The following blog post is a summary of an article found from The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/10/world/middleeast/benjamin-netanyahu-israel-election.html
It appears that Benjamin Netanyahu has won in a re-election bid as the prime minster of Israel. The article goes into detail that it is believed Netanyahu has provided military and economic security that secured him his next term as prime minster. But not everyone is happy that Netanyahu has won re-election. Some believe that Netanyahu is not interested in resolving the Palestine conflict. There is also talks that Netanyahu is in some legal trouble soon to be facing corruption charges.
The Palestine/Israel conflict has been around since WWII when thousands of Jews returned to the area and tensions started to grow between Muslims and Jews. As the hostilities grew the British pulled their peace keeping force and shortly after that the state of Israel was born. The United States immediately recognized Israel as a new state and the United Nations followed after but the Muslim states did not recognize Israel.
Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:11 ESV.
I chose this passage because everyone deserves to pursue peace and enjoy life without the fear of violence. Answering violence with more violence only leads to continued conflict. It is time to shed our differences, try to find a common bond where all can live peacefully with each other.
Friday, April 12, 2019
Monday, April 8, 2019
Unit 5 - Conflict in Africa
The following blog post is a summary of an article found from Reuters.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-security/nigeria-suspends-mining-in-zamfara-state-after-banditry-surges-idUSKCN1RJ0IS
Nigerian officials have suspended all mining activity in Zamfara because of increasing violence in the area from criminal gangs. Nigeria is considered to have the biggest contribution to Africa’s economy but local security forces are having a tough time combating the gangs. Nigeria has large deposits of gold, tin and zinc which are in high demand in the various industries. Being centralized in Africa, Nigeria is also crucial to regional stability. Present Muhammadu Buhari who was just elected to a second term in February had promised to improve security in the region.
Africa has had a long and violent history with different conflicts through its history. Some of these conflicts go back generations. There is the conflict in the Congo where years of civil war has forced millions to flee their homes. There is the conflict in Libya where protests against the Qadhafi regime have turned violent and civilians have been targeted. There is also the AIDS epidemic and the Ebola outbreak to content with as well.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4.
I chose this verse because when you boil down all of the past, current and future conflicts not only in Africa but around the globe I believe it can be said that each side is only looking after their own interests. If we took some more time to be considerate of each other and what is equal that the world would be a better place.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-security/nigeria-suspends-mining-in-zamfara-state-after-banditry-surges-idUSKCN1RJ0IS
Nigerian officials have suspended all mining activity in Zamfara because of increasing violence in the area from criminal gangs. Nigeria is considered to have the biggest contribution to Africa’s economy but local security forces are having a tough time combating the gangs. Nigeria has large deposits of gold, tin and zinc which are in high demand in the various industries. Being centralized in Africa, Nigeria is also crucial to regional stability. Present Muhammadu Buhari who was just elected to a second term in February had promised to improve security in the region.
Africa has had a long and violent history with different conflicts through its history. Some of these conflicts go back generations. There is the conflict in the Congo where years of civil war has forced millions to flee their homes. There is the conflict in Libya where protests against the Qadhafi regime have turned violent and civilians have been targeted. There is also the AIDS epidemic and the Ebola outbreak to content with as well.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4.
I chose this verse because when you boil down all of the past, current and future conflicts not only in Africa but around the globe I believe it can be said that each side is only looking after their own interests. If we took some more time to be considerate of each other and what is equal that the world would be a better place.
Monday, April 1, 2019
Unit 4 - Human Rights in China
The following blog post is a summary of an article found from CNN.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/28/politics/state-us-residents-xinjiang-detention-camps/index.html
China is being accused of holding people with legal status in the United State in detention camps. There is a man in California who has not heard from his father since he traveled back to China. According to the 2018 State Department Human Rights report it estimates that China has “arbitrability detained 800,000 to possibly more than two million Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other Muslims in internment camps designed to erase religious and ethnic identities." Former detainees say they had to endure brainwashing session. Chinese officials say they are “vocational and educational training centers for counter-terrorism and de-radicalization purposes.”
This article shows us that while China has made changes since the days of Chairman Mao that it still has a way to go to improve human rights in their country. The imprisonment of people who choose to speak out against the government is wrong on any level.
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Titus 2:7-8
I chose this verse because I believe human rights can and should change in China but it will take the models of other countries to show China the error of their ways. No one should be falsely imprisoned because of what they say.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/28/politics/state-us-residents-xinjiang-detention-camps/index.html
China is being accused of holding people with legal status in the United State in detention camps. There is a man in California who has not heard from his father since he traveled back to China. According to the 2018 State Department Human Rights report it estimates that China has “arbitrability detained 800,000 to possibly more than two million Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other Muslims in internment camps designed to erase religious and ethnic identities." Former detainees say they had to endure brainwashing session. Chinese officials say they are “vocational and educational training centers for counter-terrorism and de-radicalization purposes.”
This article shows us that while China has made changes since the days of Chairman Mao that it still has a way to go to improve human rights in their country. The imprisonment of people who choose to speak out against the government is wrong on any level.
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Titus 2:7-8
I chose this verse because I believe human rights can and should change in China but it will take the models of other countries to show China the error of their ways. No one should be falsely imprisoned because of what they say.
Monday, March 25, 2019
Unit 3 - UK's split from the EU
The following blog post is a summary of an article found from the Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/03/25/only-way-out-brexit-lies-with-people/?utm_term=.220155cb00e7
Back in 2016 the citizens of UK voted on leaving the EU and the date of March 29th, 2019 is fast approaching and there is no deal in place with the EU. With the UK set to leave the EU it leaves a lot of unanswered questions about travel, trade and other diplomatic issues of how the UK would interact with members of the EU after the 29th. The majority of the younger people in the UK are strongly against Brexit claiming leaving the EU will do more harm than good. Prime Minster May bas submitted two different proposals to the UK government but both have failed to reach the majority needed to pass.
The EU was formed after World War Two to promote economic growth. It was the goal that if the countries came together that they would avoid going to war with each other. Overall it would seem that most of the countries have benefited from the EU but being in the EU also means losing a certain amount of control on things like border security and taxes assessed on traded goods.
But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 1 Corinthians 7:15.
I believe this verse sums up the recent tensions in the UK and trying to leave the EU. Separation is not easy process. It can be very messy and there are many decisions that have to be ironed out to a mutually agreed benefit of both parties.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/03/25/only-way-out-brexit-lies-with-people/?utm_term=.220155cb00e7
Back in 2016 the citizens of UK voted on leaving the EU and the date of March 29th, 2019 is fast approaching and there is no deal in place with the EU. With the UK set to leave the EU it leaves a lot of unanswered questions about travel, trade and other diplomatic issues of how the UK would interact with members of the EU after the 29th. The majority of the younger people in the UK are strongly against Brexit claiming leaving the EU will do more harm than good. Prime Minster May bas submitted two different proposals to the UK government but both have failed to reach the majority needed to pass.
The EU was formed after World War Two to promote economic growth. It was the goal that if the countries came together that they would avoid going to war with each other. Overall it would seem that most of the countries have benefited from the EU but being in the EU also means losing a certain amount of control on things like border security and taxes assessed on traded goods.
But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 1 Corinthians 7:15.
I believe this verse sums up the recent tensions in the UK and trying to leave the EU. Separation is not easy process. It can be very messy and there are many decisions that have to be ironed out to a mutually agreed benefit of both parties.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Unit 2 - Recent political issues in Venezuela
Currently, in Venezuela, there is a power struggle between the sitting president Nicolás Maduro and Juan Guaidó. Maduro was elected in 2013 by a narrow margin after Hugo Chávez died and was recently re-elected to a second six-year term in May 2018. The opposition claims that the recent elections were not free nor fair. Candidates had either been barred from running, jailed or fled the country on fears of being jailed by Maduro. Guaidó claims that he is the legitimate president and President Trump has even gone as far as tweeting out a message recognizing Guaidó as the interim President of Venezuela. Maduro claims the recent issues to the power grid in Venezuela is an attack initiated by the United States as a way to remove him from power.
Latin America has had its share of dictators who have rules under fear and oppression. Some examples are Fidel Castro in Cuba and Hugo Chávez in Venezuela. They use their power and influence over the military to oppress the people of the country and to eliminate any threat to their power. Chávez admired Castro and used the oil industry in Venezuela to promote his objectives and to resist any outside influences from the United States. Nicolás Maduro and Hugo Chávez were close and Maduro stated that he would continue the policies of Chávez.
“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:31). “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done” (Proverbs 19:17).
I chose these two passages because they tie in well with this week’s devotional and this week’s reading. We have a responsibility to use our power and influence to honor God and others around us. To do this we should do everything in our power to help the poor and needy. All are equal in the eyes of the Lord. When that power is used for personal gain and to keep those oppressed we bring dishonor on ourselves.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36319877
Latin America has had its share of dictators who have rules under fear and oppression. Some examples are Fidel Castro in Cuba and Hugo Chávez in Venezuela. They use their power and influence over the military to oppress the people of the country and to eliminate any threat to their power. Chávez admired Castro and used the oil industry in Venezuela to promote his objectives and to resist any outside influences from the United States. Nicolás Maduro and Hugo Chávez were close and Maduro stated that he would continue the policies of Chávez.
“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:31). “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done” (Proverbs 19:17).
I chose these two passages because they tie in well with this week’s devotional and this week’s reading. We have a responsibility to use our power and influence to honor God and others around us. To do this we should do everything in our power to help the poor and needy. All are equal in the eyes of the Lord. When that power is used for personal gain and to keep those oppressed we bring dishonor on ourselves.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36319877
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
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