History 1

Much of history was written by the winners, however this does not give us permission to dismiss it. Not every war or battle has been victorious, (David and Bathsheba) sometimes the stories are told from a losing perspective.

The most reliable source of history humans have is the Bible, which includes both the wins and losses people endured. If the most accurate source of history has losses, then obviously not all history is told by the winners. There is always a winner and a loser, and though sometimes their stories do not line up perfectly, does not discredit them. Because of sin nature and humans wanting to make themselves sound better, people tend to waver stories to make them a little bit more of a winner or a little bit less of a loser. According to ones upbringing usually, a particular person will be biased towards his own side saying the town had rivers of blood rather than the streets had dead people in them. Being biased is something people experience in stories told today in daily life, but just because someone stretches the line for one side doesn’t completely discredit their claims. Think of court for instance, a daughter is more likely to exaggerate a story for her mother’s sake but that doesn’t discredit her as a witness. Just as history is not discredited because of who wrote it down.

            History has also taught us so many lessons we would have otherwise forgotten. People learn from the mistakes they read in history and avoid repeating them again. We also see what has worked and try to repeat the same processes to be successful again. Without these written accounts, people would have to continuously make the same mistakes over and over again. It is like a parent teaching their children not to touch a hot stove, they have experienced the pain or their parents have experienced the pain and are passing the account onto further generations. Though sometimes history may feel like it is pointless, it is what made our country and the world what it is today; our past defines us no matter what. 

Economics #2

Socialism wouldn't work because people aren't trustworthy. Everyone sins, lies and takes short cuts. Being a socialist nation would require everyone and everything to be perfect and have no faults basically. Maybe in a society the Stepford Wives socialism would work but here on earth where there is so much sin and evil, people can not be trusted. Humans are always looking out for themselves and not their neighbors so in a socialist society where everyone worked evenly and for their community, people would fail. Lazy average people would live off everyone else like welfare or the government would live off them. People would not work or work the easiest jobs for the bare minimum while other people would excel to be doctors or scientists and would work more than the group of lazy people. If for some reason all people decided to pick up the slack and work harder than they are today begging on the streets, the government and other nations would pull the system out of place. The government is not made up of perfect people and is certainly corrupt and in one way or another they would cheat the system as well. Having access to all money homes and food, they would steal from society and use more than they ought. Other nations would see our socialist society and get more from us or cheat us out of our perfect happy society and products. If the state owned everything, the people who were behind the state would distribute more or less to friends and enemies and would sit on other important things to better themselves. Overall, because man is sinful, socialism could never work because of the greed in every human being. 

Moore Video

The statement that stood out most to me in this clip was when he grouped all religions as one. Certainly all religions are not the same and they do not believe in the same theories either. I was especially concerned that Mr. Moore did assume that I as a Christian am no different from a Muslim or someone who believes in wicca even. If all religions were the same there would not be conflict among them and we would already have one religion and one government system. Moore got the idea in a way about how a rich man is not supposed to take nine slices of pie and leave the remaining pie for the poorer people to fight over but he took it as everyone who believes in a religion believes this too. In other words he said that all religions were just aimed at helping the poor but that they had no individual focus. We understand that like in Heart Soul and Money a major theme was “there are certain extremes of wealth and poverty which are in and of themselves intolerable.” And also that, in James 5:1-6 a time is depicted when landlords “were growing wealthier at the expense of the impoverished day-laborers.” These are examples of people who wanted to glorify only themselves with material possessions rather than Jesus. This still has no proof that socialism should be the economic system used because it has no direct relevance really and socialism also would not be effective. Socialism would basically promote people to be lazy and leave people like us to carry out the harder jobs because no one else would have to. Because the world is a sinful place, everyone would want what is best for only themselves so they would work the minimum amount to survive if they got paid either way. Overall, all religions are not the same and socialism would not be effective as Moore suggests because we are of a fallen and sinful world that simply could not get along and count on one another all the time.

Global Secular Government

          There is no denying that a global secular goverment would be ineffective and cause many problems. A global secular government strives for an equal, non-religious, perfect government (utopia). However as all humans sin such a government could not be possible. A secular government would require trust of every individual, which is a very risky assumption. Allowing man to create laws to function without flaw would also require perfect laws from basically perfect people. An assumption of perfection from humans is also stretching it. As man is inclined to be sinful, the laws created would also have sin setting the goverment up to have conflicts. Also bound to cause problems is the issue of religion that is built into so many peoples' lives and governments. Making the laws parallel everyones beliefs perfectly would be impossible. Not only is religion an issue for different groups of people but also ethical views and even what extent the government plays in peoples' daily lives. 
          With a secular government, countries would not be prepared for war, scams, cheating or stealing. It seems as though a government that predicts perfection in all people leaves a lot of gaps. Such argument and war free governmemt would leave all countries very vulnerable. Due to our sinful nature humans could not possibly all work together in unison. A global secular government assumes too much of people and requires too much change. A global secular government is virtually unattainable. 

Abortion (2)

In most cases, teens that become mothers do have grim prospects for the future. Teen mothers almost always are forced to drop out of school either out of embarrassment or pure practicality for themselves and their child. Babies take more time and effort than most teens expect, often times mothers do not understand that a baby is a whole life they are going to have to take care of. Unfortunately, most teens are not stable enough to accept such a huge challenge to their lives that they didn’t ask for. The young mothers are not responsible enough and do not have enough experience at such a young age to be able to balance their new lives. School a baby and a social life all take up a ton of time and in most cases teens are forced to drop all other aspects and just care for their baby. Not only does a baby take a ton of time away from their lives, it also absorbs a lot of money. In most cases, a teen without a high school diploma cannot get a job that will support her new family much less child care while she is working. Often times, a teen mother will have no family support or any support from the baby’s father resulting in a stable job being extremely difficult to manage and obtain.

            In such situations, teen mothers have no choice but to rely on public assistance to survive. They need money to live that they cannot provide for themselves even if they tried their hardest. Pregnancy at such a young age is very impractical for all people. (Tax payers, child and teen mother).

            Prenatal care for teens may be less important to them as they are trying to live out their teen years for as long as they can. Teens are less educated and concerned about their health resulting in the dampened health of their babies. Whereas a more mature adult will be more informed, will be mature enough to care for herself and the baby (wont be selfish) and will be more excited, prepared and equipped for the baby to come.

            In regards to the health problems of teen mothers, I do believe that this claim is accurate as well. Teens are less likely to receive proper nutrients and guidance as to what to do with a baby before and after it is born. They also are more likely to experience stress with the dramatic change and the burden of family and friend troubles, school stress and the stress from the baby. Even if a teen decides to give the baby up for adoption or have an adoption, it will still result in emotional trauma for the mother. The weight that society and their friends/family place of them is enough before their own heart and conscience comes into play.

            For teens mothers, divorce or break-ups are more likely than not. Being so young and having so many trials to endure all at once puts a lot of strain on a relationship leaving it broken or weak. In most cases the baby being born wasn’t planned and the parents may not have even intended to stay together at all. An unplanned baby forces people together, which often times results in resentment.

            Luckily for teen moms, their situations are becoming much more prominent resulting in society adjusting to them. Even though their whole lives are being changed in the worst way they expected, teens can still adapt in ways such as online schooling, changing to high schools that provide day care and other organizations designed specifically to help young mothers in need. Though their situations should not be accepted, they are being adapted to, which may make teen pregnancy seem almost inviting in some cases. 

Law 4

Equality and justice are both very widely used and very easily confused. Equality justifies that before the law all citizens are equal without judgment for any reason, and that equal opportunities are guaranteed to all citizens. It is the principle that all people are treated in the same way. In other words, equality focuses more on the way people are perceived and considered. Whereas justice on the other hand, is the value of being just or fair, it is the concept of moral correctness. It is more focused on centralizing equality in law, rather than making it. Both words appear in the context of laws often, especially in the CLS movement. With a postmodern worldview, the critical legal studies (CLS) group focuses on their claim that the political system and laws are not separate. To fix the problem they see, CLS intends to turn such customs around. CLS aims to bring equality to all people and to breakdown the social classes in society. To us as Christians however, we understand that in some cases like making men and women completely equal is wrong, and homosexuality shouldn’t be altered to be acceptable. People were created like these laws, individually with special attention on purpose. Not to be recreated to promote such things as homosexuality or abortion. Laws cannot be broken or simply create equality; people need laws intentionally to not make us equal so we do not fail as a society.

God intends for Christians to do justice in a number of ways. We are called in Jeremiah to do what is just and to rescue the one who has been robbed and oppressed (22:3). And in Micah we are called to act justly and walk humbly with God (6:8). In James we are called to keep from being polluted by the world (1:27) and in Deuteronomy to fear the Lord and to walk in obedience with him (10:12). In Deuteronomy 10:19 we are called to love foreigners, as we were once foreigners in Egypt. Every Christian is told to do what they can to help others, the second commandment, love your neighbor as yourself is an example of this. Though we are supposed to do these things, we should not do them to the extent of the CLS group and disobey or change the law to make things easier or for any other unusual reason. We must remember that God intentionally placed everyone and made everything in law intentionally to rule us. 

Law #3

Today, there are many differences between the Islamic and Christian view and approach to law. The Christian's view, natural law, is that the law came from our creator, God. As Christians, we believe God gave us the law and that we are held accountable for it. The Christian law however doesn't have specific rules for every area of life. The Islamic view, however is more specific and has specific laws for more areas of their lives. Muslims believe in Shari'a law, and believe that humans do not know God or His laws. To Christian's this law seems especially unreliable, because it seems like there would be no reason to follow the strict laws people made up. Muslims also believe in the Qur'an which is similar to the Bible we believe in. Opposite of the Bible though, the Qur'an has some parts that over-ride other parts of it. Luckily, the Bible does not have fuzzy parts like the Qur'an, and doesn't leave people as confused. Muslims also have a different view of freedom than Christians do. Muslims have very little freedom under Shari'a law. For Christians though, God gives us a lot of freedom to be the people he created us to be. For Christians, God created His laws because He loves us and in return we just need to live for Him. For Muslims, God is unknowable, leaving the Islamic religion confusing and impersonal. 

Law #2

No legal standards are not limited to the determination and interpretation of each individual. If humans interpreted laws their own way, laws wouldn't have any authority and there would be no point of it. Even if people knowingly broke man's law, they could use the excuse that they interpreted the law differently so they wouldn't get accused. Laws are final, punishments however can be based on how someone argues their interpretation of the law. The law that God expects us to follow (unless it contradicts his word) is not up for negotiation. We must remember that when taking man's law into account that God placed each member of the government in power purposefully for us. But as sinful people, those who God choose often mess up as well. In this case, man is allowed to go against man's law (such as abortion laws!) This is the only time man is allowed to negotiate man's law (if it goes against God's law). In most cases, man's law, like God's law is there to protect us, so interpreting it differently would only cause harm.

Law

Though God out all leaders in power, governments as a whole do not have the ultimate authority for laws. Though we are told to respect those God puts in control because they are there to help and guide us, the laws in place do not always agree with God's word. When it comes down to God's law verses society's law, we should always obey God's law. As Christians, we know God created laws in the beginning (i.e. the ten commandments) and they are still in effect today because they are helpful and successful. God's law holds His people accountable. Sarah is a Secular Humanist who believes that man or society should make their own laws meaning they are always subject to change. Secular Humanists believe that they know what is best for society, rather than that God does. As Christians, we believe that God has ultimate authority and that the laws he originally made before Adam and Eve are still in place to create peace for people. His laws guide us so we don't get wrapped up in society and create our own guidelines for ourselves. If the government goes against our own morals or laws, we should follow God's law instead because he created His laws purposefully for each of us.

How Should Christians Respond to Feminism?

Christians should respond to feminism carefully and truthfully. Men and women were created in God’s image equally. God calls us to be individuals as well as men and women were created differently. We were created separately and on a different basis to carry out his plans. He created each of us specifically with a different role and task to carry out for Him. According to his plan, men were created first and as the “little king” to be the head of the household and to report to God. He then created women as a helper, helper and warrior to the man (Genesis 2). So together men and women complete each other. Internally, we are also wired differently. The woman’s greatest pleasure and pain is in relationships, whereas the man’s is in his work (men out more effort into their work than relationships). By the way we were created, men and women naturally want different things. Feminists focus on the lack of equality women receive, when originally women and men were called to do different things, they want men and women to be equal in ways God didn’t originally intend us to be equal. God calls us to be individuals, though he sees us equally. Feminism focuses on denying God’s original plan for His creation, and attempts to rewrite his plans. God created each of us with a specific task for us to carry out. Christians should remember our original purpose and approach feminism with an aware mind but an open heart as we should with all of God’s creation.

Sexist and Homophobic

The Church is not sexist or homophobic; it follows God's word of male and female being individual people with individual roles. Relationships and marriage that was created for God for a man and woman. He created woman from man to assist and help man. Man is the little king who rules under God's word and controls things such as the family. And the woman was created to be the little warrior or helper to the male. God created men and women with specific reasons for them to live by. God intended relationships and marriage to be for the male and female as a promise to Him, and for no other reason. Male and female were created to interact and to multiply. All homophobes though are still God's people and were still created by Him. Therefore we should and are called to still love them as our neighbors and treat them equally. Though God's plan was specifically intended for male and female, He still loves those who disobey Him.

Sociology Blog

I do believe that it is in the state’s best interest to be more involved in parenting, even to the point of controlling what is taught in the home. As they grow up, children act as a result of how they were brought up in their home. Whether this is a good or bad upbringing, children act as they were taught from a young age. For their personal benefits later on in life, I believe each child deserves a fair upbringing guided by the state for their benefit. God emphasizes the family (in the Church and home) being built correctly and with a strong basis, which families would greatly benefit from if their strong backbone were the state’s enforcement. Allowing the state to intervene makes for a positive start at life for each individual. Whether it is intentional or not, bad” parents who teach against God’s word and enforce sin, potentially could greatly damage their children and the future generations. We as Christians are called to help and encourage God’s word to such people. The state should help encourage the correct teachings of right and wrong for the upcoming generation for the benefit of our future of nothing else, and should also guide people as Christians are called to do.