The Persecution of Christians Today Essay example -- Exploratory Essay

The Persecution of Christians Today The persecution of minority groups has been well documented throughout history. These documentations have been mostly of people of one race, culture, or ethnicity; persecuting another based on the belief that one race is superior to the other. In the case of Christianity, however, the documentation of the persecution has been kept to a minimum. In fact, it is rare to find a case in today’s world of the media reporting on the persecution of Christians. The reports of the atrocities of the Jews during the Holocaust where horrifying indeed, but equally horrifying are the accounts of the slaughter of Christians in the first century A.D. The descriptions of the means of death that many Christians faced during the early years of the Church leave one’s stomach uneasy to say the least. Tortured, raped, and killed, simply for what they believed in, Christians faced death almost willingly in some cases. Today the extent of the persecution of Christians often depends on where an individual lives. In the United States, a â€Å"nation under God,† Christians are quietly persecuted during everyday life. It is not seen as persecution by non-Christians who live in the U.S., but as their right to freedom of speech to mock and belittle Christians. In other parts of the world, however, the persecution is much more severe. Maltreatment in areas of the Middle and Far East are often issues of life and death. Christians are being imprisoned, tortured, and killed for their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and their attempts to spread the good news of salvation to the lost. This discrimination will not end anytime soon. It will be in the world until Jesus returns. Different groups will... ... Christian Legal Society. Center for Law and Religious Freedom. 22 April 2003 http://www.clsnet.org/clrfPages/litigation/litigation_Hensley.php3 . Focus on the Family. Dr. James Dobson. 21 April 2003 www.family.org . Fox, John. Fox’s Book of Martyrs. Philadelphia:The John C. Winston Co., NO DATE. Life Application Study Bible. NIV. Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1997. â€Å"Persecution of Christians Growing in the United States.† Thomas Horn. 21 April 2003 http://www.worthynews.com/christian-persecution.htm . Pong, Peter, Wang, Shih-Ping, Liu, Tsin-Tsai, Cheng, Samuel, Kim, Kyung. Communist Persecution of Churches in Red China and Northern Korea. Washington: United States Government Printing Office, 1959. 1-7. Swint, Wayne. Personal interview. 22 April 2003. â€Å"Working with the Communist.† Christianity Today 7 Oct. 2002. 56-59.

Mind and Matrix Essay

Epistemology is the nature of knowledge. Knowledge is important when considering what is reality and what is deception. The movie â€Å"The Matrix† displays a social deception in which Neo, the main character, is caught between what he thought was once reality and a whole new world that controls everything he thought was real. If I were Neo, I would not truly be able to know that I was in the matrix. However, it is rational to believe that I am in the matrix and will eventually enter back into my reality later. The proof that that I can know that I am in the matrix and that I will return to reality comes from the responses of foundationalism, idealism, and pallibalism. To begin, foundationalism is the essence of what we are certain of. Many philosophers argue on the basis of foundationalism to find out where knowledge begins. This will help determine if Neo would be able to know or not know if he is dreaming up the matrix or in fact that it is reality. The popularity of foundationalism starts with Descartes. He challenged the previously popular skepticism. In Descartes Meditations he discusses many issues relating to the question of â€Å"where does knowledge come from? † His main arguments appear in his dreaming argument. He first begins by stating 1. I often have perceptions very much like the ones I usually have in sensation while I am dreaming. Then he goes on to say 2. There are no definite signs to distinguish dream experience from waking experience. These two premises lead to the conclusion that 3. It is possible that I am dreaming right now and that all my perceptions are false. This shows that there is no real way to know to know anything. Descartes add to his argument using foundationalism. â€Å"‘Throughout my writings I have made it clear that my method imitates that of the architect. When an architect wants to build a house which is stable on ground where there is a sandy topsoil over underlying rock, or clay, or some other firm base, he begins by digging out a set of trenches from which he removes the sand, and anything resting on or mixed in with the sand, so that he can lay his foundations on firm soil. In the same way, I began by taking everything that was doubtful and throwing it out, like sand †¦ (Replies 7, AT 7:537)’ (Lex, Newman)†. This explains how foundationalism works; you must remove all of your doubt to advance to the foundationtion of which you are sure of. This is called the method of doubt. Once you know what you are sure of, you can build up knowledge from there. Many wonder how we can wonder we are not dreaming. Some agree that you cannot feel pain in a dream, but others say they have. The argument that dreams are not related to memory is strong because most people do not remember their dreams. Descartes explains that in a dream you can feel as if you are using all of your senses, but they seem to be more vague than when awake. Descartes struggles with the dream issue until he comes upon his conclusion. â€Å"‘I now notice that there is a vast difference between [being asleep and being awake], in that dreams are never linked by memory with all the other actions of life as waking experiences are. †¦ But when I distinctly see where things come from and where and when they come to me, and when I can connect my perceptions of them with the whole of the rest of my life without a break, then I am quite certain that when I encounter these things I am not asleep but awake. (Med.6, AT 7:89-90)’ (Lex, Newman)†. This dream argument attributes to how we can know anything. For Neo’s sake it helps him decide weather he is really in the matrix or not. In addition to foundationalism proving that knowledge is built up from what we are certain of, idealism plays an important role of arguing that all reality is in the mind. Descartes’ argument for idealism explains how knowledge of reality is possible. He goes through the process of using an example like a pen and justifying its existence. There are 3 steps to this process: 1. I know I perceive the pen. 2. To exist is to be perceived (Berkeley). 3. I know the pen exists. Another philosopher, Berkeley, argues esse est percipi, which translates to â€Å"to be is to be perceived†. This means that if you are perceived you exist and the same thing goes for reality. There are issues that argue against idealism; one of these arguments is that we have no conception of unperceived matter. As soon as you perceive it you can conceive it. The only problems with this argument are the fact that many people perceive the distant path. An example of this is the â€Å"Big Bang† theory. Also the perception of the atom and distant galaxies furthermore cause a problem. So idealism still stands strong. Neo’s perception of the matrix exists so therefor Neo believes that the matrix is real. Yet there remains one more response to furthermore prove that Neo is rational to believe he is in the matrix. This is the response to Pallibalism, the theory that knowledge does not require certainty. This response goes about saying that we are certain of our minds and our own existence. Neo has knowledge of the matrix, but there is no certainty with his knowledge. Noe is able to perceive the surroundings around him in the matrix and he can be sure he is not dreaming, but he can not know for sure if the matrix is truly real. The case for this is that he could be just a brain in a Vat in a giant virtual reality. Another example similar to â€Å"The Matrix† is â€Å"The Trueman Show†. In this case it is a local deception rather than a social deception. Pallibalism agrees with foundationalism and idealism in the fact that knowledge is an abstract notion and the only thing that one can be certain of is them selves. Clearly then, foundationalism, idealism, and pallibalism all fit together to prove that Neo can not be certain of the matrix, but only himself. Also it further explains how it is rational for him to believe that the matrix exists through his perception of the matrix and the knowledge he obtains when he is there. The growth of knowledge in Neo’s mind is possible what is his deception. The more he perceives could possible be more he is deceived. What we know about reality is all in our minds and if we can only be certain of ourselves and our own existence then the reality that we perceive and conceive does exist. So the answer is yes, Neo can know that he is in the matrix, but this does not necessarily mean the matrix exists. As far as Neo knows the matrix does exist and that he will return to what he thought was his reality later, knowing that there is more than just his world. Works Cited Newman, Lex, â€Å"Descartes’ Epistemology†, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 1999 Edition), Edward N, Zalta (ed. ), URL= http://plato. stanford. edu/archives/spring1999/entries/Descartes.

Social Media And Its Effect On Society Essay - 1817 Words

Journal #2: Through Einstein and Freud’s exchanges in Why War, it was stated by Sigmund Freud that war is the result to resolve conflict through the means of violence (Freud, p. 549). He claims that there is no permanent fix to war; rather there is a temporary fix through the creation of a community bonded by a shared identity and emotional ties (Freud, 550). Our society has changed drastically in several different aspects since this paper was originally written in 1932, but the largest way that we have grown can be credited towards technology. Through the use of technology, the ideas of Sigmund Freud on the prevention of war have been greatly strengthened. This strength comes specifically in the aspects of community bonding, giving the â€Å"ruled† a voice in a hierarchical world, and creating a transparency of the hidden crimes committed by â€Å"ruling† class. Social media has been used as platforms for contact, socialization, and cooperation on a global scal e. It has armed those who previously would have struggled with being heard with the ability to have a voice. Platforms such as Twitter and Facebook have allowed the production of discussion by allowing people to feel more free to express their opinions and thus, broadening public discourse and veering away from the dominance of the hegemonic views of the group that Freud phrased as the â€Å"rulers† (551). A perfect example of how minorities are more able to have a voice than ever through the use of social media can beShow MoreRelatedSocial Media And Its Effects On Society1597 Words   |  7 PagesSociety Crumbles into Smithereens One Post at a Time You are walking out of the new Star Wars movie, posting about how superb it was, when suddenly you are swooped up and thrown in the back of a vehicle. No one would have thought posting about how you were there earlier would provoke such a situation. After all, social networking is â€Å"safe† and â€Å"friendly.† Now, social media is defined as â€Å"A form of electric communication through which users create online communities to share information,† accordingRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effect On Society1711 Words   |  7 Pagesinfluence usually are not the first words you would expect to come to mind when thinking about the term â€Å"social media,† yet with a little digging you will soon realize it could be the perfect description. Social media can be defined as forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages and other content. Most often social media is understood as a p ositive concept because of the ways it has allowed us to attain cheap and easilyRead MoreThe Effects Of Social Media On Society1359 Words   |  6 PagesIn a broad sense, Social media refers to elements such as websites, television, blogs, IM, and other applications that enable users to create and share various forms of content such as messages, pictures, and information, or to be able to participate in social networking. Social media depends on web-based applications, which allow a high level of virtual interaction on various levels such as social, professional, and educational levels. Social media has had various contributions to the developmentRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effects On Society1592 Words   |  7 Pagesdevelopment of vast social media networks has improved our communications and interactions. These networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, are essential to how information is shared and criticized. The Social Media Handbook defines social media as â€Å"networked information services designed to support in-depth interaction, community formation, collaborative opportunities and collaborative work† (Hunsinger, 2014 p.1). Having an account or profile on these sites is more than a social norm; it is a requirementRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effects On Society1359 Words   |  6 PagesPeople may say social media is good for you but is it really? Everyday, everywhere I always see people on social media calling people bad names, not being able to communicate face to face with each other. Social media, social media, social media†¦ oh what is has done to the world, so many students grades have dropped, criminals PROMOTE crimes. Ultimately, what is at stake here is social media will one day take over the world. People’s safety will be in danger, crimes will increase, people will getRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effect On Society1601 Words   |  7 Pagesrecent editorial titled â€Å"Hazards of Social Media† on your LinkedIn page on February 10th, 2016. It was very interesting to read your perspective on social media and its effect on society. Having an undergraduate major in Psychology at the University of Southern California and currently conducting research on social media usage at the Brain and Creativity Institute of USC, I have spent significant time researching the issue of social media.Though I agree that social media can be hazardous if not used effectivelyRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effect On Society998 Words   |  4 Pagesis bound to be a shift in social norms. As the times change, so does societ al views on acceptable values. One such possibility is the standard value accepted by mainstream society in which the way a female body is sexually portrayed in the media. It appears that society has not only accepted this standard, but has increasingly encouraged a more sexualized representation of the female body. Social media is an informational highway about what is accepted by the larger society and inferred by the individualsRead MoreThe Effects Of Social Media On Society Essay1644 Words   |  7 PagesSocial media has become prominent parts of life for many young people today. Most people engage with social media without stopping to think what the effects are on our lives, whether positive or negative. Are we as a society becoming more concerned with Facebook friends than we are with the people we interact with face-to-face in our daily lives? What will the longterm effects of today s social media use be? There are many positive aspects, but there are equally as many dangers that come withRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effect On Society1151 Words   |  5 PagesSocial Media The Workplaces’ Largest Enemy Being employed means that an individual will in most cases have coworkers and bosses; the environment shared between the employees is known as the workplace. In the time before technology, people being fired from their jobs was not an unheard of situation. The difference now is people are being terminated from their jobs because of something they posted on social media. If this was not the case, it would set a precedent that posting inappropriate or hurtfulRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effects On Society Essay1396 Words   |  6 PagesIn our modern world, the use of social media is overwhelming and second nature due to the availability. Several people all around the world possess some form of an electronic device that is capable of accessing social media, rather it be Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and many more. â€Å"Technology’s rampant popularization over the past decade in terms of social media has meant that texting, Facebook, and Twitter have inevitable take n over as the most efficient ways of communicating with each

Popular Products That Originated From Christmas

Christmas is filled with traditions and unique decorations not seen throughout the rest of the year. Many Christmas favorites also have nonreligious roots. Here is the origin of many well-known Christmas items. Christmas Tinsel Around 1610, tinsel was first invented in Germany made from genuine silver. Machines were invented that shredded silver into thin, tinsel-sized strips. Silver tinsel tarnishes and loses its shine with time, so artificial replacements were eventually invented. Candy Canes The origin of the candy cane goes back over 350 years when candy-makers both professional and amateur were making hard sugar sticks. The original candy was straight and completely white in color. Artificial Christmas Trees Towards the end of the 1800s, another variation of the traditional Christmas tree appeared: the artificial Christmas tree. Artificial trees originated in Germany. Metal wire trees were covered with goose, turkey, ostrich or swan feathers. The feathers were often died green to imitate pine needles. In the 1930s, the Addis Brush Company created the first artificial-brush trees, using the same machinery that made their toilet brushes! The Addis Silver Pine tree was patented in 1950. The Christmas tree was designed to have a revolving light source under it and colored gels allowed the light to shine in different shades as it revolved under the tree. History of Christmas Tree Lights Learn about the history of Christmas tree lights: from candles to inventor Albert Sadacca, who was 15 in 1917 when he first got the idea to make safe Christmas tree lights. Christmas Cards Englishman John Calcott Horsley popularized the tradition of sending Christmas greeting cards, in the 1830s. Christmas Snowman Yes, the snowman was invented, many times over. Enjoy these whimsical pictures of snowman inventions. They are from actual patents and trademarks. There are also a number of snowmen designs seen on Christmas trees and ornaments. Christmas Sweaters Knitted sweaters have been around a very long time, however, there is one certain type of sweater that delights us all during the holiday season. With lots of red and green colors, and reindeer, Santa, and snowman decorations, the Christmas sweater is both loved and even despised by many. History of Christmas On December 25, Christians traditionally celebrate the birth of Christ. The origins of the holiday are uncertain, however by the year 336, the Christian church in Rome observed the Feast of the Nativity (birth) on December 25. Christmas also coincided with the winter solstice and the Roman Festival of Saturnalia. While Christmas is a centuries-old tradition, it was never an official American national holiday until 1870. The House and Senate passed a bill introduced by Rep. Burton Chauncey Cook of Illinois that proposed making Christmas a national holiday. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the bill on June 28, 1870.

The Masque Of The Red Death - 1093 Words

The Masque of Allegory Many writers of literature incorporate symbolic references in their works throughout history and today. One romantic poet and storywriter in particular is excellent in the use of allegory in his poems and stories. This unique writer’s name is Edgar Allan Poe and his tale â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† is one of his most well known pieces of allegoric writing. Although there are numerous symbols in this story, the seven rooms and the fact that death is inevitable are the two most complex symbols that have a deeper meaning, which provokes the reader to think because without carefully considering the clues and content of the story, one would not understand the significance of these symbols. The seven rooms used for the masquerade in Prince Prospero’s castle are an allegory of the stages of life. The chambers are bizarrely lined up from east to west. The order of the rooms is blue, purple, green, orange, white, violet, and black. Also, the â€Å"windows were of stained glass whose color varied in accordance with the prevailing hue of the decorations of the chamber into which it opened† (Poe 2). Each room’s window is the same color as the room and its decorations, except for a very important one. The blue room symbolizes birth and the beginning of life. It also indicates the innocence of the unknown. It is understood through critical thinking and considering uses of symbolism over the ages that the blue room is an allegory for birth because the symbol of east andShow MoreRelatedThe Masque Of The Red Death Essay1572 Words   |  7 Pagesshort story form and inventing the modern detective story† (Slova ). In eighteen forty, Poe released one of hi s more well-known gothic short stories, â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death.† In â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† Poe relies heavily upon the use literary devices such as allegories, symbolism, and narration to convey his overall theme of how death and mortality are inevitable. Poe was considered to have completely mastered the art of Gothic writing. It is believed by many that his inspiration came fromRead MoreThe Masque Of The Red Death1592 Words   |  7 Pagesexcellent example of this struggle in his short story â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death†. While a deadly plague is ravaging his country, a prosperous prince, quite appropriately named Prospero, takes a thousand of his fellow elites into seclusion at an abbey, where he later holds an elaborate masquerade. It is then towards the end of this masque, held in an imperial suite of brilliantly colored but bizarre rooms, that the plague, known as the ‘Red Death’, finally makes its way into the abbey, inevitably killingRead MoreThe Masque of the Red Death2065 Words   |  9 Pagesall up. But before she died she gasped out .’Any excuse will serve a tyrant.’ I chose THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH by Edgar Allen Poe as my short story. The theme that I selected from that story is Mortality. Thesis Statement on Mortality: Even though fear of the unknown is scary, should mortality actually be something we fear? Death effects everyone the same. It ends life for all equally and death is life’s only certainty. Some of the literary elements Edgar Allen Poe uses in this storyRead MoreThe Masque of the Red Death914 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† by Edgar Allen Poe is an eerie short story about the â€Å"Red Death†, Poe’s twist on the Black Plague. This plague swept across an unknown kingdom killing many people as it went. There were sharp pain, and sudden dizziness, and then profuse bleeding at the pores, with dissolution. Poe had two main themes for readers to think about. These themes were proven through five main symbols: The ebony clock in the black room, Prince Prospero in the abbey with his friends, the colorsRead MoreThe Masque Of The Red Death1788 Words   |  8 PagesDeath is inevitable in the human life cycle, so how does one attempt to avoid it? Symbolism is defined as the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Edgar Allan Poe wrote a short story called, â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death.† The majority of people believe he is referring to the black plague that has struck the kingdom. Prince Prospero decides to let the kingdom â€Å"peasants† take care of themselves while himself, knights, and chosen women isolate themselves in Prospero’s castle. A little whileRead More The Masque of the Red Death879 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† is an extraordinary story of many elements that can grasp any readers attention. This story targets more of the emotions and actions of the characters, creating more of a fathom. Edgar Allan Poe wrote this story from his own perspective and perhaps succeeded in getting the reader to some what relate to the characters focusing on the feelings. The point of view Poe wrote this in makes a clear understanding. The point of view Edgar wrote this in is very effectiveRead MoreThe Masque Of The Red Death1679 Words   |  7 Pages Power in â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† â€Å"Frail humanity can never escape the ravages of time†. Humans are born and will eventually die; it’s the cycle of life. No one can prevent death, but it does not stop people from trying to prolong life. Fate is inevitably predetermined; death is our predetermined fate. In the allegory â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death†, written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1842, Poe teaches that death is predestined and that you cannot avoid fate. Poe focuses in on an unusual characterRead More Conflict in The Masque of the Red Death920 Words   |  4 Pages Conflicts affect the mood of the main characters in a story, by expressing the insecurities, Death,† a couple of conflicts are exposed throughout the piece. In the story â€Å"The Masque of the Red,† a couple of conflicts are expressed throughout this piece. The conflicts man versus fate and man versus himself are the conflicts that are displayed several times within this story. From major conflicts to minor conflicts, this story clarifies the problems that Prince Prospero faces within himselfRead MoreSymbolism In The Masque Of The Red Death708 Words   |  3 PagesDeath is something everyone frets on a daily basis. Edgar Allan Poe stresses how death is an unavoidable reality in his short story â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death†. Prince Prospero, a lying, cowardly, untrustworthy leader pretends to be helping his town as people are suddenly dying off from the Red Death, when he is actually just protecting himself and leaving his town helpless. This story is shown through the use of many symbols and events. Ultimately Poe utilizes symbolism in order to convey theRead MoreThe Masque Of The Red Death Analysis1117 Words   |  5 Pageshorrorerous descriptions. In â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death ¨, Edgar Allan Poe uses symbolism to portray the mood of death and despair with imagery though his descriptions of time, fear, and obliteration to develop the theme of the story . This is more than just a simple horror narrative. Throughout the story, the Masque of the  ¨Red Death ¨ corresponds with the uses of symbolism to portray the mood of death and despair. To break the title apart, the key image of the  ¨Masque ¨ implies a historic view of a

Ectasy And Addiction Essay Example For Students

Ectasy And Addiction Essay Club Drugs: Ecstasy In developing prevention efforts that target young people, prevention managers must design strategies to counter the increasing use and widespread availability of the club drug Ecstasy. Known as the party drug, Ecstasy is both a stimulant and a hallucinogen, and its effects are potentially life-threatening. Because it is inexpensive and easily accessible, Ecstasy is gaining in popularity. As reported in the Monitoring the Future Study (National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA 1999), 3.6 percent of 12th graders, 3.3 percent of 10th graders, and 1.8 percent of 8th graders said they had used the drug in 1998. From 1991 through 1998, use by college students increased from 0.9 percent to 2.4 percent and by adults, from 0.8 percent to 2. 1 percent (NIDA, Facts About MDMA, 2000). What Is Ecstasy? Ecstasy is the street name for methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a chemical substance that combines methamphetamines with hallucinogenic properties. It is also known as X-TC, Adam, Clarity, and Lovers Speed. Like all club drugs, Ecstasy is a combination of other illicit drugs. Because many different recipes are used to make Ecstasy, the risk of death and permanent brain damage are heightened when some substances are combined. It is available in tablet, capsule, or powder form; some manufacturers of the drug package it in capsules or generic tablets to imitate prescription drugs. The average cost is between $7 and $30 per pill. Among the variations of the drug is a new substance, Herbal Ecstasy, that is composed of ephedrine (ma huang) or pseudoephedrine and caffeine from the kola nut. Sold in tablet form, this drug may cause permanent brain damage and death (NIDA, Club Drugs: Just the Facts, 2000). What Side Effects Are Produced by Ecstasy? Ecstasys effects can last up to 24 hours. The drug produces immediate side effects, and somesuch as confusion, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, and paranoiacan occur weeks after it is taken (NIDA, Community Drug Alert Bulletin on Club Drugs, 2000). Because Ecstasy alters serotonin levels in the brain, researchers have found that chronic use can lead to long-term or permanent damage to those parts of the brain critical to thought, memory, and pleasure (NIDA, Facts About MDMA, 2000). Psychological Effects Psychological effects are confusion, depression, sleep problems, severe anxiety and paranoia, euphoria, enhanced mental and emotional clarity, hallucinations, sensations of lightness and floating, depression, paranoid thinking, and violent, irrational behavior. Physical Effects Physical effects are muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, chills/sweating, dehydration, hypertension, loss of control over voluntary body movements, tremors, reduced appetite, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, seizure, and malignant hyperthermia (increase in body temperature).

Strategies to Build Culture Essays - Educational Psychology

Strategies to Build Culture Building relationships in the classroom is an essential part of any instructor's career. Having healthy teacher to student and student to student relationships is an effective way to help prevent academic failure, social conflict and quarrelsome behavior. For students to learn in an effective manner they need to feel comfortable, loved and accepted in their learning environment. Davidson and Lang (1960) reported that ?students who felt liked by their teachers had higher academic achievement and more productive classroom behavior than did students who felt their teachers held them in lower regard? (p.30). Students prefer teachers who are warm and friendly. More important, positive teacher-student relationships, in which teachers uses strategies that are associated with more positive student responses to school and with increased academic achievement. Truax and Tatum (1966) found that ?children adjusted more positively to school, teachers, and peers when teachers displayed empathy and positive regard for children? (p.457). Teachers must build strong and successful teacher student relationships based on their student?s personalities and instructional strategies. Incorporating a positive environment, encouraging students, and having an open, honest communication line and teacher student interaction, showing mutual respect between teacher and students is so vital on so many levels. Showing interest and caring for students will create a trusting and genuine bond with them and in most cases they will reciprocate, establishing a win-win situation for both student and teacher. Strategies Get to know your students. Each of your students has separate personalities, which is why it is important for you to know them as individuals. A unique way to know more about your students is to have them keep a personal journal that is meant for only you to read, unless otherwise instructed. Also, have several minutes set aside once a week at the beginning of class to allow your students to read a journal entry aloud if they are willing to volunteer. The journals will give you a good sense of each of your student's personalities, and if journal entries are read aloud it will also give other students in the classroom a chance to better understand one another. Show appropriate manners, and expect to receive the same. When students and teachers feel that they are respected and not treated unfairly, the relationships in the classroom will grow at a positive rate. Simple courtesy such as saying "thank you," "please" and "you're welcome" will show each of your students that you respect and appreciate them, and it will encourage them to treat you with the same courtesy. Activities Create group activities. Students love to have fun in the classroom regardless of age. Having group activities in the classroom every other week, give or take is very beneficial to students. Not only do they give you a chance to connect with your students, they also help build student-to-student relationships. For instance, play the ?Name Chain? so the students can learn each other?s names, and begin getting acquainted. Create a ?Student Directory? in which all students along with their skills and interests are listed. The directory point students in the right direction when they need special assistance on a topic, and instruct students to rely on each other. Have students create ?Wanted Posters? in which they describe what makes himself or herself a good friend. The posters will be hung in the hallway or around the room. Finally, involve the student?s parents. If the students are not of adult age, their parents should be involved in their education. Reminding the parents of upcoming events, tests and assignments that are due is an effective way for your students to succeed. Also, if there is a concern or any good news, it is important to pass this information on to the parents in order for them to issue praise or properly resolve the concern. This strategy will help you build relationships with the student?s parents as well as the students. References Davidson, H., & Lang, G. (1960). Children Perception of Their Teacher's Feelings Towards Them. Journal of Experimental Education, 18-50. Tatum, C. R., & Truax, C. B. (1966). An extension from the effective pyschotherapeutic modle to constructive personality change in preschool children. Childhood Education , 42, 456-462.