Americas Sweetest Serial Killer - Sugar - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1545 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/07/01 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Serial Killer Essay Did you like this example? The US Government needs to declare war on todays new drug, sugar. The use of sugar as a food substance has been shown to exist even before crops were deliberately planted for harvesting. Ancient hunter-gatherers would take note of certain plants that, when chewed, provided a very sweet taste, and would mark these plants out then pass on the knowledge to their families and groups. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Americas Sweetest Serial Killer Sugar" essay for you Create order Ancient records exist where sugar was described as honey without bees, and its cultivation and processing kept a highly guarded secret in order to protect its value. (1) By the late 15th Century AD, the amounts of sugar that could be produced became much larger as a result of both the cultivation of cane plants in the New World, as this climate proved to be very beneficial to the rapid growth of the crop, and the increasing demand, and therefore the investments made into supplying sugar to new fans in European countries. It is important to note that at this stage, the consumption of sugar was still pretty low, both due to the fact that it wasnt well known and its high price † reports have suggested that a kilo of sugar in those days cost the equivalent of $100 in current times. (1) In recent times, the global demand for sugar as a food product has reached its highest levels ever recorded with close to 176 metric tons of sugar with per capita consumption in the United States alone exceeding 126 grams (5). As with all things when taken in excess, an increasing number of studies have begun to show that our consumption of sugar could now be linked to a number of medical conditions including cardiovascular diseases, endocrine dysfunctions, obesity, and even mood disorders. In addition to this, there has been shown to be an increasing number of deaths associated with sugar consumption, with close to 185,000 deaths every year attributed to the consumption of sugary foods and the resultant cardiovascular, endocrine and metabolic dysfunctions (5) In order to further prove that the danger that too much sugar intake represents to the health and well being of the population, it has been reported that the number of obese children has reached all-time highs, with more than 4 1 million children under the age of five suffering from this condition in 2010, with 92 million more children said to be at risk of being obese at some point in their future. (5) In recognition of the serious medical issues that these children are going to have in the future and the various costs associated with the treatment of what, all things considered, should be a preventable illness, it is my humble opinion that the government begins to put measures in place to greatly restrict the intake of sugar by its citizens. The case for the governmental regulation of sugar intake has some precedent in the control of substances that have been proven to have harmful effects on human health and well being. In this essay, I will be proposing an argument discussing the various harmful effects that sugar intake has on people who, unknowingly and without proper warning as to its negative effects, make it a major part of the foods they consume. I will also shed some light on the possible effects of the regulations of sugar intake, citing examples of other regulated substances and the effect such regulations have had on the intake of such substances. The differences between the effects of governmental regulation of substances thought to be harmful to human life, as opposed just strongly warning about the harmful effects associated with its use, can most clearly be shown by the differences in consumption between tobacco, and more strictly controlled substances like ethyl acrylate. Until recently, the regulation of tobacco and tobacco products was not strictly enforced by the United States of Americas health and safety laws as enforced by the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act, this resulted in an increasing number of complications associated with the use of tobacco despite countless adverts and health information articles warning people about the harmful effects that tobacco has on health and well being. In contrast to this, ethyl acrylate was first discovered and used, among other things, as a food additive, and when it was discovered that it caused colorectal and squamous cell carcinoma, it was immediately placed on the banned substances list by the FDA, effectively removing it as a threat to the health and well being of all Americans. The persistent increase in the use of tobacco, despite all warnings to the contrary, could, therefore, be taken as a pointer to how mass education of the harmful effects of excessive sugar intake would be received without proper laws and regulations to enforce reduced sugar intake. On another note, some studies have suggested a relationship between the intake of sugar and the stimulation of pleasure centers in the brain. This relationship paints a troubling relationship between sugar and its enthusiasts, leading some researchers to conclude that excessive intake of sugar may have more similarities to other addictions rather than being just a pleasurable but harmful habit (2) This, of course, arises without the consideration of the social and cultural roles that the use of sugar plays in our community; sugar and sugar products are traditionally given out as rewards for good behavior during festivities such as birthdays, Halloween and Christmas, establishing a link between our need for sugar in our meals and our thirst for personal validation and the use of sugar-containing products as a means to feel good about ourselves. With the above in mind, it is easy to see why dependence on sugar may require more stringent measures than simply educating and advising peopl e to cut down their sugar intake without providing incentives, both positive and negative, to make people take their health into their own hands and make positive lifestyle choices (3). In recognition of the menace that sugar presents to its population, the United Kingdom has gone as far as placing a tax on sugar in order to limit its consumption. If that does not bring to bear the gravity of this issue, then nothing will. As a counter to the points made above, people may want to insist on an individuals fundamental right to autonomy, to declare than restricting an individuals choice of food and stopping him from taking in certain foods may constitute a breach of his or her rights, and to these people I say this; we have been doing exactly that since the beginning of civilization. Humans have long since recognized the need for the banning of certain substances deemed too harmful for use of the general public and this tendency, rather than halting our progress as a civilization has led to its growth and development. To use a more modern day example, the use of alcohol in pregnant women has long been considered teratogenic with resulting harmful effects on the fetus ranging from cardiovascular disorders to an increase in the future susceptibility to diseases and even death. The use of cocaine as a recreational drug attracts heavy penalties ranging from one to two year jail times to decades in prison depe nding on the quantity of the material found in possession and intent to distribute. The difference in the incidence between fetal abnormalities resulting from maternal use of cocaine and maternal use of alcohol during pregnancy further serves to drive home the need for the requirement of governmental regulation of sugar. Far more deaths result from alcohol use than cocaine, showing that governmental regulation plays a vital role in the reduction of the harmful effects of substances on the health of individuals. Similarly, it may be implied that it is not the Governments responsibility to police what the populace consumes. Id like to politely disagree; it is the place of the Government to protect the populace from harm, whether or not they may be aware of it. Governments were made to protect society as a whole from harm, and regulation of a substance that has been shown to be poisonous is just a logical extension of that role. In addition to this, if, as previously stated above, the use of sugar tends towards dependence, shouldnt this buttress the fact that the general public cannot be trusted to act according to their best interests in this matter? The facts speak for themselves; excessive use of sugar has been verifiably proven to lead to long-term health disorders and death, the only reasons why it has not been placed on a list of banned substances are either its immense popularity, the amount of money the sugar industry makes, or the fear of backlash when the general public realizes that its favorite drug has just been made illegal to obtain and consume. In response to this, Id like to ask, do we really want to purposefully poison our families because we lack the discipline to speak hard truths and make tough decisions, do we really want to place the profits of some sections of the farming industry over the growth and well-being of future generations? The answer should be evident; in our ignorance, we had called sugar the honey without bees and fed it to our children and loved ones, but time and countless studies have served to show us that even this honey may come with stingers.

Igcse Biology Practice Paper - 1904 Words

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS International General Certificate of Secondary Education BIOLOGY Paper 1 Multiple Choice May/June 2004 45 minutes Additional Materials: Multiple Choice Answer Sheet Soft clean eraser Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended) 0610/01 READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write in soft pencil. Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid. Write your name, Centre number and candidate number on the answer sheet in the spaces provided unless this has been done for you. There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions. For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C, and D. Choose the one you consider correct and record your choice in soft pencil†¦show more content†¦Which structure is the urethra? from heart to heart A B C D ï›™ UCLES 2004 0610/01/M/J/04 [Turn over www.xtremepapers.net 10 22 The diagram shows part of the human circulatory system. In which vessel will absorbed alcohol first be found? lungs A heart D liver C gut B kidney 23 The diagram shows the structures involved in a reflex action. S R P Q hot pan What shows the sequence in which these structures become involved? A B C D P→Q→R→S P→S→R→Q Q→R→S→P Q→S→P→R ï›™ UCLES 2004 0610/01/M/J/04 www.xtremepapers.net 11 24 A person moves from sunlight into a dark room. How do their eyes respond? A B C D The blind spots become larger. The blind spots become smaller. The pupils become larger. The pupils become smaller. 25 Which features are characteristic of insect-pollinated flowers? A B C D bright petals, large feathery stigmas bright petals, rough sticky pollen large feathery stigmas, nectaries small light pollen, nectaries 26 Which substance normally passes from a fetus to its mother through the placenta? A B C D alcohol glucose oxygen urea 27 What is the best measurement to determine the growth of seedlings? A B C D the dry mass of the whole seedling the height and width of the parts above ground the length from the root-tip to the stem-tip the total number of leaves ï›™ UCLESShow MoreRelatedSituational Analysis of Esl Student3157 Words   |  13 Pagessister). In this weak form of bilingualism, the L1 is no longer maintained and specific emphasis is place on learning English, as exemplified in our course called English as a Second Language (IGCSE ESL), and is intended for L2 students with needs like Katie. The advanced bilinguals in Katie’s class enroll in a IGCSE English as a First Language course during the same timetable block, but only Vietnamese students have a timetable allocation for their first language. Katie does use L1 around school at breakRead MoreHow Engagement And Motivation, Exhibited By Grade 10 English Igcse Class Essay1907 Words   |  8 PagesAbstract This project endeavours to identify the meaning of engagement for students, and why students in a Grade 10 English IGCSE class seem to lack or exhibit little engagement. Data were obtained from conducting a focus group, and through consultation with peers and a critical friend. In addition, there are further plans to conduct more focus groups, as well as, to conduct interviews with students, teachers and parents, when further research is conducted. The report concludes that†¦ Chapter

The Lost Symbol Chapter 129-131 Free Essays

CHAPTER 129 Robert Langdon stood mesmerized at the glass portal, absorbing the power of the landscape below him. Having ascended unknowingly hundreds of feet into the air, he was now admiring one of the most spectacular vistas he had ever seen. The shining dome of the U. We will write a custom essay sample on The Lost Symbol Chapter 129-131 or any similar topic only for you Order Now S. Capitol rose like a mountain at the east end of the National Mall. On either side of the building, two parallel lines of light stretched toward him . . . the illuminated facades of the Smithsonian museums . . . beacons of art, history, science, culture. Langdon now realized to his astonishment that much of what Peter had declared to be true . . . was in fact true. There is indeed a winding staircase . . . descending hundreds of feet beneath a massive stone. The huge capstone of this obelisk sat directly over his head, and Langdon now recalled a forgotten bit of trivia that seemed to have eerie relevance: the capstone of the Washington Monument weighed precisely thirty-three hundred pounds. Again, the number 33. More startling, however, was the knowledge that this capstone’s ultimate peak, the zenith of this obelisk, was crowned by a tiny, polished tip of aluminum–a metal as precious as gold in its day. The shining apex of the Washington Monument was only about a foot tall, the same size as the Masonic Pyramid. Incredibly, this small metal pyramid bore a famous engraving–Laus Deo– and Langdon suddenly understood. This is the true message of the base of the stone pyramid. The seven symbols are a transliteration! The simplest of ciphers. The symbols are letters. The stonemason’s square–L The element gold–AU The Greek Sigma–S The Greek Delta–D Alchemical mercury–E The Ouroboros–O â€Å"Laus Deo,† Langdon whispered. The well-known Latin phrase–meaning â€Å"praise God†Ã¢â‚¬â€œwas inscribed on the tip of the Washington Monument in script letters only one inch tall. On full display . . . and yet invisible to all. Laus Deo. â€Å"Praise God,† Peter said behind him, flipping on the soft lighting in the chamber. â€Å"The Masonic Pyramid’s final code.† Langdon turned. His friend was grinning broadly, and Langdon recalled that Peter had actually spoken the words â€Å"praise God† earlier inside the Masonic library. And I still missed it. Langdon felt a chill to realize how apt it was that the legendary Masonic Pyramid had guided him here . . . to America’s great obelisk–the symbol of ancient mystical wisdom–rising toward the heavens at the heart of a nation. In a state of wonder, Langdon began moving counterclockwise around the perimeter of the tiny square room, arriving now at another viewing window. North. Through this northward-facing window, Langdon gazed down at the familiar silhouette of the White House directly in front of him. He raised his eyes to the horizon, where the straight line of Sixteenth Street ran due north toward the House of the Temple. I am due south of Heredom. He continued around the perimeter to the next window. Looking west, Langdon’s eyes traced the long rectangle of the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial, its classical Greek architecture inspired by the Parthenon in Athens, Temple to Athena–goddess of heroic undertakings. Annuit coeptis, Langdon thought. God favors our undertaking. Continuing to the final window, Langdon gazed southward across the dark waters of the Tidal Basin, where the Jefferson Memorial shone brightly in the night. The gently sloping cupola, Langdon knew, was modeled after the Pantheon, the original home to the great Roman gods of mythology. Having looked in all four directions, Langdon now thought about the aerial photos he had seen of the National Mall–her four arms outstretched from the Washington Monument toward the cardinal points of the compass. I am standing at the crossroads of America. Langdon continued back around to where Peter was standing. His mentor was beaming. â€Å"Well, Robert, this is it. The Lost Word. This is where it’s buried. The Masonic Pyramid led us here.† Langdon did a double take. He had all but forgotten about the Lost Word. â€Å"Robert, I know of nobody more trustworthy than you. And after a night like tonight, I believe you deserve to know what this is all about. As promised in legend, the Lost Word is indeed buried at the bottom of a winding staircase.† He motioned to the mouth of the monument’s long stairwell. Langdon had finally started to get his feet back under him, but now he was puzzled. Peter quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object. â€Å"Do you remember this?† Langdon took the cube-shaped box that Peter had entrusted to him long ago. â€Å"Yes . . . but I’m afraid I didn’t do a very good job of protecting it.† Solomon chuckled. â€Å"Perhaps the time had come for it to see the light of day.† Langdon eyed the stone cube, wondering why Peter had just handed it to him. â€Å"What does this look like to you?† Peter asked. Langdon eyed the 1514 and recalled his first impression when Katherine had unwrapped the package. â€Å"A cornerstone.† â€Å"Exactly,† Peter replied. â€Å"Now, there are a few things you might not know about cornerstones. First, the concept of laying a cornerstone comes from the Old Testament.† Langdon nodded. â€Å"The Book of Psalms.† â€Å"Correct. And a true cornerstone is always buried beneath the ground–symbolizing the building’s initial step upward out of the earth toward the heavenly light.† Langdon glanced out at the Capitol, recalling that its cornerstone was buried so deep in the foundation that, to this day, excavations had been unable to find it. â€Å"And finally,† Solomon said, â€Å"like the stone box in your hand, many cornerstones are little vaults . . . and have hollow cavities so that they can hold buried treasures . . . talismans, if you will– symbols of hope for the future of the building about to be erected.† Langdon was well aware of this tradition, too. Even today, Masons laid cornerstones in which they sealed meaningful objects–time capsules, photos, proclamations, even the ashes of important people. â€Å"My purpose in telling you this,† Solomon said, glancing over at the stairwell, â€Å"should be clear.† â€Å"You think the Lost Word is buried in the cornerstone of the Washington Monument?† â€Å"I don’t think, Robert. I know. The Lost Word was buried in the cornerstone of this monument on July 4, 1848, in a full Masonic ritual.† Langdon stared at him. â€Å"Our Masonic forefathers buried a word?!† Peter nodded. â€Å"They did indeed. They understood the true power of what they were burying.† All night, Langdon had been trying to wrap his mind around sprawling, ethereal concepts . . . the Ancient Mysteries, the Lost Word, the Secrets of the Ages. He wanted something solid, and despite Peter’s claims that the key to it all was buried in a cornerstone 555 feet beneath him, Langdon was having a hard time accepting it. People study the mysteries for entire lifetimes and are still unable to access the power allegedly hidden there. Langdon flashed on Durer’s Melencolia I–the image of the dejected Adept, surrounded by the tools of his failed efforts to unveil the mystical secrets of alchemy. If the secrets can actually be unlocked, they will not be found in one place! Any answer, Langdon had always believed, was spread across the world in thousands of volumes . . . encoded into writings of Pythagoras, Hermes, Heraclitus, Paracelsus, and hundreds of others. The answer was found in dusty, forgotten tomes on alchemy, mysticism, magic, and philosophy. The answer was hidden in the ancient library of Alexandria, the clay tablets of Sumer, and the hieroglyphs of Egypt. â€Å"Peter, I’m sorry,† Langdon said quietly, shaking his head. â€Å"To understand the Ancient Mysteries is a lifelong process. I can’t imagine how the key could possibly rest within a single word.† Peter placed a hand on Langdon’s shoulder. â€Å"Robert, the Lost Word is not a `word.'† He gave a sage smile. â€Å"We only call it the `Word’ because that’s what the ancients called it . . . in the beginning.† CHAPTER 130 In the beginning was the Word. Dean Galloway knelt at the Great Crossing of the National Cathedral and prayed for America. He prayed that his beloved country would soon come to grasp the true power of the Word–the recorded collection of the written wisdom of all the ancient masters–the spiritual truths taught by the great sages. History had blessed mankind with the wisest of teachers, profoundly enlightened souls whose understanding of the spiritual and mental mysteries exceeded all understanding. The precious words of these Adepts–Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, Zoroaster, and countless others–had been transmitted through history in the oldest and most precious of vessels. Books. Every culture on earth had its own sacred book–its own Word–each one different and yet each one the same. For Christians, the Word was the Bible, for Muslims the Koran, for Jews the Torah, for Hindus the Vedas, and on and on it went. The Word shall light the way. For America’s Masonic forefathers, the Word had been the Bible. And yet few people in history have understood its true message. Tonight, as Galloway knelt alone within the great cathedral, he placed his hands upon the Word–a well-worn copy of his own Masonic Bible. This treasured book, like all Masonic Bibles, contained the Old Testament, the New Testament, and a treasure trove of Masonic philosophical writings. Although Galloway’s eyes could no longer read the text, he knew the preface by heart. Its glorious message had been read by millions of his brethren in countless languages around the world. The text read: TIME IS A RIVER . . . AND BOOKS ARE BOATS. MANY VOLUMES START DOWN THAT STREAM, ONLY TO BE WRECKED AND LOST BEYOND RECALL IN ITS SANDS. ONLY A FEW, A VERY FEW, ENDURE THE TESTINGS OF TIME AND LIVE TO BLESS THE AGES FOLLOWING. There is a reason these volumes survived, while others vanished. As a scholar of faith, Dean Galloway had always found it astonishing that the ancient spiritual texts–the most studied books on earth–were, in fact, the least understood. Concealed within those pages, there hides a wondrous secret. One day soon the light would dawn, and mankind would finally begin to grasp the simple, transformative truth of the ancient teachings . . . and take a quantum leap forward in understanding his own magnificent nature. CHAPTER 131 The winding staircase that descends the spine of the Washington Monument consists of 896 stone steps that spiral around an open elevator shaft. Langdon and Solomon were making their way down, Langdon still grappling with the startling fact that Peter had shared with him only moments ago: Robert, buried within the hollow cornerstone of this monument, our forefathers placed a single copy of the Word–the Bible–which waits in darkness at the foot of this staircase. As they descended, Peter suddenly stopped on a landing and swung his flashlight beam to illuminate a large stone medallion embedded in the wall. What in the world?! Langdon jumped when he saw the carving. The medallion depicted a frightening cloaked figure holding a scythe and kneeling beside an hourglass. The figure’s arm was raised, and his index finger was extended, pointing directly at a large open Bible, as if to say: â€Å"The answer is in there!† Langdon stared at the carving and then turned to Peter. His mentor’s eyes shone with mystery. â€Å"I’d like you to consider something, Robert.† His voice echoed down the empty stairwell. â€Å"Why do you think the Bible has survived thousands of years of tumultuous history? Why is it still here? Is it because its stories are such compelling reading? Of course not . . . but there is a reason. There is a reason Christian monks spend lifetimes attempting to decipher the Bible. There is a reason that Jewish mystics and Kabbalists pore over the Old Testament. And that reason, Robert, is that there exist powerful secrets hidden in the pages of this ancient book . . . a vast collection of untapped wisdom waiting to be unveiled.† Langdon was no stranger to the theory that the Scriptures contained a hidden layer of meaning, a concealed message that was veiled in allegory, symbolism, and parable. â€Å"The prophets warn us,† Peter continued, â€Å"that the language used to share their secret mysteries is a cryptic one. The Gospel of Mark tells us, `Unto you is given to know the mystery . . . but it will be told in parable.’ Proverbs cautions that the sayings of the wise are `riddles,’ while Corinthians talks of `hidden wisdom.’ The Gospel of John forewarns: `I will speak to you in parable . . . and use dark sayings.’ â€Å" Dark sayings, Langdon mused, knowing this strange phrase made numerous odd appearances in Proverbs as well as in Psalm 78. I will open my mouth in a parable and utter dark sayings of old. The concept of a â€Å"dark saying,† Langdon had learned, did not mean that the saying was â€Å"evil† but rather that its true meaning was shadowed or obscured from the light. â€Å"And if you have any doubts,† Peter added, â€Å"Corinthians overtly tells us that the parables have two layers of meaning: `milk for babes and meat for men’–where the milk is a watered-down reading for infantile minds, and the meat is the true message, accessible only to mature minds.† Peter raised the flashlight, again illuminating the carving of the cloaked figure pointing intently at the Bible. â€Å"I know you are a skeptic, Robert, but consider this. If the Bible does not contain hidden meaning, then why have so many of history’s finest minds–including brilliant scientists at the Royal Society–become so obsessed with studying it? Sir Isaac Newton wrote more than a million words attempting to decipher the true meaning of the Scripture, including a 1704 manuscript that claimed he had extracted hidden scientific information from the Bible!† Langdon knew this was true. â€Å"And Sir Francis Bacon,† Peter continued, â€Å"the luminary hired by King James to literally create the authorized King James Bible, became so utterly convinced that the Bible contained cryptic meaning that he wrote in his own codes, which are still studied today! Of course, as you know, Bacon was a Rosicrucian and penned The Wisdom of the Ancients.† Peter smiled. â€Å"Even the iconoclastic poet William Blake hinted that we should read between the lines.† Langdon was familiar with the verse: BOTH READ THE BIBLE DAY AND NIGHT, BUT THOU READ BLACK WHERE I READ WHITE. â€Å"And it wasn’t just the European luminaries,† Peter continued, descending faster now. â€Å"It was here, Robert, at the very core of this young American nation, that our brightest forefathers–John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Paine–all warned of the profound dangers of interpreting the Bible literally. In fact, Thomas Jefferson was so convinced the Bible’s true message was hidden that he literally cut up the pages and reedited the book, attempting, in his words, `to do away with the artificial scaffolding and restore the genuine doctrines.’ â€Å" Langdon was well aware of this strange fact. The Jeffersonian Bible was still in print today and included many of his controversial revisions, among them the removal of the virgin birth and the resurrection. Incredibly, the Jeffersonian Bible had been presented to every incoming member of Congress during the first half of the nineteenth century. â€Å"Peter, you know I find this topic fascinating, and I can understand that it might be tempting for bright minds to imagine the Scriptures contain hidden meaning, but it makes no logical sense to me. Any skilled professor will tell you that teaching is never done in code.† â€Å"I’m sorry?† â€Å"Teachers teach, Peter. We speak openly. Why would the prophets–the greatest teachers in history–obscure their language? If they hoped to change the world, why would they speak in code? Why not speak plainly so the world could understand?† Peter glanced back over his shoulder as he descended, looking surprised by the question. â€Å"Robert, the Bible does not talk openly for the same reason the Ancient Mystery Schools were kept hidden . . . for the same reason the neophytes had to be initiated before learning the secret teachings of the ages . . . for the same reason the scientists in the Invisible College refused to share their knowledge with others. This information is powerful, Robert. The Ancient Mysteries cannot be shouted from the rooftops. The mysteries are a flaming torch, which, in the hands of a master, can light the way, but which, in the hands of a madman, can scorch the earth.† Langdon stopped short. What is he saying? â€Å"Peter, I’m talking about the Bible. Why are you talking about the Ancient Mysteries?† Peter turned. â€Å"Robert, don’t you see? The Ancient Mysteries and the Bible are the same thing.† Langdon stared in bewilderment. Peter was silent for several seconds, waiting for the concept to soak in. â€Å"The Bible is one of the books through which the mysteries have been passed down through history. Its pages are desperately trying to tell us the secret. Don’t you understand? The `dark sayings’ in the Bible are the whispers of the ancients, quietly sharing with us all of their secret wisdom.† Langdon said nothing. The Ancient Mysteries, as he understood them, were a kind of instruction manual for harnessing the latent power of the human mind . . . a recipe for personal apotheosis. He had never been able to accept the power of the mysteries, and certainly the notion that the Bible was somehow hiding a key to these mysteries was an impossible stretch. â€Å"Peter, the Bible and the Ancient Mysteries are total opposites. The mysteries are all about the god within you . . . man as god. The Bible is all about the God above you . . . and man as a powerless sinner.† â€Å"Yes! Exactly! You’ve put your finger on the precise problem! The moment mankind separated himself from God, the true meaning of the Word was lost. The voices of the ancient masters have now been drowned out, lost in the chaotic din of self-proclaimed practitioners shouting that they alone understand the Word . . . that the Word is written in their language and none other.† Peter continued down the stairs. â€Å"Robert, you and I both know that the ancients would be horrified if they saw how their teachings have been perverted . . . how religion has established itself as a tollbooth to heaven . . . how warriors march into battle believing God favors their cause. We’ve lost the Word, and yet its true meaning is still within reach, right before our eyes. It exists in all the enduring texts, from the Bible to the Bhagavad Gita to the Koran and beyond. All of these texts are revered upon the altars of Freemasonry because Masons understand what the world seems to have forgotten . . . that each of these texts, in its own way, is quietly whispering the exact same message.† Peter’s voice welled with emotion. † `Know ye not that ye are gods?'† Langdon was struck by the way this famous ancient saying kept surfacing tonight. He had reflected on it while talking to Galloway and also at the Capitol Building while trying to explain The Apotheosis of Washington. Peter lowered his voice to a whisper. â€Å"The Buddha said, `You are God yourself.’ Jesus taught that `the kingdom of God is within you’ and even promised us, `The works I do, you can do . . . and greater.’ Even the first antipope–Hippolytus of Rome–quoted the same message, first uttered by the gnostic teacher Monoimus: `Abandon the search for God . . . instead, take yourself as the starting place.’ † Langdon flashed on the House of the Temple, where the Masonic Tyler’s chair bore two words of guidance carved across its back: KNOW THYSELF. â€Å"A wise man once told me,† Peter said, his voice faint now, â€Å"the only difference between you and God is that you have forgotten you are divine.† â€Å"Peter, I hear you–I do. And I’d love to believe we are gods, but I see no gods walking our earth. I see no superhumans.You can point to the alleged miracles of the Bible, or any other religious text, but they are nothing but old stories fabricated by man and then exaggerated over time.† â€Å"Perhaps,† Peter said. â€Å"Or perhaps we simply need our science to catch up with the wisdom of the ancients.† He paused. â€Å"Funny thing is . . . I believe Katherine’s research may be poised to do just that.† Langdon suddenly remembered that Katherine had dashed off from the House of the Temple earlier. â€Å"Hey, where did she go, anyway?† â€Å"She’ll be here shortly,† Peter said, grinning. â€Å"She went to confirm a wonderful bit of good fortune.† Outside, at the base of the monument, Peter Solomon felt invigorated as he inhaled the cold night air. He watched in amusement as Langdon stared intently at the ground, scratching his head and looking around at the foot of the obelisk. â€Å"Professor,† Peter joked, â€Å"the cornerstone that contains the Bible is underground. You can’t actually access the book, but I assure you it’s there.† â€Å"I believe you,† Langdon said, appearing lost in thought. â€Å"It’s just . . . I noticed something.† Langdon stepped back now and surveyed the giant plaza on which the Washington Monument stood. The circular concourse was made entirely of white stone . . . except for two decorative courses of dark stone, which formed two concentric circles around the monument. â€Å"A circle within a circle,† Langdon said. â€Å"I never realized the Washington Monument stands at the center of a circle within a circle.† Peter had to laugh. He misses nothing. â€Å"Yes, the great circumpunct . . . the universal symbol for God . . . at the crossroads of America.† He gave a coy shrug. â€Å"I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.† Langdon seemed far off, gazing skyward now, his eyes ascending the illuminated spire, which shone stark white against the black winter sky. Peter sensed Langdon was beginning to see this creation for what it truly was . . . a silent reminder of ancient wisdom . . . an icon of enlightened man at the heart of a great nation. Even though Peter could not see the tiny aluminum tip at the top, he knew it was there, man’s enlightened mind straining toward heaven. Laus Deo. â€Å"Peter?† Langdon approached, looking like a man who’d endured some kind of mystical initiation. â€Å"I almost forgot,† he said, reaching into his pocket and producing Peter’s gold Masonic ring. â€Å"I’ve been wanting to return this to you all night.† â€Å"Thank you, Robert.† Peter held out his left hand and took the ring, admiring it. â€Å"You know, all the secrecy and mystery surrounding this ring and the Masonic Pyramid . . . it had an enormous effect on my life. When I was a young man, the pyramid was given to me with the promise that it hid mystical secrets. Its mere existence made me believe there were great mysteries in the world. It piqued my curiosity, fueled my sense of wonder, and inspired me to open my mind to the Ancient Mysteries.† He smiled quietly and slipped the ring into his pocket. â€Å"I now realize that the Masonic Pyramid’s true purpose was not to reveal the answers, but rather to inspire a fascination with them.† The two men stood in silence for a long while at the foot of the monument. When Langdon finally spoke, his tone was serious. â€Å"I need to ask you a favor, Peter . . . as a friend.† â€Å"Of course. Anything.† Langdon made his request . . . firmly. Solomon nodded, knowing he was right. â€Å"I will.† â€Å"Right away,† Langdon added, motioning to the waiting Escalade. â€Å"Okay . . . but one caveat.† Langdon rolled his eyes, chuckling. â€Å"Somehow you always get the last word.† â€Å"Yes, and there is one final thing I want you and Katherine to see.† â€Å"At this hour?† Langdon checked his watch. Solomon smiled warmly at his old friend. â€Å"It is Washington’s most spectacular treasure . . . and something very, very few people have ever seen.† How to cite The Lost Symbol Chapter 129-131, Essay examples

Freedom vs. Safety free essay sample

This paper presents a detailed discussion about wire-tapping, computer privacy and cell phones in the context of the age of terrorism which America finds itself entrenched in. The following paper explores the capabilities as well as the possibilities when it comes to the maintenance or invasion of privacy in creating safety precautions without violating the constitution. This paper focuses on the need to be careful of violating the constitutional rights of the American people, even though the American government continues to seek out terrorists. America is known throughout the world as the land of the free. The United States Constitution lays out the protected freedoms of Americans more clearly than any other constitution in the world. The freedoms and the protection of privacy in this country is something that millions of immigrants flock to take part in each year as they start their life anew in the United States of America. We will write a custom essay sample on Freedom vs. Safety or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Following the events of 9-11 however, a nervous eye has been cast in the direction of privacy issues. Wire tapping, listening in on cell phone conversations and using those conversations in court, and email privacy have all come under scrutiny. Before the attacks on the World Trade Center, the answer was very clear concerning privacy in these areas.

Canadian Banks free essay sample

This paper looks at Canadian Commercial Banks and analyzes their activity In the N.Y.C. real estate market. An examination of the entry of Canadian banks into the American banking market. The paper shows how their greatest competition remains the American commercial banks, and shows how their attempt to enter the real estate market has succeeded. It shows how Canadian Banks already realize a healthy portion of the US real estate market and it is expected that this growth will continue into the future. The Canadian economy has paralleled the US economy for the past year. Following the events of September 11, 2002, the Canadian economy and the US economy took dips and many on both sides of the border feared recession. However, these circumstances were short-lived and both economies quickly resumed their normal pattern. The US economy is strong and many Canadian Banks are poised to take advantage of eager investors in the United States. We will write a custom essay sample on Canadian Banks or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Many of these Banks have established a presence in New York City. One of the main reasons for this move is the strength of the US dollar. Foreign Banks used to have a competitive edge over American Banks, but legislation has evened the playing field. The chief competition for Canadian Banks operating in the US is, of course, other US Banks.

Introduction to Pastoral Counseling Essays

Introduction to Pastoral Counseling Essays Introduction to Pastoral Counseling Essay Introduction to Pastoral Counseling Essay Do to this fact, instead of amplifying problems, we choose to amplify solutions. We believe you are the expert on yourself, because of this we want to partner with you to co-create solutions. In SCABS, the counseling sessions are brief and time-limited. The counseling relationship normally does not exceed more than 5 to 6, 50 minute sessions. Note taking will be used in these sessions by both you and the counselor. Homework will be given to you in order to implement what has been learned in the counseling sessions. You must also document the results of such homework in order to share your progress with the counselor. Termination of the counseling relationship may be done by the counseled at any time. The counselor will not terminate the sessions without appropriate reason. Whenever possible upon completion of the counseling sessions, the counseled will be directed to the appropriate small group ministry in order to foster love, support, and accountability. Guided Assumption to process uses guided assumptions adapted from ?solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling?o (Collar 1953,1997). Those assumptions are as follows: (1) Assume Is at work In ten Tie AT ten counseled (Collar 1 ) Recognize sees grace and mercy in the life of the counseled. (2) Understand that at some point all have needed restoration. All have fallen short of God?was glory and have been in need of encouragement to create an environment for change, rather than isolation. (3) The counseled is not the problem; the problem is (Collar 1953,1997). The counseled has to deal with the problem. Create an environment where the counseled knows that they can indeed be separate from their problem. (4) The counseled is the expert on themselves (Collar 1953,1997). Other than God, no one knows the oneself better than themselves. (5) Finding exceptions helps create solutions (Collar 1953,1997). Realizing the success, Joy and peace one feels away from their problems is key. Remind the counseled to remember events where the problem was not their focus and create to those events more often. (6) The aim is for solutions. Don?wet focus on the problem. The SIC represents my guarded, masked behavior. This behavior is what people expect from me. I am expected to be analytical and weigh options when making decisions. I am sensitive to the needs of others, but I can also be very critical. It may appear that I am uninterested at times because I am contemplative. What I like most is to do things the correct way. Again, this is what is expected of me. My unguarded, unmasked true self is a C/S/D personality profile. Being a C/S/D I am a very task driven person, but I really work well with people on an individual level as well. Most C/S/D?was don?wet like to speak in front of a large group of people, but my spiritual gifts have made this task less frightening and more fulfilling. I will say that I probably am still more effective one on one or in a small group setting. I am really up front and frank with people, often it can be confused or taken as though I am insensitive. I am actually very sensitive and I really care about people; I Just believe that I allow things to roll off of me easily. Essential that frees me up emotionally and mentally to be able to listen to and deal with the problems of others. I am a very serious person. I probably should lighten up a little, be more optimistic, be more positive, and less critical. I have a fairly constant personality with my guarded and unguarded self. I believe my spiritual gifts when used; help keep my personality in check. My three highest spiritual gift tendencies are: Encouraging/Exhorting; Teaching; Administration/ Ruling. This means I also tend to be more of an encouraging person. I often find myself in informal counseling situations. I have genuine concern for the well-being of others. With that concern, comes the desire to share truth with people, mainly the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I also am a visionary person who desires to organize and lead a cause. The overuse of these gifts sometimes makes me boring and annoying. I may tend to talk too much, desire to know too much. I also can be over critical Ana expect too much out AT people. 10 communicate Ana relate Walt others more effectively I should not be so hard on people, and be more sensitive to hey?were needs. I must also exhibit patience and kindness.

The relationship between Religion and Ethics in todays World Essay

The relationship between Religion and Ethics in todays World - Essay Example But we see everyday ethical notions being deliberated upon and changed to suit particular circumstances and individual and mass preferences. Religious precepts are based on the revelations of the original prophets. The precepts were later formalized into written texts of all the religions. Whereas on one hand religious precepts lay the roadmap to salvation, on the other, they also help a human to judge between right and wrong. But slowly decadence set in the free thinking ideals of every religion and the religious precepts got permanence as dogmas. The modern ethics are based upon the theories of ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The ethical notions witnessed resurgence in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The ideas of liberty, freedom and equality took route in European society later got spread out all over the world. What began as an intellectual movement pioneered by such free thinkers as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Hobbes acquired political dimensions in the French Revolution and the American War of Independence. Individual liberty is both the cause and effect of free thinking. Free thinking also promotes the cause of ethical judgment. The sphere of Ethics now spreads beyond individualized thinking to help mankind to frame rules for societies, cultures, and countries. What may be ethical in one country, a geo-political region, or a continent may not be so in another. In other words, ethics hold a huge scope for variance, and argument, whereas religion is guided by dogmas that are most part rigid, unalterable and beyond question. Religious dogmas, too, may have had very logical origin but with passage of time they come to be accepted as divine ordainments and have to be accepted by the people without question. The clash of religion and ethics today gets reflected in different forms. The debate over ethics and