Meaning of life †Evolution Essay

Everyone wonders about the meaning and purpose of life. What is our origin: evolution or creation? Should we seek material wealth, pleasure, and education, or are we here to serve and honor God? Will we be judged for our lives and face eternal destinies in heaven or hell? Please consider the answers that can be found only in the Bible. Introduction: What is the meaning of life? Without doubt, this is one of the most challenging, and yet one of the most fundamental, questions the mind can consider. People throughout history have pondered the purpose of life. Philosophers spin theories. Poets write songs. Young people drop out of society to â€Å"find out what it’s all about. † Older people may remain within the â€Å"establishment,† but they still wonder. Obviously life is real. No one can deny that the world exists and people exist. You live, eat, sleep, breathe, and move. But do you understand why you exist? Please consider with me the challenging question of life. What is it really all about? To answer this question, we will look at three specific questions. Question #1: Where Did You Come From? How do you explain the origin of the human race? Since we are alive, it is natural to wonder where we came from. One reason many people are confused about the meaning of life is that they do not understand the origin of life. To know why we are here, we must know where we came from. Many People Hold Mistaken Ideas about the Origin of Life. A commonly accepted explanation for the origin of life is organic evolution – the hypothesis that man evolved from â€Å"lower animals,† which in turn came from simpler life forms, all the way back to the first microscopic life, which sprang accidentally from non-living matter. But this theory has major problems. Where did the first living thing come from? What caused life to begin where there had never been life before? Science has repeatedly demonstrated that life comes only from life. This is a law of science called the â€Å"Law of Biogenesis. † The opposite of this law would be spontaneous generation – life beginning spontaneously from non-living matter. But science has repeatedly proved this cannot happen. So every living thing must come from a previous living thing. You received life from your parents, who in turn received it from their parents, etc. The same is true for all living things. But evolution requires that, when you go back far enough, non-living matter somehow came to life by chance where there was no life before. Evolution requires spontaneous generation in complete violation of scientific evidence. So evolution cannot explain even the origin of the very first form of life. Where is the evidence that all modern kinds of living things came from an original kind? Living things can adapt to their environment, but where is the proof they can develop into entirely different kinds of organisms such that all kinds came from one original kind? Years of human experience and scientific experimentation confirm that living things reproduce â€Å"after their own kind. † The offspring of a fish is another fish, not a snake, bird, or man. Scientists have searched for years for the â€Å"missing links† – fossils of organisms that were halfway between the kinds of plants or animals we have now. Millions of fossils have been found around the world. If evolution is true, there should be thousands of fossils of missing links, but there is no evidence of these remains anywhere. Why not? Why is man so unique from animals? If man evolved from animals and is really an animal but just slightly more complex, why do we have characteristics so vastly different from animals? Why do people appreciate beauty in art, music, and poetry? Do animals create new paintings, sculptures, symphonies, and books of poetry that they and other animals can enjoy? Why do men have a conscience and a sense of morals? Why do we feel guilty when we have done wrong, even when we have not been caught or punished? Do animals naturally possess these spiritual qualities? Why do only people wonder about such issues as where we came from? Do animals debate even such issues as creation vs. evolution? Why do we possess rational thought so much higher than animals? We can find minute variations in degrees of â€Å"intelligence† among animals, but there is a vast gulf between any animal and man. Men build machines and tools to work for us, train animals, use fire, perform mathematic and scientific calculations, read and write, and pass our knowledge on to others. If we developed from the animals, why are there no animals that possess these characteristics almost as much as we do? If we develop from the animals, why are we so different from them? Evolution is not an adequate explanation. Consider the Bible Explanation for the Origin of Life. Genesis 1:11,12,21-28. All kinds of life were originally created by God in six days. God is an eternal, living, all-wise, all-powerful Creator (cf. Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 4:4). Instead of life coming from non-living matter, life came from life – the eternally living God. Living things reproduce after their own kind, because God created them that way. And man is unlike the animals, because he is â€Å"in the image of God. † We did not evolve from animals, but we share God’s nature. Acts 17:24,25,28 The world and everything in it were made by God. He is the source of life and gives all the blessings that are necessary to life. Here is an explanation for the origin of life that fits what we see around us, fits the nature of man as compared to animals, and we will see that it provides a satisfying explanation for the meaning to life. There is sufficient evidence to compel any honest person to believe God exists and the Bible is His word. We do not have time here to examine all the evidence, but we encourage those who have doubts to investigate it. We simply observe that the Bible explanation makes far more sense than any other alternative, and that those who do not accept the Bible really cannot satisfactorily explain their own existence! If you would like to study evidence for the inspiration of Scripture or for creation vs. evolution, please see the links at the end of this study. Question #2: Why Are You Here? Do you really understand why you exist? Surely this is a fundamental question that everyone wants answered. Without meaningful goals, life is senseless and empty. Lack of purpose leads to unhappiness and even mental disorders. People need a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment in life. Many People Are Mistaken about the Purpose of Life. This is one consequence of evolution. If organic evolution is true, then there is no purpose in life. Life is an accident, and people search in vain for any meaning to it. So, many conclude that there is no higher purpose than to make life enjoyable for themselves and others. Some pursue riches and material possessions. They believe material things will make life happy and pleasant. But then they always want more: a bigger house, newer car, nicer clothes and furniture, etc. They are never satisfied. All people need some material goods, but is this the highest goal of life? Some pursue pleasure: entertainment, recreation, travel, etc. Their goal in life is â€Å"fun, fun, fun. † â€Å"Wine, women, and song† (or â€Å"drugs, alcohol, and free love†). â€Å"Be a party animal. † â€Å"Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die. † This philosophy is emphasized by modern entertainment. It is the beer-commercial mentality: â€Å"You only go around once, so reach for all the gusto you can. † â€Å"It doesn’t get any better than this! † One of them even names its beer â€Å"High Life. † But does life really not have any better purpose than to booze it up? Many modern entertainers have achieved â€Å"the high life† to the ultimate, but are they happy? If so, why are so many of them plagued by drug and alcohol addiction, divorce, mental breakdowns, early deaths, and suicide? Is that really a satisfying life? Some pursue education. They want to accumulate knowledge and worldly wisdom. Like the Athenians, they spend their time in nothing else than to hear or tell some new thing. In all these areas, there may be some wholesome activities that may have some benefit. But is there really no higher goal in life than these? Whatever benefits they activities provide are temporary and incomplete at best. No matter how much you have, you always want more. In fact, modern Americans have achieved these goals to a degree beyond the imagination of most people of the world and of history. We have gadgets and toys, houses and lands, college degrees, and every kind of entertainment imaginable. But do you see evidence that Americans in general are truly satisfied with life? Society is filled with crime, broken relationships, mental illness, addiction, and unhappiness. Politicians profess to see â€Å"crises† on every hand. Many people in the world never achieve these goals. And those who do achieve them are still looking for the purpose of life. There must be something more. The Bible Teaches the True Purpose of Life Ecclesiastes 2:1-11; 12:13,14. The author experienced every enjoyment of life that some people pursue: wealth, pleasure, and education as great as anyone who ever lived. Did it satisfy? What was his conclusion? It was all â€Å"vanity and vexation of spirit† (2:11). The earthly pursuits that most people emphasize simply do not satisfy in the end. What is the real purpose of life? â€Å"Fear God and keep His commands† (12:13). God created man, because He had a purpose for us to accomplish. And He designed us so that, unless we fulfill that purpose, we have no real sense of accomplishment. Instead we create problems for ourselves. What would happen if you tried to bake lasagna in the clothes dryer? What if you tried to run your car on Jell-O instead of gasoline? What if you tried to eat with a shovel and pitchfork instead of spoon and fork? What if you tried to mow your lawn with fingernail clippers? Problems often result when things are created for one purpose, but we try to use them for a completely different purpose. Likewise, our lives are not satisfactory when we do not accomplish the purpose we were created for. Matthew 6:19-21,24,33 Our main concern in life must be to work in God’s kingdom and have a right relationship with Him. Other concerns may have some value but are far less important. Note v24. You can have only one master. You cannot put two things in first place in your life. God requires that serving Him must be the most important thing in life to us. Each of us must make a choice. Either God will be first, or something else will be first. Matthew 22:36-39 The most important work God intends for us to accomplish life is to love God and love our fellowman. John 14:15 – But love for God requires us to obey Him (1 John 5:2,3). 1 Corinthians 14:37 – God’s commands are revealed in the Bible. Lasting fulfillment in life comes only from obeying God’s word and thereby serving God and man. We will not discuss here all that is involved in serving God, but we simply emphasize the importance of understanding our purpose in life. Until you understand the teaching of the Bible, you do not really understand the purpose of life. (See also 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Luke 12:15-21. ) III. Question #3: Where Are You Going? Do you understand what comes after death? You may or may not feel that your life on earth is secure, but what happens when you die? What will your destiny be when life is over? Many People Are Confused or Unsure about What Comes after Death. We can be certain that death is coming. We may not like it, but death is a fact of life. * Sometimes people contract cancer or heart disease that is diagnosed as terminal. But, â€Å"Life is a terminal disease. † No one stays here permanently. * Criminals are sometimes given a death sentence for their crimes. But we all live under a death sentence! * In college a hippie type roomed in the same house I did. He subscribed to Time magazine, and one day when the mail came we kidded him saying, â€Å"Your Time has come! † He became upset. But sooner or later, for every one of us, â€Å"Your time will come. † Death is uncertain only in that we do not know when or how it will come. But there can be no doubt that it will come. Death is sad and fearful for many because they do not know what lies beyond. Or worse yet, they do know and are not ready to face it! Sooner or later, we all must face death. What then? Science does not even try to answer this question! Philosophers or religious leaders sometimes speculate that we cease to exist at death or that we will be reincarnated. But they have no proof. Here is another major question of life for which, apart from the Bible, you cannot know the real answer. The Bible Tells Us What Follows Death. Hebrews 9:27 – It is appointed to man once to die, then comes the judgment. Jesus may come before we die; but if we die first, we will be raised from the dead when He returns. Either way, we will face God and be judged for our lives, good or bad. Someday, God will hold every one of us accountable for whether or not we have accomplished the purpose for which He created us. [John 5:28,29; Ecclesiastes 12:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10] Matthew 25:31-46 – At judgment, the righteous will inherit the kingdom prepared for them by God (v34). This is eternal life (v46). The wicked will go into eternal fire (v41). This is eternal punishment (v46). Romans 2:6-11 – What determines the reward we receive? Our works. We receive wrath if we work evil and do not obey truth. We receive eternal life if we continue to work good. Our eternal destiny depends on whether or not we accomplish our Maker’s purpose! You may ask, â€Å"How do you know we don’t cease to exist after death? How do you know we won’t be reincarnated? How do you know we will be raised and judged? † Acts 17:30,31 – We can know what comes after death because Someone has already died and come back to tell us what comes after death. In fact, He will be the One to judge our lives! [1 Cor. chap. 15] The resurrection of Jesus, the miracles of the Bible, and the fulfilled prophecy of Scripture are the proofs that the Bible is from God. If the Bible is from God, then we can be sure it tells us the origin and purpose of life and our destiny after life. Conclusion Since you will be judged for whether or not you have accomplished your Maker’s purpose, please consider further: How can you receive eternal life? Romans 3:23 – The problem we all have is that at times we have failed to do the Creator’s will. We are all guilty of sin (1 John 1:8,10). What can be done about that? The good news is that Jesus came and died to forgive your sins (Romans 5:6-10; 6:23; John 3:16). To receive this forgiveness, you must be willing to live the rest of your life in His service – â€Å"Repent. † Acts 2:28; 22:16 – If you come to Christ believing in Him, confessing Him, and being baptized, He will forgive you and make you a new creature so you can have eternal life (Romans 6:3,4; Mark 16:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 15:58). Why continue life without investigating God’s way for your life? Suppose you are about to buy a house, but a friend promises you that he knows that house and it is in terrible shape in ways that are not obvious. Suppose he assures you that you are about to pay thousands of dollars more than the house was worth. Would you ignore the friend’s advice, or would you investigate? In a similar way, we are advising you in love that living life apart from obedience to God may seem pleasurable and attractive, but in the end it will lead to catastrophe. Surely you need to investigate before it is too late! Someday you will wish you had lived your life for God. If you are not living it for Him now, we urge you to find out what His will requires of you. If you already know, we urge you to obey while you have opportunity. The Bible has the answer to the most important questions of life. There is no need to go through life wondering â€Å"what it is all about. † Why not find out and begin to live according to the purpose for which you were made? Note: If you would like to study further about life after death, eternal destinies or other related Bible topics, we have a number of other study materials on our web site that should interest you.

Sylvia Plath vs Ted Hughes

Sylvia Plath’s poem, ‘Whiteness I Remember’, and Ted Hughes’s poem, ‘Sam’, are two poems which describe an experience of Plath’s when she was a student at Cambridge. She was out on her first ride when the horse she had hired the normally-placid Sam, bolted. Although Ted Hughes’s is describing the experience he uses insinuations throughout the poem to let out his perception of his marriage with Sylvia Plath, hence infuriating, the conflict in perspective between the two poems. The ideas of ‘conflicting perspective’ suggest that the composers of the texts present an even-handed, unbiased attitude to the events, personalities or situations represented. Conflicting perspectives explore the subjective truth of the individual, which are shaped by the construction of a text by a biased composer. Each person’s version of the truth in events, personalities and situations differs, by viewing separate perspectives an understanding of the motives and purpose of the composer is formed. Sam’ is Hughes retrospective interpretation of an event in Plath’s life before she met him and which she had represented in the poem ‘Whiteness I remember’. Hughes’ poem itself contains what can be interpreted as conflicting perspectives of her personality and when read in conjunction with Whiteness I remember reveals interesting similarities and differences. Hughes seems to accept Plath’s account of the event ‘I can liv e Your incredulity, your certainty that this was it’ and he does adhere closely to her description of her experiences during the horse’s headlong flight to the stable. However, the repetition of ‘You lost your stirrups’, ‘You lost your reins, you lost your seat’, combine to depict Plath as a terrified victim unable to control or take responsibility for the consequences of her own actions. In contrast Plath’s poem suggests she was exhilarated by the speed and danger and identified with what she represents as the horses’ rebellion against the ‘humdrum’ of suburbia. In contrast Hughes accuses her of glamorising her loss of control. ‘It was grab his neck and adore him or free fall’. Once again the reader is arguably left with the impression that Hughes is still identifying with Sam and suggesting there are parallels between her relationship with him and the horse. As the stanza continues Hughes builds the momentum and pace with a series of commas as punctuation and an enjambment. The choice of verb in ‘You slewed under his neck, an upside down jockey with nothing between you and the cataract of macadam’ creates an image of Plath unable to maintain a balance and in imminent danger of being smashed into the road by the horses hooves at high speed. The alliteration and the metaphor of the ‘horribly hard swift river’ in full flood combine with the’ propeller terror of his front legs’ and the onomatopoeia of ‘clangour of the iron shoes’ to transform the horse into an engine of destruction.

Cultural Influences On Consumer Behavior - 4557 Words

Executive Summary Demographic Subcultures Consumers identify with many groups that share common characteristics and identities. These groups that exist within a society are subcultures, and affiliation with them often gives marketers a valuable clue about individuals’ consumption decisions. An important part of the identity of these subcultures is clothing. Consumers’ feelings about their overall economic prospects, as well as the state of mind consumers have about their own personal situation, otherwise known as consumer confidence, helps to determine whether they will save their money, purchase goods and services, or take on debt. Cultural Influences on Consumer Behavior Because a consumer’s culture exerts such a big influence on his†¦show more content†¦A consumer’s lifestyle refers to how his or her tastes and values are reflected by consumption choices and how he or she chooses to spend money and time. Communicative and Symbolic Nature of Fashion Fashion reflects how people define themselves as well as our society and our culture. It is responsible for consumers changing their furniture, cars, wardrobes, and music. It is important to keep in mind that fashion processes affect all types of cultural phenomena, including all types of products, not just clothing and accessories. Celebrity Endorsements in Fashion For celebrity campaigns to be effective, the endorser must have a clear and popular image. In addition, the celebrity’s image and that of the product he or she endorses should be similar, researchers refer to this as the match-up hypothesis. Online Consumer Behavior The Internet is transforming the way consumers interact with companies and with each other. Online commerce allows us to locate obscure products from around the world, and consumption communities provide forums for people to share opinions and product recommendations. The benefits are accompanied by potential problems, including the loss of privacy. Social Media in Fashion and Trends The explosion of social media in fashion has transformed the industry s branding and fan base. Nowadays, the public can watch fashion shows streamed live at home. It is now possible to

Financial Crisis And Its Effects On Public Debt - 2487 Words

Blyth defines austerity as â€Å"the ‘common sense’ on how to pay for the massive increase in public debt caused by the financial crisis†, which comes primarily through the elimination of government services. People knowingly take on debt with the intention to then pay it off-- before the financial crisis of 2008 people took on debt to pay bills and banks took on debt to make money by leveraging. When the crisis hit, the government felt the banks were â€Å"too big to fail† (because a crucial part of economic activity in the US is tied up in liquidity of the largest banks) and bailed them out. When a person’s debt becomes too high they pay it down with income rather than continuing to spend and pump money into the economy, or â€Å"deleveraging†. In†¦show more content†¦When entities (households, firms, governments, banks, etc.) believe it is positive all pay off their debt at once. However, many countries’ governments are deci ding to encourage this because no one wants to pay off the huge amount of debt they owe, and rather than increasing taxes they are cutting government services through consolidation under the excuse of not raising taxes. The result, however, is that those at the bottom of the income hierarchy are affected and continue paying their usual taxes anyway which ceasing to receive the benefits they rely on. Professor Mariana Mazzucato describes Europe’s desire to foster places like the US’s Silicon Valley and create empires similar to Amazon and Google. She explains their belief that withdrawing from the state and encouraging things like venture capital will promote growth- but she challenges that assumption. For her, a myth exists that there are two parts to innovation: on the one hand there exists a dynamic, innovative, creative, fast and interesting private sector, and on the other a slow, inertial, bureaucratic, state sector which is believed to at best contain the busines s cycle and create infrastructure for projects. She names three characteristics of innovation: it is collective, uncertain, and cumulative, and believes that the â€Å"entrepreneurial state† has a greater capacity than the private sector to foster innovation not because the it provides fiscal stimulus, builds important infrastructure, or

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller - 811 Words

Family will always be there in every decision one makes, they will help through hard times, and they will always be a part of someone. If a relationship between family members isnt strong there becomes a feeling of loneliness and lack of support. One of the most important relationships in family is between a father and his son. How a father treats their son can affect them for the rest of their lives with relationships, careers, and many other aspects in life. In the plays Fences by August Wilson and Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, two types of father-son relationships are shown. The difference in the relationship causes each son from the play to result in a different way of life. Troy Maxson, from Fences, has an unfulfilled dream which causes a jealousy of his son, and a dominant relationship. This causes tension and bitterness between them and continues to affect his son Cory is more ways than one. Willy, from Death of a Salesman, is always expecting too much out of his son B iff and wants him to fulfill the dream that he never could. Biff is overwhelmed with the pressure his father puts on him and results in an outburst with his father. Both fathers have similarities and differences in their parenting styles which affect their sons in different ways. When a person has a deferred dream it can often have an effect on them for the rest of their lives. Troy Maxson had the dream of becoming a professional baseball player but because of his race his dream was unable toShow MoreRelatedDeath Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller1387 Words   |  6 PagesAmerican play-write Arthur Miller, is undoubtedly Death of a Salesman. Arthur Miller wrote Death of a Salesman in 1949 at the time when America was evolving into an economic powerhouse. Arthur Miller critiques the system of capitalism and he also tells of the reality of the American Dream. 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Comparing Different Baseball Eras free essay sample

Baseball Players of Different I believe that an individual cannot compare between baseball players of different Era’s. The reason why I say this is because the game has changed dramatically. Over the years American League has allowed designated hitters since 1973, while the National League hasn’t. A designated hitter is a batter who bats instead of the pitcher. In the 1960’s pitchers did not have relief pitching, so you basically threw until your arm fell off. It was also rare to see a pitcher throw a 100 mph. Now days you see a pitcher throw 100 mph fastballs, as well as relief pitcher warming up and throwing the same speed to help the starter pitcher get out of any problems they get into. In the 1960’s the mound height was set at 15 inches high, until 1968. That year, the baseball commissioner dropped the mound height to 10 inches. The height difference of a mound drastically changes how a pitcher throws. We will write a custom essay sample on Comparing Different Baseball Eras or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the 1960’s more pitchers reached over 300 wins within their careers. In modern days it is rarely to see a pitcher throw over 300 wins. This effect is caused by the downward motion of the ball. For example, when the pitcher threw from a 15 inch mound it made it easier for the pitcher to throw and harder for the hitter to hit, due to the downward motion that the ball had traveled. When the mound dropped to 10 inches it made it more evenly match and fair for the hitter to hit. The only person to get more than 300 wins in today’s era since the 1960’s was Randy Johnson on June 4, 2009. This was only because he was 6 feet 10 inches tall, talented, left hander, and he dropped his arm to a 9 o’clock position, which made it seem to the left handed batters he was throwing behind them. He also stood on the right side is the rubber of the mound to create a greater allusion, which has scared lefties even more. Furthermore the reason why you cannot compare different baseball players from different era’s is because a few baseball players now a day’s use steroids; which are illegal, to enhance their performance. In the 1960’s steroids were not introduced into the game of baseball yet. One type of steroid mostly used in the Major Leagues is HGH (human growth hormones). There was an investigation called the Mitchell Report, which named 150 ball players who used HGH steroids in December of 2007. Big name players like Roger Clemens, Jason Giambi, Andy Pettitte, Miguel Tejada, and Jose Canseco. Moreover, in the 1960’s baseball players used diet drugs like Asenlix or better known as Greenies. This drug helped ball players accelerate their hearts and give faster reflexes. These drugs were undetectable in the 60’s, but now they are easily detected and are illegal in the game of baseball. We can take Barry Bonds, the best homerun hitter from our era and Babe Ruth for his era and you still could not compare them for those reasons. However, I do believe that there are more talented players overall then there were in the 1960’s. In the 1960’s there were only a handful of great ball players; although, now a day’s baseball players are so gifted that they enter the MLB of the age of nineteen and twenty, phenoms like Bryce Harper and Mike Trout. Mike Trout holds the lead for hits and stolen bases in the major leagues as a twenty year old in this 2012 season. While Bryce Harper being the youngest player ever to play in the 2012 All Star Game. Why are younger players getting into the major league baseball organization more now than before you might ask? Well one explanation would be that the life expectancy of the 1960’s was late 60’s and now in 2012 it is set at late seventies. This mean that there are more people today that are in better health and more athletic. In addition there are better programs, better training methods, and facilities. As well the Major Leagues draft ball players at a young age to help developed them into their potential. The reason why I’m interested in this topic is because of course I love baseball and it is something I’m very passionate about. I’ve been playing baseball at a very young age and I consider something I like to talk about because it something that I’m very good at and I can’t say that I’m good at a lot of things. Plus it helps me relief my mind of stress, of any problems that I may have and relax. However, a huge reason why I wrote about this topic is because I always find people saying, â€Å"if we had such and such on our team to this day our team would be unstoppable. † Those people got to understand that a lot has changed over the years and baseball isn’t the same as it was in the 1960’s or whatever era. The game has adapted and will continue to change without you whether you want it to or not.

Trauma, Development, and Spirituality Essay Example

Trauma, Development, and Spirituality Paper Spiritual development and the counter effects it as on trauma will also be discussed. To conclude, this paper will provide suggestions for future research relating to physical health and nutrition and the positive effects they have on a childs mental health and overall well- being. Trauma and the Effects on Neural Development Children exposed to trauma may experience attachment issues or unpredictable emotions, which include flashbacks, strained relationships, physical symptoms such as nausea, headaches, depression or anxiety (American Psychological Association, 2015). When children are exposed to constant conflict or stress it can affect their growth and development significantly. High conflict marriages, families living in poverty or children dealing with the divorce of their parents can create very stressful environments. According to Amatol et al. (2000), empirical research confirms that children of divorce are at an increased risk for the development of psychological, behavioral and academic problems (as cited in Connelly Green, 2009). Children from high conflict divorce often fare worse compared to children whose parents have a more amicable divorce (Brooks, 2014). Constant conflict and high levels of stress increase stress hormones which reverts the child from having the capability of calming themselves down. Parents who are incapable and unwilling to get along are engaged in a relationship that can be very alluring and seductive. While this type Of relationship remains dysfunctional it still keeps the couple connected. Because of the alluring nature many parents continue to engage in high conflict relationships and as a result children face devastating developmental consequences that affect their overall well-being. We will write a custom essay sample on Trauma, Development, and Spirituality specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Trauma, Development, and Spirituality specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Trauma, Development, and Spirituality specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Developmental Delays Following Trauma Many children in the United States grow up in households where psychological maltreatment is ever present. Feldman (2014) states that psychological maltreatment occurs when parents or other caregivers harm childrens behavioral, cognitive, emotional, or physical functioning (p. 257). For many children this form of maltreatment has been associated with low self-esteem, lying, misbehaver and underachievement in school (Feldman, 2014). Additionally, the brain of the child endures permanent changes due to abuse and neglect. Feldman (2014) provides the following information on childhood maltreatment and abuse: Childhood maltreatment can lead to reductions in the size of the magical and hippopotamus in adulthood. The stress, fear, and terror produced by abuse may also produce permanent changes in the brain due to overpopulation of the limbic system. The limbic system is involved in regulating memory and emotion. When the limbic system is overestimated it can cause the child to experience antisocial behavior in adulthood (p. 257). The developmental delays that may occur due to trauma prove detrimental to a childs development. Resilience training is very beneficial when caring for a child who has suffered a traumatic event. Resilience is the ability to overcome circumstances that place a child at high sis for psychological or physical damage (Feldman, 2014, p. 258). Traumatic events are unavoidable and everyone will experience at least some form of trauma in their lifetime. The importance of resilience cannot be overlooked, it is a powerful tool that can be used to reverse the negative effects of trauma. Trauma and the Variation between Cultures Trauma varies among cultures. Children who are born and raised in war torn countries experience very different levels of trauma compared to children who are not exposed to war. Coleridge (2001 ) provides the following: Afghanistan refugee children experience war, murder of parents, arid labor and marriages at an early age (as cited in Streetwalker Hoot, 2008). The consequences of war are real and for many young people these legacies remain just below the surface and find expression in depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (Burry Hayward, 2013). Burry Hayward (2013) also state that, resilience of the Afghanistan people is remarkable, with their ability to rebound in the face of tragedies, to move forward in life and to make the best of their situations (p. 3). Children who are raised in countr ies that are devastated by war are exposed to many horrifying crimes against humanity. The resilient nature of these children set them apart from other children. The desire to survive is so powerful that they continue to live even in the face of war and terror. Spiritual Development and the Counter Effects on Trauma Relationship, Absent;King, Wagoner, Benson (2006) state the following: Spirituality and religion may serve a particular protective function when the family faces significant adversity, such as poverty, chronic health problems in a family member, the death of a family member, or other traumatic experiences. In times of difficulty, turmoil, or crisis, religious practices and levels can provide intrinsic benefits as well as enhance the support available to the family (p. 359). Dry. Brooks explains in her video that faith and spirituality can be used to calm the nervous system during times of stress. She refers to this part of the brain as the God part of the brain (Brooks, 2014). God created us to worship and to seek Him. Therefore, the brain releases a calming sense when one becomes connected with Him through worship and prayer. Relationship et al. (2006) states, the sense that a divine power can work through ones own and others prayers adds a unique element of comfort not mound in nonstructural sources of social support (p. 359). Spiritual development is a crucial component that can be used to help children overcome traumatic events. Spirituality benefits our life emotionally, physically and gives a person sense Of purpose (Dangle Sings, 2012). Conclusion The devastating effects of childhood trauma often leads to psychological disorders. The use of antidepressant drugs has become a popular treatment for a variety of childhood psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety (Feldman, 2014, p. 281). These types of medications are being prescribed for young people at an alarming rate. More than 10 million prescriptions are written annually for children under the age of eighteen (p. 281 Advocates for the use of these drugs stand behind them because they are found to treat psychological disorders quit e well. However, the long term side effects need to be researched further. There is some evidence linking the use Of antidepressant medication with an increased risk of suicides? (Feldman, 2014, p. 281). While the drugs are effective at masking the symptoms of depression and anxiety, one easily becomes dependent on them. Research could benefit by switching focus from pharmaceutical options and move to a more organic approach to healing. Longitudinal studies over many years in Guatemalan villages show that childrens nutritional backgrounds are related to several dimensions of social and emotional functioning (Feldman, 2014, p. 276). Children who received more nutrients were more involved with their peers, showed more positive emotion, and had less anxiety than their peers who had received less adequate nutrients (p. 276). Children growing up in the United States are exposed to many toxins in their environments. The meals consumed by many American families consist of processed nutrient deprived foods. School lunch programs have also failed to meet the nutritional needs Of students. Physical education and time for play during recess has decreased allowing additional concentration on academic achievement. All these factors play into the healthy development in children. Our bodies are being deprived the nutrients God intended for all of us to have in order to live healthy lives. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and filled with love (Ephesians 4:16). Further research is needed on the importance of nutrition and physical health during childhood especially relating to children who are suffering from psychological disorders.