to the theory of loss aversion, an experiment conducted on the reaction of people when they have lost $100. The rules of the experiment were whether the participants were ready to gamble to take another round and risk gaining the $100 back or falling $200 down. Though most people would quit and end the game at being $100 down, others will take the gamble of gaining their $100 back or falling another $100 down because the risk is a 50-50. Comprehending that the r isk of falling down another $100 is 50 and the risk of gaining back their $100 are also 50; they will go ahead and try regaining it. Not all the individuals are get affected with the anxiety of the loss affecting them emotionally and impeding their vision to make soundness decisions (Deborah, Kermer; Erin, Driver-Linn, and Gilbert, Daniel). An argument that there might be a forthcoming negative outcome is presented. This argument is feasible in

Final Exam Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Final Exam - Case Study Example 3. The Vice President of Information Technology also wanted to know what types of external and internal information would be required to develop the business plans, and how they would obtain this information. He wanted to know what types of analytical tools, methodologies and skills they would need to generate and analyze this information. 5. Finally, the CEO stated emphatically that she did not have the time to spare or the resources to devote to writing business plans that would only â€Å"gather dust on the shelves.† She asks you how you would ensure that the plans were implemented effectively. The basic concept of a strategic business plan is to determine the major goals within our organization. In doing this, it is important that we are careful to observe company policies and develop the strategies to gain the needed resources to produce successful plans and objectives in achieving new company goals. The use of a strategic business plan will help the company by providing a foundation to organize Lawrence’s current procedures and policies. The new strategies we implement should then show us how to develop ideas in planning how to effectively use those resources that we already have. In turn we should be able to use the current company policies as references to move us in the direction in which we need to be going. The unique challenge in this issue seems to come with a focus on a need to improve performance. While strategic planning, we will determine exactly which of the six products is producing the best numbers and where in nation the bulk of our profits are streaming from. In these specific areas we will continue to thrive by not only exceeding our customer’s needs but exceeding their expectations as well. Proper planning will also help us to further understand why the company has been failing to meet its market share goals. Certain cost can be reduced

Important Models of Justices' Behaviour at the Supreme Court Research Paper

Important Models of Justices' Behaviour at the Supreme Court - Research Paper Example There are three models that are mostly displayed by the justices and the judges of the Supreme Court when deciding cases in the supreme courts. These are strategic, attitudinal and the legal orientations. Strategic behaviour refers to the justices’ actions to maximize their overall benefits in light of their expectations concerning their choices of other actors involved in the decision making process. Others are legal and the attitudinal models that aid explain the legal verdict arrived by the justices at the supreme courts Though the attitudinal models of justice behaviour was initially establish in the US, students and other legal practitioner have found the strategic models of behaviour alluring. This dissent of behaviour focuses on the interpedently nature of judges and justices’ behaviour in their decision making, which does not shun the policy preferences of the justices’ .This a strategic begins with assumption that justices are motivated by their policy p references, but further acknowledges that realization of those preferences is a function of other relevant actors. As notes by (Epstein and Knight) Justices may be primarily seekers of legal policy, but they are not unconstrained actors who make decisions based only on their own ideological attitudes. Rather, justices are strategic actors who realize their ability to achieve their goals depends on a consideration of the preferences of other actors, the choices they expect others to make, and the institutional context in which they act. (10). This implies that whole a justice acting on the basis of his attitudes, another justices acting on the same preferences may be expected to behave differently based on strategic considerations. For instance, for justice behaviour‘s preferences mat depend on the other justice and judges reactions and opinions (08-956 wood v. Allen. (01/20/10) Recent literature provides that strategic concerns of behaviour go beyond attitudinal as they tend t o explain further other reasons that attitudinal approach may not offer.(Wood v. Allen, Wood v, state and Alabama, US, 1998) In recent findings, attitudinal concerns have challenged by judges who tend to adopt strategic orientation towards and it was evidenced in a variety of contexts. First, when setting their agendas (Rice v. Collins, 546 US 333,339), second, when writing majority opinions (Wood v. State, 715 819 (1998)) and lastly issuing separate opinions, even on the same case(s) (Williams v. Taylor, 529 US 362,462). Several studies undertaken by Brace and Hall at the aggregate (Brace and Hall; Hall and Brace, 147-162) and individuals (Brace and Hall; Hall and Brace) provides explanations on the dissenting behaviour. They note that when making judicial decisions, justices and judges decide not to follow their ideological differences in certain circumstances in anticipation of decisions by exogenous factors such as electoral constituency, in order to keep job . Other evidence th at pursue a strategic line of inquiry as is vital in the decision making process. This is because the strategic models of supreme court justices takes into account other factors more

The question of love in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example for Free

The question of love in Romeo and Juliet Essay The theme of love is evidently explored with Shakespeares play of Romeo and Juliet, using his abilities, the author manages to introduce many obstacles or other influencing elements that has a great impact on the development of love between the two young lovers. There are two basic levels in the play, the behaviour of society within Verona and the private, love orientated interaction between Romeo and Juliet. The social culture of Verona has stood as an uncontrollable influence upon the relationship of Romeo and Juliet, especially concerning the feud between the two families of the Capulets and the Montagues. The existence of this feud is not the immediate reason for the destruction of the lovers, yet it is one of many characteristics within the plot that together is considered an influence that hindered the relationship. Increasing the scale of this elements impact on the relationship, is the fact that it doesnt simply involve the two immediate families as even the servants take part in the feud, clearly proven within the first scene. The conflict appears to be one that is inflicted upon the whole public of Verona as represented by an unnecessary quarrel between the servants of the households within the first scene. This scenes constant references and implications of physical action and the actual deed being undertaken show the unprompted and impetuous behaviour of the people. GREGORY: The quarrel is between our masters and us their men SAMPSON: Tis all one (Act I, Scene I) Their world of hate and inexplicable grudges introduces the high level of intolerance and ignorance of the destructive society of Verona to the audience at the beginning of the play, aiding hindrance to the relationship between the star-crossd lovers. However, once the play has initiated, the speed of the action accelerates further and further, thus the people behaving more unreasonable and with further impulsiveness. It is this factor that increases the impact of the occurrence in the plot, therefore emphasizing their impacts on Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare has also involved a love triangle, between Romeo and Juliet. As he involves a wealthy prince named Paris, whom is arranged, by her parents, to marry Juliet despite her devoted feelings to Romeo. However, Paris appears as a wooer to Juliet and not an emotional and individual lover, and Shakespeare clearly shows this within the initial two lines of Paris, that he is not a lover as true as Romeo of honourable reckoning are you both. Despite these obvious obstacles that Shakespeare has emphasized before introducing the lovers to the audience, love is still found between the two. Within act one, scene five, the language and form of the dialogue shared between the two supposed enemies changes, and becomes poetic and flattering, showing that their private interactions are totally different from the public life. Romeo and Juliets first conversation is composed of a sonnet. Shakespeare has successfully managed to use this poetic approach to explore matters beyond a dramatic performance and involve the audience emotionally, enabling them to imagine themselves as the recipients of the poem. The language used additionally creates an intimate perspective of love between them. When Romeo first sees Juliet, his plans are of a physical nature, Ill watch her place of stand/ And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand (Act I, Scene IV). The acting of touching Juliets hand is a linguistic representation of touch, a tactile sign. Further emphasized within the pilgrim sonnet, using a semantic use of words, attention is brought to reference of touch once again Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is prugd. The use of a formal convention of a sonnet and the emphasis of contact and physical intimacy create a new atmosphere. The next time the lovers meet is on Juliets balcony, where Romeo has trespassed on Capulet ground potentially causing a lot of danger, of which is Juliet is highly aware of If they do see thee, they will murder thee (Act II, Scene II). Romeo attempts to console Juliets fears through declaration of their being stronger than the physical power of Capulets kinsmen there lies more peril in thine eye than twenty of there swords. Romeo tries to prove his love to Juliet by using a vow, again a conventional form of speech, yet Juliet immediately interrupt him and explains that no any convention but his gracious self can guarantee his true love. Romeos use of conventional language to Juliet arouses skepticism in the audience is this really true love, or just a sign of immaturity? JULIET: O swear not by the moon, thinconstant moon, That monthly changes in her orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable (Act II, Scene II) Romeo and Juliets characters are quite contradictive. Romeo, a more experienced lover, so overwhelmed with supposed love yet shows passivity and immaturity; though Juliet, completely inexperienced with love, behaves more skillfully and cautiously constantly aware of the danger that accompanies their love. This simple contradiction may possibly have stood as a hindrance to the development of love. Additionally within this scene, one must realize that Romeo displays his ignorance of the situation and fails to consider such as part of reality with loves light wings did I oerperach these walls. Romeos inability to distinguish reality from that of a surrealist perspective corresponds to the contrast between night and day. The time of day influences the relationship greatly, as I believe both Romeo and Juliet recognize. During the day while light is still shone upon the grounds, the feelings are running high, but night is possibly considered the time of calmness and ease, where love may take place. After the fateful quarrel occurring in act three, scene one, Juliet longs for the night, possibly relating such a time of day to satisfaction of feelings, especially in terms of Romeo Come night come Romeo come thou day in night (Act III, Scene II). I believe this is further emphasized after realizing that the lovers last meeting was the wedding-night before Romeo was exiled; their parting shows that to them, day is a foe to their love acting as a significant hindrance to the development of their love. JULIET: O now be gone, more light and light it grows ROMEO: More light and light: more dark and dark our woes (Act III, Scene V) Another addition to nights seemingly appearance to uphold peace and love, acting as obstacle of relationships development, is Romeos brief display of skepticism. As previously stated Romeos inability to distinguish reality from that of a surrealist perspective corresponds to the contrast between night and day as explained in the previous paragraph, as he feels that his love to Juliet is isolated away from ordinary life I am afeard, being in night, all this is but a dream. The use of language through the poetical conventions and the action of the first half of the play, clearly show that the plot rides upon two contrary levels. The concept of love is again questioned, if there is a love concept within this play surely it represents a rival idea to the ordinary aristocratic life of Verona, thus making the concept of love plainly a rival to the real world. Yet confusion is introduced when thinking that the intimate interaction and representation of love between Romeo and Juliet, seemingly being the rival of the real world, actually occurs within this real world. The two supposed rivals of love and society regularly alternate and this happens without a change of place. Thus the two rivals of love and society remain incompatible with exception of being unified in the individuals Romeo and Juliet and in time and place of setting but is their really a unification within Romeo and Juliet? I dont believe these two rivalling themes of love and society can neither coexist or be unified as they are incompatible, nonetheless can not be separated as they take place in one physical world. Therefore, if both levels are absolutely incompatible, a solution must be inevitable hence the tragic death of the star crossd lovers. Yet their deaths may have been this seemingly inevitable solution, as Romeo realizes after hearing of Juliets apparent death that the real world does not provide any room for the realization of their love. Therefore death is regarded the only place of reconciliation and it was in all ways. I dont think Shakespeare wished to provide a didactic message to the audience, yet wished to show how the conflict between love and society lead to Romeo and Juliets death. I believe the point of the play was not how love arose out of hatred and then triumph over it in death, but that it does. The plot shows that society and death are powers or forces that influenced the lives of Romeo and Juliet. Love was the basis upon the significant decisions made within the play; therefore power of love additionally belongs to these forces. In terms of the two rivalling themes, society regarded their love as a failure; yet the lovers defiance of society proved to be a great success in terms of the power of love.

Overview of Flight of the Iguana by David Quammen :: essays research papers

Chapter Analysis- Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This chapter, or in this case the introduction, is exactly what it is labeled as; an introduction. The main ideas of this introduction are more or less used to explain the goals of this book and also used to familiarize the reader with what is to come. Throughout the introduction, the author, David Quammen refers to a wide variety of unique and unheard of organisms that exist in nature. Not only do these organisms sound weird, but many often behave in unordinary ways. The okapi, the Xylocaris, the chambered nautilus, and the plant that eats frogs are just examples of the many different organisms Quammen talks about. The reason for Quammen’s use of such organisms is not to scare readers away from nature, but to actually lure them in. The main idea of Quammen’s whole introduction is basically to show readers that nature is not a freak show, but to show simply nature itself. At first this whole idea may seem a little cloudy and vague, but as you read on , one will start to understand what Quammen is really striving for. Quammen uses animals and plants as examples to show the very intricacies of nature and the natural world. One example that he uses that has helped my understanding of this idea was the black widow spider. Quammen tells us of his strong fear of spiders and he goes on telling us how the black widow is very poisonous and menacing, yet possesses an undeniable beauty. He also states the black widow as being dangerous but not malicious, and gorgeous or hideous depending upon how we see it. Quammen’s point is that no matter how you see the spider, it is still part of nature.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Adding to this idea that nature and all of its ugliness and abnormalities is still in fact nature, Quammen goes on further by addressing the human attitude towards nature’s intricacies. By this, Quammen refers to the human attitude towards nature as a whole based solely upon his/her opinion of one organism. As textual evidence for this idea, the example of the spider can be used again. Most people associate the black widow as being venomous and deadly, and so they unfairly associate the same characteristics with harmless beneficial house and garden spiders as well. This attitude toward the spiders can also be applied to nature as a whole. Since humans posses this attitude towards nature, a lot of nature’s beauty is often overlooked.