Religious Terrorism and the Media | Essay

Religious Terrorism and the Media | Essay When the term terrorism is mentioned to any individual, the term is most likely to be associated with Islamic terrorist groups such as ISIS or Al-Qaida. Although there is an assumption that religious terrorism is confined to one religion as that is what is being portrayed the most within academic readings and news media, however, the notion of that belief is false. Many religious terrorist attacks have been made throughout history on behalf of a religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism. However, due to the media presenting most terrorist attacks made by popularized terrorist groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaida, it can overshadow other religious terrorist acts that have occurred and may be assumed that religious terrorism is confined to one religion. Within society, the use of media has a major influence as it connects society with current events that happen internationally. However, with the way the media has been structured, only the most interesting news events that occur presents itself to audiences as other current events are overshadowed or set aside equally presenting itself amongst other news. In Religious conflicts in todays mass media (Iuhas, 2013) the article analyzes the media coverage of religious conflict with the intent to discover how religious conflicts are portrayed within the media. Throughout the investigation, Iuhas (2013, p.373) found that social groups have shown that they rely on the information presented by the media as it concerns their well-being within society. Knowing media is being used as a prime source for information on current events, journalists adapt news stories by using vocabulary and syntax that are influenced by several sources such as their public audience, mass culture, and the pressure o f unknown events to appeal more to audience (Iuhas, 2013, p.). By using vocabulary that is influenced by society to adhere to their needs, it manipulates the audiences perception of the events around them to adhere to the reality and truth of the events that occur (Iuhas, 2013, p.373). By contorting the truth about the conflicts that occur, it can personally affect an individuals attitude when viewing a violent news story such as terrorist propaganda. A study was conducted to measure anxiety levels amongst participants, who were religious and non-religious, while watching various forms of terrorism media footage as they were split into an experimental and a control group (Slone, 2000, p. 512). Two groups were created as to observe the difference of anxiety-levels between both groups. The experimental group was showed footage of terrorism campaigns that could inflict their well-being, while the control group also viewed terrorism media footage, but in context that did not affect thei r lives (Slone, 2000, p.513-514). Results of study concluded that anxiety-levels for participant who viewed the experimental footage and were non-religious appeared to be higher than those who viewed the control group footage as there was no differences shown in anxiety-levels (Slone, 2000, p.515-516). Concluding from the study and the media tactic of using vocabulary to appeal to audiences, with viewing media stories of terrorism that could possibly effect society and the use of contorting the reality of the current events the combination of the two distorts the individuals perception of the violent actions that occur and need to be educated about these events in order to understand the events that are occurring. Nonetheless, the relationship between the media and terrorist organizations can be seen as symbiotic as both groups can benefit from the others work. As media has the main source for terrorist organizations in modern day society, the objective to be on mass media is by gaining publicity and the legitimacy as the media brings attention to their followers and sympathizers (Wilkinson, 1997, p.52). With the use of media in terrorist organizations the connection between the two can be seen as a symbiotic relationship as both are dependent on each other as they both gain resources they need from the others actions (Wilkinson, 1997, p.52). With the known fact that terrorist organizations have a need to be on prime-time television to gain publicity and awareness to their followers and sympathizers, the media gains news coverage from this unusual relationship. The field of media coverage is a competitive market as each media station is wanting to be the first to cover any major news story (Wilkinson, 1997, p.54). With that being said, the media will respond to any terrorist propaganda as it will be automatically deemed bad news (Wilkinson, 1997, p.54-55). However, although media will cover terrorist acts when it occurs, ultimately terrorist attacks can be overshadowed by other terrorist attacks that were made by other popularized terrorist organizations that are more appealing to media stations and audiences. When relating terrorism to a certain society, some may never assume that terrorism would be seen in North America, especially in America. However, religious terrorism is relevant within the United States as it is most often known as domestic terrorism, although this particular type of terrorism it can be linked to religious ideologies as it gives the acts of terrorism a legitimacy for their actions (Sharpe, 2000, p.605). The Identity Christian movement is a form of Christianity that follows and outgrows the White supremacy philosophy as it is composed of several components that leads to the belief that the White race is superior than other minorities with their evidence found within their own creation of the origin story of how humanity was created and within the Bible (Sharpe, 2000, p.606). Organizations that adhere to the White supremacy philosophy includes neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan, in which, they target several social groups such as homosexuals, African Americans, Jews, Hisp anics, and Asians (Sharpe, 2000, p.604). Although there is evidence that religious ideologies come into conflict with domestic terrorism, government officials will not refer domestic terrorism as religious terrorism as acts of violence that target religions and ethnic minorities are considered hate crimes as opposed to terrorist attacks against the targeted groups. The Identity Christian movement consists of biblical context and theories that allow the White supremacist followers to engage in violent acts on the behalf of their religious belief that the White race will restore humanity to its former glory. Another religious terrorist group known as the Aum Shinrikyo was known to be a religious organization in Japan that based their teachings and doctrines on Buddhism and Hinduism that were also involved with violent acts such as murdering and kidnapping citizens (Metraux, 1995, p.1140). The terrorist organization had a rapid growth with having initially 10,000 members in 1987 and expanding operations in 1992 in countries such as the United States, Russia, and Sri Lanka (Metraux, 1995, p.1140). Although the religious group is seen as a cult rather than a terrorist group, the Aum Shinrikyo appealed to individuals as their religious intent was to relieve suffering and poverty within Japan but moved their intent as they grew to the need of self-awareness in a control-oriented society (Metraux, 1995, p.1141). Although the teaching of Aum Shinrikyo can be seen as helpful to members as Buddhism concepts are used in the organization, the terrorist group, however, made violent plans using the r esources they had within the group such as scientists to create a gas 5,000 times stronger that sarin gas (Metraux, 1995, p.1153). With no evidence to prove that the leaders of Aum Shinrikyo were involved in planning such violent acts, the perception to society was that Aum Shinrikyo was an authentic religious organization (Metraux, 1995, p.1154) despite the evidence of the intent to cause harm to Japan society. The conclusions the religious terrorism can be used on behalf of any religion can be seen as it has been done on by the Identity Christian movement and Aum Shinrikyo. However, analyzing tactics the media such as altering media stories to appeal more to audiences and to display a sense of safety within society, in relation to domestic terrorism within North America. The notion that the media has a position is creating the perspective that religious terrorism is confined to one religion. Bibliography Iuhas, F. (2013). Religious conflicts in todays mass media. Revista De Stiinte Politice, (37/38), 372-380. Metraux, D. A. (1995). Religious terrorism in japan: The fatal appeal of aum shinrikyo. Asian Survey, 35 (12), 1140-1154. doi:10.2307/2645835 Sharpe, T. T. (2000). The identity christian movement: Ideology of domestic terrorism. Journal of Black Studies, 30 (4), 604-623. doi:10.1177/002193470003000407 Slone, M. (2000). Responses to media coverage of terrorism. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 44 (4), 508-522. doi:10.1177/0022002700044004005 Wilkinson, P. (1997). The media and terrorism: A reassessment. Terrorism and Political Violence, 9 (2), 51-64. doi:10.1080/09546559708427402

Literary Theory Essay on Dryden’s ‘an Essay on Dramatic Poesy’

Mimesis, the Greek word for imitation, has been of major importance in the history of aesthetic and literary theory. It is the earlier way to judge any work of art in relation to reality and to decide whether its representation is accurate or not. Though this mode starts from Plato, it runs through many great theorists of Renaissance up to some modern theorists as well. A literary work is taken to be a representation of reality or of any aspect of it.Plato holds a rather negative view on mimesis; he sees the work of an artist as a simple imitation of imitations, a work that is removed from the essence of nature and one that represents imagination rather than truth, thus introducing the audience to a world of illusions. Aristotle, on the other hand, treats imitation as a basic human faculty, which expresses itself in arts like Literature, music and painting. Unlike Plato, Aristotle believes that it is ungrateful to consider imitation as a mere copy or reflection of reality since it in volves a complex meditation of nature that reveals human creativity.It is therefore considered as a human Art. This essay deals essentially with the neoclassical conception of Mimesis, and the attitude of the neoclassicist John Dryden towards the ancient literary theory. Neoclassicism was a widespread and influential movement in literature and visual arts enduring from the early 17th century until around 1750 . Neoclassical writers looked to ancient Greek and Roman writers for inspiration and guidance and reaffirmed literary composition as a rational and rule-bound process, requiring a great deal of craft, labor and study.Central to neoclassical literary theory and practice was the concept of imitation; In the Neoclassical view , Mimesis has been understood as the imitation of nature as objects or phenomena , which means in effect , that literature imitates other modes of discourse , such as philosophy ,ethics , rhetoric , the natural and social sciences , religion , psychology or l inguistics . Neoclassicists believed that writers should strive to achieve excellence by imitating those great writers of the past rather than by trying to be original and innovative.The essence of Art thus becomes reinvention and rediscovery. The complex notion of nature, which was closely related to the notion of imitation, referred to aspects of the real world and human behavior, to what was central, timeless, and universal in human experience. The Neoclassical writers generally saw the ancients such as Homer and Aristotle as having already discovered and expressed the fundamental laws of nature . Hence , the external world, including the world of human action , could best be expressed by modern writers if they followed the path of imitation already paved by the ancients.Invention was of course allowed but only as a modification of past models, not in the form of a rupture. The Neo-classicist theorist John Dryden is known for his support of the theory and practice of the Greek an d Roman writers of antiquity and his belief in the necessity of a continuation and development of the rules set by the ancients. Dryden and his contemporaries looked upon the ancients as their models. By â€Å"the ancients† they generally meant the ancient writers.Seneca provided the model for tragedy, Terence and Plautus for comedy, Virgil for epic, Horace and Juvenal for satire, Pindar for odes, and Horace for literary criticism. Of all the ancient Roman writers, Dryden respected Virgil the most and repeatedly acknowledged him as his master and guide. Dryden emphasizes the importance of following the classic models with a sense of innovation and originality. He believes that poetry has a historical development, and he wishes â€Å"that poetry may not go backward, when all other arts and sciences are advancing. This refers to his belief in the ability of following the models and the experience of the ancients and trying to get beyond them. The neoclassical era is not partic ularly sensitive to originality and invention, but Dryden believes that originality is to be preferred to good imitation, and is a greater proof of genius. Dryden opposes Aristotle in believing that the plot is the first of all elements in a play and the basis on which the others are built, he believes that it’s rather the author's language, the diction and thought, that form the basis of a play.He also opposes the strongly conventionalized characters and plots of Roman comedies, asking for a wider imitation of nature, although he also appreciates the advantages of structural simplicity, but the interest of the plot and the characters is also to be found in variety and not simply in a well-defined structure. In variety we recognize human behavior, real life, and the essence of nature. John Dryden’s essay â€Å"An essay on Dramatic Poesy† gives an explicit account of neoclassical theory of art in general.He defends the classical drama standing on the line of Aris totle, saying that it is an imitation of life, and that it reflects human nature clearly. The essay is written in the form of dialogue concerned to four gentlemen: Eugenius, Crites, Lisideius and Neander. Neander seems to speak for Dryden himself. Eugenius takes the side of the modern English dramatists by criticizing the faults of the classical playwright. Crites defends the ancient , he opposes the use of rhyme in plays and argues that through the moderns excel in science ,the ancient age was the true age of poetry .He notes that poetry is now held in lower esteem , in an atmosphere of ‘Few good poets and so many severe judges’ , his essential argument is that the ancients were faithful imitators and wise observers of nature which is ‘ill represented in our plays ‘ he states that ‘they have handed down to us a perfect resemblance of her (nature) which we , like ill copiers , neglecting to look on , have rendered monstrous and disfigured’ Lesid eius defends the French playwrights and attacks the English tendency to mix genres.He defines a play as a just and lively image of human nature, representing its passions and humors and the change of fortune to which it is subject, for the delight and instruction of mankind† A definition that is very different from Aristotle’s; the latter has defined tragedy not as the representation of ‘human nature’ but as the imitation of a serious and complete action. Neander who speaks for Dryden himself, favors the moderns, respects the ancients, and is critical to rigid rules of drama. He defends rhyme if it is in proper place .Neander argues that tragic comedy is the best form for a play; because it is the closest to life in which emotions are heightened by both mirth and sadness. He complains that the Ancients were either tragedians or comedians, and that it is easier to attain perfection in this way, writing only the kind of thing one does best. He states that thi s natural gift has to be controlled by techniques; the good writer must know the emotions he is depicting, and he must not get carried away by them in order to remain credible in the eyes of the audience. He also finds subplots as an integral part to enrich a play.Neander favors the violation of the unities of time , place and action because it leads to the variety to the English plays, he argues that the unities have a narrowing effect on the play . The violation of unities helps the English dramatists present a mere, just and lively image of human nature. Neoclassicism comprised a return to the classical models, literary styles and values of ancient Greek and Roman authors , but if Dryden is neoclassical , it is in the sense that he acknowledges the classics as having furnished archetypes for drama , but modern writers are at liberty to create their own archetypes and their own literary traditions.

Slavery and Black Thunder - 8056 Words

BLACK THUNDER SUMMARY The Work Black Thunder, Arna Bontemps’ defining novel, is a fictionalized account of the early nineteenth century Gabriel Insurrection, in Virginia. The novel, which chronicles the Gabriel Prosser-led rebellion against the slave owners of Henrico County, was generally lauded by critics as one of the most significant black American works of fiction. Richard Wright praised the work for dealing forthrightly with the historical and revolutionary traditions of African Americans. Gabriel, a slave convinced that anything â€Å"equal to a grey squirrel wants to be free,† urges other slaves to revolt against their owners. The rebellion is hastened when a tyrannical slave owner whips another slave, Bundy, to death. Although the†¦show more content†¦From the Dark Tower: Afro-American Writers, 1900-1960. Washington, D.C.: Howard University Press, 1974. Chapter on Bontemps deals insightfully with Black Thunder and several of his other novels, making thoughtful comparisons among them. Illuminates the psychological validity of Bontemps’ characterizations. Gloster, Hugh M. Negro Voices in American Fiction. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1948. Still illuminating assessment of Black Thunder. Acknowledges the novel’s shortcomings, but takes no exception to A. B. Spingarn’s contention that Black Thunder is the best historical novel written (up to the mid-1940’s) by an African American. Jones, Kirkland C. Renaissance Man from Louisiana: A Biography of Arna Wendell Bontemps. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1992. The first full-length biography of Arna Bontemps. An excellent source not only for information about the man himself but also for information about the background of his works, including Black Thunder. Includes a bibliographic essay that serves as a handy guide to primary and secondary material about Bontemps. Sundquist, Eric J. The Hammers of Creation: Folk Culture in Modern African-American Fiction. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1992. Originally presented as a series of lectures, the three chapters in this book are more informally and more accessibly written than much modern literary criticism. The chapter on Black Thunder specifically focuses on Bontemps’ use of folk culture andShow MoreRelated Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor is a very powerful975 Words   |  4 PagesRoll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor is a very powerful novel about the Logan family living in Mississippi in the 1930s. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor is a very powerful novel about the Logan family living in Mississippi in the 1930s. The story is told through the eyes of nine-year-old Cassie Logan, who has to learn throughout the entire book, how harsh the world truly is for blacks. 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Possibly it was Harriet Bailey who gave her son Frederick such a distinguished name wishing that his life would be superior than hers. His mother couldn’t imagineRead MoreRoll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor Essay1545 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"There was a sinking f eeling in my stomach and I felt as if the world had turned itself upside down with me in it† (Page 129, Taylor). The author, Mildred Taylor, of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry has triumphed on writing the book while delivering the painful message of how African Americans were treated in the times of the Great Depression. Cassie has encountered many difficulties when having to accept the way she was treated outdoors along with all the other African-Americans in her society. In theRead MoreThe Slavery Of The Civil War1701 Words   |  7 Pages it was a common occurrence to witness Black families torn apart, sold off as property, and treated in hateful, vile manors in the name of a higher God. 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English Preromanticism William Blake - 3403 Words

Klaipeda University Institute of Continuing studies Department of English Philology Diana Griciuvien English Preromanticism: William Blake Term Paper Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. M. Ã…  idlauskas 2008 CONTENTS Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...............3 1. William Blake-a forerunner of English Romanticism 1 William Blake-a social critic of his own time†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..6 2 William Blake’s ideas and the Modern World†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 2. â€Å"Songs of innocence and of Experience†-the most popular W.Blake’s poem book 1 The social significance of W. Blake’s work†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦8 2 Paired poems-one of the most important characteristic†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....8†¦show more content†¦Many scholars, authors, and artists have recently turned to William Blake as to the most rebellious of the English romanticists, who views are now familiar. In a time when terrorism, religious fundamentalism and racial conflict mark our daily lives, the Blake provides a dynamic incursion of tolerant hope into that horizon. Blake was truly a unique artist and thinker worthy of much praise and academic study. I was obviously inspired by two of author’s famous poetry books, â€Å"The Songs of Innocence† and â€Å"The Songs of Experience†. Th e most of studies are done on this field by various researchers. Most of them are concentrating on the social significance of Blake’s work. According to Ben Wilkinson â€Å"..the poems through the book explore the complex relationship between meaning and morality, the often blurred lines between the two contrary states of innocence and experience, as well as pervasive and widespread corruption: of church and of state, of the decline of sociability or ‘brotherhood’, and of the dulling of our sensory perceptions through the inevitable ‘fall’ from innocence (Wilkinson B. 2007)†. His poems are separated into innocence and experience, both opposites. As Innocence has the sound of laughter the initial ecstasy. The poet therefore becomes a sort of foreteller who can see more deeply into reality and who also tries to warn man of the evils of society. While the Innocence poems dwell on pleasure and relief, the poem of Experience emphasize the