And So Comes The Computer and the Internet....

I believe that the computer along with the internet has had as great of an effect on the spread of knowledge in the past 100 years as the printing press. Now days, many many people from all over the world have computers and can look up anything that they want on the internet. Someone from England can communicate with someone from the United States in a matter of seconds. Thanks to search engines such as google.com and ask.com information on things from how many teeth sharks have to when something was invented is avalible to anyone who has a connection to the world wide web. Most assignments and projects given at school have something to do with finding information. The world wide web makes that task not only faster, but easier as well. Ofcorse, without a computer all together, finding that information is nearly impossible. Its true that there are books out there with the same information, but the internet brings it to people with just a few clicks instead of reading chapter after chapter and book after book. Its just easier for people who don't have the oppertunities to go places and learn the things that they need to know. It brings the information to them. Thats why I believe that the computer along with the world wide web is a modern invention that has had as great of an effect on the spread of knowledge as the printing press.

Pluck The Day Away!

I believe that I would have to say that I agree with the famous Latin saying "Carpe Diem" because, alot of things that I have done in my life are more or less examples of that. "Carpe Diem" means pluck the day right? Enjoying things that you do right now and not worrying about what thats going to lead to. It's basically like the saying that I like to not only say but live by. Never regret anything that you have done in your past because at that moment, it satisfied you and made you happy. That's what I do. Sometimes willingly, but alot of times not even knowing it. I'm the kind of person who does think about what would make me happy right now instead of waiting on something that would make me happy later on. I don't plan alot of things, unless its again something that would make me happy. Like planning to go to a concert or something months in advanced. Otherwise, if its a situation where I walk into a store and see something that I want and would make me happy, then I'll get it if I can. Even if I'm trying to save up money for something else that would make me happy in the future, I don't care. Also, if I come to a situation where I need to make a decision on what I'm going to do (like go to the movies with my friends now, or wait and go to the mall later on in the week), I seem to want instant gratification. So I can say that my answer on whether or not I agree with the saying "Carpe Diem" would be yes, I do.

My Travels For Greater Knowledge In Religions :)

Me and my world history class went on a field trip on a search of greater knowledge for religions. Heres how it went.

Al Huda Islamic Center

We first went to was the Al Huda Islamic Center. This place is where the Muslims and the people of the Islamic faith go to worship. We met with the Prayer leader Hisham Ahmed when we arrived and he told us a lot about his religion and what he did. My first thought of the building was wow. It looked so small and definitely wasn't what I expected. That then became a double wow when he told me that 200-500 people go there every Friday to pray. THE ROOM WAS SO SMALL!! I can say though, for it not being my religion or anything, there was a definite comfort feeling. Since I was on crutches, he offered me a seat so that I wouldn't have to stand. I thought that was very generous and very kind. On the carpet, I saw little open spaces all over. It was really cool when I learned that each of those spaces is for one person to pray. Each person has their own space. I also learned that they don't go out and try to convert people like Christians or catholics. That was another thing that really made me adore their religion. Sometimes when Hisham would speak, I couldn't understand him, but the times that I could, I really liked what he had to say. I actually really liked what he had to say about his religion, and if I had to choose a religion out of all those that I have learned about, I would probably chose the Islam faith. The Islamic Center was the only place that I really had any questions. I asked him if they had a certain "holy food" and he told me no. That they believe that any kind of food, besides pork and alcohol, was holy. I also asked him when they are done with Ramadan, (fasting from daylight to sunset) if they grubbed and ate a bunch of food. He simply laughed and told me yes. I can say that I really enjoyed going to the Al Huda Islamic Center and that this trip kind of made me want to go back, on my own time.

The Congregation Of The Children Of Israel

The Congregation Of The Children Of Israel

The next place that we went was The Congregation of the Children of Israel. When we were on our way there, I kind of got lost. Then I realized that it's almost in the middle of nowhere! When we got there, and I saw the building, I thought it looked AMAZING! They had this little hut looking thing made out of bamboo right as you go through the front door. At that moment, I wished that I had one of those! (haha)
When we walked in, we were welcomed by Rabbi Gerson, the leader of the center. As I was looking around, I felt like if I were to touch anything, I would break it. Everything looked so fragail and so shiny. It was amazing looking. The feeling I got when I was in the building is kind of un-explainable. I felt welcomed, but at the same time totally different. After a while, when Rabbi Gerson had been talking to us for a little bit, I felt comfortable being there. He had a lot to share and a lot, I felt, he wanted us to know about his beliefs. I actually learned alot and he also told us a lot that I had already learned before. He told us about how long you have to go to school to become a Rabbi and how long he had studied their language (hebrew). After talking to us for a while about himself, the building, the people and the religion, he asked us about things. He asked us about our school, where we had gone and where we were going after we talked with him. Towards the end, he showed us the Torah that he reads out of every time he leads prayer. They looked really old and we're written in Hebrew. I can say that the Torah was most likely the best part of being in the Center. I didn't really have any questions for Rabbi Gerson. The one that I did have was asked by someone else. I wanted to know who (out of a male and female) wears the little hat thing and why. He said that it was because it was out of respect for GOD. I thought that was a little interesting. I didn't really learn much new stuff. Most of what I was being told was things I already knew. But it definitly was an interesting experience going to the building.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church:)

St. Joseph's Catholic Church

The third and final place of worship that we visited was St. Joseph's Catholic Church. When I first saw it, it didn't really look like a "normal" church that I was used to seeing. As I walked in though, I could tell. When we walked in, I didn't really feel all that comfortable. It's probably because every church that I've been in I was forced to go, looked down upon and I always had bad experiences when I would go. Other than that, it looked and felt like any other church. We were greeted by Mrs. Benedict and Father David McGuinness. We talked a while with both of them and they told us a little about themselves, their leaders and the church. Then Father McGuinness informed us that it was his day off, that he was leaving and Mrs. Benedict would be showing us around and answering questions. She took us into the actually praying place where they worshipped and held mass. She told us about the holy water that was on either sides of the door and that when people come in, they dab their fingers in it and bless themselves as they go in. It was HUGE! It had the most beautiful stained glass windows I had ever seen. She informed us that they had expanded it to fit more people. They expanded it like, twice it's size. I saw to my right as I was seated the Lady of Guadalupe. I made a comment that my mom has a medallion with her on it and that she was my families guardian. I can say that I thought the building itself was really cool, but I don't believe in the same things that they believe in. As she was talking about what Mass was and how they go about it, it reminded me of my grandmother. I actually started to cry a little. I didn't really have any serious questions for her to answer because I had grown up with that religion 95% of my life. So I pretty much know everything about it. So I didn't ask her any questions. I just sat back and listened to what she had to say. I can say that I was quite glad to leave. For me, it was really boring and really tiring. None the less though, quite educating for the rest of the class.

Give Me A Reason To Believe....

The reason that I think there are religions is because people need something to believe in. They need something that they can hold dear and that will make their fears of death more of a reward. People want to know that when they die they will reap what they've done throughout their lifetime. Say if someone throughout their life was always helpful, always "good", and always made sure that they were doing the right thing, if they were Christian, Christians would believe that because of those actions they would go to heaven where their souls can be eternally saved. Other religions are basically the same way just different beliefs and "rules". People want to believe that they are in one way or another rewarded for following those beliefs and "rules".

Romans And Their Myths

Two boys named Romulus and Remus were sent to drown when they were babies. Instead of dying, they were saved by a she-wolf and taken care of. One day, a farmer came across them and took them in. They grew up and killed their Great Uncle Amulius, who not only was king of Alba Longa, but was the one who sent them to death. They fought over where they were going to build their city and ended up building two. They still weren't happy. Because of Remus teasing his brother about his city walls, Romulus ended up killing him and becoming king of the new city called Rome.

I believe this is a very good story to show that people are never happy until they are on top and even then they aren't happy. It's also a good story to prove that everyone, no matter who they are, are capable of betrayal and deceit. In a totally different aspect it also shows the kindness in people as well.

This shows me about civilization that we definitely, in some ways, have come a long way. Also, it shows me in other ways we're still the same. We still want to be in control and on top, but sometimes we don't take as drastic measures as we used to to be in control. There are still good natured people out there like the shepherd Faustulus, and there are still horrible people out there like the wicked king Amulius.

To Be Civil Or Not To Be Civil?

I believe that "civilized" means to be cultured and refined to better ones self. To follow what society deems proper. To be more accepted in social situations, and to advance ones awareness to their surroundings. What makes us civilized is to take in to consideration other peoples feelings and other peoples thoughts. We're taught by society what is "right" and what is "wrong". To be civilized could and is anything from spiritually minded, to culturally. For example, in our culture, it is deemed that if I should belch in public, that's uncivilized and rude, but in other cultures, it would be considered a compliment.