Adolf Hitler, Proclamation to the German Nation

After reading this proclamation presented by Adolf Hitler in 1933, I was very surprised. There are a few reasons why this really surprised me. I will go into more detail about that a little later. After reading this, I have come to the conclusion that this proclamation was made because Germany was in a lot economic trouble. Germany had been on the downfall for the last fourteen years and they were desperate to find a way out of all of the turmoil. The nation as a whole was looking the kind of government that was going to help accomplish the goal of relieving the nation of this so called depression. They were looking for a leader who was ambitious and was able to lead them out of the turmoil and into a state of prosperity. That leader they were looking for was the made who presented this proclamation, Adolf Hitler.

One line that really stuck out to me while I was reading this was, "And as leaders of the nation and the national government we vow to God, to our conscience, and to our people that we will faithfully and resolutely fulfill the task conferred upon us." Another line that really stood out to me as well was, "Mat God almighty give our work His blessing, strengthen our purpose, and endow us with wisdom and the trust of our people, for we are fighting not for ourselves but for Germany." 

The reason these two lines really stuck out to me was because of the irony between the actual results of this campaign and what they were originally setting out to accomplish. It is very shocking to me that Hitler referenced God in his proclamation knowing that so many people would lose their lives for no apparent reason at all. 

If I were to go about persecuting people as Hitler did, I would not even mention God's name in the process. However, Hitler did win the trust of millions of people with this speech. I'm not sure he could have done that successfully without mentioning God's name. 

It is also very shocking to me how easy it is to put your trust in someone who could inherently be so evil. It reminds me of the verse, Matthew 24:24 which states, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible."

The reason this verse comes to mind is because I believe this is exactly what Hitler was trying to do. He was basically stating that he was going to make everyone's problems better and he was going to save the nation of Germany. He literally deceived millions of people with his cunning words and his confident stature. It is important that as Christians we are always digging into the world of God and searching for the truth. If we don't know the truth of God, then we be easily deceived by people just as evil as Hitler.

One thing that this reminds me of is the state in which the economy in the United States is in right now. We have been in a recession lately and so many people are looking for some great leader to bring us out into a time of prosperity. That is what happened in the last election with Obama. He promised he would bring change to the nation and make things a lot better. However, the United States as a whole is arguably the same if not worse than when he came into office. I don't think as Christians living in the United States that we need to look towards a human to fix the problems we have, but we need to look to God, our savior. Ultimately He is the only one who can make the situations better. If we were to just put our trust in Him, I believe that He would find the right people to lead this nation and we would see a huge difference. 

Conspicuous Consumption

After reading the article, Thorstein Veblen Conspicuous Consumption I was able have a greater understanding of the different social classes and the way society ran in the earlier twentieth century. The theme of this article was based off of the term coined by sociologist and economist Thorstein Veblen. The term he introduced was conspicuous consumption. Conspicuous consumption is the spending on goods and services acquired mainly for the purpose of displaying income or wealth.

In the early twentieth century there was a social class called the leisure class. The leisure class was the upper class of the early twentieth century. People in the leisure class often bought very expensive items. One phrase in the reading that really stood out to me stated, "During the earlier stages of economic development, consumption of goods without stint, especially the consumption of the better grades of goods,-- ideally all consumption in excess of the subsistence minimum,-- pertains normally to the leisure class." The reason this line really stood out to me is because it proves the people in the upper class of society always have the nicer items and along with having all of the nicer items, more wealth equals more power. 

There are many ways that I can see how conspicuous consumption ties in with todays society. Many people of todays upper class often buy items in order to "show off" just how much money they have. For example, if you happened to google image search most of the big famous athletes houses or cars, you would notice that most of them have million dollar houses and very expensive cars. They want to show off just how much money they really have. I think another great example would be the United States as a country. The U.S. is undoubtably the most powerful nation in the world. We have no problem showing off just how wealthy we really are. We have the best road systems, the newest and biggest buildings. We spend billions on entertainment venues every year. 

I think Matthew 6:24 tackles the issue of conspicuous consumption very well. This verse states, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." 

I think as christians we have a duty to really watch how we handle the way we gain and spend our money. It is very important to make sure that in everything we do that we are able to hold God higher than our job or the money we make. After all, He did give us the ability to have that job and make that money. I'm not saying it is wrong to have and buy nice things, but it is important that as christians we know our intentions when we buy nice things. 

Ultimately buying and having nice things should be used for God in some way. For example, if you are wealthy enough to purchase a large house, then maybe you could hold a large Bible study in that house. I think as christians, we sometimes get wrapped up in the way society uses their money and don't realize our intentions when using our money. This can be a very dangerous thing. The good thing is that God forgives and it's not too late to turn what you have bought around and use it for God's purpose.

Chartist Petition of 1838.

The Chartist Petition of 1838 starts off by the petitioners or the people saying that the nation that they live is is known for it's land, enterprise, merchants, and the people who live there. They are basically saying that they have all of the resources they need in order to be an extremely successful nation of hard working people. The problem with that is the fact that they are not extremely successful. The people absolutely cannot figure out why they aren't successful when they have all of the potential to do so.

One line that really stood out to me was, "The good of a party has been advanced to the sacrifice of the good of the nation; the few have been governed for the interest of the few, while the interest of the many has been neglected, or insolently and tyrannously trampled upon." 

This line really stands out to me because this happens far too often. People think that they have a specific right for just about every situation they cross. For example, I read in one of my textbooks for my criminal law class that there was a case like this in New York City. The city put out a proposal to have public restroom toilet booths installed due to the fact that it was near to impossible to find a public restroom on the streets. However, due to a law that was passed, they were not able to complete this task because the law stated that any handicapped person should be able to use the same restroom as anyone else. These toilets that the city were trying to put out could not fit a handicapped person who was in a wheel chair. Therefore, due to the very few people who were handicapped, the majority of the people who would actually use the restroom were neglected.

 I think it is very important for government to include all of the people and to take everyones needs into consideration. However, I think that there comes a point when the needs of the majority of the people should be met even if there are a few that are overlooked. It has to be a very careful and healthy balance.

 I think that this article has a lot of connections to the way our society is functioning today as United States citizens. For example, the people in this article want to be able to vote and have elected officials rather than appointed ones. It only makes sense to me that the people of a nation would want a say in who takes leadership over them and who will help decide how successful their nation will or will not become.

Women and the Coal Mines.

When this article was written in 1842, there was quite a bit of mischief going on within the coal mines in Europe. In this culture during the 1800's, woman were not treated equal to that of which the men were treated. They were basically thought of as a means of reproduction and a source for carrying on the family name. Other than that, they were not treated with respect of any kind. Woman were not given the same rights, often abused, and were a frequently not able to escape the horrible and frightening situations they were put through. 


One line that really stuck out like a sore thumb was, "In two other pits in the Huddersfield Union I have seen the same sight. In one near New Mills, the chain, passing high up between the legs of two of these girls, had worn large holes in their trousers; and any sight more disgustingly indecent or revolting can scarcely be imagined than these girls at work-no brothel can beat it." 


The reason this line really stood out to me was because the site of the women was so bad that it was compared to a brothel. I did a little background research on the coal mines during this time period and found that the women were treated severely, worked like mules, and treated as prostitutes while they were in the mines. Prostitution in this time period was looked down upon by almost every social class. The women obviously did not want to go into the business of prostitution, however they were basically prostitutes against their will in the coal mines. I can only imagine this disturbing site. Just the thought of a brothel brings a horrible image to mind, but the thought of women who are being abused, overworking, and treated as prostitutes, plus the brothel added on top of all that sounds like torture and hell to me. 

While I was thinking about the way the women and children were treated within the coal mines during this time period, it made me think of how far these societies have come today. This act would not be tolerated within the world today. I almost think, as horrible as it sounds, that without this kind of stuff happening in the 1800's, society wouldn't be where we are today. Society had to eventually see this injustice and realize that it was terribly wrong somewhere along the line. Without seeing this, we as a society would not be where we are today.


One thing that this does remind me of in our society today is sex slavery. Sex slavery is often behind the scenes and people don't really hear about it. I think the women in the coal mines was very similar to the sex slavery condition. Women are often abused, worked hard, mistreated, and used for the gain of money. I can only hope and pray that sex slavery pulled out from behind the curtains and abolished within the near future. 

From The Dutie of a King in His Royal Office

This article from what I understand is about the kings of the day and their duties as a king.  the Article compared the kings and the duties they held to that of the duties of God himself. One phrase that really stood out to me that helps explain this phenomenon comes from the second paragraph of the article. The phrase states, "Kings are justly called gods; for they exercise a manner of resemblance of divine power upon earth."

The statement from the past paragraph reminds me of Jesus. The reason it reminds me of Jesus is because he was considered a king. Jesus was often called the "King of the Jews" while he was living here on earth. Jesus actually did have divine power while he was he was here on earth. He was God.

It is really hard for me to think or accept the fact that earthly kings could be considered to resemble that kind of divine power. It reminds me of how the Bible warns against false prophets and false teachers that will inhabit the earth and try to convince people of their so called "divine power." One thing that really makes me think, is that the kings themselves would often think of themselves as gods or having that same kind of power in which Jesus/God did.

The 12 Articles of the German Peasants.

The 12 Articles of the German Peasants was written pertaining to the German Peasants' War in Germany in 1524. In the spring of 1524, the Upper Swabian Peasants Groups, made up of about 50 people met to discuss and talk about their views against the Swabian League. The Swabian League was an association of imperial states. After the group met a few times, they were able to come up with the 12 articles.

I find the first article to be very relevant to the way some churches function in todays society. For example, when I was in high school I went to youth group at a United Methodist Church. The head pastor at the church would come and stay for about two or three years and then the church as a whole and an organization would move the pastor on to another location.

I personally remember going through two pastors in the time I was in high school and going through youth group. I also remember the church having the option of removing a pastor from the congregation if he or she was not doing their job in such a way that was of God. The second pastor that the church was appointed fell into this category. He was not performing his duties of a pastor in a Godly way and he was taken before a board and let go from the church. I found this process to be highly interesting to me.

I personally think that some of the rules that were put against the peasants were ridiculous. For example, in article four. Article four basically stated that the peasants or the poor did not have the right to hunt and catch wild game, fowl, and fish. The peasants argued that by not hunting these animals that the animals were overpopulated and ruining the crops that they had worked so hard to grow. This reminds me of farming and hunting today.

We have hunting regulations in order to help regulate the number of wild animals. This helps grain and animal farmers become more successful in raising their animals or crop. The peasants also argued that when God created man that He gave him control of the animals on the earth, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea. This argument is found in Genesis 1:26 which states, "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'"

I would fully agree with this article. God created man equally, and since God created all men equal then all men are able to rule over the animals of the earth and use them as resources. It shouldn't be limited to just the rich people who have all of the power.

I think that it was very important for the peasants to sit down and come up with these twelve articles. I would have been fed up with these rules as well if I were in this society. There seems to be a pattern in human history when it comes to humans fighting for their rights as human beings. For example, the slaves back in the American Civil War time period, or the African-Americans during the civil rights movement era. There has always been a push for the deprived to get their freedom. I think that this is a very good indication that it will continue to happen in the future.

Charter of Homage and Fealty of Bernard Atton, A. D. 1110

After reading the Charter of Homage and Fealty of Bernard Atton, A. D. 1110, I have come to the conclusion that this reading was all about paying homage and fealty to the lord that was over where you lived. It was really interesting to see the process in which this went about. It is nothing like the democracy that we as Americans live in today. 

At first I did not know what homage and fealty meant, so I looked at the definitions to figure it out. homage is, respect or reverence paid or rendered. Fealty is, the obligation or the engagement to be faithful to a lord, usually sworn to by a vassal. the lord was over the people of his manor. It was customary to pay reverence and be faithful to the lord that lorded over you. 

This kind of reminds me of the president of the United States. Barack Obama is not the lord of the United states, but it is customary to pay reverence or respect to him and to be a faithful citizen of the United States. However, there is not a penalty for disliking or saying anything against the president. It also reminds me of the United States military. If you are a member of any branch in the U.S. military, you are expected to be faithful to the defend and respect our country. You are also expected to be faithful to your fellow service men and your officers. You are to do whatever they command of you. That especially reminds me of the way a lordship worked back in the medieval era.  

The Islamic Conquest of Spain

The main theme that I got out of reading number four, "The Islamic Conquest of Spain" was simply what the first sentence of the reading said. The first sentence of the reading stated, "Musa Ibn Nosseyr his son, Merwan to Tangiers, to wage a holy war upon her coast." When I read this line I asked myself, who in the world is Musa Ibn Nosseyr and Merwan, and where is Tangiers.

 I found that Musa Ibn Nosseyr was the conquerer of the African tribes, and casted eyes of greed upon Spain and laid planes for the subjugation to Arab rule of that far-spreading Christian land. I found this in a book on Google books. The book was called, "Historical Tales: Spanish." Merwan was simply Musa's son whom he sent into Tangier to wage the holy war. I then looked to see where Tangier was. I found that Tangier is almost at the very northern tip of Morocco, which is in Africa. Tangier is separated from Spain by where the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea meet.


 

One line within the reading that really stuck out to me was when the author was talking about how every new king in the country put his own padlock on the door until someone new would conquer and take over. The line goes, "He then ordered it to be opened; but behold inside were portraits of the Arabs, and a letter in which it was written, 'When this door shall be opened, these people will invade this country.'" 

The reason I find this very interesting is because it reminds me of many of the prophecies within the Christian Bible. One that especially comes to my mind is the verse in Micah 5:2 which states, "

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." I understand this verse a prophecy proclaiming the coming of Jesus Christ. 

One way I see this reading connecting with modern day society is all of the different wars we have. For example. The American Revolution was a war that kind of reminded me of the reading. There were people coming over to America from Great Britain looking for freedom, however the British empire didn't like this and wanted to rule the Americans. There was a war over the land and power. There have been many wars since that time here people have fought over land and power.

Thucydides: On the Early History of the Hellenes

The theme of "Thucydides: On the Early History of the Hellenes" was undoubtedly the history of Greece and the Grecians. You might also refer to the Greek civilization and the Hellenistic civilization. I found on the website, http://mars.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/wc1/lectures/10hellenism.html that in the history of the Hellenistic civilization, in Athens, Greece democracy was developed and it became very prevalent within the city. The surrounding civilizations noticed the advancements of the Greek societies and reacted to them accordingly. In turn, spreading the Hellenistic lifestyle throughout the ancient world.

One phrase that stood out to me was towards the end of the reading. It stated, " It is said that the Corinthians were the first to approach the modern style of naval architecture, and that Corinth was the first place in Hellas where galleys were built....They were the means by which the islands were reached and reduced, those of the smallest area falling the easiest prey." The reason that this really stood out to me was because I used to be interested in the navy. It is astonishing to think that some of the very first navies were created around this time and by the Corinthians. Not only did they create some of the first navies, but they were the first to create the first modern style of naval architecture. In my opinion, this was very important because in that time, and it stills holds true to this day, that whoever has the strongest military and navy is usually a superpower to the rest of the world and therefore most of the time they control a lot of the rest of different societies. 

One of the new ideas that came to my mind is that it's crazy to me to think of how the leaders and military leaders had to come up with ways that they could overthrow the opposition. I'm sure that the Corinthian navy was a very well thought out plan in order to take down the opposition and become a superpower in the ancient world.

This is very relevant to the United States Navy. According to the U.S. Navy website, http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=146, there are currently 323,773 active members of the navy. There are 103, 805 members on reserve. The United States is like that of the Corinth navy in which they had the biggest and best navy of the day, and the U.S. has the biggest and best navy of the modern world.

When On High

"When On High" is a Babylonian/ Mesopotamian myth of creation. I believe the theme of the whole reading regarded an account of new beginnings and creation. Along with the theme of creation, the reading sort of drew out two different aspects of the theme. I believe these two aspects were the differential lines between cosmic order and chaos of the beginning of creation, as told by the Babylonian and Mesopotamian culture.


There were a few different websites I was able to find that gave a descent overview of the reading and helped me to understand what was going on a little better. One of those websites was,  http://www.crivoice.org/enumaelish.html. This site stated that this reading is about a cycle of seasons. It was written sometime in twelfth century on clay tablets. There are a number of different parallels to the account of the creation story of the Bible in Genesis. 


One phrase that really stood out to me were the first two lines of the reading. The first two lines state, "When on high the heaven had not been named, firm ground below had not been called by name." I think this really stood out to me because of its parallel to Genesis 1:1-3. This passage states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." This is really quite amazing to me, that different kinds of people could have such a similar story.


One of the new ideas that kept running through my mind as I was reading this story was that of the many parallels between the Bible and this story. I never realized that there were people from different time periods and different regions of the world with a similar story of the creation story in the Bible. That makes me think that God is so powerful and mighty that He can make his creation and presence known throughout the world and through many different avenues. 


One of the things I found was that it was thought that this reading was recited as a ritual during a celebration or a ceremony. There are several different rituals that are performed during ceremonies and celebrations in our modern society. For example, every morning before class started in elementary school, all of the students would meet on the gymnasium to recite the pledge of allegiance. I understand this has nothing to do with the reading, but it is just of of the many rituals I went through. I find it interesting the throughout the ages, man has created thousands of different rituals in order to function smoothly as a society. Rituals will always be a part of society and they will change over time. It would be interesting to know how our society will look at this reading and interpret it fifty years from now.