Politics of interdependence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Politics of interdependence - Essay Example Euro constitution voting had shown the same reaction as three major European states: France, Belgium and Netherlands voted against Euro constitution. Analysis shows that such a response was resulted by geopolitical changes in Eastern Europe as in the year of 2004 Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia proclaimed their decision to enter European Union in the nearest future. These three countries have developing economies with high economical growth rate of 8-12% which is one of the key economical factors for entering the EU, where economical growth is very moderate (approx. 2-5%). Membership in the European Union will mean remarkable growth of investments, free trade with Europe and economical stability. But the benefits of the EU from the membership of these countries are questioned. The year of 2004 was one of the most difficult, as EU was enlarged by Poland, Czech republic, Slovakia, Baltic states. Besides, negotiations about future membership of Romania and Bulgaria provoke a lot of fear in eyes of European conservatives. Debates about possible membership of Turkey in the European Union have been continuing for nearly forty years, as there are a lot of obstacles for Turkey to enter the European Union even in the new century. ... Besides, there exists a vivid contrast between relatively developed coastline regions with tourist infrastructure and remote inland mountainous rural areas with extensive undeveloped agriculture. Even though that Turkey began to show economical progress starting since middle 1990's and had tamed high inflation rate, a lot of economical problems remain to be unsolved. Another very important obstacles are cultural and religious difference with traditional European and Western values, supplemented by constant instability in the neighboring states : Iraq, Iran and Balkans. Muslim Turks who posses different cultural and religious values find passive opposition and rejection in today's Europe, which became multi-cultural and multi-national in relatively short period of time in 1990's after the collapse of Pro-Soviet bloc of Warsaw Pact members and growing instability in North Africa (Libya, Morocco and Algeria) and Middle East. Immigrants, who occupied the major low qualification jobs started to be stereotyped, and it's even used in today's official press: "It was as depressing as it was predictable that this first spasm in response to the treaty's rejection in France and the Netherlands would be succeeded by calls for a halt to the Union's expansion. If French voters were living in fear of losing their livelihoods to Polish plumbers and the impeccably liberal Dutch were running scared of Islam, how could politicians contemplate a new influx of Croatian electricians and Turkish carpenters" 1 Perhaps, it would be incorrect to reject and deny all positive changes in Turkey and deny its role in the international trade and trade with countries of the European Union, but at the

Keys of Spirituality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Keys of Spirituality - Essay Example Ecclesiology is basically the science of these practices and beliefs. As in the case of Christianity, practices and beliefs in conjugation with different rituals give rise to the valued ecclesial heritage of the Christians (Rolheiser 1999). With the lapse of time, contacts between peoples across the continents increased. And in the last century we have seen people to people contacts have increased almost exponentially. This has resulted into cultural assimilation as well as cultural skirmishes (Woo 2009). Consequently, ecclesial praxis has emerged. Now under the realm of greater spirituality, the specific ecclesial issues are more significant than ever. How should a Christian behave in Europe? And how should he or she behave in India? What should a Christian do when America’s federal government wishes to include sex education even in most conservative educational institutions? How should Christians adjust with their non Christian neighbors? These are few of the questions which are directly related to the ecclesial dimensions of Christian spirituality. In a more heterogeneous and cosmopolitan world, Christian beliefs, practices, and rituals should be made more contemporary with the help of a proper understanding of our ecclesiological heritage. Spirituality of Paschal Mystery Paschal mystery is perhaps one of the most essential components of Christian spirituality. In the sphere of complex modern civilization, it appears to be a real mysterious concern that how the pious nuns and monks remain aloft from worldly sins and prejudices. Ardent followers of Christ, as mentioned in the Christian texts, managed to maintain similar or greater moral values and God fearing characteristics in life. Paschal mystery is thus the branch of theology and spirituality that distinguishes between a common church and a holy pilgrimage. The priests and bishops are classically entrusted with this responsibility. Religious leaders must find out which places have special relevance in religious philosophy and how common people can be benefited by building shrines and monasteries. Paschal mystery opens up the doors for the common people to reach out and live up to the expectations of angels and divine beings. In this way, even a most common man might be able to enter into some kind of dialogue with God during pilgrimage (Rolheiser 1999). Spirituality of Justice and Peacemaking Humans are social creatures, and they have established civilizations and complex systems with their power of invention and intellectual ability. Therefore, we must understand our social systems in an intelligent and intellectual manner. Justice and peacemaking is a prime socio-behaviorist concept derived directly from the Gospel and the New Testament. In this specific realm of spirituality, the common people are taught to remain pious and good towards each other. Spirituality of justice and peacemaking eventually drives us toward intellectual maturity. We are then able to forgive and lov e even the fiercest of our enemies. Rolheiser (1999, p. 188-189) writes, â€Å"In the world’s schema of things, survival of the fittest is the rule. In God’s schema, survival of the weakest is the rule.† This is how the concept of justice and peacemaking has been laid down in Christianity. In this way, being God fearing and religious means that the true Christian will exhibit spiritual behavior by the means of the virtues like love, charity, forgiveness, and compassion. Spirituality of Sexuality But in the contemporary world, sex is time and again regarded as something that we must enjoy. Therefore, today in our society we have things like seductive