Global Issues: Religious Freedom

Are we free to believe in what we want?

It is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance without government influence or intervention. It also includes the freedom to change one's religion or belief.

  Freedom of religion is considered by many people and most of the nations to be a fundamental human right. In a country with a state religion, freedom of religion is generally considered to mean that the government permits religious practices of other sects besides the state religion, and does not persecute believers from other faiths.

Freedom of belief is different. It allows the right to believe what a person, group or religion wishes, but it does not necessarily allow the right to practice the religion or belief openly and outwardly in a public manner.

▪ Most and Least Religious countries
 
Do you live in a religious country?  Let us find out!
Here are the top ten most religious countries in the world (by percentage of the population):

Those are countries with the biggest amount of people that feel religious, it also helps us to identify the adherence to a certain set of religious beliefs.
(Check the complete list)
 
 Countries with the smallest amount of people that feel religious: In these places, religion is not an important part of daily life for most citizens; have you ever think how can it affect your life?
(Check out the list)

▪ Worst Countries for religious freedom

At its core, freedom of religion or belief requires freedom of expression. Both fundamental rights are protected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, yet nearly half of all countries penalize blasphemy, apostasy or defamation of religion. In 13 countries, atheists can be put to death for their lack of belief.

The U.S. State Department names and shames eight “Countries of Particular Concern” that severely violate religious freedom rights within their borders. These countries not only suppress religious expression, they systematically torture and detain people who cross political and social red lines around faith. The worst of the worst are:


 ▪  Burma / Myanmar 
MaBaTha’s influence reportedly waned significantly following the government’s public denunciation of the group in July, although members of the organization continued circulating anti-Muslim materials in some villages and continued fanning religious tensions using social media. (Read more)



▪ China
The constitution guarantees freedom of religious belief, a principle that Beijing says it upholds. But an annual report from the US State Department released in August said that in 2016, China “physically abused, detained, arrested, tortured, sentenced to prison, or harassed adherents of both registered and unregistered religious groups”. (Read more)

 ▪ Eritrea
Another Eritrean Jehovah’s Witness dies after release from prison.
(Read more)

▪  Sudan
Sudan’s interim constitution partially protects religious freedom but restricts apostasy, blasphemy and defamation of Islam. Muslim women are also prevented from marrying non-Muslim men. The country’s vaguely worded apostasy law discourages proselytizing of non-Muslim faiths. Christian South Sudanese living in Sudan are subject to harassment and intimidation by government agents and society, but untangling the religious and ethnic motivations for this persecution can be difficult. Muslims generally enjoy social, legal and economic privileges denied to the Christian minority population. Government authorities have reportedly destroyed churches in recent years, and Christian groups have reportedly been subject to disproportionate taxes and delays in building new houses of worship. (Read more)

 

▪  North Korea
North Korea’s constitution guarantees religious freedom, but this right is far from upheld. The state is officially atheist. Author John Sweeney says the country is “seized by a political religion” and that it considers established religious traditions a threat to state unity and control. North Korea allow for government-sponsored Christian and Buddhist religious organizations to operate and build houses of worship, but political analysts suspect this “concession” is for the sake of external propaganda. A Christian group says it dropped 50,000 Bibles over North Korea over the past year. If caught with one, citizens face imprisonment, torture or even death. Given the government’s extreme control over the flow of reliable information, it is difficult to determine the true extent of religious persecution in North Korea.

Most Christians worship secretly. If discovered, they are “taken to political camps (kwanliso); crimes against them in these camps include extra-judicial killing, extermination, enslavement/forced labor, forcible transfer of population, arbitrary imprisonment, torture, persecution, enforced disappearance, rape and sexual violence and other inhuman acts.” CSW reports documented cases of believers being “hung on a cross over a fire, crushed under a steamroller, herded off bridges, and trampled underfoot.” (Read more)

▪ Religious Persecution Cases

▪ Catholic Inquisition
In 12th century, torture became an integral part of all capital legal proceedings. Also, it was often practiced by the inquisition in most European countries in cases of heresy, blasphemy, adultery and many other similar ‘crimes against God’. Beside common means of torture like beating, suffocating and burning Roman-Catholic Church used others, more depraved ways of extracting confessions and execution of its victims… (Read more)


▪ Ku Klux Klan
The Ku Klux Klan, with its long history of violence, is the most infamous — and oldest — of American hate groups. Although black Americans have typically been the Klan's primary target, it also has attacked Jews, immigrants, gays and lesbians and, until recently, Catholics.
(Read More)

 
 ▪  Governmental persecution

In Eritrea, if you are Catholic, Muslim, or a member of the Orthodox and Evangelical churches in Eritrea then it seems you can breathe easy.
However, those who believe and practice minority faiths are routinely persecuted, according to human rights groups. (Read more)

A church in northern China had been demolished not long ago, this, not being the a case apart, which sparks fears of a wider campaigns against Christians as authorities prepare to enforce new laws on religion.
(Read more)

▪ Some Persecuted Religions
 
▪ Jehovah’s Witnesses
Anti-terror legislation is being used to target those whose faith is only ‘extreme’ in terms of its commitment to non-violence. It should be a warning to us all. (Read more)

From the Korean War period to the present, South Korea has relentlessly prosecuted young Witness men who refuse military service, and the government has not provided any alternative to resolve the issue. The result? South Korea has sentenced over 19,200 Witnesses to a combined total of more than 36,700 years in prison for refusing to perform military service. (Read More)


▪ Muslims
“Ultra-nationalist Buddhist group Ma Ba Tha has been spreading anti-Muslim rhetoric across Myanmar for years. Cosmopolitan Mandalay is at the heart of this hostility – which many fear is here to stay.” (Read more)




Read Even More:
▪ Another Blow To The Victims Of Religious Persecution
▪ Bangladesh: Runaway Muslim Persecution of Hindus
▪ Anti-Christian religious persecution on the rise

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Global Issues: Prejudice

Prejudice

Did you know?

▪ The word "prejudice" comes from the Latin roots "prae" (in advance) and "judicum" (judgment), which essentially means to judge before. When we "pre-judge" someone, we make up our minds about who they are before we actually get to know them. Prejudices or "pre-judgments" are not based upon actual real-life interaction with a person or group it is often born of stereotypes and forms the fertile soil of discrimination.

For instance, a person may hold prejudiced mentally towards a certain ethnic group or gender etc. (e.g. sexist).

▪ The word ‘stereotype’ comes from the French adjective ‘’stéréotype’’, which itself comes from the Greek στερεός (solid) and τύπος (type). The earliest example in the Oxford English Dictionary of this usage is from a 1922 essay by Walter Lippmann in the journal Public Opinion: “A stereotype may be so consistently and authoritatively transmitted in each generation from parent to child that it seems almost like a biological fact.”

For instance, a person may stereotype a certain group of people, by the pre assumption based on some members of that group etc.

▪ The word ‘’Discrimination’’  from the Latin ‘’discrīminātus’’, which means literate to separate, can be considered the culmination of both previous terms, it is the behavior or action to make a distinction in favor of or against an individual, a group of people or something (being also most of the time negative) especially based on sex, race, social class, etc.

 For instance: a person might discriminate another by their different way of dressing. 

▪ The effects of social norms on prejudice: 

According to McLeod, S. A. (2008) on Prejudice and discrimination, Minard (1952) investigated how social norms influence prejudice and discrimination. The behavior of Afro-descendants and Caucasian miners in a town in the southern United States was observed, both above and below ground. (Read more)

▪ Affirmative Action

 An Affirmative action is an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education; it is also known worldwide as a positive discrimination. Thinking like that it would be right to affirm that this kind of attitude or policy is for the best, isn’t it? Not so fast…

Ten myths about affirmative action:  In recent years, affirmative action has been debated more intensely than at any other time in its thirty-year history. Many supporters view affirmative action as a milestone, many opponents see it as a millstone, and many others regard it as both or neither, as a necessary, but imperfect, remedy for an intractable social disease. Here are some of the most popular myths about affirmative action, along with a brief commentary on each one. (Read more)

▪ Social media prejudice

Is it possible to be preconceived while networking, when we are comfortably set in our couches using smartphones or even during games online? Sadly but indeed it is. The social networking site as we probably know very well today, such as facebook, Instagram, twitter and many others, are formed by human beings, and being imperfect as we are, any tool we possess has the potential of being used as a tool for prejudice.

‘’Social networking as we know creates an "echo chamber" in which a network of like-minded people share controversial theories, biased views and selective news, academics found.
This means that any bias held is simply repeated back to them unchallenged and accepted as a real fact.’’ Says a study by The Telegraph journal. (Read more)

There is also a study about human behavior with and without social Medias: The study compared crowd-sourced and social media recruits to in-lab participants.  Check it out!

▪ Different types of prejudice

Different kinds of prejudice lead to different forms of discrimination. (Read more)

▪ Unconscious bias

Are you preconceived in any way? Do you know what unconscious bias is?

Find out at the videos below.

▪ Prejudice Consequences

Prejudice affects the everyday lives of millions of people across the globe. Prejudice held by individuals unnaturally forces on others who are targets of their prejudice a false social status that strongly influences who they are, what they think, and even the actions they take. Prejudice shapes what the targets of prejudice think about the world and life in general, about the people around them, and how they feel about themselves. Importantly, prejudice greatly influences what people expect from the future and how they feel about their chances for self-improvement, referred to as their life chances. All of these considerations define their very identity as individuals.

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How to write a Dissertation

Argumentative Essay

▪ What is an argumentative essay type of text?

An argumentative essay is a type of text in which the writer, through the usage of arguments and research, supports or not a specific line of thinking of a subject, typically it contains many different kinds of information, often located in specialized parts or sections. 
In an argumentative essay also known as a dissertation, you desire to convince someone to agree with; not only your viewpoint but also your assumption by the usage of evidences based on research.
Similarly, to other types of text, an essay is not difficult or challenging to write when you have both the right formula and method, as well as information at your disposal.

Let us check those tools and tips to assist you with writing astounding essays!

▪ Important aspects to consider when writing an argumentative essay

▪ Consider both sides of the topic, but take your position by supporting only one.

▪ Provide arguments based on data collected in charts, news, researches and influential people from the subject you are writing about.

▪ Research on more than a single source, webpage or book and compare the data that you have gathered in order not to contribute with erroneous information to the reader.

▪ Talk to experienced people concerning the subject, a teacher/professor will certainly enjoy exposing their point of view towards you.

  

▪ Formula to write an argumentative essay

There are uncountable different formulas to create an essay, through your deep studies; you are certainly going to develop your own style with time. However, it is indeed a good idea to have a starting parameter,

Allow yourself to examine an incredibly consistent on done with just five paragraphs.

1 - Introduction: the introduction is made of three parts being:

▪ Hook: the first sentence also known as hook, is where the author (you) grab the attention of the reader, hence administering a feeling of interest in reading the whole production.

▪ Background:  on the background, the author can grant the reader a brief touch on what it is going to be said concerning the following paragraphs.

▪ Thesis:  the last sentence of the first paragraph should deliver a concept of what is the study (essay) position over the topic, being for or against it makes no difference.

2/3/4 - Arguments: The argumentation part can be divided in three (two supporting arguments and one against). Each of those can also be divided into two other sections:

▪ Claim: a statement about the topic that you are supporting with both arguments and data in the next part.

▪ Data/Evidence:  After the statement, you should prove it through the usage of arguments (the arguments must be written according to the "Important thing to consider when writing an argumentative essay". 

▪ Counter argument:  the final argument, which is against the ones supported by the author, this one should be given coherently, but soon after, you should show why you disagree with this perspective by using arguments.

5 – Conclusion: At the final paragraph, the author want to give a conclusion showing that, with the data that previously given, it is possible to prove a point of view being the right one.

You can also picture how the world (or that subject) would be if your opinion was implemented.
(Read more)

▪ Answering questions – reasoning with your reader

Another helpful aspect is to anticipate different essay sections as answering a series of questions your reader might ask when encountering your thesis.

Readers should have questions. If they do not, your thesis is most likely simply an observation of a fact, not an arguable claim.

▪ "What?"  The first question to anticipate from a reader is what:

‘’What evidence shows that the phenomenon described by your thesis is true?’’

Examine your evidence, thus demonstrating the truth of your claim. This what or "demonstration" section comes early on, often directly after the introduction, since you are essentially reporting what you have observed. Nevertheless, be forewarned: it should not take up much more than a third of your finished essay. If it does, the essay will lack balance and may read as mere summary or description.

▪ "How?"  The reader will also want to know whether the claims of the thesis are true in all cases. The corresponding question is how:

‘’How does the thesis stand up to the challenge of a counterargument? ‘’

How does the introduction of new material, a new way of looking at the evidence, another set of sources affect the claims made? Typically, an essay will include at least one "how" section. This section usually comes after the "what”.

▪ "Why?’’  Your reader will also want to know what is at stake in your claim:

‘’Why does your interpretation of a phenomenon matter to anyone beside you? ‘’

This question addresses the larger implications of your thesis. It allows your readers to understand your essay within a larger context. In answering why, your essay explains its own significance. Although you might gesture at this question in your introduction, the fullest answer to it properly belongs at your essay's end. If you leave it out, your readers will experience your essay as unfinished or, worse, as pointless or insular.

▪ Grammar outcome and review

Although writing can be easy and fun if you apply techniques you are comfortable with, you shouldn’t permit yourself to stay at the comfort zone! Make use of tools like;

▪ Formal writing: avoid slangs or idioms for this type of text, you might apply phrasal verbs with no issues though.

▪ Conjunctions: These are crucial way to connect elements for your arguments, use all its variants, but maintain the formality coherence, do not join informal connectors with formal ones.

▪ Perfect tenses: By using those, your text production is going to become certainly a lot more pleasant to the reader, save no vocabulary, use all your artillery.

▪ Variable synonyms: You are probably have to show things more than twice, avoid repeating words as much as possible.

▪ Indefinite pronouns: Giving support by mentioning sources, doesn’t necessarily mean you need to name and date them every time, make use of this incredible tool.

First person pronouns might be used into specific cases on argumentative essays.

Consider the circumstances below:

▪ You can use first person when you include a personal anecdote.

▪ You may use first person when convincing/ establishing your credibility.

▪ You are allowed to use first person when clarifying passive constructions, to avoid confusion.

Watch out!

You must not use a first person pronoun in any other case.

Reviewing your essay is as important as writing it, take your time and read it aloud to put yourself in your reader’s shoes.

(Read more)

Instructional Video: 

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How to write a Composition

▪ What is a composition type of text?

According to the online Cambridge Dictionary It’s “ a short piece of writing about a particular subject, done by a student”. Also known as a Review The main purpose of a review is describing, judging or even expressing a personal opinion about something based on what the writer knows or has experienced. Both Description and explanation are key functions for this time of text and it will normally include a recommendation to the reader.

Writing a composition can be fun if you do it the right way. Here you can check some exceptionally useful tips on making a good composition.


▪ Tips for Writing an Introduction to a City

▪ Read, watch, or listen information about it more than once, to confirm your first overall impressions.

▪ Discuss one aspect of the city in each paragraph. For example, one paragraph about general facts and population, one paragraph about industries, one paragraph about culture, etc.

▪ Use resources to help you find facts about the city, you can use this https://alphaidiomas.blogspot.com.br/2018/01/composition-tips.html to assist you. Keep in mind to check for more online.

▪ Take a stand by stating your opinion, being it negative, positive or mixed;

▪ Attention at the usage of possessive adjectives when writing about a city. For example, Its (not his/her) main exports are ...

▪ When using numbers, write out the numbers up to twenty. For larger numbers, use numerals. For example: There are two professional sports organizations ... BUT there are over 130,000 inhabitants in XYZ.

 ▪ Write 'million' when expressing very large numbers. For instance: 2.4 million people live in the greater metro area.

▪ Make sure to CAPTALIZE specific names of companies and monuments.

 ▪ Never forget to include all the advanced grammar you are learning. If you learnt a new tense or technique, be sure to use it at your next composition, this way, your composition will turn from an ordinary text, to a masterpiece of writing. (Read more)

▪ Formula to write a composition

1 - Introduction: For every composition (except poetry), you will need to introduce either your topic and position (for an essay) or characters, plot and setting (for narrative, short story and play) or place and its general information.

2 - Body:  As mentioned on the tips above, the body can be made of several paragraphs talking about different topics inside the main subject of the composition. For example, a composition about a city could have separate paragraphs mentioning food, culture, touristic spots, nightlife, safety, cost of life, weather and seasons, people’s behavior and so on (not necessarily on the order mentioned).

3 – Conclusion:  This simply wraps up what you have said in your composition. It can basically restate what you said in your introduction. If your composition is longer, you can sum up your main points. Try to phrase them a little differently so it will not sound repetitive.

Use P-O-W-E-R: This is one of the best writing techniques out there. You have done the P-plan, O-organize and W-write components; now you will finish with E-edit and R-revise. You will do this for every type of writing. Reread your work. Look for spelling, grammar, and content mistakes.

(Read more)

▪ Analyze critically the information you get

Analyzing all the data you’ve found on the internet is an important process to create a very good composition. You have a great departure point using your Material from Alpha Idiomas, however go for more, keep in mind that time flies, and things change quickly.

 You can do so by:

·          ▪ Checking its integrity.

·          ▪ Comparing to other sources.

·          ▪ Asking to people that have direct contact with the subject.

·