Leadership Assess Leading Change - Groups and Teams

Question: How important is top level leadership in organizations? What are the differences or similarities between top level leadership and leadership in groups and teams? How are group decisions affected by the size and composition of the group? In what ways does change pose special challenges for organizational leaders and what guidelines should they use to implement change? Answer: Introduction A successful organisation stands on the shoulders of the management and the leadership of the business heads. A leader is more than a ruler and head. A true leadership will be able to show direction and guide the followers to take action. Leadership is required in every organisation and every level. Efficient leadership works in a goal oriented manner and manages the subordinated to achieve the highest degree of success. A leader is also a counsellor and mediator. Hence, leadership is crucial to running a well-managed organisation. Importance of Top level Leadership The Leaders are the key human resources that an organisation has. Thus, Companies are not just successful because of their products but also through the Leaders who develop the employees and gives direction to the business. The top level leadership consists of the CEO, directors, and senior managers. It is these people who take the most crucial decisions in a day to day basis and delegate the crucial functions to the subordinates (Arnold, 2012). In a vertical organisation, the command or communication is generated from the top-level leadership and distributed to the lowest ranks through leaders of each level. Thus, the top level leaders are the people who run the business. It is important that only the best talents are recruited for these positions. The top level leaders are experienced and possess the greatest knowledge of organisational functions and dilemmas. The employees look up to the top level leaders for inspiration and often idolises them. An efficient Leader would be cordial, autocratic and build rapport with the individuals at the same time (Aydin Ceylan, 2009). Thus, top-level leadership is important to manage and hold together the organisation. Authority is also essential in obtaining performance or managing conflicts. The top level Leaders are the most suitable person to handle this function (Trapp, 2015). Top level leadership and leadership in groups and teams Leadership is present at all levels and is important in managing performance. While the top level leaders hold the business, it is the group leaders who handle the employees and the subordinates on a first-hand basis. Teamwork is very much essential to achieving the organisational goals. Teams are formed to handle specific projects and leaders are assigned to delegate the tasks and closely monitor the activities. The team leaders then report to the group leaders and the group leaders to the manager of the department and finally the manager's report to the top level leaders (Andersen, 2004). Thus, there is a difference in the functions of the Top level leaders and group or team leaders. The top level leaders take organisational decisions whereas the group leaders take decisions regarding each task they are associated with. Also, the top-level leadership manages issues and conflicts that concern the business in a larger context. The group leaders have less responsibility and manage only the employees. A similarity in the demeanour of the leaders is their leadership style. To achieve great performance and favourable work attitude, the Leaders at all level must ensure authority. The authority should flow with the same vigour and the leaders must sustain their positions (Leonard, 2013). Impact of group size and composition on group decisions A group consists of more than two people. Groups are important to divide the tasks and reduce pressure and complete it in a more organised and structured way. Group size and composition is very crucial to how the group performs, especially in different situations. Firstly while there are fewer chances of conflict and decision can be reached unanimously in a smaller group, it is closed and confined and less scope for innovation and creativity. A larger group would take much longer time to reach a point of unison, yet a lot of different ideas would be generated that will increase the diversity. A diverse group is hence more active and high performing than a confined group. Thus, the group composition should include people of all gender, race, and ethnicity. It is the duty of the leader to maintain and manage the conflict and ensures that the groups work in a cohesive manner to reach the goals (Carey Von Weichs, 2003). Another negative aspect of group decisions is groupthink. A group that is completely reliable on the leader might just follow orders and ideas of the leader or a single person, this limits the innovativeness. Hence, the leader should also manage and reduce groupthink. Managing Change by Organisational Leaders Change is very crucial to organisation success, growth and sustenance. The change could be in the form of Company leadership, its philosophy, acquisitions, downsizing, change of location, etc. Change poses uncertainty and this raises concern among the employees. The employees resist changing that directly concerns them and their positions in the company. Thus, the organisational leaders are the key personnel who need to manage the change initiative. They are the people who handle the organisation and its external affairs, and thus are answerable for all the managerial decisions they have taken. Since, they are ruler and the people towards whom the subordinated look up to, it are essential that they pose a clear vision for the change and communicate it to the employees. The organisational leaders also face criticism, disobedience and resistance when facing change. Hence, it is a very important challenge that the leaders have to face (Levay, 2010). To implement change, the Leaders must follow these guidelines with respect to Kotter's 8 Stage model: Construct a plan and create a sense of urgency among the employees about the need for change. Communicate with the group leaders and build teams and task forces to guide coalition. The strategic vision must be formulated regarding the change and initiatives have to be taken . A voluntary task force must be built who will carry forward the change initiative All the barriers, like internal politics, media glare must be tactfully managed and removed. Short term wins must be celebrated and the employees who are sustenance must be held as great assets. The change must be accelerated with complete authority and finally the organisation should be stabilised after the change is complete. Conclusion Leadership is essential to maintain organisational balance and structure. The Leadership is present at all levels, with responsibilities increasing as one goes higher up. There are differences and similarities between the roles of top-level leaders and group leaders are assessed. Also, the role of group size and composition in decision making is understood. Finally, the requirement of implementing change in the organisation and the guidelines that must be followed by the leaders is assessed. References 1. Andersen, J. (2004). Vicars vs. Managers: Do Vicars Differ From Managers In Terms of Leadership Behaviour?. Journal Of Management, Spirituality Religion, 1(2), 201-223. doi:10.1080/14766080409518556 2. Arnold, F. (2012). What makes great leaders great. New York: McGraw-Hill. 3. Aydin, B., Ceylan, A. (2009). A Research Analysis on Employee Satisfaction in terms of Organizational Culture and Spiritual Leadership. IJBM, 4(3). doi:10.5539/ijbm.v4n3p159 4. Carey, D., Von Weichs, M. (2003). How to run a company. New York: Crown Business. 5. Leonard, H. (2013). The Wiley-Blackwell handbook of the psychology of leadership, change and organizational development. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-Blackwell. 6. Levay, C. (2010). Charismatic leadership in resistance to change. The Leadership Quarterly, 21(1), 127-143. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2009.10.010 7. RemmeÃÅ' , J. (2008). Leadership, change and responsibility. Oxford: Meyer Meyer Media. 8. Trapp, R. (2015). Successful Organizations Need Leaders At All Levels. Forbes. Retrieved 11 September 2015, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogertrapp/2014/03/23/organizations-need-leaders-at-all-levels/

Movie Analysis Wo Ai Ni Mommy Essay Example

Movie Analysis: Wo Ai Ni Mommy Paper Asian American film-making has a distinct flavour compared with mainstream films. One of its characteristics is its endeavour to highlight Asian sensibilities and sentiments to the unacquainted American audience. Bringing exposure to the differences and commonalities between Asian and mainstream American culture is another objective. Films such as Shopping for Fangs (1997), Rea Tajiri’s Strawberry Fields (1997) and Sunsets (1997) by Eric Nakamura and Michael Idemoto are composed of a â€Å"sassy melange of cinematic styles†. (Soe, 1997, p.3) They derive many cinematic elements from early Asian American films, but also include â€Å"souped-up mise-en-scenes, techno soundtracks and ultra-hip young characters†¦the stories are ultimately about identity, cultural confusion and finding one’s own voice and desires, all of which have been recurrent themes in Asian American films past and present.† (Soe, 1997, p.3) Thesis: In the case of Wo Ai Ni Mommy, we wit ness some of these cinematic elements, along with unique filmmaking style of the director Stephanie Wang-Breal. Complex issues of loss, memory, family anomie and alienation are all integral parts of the Asian American film genre. In recent years though, Asian American filmmakers have produced an interesting body of work which are largely documentaries or experimental work. The new tribe of young directors, â€Å"linked by youth and their impressive technical skills, explores themes and issues common to Asian American films and videos from years past.† (Soe, 1997, p.3) And the movie titled Wo Ai Ni Mommy by Stephanie Wang-Breal should be studied in this backdrop. This 2010 documentary film narrates the experience of an American couple (Donna and Jeff Sadowsky) as they apply and adopt an orphaned Chinese child, who is given the name of Faith Sadowsky by her new parents. The film captures the intricacies, challenges, losses and gains of adopting an older child from across continents. (Soe, 2010, p.37) We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Analysis: Wo Ai Ni Mommy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Analysis: Wo Ai Ni Mommy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Analysis: Wo Ai Ni Mommy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Film-maker Stephanie Wang-Breal is the mastermind behind the project, as she plays an active role in the unfolding narrative. For example, Wang-Breal also doubles up as a translator between Faith and her new parents, as the former struggles to get acclimatized with new socio-cultural norms. Usually documentary filmmakers take a passive role in the process of film-making, in that they do not affect the audio/visual information being captured. But in the case of Wang-Breal, by virtue of being the only remaining link to Faith’s Chinese heritage, also assumes the role of the young ward’s confidante and interlocutor. It should also be noted that Asian American filmmaking is not one homogenous concept, but rather consists of vastly diverse constituencies in which â€Å"recent immigrants, native-born citizens, community activists, documentarians, avant-garde artists, film students, Asiaphiles and cineastes all claim valid rights. The complexity of the Asian American community has always influenced and affected the work of its filmmakers. As this community becomes more diverse, it will require even greater skill and acuity to accurately reflect the ever-evolving state of Asian American media arts.† (Soe, 1997, p.3) It has been an endeavor of early Asian American filmmakers to present their authentic ‘voice’ in their works. This is certainly evident in Wo Ai Ni Mommy too, where director Stephanie Wang-Breal’s original voice comes across to the audience. Within the limitations of a documentary project, the director manages to raise important issues facing adopted Chinese kids such as Faith. While Faith is obviously the protagonist of the film, her new parents Donna and Jeff are also given key coverage. Indeed Donna’s early experiences with Faith were very challenging. But the later transformation of Faith into an English-speaking American kid is in large part due to the efforts of Donna. A large section of the total run-time is dedicated to the conflicts arising between the newly paired mother and daughter. In the beginning, Faith was mourning the loss of her foster family and the native culture in China. But Donna plays an instrumental role in helping the girl ride ove r her tantrums by consoling, cajoling and empathizing with her. A place where Wang-Breal’s style deviates from early Asian American filmmaking styles is that it does not play up notions of self-determination, self-articulation and collective spirit that were integral to earlier works. This is largely due to the fact that Wo Ai Ni Mommy is a documentary about family life and cohabitation devoid of political undertones. Nor does the film contain messages of political activism or a call for social change. If anything, the content and message is one of appreciation and celebration. Wang-Breal also goes beyond her role of being a ‘fly on the wall’ filmmaker and gets personally involved in the project. During the early days of faith’s American life, it was Wang-Breal who represented and offered the comfort of China to the bewildered girl. By talking to her in Chinese, she became the best friend in Faith’s new home. Hence, Wo Ai Ni Mommy’s theme is one of bringing communities together by highlighting their common humanity as opposed to highlighting their disparities. (Sterritt, 2009, p.61) In conclusion, Stephanie Wang-Breal scores on several counts with her moving documentary film. Having been born and brought up in the United States herself, her approach and handling of the subject of child adoption is different from early Asian American filmmakers, who were perhaps first generation immigrants to the United States. In the end, what helps the film succeed is the filmmaker’s strong identification with the character of Faith Sadowsky, as the stories of both have some parallels. Alongside this autobiographical element, the film includes all the drama and tension expected of an event such as adoption. Since Faith was an older child, believed to be about 6 years old at the time of adoption, the challenge for the Sadowskys become more challenging. But in the end, the child adapts wonderfully to the new atmosphere and starts expressing her talents and personality in full colors. This transformation not only adds to the ‘feel-good’ factor of the film, but also underscores the viability of cross-continental adoptions. Finally, in the work of recent writers and filmmakers such as Wang-Breal, we can arrive at some interesting inferences about their styles. It increasingly appears that they are â€Å"following the course that earlier writers had set: each writer and filmmaker still seems concerned to recover lost history — communal, familial, and personal — in an attempt at self-understanding and self-definition. They are seeking to represent identities across the grain of common and still too prevalent, hidebound old stereotypes. They are claiming agency and voice for the silent or silenced and spoken-for. May we all (Asians and non-Asian Americans) rejoice, enjoy, and benefit (intellectually and emotionally) from their spreading their wings and taking flight.† (Ling, 1995, p.1) Works Cited: Movie: Wo Ai Ni Mommy, 2010, Stephanie Wang-Breal, documentary, 90 min., streaming online through September 30 at http://www.pbs.org/pov/woainimommy/full.php Ling, Amy. â€Å"Recent Asian American Fiction, Drama and Film.† Transformations 6.2 (1995): 1+. Soe, Valerie. â€Å"Cinematic Snapshot.† Afterimage 35.1 (2007): 2+. Soe, Valerie. â€Å"Deceptive Simplicity.† Afterimage 37.5 (2010): 37+. Soe, Valerie. â€Å"Pictures in Transition: 15th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival.† Afterimage 25.1 (1997): 3. Sterritt, David. â€Å"Wrestling with Real Life.† Tikkun Mar.-Apr. 2009: 61+. Houston, Velina Hasu, ed. The Politics of Life: Four Plays by Asian American Women. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1993.

Free Essays on Landscape Imagery, Tess Of The Durbyvilles

â€Å"irresistible law† implicates that Tess and Clare’s union was caused by the uncontrollable law of nature, in which there is never a possibility that they could deny their union. There for Tess and Clare’s relationship is also controlled by mother nature and not themselves. Through these examples that both Tess herself and Tess and Clare’s relationship are uncontrolled by themselves but ... Free Essays on Landscape Imagery, Tess Of The Durbyvilles Free Essays on Landscape Imagery, Tess Of The Durbyvilles In the novel, Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, the author uses landscape imagery to convey the message that nature is not the Eden that many believe it is. Nature is not only a perfect place that causes humans to spiritually feel goodness and peace, but in fact, has a dual characteristic of causing humans to also feel pain and suffering. By using descriptions of Tess, the Dairymaids and Angel Clare in The Rally and The Consequence sections, Hardy is able to express the idea that besides producing delight and joy, nature can also causes suffering subjugation in humans. Through descriptions of Tess, the suggestion that she is tormented by the control over her by nature is revealed and the idea that nature has the dual characteristic of causing tranquility but also suffering subjugation is expressed. Nature is an element that humans cannot control, throughout the book, Hardy makes statements that implies Tess is a part of nature, she is described as the â€Å"daughter of the soil† and also the â€Å"fresh and virginal daughter of nature.† With the implication that Tess is a daughter of the elements, it is suggested that Tess’ life is also an element in which humans or even herself cannot control. She is the daughter if nature, there for nature is the mother and has the controlling hand over Tess. Much like the way nature has the control over Tess, nature also has control over Tess’ relationship with Clare. Their relationship is described as â€Å"converging under an irresistible law, as surely as two streams in one vale. † The words â€Å"irresistible law† implicates that Tess and Clare’s union was caused by the uncontrollable law of nature, in which there is never a possibility that they could deny their union. There for Tess and Clare’s relationship is also controlled by mother nature and not themselves. Through these examples that both Tess herself and Tess and Clare’s relationship are uncontrolled by themselves but ...

Biography of Captain Henry Morgan, Welsh Privateer

Biography of Captain Henry Morgan, Welsh Privateer Sir Henry Morgan (c. 1635–August 25, 1688) was a Welsh privateer who fought for the English against the Spanish in the Caribbean during the 1660s and 1670s. He is remembered as the greatest of the privateers, amassing huge fleets, attacking prominent targets, and being the worst enemy of the Spanish since Sir Francis Drake. Although he made numerous raids all along the Spanish Main, his three most famous exploits were the 1668 sack of Portobello, the 1669 raid on Maracaibo, and the 1671 attack on Panama. Morgan was knighted by King Charles II of England and died in Jamaica a rich man. Fast Facts: Henry Morgan Known For: Captain Morgan was one of the most notorious privateers of the 17th century.Born: c.  1635 in Llanrhymny,  WalesDied: August 25, 1688 in Lawrencefield, Jamaica Early Life   Morgans exact date of birth is unknown, but he is believed to have been born sometime around 1635 in Monmouth County, Wales. He had two uncles who had distinguished themselves in the English military, and Henry decided as a young man to follow in their footsteps. He was with General Venables and Admiral Penn in 1654 when they captured Jamaica from the Spanish. Privateering Morgan soon took up a life of privateering, launching attacks up and down the Spanish Main and Central America. Privateers were like pirates, only legal- they were mercenaries who were allowed to attack enemy ships and ports. In exchange, they kept most of the loot, although they did share some with the crown. Morgan was one of many privateers who had a â€Å"license† to attack the Spanish as long as England and Spain were at war (they fought on and off during most of Morgan’s life). In times of peace, the privateers either took to outright piracy or more respectable trades such as fishing or logging. The English colony on Jamaica, a foothold in the Caribbean, was weak, so it behooved the English to have a large privateer force ready for times of war. Morgan excelled at privateering. His attacks were well-planned, he was a fearless leader, and he was very clever. By 1668 he was the leader of the Brethren of the Coast, a group of pirates, buccaneers, corsairs, and privateers. Attack on Portobello In 1667, Morgan was sent to sea to find some Spanish prisoners to confirm rumors of an attack on Jamaica. He had grown legendary  and soon found that he had a force of some 500 men in several ships. He captured some prisoners in Cuba, and then he and his captains decided to attack the rich town of Portobello. In July 1668, Morgan took Portobello by surprise and quickly overran its meager defenses. Not only did his men loot the town, but they essentially held it for ransom, demanding and receiving 100,000 pesos in exchange for not burning the city to the ground. Morgan left after about a month. The sack of Portobello resulted in huge shares of loot for everyone involved, and Morgans fame grew even greater. Raid on Maracaibo By October 1668, Morgan was restless and decided to head once again to the Spanish Main. He sent out word that he was organizing another expedition. Morgan went to Isla Vaca and waited while hundreds of corsairs and buccaneers rallied to his side. On March 9, 1669, he and his men attacked the La Barra fort, the main defense of Lake Maracaibo, and captured it without much difficulty. They entered the lake and sacked the towns of Maracaibo and Gibraltar, but they lingered too long and some Spanish warships trapped them by blocking off the narrow entrance to the lake. Morgan cleverly sent a fireship against the Spanish, and of the three Spanish ships, one was sunk, one captured, and one abandoned. After that, he tricked the commanders of the fort (which had been rearmed by the Spanish) to turn their guns inland, and Morgan sailed past them at night. It was the privateer at his most devious. Sack of Panama By 1671, Morgan was ready for one last assault on the Spanish. Again he gathered an army of pirates, and they decided to attack the rich city of Panama. With about 1,000 men, Morgan captured the San Lorenzo fort and began the march overland to Panama City in January 1671. The Spanish forces were in terror of Morgan and abandoned their defenses at the last moment. On January 28, 1671, the privateers and the defenders met in battle on the plains outside the city. It was an utter rout, and the city defenders were scattered in short order by the well-armed invaders. Morgan and his men sacked the city and were gone before any help could arrive. Although it was a successful raid, much of Panamas loot was shipped away before the pirates arrived, so it was the least profitable of Morgans three major ventures. Fame Panama would be Morgans last great raid. By then, he was very rich and influential in Jamaica and had a great deal of land. He retired from privateering, but the world did not forget him. Spain and England had signed a peace treaty before the Panama raid (whether or not Morgan knew of the treaty before he attacked is a matter of some debate) and Spain was furious. Sir Thomas Modyford, the governor of Jamaica who had authorized Morgan to sail, was relieved of his post and sent to England, where he would eventually receive a light punishment. Morgan, too, was sent to England, where he spent a couple of years as a celebrity, dining in the fancy homes of lords who were fans of his exploits. He was even asked his opinion on how to improve Jamaicas defenses. Not only was he never punished, but he was knighted and sent back to Jamaica as lieutenant governor. Death Morgan returned to Jamaica, where he spent his days drinking with his men, running his estates, and fondly telling war stories. He helped organize and improve the defenses of Jamaica and administered the colony while the governor was absent, but he never again went to sea. He died on August 25, 1688, and was given a royal send-off. Morgan lay in state at the Kings House in Port Royal, ships anchored in the harbor fired their guns in salute, and his body was carried through town on a gun carriage to St. Peters Church. Legacy Morgan left behind a complicated legacy. Although his attacks put constant pressure on relations between Spain and England, Englishmen of all social classes loved him and enjoyed his exploits. Diplomats loathed him for violating their treaties, but the almost supernatural fear the Spanish had for him most likely helped drive them to the negotiating table in the first place. Still, Morgan probably did more harm than good. He helped build Jamaica into a strong English colony in the Caribbean and was responsible for lifting Englands spirits during an otherwise grim time in history, but he also was guilty of the death and torture of countless innocent Spanish civilians and spread terror far and wide on the Spanish Main. Captain Morgan remains a legend today, and his effect on popular culture has been considerable. He is considered one of the greatest pirates ever, even though he was actually not a pirate but a privateer (and would have been offended to be called a pirate). Certain places are still named for him, such as Morgans Valley in Jamaica and Morgans Cave on San Andres Island. His most visible presence today is probably as the mascot for the Captain Morgan brands of spiced rum and spirits. There are hotels and resorts named after him, as well as any number of small businesses in the places he frequented. Sources Cordingly, David. Under the Black Flag: the Romance and the Reality of Life among the Pirates. Random House, 2006.Earle, Peter G. The Sack of Panam Captain Morgan and the Battle for the Caribbean. Thomas Dunne Books, 2007.

How do the cells of a growing plant know in which directions to Lab Report

How do the cells of a growing plant know in which directions to elongate - Lab Report Example For elongation to occur, the plant cells must loosen their cell walls for a short while (Wayne 2010). Auxin hormone is responsible for elongating the cells in the shoots. It triggers the pumping of hydrogen ions across the cell membrane and altering the way gene expression occurs within the cell in a way that influences plant growth. The experiment focuses on the influence of mechanical force in influencing the direction of the plant cell elongation. Plant cells transmit mechanical force among each other. The experiment was conducted after suspecting that mechanical force guides the alignment cortical microtubules (Wayne 2010). The experimented started by examining the non-elongated plant cells. The cells that lacked walls (protoplasts) were isolated from the tobacco plant, Nicotiana tabacum. The isolation was done through exposure of the plant cells to enzymes with the capability of destroying the cell wall. The result is a spherical plant cell. When the protoplasts were allowed to develop in the culture medium, they reformed their cell walls (Wymer & Cosgrove 1996). To study the effects of directional forces on plant cell elongations, the tobacco protoplasts were subjected to a unidirectional force that was produced by a centrifuge. The exposure of the force was made with previous knowledge that when the centrifugation is made in low speed, it does not distort the shape or integrity of the protoplast. The protoplasts were then immobilized ready for centrifugation. They were embedded on an agar medium that was supported by the mold. The embedded cells were spun for 15 minutes at 450 rpm in a centrifuge. After centrifugation, the already embedded cells were then cultured for 72 hours to allow the cell elongation to take place (wymer & Cosgrove 1996). After centrifugation was over, a microtubule antibody that was fluorescently tagged was added to the protoplasts. The cells were then

In depth alnalysis of El Mariachi Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

In depth alnalysis of El Mariachi - Essay Example It is all about a young mariachi (a wandering musician or a singing guitar player) who gets caught in a web of mistaken identity. The plot of mistaken identity has been used in many films, like in Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. Rodriguez again uses this plot in El Mariachi. El Mariachi arrives in a small dusty town of Mexico to start a new life. His only interest and his dream is his music. But he soon realizes that this is not easy when he gets mistaken for a criminal named Azul, a drug lord who is being chased by a rival named Moco, as both wear black and carry a guitar case. The only difference is that while one carries a guitar in his case the other carries a machine gun. The mistaken identities result in the rivals trying to kill El Mariachi. In the meantime El Mariachi falls in love with Domino. Moco is also in love with this woman. By the time the true identities are known, Moco comes to know that Domino and El Mariachi are in love. In a fit of rage Moco kills D omino and shoots off the hand of the mariachi. After this when Moco laughs in El Mariachis face, El Mariachi kills him. The story is set in a small Mexican town and the director shows how drug dealers can control a small town. The movie has a well-written script. It is full of action, but not very flashy. Hal Hinson (1996) in Washington Post has rightly said, "Rodriguez has boiled the art of filmmaking down to its visceral, kinetic essence. In "El Mariachi" everything is expressed in terms of action, pure and simple." The plot is simple, but universal at the same time. The story may be fictional but the characters and also the atmosphere is typical of Northern Mexico. From the scene of the turtle walking across till the end all the scenes are fascinating and enjoyable. Through a series of fierce gun battles and astonishing car chases, Rodriguez does manage to maintain a fast and furious pace. The bullets fly thick and fast and the action does not let up one

Explain Christian views on suicide Essay Example for Free

Explain Christian views on suicide Essay In a broad sense suicide can be defined as, â€Å"the act of intentionally ending your life.† However, there are many different types of suicide. Durkheim identified four kinds: egoistic suicide, which is the result of feeling one’s life is meaningless; altruistic suicide, the act of giving one’s life for the greater good; anomic suicide, the result of a major social change that disrupts a person’s sense of order; and fatalistic suicide, the results of excessive regulation, when one’s future is pitilessly blocked by oppressive discipline, such as in a prison or dictatorship. Christians believe that all life is sacred, and therefore the vast majority of denominations are against all forms of suicide. In examining the reasons behind this, a good place to start is the Christian teaching on the sacredness of human life. Christians believe in the sanctity of life, meaning that all human life is created in God’s image and has intrinsic worth. The Decalogue teaches, â€Å"Do not kill.† This includes killing oneself. Elsewhere in the Old Testament, Ecclesiastes 7:17 states, â€Å"Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why should you die before your time?† Prematurely ending your life prevents the believer from serving God to his full potential. This idea is backed up in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:16, â€Å"Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?† Christians reject the idea of total bodily autonomy, meaning that they do not believe we have the right to do whatever we want with our bodies. The Bible suggests that our bodies are not our own, but God’s, and therefore we do not have the right to destroy them. Historical church fathers have held consistently negative views on suicide. Augustine was one of the first to publically speak out against it. He opposed it because we have a duty of selfà ¢care arising from natural inclination and we have a debt of love that we owe to others. In The City of God he wrote, â€Å"certainly he who kills himself is a homicide, and so much guiltier of his own death, as he was more innocent of that offence for which he doomed himself to die.† To take one’s own life into one’s hands and act precipitously by committing suicide is to look away from God (a final and definitive refusal of trust in God and a denial of trust in his providence, by the very nature of the act itself excluding any subsequent repentance/penance). Furthermore, Aquinas was also against suicide. In Summa Theologica he set forth three reasons why suicide is immoral. Firstly, it is contrary to natural law. Secondly, suicide does injury to the common good because the person’s community will suffer. Thirdly, it is a sin against God because life is God’s gift to man. For it belongs to God alone to pronounce sentence of death and life, according to Deuteronomy 32:39, â€Å"I will kill and I will make to live.† However, there is one form of suicide that some Christians would accept, and that is altruistic suicide in the form of martyrdom or self-sacrifice. Jesus taught that, â€Å"Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.† For example, in Judges Samson brings down a temple killing both himself and the Philistines. Augustine said that suicide was rooted in pride and lack of charity, whereas martyrdom is commendable and for the good of others. The different Christian denominations are generally unified when it comes to views on suicide. In the Roman Catholic Church it is regarded as a mortal sin, and the Catechism asserts, Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life.† The Presbyterian Church would hold a similar view, as the Westminster Confession reads, â€Å"The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves, or of others, except in the case of public justice, lawful war, or necessary defence.† Even though they clearly teach that suicide is a sin, it is not an unpardonable sin. Salvation is by grace alone and if one is truly saved, nothing (not even suicide) can separate them from Jesus. The United Methodist Church believes that suicide is not the way life should end, but would be hesitant to label it a sin. Therefore, they denounce the condemnation of people who commit suicide, and do not believe surviving family should be stigmatised. Modern psychology has impacted the Christian view of suicide. In the past Christians were guilty of separating physical and mental illness and although they were in support of treatment for physical ailments, they were wary of psychiatric treatment. Even today some fundamentalist churches would see illnesses such as depression as purely spiritual afflictions. In the wake of high profile suicides such as Rick Warren’s son Matthew, most leaders are encouraging the Church to acknowledge that matters of depression and suicide are medical in nature and should be addressed no differently than other physical illnesses. They imply that to do otherwise promotes stigma, shame and restricts the believer’s access to appropriate care. Another reason why Christians are against suicide is the profound negative effect it can have on other people. Suicide does not just harm the person who dies, it is a form of bereavement even more devastating than usual because the family will forever agonise over what led the person to take their life, and if they could have prevented it. This is especially so if the family discover the body or witness the suicide. Suicide can damage close communities such as schools and churches. Wyatt said that, â€Å"suicide can have devastating effects on others. In fact, it can be one of the most selfish and destructive acts anyone can perform.†