THESIS
I believe it is time you stopped smoking, and I am ready to convince about this. As a friend, I understand the challenges but you can stop this dangerous habit.
A good friend is not one that sees his colleagues chase after a donut of dynamite as meal, and watches his destruction on the table of calamity. A friend indeed is a friend in need. We have interacted in a number of ways, and I appreciate our relationship. Indeed, our friendship has added value to my life; it has taught me the value of communication and the skills of effective human interaction. It has also be a lesson ground to learn the skill of tolerance and understanding vital for the sustenance of any relationship. I can not simply deny the fact that you have been a challenge to me in several ways, as I have also challenged you.
Challenges are indispensable tools for promotion in this life. I also learnt that with you. There are times we have disagreed to disagree. We have come to pints where it appeared we would never be friends; moments of tests when we were mad with each other. Indeed, we have our share of miserable days. And together, we stood the test of time and won the battle. And today, we are still friends. The vicissitudes of life have not eroded the love we share.
This love is the hallmark of our friendship. It is the singular key that has made it possible for us to walk together even when it seems there is no hope in our communication. Our love is everlasting. This characteristic has become the driving force for every decision we reach together, and our prayers for each other. I believe it is what has brought me to you now to inform you about a habit you have. Yes, everyone has habits, positive and negative. In both instances, friends form a major influence. I am aware you smoke. I would love you to stop this act.
I know you are a man of your words. I am aware you understand the reasons for engaging in this. You can even convince me of the goodies associated with smoking but I want you to join me on a paradigm shift: Imagine your seven-year enjoys your driving skills; he praises you anything you drive together. And suddenly, you notice a change in his morale when he is out of a trip with you. You are worried about what has happened, and you ask him:
What’s the matter son?’
And he replies: ‘dad, I have told you several times that I like the way you drive. Can I also get a car to drive like you?
Immediately, you leave the driver’s seat for your ignorant child to satisfy him. What do you think would happen? An accident that may claim both lives of course. Would you even do that? I am sure you may want to say you can’t do, isn’t it? But already you have been doing it. You ask how, I would tell you now so you can stop!
The cigarette you smoke contains over a thousand carcinogens, substances that can predispose tot cancer of the lungs with which you breathe. Smoking has been implicated in a countless of number of diseases conditions as well including heart diseases, arteriosclerosis, malignancies. These things are not beneficial to the body. In fact, the substances in smoke do more harm than good. At the present, they can satisfy the need for super-feeling, an increase the activity of the nervous system. They can make you feel ‘high’ but if you consider their inherent disadvantages, one should never get close to them. Anyone who smokes is like that little who desired seriously the thrill of driving but ignored the risks associated with starting at his age.
I sincerely understand the challenge associated with such an addiction but you can stop if you desire to do so. Even the Federal Ministry of Health advocates that we should avoid smoking for our sake. Why then do we want to use our hands to sign our death certificate? Pat, I love you that’s why I am telling you all this. You may invaluable to me. I can not watch you lie wasted because of a disease you can avoid by smoking. You have been wonderful to me. It may difficult to stop but embrace my paradigm shift and decide. I understand you enjoy it, and it would simply unbearable to abstain from it. Don’t consider that: I would be your accountability partner. I am ready to assist you until you win the battle over the stick of cigarette.
The pleasure of smoking can not be compared with the treasure of healthy living. As a friend, I believe you can stop. I can not force you to stop. Your decision is final. I implore you to choose the right path.
Edmund Burkes Speech On Conciliation With The Colonies
Edmund Burke’s ideology about the existence of state for the people is evidently present during his speech about conciliation about the Colonies. Burke believes that the state should work for the people and not for the people to work for the state (Auerbach, 1959, p. 57). Corruption on the side of the state blinded the opportunity for the government to work and play its role.
Political crisis involving colonies encourage Burke to pursue his principles and philosophical spirit about governance. Burke demonstrates that the power of democracy is in the great hands of the masses which also as great as the threat brought by hands of a dictator leader. There are two parties, the left and right which are present for every issue which divides the state and the governance (Bork, 1997, p. 353).
Men by nature will always seek advantage over one another. Thus, the state needs to safeguard inequalities that may arise. The differences in each side must not be overstated nor must it be discounted. Heeding the cry of those who are against the state will create a more terrible sight that later will confront mankind. Each state has established their laws which govern its people and the state. Giving more importance with civil rights that protects the public from being harass or maltreated, this instrument of justice must embody full fairness and impartiality among men.
Burke implies that a single man can make a change for the good cause of all. He must be alone in his dogma but he doesn’t care, all he wants is to open the eyes of the people ruling the state. He doesn’t need any kind of sympathy but he is counting on his voice to reach the concerned English men.
People will always seek liberty in all aspect of his or her life. Give importance with the freedom of the people, and they will cuddle the government (White, 2002, p. 62). Responsible governance is all that it takes to create a harmonious relationship of men and the government. The more freedom the state gives to its people, the more they will respect the former.
Democracy has its own toll when implemented among men. The political system must realize that the power of the masses has a potential to struggle and fight back against false dichotomy. During Burke’s time, the doctrine of good governance requires a mounting courage in pronouncing its true essence especially in a public location. No wonder, Burke had his way out of the league spending most of his years in accomplishing an impeachment against the Governor-General of India.
Corruption upon alliance of states grew much faster allowing extended term in the office and it killed the fundamental nature of the existence of the English statesmanship. Dependence of each Colony from any form of slavery is an integral part to have a prosperous economic reputation.
Denial of the power of the people is a waste of time and energy. Moreover, this will only facilitate a shaky relationship among men and the state. If the people fed their imagination that they were being neglected by the state, then the state is in great danger. Allegiance of Colonies does not aim for any kind of slavery thus it can’t stand the pain that his people are held by vicious hands.
The more people believe on the fair game set by the state, the more the state becomes stronger. The populace invest their trust with the government; therefore, the government must be obliged to be the guardians of trusts whom can protect the people’s concern.
“English Constitution binds the people and the state. No one may arise greater of one another (Conway, 2003, p. 136).” Constitutions are based on the universal principle of impartiality and justices. Hence, they are not derive from the thin air. Political climate set the direction of these constitutions and when such climate changes, the constitution have a character to transcend its course to serve the present generation at its fullest.
All constitutions are structured based on certain priorities and particular choices that are necessary in building a nation. Without constitution, men will be like a wild animal that would kill, eat and destroy innocent people regardless of their ages. Historically, constitutions have been revolutionized because of different political ideas and political agendas. Written constitutional texts thought by many politicians are enough to amend the people’s view on the justice system. Political tranquillity can’t conceal the nation’s hostility about the progression of corruption predominantly on the people’s taxes (Miller, 1994, p. 120).
Burke demands the people who are occupying the seats in the government to work for the interest of all citizens of the state. He commented on the extravagance of the royal household while many were dying and suffering.
History reflects on men’s divine purpose over his fellow men. Burke has a strong belief that those people in the public office must be restrained from excessive use of their power to persuade people. Rather, they should showcase the principal virtue of self-control.
Burke’s writings and speeches are solid manifestations of his confidence that men are all equal in the eyes of God. His devotion for personal freedom opposing constitutional changes that are harmful to humankind linked him as a righteous Englishman who believes in the power of liberty.
At the end of his speech, Burke is expecting for some favorable action on side of the state and the people comprising the colony. Challenges may arise before his political and social principles have taken into shape but it will not move Mr. Burke to step down from what he believes.
His heart, mind and soul are set to experience positive changes done in his own land. Royal and political hitches will come across his way on guiding the people of what he is fighting for but it doesn’t matter as long as he believes in his own acts. His undying faith caters his opinion that it would not take long before his homeland realizes that plebs is as important as the aristocrat people. Offices in the government are created to provide the public with security, it is not provided by the public to pierce on their backs and kill their free will.
References
Auerbach, Morton M. (1959). The Conservative Illusion. USA: Columbia, University Press.
Bork, Robert H. (1997). The Tempting of America: The Political Seduction of the Law. USA: Simon & Schuster.
Conway, David (2003). In Defence of the Realm: The Place of Nations in Classical Liberalism. USA: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
Miller, Peter N. (1994). Defining the Common Good: Empire, Religion, and Philosophy in Eighteenth-century Britain. USA: Cambridge University Press.
White, Stephen K. (2002). Edmund Burke: Modernity, Politics and Aesthetics. USA: Rowman & Littlefield.
Converting The Native Americans To Christianity
Christianity started as a Jewish sect in the first century centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Protestant and Catholic missions came simultaneously during the first half of the 19th century for the specific intention of converting Native Americans to Christianity. Christianity for the Native Americans is connected to misfortune and inequality to the indigenous peoples of North America. Those who came to educate and convert the Indians to Christianity also came with the hope of repressing indigenous spirituality.[1] Just as with every society that has dominated a community and imposed its religion on the conquered, the native religions of the Americas have made their spot on the belief of the conquered.
The missionaries who wanted to convert the Indians to Christianity will have to contend with their traditional religious beliefs. It was a feat that was not simple and easy since they will have to contend with tradition.
The vital wisdom of Christianity is that Jesus is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It teaches that his life on earth, his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension into heaven are evidence of God’s love for the human race and God’s absolution of human sins.[2] This teaching is personified in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament.
Christian principles developed to a sizeable extent from the Jewish custom as portrayed in the Old Testament. Christianity may be usually defined in stipulations of its practice of corporate adoration and rites that include the help of sacraments and are normally handled by trained clergy within methodical churches. There are still a lot of forms of worships or interpretations within Christianity.[3]
Meanwhile, the American Indians or Native Americans lived life in love with nature. Their perception is showed in everything from their aptitude for harmony with the environment, their attire, what they created, what they ate and how it was prepared, in their dwelling place and significance of family and in their values and beliefs.
Native Americans who look at Christianity as tantamount with “religion” have likewise felt at least some reduction of their own spirituality. Efforts made by missionaries to convert Native Americans to Christianity met considerable struggle among Northwest natives. Attentions were shifted instead to meeting the needs rather than tending to the souls of the Indians.[4]
It was noted that the explorers assumed that their intentions took priority over the wishes of the Indians who had lived there for centuries. The reality that the Indians were just then decreasing sharply in number from the effects of epidemic diseases has given the efforts a better force. The missionaries also believed that it was within their privileges to inhabit and recreate the land as they match needs while expecting power over the Natives.
Educating and converting them to Christianity was indeed an effort that involved tremendous efforts that were not plain and painless. There were missionaries who met their untimely deaths for doing so. But Christianity will tell us that the love of nature is also getting close to God. Nature is among God’s wonderful creations and so it is but natural to love everything God created. It is not about worshiping nature but worshipping something that is created by God.
Christianity also tells us that love of God is love of His creations. And what is God’s greatest creation? Of course, man. When they were converted to Christianity, Native Americans were also taught the value of loving and respecting God’s creations thereby seeing the unity of two principles.
Sources
New Perspectives of the West (May 6, 2006). http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/s_z/whitman.htm
Chambers, Mortimer; Crew, Herlihy, Rab, Woloch (1974). The Western Experience Volume II: The Early Modern Period, 1st, Alfred A. Knopt, Inc. ISBN 0394317343
J. Lebreton and J. Zeiller, A History of the Early Church (4 vol., 1944—46; repr. 1962)
[1] Chambers, Mortimer; Crew, Herlihy, Rab, Woloch (1974). The Western Experience Volume II: The Early Modern Period, 1st, Alfred A. Knopt, Inc. ISBN 0394317343
[2] J. Lebreton and J. Zeiller, A History of the Early Church (4 vol., 1944—46; repr. 1962)
[3] op cit
[4] New Perspectives of the West (May 6, 2006). http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/s_z/whitman.htm