Why I Hate The Mall Essay -- essays research papers

Why I Hate the Mall I hate shopping malls. No, you don't understand. I really hate shopping malls. I think sitting at the Food Court near the Burger King for one hour has served only to heighten my displeasure with these gaudy monstrosities. The only reason I'm here is because nothing else in the town of Poughkeepsie, NY. seems to catch my interest long enough for me to take notice. I got here noon-ish I think. I had to take a taxi since none of my non- pedestrian friends were willing to roll out of bed to give me a ride. "You're waking me up why? The Mall? You insane?" *click*. If there is anything in Poughkeepsie worse than the mall, it would be Poughkeepsie taxi cabs. I never understood why it is that each and every one of them have air freshners which are so putrid smelling, they make one long for the odor of a New York City cabbie's "natural cologne". After enduring ten minutes of the cabbie's "lemme tell ya what's wrong with this country", I finally get to my destination. As soon as I got there, I began to think about how sad it is that the mall has very much become a part of American life. The Chinese have their rice, we have our malls. Does anyone else see a problem with having over one-thousand of these gaudy monstrosities across the country? Despite the fact that the era of eighties-decadence has passed, the malls keep coming, and they keep getting bigger. It's like something out of an Ed Wood flick. I remember reading an article about how bad it's gotten. The largest mall in America has 425 retail shops, 4.2 million square feet of space, over 13 thousand free parking spaces, 44 escalators, and cost $625 million dollars to build. Oh, did I mention that there is a full blown amusement park in the center of it all. It's just sick. When I was in Freeport, I remember hearing a radio show which was running a contest. The prize? A trip to the largest mall in America! Pretty soon, you'll have family vacations to the mall. I can see it now. A room at the Hilton (which will be inside the mall of course). Dad goes Herman's. Mom goes to Ann Taylor. The kids romp at the amusement park. A piece out of Norman Rockwell's Americana. When I went inside, I became dizzy at the sight ... ... anything. It seems like such a tease. The kid is going to want to buy something, whether it's a new Sega game or a Matchbox car. Eventually, the woman relents and buys the sought after item. For the moment, the kid is satiated. Three boys, no more than fifteen years of age, walk into the food court. Their pants are sagging, caps turned backwards. They approach the counter at the Burger King and mull over what they're having. While ordering, they find time to hit on the cashier. She's older, and most likely out of their league, but that doesn't deter their efforts. She gives them an annoyed smile and requests the cash. They oblige and thrown in a last ditch effort to woo her. She smiles politely. The boys walk away, joshing each other about their valiant attempts. As they walk away, I've feel as though I've absorbed enough culture for one afternoon. I feel relieved to be able to go home. Once back on the safer confines of Vassar campus, I breathe a sigh of relief. It's premature though, because deep down I know. Somehow, some way, no matter how much I don't want to, I'll wind up at the Poughkeepsie Galleria soon enough.

Ecology Sin and Ecology Salvation for Today

In this humble paper, I the writer will discuss the ecological sins and ecological salvation. Even though there may have many ecological sins and salvation according to ecologists and theologians, this short paper will emphasize the Christian doctrine of original sins to help well understanding resent ecological sins; observe that the main or the foundation of ecological sins as neglect of the biblical doctrine of creation; and express awaking manifesto on ecological sins.And regarding ecological salvation, the writer of this humble paper will emphasize creation care and attempted work of our Lord Jesus Christ; then conclude with the writer personal understanding of ecological sins and salvation. L. Ecological Sins According to William H. Becker, the Christian doctrine of original sin can help clarify our understanding of the resent Ecological crisis, to understanding of current Ecological sins in four respects.It can expose to view:l (1) the powerful role of social and economic forc es that promote ecological self-destructiveness and have the appearance of â€Å"necessity† or â€Å"destiny,† though they involve human choice; (2) our culture's pervasive confusion of material success with spiritual fulfillment; (3) our diction to what we know is destroying us; and (4) the totalitarian character of our ecocide mentality, which influences all dimensions of our culture, diminishing our ability to reason even as it distorts our desiring and willing.The doctrine of original sin helps us see that we are socializing ourselves to sin ecologically. Our present anti-ecological behavior is thoroughly rooted in a social context actively supported and promoted by a powerful process of colonization and education. 2 In his book The Poverty of Affluence, Paul Yachted suggests that this ecological destructiveness mess logical and attractive because we have socialized ourselves to see economic well-being, which requires ever-increasing economic growth, as the primary symbol and proof of personal and social success, worthiness, identity, and meaning. Thomas Berry describes Americans today as â€Å"autistic† with respect to nature. We are a people â€Å"so locked up in themselves that no one and nothing else can get in†¦. We are talking to ourselves. We are not talking to the river; we are not listening to the river. â€Å"4 Walker's pointed application of original sin to the ecological issue serves to Reese again our question, why is it that ecological theologian have, in general, avoided reference to this doctrine? Examination of some of their writings suggests the following answers. First, many theologians concerned with ecology have concluded that Christianity abysmal record on this issue is due largely to its central focus on the process of human redemption from sin, hence on Christ the redeemer, with a consequent deemphasizes on God as Creator, on God's presence in and concern with all of creation. Matthew Fox's â€Å"creatio n spirituality† and Thomas Berry's argument that the Christian â€Å"creed itself is overbalanced in favor of redemption†¦. Creation becomes increasingly less important. 6 In the second place, emphasis upon the fall of humankind and original sin suggests that the world as a whole is fallen. â€Å"A fall or redemption tradition,† writes Matthew Fox, â€Å"by devaluation the spirituality of matter, has led people to believe that spiritual depth consists in letting go of things† by ascetically separating oneself from this world. Restoring the dignity and spiritual integrity of the material world, according to this logic, seems to entail De-emphasis on he fall and original sin. Third, ecological theologians avoid this doctrine because it is the basis for the doctrine of salvation by a divine savior.Original sin understands human nature to be so distorted (â€Å"totally depraved†) by sin that it no longer possesses a clear apprehension of God's goodness a nd love and is inclined inevitably to choose what is evil. Given this utterly fallen condition, humanity is not capable of saving itself; a divine savior is required. 8 In an interesting passage, Thomas Berry argues that Paul stressed the doctrine of original sin precisely because he wished to eighteen the significance of Jesus the Christ as a savior. â€Å"In order to exalt the Christ redemptive process, SST.Paul has to have something that we need to be redeemed from. â€Å"9 More recently, according to Howard A. Snyder for evangelical worldview one of Ecological sins is Neglect of the biblical doctrine of creation. 10 Evangelicals often neglect the prior biblical doctrine of creation itself. Biblically speaking, the doctrine of new creation depends upon a right understanding of the original creation. In practice, Evangelical theology often begins with Genesis 3 rather than Genesis 1 . All are sinners in need of God's saving grace.But biblical theology does not begin with sin; it begins with creation. Human beings-?man and woman together-?are created in the image of God and placed in a garden which also reflects God's nature. Scripture consistently grounds God's glorious work through Jesus Christ by the Spirit in both creation and redemption. Jesus Christ is both â€Å"the firstborn of all creation† and â€Å"the firstborn from the dead†-?affirmations that unite creation and redemption (Cool. 1:15, 1:18). In the Book of Revelation, God is praised in hymns celebrating both creation (Rev. :1 1) and redemption through the blood of Christ (Rev. :9). In the Old Testament, the Sabbath, so full of scatological portent, is grounded both in creation (Ex. 20:11) and redemption from Egyptian slavery (Duet. 5:15). It is remarkable the way Scripture consistently holds together the themes of creation and redemption. The biblical doctrine of redemption through the cross presupposes the doctrine of creation, and redemption can never be understood in a fully b iblical way unless the full story of creation, and not Just human creation, is kept in view. L For we Chin people today, according to Awaking Declaration ecological sins are:12 hafting cultivation system which caused green hilly ranges transformed into bald and denuded hills through this traditional cultivating system; the practice of felling trees and wanton setting of fires to the Jungles resulting in dried up spring and streams, causing deterioration in soil and change of climates; and the system of free- to-roam domestic animals which cause havoc to cultivation. II. Ecological Salvation A.Creation Care â€Å"The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork† (As. 19:1). God created the universe to glorify himself and to assist his human creation in praising him. We should care for the environment for God's sake. Caring for and protecting the world God has made is part of our worship and service. We care for creation for God's sake. We sho uld care for creation as if our life depended on it-?because it does. Scripture is the story of God's people serving God in God's land. If God's people are faithful, the land prospers.Conversely, if the land suffers, we suffer. This is a repeated theme in much of Old Testament literature-?in the law, the prophets, and the wisdom literature. It comes to particular focus in the Jubilee legislation of Leviticus 25-26. The key fact is ecological interdependence. If we care about people, we will care for the land and air and multiplied species on which our well-being depends. We should care for the created order because it has its own God-given right to exist and flourish, independently of its relationship to us. The world after all is God's handiwork, not ours.God created the universe for his good purposes, not all of which are yet known to us. We need, therefore, a certain scatological humility and reserve. We are to honor God's creative work and to fulfill our responsibilities as stew ards of what he has made. Since all God's creatures reflect God's glory and have a place in God's plan, they are part of legitimate Christian concern. If God cares for and about the creatures, so should we. 13 B. Redemption Jesus' incarnation displays the love and concern of God for his creation (CB. JNI. 3:16).Jesus came to save not only humanity, but the whole earth. Humanity and the earth are inextricably bound together: we are to care for the earth; our fall resulted in the earth; and now our redemption results in the redemption of the earth, hence we have the onerous task of fulfilling the cultural mandate by proclaiming the gospel to al of creation. Jesus on the cross redeemed the whole of creation: the cross has global effects. The cross lies at the heart of Christianity; it follows, then, that it must be central to a Christian environmental ethic.The imagery of the cross represents all that Jesus has done: the cross is Pall's unique shorthand means of referring to Jesus' dea th, resurrection and all that it has accomplished. There, are, particularly in the Pauline passages, several ecological implications of the cross: it affirms that the earth is the Lord's. The work that Jesus began in redemption on the cross, he will finish at is Prussia. The earth is involved in redemption, and it too will be involved in the consummation.The earth is never seen as a machine or as raw material, but as the scene of God's redemptive action, and as such it will be renewed at the Prussia: redemption includes a transformation of the earth. 14 More recently the Awaking declaration of ecological salvation goes:1 5 abandoning the system of shifting cultivation which causes developing the chins from their habitat; forsaking the felling down of trees without restriction and setting fire to the Jungles; and quitting unrestrained feeling down of natural vegetation and setting wild fires to the Jungles.Conclusion For the writer personally, the ecological sin is the results of mis interpreting on the creation story on the bible; it is wrong relationship to our fellow creations; it is disobeying the great commission of God and responsibility to steward of creation. We have a great commission and a wonderful opportunity to make Jesus Christ known today-?to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom; to declare God's glory among the nations. We have a stewardship to fulfill that is a stewardship of creation, and a tidewaters of God's many-colored grace (l Apt. 4:10), which is our essential resource.We want to see creation healed, and we are hopeful because God has promised it will be so. We especially want to see our brothers and sisters throughout the earth healed of the disease of sin, brought into new-creation life through Jesus Christ and the Spirit. We want to live and proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God so that more and more people worldwide keep covenant with God and with his good earth that is in the assurance that â€Å"the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to cay' and ‘the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Teens on Social Networking Sites Essay - 1903 Words

Many of us have access to the Internet and social networking sites these days. They have become essential in day-to-day life. However, there has been much controversy over teenagers having access social networking sites. Imagine your daughter or son is being bullied on Facebook or Myspace to the point that they attempt or succeed in killing themselves because of social destruction. People are not aware of the pros and cons of social networking. Does the negatives outweigh the positives of social networking? Should teenagers be banned from social networking sites? Social Networking Overview Most teens are aware of the basic social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace but do they know what social networking means?†¦show more content†¦In this case, the study proved that teens and young adults have become obsessed with social networking and has led to many questions if networking is good or bad (Conger, 2010). In 2009, the media expressed that social networking could cause harm to our bodies and brains by â€Å"shortening our attention spans† and â€Å"weakening our immune systems† (Conger, 2010). Whereas other studies that have been conducted prove the opposite and suggests that teens who spend more time on social networking sites are more likely to be â€Å"well-adjusted† and â€Å"psychologically† healthy (Healy, 2010). At this point, it’s time to investigate the pros and cons of children being on social networking sites and understand why parents are against social networking and why certain individuals feel that networking is beneficial. Opposing View Points Pro Many students agree that social networking is an essential tool in education today. Feedback has become a vital tool amongst students and teachers in networking whether it’s Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter (Carey, n.d.). In a recent study, it stated that 59% of students who belong to â€Å"social networking sites† admitted that when there on the Internet they explore topics to communicate about such as college preparation and occupations. Another study shows that 50% of students use social networking to improve on their studies and teachers have found that this has helped students become more successful in their reading and writing vocabulary (â€Å"Social,†Show MoreRelatedResearch Topic : Teens And Social Networking Sites2914 Words   |  12 Pages NAME: RANGANATH TAYALLA SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN BAYLOR COURSE: ESOL 1325 05 RESEARCH TOPIC: TEENS AND SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES EMAIL: ranganath20022002@yahoo.com ABSTRACT Utilizing social networking Web destinations is among the most well-known movement of today s youngsters and youths. Any Web webpage that permits social communication is viewed as an online networking website, including interpersonal interaction destinations, for example, Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter; gamingRead MoreThe Negative Effects of Social Networking on Teenagers1547 Words   |  6 PagesThe popularity of social networking increased rapidly during the past few years, and it has become part of everyone life in our society. Social Networking can define as an online site that focuses on creating the relationships among people who share interests, activities, backgrounds, or real-life connections (Boyd Ellison, 2008). The popular social networking sites, for instance, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram are used excessively in teenagers’ society. It is a new socialization for them. It isRead MoreThe Is An Internet Moral Panic Essay1568 Words   |  7 PagesSpecifically, teens have become more inclined to socialize and connect with friends, family, and strangers through the internet. Teenagers are known for being vulnerable, naà ¯ve, having a vast desire to find acceptance with their peers or society and are obsessed with love. With the connection of the internet, social media, and teen it has created completely new moral panic; catfishing. According to, to Merriam-Webster catfishing is defined as an individual who creates a fake profile on a social networkingRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effects On Society Essay1416 Words   |  6 Pages Social media sites, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram, provide opportunities for people to connect with each other and have become exceedingly popular in recent years. However, there are increased numbers of mental health problems such as mood problems, emotional issues, and addiction in teenagers as they overuse social media. Advocates of social media may claim that social networking pla tforms benefit adolescents by increasing connectivity, helping people make friendsRead MoreThe Effects Of Social Media On Youth Essay1016 Words   |  5 PagesThe Effects of Social Media on the Youth of Today Studies have shown that the average person now spends more time each day on their phone and computer than they do sleeping according to Nick McGillivray (â€Å"What are the Effects of Social Media on Youth?). Social has become part of our social society, especially for the many youths. There are positives to being on social media and also equal amounts of danger that come with using social networking sites, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etcRead MoreSocial Networking And Its Effects On Social Media965 Words   |  4 PagesMegan E. Garner Professor Seward Information Literacy ITE 119-41 30 March 2016 Social Networking Misfires With the development of advances in technology, communication through social networking has risen immensely. Communicating is not only less complicated, it is also relatively inexpensive. â€Å"Many teens in relationships view social media as a place where they can feel more connected with the daily events in there significant other’s life, share emotional connections, and let their significant otherRead MoreShould Parents Enforce The Usage Of Social Networking From Youth? Essay1518 Words   |  7 PagesShould parents enforce the usage of social networking from youth? For some youth and parents, the answer is clear - social networking does more harm than good. Not everyone thinks the same, however. For example, many people believe that allowing kids to utilize technology into kids’ or teens’ lives allows positive outcomes and new opportunities. Yet, what people have not realize is that some people are so busy on social networking that they do not comprehend the damage that it is doing to you children’sRead MoreSocial Networking Sites Are Beneficial Or Harmful?1713 Words   |  7 PagesThere is much controversy on whether or not social networking sites are beneficial or harmful to society. Sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have become an important part in the everyday lives of many adolescents, teenagers and young adults. They have become such an important part of the lives of the younger crowd that older generations refer to them as â€Å"the wired generation† (Jacobsen, 2011). Many question whether or not this new â€Å"wired generation† is positive of negative. Different peopleRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effect On Society1155 Words   |  5 PagesSocial Media Today, there are just over 3 billion active internet users. Today using social media is the most common activity of children. People have technology right at the tip of their fingers, which isn’t exactly a good thing. Internet use is changing the way people are living their lives, and causing unhealthy addictions. Social networking sites do have a beneficial effect. They make it easier to keep up with their distant friends and family. However, these sites are preventing real life relationshipsRead MoreSocial Media Is Corrupting The Minds Of Young People904 Words   |  4 Pages Social Media Is Corrupting The Minds Of Young People Envision living in a world that summoned social media users conclude 100 jumping jacks,As a requirement to compose a facebook post. Or, could you panthem writing a 6 page essay on the effects of global warming that, would grant you access to your myspace account? What if inorder to view a facebook-live video, You would need to drink a green smoothie? Many people would turn there nose down to any of the following requirements;the