Canon in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Free Essay Example, 750 words

Canon" in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Introduction Canons are important laws in religion since they describe the nature of the relationship that exists between God and humans. Just as the name suggests, religious canon refer to a set of regulation whose primary objective is to guide the behavior of the adherents of a particular faith. Such religious faiths as Islam, Christianity and Judaism among many others have specific laws that guide the morality of their adherents thus enhancing the development of the respective religious faiths. The canons differ in each of the three religions thus outlining the significance differences in the three religions as the discussion below portrays. In Christianity, the Holy bible describes the laws, their sources and importance. The same is the case in Islam in which the Holy Quran outlines the laws and in Judaism where the Torah outlines the same. The holy Quran indicates that the Sharia existed even before the birth of the holy prophet. As such, the holy Quran provides a set of laws as provide by God to his people. Behaving in the manner required by the laws ad upholding the laws did not only safeguard the sanctity of the adherents of the faiths but also resulted in the creation of peaceful and cohesive societies. We will write a custom essay sample on Canon in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now The religious canons provide an effective platform for the adherents of a faith to maintain morality thus upholding the dictates of the faiths. The creation of the respective canons in the faiths is equally mystical since they embody the teachings and doctrines of the particular faiths. In Islam, the sharia represents the canons, which are a set of rules and guidelines taught and upheld by the holy prophet Muhammad in the sunnah. The canons describe the nature of the relationship that God required man to establish both among themselves and with Him. By upholding the specific religious laws, the canons succeed in safeguarding the longevity of the faiths since successive lineages pass the canons orally or through articulate literature. In doing this, the canons further succeed in creating the peaceful and cohesive societies envisioned by God. The same concept and role of the canons manifest itself in Christianity as well. The first set of laws in the bible originates from God as he strives to regulate the behavior of the Israelites. With the introduction of Jesus in the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms the need for upholding the laws besides introducing a feature of liberty in the religion. In retrospect, the above discussion presents the position and the role of canons in the respective religions. Al the faith presents the canons as holy and created by God. In Judaism, the laws are known as Halakha. The laws are both written and oral often passed down through a series of linages through the teachings of the religious leaders1. The nature of the canons just as is the case with the other religions strives to unify the adherents of the faith by providing a standard for behavior. This results in the creation of holistic and equally cohesive societies. The Torah, which is the holy book in Judaism, provides a chronological set of required behaviors thus providing the adherents of the faith with a series of legislations often interpreted by the leaders of the religion thus ensuring the longevity of the faith as has been the case. The origin of the canons is among the primary factors that contribute to their authority in all the three religions. In Christianity for example, God hands Moses a set of ten laws to guide the behavior and the relationship of the Israelites. The same is the case in Islam in which the primary laws are the Mosaic laws. However, the leaders of the religions developed further laws based on the basic laws given by God. Jesus Christ in Christianity for example explains that his coming to earth was not to change the Mosaic laws but to fulfil them. This validates the approval of the canons by God thus imploring the adherence with the laws. In Judaism, the Halakha have a divine origin as well since just as is the case with the other two religions, God plays a fundamental role in the origin of the laws. The introduction of Jesus Christ in the New Testament introduces the concepts of repentance and forgiveness as an effective way of seeking God’s forgiveness. Without repentance sinners, face punishments from God. The same is the case in Islam in which the holy Quran explains that the holy prophet Muh ammad revises the laws without necessarily changing. In doing this, the prophet places the canons in the dynamic contemporary society thereby fostering the growth of the religion. The canons were relative to the respective societies; this validates the subsequent revision of the laws in order to fit the dynamic social contexts. Additionally, the laws had strategic ways of ensuring adherence. In the old testament of the bible for example, God outlined ways of ensuring that the Israelites adhered to the laws. God further explains the numerous ways for the Israelites to seek restoration in case they sin. In retrospect, the canons play similar roles in the three religions. The divine origin of the canons coupled with the systematic ways of their implementation and adherence contributes to the growth of the religions thus enhancing their incorporation in the contemporary society. The fact that modern day secular governments have laws that uphold the morality and virtues espoused by the canons validates the essence of the canons in the development of both the religions and the societies. Bibliography Wheeler, B. M. (1996). Applying the Canon in Islam: The Authorization and Maintenance of Interpretive Reasoning in Hanafi Scholarship (S U N Y Series, Toward a Comparative Philosophy of Religions). New York: State Univ of New York.

Dementia Is The Only Cause Death That Does Not Have A Cure

Dementia is the only cause of death that does not have a cure and cannot be prevented. It is the loss of mental functions such as thinking, memory, and reasoning that is severe enough to interfere with a person s daily functioning. Dementia is not the name of a specific disease itself, but rather a group of symptoms that are caused by various diseases or conditions. This is referred to as an umbrella term, a phrase that covers a broad interval or set of functions or items that all fall under a single common category. Dementia is a descriptive term for a collection of symptoms that can be caused by a number of disorders that affect the brain. These include Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy body’s, Parkinson’s disease, corticobasal degeneration, and progressive supranuclear palsy are all specific diseases that are sub categories to dementia. People often think of dementia as a form of memory loss. And usually it doe s start by affecting people’s short-term memory. But it’s more then that, it can also affect the way people think, speak, perceive things feel and behave. Dementia makes it harder to communicate and do everyday things. This disease mainly affects older people but it is not a normal part of aging. Dementia is a syndrome, usually of a chronic or progressive nature, caused by a variety of brain illnesses. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are thought to be interchangeable. The main difference between dementia and Alzheimer’sShow MoreRelatedAnalysis and Description of Dementia Essay1741 Words   |  7 PagesDementia is characterized as a condition where the mental processes of cognition and memory start to deteriorate. It is described as a syndrome that hinders the daily lives of those who have it and is characterized by memory and thinking impairment. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease and the second most common is vascular dementia. Dementia is a syndrome occurring usually, but not limited, to people over the age of 40 and is due to brain damage caused by natural deterioratingRead MoreAlzheimer s Disease : The Neurological Thief822 Words   |  4 PagesWhile no one knows the exact cause of Alzheimer’s Disease, it is the leading cause of dementia related deaths to date. It was first described in 1906 by Alois Alzheimer, a German psychologi st and neurologist. Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurological disorder in which brain cells die. This death of brain cells causes progressive decline in, behavioral and cognitive ability and most notably, loss of memory (Diseases and Conditions, 2014). There are several theories of causes and risk factors for Alzheimer’sRead MoreThe Cognitive Effects Of Single Diagnosed With Dementia1642 Words   |  7 PagesDementia is a condition resulting from obtained brain disease and distinguished by progressive decay in memory and other cognitive fields such as judgment, abstract thinking, language, and executive functioning. This disease is usually caused by degeneration in the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for thoughts, memories, actions, and personality. Death of brain cells in this area leads to the impairments that distinguish dementia. Though the cognitive outline of single diagnosedRead MoreThe Differences Between Dementia And Alzheimer s Disease1162 W ords   |  5 PagesWhen a lot of people think about dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, they usually use the two interchangeably and think they have to do with memory. It is true that they have to do with memory, but there are major differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Misconceptions and lack of knowledge can lead to death or injury, which is why initiatives like Healthy People 2020 are so important. Dementias and Alzheimer’s affect a person’s daily life in many ways and it can be dangerous or deadlyRead MoreCase Study: Alzheimer’S Disease. Mary Wipf. Phgy 220- Gerald1252 Words   |  6 PagesPHGY 220- Gerald McGraw April 2, 2017 In the world, there are new cases of dementia for somewhere between 10 and 15 people per 1000. Five to eight per 1000 are cases of Alzheimer’s. Dementia is a term that simply defines a mentally deteriorated condition. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disease and is the most common cause of dementia in older people. Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain and it has little impact on theRead MoreAlzheimer s Disease Is A Disease Of The Brain1214 Words   |  5 Pagesthe brain. This disease deteriorates parts of the brain and causes memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be a disease that only older individuals develop. Forgetting can be a terrifying event in a person’s life, not to mention the life of an older individual who probably already has other health issues to worry about. This disease is not curable; however, it can be treated to a certain extent. Basically, a ll the treatment does is try to delay the deteriorating process from occurring soRead MoreAlzheimer s Disease, Or Senile Dementia1715 Words   |  7 Pages Alzheimer s disease, or senile dementia, is a form of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Brain cells and their connections are killed, and this is what causes people s brain functions to fail. Scientist have yet to know what causes Alzheimer s, but have discovered that age, family history, and genes contribute to developing the disease. Symptoms experienced by people with Alzheimer s are poor judgement, poor decision making, inability to manage a budget, losing track of theRead MoreAlzheimer s Disease And Dementia2089 Words   |  9 Pagesincluding: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and Dementia. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative form of dementia that attacks neurons causing the total or partial loss of memory, thinking abilities, language skills, and basic behaviors. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease that targets the central nervous system. Generally the disease will cause tremors, loss of coordinatio n, paralysis, and eventually death. Huntington’s is potentially the most deadly as it attacks both the centralRead MoreThe Pathology Of Alzheimer s Disease1224 Words   |  5 Pagesdisease(AD) can be classified as a neurodegenerative disorder, (Griffin W.S.T 2006). The pathology of alzheimer’s disease has been described as a person having neural plaques within the brain, they are made up of high levels of protein ÃŽ ²-amyloid, and this causes neurofibrillary tangles and cholinergic nerve degeneration. Early onset of AD presents symptoms of forgetfulness and anxiety which can in later years produce a total dependency on ones carer and lead to having no awareness on the past or the futureRead MoreAlzheimer s Disease : A Common Form Of Dementia1368 Words   |  6 Pagescommon form of dementia that progressively deteriorates one’s brain causing serious memory loss, and eventually, the inability to perform common daily tasks. This disease is also known as â€Å"T he Mind Robber,† or the â€Å"Disease of Forgetfulness.† The unfortunate thing about this disease is that there is no cure. Medicines have been developed to slow the progression of the disease. It has moved up into the rankings on the leading causes of death in America to number six and the number of deaths are increasing

Cola Wars Porters 5 Forces Free Essays

Michael Porter developed five different forces in a framework he felt influenced industries. This framework was designed to help companies find ways to off-set a rival company and to help develop a more solid business plan. It has been known over the years a rivalry has existed been two of the biggest soda companies, Coca Cola and Pepsi. We will write a custom essay sample on Cola Wars: Porters 5 Forces or any similar topic only for you Order Now Three of Porter’s forces that are exemplified in this â€Å"coke war† are buyer power, barriers to entry, and rivalry which will be explained and elaborated on in the following essay. Buyer Power The retailers have a low to moderate buyer power over the consumer soft drink industry, due to the producer’s ability to forward integrate, the sheer number of buyers, and the buyer’s ability to forward integrate. Buyer power is the degree of influence customers have on the producing agent. Soft drink companies such as Coca Cola and Pepsi have used forward integration to take over their channels of distribution. They created contracts that gave them the ability to set concentrate prices for their bottlers; in turn bottlers would respond to price fulgurations by adjusting retail pricing. In 2000, when Coca Cola raised concentrate prices by 7. 6%, bottlers raised the retail prices by 6 to 7%. This demonstrates that buyers have limited control over the price changes. Coca Cola has also made great efforts to take over the bottling of their product, by establishing the independent subsidiary Coca Cola Enterprises. They began by acquiring bottlers to produce one third of their volume during 1986 which increased to 80% in 2004. This gave Coca Cola more control over retail pricing, and distribution of their products to retail stores. Since there are so many retail stores that carry products that consumer soft drink, CSD, companies make, it is hard for buyers to create a collaborative effort to resist price increases. Buyer power also suffers if retailers are fragmented and are not concentrated to a single type. Almost any type of store will carry a CSD product, which makes sales very spread out across the board. The different kinds of intermediaries involved in retail sales are Fountain and Vending machines, Super-markets, Convenience and Gas, Super Centers, Mass Retailers, and Club and Drug Stores. To put things in perspective 34 % of sales comes from Fountain and Vending, while 31% are from supermarkets. Fountain and Vending machines are mostly controlled by the CSD bottlers. Even though supermarkets may sell the second largest volume, CSD companies make up 5. 5% of their sales and also bring customers to their door. Not enough to convince you? Consider this: CSD companies such as Coca Cola produce a wide variety of products ranging from sports drinks to water, all the way to energy drinks. Coca Cola most likely will not sell a product to a supermarket unless they carry their full line of products. If the retail prices increase on the Coca Cola product they may have little control over resistance, because they rely on the other products they provide. Lastly, Coca Cola is considered the most valuable brand in the world, with 10 major successful brands and substantial power in the realm of business. Although Coca Cola may have a significant amount of power over their buyers, companies with much smaller market share, and product lines are taken advantage of by larger retailers. For example, mass merchandisers make up 14% of Pepsi’s total revenue, making that intermediary crucial to the company’s profitability. In some cases retailers do have power to resist price increases because they purchase a large number of outputs. Typically there are far more buyers than concentrate producers, which can give them leverage over smaller brands that rely on the sales they generate. Barriers to Entry When entering a market there are certain barriers that prevent a firm from becoming established, or gaining market share. In the consumer soft drink industry there are high capital requirements, unequal access to distribution channels, and brand loyalty which translates to high barriers to entry. In the text it states the price of a concentrate manufacturing plant is fairly reasonable. Manufacturing facilities cost around $25 million, and $50 million including machinery, overhead, and labor. For established companies with separate revenue streams, generating this kind of money could be fairly reasonable, especially since one of these plants can serve the entire country. Coca Cola and Pepsi operate around 100 plants each for adequate distribution of their product. New entrants would have a hard time investing enough capital that would be required to keep up with Coke and Pepsi’s istribution. Advertising and promotion costs are also high in 2004; Coca Cola spent $246,243 just on advertising their cola product. This shows that in order to compete in this industry, entrants are forced to spend large sums of money on advertising, packaging, proliferation, and widespread retail price discounting. The high capital investment also translates to lowers profit margins, which mak es entry even more unappealing. Another factor that creates a barrier to entry is the unequal access to distribution channels. Coke and Pepsi created agreements with their franchised bottlers that prevent them from handling competing brands of other concentrate producers. This prevents companies from entering an industry and using a Coca Cola bottler to get their product on the market. Also as Coca Cola and Pepsi grow in size so does the shelf space they require. As stated previously Coca Cola and Pepsi produce around 10 brands each, this constricts the amount of shelf space an entry producer will have access to. The top two cola companies have also made a significant amount of acquisitions, to boost the distribution of their products relative to their competitors. Coca Cola won 68% pouring rights against Pepsi’s 22% and Cadbury Schweppes 10%, across the United States. The reason Coca Cola has a majority of the pouring rights is because their agreements with Burger King and McDonalds, as well as their exclusive pouring rights and contracts around the world; whereas entry producers do not have the capital to invest, in buying out pouring rights. The ability to use vending machine technology requires a high capital investment from incumbent firms. Coca Cola and Pepsi offer their bottlers incentives to develop vending machine technology which accounts for 34% of the industry sales volume. Entry companies would have to invest in this technology to compete with the volume sales figures. One of the marketing goals of a company is to establish brand loyalty. When brand loyalty is achieved, customers will most likely not switch to a competitors brand. As a barrier to entry, brand loyalty is affected by many factors, such as presence in the market, or advertising and promotion efforts, to name a few. Both Coca Cola and Pepsi were created in the 80’s, as pioneers of the cola industry. Coca Cola was the first to invent the original cola recipe, and patent the 6. -oz bottle. Coca Cola also used strong promotional efforts in World War II, which contributed to brand identity. The case does not supply information regarding the sales across different age groups, but I believe figures would suggest higher sales levels across the ages compared to newer brands. It is apparent that the companies with the longest presence in the industry have the highest market share, which also directly correlates with the amount of advertising each company has expended over time. Another perfect example of this trend in the CSD industry is energy drink company Red Bull, having the largest market share while also spending the most on advertising. This goes to show by having consistently strong promotional efforts and advertising both Coca Cola and Red Bull have excelled in their markets. It is difficult for new entrants of soft drink market to match the brand loyalty Coca Cola has established through aggressive advertising over the course of the company’s existence. Rivalry In the beverage industry rivalry is at best a mechanism that drives profits and keeps the industry in motion. Coca Cola explains that they are in the position they are in today because of their rivalry with Pepsi. Rivalry is high because of the competition between top brands, low product differentiation and slow industry growth. It is clear that there is a substantial rivalry between Coca Cola and Pepsi that alone claim 74. 8 % of the U. S. CSD market as of 2004. Not only does this information tell us that there is a small amount of major competitors in the industry, but it also says that there is a fight for market share with the top two brands. This is most exemplified in the advertising expenditure of the two companies. During 2003 Pepsi spend a total of $236,396 on advertising while Coca Cola spent $167,675; the year after Coke responded by raising their advertising expenditure to $246,243. This trend also happened in 1981 to 1984, when coke doubled its advertising spending; as a result Pepsi did as well. The next variable that contributes to the high degree of rivalry is the low product differentiation. Although there are many efforts made by beverage companies to differentiate their product from others, there are no truly unique attributes about a single CSD brand. Each cola company provides a elatively similar option in packaging, container size and ounces per container. It is typical for companies such as Coca Cola and Pepsi offer 10 different brands, 17 container types and provide many discounts and promotions. For example Coke make Sprite and Pepsi has Sierra Mist and Dr Pepper owns 7UP; this creates a rivalry over who has the best lemon lime soft drink product. To show my point, Pepsi launch ed â€Å"The Pepsi Challenge†, which gave customers the ability to try out the different brands and see how they compare. Pepsi knew they needed to find a way to show consumers the difference between their brand and the competitors. This approach fueled the rivalry among other CSD companies especially Coca Cola. Slow industry growth spurs rivalry because it calls for companies to develop new competitive advantages and core competencies to keep sales alive. The market share for cola products has dropped from 71% in 1990, to 60% in 2004. Other products such as energy drinks and bottled water are increasing in market share, as consumers switch their focus to more functional and healthy alternatives. Goizueta said, â€Å"The product and the brand, had a declining share in a shrinking segment of the market. Signifying the need for soft drink manufacturers to find new ways to boost sales and increase rivalry. To put a number on these increasing trends, bottled water volume sales grew by 18. 8% in 2004, compared to 7. 6% non-carb CSDs and1% CSD growth. Top companies now have to find ways to proliferate their CSD products in relation to their rivals. It is also a definite possibility with the slow sales volume growth o f 10 billion cases in 2001 to 10. 2 in 2004 that companies will invest in new beverage arenas such as the functional category, thus creating new rivalries. How to cite Cola Wars: Porters 5 Forces, Papers