#there's no war in the records. no poverty. no famine | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

destinyimage · 2 months

Text

Activate the Miracle Realm: #1 Reason Most Believers Don’t See Miracles

You will witness more miracles in the next twelve months than you have seen in the past twelve years, and these may not be limited to church settings.

Through the power of God released from your hands, you will witness so many miracles that you might forget to celebrate them all. People will seek you out for prayers, ask you to visit them, call you on the phone, and even wait for you at your house. Once the news of your miracle-working abilities spreads, be prepared for an influx of people seeking your help.

Not the Way It Was Meant to Be

If you turn on any cable news network, you will quickly see many issues, including wars, famine, corruption, poverty, and injustice. It only takes a moment to realize that humanity is grappling with the effects of thousands of years of generational iniquity and infirmity. The next time you see such headlines, say aloud, “This is not how it was meant to be.” In the beginning, God created everything, and it was good. The Hebrew word for good is towb, which means “perfect in functional design and aesthetic beauty” (Strong’s H2896). Everything was towb! But after the fall of man in Genesis 3, everything became fractured in beauty and design. Creation shifted from God’s blessing to a curse, meaning it must survive at all costs.

Interestingly enough, Charles Darwin derived his theory of evolution from this observation, seeing how all created things had to fight for their survival. He believed that if forced to do so, creation would adapt, evolve, and fight to survive against natural conditions and predators, or it would become extinct. Darwin’s initial observation was correct, but it could have been understood more thoroughly through the lens of Genesis 3.

/*<![CDATA[*/ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'nori-media-group.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: 'd4019987e189be3ec0cf97ea37531adb', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('product', { id: '7459179069624', node: document.getElementById('product-component-1708962144597'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" } }, "title": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "color": "#000000" }, "button": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "background-color": "#ffb400", ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "border-radius": "25px", "padding-left": "26px", "padding-right": "26px" }, "price": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "color": "#444444" }, "compareAt": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "color": "#444444" }, "unitPrice": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "color": "#444444" }, "description": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif" } }, "contents": { "button": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true }, "text": { "button": "Add to cart" }, "googleFonts": [ "Roboto", "Droid Sans" ] }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "button": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "background-color": "#ffb400", ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "border-radius": "25px", "padding-left": "26px", "padding-right": "26px" }, "title": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", "font-size": "26px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "price": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "18px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "compareAt": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "15.299999999999999px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "unitPrice": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "15.299999999999999px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "description": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "14px", "color": "#4c4c4c" } }, "googleFonts": [ "Roboto", "Droid Sans" ] }, "option": { "styles": { "label": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif" }, "select": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif" } }, "googleFonts": [ "Roboto" ] }, "cart": { "styles": { "button": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "background-color": "#ffb400", ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "border-radius": "25px" }, "title": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "header": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "lineItems": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "subtotalText": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "subtotal": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "notice": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "currency": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "close": { "color": "#4c4c4c", ":hover": { "color": "#4c4c4c" } }, "empty": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "noteDescription": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountText": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountIcon": { "fill": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountAmount": { "color": "#4c4c4c" } }, "text": { "title": "Checkout powered by Faith & Flame" }, "googleFonts": [ "Droid Sans" ] }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", "background-color": "#ffb400", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" } } }, "googleFonts": [ "Droid Sans" ] }, "lineItem": { "styles": { "variantTitle": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "title": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "price": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "fullPrice": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discount": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountIcon": { "fill": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantity": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantityIncrement": { "color": "#4c4c4c", "border-color": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantityDecrement": { "color": "#4c4c4c", "border-color": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantityInput": { "color": "#4c4c4c", "border-color": "#4c4c4c" } } } }, }); }); } })(); /*]]>*/

With the fall and corruption of creation came an inherent expectation of death, and naturally, the fear of it followed. This fear is seen through humanity’s unwise choices. If people deny the existence of God and the idea of divine accountability, their selfishness and survival instinct will lead them into all manner of evil. The Bible refers to this as iniquity, defined as the internal bent within humanity to do wrong. Infirmity refers to both mental and physical weakness.

Your Activation Begins with Honesty

The impact of generational iniquity and infirmity has affected all of us. Although we may want to focus on something other than the disappointing aspects of our lives, that is precisely where our journey to activating miracles must begin. Honesty is essential to gaining true empowerment in the area of the miraculous because sickness and disease affect everyone. People must possess the necessary tools to process their losses.

I want to ask you some questions, and I urge you to take a moment to answer them honestly. You may even want to record your responses in your journal. Suppose you have struggled with healing and miracles and have yet to experience this spiritual gift in your own life. In that case, these questions may provide valuable insight to help you overcome any obstacles hindering your progress. Please answer these questions with brutal honesty. It is a personal reflection between you and the Lord, and He can handle your uncensored brokenness.

How have sickness and disease impacted your life?

In what ways have sickness and disease affected your identity and self-image? Have you adopted any identity statements related to a disease, such as “I am a diabetic” or “I am a cancer survivor”?

How has iniquity (sin) shaped your identity and self-image? Have you adopted any identity statements related to addiction, such as “I am an alcoholic” or “I am a sex addict”?

How has death and loss impacted your life?

How have death and loss impacted your belief in God?

Have you ever believed in healing and been disappointed? If so, how did that disappointment affect your belief in healing?

Have you ever prayed for someone’s resurrection and been disappointed? If so, how did that disappointment affect your belief in God’s character and nature as good and faithful?

How has suicide impacted your life? Did guilt and condemnation affect you?

In what ways are you still wrestling with any of the above factors?

Io the Brokenhearted

If you are currently experiencing a season of painful loss and are struggling to understand where God fits in, take comfort in Psalm 51:17, as translated by Brian Simmons in The Passion Translation: “The fountain of your pleasure is found in the sacrifice of my shattered heart before you. You will not despise my tenderness as I bow down humbly at your feet.”

This verse reveals God’s character and willingness to draw near to brokenhearted people. It’s common to feel lonely, abandoned, and vulnerable during pain, but remember that your pain is not offensive or intimidating to God. He longs to reveal His love and care for you in your brokenness.

When broken, you can either push people away or allow your tenderness to lead you into a vulnerability where you can heal and grow. The enemy will try to exploit your brokenness, but you can protect your soul against judgments by asking the Lord to help you keep your heart soft.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. We don’t need to have everything together when we come to Him. Our honesty about what we lack creates a supernatural magnet for His power.

To the brokenhearted, I encourage you to run to God with your open and broken heart. He promises that He will never reject or despise you for your brokenness. Remember that God’s love for you is everlasting, and He promises to be with you in your pain.

If you’re in a season of pain and loss, pray with me:

Heavenly Father, I come before You now, approaching You with boldness, humility, and a broken heart. I need You now more than ever. I need the kind of love and affection that can only come from a true and perfect Father. By faith, I declare Your powerful, tangible, and unwavering presence. I know I am not alone, and You are always near me. I love You now and always. Amen.

The Number-One Reason Why Most Believers Do Not See Miracles

Usually, when equipping people to walk in miracles, we build their faith by recalling numerous examples of healing. The idea is to create such a compelling case with powerful testimonies that the spirit of doubt will have no choice but to shrivel up and die.

However, doubt is only sometimes the root cause of why most people don’t walk in miracles. While doubt is undoubtedly an issue, it’s not necessarily the underlying problem. That’s why we began the chapter the way we did. We need to address the effects and subconscious theology framed by lingering disappointment.

Imagine breaking your arm and not seeking medical attention to have the bone set and secured. The outcome will be that the bone will not heal correctly and the arm will eventually become permanently disfigured. Although the arm may heal, it won’t heal as intended. It will lose its functionality and won’t be able to perform its original purpose.

The same principle applies when we try to achieve emotional healing without the truth. We may move on from our past, but we will lose our supernatural ability to function in alignment with God’s word. Instead, when faced with injustice, sin, sickness, or disease, we will position ourselves to avoid getting hurt again. We will adjust our theology in a way that allows us to merely survive.

Disappointment is often the root cause of why most believers don’t experience miracles. When your soul isn’t aligned with the truth of God’s word, your mind, will, and emotions will heal distortedly, preventing you from functioning supernaturally.

The good news is that if you can humbly and honestly confront the disappointment and acknowledge how it has affected your faith, God can readily provide you with the grace and power to overcome it. Whether you were let down by a lack of healing or experienced loss due to a broken relationship, missed opportunity, or unfulfilled expectations, the enemy will always try to use disappointment to overwhelm you with feelings of discouragement, hurt, and uncertainty about the future.

Once you recognize that these emotions are just feelings and not rooted in truth, it’s as though God turns on the light switch. We can shift these emotions by making light of them. My goal is to assist you in minimizing the impact of disappointment, so you can be strengthened by God’s grace to reclaim your authority.

/*<![CDATA[*/ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'nori-media-group.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: 'd4019987e189be3ec0cf97ea37531adb', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('product', { id: '7459179069624', node: document.getElementById('product-component-1708962125236'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0", "margin-bottom": "50px" }, "text-align": "left" }, "title": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-size": "26px", "color": "#000000" }, "button": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "background-color": "#ffb400", ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "border-radius": "25px", "padding-left": "26px", "padding-right": "26px" }, "price": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-size": "18px", "color": "#444444" }, "compareAt": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-size": "15.299999999999999px", "color": "#444444" }, "unitPrice": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-size": "15.299999999999999px", "color": "#444444" }, "description": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif" } }, "layout": "horizontal", "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "button": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "description": true }, "width": "100%", "text": { "button": "Add to cart" }, "googleFonts": [ "Roboto", "Droid Sans" ] }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "button": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "background-color": "#ffb400", ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "border-radius": "25px", "padding-left": "26px", "padding-right": "26px" }, "title": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", "font-size": "26px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "price": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "18px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "compareAt": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "15.299999999999999px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "unitPrice": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "15.299999999999999px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "description": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "14px", "color": "#4c4c4c" } }, "googleFonts": [ "Roboto", "Droid Sans" ] }, "option": { "styles": { "label": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif" }, "select": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif" } }, "googleFonts": [ "Roboto" ] }, "cart": { "styles": { "button": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "background-color": "#ffb400", ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "border-radius": "25px" }, "title": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "header": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "lineItems": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "subtotalText": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "subtotal": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "notice": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "currency": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "close": { "color": "#4c4c4c", ":hover": { "color": "#4c4c4c" } }, "empty": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "noteDescription": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountText": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountIcon": { "fill": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountAmount": { "color": "#4c4c4c" } }, "text": { "title": "Checkout powered by Faith & Flame" }, "googleFonts": [ "Droid Sans" ] }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", "background-color": "#ffb400", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" } } }, "googleFonts": [ "Droid Sans" ] }, "lineItem": { "styles": { "variantTitle": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "title": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "price": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "fullPrice": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discount": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountIcon": { "fill": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantity": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantityIncrement": { "color": "#4c4c4c", "border-color": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantityDecrement": { "color": "#4c4c4c", "border-color": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantityInput": { "color": "#4c4c4c", "border-color": "#4c4c4c" } } } }, }); }); } })(); /*]]>*/

0 notes

cordeliastone · 4 months

Text

Humanitarian Versus Environmentalist

Our world runs rampant with countless issues. From wars and famines, politics, and crime to debate over the ethics of capitalism and industrialism itself. And all of them are solved with money. Charities are forced to become entertainment, as the cause that demands the most attention receives the majority of proceeds. If a travesty is not interesting enough, can it really be classified as a travesty? Certainly not if nobody cares enough to define it.

The majority of these issues, however, can be divided into two main categories. On the one hand, we have humanitarian issues. Loosely, these can be defined as issues that involve human rights, generally a lack of them. They include such problems as starvation, displacement of peoples, war, crime, poverty, and the general standard of living for people. The other category is environmental issues. They are fewer in number than humanitarian problems, and generally do not involve people who are directly threatened. Global warming, ocean acidification, plastic pollution, and deforestation are all examples of issues that do not directly threaten people, therefore do not induce the same passion of emotion from the general population.

Humanitarian issues generally inspire empathy in the average person. They see suffering, and think “that could be me”. This generally inspires them to act towards resolving the issue. Environmental issues, on the other hand, often cause lackadaisical action at best. People put convenience over ethics, and the result is the issues are not properly addressed. This occurs in humanitarian issues also, but to a much lesser degree because denying a person basic rights seems more morally contemptuous than simply continuing to deny the threat degradation of our environment poses.

An example of this is SHEIN. Easy, cheap fashion that is the most convenient option for the population. The humanitarian factor of this issue is the sweatshops, which have been recorded not paying their workers properly, and not keeping safe, healthy working environments. This issue has been raised many times, and although the brand remains popular despite this, there is an awareness within the community, and sales have suffered. The environmental factor lies with the waste. The clothes sold are cheap, and not built for durability. Once the outfit has been exhausted, there is nothing to do but throw it away. Most of the clothing is made of polyester, a type of plastic. Tonnes of it end up in landfill every year, and plastic does not break down, except into micro plastics. The impact of the fashion industry, particularly from large businesses like SHEIN, on the environment is devastating, and understated. People would rather the convenience of cheap clothing, buying from large corporations holding some accountability for their violations of human rights and zero accountability for the destruction they cause to the environment.

Perhaps I am too analytical a person, but I see environmental issues as more pressing than humanitarian matters. Is there a point to providing populations with homes when thousands more will be displaced by rising sea levels? Why help the starving when we shall all starve unless industrialised agriculture becomes properly sustainable? I want to make a point here, that I am seeing this from an unempathetic point of view, as well as a privileged one. I cannot necessarily say that if I were homeless or starving, I would care about the ozone layer. However, if one thinks from an apathetic and purely logical point of view, can we not say that environmental issues should demand more of our attention and efforts? Maybe next time we are guilted into donating to a humanitarian cause, we can make the choice not to buy products from corporations that disregard their environmental impacts? Or at least buy the product not wrapped in plastic.

#essay #writing practice #ethics

1 note · View note

legendarydreamlanddefendor · 5 months

Text

The Sharp Decline in China's Birth Rate—A Problem and an Opportunity for Gender Equality

In recent years, China has one of the lowest birth rates in the world. As a hot social topic, everyone is analyzing the underlying reasons: economic recession, rising unemployment, poverty, famine, war... People feel incapable of supporting children and are unwilling to have them. In my opinion, another significant factor is the inverse relationship between female education levels and the desire to have children—a trend observed in many countries. Why does this inverse relationship only involve women, and why don't we observe the same pattern among men? I believe the main reason is the inequality in the reproductive task between the genders. Women are not only responsible for the task of reproduction but also for taking care of the children.

According to the documentary Fair Play, women perform more than 65% of domestic care work, and mothers spend twice as much time. The labor that women contribute to raising children and caring for the family is not adequately valued. With the increasing level of female education, women also aspire to participate in social activities and careers just like men. However, women still face disadvantages in the workplace today, with gender pay gaps, lack of promotion opportunities, and the persistent phenomenon of the "double shift"—women working outside the home all day and still having another set of responsibilities at home. Therefore, gender equality can alleviate the decline in the willingness to have children to some extent.

In Western and Northern European countries, governments have implemented a series of gender equality policies to boost birth rates. Examples include parental leave, equal pay laws, prohibiting the dismissal of pregnant employees, and promoting gender education. Perhaps these countries can serve as examples, showing us that gender equality can, to a certain extent, eliminate obstacles to "childbearing." However, I have another question: since any gender in society may be equally enthusiastic about pursuing careers and uninterested in family and reproduction, what can we do after achieving equal rights? What will the government do? Do they still need to intervene in managing the intrinsic motivations of childbirth?

Works Cited

Fair play. The Representation Project. (2023, April 4). https://therepproject.org/films/fair-play/#:~:text=Fair%20Play%20tackles%20the%20pressing,benefits%20from%20equality%20at%20home.

YouTube. (2023, November 14). 【一席】謝晶：為什麼不想生了. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV5nM1DMP-E

Births in China slide 10% to hit their lowest on record | Reuters. (n.d.). https://www.reuters.com/world/china/births-china-slide-10-hit-their-lowest-record-2023-10-12/

0 notes

warningsine · 7 months

Text

General quiz time: which country tops the global corruption table? Which country is the worst for piracy? Which country lost more than 29,000 children under five to famine in 2011? The answer is Somalia, a country of such horror that it has fallen from sight.

James Fergusson, freelance journalist and author of several books on the Taliban, has a talent for shedding light in dark places. None is darker, or more dangerous, in his view, than Somalia, the "outlaw state". While most reporters – and some two million Somalis – have opted to stay away, Fergusson has risked his life to cover the ground and, an even greater achievement, succeeded in making the Somali mess understandable and relevant.

Somalia was two countries during the colonial period and one of the more hopeful African states at independence in 1960. But a military coup at the end of the 60s led to two decades of misrule and corruption, and then to civil war. Much of the tension was caused by inter-clan rivalries. As if that wasn't bad enough, the country then became a happy hunting ground for radical Islamist groups. In southern Somalia, the Salafist Islamic Courts Union imposed a strict sharia. When they were expelled by a liberating Ethiopian force, much of the country then fell even further.

The al-Qaida-affiliated al-Shabaab organisation turned the country into "a zone of total grief", a place where life was short and brutal and where one's brightest hope was martyrdom, although even that prospect was tainted. Islamic martyrs die in the belief that they will be pleasured by 72 virgins in paradise. Fergusson reports that al-Shabaab manipulated this hope by showing recruits films that they claimed were recordings made by martyrs already in heaven, but which were shot in Bollywood. It is this sort of insight, alongside his harrowing account of life in the grief zone – a description of Mogadishu hospitals sticks in the mind – that gives Fergusson's book its power.

Even more troubling, in some ways, is the fact that the grief did not stay at home. Fergusson tracks the Somali diaspora across four continents in an attempt to understand their sense of identity and the ways in which they are led astray. The British ambassador in Somalia talked of "a kind of threat we haven't seen before", a threat beyond borders, with disaffected Somalis involved in many international terror attacks, including the July 2005 London Underground attempts. The more than two million Somalis in Kenya seem particularly vulnerable. As chaos spreads across Africa, from conflict in Mali to hostage-taking in Algeria, and as our prime minister talks of a "large and existential threat… a generational struggle" against jihadis, Fergusson's portraits seem all the more terrifying. But there is hope.

Fergusson's introduction, written as the book went to press last autumn, reports the unexpected retreat of al-Shabaab, whose units had pulled out of Mogadishu. Since then, they have lost their other stronghold of Kismayo to a combined force of Kenyan, Ethiopian and Ugandan-led African Union soldiers. The threat of piracy has also reduced. And Somalia has a new president, elected by MPs and promising to broaden the country's democracy. Trouble continues – there was an assassination attempt on the new president even before he had been sworn in. And it remains to be seen whether the rump of al-Shabaab hardliners continue to fight in Somalia, or whether they unite with other al-Qaida affiliates, Boko Haram in Nigeria and al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb. But the one thing Fergusson's book makes very clear is that unless the country's – and the region's – underlying problems of poverty and lack of education are addressed, David Cameron's prediction of a generational struggle might come to seem optimistic.

#James Fergusson #reviews #books

0 notes

benzbarabwc · 10 months

Text

"Altruism and Self-hate: The case of spreading fake news"

Altruism is reading

To read is to erase our prejudice that is the result of our history.

Our history consists of the history of war, plague, and famine (Yuval Noah Harari said this in his book "Sapiens" And I seconded it).

And all this is often because we tend to seek power without having any consideration of what that word means, "power".

Power means having enough knowledge about things in life that it made us put trust in others and not ourselves.

In this era of social media still, after the Internet was invented in the post-world War 2 era, we know that saying "Sharing is caring", but you know what? We also know there is something like "Misinformation", or even "Disinformation", and such words so negative we even sometimes tried to neglect them that we keep sharing something that is not worthy of our attention in the name of the positive situation of our humanity for our future and our progressivity in our society.

In the light of this realization, we ought to, not only read more but also read better. What does this mean? This means doing a critical reading of any information that appeared on our cell phones (or other type of gadgets).

How to do so? That is to read the entire body of information (e. G. The entire page of news and not only some parts of it) and even to check other sources that are spreading the same information, and then comparing both pieces of information to find some confirmation of the existence of the truth of that information being delivered by the sources or the media so to speak in this case and this matter of thing.

Self-hate is Truth

That being said, it is our duty too, to remind ourselves and others what "truth" is.

It's simple. Is the event being informed and even sometimes described in the information or news held a place in the actual and material world? Yes, as a reader, often it's out of the question to go to the physical place to check the place, that is why we must do cross-checked the information or the news in other newspapers be it online or offline - printed one(s).

That doesn't mean we can grasp the whole truth and even though we read as many sources of information we can't tell that we already understand the truth. This is because of things that I said in the previous paragraph, we ought to see it first hand, the place that is the actual first source of "truth-taking" That is then made into the news or simply "information" Being appeared and displayed in the online and offline newspaper or simply a blog or even a personal website, or someone's social media account. Anywhere!

Why do we read, again? Yes, to erase the prejudice being made by ourselves. And this prejudice is not only happening and exists there in the society post-Internet is made, but also way before that time.

Why do people spread hoaxes?

They hate peace being made and preserved by a society that already understands the risk of war. Poverty. Diseases. Malaise.

Is hoax spread by people that is ahistorical, then?

I am not going too far as to say this thing. But concluding from the first premise written in the opening part of this long-form article, this appeared like that.

But, I argue, no one is ahistorical since everyone is part of history being made, they are involved in the process of the making of history, one thing is of course is to be for sure: the history is of course in their head, recorded alright.

But, we also understand that we tend to forget traumas, war, plague, and famine, are sure of those traumas we tend to erase from our individual and collective memory, though it is impossible to erase everything since everything is also recorded by the historians and the researchers that are specialized in history.

1 note · View note

icephas · 1 year

Text

Lesson 7 - Unto the Least of These

Lesson 7, February 11-17

Unto the Least of These

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 4:16-19; Isa. 62:1, 2; Deut. 15:11; Matt. 19:16-22; Luke 19:1-10; Job 29:12-16.

Memory Text: “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” Matthew 25:34

The Bible speaks often of the strangers (sometimes called aliens), the fatherless, and the widows. This group may be the ones whom Jesus referred to as “the least of these My brethren” (Matt. 25:40).

How can we identify these people today? The strangers of Bible times were individuals who had to leave their homeland, perhaps because of war or famine. The equivalent in our day could be the millions of refugees who have become destitute because of circumstances that they did not choose to be in.

The fatherless are children who have lost fathers by war, accident, or sickness. This group could also include those whose fathers are in prison or are otherwise absent. What a broad field of service is exposed here.

The widows are those who have lost their spouses for the same reason as the fatherless. Many are the head of a single-parent family and could use the help that the church can provide.

As we will see this week, because we are managers of God’s business, helping the poor is not just an option. It is following the example of Jesus and obeying His commands.

Sunday, February 12

The Life and Ministry of Jesus

Early in Jesus’ public ministry, He traveled to Nazareth, in the region of Galilee. This was His hometown, and the local people already had heard of His work and miracles. As His custom was, Jesus attended Sabbath services in the synagogue. Though Jesus was not the officiating rabbi, the attendant handed Him the Isaiah scroll and asked Him to give the Scripture reading. Jesus read Isaiah 61:1, 2.

Read Luke 4:16-19 and compare it with Isaiah 61:1, 2 (see also Luke 7:19-23). Why do you think Jesus chose this specific Scripture? Why would these verses in Isaiah be deemed as Messianic? What did they reveal about the work of the Messiah?

Because the religious leaders apparently had overlooked the prophecies that spoke of a suffering Messiah and had misapplied those that pointed to the glory of His Second Coming (which should serve as a reminder to us of how important understanding prophecy really is), most of the people believed the false idea that the Messiah’s mission was to free Israel from its conquerors and oppressors, the Romans. To think that the Messiah’s mission statement came from Isaiah 61:1, 2 must have been a real shock.

The poor usually were looked down upon by unscrupulous officials such as tax collectors, those in business, and even their own neighbors. It commonly was thought that poverty was the curse of God and that their unfortunate condition must have been their own fault. With this mindset, few people had any concern for the poor and their unhappy plight.

Yet Jesus’ love for the poor was one of the greatest evidences of His Messiahship, as seen by how Jesus answered John the Baptist’s question about Him as the Messiah (see Matt. 11:1-6). “Like the Saviour’s disciples, John the Baptist did not understand the nature of Christ’s kingdom. He expected Jesus to take the throne of David; and as time passed, and the Saviour made no claim to kingly authority, John became perplexed and troubled.” — The Desire of Ages, p. 215.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). How should this verse help us set our religious priorities?

Monday, February 13

God’s Provision for the Poor

In their writings, the Bible’s authors included many of God’s provisions for the poor, the strangers, the widows, and the fatherless. We have records of this all the way back to Mount Sinai. “And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard” (Exod. 23:10-11).

Read Leviticus 23:22 and Deuteronomy 15:11. However different the context may be from our lives today, what principles should we take away from these verses?

It generally is understood that “brother” here refers to fellow Israelites or fellow believers. We also think of them as the worthy poor or “the least of these My brethren.” The Psalms give direction on how we should treat those in need. “Defend the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: Rid them out of the hand of the wicked” (Ps. 82:3-4). This passage indicates our involvement in ways beyond just providing food.

Then there are promises to those who help the needy. “He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack” (Prov. 28:27). “The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever” (Prov. 29:14). And King David noted, “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble” (Ps. 41:1). This, then, always had been a priority in ancient Israel even if, at times, it had been lost sight of.

In contrast, even in more modern times, particularly in England, under the impact of what has been known as “Social Darwinism,” many thought that not only was there no moral imperative to help the poor but that it was, in fact, wrong to do so. Instead, following the forces of nature, in which the strong survive at the expense of the weak, “Social Darwinists” believed that it would be detrimental to society to help the poor, the sickly, the indigent because, if they multiplied, they would only weaken the social fabric of the nation as a whole. However cruel, this thinking was the logical outgrowth of belief in evolution and the false narrative it proclaims.

How should the gospel, the idea that Christ died for everyone, impact how we treat everyone, regardless of who they are?

Tuesday, February 14

The Rich Young Ruler

We don’t know much about the rich young ruler other than that he was young, a ruler, and rich. And he had an interest in spiritual things, too. He was so energetic that he came running to Jesus (Mark 10:17). He was excited to learn about eternal life. This story is so important that it is recorded in all three synoptic Gospels: Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, and Luke 18:18-23.

Read Matthew 19:16-22. What did Jesus mean when He said to him, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Matt. 19:21)?

Jesus doesn’t ask most of us to sell all we have and give the money to the poor. But money must have been this young man’s god, and though Jesus’ answer may seem quite severe, He knew that this was this man’s only hope of salvation.

The Bible says that he went away very sorrowful because he was very rich, which proves just how much he worshiped his money. He was offered eternal life and a place in Jesus’ inner circle (“Come follow Me” — the same words Jesus used in calling the 12 disciples). Yet we never hear from this young man again. He traded eternity for his earthly possessions.

What a terrible trade-off, was it not? What a sad example of not following “delayed gratification” (see last week). Choosing as this man did is such a deception because, no matter what material wealth can give us now, sooner or later we all die and face the prospect of eternity. And meanwhile, so many of the wealthy have discovered that their wealth didn’t give them the peace and happiness that they had hoped for; indeed, in many cases, the opposite seems to have happened. So many biographies have been written about just how miserable many rich people have been. In fact, in all recorded history one of the best depictions ever of how unsatisfying wealth can be, in and of itself, is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Whatever other lessons one can take from it, one point comes through clearly: money cannot buy peace and happiness.

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:35-37). What does it mean to lose your life for the sake of the gospel?

Wednesday, February 15

Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus was a wealthy Jew who had made his money by working as a tax collector for the hated Romans. For that, and because he and other tax collectors exacted more tax than was really due, Zacchaeus was hated and called a “sinner.”

Zacchaeus lived in Jericho, which sat on a trade route with much business commerce. The meeting of Zacchaeus and Jesus was not a coincidence. Zacchaeus had apparently come under spiritual conviction and wanted to make some changes in his life. He had heard about Jesus and wanted to see Him. Word must have gotten out that the group Jesus was traveling with would arrive in Jericho that day. Jesus needed to pass through Jericho from Galilee, on His final trip to Jerusalem. Christ’s first words to Zacchaeus revealed that, even before entering the town, Jesus knew all about him.

Read Luke 19:1-10. What were the differences between this rich man’s experience with Jesus and that of the rich young ruler?

Zacchaeus and the rich young ruler had some things in common. Both were rich; both wanted to see Jesus, and both wanted eternal life. But here the similarities stop.

Notice that when Zacchaeus said that he would give “half of my goods” (Luke 19:8) to the poor, Jesus accepted this gesture as an expression of a true conversion experience. He didn’t say to him, Sorry, Zac, but like with the rich young ruler, it’s all or nothing. Half is not going to cut it. Why? Most likely because, though Zacchaeus surely liked his wealth, it wasn’t the god to him that it was to the rich young ruler. In fact, though we don’t know what Jesus specially said to him, Zacchaeus is the one who first speaks about giving money to the poor. In contrast, Jesus had to tell the rich young ruler specifically to give it all up; otherwise it would have destroyed him. Though Zacchaeus, like any wealthy person, needed to be careful about the dangers of wealth, he seemed to have had it under better control than did the rich young ruler.

“When the rich young ruler had turned away from Jesus, the disciples had marveled at their Master’s saying, ‘How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!’ They had exclaimed one to another, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Now they had a demonstration of the truth of Christ’s words, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.’ Mark 10:24, 26; Luke 18:27. They saw how, through the grace of God, a rich man could enter into the kingdom.” — The Desire of Ages, p. 555.

Thursday, February 16

Consider the Man Job

Read Job 1:8. How was Job described by God Himself?

That’s pretty good, having even God call Job “perfect” and “upright” (Job 1:8), so perfect and upright that no else on the earth at that time could equal him. Again, these are God’s own words, verbatim, about Job.

Even after Job faced one catastrophe after another, God repeated what He had first said about Job, that there was no one else on earth like him, perfect and upright and so forth, except that then a new element was added. Job was still all these things, “although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause” (Job 2:3).

And though we get a powerful glimpse of Job’s perfection and uprightness in how he refused to let go of God despite all that happened and despite his unfortunate’s wife’s taunt, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die” (Job 2:9), the book reveals another aspect of Job’s life before the drama here unfolded.

Read Job 29:12-16. What is depicted here that gives us even more insight into the secret of Job’s character?

Perhaps what’s most insightful here are Job’s words, “And the cause which I knew not I searched out” (Job 29:16). In other words, Job didn’t simply wait, for instance, for some beggar in rags to approach him for a handout. Instead, Job was proactive in seeking out needs and then acting on them.

Ellen G. White suggested, “Do not wait for them [the poor] to call your attention to their needs. Act as did Job. The thing that he knew not he searched out. Go on an inspecting tour and learn what is needed and how it can be best supplied.” — Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 151. This is a level of money management and stewardship of God’s resources that is beyond the practice of many of God’s children today.

Read Isaiah 58:6-8. How can we take these ancient words and apply them to ourselves today?

Friday, February 17

Further Thought

“When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another.’ Thus Christ on the Mount of Olives pictured to His disciples the scene of the great judgment day. And He represented its decision as turning upon one point. When the nations are gathered before Him, there will be but two classes, and their eternal destiny will be determined by what they have done or have neglected to do for Him in the person of the poor and the suffering.” — The Desire of Ages, p. 637.

“As you open your door to Christ’s needy and suffering ones, you are welcoming unseen angels. You invite the companionship of heavenly beings. They bring a sacred atmosphere of joy and peace. They come with praises upon their lips, and an answering strain is heard in heaven. Every deed of mercy makes music there. The Father from His throne numbers the unselfish workers among His most precious treasures.” — The Desire of Ages, p. 639.

Discussion Questions:

”For the poor shall never cease out of the land” (Deut. 15:11). Besides the fact that this prediction, though thousands of years old, unfortunately has been fulfilled, how are we to understand it today? Some have used these words to all but justify not helping the poor, reasoning this way, “Well, God said the poor would always be among us, so, that’s just the way it is.” What’s the fallacy of that thinking?

Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”. Notice what the danger is: to trust in one’s riches as opposed to the living God. Why is that so easy for those who have money to do, even though they know that in the end even all their money won’t keep them alive? Why must we all be careful about not trusting in anything other than the living God?

0 notes

ramadhanseries · 1 year

Text

தமிழில்

JUZ 15 - LESSONS

➖SURAH BANI ISRAEL/AL-ISRA

"Indeed, this Qur'an guides to that which is most suitable..." (17:9)

We will slip but if we are connected with the Qur'an, we will be able to get back on track. If we let go of the Qur'an, then Shaytan will become our GPS.

- "Man supplicates for evil as he supplicates for good, and man is ever hasty." (17:11)

Sometimes because of the intensity of our trials, we ask Allah SWT for the wrong things. Do not be hasty. Watch your words and feelings when making a du'a. Express your brokenness and weakness to Him but be patient in your trials.

Du'a is a way to show-I believe in Allah SWT, I believe that He has the Power to fix my matters and grant me what I desire and what is better for me, therefore, I am asking Him.

When you feel disconnected or broken inside, it might be a sign that you have distanced away from Allah SWT. Connect with Him and feel complete again.

Whoever desires Akhirah should exert themselves. We cannot get Jannah merely by "wishing" for it.

- Make Du'a for your parents (even if they have passed away)

رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا

My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small." (17:24)

- "Give the relative his right, and the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully."

How do we waste wealth? When people in the world are dying of famine and wars, but we want to buy designer handbags and shoes or hold an extravagant wedding or party. If you have a lot of money, spend in the way of Allah SWT. Spend on your poor relatives, feed the poor and help the travelers so that this becomes a shield for you against the punishment of Hellfire.

➖WE WILL BE QUESTIONED ABOUT OUR WEALTH.

FIVE QUESTIONS WE WILL BE ASKED:

- Our life and how we spent it

- Our youth and how he used it

- Our wealth and how we earned it and how we spent it

- How we acted upon the knowledge we acquired it.

If you do not have money, it is okay. You do not have to yell at people, push them or be rude in any other way. Excuse yourself politely. Watch your words.

➖Do not kill your children fearing poverty-NO ABORTIONS

- Do not walk arrogantly on the earth. It knows everything about us -the places that we go to, the people that we meet, the actions of obedience or disobedience that we do. On the Day of Judgment, it will reveal everything that we used to do. Be conscious. Be humble.

Everything around us glorifies Allah SWT, then why does man love to talk about himself or his children or his possessions much but remembers Allah SWT little? Remember Him when you are sitting, standing, commuting, doing your chores, alone and in a gathering.

- Shaytan induces dissension. Because when people are drowned in negative thoughts and plotting against each other they cannot focus on their ibadah or good deeds.

Strive to get closer to Allah SWT. We strive in this world to get a better college degree, a better job, a better home, why don't we strive for the Hereafter to get permanent blessings?

- We believe in the mercy of Allah SWT that He will forgive our sins but we should not be so relaxed that we do not make an effort. Allah SWT will overlook our shortcomings when there some good deeds in our records. Do not be negligent.

- Say no to music and singing. Check your phone's ringtone. Is it a song or something musical? They are the voices of Shaytan. (Do not put Athan or Qur'an recitation as your ringtone that's disrespect.)

- Instead of indulging in haram forms of entertainment, be grateful for the blessings and increase your good deeds. Being busy in entertainment (movies, dramas, music, mehndi ceremonies that involve singing and dancing, birthdays, baby showers and what have you) shows you have too much free time available on your hand.

If you have time, why not use it in worship, earning Halal so that you can do more sadaqah, gaining knowledge so that your Ibadah would improve and you get closer to Allah SWT?

➖Imagine reading your record (Book of Deeds) on the Day of Judgment.

- How many missed prayers?

- How many missed fasts that we never bothered to make up? -How many sins of the tongue? Rude comments? - Little zakat? Little sadaqah? No Zakat? No sadaqah?

Are you eager to read it?. So what are we doing RIGHT NOW?

➖Read the Qur'an at Fajr time - in the prayer and outside prayer because Allah SWT says:

"Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur'an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed." (17:78)

Recite a longer Surah in Fajr prayer. If you have developed the habit of Tahajjud, do not leave it after Ramadan.

- DU'A TO MAKE WHEN ENTERING A NEW CITY, A NEW JOB, BRIDE MOVING TO HUSBAND'S

HOME

رَّبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَاجْعَل لِّي مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلْطَانًا نَّصِيرًا

"My Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and to exit a sound exit and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority." (17:80)

- Do not go through the Qur'an in speed. It was revealed over a period of 23 years - a prolonged period. It was sent down progressively.

"And [it is] a Qur'an which We have separated [by intervals] that you might recite it to the people over a prolonged period. And We have sent it down progressively." (17:106)

➖Two words

1. The Qur'an was revealed over a period of 23 years and not in one night or one year. It means we should go slow with the Qur'an when studying the meaning.

It also means stay connected with the Qur'an for your entire life like Rasoolullah SA.

2. One command at a time. We too should implement one command at a time and to gradually progress in Deen.

Not staying at an average level despite being born in a Muslim home. Progress in Deen I as you compete to progress in Dunya.

- Those who have knowledge of the Qur'an, they cry when reading its Ayaat and fall down in prostration. Are we among them? If not, then this is a sign that our hearts have become hard.

➖SURAH AL-KAHF

- We find the virtues of memorizing Surah Al-Kahf in Ahadith:

"Whoever memorizes the ten beginning ayaat of Surah al-Kahf will be protected from the trial of Dajjal." (Muslim)

"Whoever memorizes the ten ending ayaat of Surah al-Kahf will be protected from the trial of Dajjal. [Abu Daw'oud]

- Dunya has been beautified for us to test who among us is the best in good deeds. Become an ascetic

- When you feel you are alone and everyone is against you because of your emaan then recite this du'a:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا

"Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance." (18:10)

- When we leave something (haram) for the sake of Allah SWT, His mercy descends on us and our tasks become easy. If our provision is restricted or life becomes difficult for us then we should look at the haram or disobedience that we are indulged in.

- Do not ask unnecessary questions in Deen especially when there is no benefit in knowing them (such as the number of the young men in the cave)

- When you decide to do a matter then say: In sha Allah (if Allah wills)

- Do not seek Fatwa from the people who lack knowledge and do not fear Allah SWT

- If you suffer from forgetfulness, then increase your Thikr of Allah SWT

- Stick with the people who remember Allah SWT a lot - they will only guide you to the best

- Do not follow/admire someone who has forgotten Allah SWT and is lost in Dunya

- Wealth and children are the adornments of this world - do not get too busy with them. The Lenduring good deeds are better.

JUZ 15 - பாடங்கள்

➖சூரா பானி இஸ்ரேல்/அல்-இஸ்ரா

"நிச்சயமாக, இந்த குர்ஆன் மிகவும் பொருத்தமானதை வழிநடத்துகிறது..." (17:9)

நாம் நழுவுவோம் ஆனால் குர்ஆனுடன் இணைந்திருந்தால், மீண்டும் பாதைக்கு வர முடியும். நாம் குரானை விட்டுவிட்டால், ஷைத்தான் நமது ஜிபிஎஸ் ஆகிவிடும்.

- "மனிதன் நன்மைக்காக மன்றாடுவது போல் தீமைக்காக மன்றாடுகிறான், மனிதன் எப்போதும் அவசரப்படுகிறான்." (17:11)

சில நேரங்களில் நமது சோதனைகளின் தீவிரம் காரணமாக, தவறான விஷயங்களுக்காக அல்லாஹ்விடம் கேட்கிறோம். அவசரப்பட வேண்டாம். துவா செய்யும் போது உங்கள் வார்த்தைகளையும் உணர்வுகளையும் கவனியுங்கள். உங்கள் உடைவு மற்றும் பலவீனத்தை அவரிடம் வெளிப்படுத்துங்கள், ஆனால் உங்கள் சோதனைகளில் பொறுமையாக இருங்கள்.

துஆ காட்டுவதற்கான ஒரு வழி-நான் அல்லாஹ்வை நம்புகிறேன், என் விஷயங்களைச் சரிசெய்வதற்கும், நான் விரும்புவதையும், எனக்குச் சிறந்ததையும் வழங்குவதற்கும் அவருக்கு சக்தி இருப்பதாக நான் நம்புகிறேன், எனவே, நான் அவரிடம் கேட்கிறேன்.

நீங்கள் துண்டிக்கப்பட்டதாகவோ அல்லது உடைந்துவிட்டதாகவோ உணரும்போது, நீங்கள் அல்லாஹ்வை விட்டு விலகிவிட்டீர்கள் என்பதற்கான அறிகுறியாக இருக்கலாம். அவருடன் இணைந்திருங்கள் மற்றும் முழுமையாக உணருங்கள்.

அக்கிரஹத்தை விரும்புபவன் பாடுபட வேண்டும். ஜன்னத்தை "விரும்பினால்" மட்டும் நாம் பெற முடியாது.

- உங்கள் பெற்றோருக்காக துஆ செய்யுங்கள் (அவர்கள் இறந்துவிட்டாலும்)

رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا

என் இறைவா, அவர்கள் என்னை சிறுவயதில் வளர்த்தது போல் அவர்களுக்கு கருணை காட்டுங்கள்." (17:24)

- "உறவினருக்கும், ஏழைகளுக்கும், பயணிகளுக்கும் உரிமை கொடுங்கள், வீண் செலவு செய்யாதீர்கள்."

செல்வத்தை எப்படி வீணாக்குகிறோம்? உலகில் மக்கள் பஞ்சம் மற்றும் போர்களால் இறக்கும்போது, நாங்கள் வடிவமைப்பாளர் கைப்பைகள் மற்றும் காலணிகளை வாங்க விரும்புகிறோம் அல்லது ஆடம்பரமான திருமணத்தை அல்லது விருந்துகளை நடத்த விரும்புகிறோம். உங்களிடம் நிறைய பணம் இருந்தால், அல்லாஹ்வின் பாதையில் செலவு செய்யுங்கள். உங்கள் ஏழை உறவினர்களுக்குச் செலவு செய்யுங்கள், ஏழைகளுக்கு உணவளிக்கவும், பயணிகளுக்கு உதவவும், இது நரக நெருப்பின் தண்டனைக்கு எதிராக உங்களுக்கு ஒரு கேடயமாக மாறும்.

➖ நமது செல்வத்தைப் பற்றி நாம் கேள்வி கேட்கப்படுவோம்.

ஐந்து கேள்விகள் நம்மிடம் டம் கேட்கப்படும்:

- நமது வாழ்க்கை மற்றும் அதை எப்படி கழித்தோம்

- நமது இளைய பருவம் மற்றும் நாம் அதை எவ்வாறு பயன்படுத்தினோம்

- நமது செல்வம் மற்றும் அதை எப்படி சம்பாதித்தோம், எப்படி செலவழித்தோம்

- நாம் பெற்ற அறிவின் மீது எவ்வாறு செயல்பட்டோம்.

பணம் இல்லாவிட்டால் பரவாயில்லை. நீங்கள் மக்களைக் கத்தவோ, அவர்களைத் தள்ளவோ அல்லது வேறு வழியில் முரட்டுத்தனமாகவோ செய்ய வேண்டியதில்லை. கண்ணியமாக மன்னிக்கவும். உங்கள் வார்த்தைகளைக் கவனியுங்கள்.

➖வறுமைக்கு பயந்து உங்கள் குழந்தைகளைக் கொல்லாதீர்கள் - கருக்கலைப்பு இல்லை

- பூமியில் ஆணவத்துடன் நடக்காதே. அது நம்மைப் பற்றிய அனைத்தையும் அறிந்திரு��்கிறது - நாம் செல்லும் இடங்கள், நாம் சந்திக்கும் நபர்கள், நாம் செய்யும் கீழ்ப்படிதல் அல்லது கீழ்ப்படியாத செயல்கள். கியாமத் நாளில் நாம் செய்து கொண்டிருந்த அனைத்தையும் அது வெளிப்படுத்தும். விழிப்புணர்வுடன் இருங்கள். அடக்கமாக இருங்கள்.

நம்மைச் சுற்றியுள்ள அனைத்தும் அல்லாஹ்வை மகிமைப்படுத்துகின்றன, பிறகு ஏன் மனிதன் தன்னைப் பற்றியோ அல்லது தன் குழந்தைகளைப் பற்றியோ அல்லது தனது உடைமைகளைப் பற்றியோ அதிகம் பேச விரும்புகிறான், ஆனால் ஏன் அல்லாஹ்வை நினைவில் கொள்கிறான்? நீங்கள் அமர்ந்திருக்கும் போதும், நிற்கும் போதும், பயணம் செய்யும் போதும், உங்கள் வேலைகளைச் செய்யும்போதும், தனிமையிலும், கூடும் போதும் அவரை நினைவு செய்யுங்கள்.

- ஷைத்தான் கருத்து வேறுபாடுகளைத் தூண்டுகிறான். ஏனென்றால், மக்கள் எதிர்மறை எண்ணங்களில் மூழ்கி, ஒருவருக்கொருவர் சதி செய்யும்போது அவர்களால் அவர்களின் இபாதா அல்லது நல்ல செயல்களில் கவனம் செலுத்த முடியாது.

அல்லாஹ்வை நெருங்க முயற்சி செய்யுங்கள். சிறந்த கல்லூரிப் பட்டம், சிறந்த வேலை, சிறந்த வீடு என இவ்வுலகில் பாடுபடுகின்றோம், நிரந்தரமான பாக்கியங்களைப் பெற மறுமைக்காக ஏன் பாடுபடக் கூடாது?

- அல்லாஹ்வின் கருணையை அவர் நம் பாவங்களை மன்னிப்பார் என்று நாங்கள் நம்புகிறோம், ஆனால் நாம் எந்த முயற்சியும் செய்யாத அளவுக்கு நிதானமாக இருக்கக்கூடாது. நமது பதிவுகளில் சில நல்ல செயல்கள் இருக்கும் போது அல்லாஹ் SWT நமது குறைகளை கண்டுகொள்ளாமல் விடுவார். அலட்சியமாக இருக்காதீர்கள்.

- இசை மற்றும் பாடலை வேண்டாம் என்று சொல்லுங்கள். உங்கள் தொலைபேசியின் ரிங்டோனைச் சரிபார்க்கவும். இது ஒரு பாடலா அல்லது ஏதாவது இசையா? அவை ஷைத்தானின் குரல்கள். (அதன் அல்லது குர்ஆன் ஓதுவதை உங்கள் ரிங்டோனாக அவமரியாதையாக வைக்க வேண்டாம்.)

- ஹராம் வகை கேளிக்கைகளில் ஈடுபடுவதற்குப் பதிலாக, ஆசீர்வாதங்களுக்கு நன்றியுடன் இருங்கள் மற்றும் உங்கள் நற்செயல்களை அதிகரிக்கவும். பொழுதுபோக்கில் பிஸியாக இருப்பது (திரைப்படங்கள், நாடகங்கள், இசை, மெஹந்தி விழாக்கள், பாடல் மற்றும் நடனம், பிறந்தநாள், வளைகாப்பு மற்றும் உங்களுக்கு என்ன இருக்கிறது) உங்கள் கையில் அதிக நேரம் கிடைக்கும் என்பதைக் காட்டுகிறது.

உங்களுக்கு நேரம் இருந்தால், அதை வழிபாட்டில் ஏன் பயன்படுத்தக்கூடாது, ஹலால் சம்பாதிப்பதன் மூலம் நீங்கள் அதிக சதகா செய்ய முடியும், அறிவைப் பெறுங்கள், இதனால் உங்கள் இபாதா மேம்படும் மற்றும் நீங்கள் அல்லாஹ்வை நெருங்குவீர்கள்?

➖உங்கள் பதிவை (செயல்களின் புத்தகம்) நியாயத்தீர்ப்பு நாளில் படிப்பதை கற்பனை செய்து பாருங்கள்.

- தவறவிட்ட பிரார்த்தனைகள் எத்தனை?

- தவறவிட்ட எத்தனை நோன்புகளை நாம் ஈடுசெய்ய கவலைப்படவில்லை? - நாவின் பாவங்கள் எத்தனை? முரட்டுத்தனமான கருத்துகள்? - சிறிய ஜகாத்? சிறிய சதக்கா? ஜகாத் இல்லையா? சதகா இல்லையா?

நீங்கள் படிக்க ஆவலாக உள்ளீர்களா?. நாம் இப்போது என்ன செய்கிறோம்?

➖ஃபஜ்ர் நேரத்தில் குர்ஆனைப் படியுங்கள் - தொழுகையிலும் வெளிப்புறத் தொழுகையிலும் அல்லாஹ் SWT கூறுவதால்:

"சூரியனின் அஸ்தமனத்தில் [அதன் நடுக்கோட்டில் இருந்து] இரவின் இருள் மற்றும் [மேலும்] விடியலின் குர்ஆன் வரை தொழுகையை நிறுவுங்கள். உண்மையில், விடியலின் ஓதுதல் எப்போதும் சாட்சியாக இருக்கும்." (17:78)

ஃபஜ்ர் தொழுகையில் நீண்ட சூராவை ஓதவும். தஹஜ்ஜுத் பழக்கத்தை நீங்கள் வளர்த்துக் கொண்டால், ரமழானுக்குப் பிறகு அதை விட்டுவிடாதீர்கள்.

- ஒரு புதிய நகரத்தில் நுழையும் போது, ஒரு புதிய வேலை, மணமகள் கணவரிடம் செல்லும்போது செய்ய வேண்டிய துஆ

வீடு

رَّبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَاجْعَل لِّنَّي مِنْ

"என் இரட்சகரே, என்னை ஒரு ஒலி நுழைவாயிலில் நுழையச் செய்து, ஒலி வெளியேறும் வழியிலிருந்து வெளியேறவும், மேலும் உங்களிடமிருந்து ஒரு துணை அதிகாரத்தை எனக்கு வழங்குவாயாக." (17:80)

- வேகத்தில் குர்ஆன் வழியாக செல்ல வேண்டாம். இது 23 வருட காலப்பகுதியில் வெளிப்படுத்தப்பட்டது - ஒரு நீண்ட காலம். இது படிப்படியாக அனுப்பப்பட்டது.

"மேலும் (இது) ஒரு குர்ஆனை நாம் (இடைவெளியில்) பிரித்துள்ளோம், அதை நீங்கள் நீண்ட காலமாக மக்களுக்கு ஓதிக் காட்டுவோம். மேலும் நாம் அதை படிப்படியாக இறக்கியுள்ளோம்." (17:106)

➖இரண்டு வார்த்தைகள்

1. குர்ஆன் ஒரு இரவிலோ, ஒரு வருடத்திலோ அல்ல 23 வருட காலப்பகுதியில் இறக்கப்பட்டது. குர்ஆனைப் படிக்கும்போது மெதுவாகச் செல்ல வேண்டும் என்பதே இதன் பொருள்.

ரசூலுல்லாஹ் SA போன்று உங்கள் வாழ்நாள் முழுவதும் குர்ஆனுடன் இணைந்திருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதும் இதன் பொருள்.

2. ஒரு நேரத்தில் ஒரு கட்டளை. நாமும் ஒரு நேரத்தில் ஒரு கட்டளையை செயல்படுத்தி படிப்படியாக தீனில் முன்னேற வேண்டும்.

முஸ்லீம் வீட்டில் பிறந்தாலும் சராசரி அளவில் தங்கவில்லை. துன்யாவில் முன்னேற நீங்கள் போட்டியிடுவது போல் தீன் நான் முன்னேற்றம்.

- குர்ஆனைப் பற்றிய அறிவு உள்ளவர்கள், அதன் வசனத்தைப் படிக்கும் போது அழுவார்கள், ஸஜ்தாவில் விழுந்து விடுவார்கள். அவர்களில் நாமும் இருக்கிறோமா? இல்லை என்றால், இது நம் இதயம் கடினமாகிவிட்டது என்பதற்கான அறிகுறியாகும்.

➖சூரா அல்-கஹ்ஃப்

- சூரா அல்-கஹ்ஃப் மனப்பாடம் செய்வதன் நற்பண்புகளை ஹதீஸில் காண்கிறோம்:

"சூரா அல்-கஃப்பின் பத்து தொடக்க ஆயத்தை யார் மனப்பாடம் செய்கிறார்களோ அவர் தஜ்ஜாலின் சோதனையிலிருந்து பாதுகாக்கப்படுவார்." (முஸ்லிம்)

"சூரா அல்-கஃப்பின் பத்து முடிவடையும் அயாத்தை யார் மனப்பாடம் செய்கிறார்களோ அவர் தஜ்ஜாலின் சோதனையிலிருந்து பாதுகாக்கப்படுவார். [அபு தாவூத்]

- நம்மில் நற்செயல்களில் சிறந்தவர் யார் என்பதைச் சோதிப்பதற்காக துன்யா அழகுபடுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. சந்நியாசி ஆகுங்கள்

- நீங்கள் தனியாக இருப்பதாகவும், உங்கள் எமானின் காரணமாக எல்லோரும் உங்களுக்கு எதிராக இருப்பதாகவும் உணர்ந்தால், இந்த துஆவை ஓதவும்:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا

"எங்கள் இறைவனே, உம் அருளிலிருந்து எங்களுக்கு அருள்புரிவாயாக, மேலும் எங்களுக்காக எங்களுக்காக சரியான வழிகாட்டுதலைத் தயார்படுத்துவாயாக." (18:10)

- அல்லாஹ்வுக்காக நாம் எதையாவது (ஹராம்) விட்டுவிட்டால், அவனுடைய கருணை நம் மீது இறங்குகிறது, மேலும் நமது பணிகள் எளிதாகின்றன. நமது ஏற்பாடு தடைசெய்யப்பட்டால் அல்லது வாழ்க்கை நமக்கு கடினமாகிவிட்டால், நாம் ஈடுபடும் ஹராம் அல்லது கீழ்ப்படியாமையைப் பார்க்க வேண்டும்.

- தேவையற்ற கேள்விகளை டீனில் கேட்காதீர்கள், குறிப்பாக அவற்றை அறிந்து கொள்வதில் எந்த நன்மையும் இல்லாதபோது (��ுகையில் உள்ள இளைஞர்களின் எண்ணிக்கை போன்றவை)

- நீங்கள் ஒரு விஷயத்தைச் செய்ய முடிவு செய்தால்: இன் ஷா அல்லாஹ் (அல்லாஹ் நாடினால்)

- அறிவு இல்லாதவர்களிடமிருந்தும், அல்லாஹ்வை அஞ்சாதவர்களிடமிருந்தும் ஃபத்வாவை நாடாதீர்கள்

- நீங்கள் மறதியால் அவதிப்பட்டால், அல்லாஹ்வின் திக்ரை அதிகப்படுத்துங்கள் SWT

- அல்லாஹ்வை அதிகம் நினைவுகூரும் நபர்களுடன் இணைந்திருங்கள் - அவர்கள் உங்களுக்கு சிறந்ததை மட்டுமே வழிகாட்டுவார்கள்

- அல்லாஹ்வை மறந்து துன்யாவில் தொலைந்து போன ஒருவரைப் பின்தொடர/அரசிக்காதீர்கள்

- செல்வமும், குழந்தைகளும் இவ்வுலகின் அலங்காரம் - அவர்களுடன் மிகவும் பிஸியாகி விடாதீர்கள். கடன் கொடுக்கும் நற்செயல்கள் சிறப்பாக இருக்கும்.

0 notes

mariacallous · 1 year

Text

Europe’s largest donors of foreign aid have responded to the war in Ukraine by making vast commitments to Ukrainian refugees. But in some countries that assistance has reportedly been drawn from existing foreign-aid budgets that have been reduced in recent years. The result, say some activists and welfare organizations, is that aid to Ukrainians has come at the expense of millions of others around the world dependent on the West for food, basic health care, and education.

More than 300 million people, half of them children, are in need of desperate aid in some of the world’s poorest and most conflict-ridden regions. But they seem to have been deprioritized since Russia’s Ukraine invasion. Aid cuts come at a time when the impact of climate change and a steep rise in prices attributable to the war in Ukraine have further worsened living conditions of vulnerable populations. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), 80 percent of the people in need of humanitarian aid live in 20 nations.

“It is vital that support for refugees fleeing Ukraine not come at the expense of millions of refugees and other people in crisis around the world,” the ICRC told Foreign Policy via email.

But the rise across Europe of far-right political parties—parties that oppose Arab and African immigrants but have seemingly embraced Ukrainian refugees owing to religious and racial affiliation—has deeply influenced the continent’s political calculations. Many governments have responded to these new political pressures by chopping foreign aid while increasing spending at home. Among those are traditional donors such as Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Foreign-aid accounting rules have also worked against traditional aid recipients. Under the rules of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the costs of hosting refugees are included in the foreign-aid contribution of a nation. Activists argue this has had a perverse effect: Instead of assisting others, donor countries are providing themselves a fiscal stimulus at home by setting up new welfare programs for refugees.

Denmark’s spending on Ukrainians has reportedly been diverted from its 50-million-crown pledge in support to Syria, 70 million crowns meant for Mali, and 100 million crowns intended for Bangladesh. Sweden reallocated over 4 and a half billion Swedish crowns from foreign aid to pay for refugee reception within Sweden, according to Concord, a platform made up of 81 Swedish civil society organizations. Asa Thomasson, policy advisor at Concord, told FP the divergence was “not a reasonable use of foreign aid” since it was used to pay for costs incurred at home.

The ICRC said the poorest people were being punished twice over: by the reduction in aid and by the divergence of funds to host Ukrainians. “When donors host refugees, as European states are now, those costs can also be counted as ODA [official development assistance]. So even when ODA is not cut by a donor, less may be going overseas.”

Syria, Ethiopia, Venezuela, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo did not even receive half their requested aid funding this year, and even though half of the populations of Somalia and Afghanistan are facing the prospect of famine, human rights organizations have been scrambling to garner the support they require. Ukraine, however, has made large requests and had them funded in record time. It took Somalia, for instance, nearly an entire year to receive 68 percent of its requested funding, whereas humanitarian targets for Ukraine were achieved at the same levels in a matter of six weeks. A recent report by Development Initiatives, a global organization that uses data to fight poverty, said average coverage for crises between 2012 and 2021 was 47 percent, but since Russia’s Ukraine invasion this year, it has fallen to 30 percent.

Activists say that while they have welcomed the readiness of European countries to help Ukrainians, it has also exposed double standards when it comes to sheltering refugees from Arab and African nations.

There are solid grounds for such assessment. Denmark has had a tough stand on Arab immigrants and has been widely criticized for declaring Syria safe for refugee return. But it promptly reversed its strict asylum policy to host Ukrainians. Mette Frederiksen, the country’s prime minister, justified the reversal and said her policy had always been to support refugees from neighboring nations.

Norway has earned record profits from oil sales as prices of oil spike globally in the fallout of the Ukraine war. Yet at first it decided to reduce contribution from just over 1 percent of its gross national income to 0.75 percent. The announcement made humanitarian agencies furious. Gudrun Bertinussen, acting head of politics and society with the Norwegian Church Aid, said Norway may earn 1,500 billion kroner from oil sales this year in comparison to 830 billion the year before. “You can get a bit dizzy with numbers,” she told FP over the phone.

But finally, the government caved in and announced to put in place “a new mechanism with funding from oil revenues with the intention to bring the ODA level back to 1 percent,” Bertinussen told FP a few days later.

Swedish civil society, too, is livid that its government is unwilling to share some of the state wealth, but there is no reversal of policy in Stockholm just yet. “If Sweden, one of the richest, most peaceful countries on Earth and consistently close to the top in all international rankings of economic and human development, cannot ‘afford’ international aid, then what hope is there for this planet and its people?” said Annelie Borjesson, president of the United Nations Association of Sweden.

Sweden’s new government is backed by the anti-immigration political party Sweden Democrats and has cut over $1 billion in aid that had been earmarked for refugees. Borjesson said this could have a debilitating impact on various programs being carried out by the United Nations. “One specific example is the work of the United Nations Population Fund to fight child marriages,” she told FP.

It is hard to ascertain the full impact of budget cuts and divergence of funds on specific programs since governments have not been transparent about which specific causes would be abandoned to meet refugee costs. But there is no doubt that the future of millions is on the line.

Thomasson said that a report in which Concord’s members asked U.N. institutions about the possible impact of aid reduction, a 30 percent cut in core support would mean “2 million people without access to clean water, 2 million fewer children without their right to attend school, and 4 million teenagers without access to sexual education and contraceptives.”

Birgitte Lange, secretary-general of Save the Children Norway, added that over the last two budgets the Norwegian ODA for education has almost been cut in half, impacting the prospects of 500,000 children. “Half a million dreams of learning and thriving are ruined,” Lange said. In 2020, when the United Kingdom reduced its ODA from 0.7 percent to 0.5 percent, at least 40,000 war-afflicted Syrian children had to give up education. London had said it would cut all “non-essential” aid without clarifying what qualified as nonessential.

The decision was made under Rishi Sunak as chancellor, who since becoming the country’s prime minister has further redirected aid toward domestic programs. According to the Centre for Global Development, the U.K. also spent a large chunk of the reduced aid to house Ukrainians. The ICRC told Foreign Policy that the aid cuts by the U.K., “traditionally the second largest donor,” have been “sharply felt’’ around the world. The cuts are having a “devastating impact” on programs in places like Africa, former Prime Minister Tony Blair told the Observer. “The money we have, a large part of it, has now been siphoned for Ukrainian refugees and others. Therefore, the actual amount of money that we’ve left for pure development in places like Africa now is very little,” he said.

To make up for the deficit, philanthropists have come forward. “The European budgets are deeply affected by the Ukraine war and so right now the trend for aid is not to go up,” Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, said last month. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $7 billion toward aid in Africa.

One of the main reasons European countries provided aid was to mitigate factors that turn people into refugees in the first place. A reduction in aid might prove to be an own-goal for far-right political forces as denial of basics to millions might encourage them, too, to leave their countries and march to Europe. There is consensus among activists that Ukrainians must be helped in every way possible, but the bill must not be footed by the poorest in other parts of the world.

1 note · View note

internationaldayofpeace · 2 years

Text

A renewed vision for peace.

Addressing the root causes of conflict.

Of the world’s 8 billion people, around 1.2 billion live with some form of conflict. That number is growing every day and, as we become ever more connected, nobody is immune from its effects.

The war in Ukraine lays bare how conflict is a shared, global challenge, with its catastrophic impacts felt well beyond the country’s millions of citizens and spiking food, fertilizer and energy costs in 74 countries, presenting dire consequences for the most vulnerable.

The number of coups, failed transitions, and political deadlocks continues to rise, as do the challenges of building and keeping peace, even with all the resources of the 21st century, and sometimes because of them.

The sources of instability are ever more complex and interdependent, and many of the existing agreements of the United Nations fall short of meeting up to the challenge.

Clearly, something is not right

The United Nations was established so that we would not repeat the generation-destroying wars of the 20th century.

Nearly 80 years later, Yemen’s war has reached a fragile ceasefire after dragging on for eight years.

Afghanistan teeters on the brink of universal poverty.

Families in Yemen and Somalia face famine and starvation.

Syria has lost four decades of progress, and half its citizens are displaced.

We are seeing the return of ‘industrial scale’ warfare in Ukraine, affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions.

This year more than 100 million people are displaced or have been forced to become refugees. That’s the highest number since the Second World War.

In 2020 the cost of violence was estimated at US$14.96 trillion, or $1,942 for every person.

The challenges we face are increasingly interconnected

Left alone, we cannot expect these trends to stop, because the forces that feed conflict and division are alive and well.

Inequality has an unbeatable track record of ripping societies apart. COVID-19 is just one of the factors that has fed into human development declining for the first time since 1990, leaving the most vulnerable even further behind.

In 2020 the pandemic resulted in more than 60 percent of countries backsliding on basic rights.

Increasingly, populations don’t trust our leaders. Social protest movements have more than doubled in the past decade. In the same period 131 countries have made no progress on corruption and 27 are at a historic low.

Despite their best efforts, women and girls are not truly recognized as equal citizens, capable of leadership. More than 80 countries have never had a female head of state. At the present rate it will take about 145 years to reach gender parity in politics. There is a direct link between lack of women in governance and higher rates of gender violence.

New domains of conflict are opening, and new tools emerging, and we do not have strong sets of rules to govern them.

The International Crisis Group has highlighted the need to address these new weapons—everything from social media, to drones, to artificial intelligence.

Laid over these is the existential challenge of the climate emergency. Even if the world reached net-zero carbon emissions tomorrow, the damaging inequalities would reverberate for decades.

Time to rethink our approach

Just as no one is immune to war and conflict, no one can solve it alone. Despite the enormity of the task that faces us, we can turn the tide if we work together.

To achieve peace, we must invest in peace—with financing, civic values and people. And to make peace sustainable, we must invest in development, recognizing the central role that institutions – formal, informal and civil alike – play in ensuring that solutions are nationally-owned, long-term and effective.

Since 2015 UNDP’s Funding Facility for Stabilization in Iraq has enabled 8.5 million Iraqis, half of them women, to return to their homes and to receive basic services. A very close partnership with local and national governments was crucial to this success, establishing confidence in Iraqi institutions.

We have to be serious about giving everybody a voice, recognizing that exclusion and shrinking civic space both undermine trust and contribute to grievances. If we want to turn the tide on growing polarization and eroding trust, we have to ensure that the decision-making process at all levels is inclusive of the diversity of voices that make up our global society.

In the Sahel we are working to unlock the tremendous potential of the region, particularly its young people, helping countries to break the cycle of poverty and conflict by investing in energy and governance and addressing the underlying causes of violent conflict and extremism.

We must also recognize the central role that communities play at the forefront of efforts to prevent conflict and build peace, ensuring that our efforts empower communities through development investments, instead of making them dependent on aid.

We see job creation as an essential part of Yemen’s recovery—a country forced to rely on aid and suffering from food shortages, not because there isn’t food but because families cannot afford it. We’ve helped more than 440,000 Yemenis find work that also builds infrastructure, such as improving healthcare facilities and schools and installing solar energy so businesses and institutions can function.

Afghans, facing widespread poverty and an aid-dependent economy that has rapidly collapsed, also desperately need work. UNDP’s ABADEI programme has created nearly 45,000 days of temporary employment in less than three months.

Overall, as outlined in Our Common Agenda, we need to re-envision how we approach multilateralism if we are going to succeed in overcoming the challenges we face as humanity.

This is why platforms like the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (IDPS) that bring together key actors in peacebuilding and state-building, are so critical. In an age of increasing polarization, IDPS offers a unique forum for open political dialogue and action which brings together countries affected by conflict and fragility, development partners and civil society organizations. As its newly appointed Secretariat, UNDP looks forward to contributing to the efforts of the IDPS constituency to ensure that our engagement on conflict and fragility, and our support in conflict settings is effective, inclusive and sustainable.

#International Day of Peace #UNDP #21 September #Peace and conflicts

1 note · View note

justcahttingtothevoidcat · 2 years

Text

Another Dark Age Mystery

HI Cat, you know I was thinking

That Samual Pepys I am not, although I wish I was because then this little side blog of mine could be useful to folk in the future. But then I was thinking, will anything of the internet survive in the future?

Like, if there was a disaster, natural or man-made, would whoever survived be able or even want to come back to this technology. I had initially thought this would be an interesting archive for folk hundreds of years in the future but what if it simply vanishes, like dust in the wind.

It's entirely possible that folk in the dark ages had their own form of twitter and nobody knows a thing about it, I find that quite a funny thought. It wasn't dark like lack of light there is just no written records and so much of our documentation exists online that if we disappear who would know, aside from yourself of course cat, the void exists well out of time and space as we know it.

Well let me see, what would I tell someone 500 years in the future about life right now, well in Scotland we are still agitating for a new Independence vote, although it's taking its damn time...

We have 50 year high inflation, the price of food, heating and fuel is high and as a result people will suffer and die. The welfare state is crumbling because of Tory neglect and "New Labour" (read central right) before them thinking a wee bit of privatisation here and there couldn't possibly be a bad thing. Disability benefits, the old age pension and unemployment benefits are too low to live in anything but poverty, check your history books to see how many people they killed with those and the horrors of calling someone terminally ill fit to work etc.

Libraries are closing, they may open them for "heat hubs" though. The education system is still being taught as if we are Victorians being prepared for the mills and factories, completely out dated and in need of reform. There aren't enough houses for people to live in, there are still people who are queer phobic and Trans People have become the new thing to get cross about, in the early 00's it was people on Benefits, see Benefit Britain for further info. Also Fascism is rising again, so there's that.

The Satanic panic is also back, vailed by Qanon, whose threads are all in the far right and directly link to people thinking vaccines are bad, which leads me to the rising rates of Polio, Measles, Mumps, rickets and other diseases making a resurgence and because English water suppliers have been pumping shit into the rivers and sea no doubt we will soon see a return of Cholera, Typhus and other such delights.

Oh, we still have Covid 19 and MonkeyPox which is not a STI although it is more prevalent in the queer community, particularly among men or AMAB folk.

The UK Gov is an international Joke, they are notably absent from helping with all of the above. America's last president seems determined to spend his last years in prison, and good luck to him I say! There have been terrible floods with the Monsoon that follow exceptionally high temps earlier this year in the Sub-Indian continent, China is in Drought, Europe is in Drought, large parts of North America are in Drought.

Famine is rife in Africa, not helped by the war in Ukraine which Putin seems determined to continue despite having lost in the international stage. The footage from Ukraine, like most wars, is awful.

I can't speak much to African countries or South American ones because they rarely turn to them in our news, I know that South Africa has had trouble, as has Nigeria and the war between the Gov and the Tigray people has just resumed. I know that some South American countries are trying to come together over things going on in Argentina and I know that America has fucked over these countries because "Communism bad".

I don't know much about the goings on in Australia or New Zealand either or Japan and other countries in the Pacific, again we get little to no news about these areas unless you go looking for it on news websites. I also don't know much about what is happening in the Middle East aside from the Afghan generalities we are given. I also know there is no legitimate way for people to get to asylum in the UK from these areas, hence the treacherous dingy crossings and people smuggling.

I also know there are good things going on, science progressing slowly, people doing wonderful things and the fact we've made it this far into history shows there is more good folk than bad. This is a basic overlay of the "Oh shit" things of the day. Remember Mr Pepys I am not.

So many people have lived before me, many more will (maybe) live after me. Not a lot of us get recorded, but believe me you still matter. How you treat others matters, how you treat the earth and the living being on it matters. Even if you don't get your name recorded in the annuls of history, you still matter.

0 notes

cyanidas · 2 years

Text

Yogs Fanlore Locations and History

(Locations under the cut!)

Craftia

Deity: Kirin, God of the Heart and Time Located: Between Earth and Mars Size: the size of Mars Residents: Villagers Description: Although gravity here is average for living creatures, most matter tends to wind up floating in the skies for various reasons, though experts can't exactly agree on what the causes are. Many resources here form its material in unique grid-like structures that make it very easy to cut into blocks, break apart, and put back together again in creative structures. It's Minecraft. History: Created by Kirin after the Big Bang, this planet is home to the Villager, a race of human descendants who have evolved to acclimate to the planet's cool, even temperatures and stagnant biomes. Upon awakening from their sleep, Kirin found the Villagers in a war-torn state, surrounded by the blood of their fallen, weak from poverty, famine, plague, and scarcity. Seeing what little they could create wind up so desolate and dead, Kirin was brought to tears so strongly they brought waves and oceans of healing water to the planet, ushering in a new era of life - the sick healed, wounds closed, crops renewed, and soon, society restored. Although, as a result, Villagers ended up relying a little too heavily on their god... Humans and other such visitors were unable to make contact with the planet for so long, but began visiting around the 19th century. Since then, trading and colonies have become more and more common, and in today's society it is still rare but a common rarity to see a space travel company offering a one-way trip... since rockets and other space-faring vehicles tend not to survive the trip through the thick, electrified atmosphere. However, Craftia is now home to one of the most diverse cast of different races/species in the solar system!

Earth

Deity: Quetzal, God of Life and Form Located: ...oh, yknow Size: 40,075.017 km (24,901.461 mi) measured around the Equator Residents: Humans Description: What's there to say about the Earth? You live here! ...ok fine... Technology is much more advanced than what we know now - clean energy prevails in larger countries, though don't you worry, capitalism and shady business practices definitely do still exist. Its Humans are mostly science-oriented, but due to their curiosity - a behavior very unique to them - they vary in impression, temperament, personality, and so on... even whole groups and cultures can vary wildly from each other! History: For the most part, its history remains the same... ok, except dinosaurs only existed about twice as opposed to the weird actual real-life history we live with today. Also, the Library of Alexandria never burned, so technology advanced here at an incredible rate, and Libraries are considered absolutely crucial to societies around the globe. God is real and they (mostly) abandoned their planet, living in fear of the violence of some humans, and the effect they themself have on their mortals when in direct contact with them. However, that didn't stop them from observing their humans, sometimes making contact and... falling in love...

Twilight

Deity: Chimera, the God of the Mind and Space Located: Between Earth and Venus Size: ??? Residents: An enormous variety of Fae, and Dragons Description: Twilight is a strange land that seems to stretch on forever. Looking at it from space usually never yields the same results twice. Experts on Earth argue it doesn't actually exist at all, or at the very least isn't actually a planet. Whatever is sent there to observe it winds up with extremely poor recorded evidence, and anyone who views its footage can't seem to agree on its results. Where science falters, however, those who are magically inclined prevail. Some say there's an ancient ritual to open a portal to their world, but of course, not many succeed... at least not on Earth. Also the dinosaurs shared between Earth and Twilight survived here, and evolved into dragons, an ancient and highly sophisticated and powerful race of intelligent creatures. History: When Chimera first awoke, they emerged from the planet's largest mountain - their resting place. The Fae, who are naturally magically inclined, recoiled in horror as they sensed Chimera's overwhelming power. Paranoid, they shunned and revolted against their god, who retreated up the mountain, allowing their people to succumb to war and other tragedies. Until, a lone tree elf rose to the challenge, and traversed the mountain's harsh terrain to talk them down. Since arriving back on Twilight, efforts within the government had been made to incorporate new laws within the fae realm, bringing order to a once-chaotic realm. Still, they've suffered many battles and infighting time and time again, much like Earth - fighting for rights, against racism, for land and resources, against too-powerful rulers, and so on. Much later, Twilight suffered a war with the early-century humans of Craftia, losing one of their most powerful leaders... Aislin, the tree elf. Since her death, the government - the Seelie Court - has witnessed some corruption as of late...

Nether

Deity: Lucifer, the Blood King Located: on Pluto Size: it's Pluto Residents: Demons, Piglins/Pigmen Description: This is Hell. You're in Hell. The walls are flesh and blood, the air is fire, the lakes are lava, and there's massive floating disembodied heads of dead angels wailing for their deaths. Not to mention the various undead living there. The only difference between this and canon Nether, is that there's demons here, too. They inhabit the Fortresses, and their primary goal is serving Luci, who promotes his blood magic as a way to gain power so that he can eventually challenge his creator and do what he feels is right by humans - giving them the justice and care they deserve. But he's kinda lost himself along the way. History: It's a little hard to discuss the Nether's history without going all the way back...so I apologize for the length! Lucifer was once an incredible angel, who always did as told, and didn't see the bigger picture of things. In helping Quetzal with his various tasks, he realized that the creator only wanted to serve their own agenda, and let the humans do whatever they wanted - consequences included. With the idea of a perfect world in his mind, Lucifer refused to help any further, and orchestrated an uprising against Quetzal. The uprising was met with harsh punishment, and they abandoned Lucifer and his band of angels, sending them away in a harsh fury of flames. They crashed on Craftia, and Kirin took pity on them, knowing that Angels couldn't survive outside of the Aether for very long. Working with Chimera, who originally created the angels with Quetzal, the two traveled to Pluto to create an oasis for them. However, without Quetzal - the god of Form - their oasis was imperfect and quickly began collapsing. The angels couldn't survive. Lucifer, thinking quickly, did everything he could to help them live - including sacrifice, using criminals and those who'd committed evil deeds, to avoid bringing the innocent to an unjust end... Blood rituals were the only thing keeping them alive, but soon it became too much for them. The angels - The Virtues - turned into beings of the deadliest sins, and withered into suffering husks of their former selves. Lucifer, as the forefront of his blood research, is the only remaining ruler... having consumed so much blood, he now remains the most powerful being in his realm, demons having been reborn from the ashes of those he'd sacrificed.

Aether

Deity: N/A - the Trio (Kirin, Quetzal, and Chimera) use it as "neutral space" Located: The Sun Size: theoretically infinite Residents: Disembodied souls, and Angels Description: Located within the Sun, this would be considered Limbo, or the Afterlife. It's where people go when they die, where Fae create liminal space / draw their energy from liminal space, where souls are judged and sent to other areas, and where Paradise and Eden are located. It's a very busy place, looks like an empty white void backrooms-y area with different rooms acting as portals to other locations or areas within the Aether, including Paradise. Paradise is where the Angels live, as well, and it looks and acts however the soul viewing it does (except to angels, who see it as whatever the more mortal soul/s see it as). Within Paradise is Eden, a garden of course, and where humanoids were first created. The white-hot exterior of the sun protects the pocket dimensions of the Aether within it, and only allow the Gods and the Angels to pass through it. History: The Aether was created when the Gods (mostly Quetzal) were beginning to get the idea to create humanoids. In the very beginning, it merely looked like a glass room, completely transparent and outside of the Sun. But before the gods fell asleep, under the instruction of "The Voice in The Sky" (or, the Ender Dragon as we now know her), Chimera worked with Quetzal and Kirin in placing the room within the Sun, and there, created Eden... the perfect garden, a sanctuary for them and the souls of their creatures to rest when all was done. When things started to become more hectic and saw more traffic as more and more people were born and would die, Quetzal and Chimera band together to create Angels to help with all the work. These creatures were resistant to the hottest of flames, and thrived in the holy atmosphere of Paradise. Created without Heart, they could think more clearly and perform duties more easily... but for some reason, their biggest flaw - despite their immense power - is that they cannot survive outside of the Aether (without godly assistance) for very long. A few years, at best. And when Angels die, they don't get any chances to respawn or be reborn, no matter what.

Lumina

Deity: None. Located: in another solar system entirely! Size: about a 25% size increase to Earth Residents: Lumians Description: An alien planet, inhabited by the oddly humanoid Lumians. These people exist as the only humanoids in their district, surrounded by hundreds of other sentient beings of races who are anything but! This planet is rich in bioluminesence and largely populated by massive buglike creatures, who are killed for their dense alien bug meat, strong carapaces for architectural purposes, among other body parts used for scientific purposes. There are thick outer jungles, dense foggy swamps, husks of bug dens, and large saltflats and deserts - which is where most Lumian cities are located. Their society is incredibly progressed, technology-wise... but very lacking in creativity, emotional progression, and other social aspects. History: Quetzal had fallen in love with many humans throughout Earth's history, especially in early history, but unfortunately the children they sired with their partners usually turned out...different... they were monstrous, and animal-like. Other humans tended to fear them, and try to kill them, so the god needed somewhere to keep their kids safe and not let Kirin and Chimera know of their mistakes. They had the angels help take their lovers, their children, worthy guards, and plenty of other members of society who were trustworthy enough to keep everyone safe and healthy and happy. Scientists, warriors, poets and artists, architects...they all began a life on this alien planet, and eventually - throughout the generations - became a singular people; Lumians. Thankfully, there's not much to say about their history. They explored their world, conquered untamed lands, and pretty much didn't need to fight over land or resources - there was always plenty to go around. Wars never happened because there was no reason to disagree or escalate things. That doesn't mean that once they rose to intelligence high enough for space faring, that they had the courtesy to view other races in equal lighting. Along the way, they also lost their own history, so they (as well as Earth) have no idea why they're the only humanoids so far away - and incorrectly assumed it's because their ancestors neglected to document ancient space faring technology. Due to the emotional inclinations of humans, Lumians feel they're inferior to themselves, and at worst, can treat them as pests or pets.

The Asteroid Belt

Deity: None Located: between Craftia and Mars Size: a relatively small, packed-together ring of asteroids that range from the size of a house, to the size of a skyscraper Residents: A space station of Earth Humans Description: This asteroid belt is most like how we see in cartoons and scifi - packed together, too dangerous for ships to fly though, and more like a big ring in the solar system. It's very easy to avoid it, and although you CAN cling to the asteroids for dear life, there's really no reason to... so you wouldn't expect a branch of a highly sophisticated Scientific Innovation company from Earth to build a base there, would you? History: Well, they did, and it was to observe the comings-and-goings of Craftia - a planet that's captivated Earth since the dawn of man. Their facility here is Top Secret, and virtually undetectable, blending in perfectly with the asteroids and locking the rotation of the rock they built on so that the facility (somehow!) always faces Craftia. They're benevolent, though, and only wish to experiment with the planet's resources and atmosphere. Sometimes, though... the things they create somehow end up on the surface...

The Flux

Deity: you guessed it! The Flux Mother, aka "Fluxia" (pronounced: Flu-shia, like Fuchsia) Located: In a bubble that travels between Craftia and Twilight, and looks like a comet to Earth Size: About the size of the moon Description: Inside the hellbubble from space is a purple void of inky, gooey, sticky grossness. Fluxia likes to decorate it with things she corrupts from "the overworld", which is really just anywhere that isn't in her bubble or out in space. She is so corrosive and corruptive that despite her confines being held together by Two Gods, she still continues to seep outside of it and infect the two worlds belonging to the gods who created her; Kirin and Chimera. History: Fluxia was created during the Twi-Craft war, when the fighting became so personal and so extreme, that Kirin and Chimera ended up fighting each other directly. The magics from both the Gods, combining Heart and Soul with such rage and aggression, resulted in the poisonous sludge of the Flux Mother's birth. Her horrific nature is what ultimately ended the war, as the opposing sides were forced to come together to bring an end to her. Thankfully, MOST of her was forced into a pocket dimension located in space.

The End

Deity: The Ender Dragon Located: Beyond the known universe, aka,"The Sky" Size: Literally Endless Description: The Dragon, who has always held a fondness for existence, envies the universe for its ability to have physical things within it. She has amassed Endermen from the husked bodies of those who were willing to sacrifice themselves to her, who use her magic to teleport to anywhere they're allowed (...and sometimes where they're not) to take items and matter to the End. The floating void islands there are generated from these stolen goods, but as the years wear on, they corrupt into "purified", empty matter - becoming End Stone and Chorus plants and Purpur. History: The End used to be populated by followers of various races and species - those who heard her voice and were called to her End dimension, where they congregated and built tremendous End cities once they passed her test - defeating her (or more accurately, a creature of her creation, an effigy) in combat. However, over time, for an unknown reason... they "corrupted" into husks of their former selves, and the Dragon stopped ferrying her champions to the End Cities. It seemed as though she was sapping the mortals' life energy... but why? The cities became overgrown and filled with parasites - endermites and shulkers, barnacle-like creatures that thrive on purpur. Soon, the void was empty once again, and the Dragon no longer spoke to anyone in the universe, withdrawing her voice and presence in its entirety.

#yogscast #yogscraft #idk what tf to tag this as!!!!!#fanlore #intercom #cy writes

30 notes · View notes

koreanstudyjunkie · 2 years

Text

NORTH vs SOUTH KOREA

Differences Between North & South Korea

⚠️I got this Information from a site called: amp.dw

How Did They Split?

In the last days of World War II, when it became clear Japan would surrender to the Allied powers, the question of what would happen to Korea became louder than ever. After decades of occupying the Korean Peninsula, Japan had retreated.

The United States and Soviet Union agreed to divide Korea at the 38th parallel in August 1945, with the US taking the southern part and the Soviet Union the north.

The plan was to hand back control to the Koreans and withdraw, and in 1948 several attempts were made at getting the nations to vote for reunification.

But the distrust engendered by a few years of opposing ideologies had grown too deep. What started as an almost "accidental division" gave rise to one of the most hostile and heavily militarized borders in the world, and split one people in two.

Human Rights and Personal Liberty

North Korea is now a Stalinist state and is accused of holding hundreds of thousands of people — including children — in political prison camps and other detention facilities across the country. It also receives the lowest ratings when it comes to press freedom and government accountability.

Years of isolation have seriously damaged North Korea's economy, and the country's populace has long suffered from poverty and famine. The United Nations reports that over a third of the population is malnourished and many people lack access to proper healthcare.

Life in South Korea, on the other hand, is fueled by an unashamedly loud and proud style of capitalism. The country is also officially a constitutional democracy.

However, it does have its own political prisoners. South Korea's controversial National Security Law makes it an offense to express sympathies with North Korea. But South Korea ranks as far less corrupt than its northern neighbor.

And it's a key ally for Western powers — particularly the United States, which still stations around 30,000 American soldiers on South Korean soil and holds regular military drills with the South's troops.

Size Divide

Despite a similar geographical size, South Korea's population (over 51 million) is almost twice as large as North Korea's (more than 25 million). Due to their poor diet, North Koreans tend to be smaller than South Koreans. This is most visible among school children.

Daniel Schwekendiek from Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul estimated the height difference to be "approximately 4 centimeters among pre-school boys and 3 centimeters among pre-school girls."

The difference in life expectancy is similarly notable: while South Koreans on average live to the ripe old age of 82, North Koreans die ten years younger at 70.

K-pop, Rice Cakes, and Banned Mini-Skirts

North and South Koreans enjoy many of the same types of food, as recipes were passed on from generation to generation long before the divide. For instance, 떡 (ricecake) and 엿 (a type of confectionary) are eaten by all students before exams and are said to bring them luck.

South Korea is said to have turned into the "Hollywood of the East," by "churning out entertainment that is coveted by millions of fans stretching from Japan to Indonesia." There are about 400 independent studios producing content for the entertainment market, helping South Korea to export its special brand of pop music ("K-Pop"), television dramas and video games to countries across Asia.

As for North Korea's hit records...well, you just need to take a look at the charts.

Things look similarly polarized on the fashion front. North Koreans refrain from experimenting because the government strictly bans skinny jeans, mini skirts and even particular hairstyles, while their southern neighbors are free to don whatever outfit takes their fancy.

From daring mini skirts to something borrowed, something blue: weddings also look decisively different. Couples in South Korea may splurge on a beautiful dress for the bride, a glitzy ceremony and a spectacular honeymoon, while those tying the knot in North Korea tend to take a simpler approach all round, usually celebrating in a restaurant or at home.

#korean culture #korean history #north korea #south korea #educational #korean lesson #south korea vs north korea #difference between north & south korea

20 notes · View notes

girlactionfigure · 3 years

Photo

He Was Rescued and Became A Rescuer

Paying it forward

Arieh Oz was a child survivor of the Holocaust who was saved by a Dutch family who hid him and his sister for three years. He later became a Lt. Col. in the Israeli Air Force who flew a rescue plane at Entebbe and piloted 1,122 Ethiopian Jews to safety in Operation Solomon.

Arieh was born Harry Klausner to a non-religious Jewish family in Wuppertal, Germany in 1936. The Klausners, like many other Jewish families, were thoroughly assimilated and proud Germans, identifying strongly with German culture and with minimal interest in Judaism. After the Kristallnacht pogrom of 1938, when Jews were murdered and synagogues destroyed throughout Germany and Austria, the Klausners realized there was no future for them in their beloved Germany, and they relocated to Holland, which seemed to be a more tolerant place, although life was far from normal. Harry and his sister Ruth were not allowed to attend school, and they had to wear the yellow star marking them as Jewish wherever they went. Still, life was bearable, until 1942, when the Nazis began arresting Jews and deporting them to concentration camps.

Harry’s parents hurriedly made plans to keep the family safe. With the help of their friend Nel van der Spek, a teacher and leader in the Dutch Resistance, they were introduced to Oepke and Jitske Haitsma, Dutch farmers with three young children, who agreed to take the two Klausner children into their home. Harry’s mother Rosa found a hiding place with another non-Jew, Petronella Ketel, and his father managed to escape Europe and flee to Palestine, then under British rule.

At only six years old, Harry and his sister Ruth, aged twelve, moved in with the Dutch farm family, who were complete strangers and didn’t even speak the same language. The Klausner children learned Dutch, did farmwork, and attended church with their hosts. The Haitsmas barely had enough money to feed their own family, but they shared what little they had with the two Jewish children, and the Hitsma kids were forbidden to have playdates with other children for fear the secret would come out. Once a year, Harry and Ruth were dressed in disguise and taken to visit their mother in her hiding place.

The Nazis were ruthless in searching out Jews, and the Klausner kids hid in a cramped attic during multiple raids by Nazi storm troopers and were never found. For three years they stayed with the heroic Haitsma family, living in constant fear of discovery. In September 1944, Allied forces began to liberate Holland. Eight-year-old Harry, hiding in the attic, heard fighter planes overhead each night, and listened so closely that he was able to distinguish which were German and which belonged to the Allies. As he lay there in the darkness, Harry decided that if he were fortunate enough to survive the war and reach adulthood, he would become a pilot.

The war ended in 1945, and the children’s nightmare came to an end when their mother, who had stayed safe and sound in her hiding place, showed up to retrieve them. In 1946 they traveled to Palestine to reunite with their father, which was nothing short of a miracle considering the fate of most German Jews. Harry later remembered how strange it was to see his father, who felt like a total stranger to him.

Anxious to leave behind all traces of the country that had so cruelly betrayed them, the Klausners changed their name to Oz, and Harry Klausner became Arieh Oz. Once again he had to learn a new language, and started school for the first time at age eleven. It was extremely difficult, but Arieh was strong and resilient, and graduated from high school the third in his class. Now it was time to fulfill his childhood dream, and he was accepted into the elite Israel Air Force Flight School. Arieh proudly earned his pilot’s wings in 1956 and excelled at his chosen career, soon becoming a flight instructor and then a young captain.

In the late 1950’s, the IDF began purchasing jumbo planes to fly long routes, carrying weapons from Europe and providing humanitarian aid to African countries facing famine. They needed someone to command this new fleet, and despite his young age, Arieh was the best man for the job. He was promoted to Lt. Col. Oz, founder of the Israeli Air Force’s International Squadron. He recruited the best pilots in Israel to join his team, and later explained, “We completed many intricate, complex and difficult missions. We had three planes operating every week, two of which flew to France to bring weapons and one of which flew to countries in Africa for aid and assistance.”

After the Six Day War in 1967, Arieh left the IDF and became a pilot for El Al, Israel’s largest airline. In 1972, thirty years after he and Ruth had moved in with the kind-hearted Haitsmas’, Arieh flew the Dutch family to Israel to celebrate his son’s bar mitzvah, and to be honored as Righteous Among the Nations by Israeli Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem.

Although not on active military duty, Arieh continued to participate in many top-secret and specialized missions. In 1976, terrorists hijacked Air France Flight 139 and forced the pilot to land in Entebbe, Uganda. The 248 passengers were held hostage for two days, after which the non-Jewish hostages were released, leaving 94 Jews stuck on board the plane, repeatedly threatened with death by the vicious terrorists.

To end the crisis, the IDF worked with Israeli intelligence agency Mossad to plan a bold rescue operation. An expert on delicate, dangerous missions, Arieh was chosen as one of four pilots to take down the terrorists and save the hostages. For seven hours, Arieh flew under radar to Entebbe, where the terrorists had cut the lights on the runway and he had to land the aircraft in the darkness. His bravery and calmness under pressure helped save 102 hostages and kill the terrorists. Sadly, three hostages lost their lives, along with an IDF commander, Lt. Col. Yoni Netanyahu, brother of the current Israeli prime minister.

In 1991, Arieh was selected to lead another, very different, mission of heroism. He was a pilot of Operation Solomon, a covert Israeli military operation to airlift thousands of Ethiopian Jews, suffering from grinding poverty and religious persecution, to the Jewish homeland. He later recalled, “I flew a Jumbo 747 aircraft – the first 747 ever to land in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. You won’t believe it but I brought, on one plane, 1,087 Ethiopian Jews to Israel.” The number was later revised to 1,122, because some of the Ethiopian mothers, still wary of the Israelis and not knowing what to expect, hid young children in their clothing and bags. The flight holds the Guinness World Record for most passengers ever carried by a commercial airline.

Arieh retired from El Al in 2001 with 28,000 flight hours, andd then served as aviation consultant and accident investigator for the Israeli Ministry of Transport. He published his autobiography, “Quest for Freedom,” in 2014. Arieh lives in Ramat Hasharon, Israel, with his wife of over sixty years, Bat-sheva. They have three children and seven grandchildren.

For their heroic actions in saving persecuted Jews, we honor Arieh Oz and Oepke & Jitske Haitsma as this week’s Thursday Heroes.

32 notes · View notes

apenitentialprayer · 3 years

Text

The Cult of the Saints: An Outline

The Cult of the Saints: Its Rise and Function in Latin Christianity, by Peter Brown.

Chapter 2: “A Fine and Private Place”

1. Inscriptions on graves stretching over a millennium are “reminders of the massive stability of the Mediterranean care of the dead.” Funerary customs were simply “part and parcel” of the human condition, and so rituals were surprisingly indifferent to labels like “pagan,” “Christian,” “elite,” or “popular.” They were less a religious experience as they were a human experience, with the central aspect in all cases being the importance of the deceased’s family in taking care of the dead. 2. At the same time, the grave became a flashpoint where tensions between communal and familial loyalties could be expressed and played out. Different societies at different times have attempted to deal with the apparent contradiction of loyalty among its constituencies in different ways; some have been content to allow certain members of the dead “to retain a high profile,” while others have attempted to suppress the power of certain deceased and their families. (x) 3. Though such tensions shift the field of conversation from overt theology to more subtle sociological concerns within the community, the language used to discuss these tensions nonetheless remain religiously charged. Granting ammunition to those scholars who use the two-tier popular religion model, writers of this period like Augustine and Jerome attempted to frame undesirable practices as pagan holdovers. 4. This framing of undesirable practices as pagan holdovers has influenced later historians; by taking such claims at face value, scholars like A.H.M. Jones could later look at texts written by these same authors that speak positively of the cult of the saints and frame these texts as the final victory of the vulgar in pressuring the practices of the elite. But such a view fails to hold up under scrutiny. 5. For example, the elites who decried ‘paganisms’ that had infiltrated Christian practice often blamed a phenomenon of mass conversions that had happened in the century since Constantine’s conversion to Christianity. There are two issues with such reasoning; recent archaeological work at Hippo has failed to find evidence of a sudden mass conversion to Christianity among its 4th Century inhabitants; the growth of the community seems to have come from a rising population occurring within a stable Christian community. Second, the practices being described as pagan in origin were often practiced by the elite Christians themselves, and had been practiced by such Christians for generations before. 6. By looking beyond the writings of a select few elites who lived during the generation of Augustine and Jerome, a different picture starts to be formed; this picture forces us to confront the tensions between the universal Church, which articulated itself as a form of extended spiritual kinship, and the biological kin units that were members of this Church. 7. The increased centralization of the Church in late antiquity, combined with the central ritual meal in which all members would participate, allowed the institution to become a form of “artificial kin group.” This is shown by their funerary practices; by the early third century, the Church in Rome had its own cemetery, and the burial of non-Christians within its territory was seen as a breach in kinship ties. Likewise, the Christian Church prayed for its dead specifically, at the exclusion of heathens, apostates, and excommunicates. Likewise, the dates of the deaths of martyrs and bishops were recorded and memorialized as a form of family history. 8. At the same time, the ‘privatization’ of the cult of the saints threatened the universality of the Church; writers like Augustine and Vigilantius criticized devotions centered on ancestral graves and relics for this very reason. There was an anxiety that the rise of feast days dedicated to localized saints could threaten the importance of Easter, and the holy sites in Jerusalem could be neglected in favor of tombs closer to home. 9. By keeping these conflicting interests in mind, the framing of the controversy changes from a Christian intellectual elite trying to suppress a ‘vulgar’ religious practice to a battle between two different Christian elites attempting to position themselves as the proper patrons of the cult; the bishops representing the universal Church, and the families of the venerated deceased. 10. This conflict can be seen in the creation of shrines and the private possessions of relics by wealthy laypersons. Families would often construct shrines to saints with the intention of burying their own dead in proximity to them, depositio ad sanctos. This led to some resentment; the grave of one poor person located outside a chapel had an inscription which said his position outside the church was a result of his poverty, but quips that he nonetheless is “as warm as they” who were laid to rest by the saint. In another case, a woman named Lucilla was rebuked by a deacon for kissing the bone of a martyr that she owned before receiving the Eucharist in her mouth. 11. In Rome itself, tensions between these groups were less severe; the Christian poet Paulinus praised a Roman senator who held a feast at the grave of an ancestor on his death-day, for example. Pope Damascus, likewise, was able to exert influence on prominent members of wealthy Christian families in order to keep a hold on “cemeteries that could so easily have slipped irrevocably out of their control.” Outside of Rome, Ambrose of Milan would play a prominent role in the cooling of this crisis. After the relics of Saints Gervasius and Protasius were discovered in 385, Ambrose was swift to appropriate them for himself; he collected the corpses and placed them in a basilica of his own creation, “inseparably link[ing them] to the communal liturgy.” 12. Ambrose had neither created the practice of saint veneration, nor did he simply accept cult veneration as something outside his control; by linking relics to particular churches and basilicas throughout his territory, Ambrose had essentially “rewired” the practice by connecting it to places of public worship. Augustine’s writings in favor of the saints would perform a similar function; whereas their intercession was previously a largely private affair, his recording of ‘authentic’ miracles by their intercession made these stories the public domain of all Christians. 13. In the generation directly after Augustine, the ambivalence towards the cult of the saints had shifted; figures like Gregory of Tours and Paulinus were greatly enthusiastic with the celebrations of the saints. Two factors may have played a part in this; first was the economic situation in western Europe; even during Augustine’s term as bishop, his community controlled more wealth than he ever did as an individual, and in fact struggled to find ways to spend it. 14. While much of the Mediterranean struggled with financing its ecclesiastical ambitions, Italy, Gaul, and North Africa seemed to have an abundance of wealth; whereas Alexandria “had to choose between shirts for then poor and the itch to build,” western Europe did not have the surge in population that made it difficult to fund reliefs for the poor and sick. And, without the traditional ways of spending wealth for the community, resentment for their possession of the wealth could fester. The cult of the saints allowed the Church to avoid that; by publicly funding shrines and hosting feasts and ceremonies at them, the money could be funneled back to the community. 15. Furthermore, the cult of the saints helped to redefine urban life in the Roman world. Before, the city was divided into citizens (men belonging to the city) and non-citizens (women, children, the poor, and visitors). Most of the time, these latter two categories were allowed to remain in the city, but at times of war or famine they were forcibly expelled; the line of who belonged was drawn. With the rise of the cult of the saints, both women and the poor were able to participate in public life like never before. 16. The most dramatic expression of women’s involvement would be the processions on feast days, which scandalized even some of the clergy; men and women, married and unmarried, walked and mingled together during these celebrations. Later, under Islamic rule, there are records of young men coming to such festivals specifically to see the women. In some cases, illicit sexual activity did occur - Augustine had one in one of the basilicas of Carthage before his conversion to Christianity. 17. Beyond the physical mixing of the sexes, the cult of the saints allowed women to partake in situations that were not dominating by men in the traditional sense. Most shrines were located in cemeteries, where the regulation between the sexes was more lax. Beyond that, however, the escape from the “rigidities of her urban setting” could mean a complete escape from the masculine presence in its entirety. One account of a pilgrim details her walking a circuit of shrines in which even the male saint being venerated did not act in the traditionally Roman masculine form. (x) 18. The poor, meanwhile, often congregated around shrines, as they were heavily associated with charity and gift-giving. This was part of a larger shift to a postclassical society in which the citizen/non-citizen divide was replaced with the rich and poor as the primary separator; the rich were expected to provide service to the poor through a religiously charged expression of patron-client relationship. The poor were not to be thrown out “at the first touch of famine,” but were essential parts of this system of patronage. 19. The inclusion of the poor as social recipients was mirrored by the inclusion of women as givers. This development allowed women to participate in public life at a time where public laws were still forbidding them to participate in politics; under the Christian worldview, charity was an act of mercy, and not an act of politics. Women could therefore visit the sick, feed the poor, and fully participate as patrons of shrine-based ceremonies without breaching this ban. 20. These developments hopefully show that the development of the cult of the saints was not the result of a “vulgar,” half-pagan majority forcing their will on a reluctant, educated Christian elite. Rather, it was a development within the Christian community that created intracommunal tensions and resulted in a tradition that broke from traditional paganism.

#history #sociology #Christianity #Saint Augustine #Saint Ambrose of Milan #The Cult of the Saints #long post

12 notes · View notes

evilelitest2 · 3 years

Note

Please don't insult Tsar Nicholas II by comparing him to Stalin. Yes, Nicholas had commited many truly vile shit, but... he wasn't an evil person by heart, just an autistic boy who was unlucky to be born in the position of absolute power in the most corrupt and opressive country in Europe. Unlike him, Stalin wasn't born in absolute power. Stalin has many chances to stop going over Old Bolshevic's heads for absolute power and establishing personality cult of himself, but he didn't.

I mean...he killed a lot of Jews dude. Like his secret police wrote The Elders of Zion, one of his long term goals was to eliminate all the Jews in Russia (the imperial policy was 1/3rd of Jews would be converted, 1/3rd killed, and 1/3rd exiled). like there is a reason why I am not a fan of Tsar Nicholas II. My girlfriend's great grandfather had to flee the country because of the pogroms and then again later when he became an activist. In my mind, Nicholas and Stalin are basically two different flavors of horrible Russian autocrat.

Nicholas was certainly a nicer person than Stalin, he was a caring husband and a good father (in a time period when that was not normal) and he was a friendly affable guy to those around him. Meanwhile Stalin was just kinda a dick to everybody at every moment. But when judging a historical figure, how nice they are and how sweet they were personally doesn't really change their policies. Also like...Nicholas was born into the richest family in the world. Stalin was a disabled ethnic minority born into an abusive household in relative poverty, I'm not really sure why Nicholas being from a super privileged background makes him less of a monster? It's true I feel a lot more sorry for Nicholas than Stalin, since his son was a hemophiliac and his entire family is murdered (which for the record I don't consider acceptable) but if we are talkin about autocracy the fact that Nicholas is more likable shouldn't change the fact that again, killed a lot of Jews.

Now Nicholas II was born into power and personally didn't want to be Tsar but...he was given many many opportunities to give up some amount of power and he didn't. He clung to power in the face of the advice from almost anybody who wasn't an arch royalist super conservative. Even if we compare him to other conservative Monarchists at the time, Nicholas is so stubbornly unwilling to share power that it literally gets him killed. In the last two years of his reign he and his wife prefer to lose the war rather than accept aid from the Duma/Worker's Councils. After the disasters Russo-Japanese war (a war that he caused due to his incompetence and lost due to his incompetence) you have the 1905 revolution where after the death of thousand of people and the crippling of the Russian economy finally gets Russia Duma. And then Nikki's Black Hundreds brutally massacre thousands in order to make the Duma largely a puppet organization, and leads a series of nation-wide pogroms against Jews (who he blamed for all of his own mistakes). And what does he do with this absolute power he so furiously clung too? Help get his country into WWI and then does so badly in that war that his dynasty gets overthrown. And when you get into the details of the Russian Revolution, it becomes clear that Russia could have won WWI and the Romanovs could have kept power had Nikki been at all flexible. He is remarkable in that almost every decision he made as Tsar was the worse possible decision he could have made, it's like the platonic ideal of a bad monarch.

Nicholas was an absolute monarch with a brutal secret police and one of the richest men in the world. And under his administration labor conditions were some of the worse in the Industrialized world, political freedom was denied. None of this was for the good of the empire or anyone really other than himself and his rich friends, its just that Nicholas did it under the name of "tradition". Sure he inherited his horrible state whose national motto was "Orthodoxy, Autocracy, Nationality" but he was an absolute monarch, he could change it if he so choose. And he didn't, when he oversaw two failed wars, two famines, and two revolutions, at no point does he ever take responsibility for his actions and go "Hey maybe I should take steps to prevent the suffering of my people."

In many ways, that is Nicholas II's greatest crime, he would have been happier as a Constitutional Monarch, but because he was so damn stubbornly conservative he wouldn't even change when it was in his self-interest. All of this was avoidable, had he simply accepted the reforms his people so desperately wanted, he could spend more time with his family, not have to worry so much about his heir, and could leave the governance of the empire (which he sucked at) to people who like....were at all good at it. He would have been great as a Constitutional monarch, he could just sit around and be sweet and then hang out with his family, but instead he stubbornly clung unto power and blamed all of his mistakes on the Jews. All to defend a job he didn't even enjoy. It was all....so avoidable, almost everything under his reign didn't need to happen if he had simply accepted reforms rather than retreat into his little fantasy bubble of pure Russian peasants loving their little father the Tsar.

And again, his secret police wrote the Elders of Zion, which is in competition for "Book with the Highest Death Count in History." And this document was written because Nicholas didn't want to share power. A ton of his loyalists are going to end up working for the Nazis.

Now most of Stalin's crimes came out of malice and most of Nicholas' (again, except the violent racism) came out of incompetence, which does matter in terms of understanding their motives and why they were awful, and I don't think Nicholas enjoyed the amount of death he brought the way Stalin did...but like if your family starves to death it doesn't really matter if it was done because the ruler actively was doing it on purpose or was too fucking stupid to understand how a supply chain worked--you are still dead. And in the case of the Jews, Nicholas was intentionally murdering them by the thousands for its own sake. Stalin was also a racist anti-Semite but you don't have full pogroms under his reign until the last year of his reign (and the Doctor's Plot is no in no way comparable to any of Nikki's pogroms). Again, Nicholas loved and encouraged the "Black Hundreds" who were basically Russian fascists.

And Nicholas wasn't just a raging anti-Semite, he was also a white supremacist and a Russian nationalist. Despite being mostly Danish and German himself, with barely any Russian ancestry, Nicholas got super into the whole Russian supremacy thing, and his empire actively tried to wipe out the languages, cultures and religions of the ethnic minorities in his empire, most infamously in Poland, Ukraine, and Georgia. In fact, part of the traumatic childhood that probably made Stalin so bad was getting beaten for speaking Georgian (his native language) in school. And Nicholas' anti-Asian racism led to him buying whole hog into the Yellow Peril conspiracy theory, the original "White Genocide," which was a huge factor in the disastrous Russo-Japanese war (he regularly referred to the Japanese as "yellow monkeys").

Now Stalin did kill a lot more people than Nicholas over he course of his reign, that can't be denied, so at the end of the Day Stalin is worse than Nicholas in my mind. But not by much: Nicholas' regime would have killed more if he was competent enough to pull it off, and his stubborn stupidity in the face of an empire in desperate need of reform still killed millions of people. And what's more he never seemed to care. So getting up in arms about even comparing him to Stalin is ridiculous, revisionist, and probably a little bit classist, as well as implicitly counting the murder of Jews as less bad than the murder of Christians.

#Ask EvilElitest2 #Nicholas II #Neglected Historical Fact #Russian History #Joseph Stalin #Elders of Zion #Pogroms #Anti-Semitism

13 notes · View notes