text:
Ontario Masters in Advertising and Marketing Schools
At Masters in Marketing and Advertising Schools, advertising and marketing masters programs stack courses in marketing theory and buyer behavior with ones in market research and data analytics. Dynamic course plans show graduates how to parlay business intelligence into managerial decisions about creative design, account care, sales, digital marketing, and more.
Masters in Marketing and Advertising Schools: Overview
Masters in Marketing and Advertising Schools offer business-focused programs that explore the ins and out of market research analysis and performance metrics. There are also schools with advertising and marketing masters programs which highlight the creative methods used to craft multimedia campaigns.
Marketing vs Advertising
It isn't always an either/or choice when it comes to advertising and marketing. Some schools for advertising and marketing offer dual degrees and integrated marketing communications course plans that meld creativity, analytics and strategy. However, there are some key differences between marketing and advertising to watch for, especially when you review course lists.
- Schools for Masters in Advertising & Public Relations programs typically explore the intersection between creativity and consumption, as advertising is just one component and tactic of the marketing process. Effective communication and PR to get products, services and ideas out to audiences through well thought out campaigns fall under the scope of advertising
- Schools for Masters in Marketing programs typically bolster skills in strategy, systematic planning, implementation, and ways to bring buyers and sellers together to exchange or transfer products, ideas or services. Public relations, media planning, product pricing and distribution, sales strategy, customer support, market research and community involvement are all parts of holistic marketing efforts
24% of marketing managers report they have a masters degree, 11% a first professional degree. i
Why Earn a Masters Degree in Marketing and Advertising on Campus?
Research shows that some of the key skills modern marketing managers include perceptiveness, persuasion, negotiation, active listening and client care. i These people and communication centered abilities might be enhanced through interaction. And that is one of the components of many advertising and marketing masters programs.
Campus-based advertising and marketing masters programs may provide students with lots of hands-on experiences mixed in with lectures and case study analysis. Students might have the opportunity to work in teams and may practice collaboration. For instance, they might work with classmates on multi-platform media plans where they could propose market research strategies, create data visualizations, and analyze performance metrics.
When it comes to class times, many of today's universities offer their programs in the evenings and/or on weekends to make it convenient for at-work students. Masters degrees in marketing, advertising and public relations may also be available in both part-time and full-time formats. One may seek out a grad school that is walkable from work or look into another preferred location (city, state or country) to potentially tap into that community and school resources.
How Long Are Most Masters in Marketing and Advertising Programs?
Some programs are designed to be completed by a full-time student in 12 to 16 months, while others may take 2 years. Program length is a variable as are credit requirements. These could range from 36 to 48 credit hours.
Masters in Marketing Schools
Schools with Masters in Marketing programs may confer Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) degrees. While there may be overlap in terms of course topics, MA in Marketing programs generally require less research methodology and business analytics than their MS counterparts. Apart from courses, students in some programs may need to take part in internships and many schools offer a choice of thesis or non-thesis program tracks.
We provide a brief run-down of some of the programs that may be available through Masters in Marketing and Advertising schools. Make sure to review an individual school syllabus to see if it lines up with your goals.
MSIMC - Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications
A Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications (MSIMC) typically readies students with leadership, technical business and creative skill sets needed to bring data to life.
Integrated marketing communications focuses on how advertising, sales promotion, public relations, personal selling and packaging decisions fuse to generate a coordinated plan of action. MSIMC students might build a strong base of knowledge in the following core areas.
- Marketing Finance
- Strategic Planning
- Digital and Social Content Development
- Leadership and Ethics
- Database Analytics
- Sustainable Business
- Global Campaign Development
Some students might want to add an area of emphasis in internet or database marketing and so, may take electives in topics such as e-commerce and data warehousing. Other students might select electives to expand skills in customer analytics, entrepreneurial marketing, brand equity, customer care and beyond.
MS-MKT – Master of Science in Marketing
Students in a Master of Science in Marketing (MS-MKT) program could study both theory and how to apply it to the field of marketing. Some schools with MS Marketing programs offer courses to help students prepare for eligibility to take the Professional Certified Marketer™ exam offered by the American Marketing Association™.
Most MS-MKT degrees offer fairly holistic course plans which may include a series of compulsory courses, a student-selected area of emphasis and research techniques. As such, many students could use the MS to design a personalized course of study based on individual goals and interests.
Apart from business courses (E.g. finance, accounting, statistics) students may be required to take the following types of core topics.
- Marketing Management
- Business Research Methods
- Strategic Marketing Research
- Consumer Behavior
- Global Marketing
Students may also be able to focus studies in market research, digital marketing or marketing for a specific industry such as the sports industry.
MS – Marketing Analytics
A Masters in Marketing Analytics could help students develop a deeper grasp of customer needs and preferences. Graduates could take away an ability to develop customer profiles, identify target markets, and segment customers.
As with other MS programs, typical curricula are divided into foundation courses, core courses and electives. In foundational courses, students could learn about managerial statistic
- Online Advertising
- Email Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Online Reputation Management
MSDM students might also learn how to optimize web sites to maximize search-engine rankings, as well as interpret click-through analytics to assess online advertising efforts. Some of the potential course topics for a MSDM degree program follow.
- Analysis of Consumer Decisions
- Marketing Management
- Big Data Marketing
- Digital Analytics in Business Intelligence
MBA Marketing Schools
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a first professional degree in which students could pursue a focus in marketing. An MBA in Marketing degree could ready graduates to understand how marketing decisions play a key role in business strategy, operations, finance and management.
Generally, an MBA curriculum is built around core business and management courses. These are intended to help students hone their operational and managerial skills in tandem with the ability to think critically and problem solve. Courses may include:
- Global Financial Management
- Business Research – Decisions
- Managerial Marketing
- Strategic Management
- Economic Analysis
Along with the compulsory courses, students who work towards an MBA In Marketing could be fully immersed in topics such as product, brand and strategic management as well as market research methods and international marketing tactics.
Because an MBA is offered through a university business school, some MBA Marketing schools may be regionally accredited and offer programmatically accredited MBA degrees as well. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is one such accreditor.
Masters in Advertising Schools
Schools with Masters in Advertising and Public Relations programs may house their degrees in the communications or humanities and social sciences departments. These programs may highlight current theories and their practical uses the lines blur between media, marketing, technology, entertainment and advertising campaigns.
Advertising masters programs are usually formatted around core required courses in areas such as professional writing, advertising principles and communication research. To these, some Masters in Advertising schools might offer tracks in creative development and advertising management which could be used as the basis for student-selected electives. See below for sample elective topics.
- Creating Video Campaigns
- Advanced Copywriting
- Strategic Brand Solutions
- Advanced Art Direction
Students may also choose to work on a competitive advertising portfolio.
Applying to Schools for Masters in Marketing and Advertising
To be considered for admission to Masters in Marketing and Advertising Schools, students should first check a university's list of requirements and standards, as these may vary. Most universities do require applicants to have a bachelor degree, with a school-set minimum GPA (E.g. 2.75 or 3.0).
In terms of undergraduate major, this may or may not be specified. However, in some programs, applicants may need to have completed prerequisite coursework or have prior work experience related to their chosen program. For instance, some MBA schools for marketing require candidates to have about 3 years of experience and knowledge of microeconomics and statistics.
Some business schools may also want to see GRE/GMAT scores though several have policies that may waive these requirements for experienced professionals. Communications and liberal arts-oriented programs may ask to see a digital or hard copy portfolio with work samples. Letters of reference, a resume, statement of goals, and official transcripts may also need to be furnished with completed form and fee.
Choose a Masters in Marketing and Advertising School
Compare sponsored programs from our Masters in Marketing and Advertising Schools to choose the perfect MA, MS, MSIMC or MBA degree. Refine your search with filters for subject and location then browse results and make your choice. We provide the on-page form so you could contact schools directly – and right away.
[i] onetonline.org/link/summary/11-2021.00
Sponsored Listings
- Guelph, ONGuelph, ON
University of Guelph
Consumer Studies
Multi-disciplinary examination of consumer behaviour and marketplace phenomena.
Sponsored Listings


text:
Shrimp masala is a spicy,semi-dry prawn dish cooked in a thick sauce of ginger, fried onions and tamarind paste.It is a simple home-style preparation,the recipe handed over to me by my mother. It is quick and easy to make.
Whenever I cook seafood I cannot help remembering my hometown... the beautiful backwaters that adds to its beauty, the lovely boat rides ,the seashore, boats and ferries loaded with fresh catch and my grandmother hurrying to buy fresh fish as soon as the boats reaches the banks of the kayal (backwaters). It was like a ceremonious duty which my grandmother enjoyed and many times felt offended if my father offered to help or plan to go all by himself. Who will not enjoy.... beautiful dawn, light morning breeze, little gossips and chatting with friends and finally the struggle and tactics to get the best fish at reasonable price of which she could boast the whole day :)
Fried onion paste- 3/4 cup
Shallots chopped -4-5
Green chilly-2
Ginger- 1 inch
garlic- 5 cloves
Tamarind- a small ball
Garam masala- 1 tsp
Coriander- 1 tsp
Red Chilly- 3
Turmeric- 1/3tsp
Thick coconut milk-1/4 cup
salt to taste
Make a paste of fried onion,roasted coriander, roasted red chilly,garam masala, , ginger and garlic and green chilly. Mix tamarind pulp into the paste.
In a pan heat oil and add curry leaves and thinly sliced ginger. Then add shallots and fry in medium till it becomes golden brown. To this add the masala paste and cook till the oil separates. Add shrimp and mix well and spread in an even layer and cook. Drizzle coconut milk on top.After a minute use a spatula and gently turn to the other side and cook till both sides are browned up . Allow that to get slightly roasted. Garnish with coriander leaves.
Try this..
Hope you will all enjoy..

subset: commoncrawl


text:
August 7, 2011
Name of Cake: Late July Trifle
Occasion: HCB, and raspberry season
Constituents: moist chocolate genoise, creme anglaise, leftover raspberry coulis (in place of raspberry jam), and fresh raspberries. and raspberry whipped cream.
A normal-sized trifle feeds about 20 people, and since I wasn't feeling like rounding up 20 people I halved the recipe. The trouble with halving a trifle recipe is finding an appropriate receptacle for the thing. I chose a glass food storage container which was a little too wide and a little too short. So what I'm trying to say is my trifle has only three layers and the creme anglaise seeped all down between the cake and the side of the container. Oh well. So much for pretty trifle pictures!
Despite not looking so hot, the trifle tastes amazing!
This trifle involves lots of steps:
- chop, melt, and cook dark chocolate for the genoise, let cool
- make the 2 layers of genoise, let cool
- make a sugar syrup for the genoise, let cool
- make creme anglaise, let cool
- remove the top crust and torte both genoise layers
- spread raspberry jam, or in my case leftover raspberry coulis from the wedding on one side of the cakes
- place cake layer jam side down in your trifle dish
- syrup the other side of the cake in the dish
- pour over some creme anglaise
- scatter some raspberries
Gosh, when written out like that it looks really easy! Even though there are a lot of steps, they are all easy steps. The hardest part was being patient with all these cooling down shenanigans. I distracted myself by making dinner. A good distraction, with enjoyable results (most of the time).
The assembled trifle gets covered airtight and left in the refrigerator overnight to sort itself out. I have become a firm believer in letting cakes get a good rest to sort themselves out.
|check out the larger version of this shot; i got good detail on the raspberry!
After letting the trifle do its sorting, the raspberry whipped cream is made. Basically you whip up cream, sugar, and raspberry jam until you get a cute pink topping that makes the trifle look adorable. Here's my advice bakers: if you want your cake to look adorable frost it with pink tinted frosting.
I discovered that taking a photo of a serving of trifle is difficult, as the insides are scooped out and plated. This scooping action just smears the frosting and creme anglaise all over the place and makes your trifle photograph like a dead animal. Check it out:
I tried again, and it came out marginally better:
But at least you can see the layers. And never mind how it looks, just know that it tastes wonderful. Rose mentions in the header for this recipe that this dessert is deceptively light, making it suitable even after a heavy dinner. I agree that is deceptively light and very flavorful; the creamy vanilla creme anglaise, the tart strawberries, and the mellow chocolate genoise are a perfect combination. Although I agree with others who said the St Honore Trifle is the better of the two, don't skip this trifle when raspberries are in season!


text:
Search results for: Alaskan Malamute In Egypt
Alaskan Malamute In Egypt
Puppies for Sale - Dogs, Purebred Puppies, Chihuahua (Rating: 33) , Votes:Offers information about dog breeds and a variety of puppies for sale including Alaskan malamute, beagle, boxer, cocker spaniel, and German shepherd.http://www.k9stud.comCategory: Directory/Shopping/Pets
Hays Travel Holidays to Egypt : All Inclusive Bargain Holidays to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (Rating: 15) , Votes:Hays Travel is an UK's independently owned travel agent, specialising in providing good value, quality and cheap holidays. Bargain deals to holiday destinations such as Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt, to Long Haul Destinations such as Bahamas, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Grenada, Bangkok, Dominican Republic, Bali, Seychelles, Gambia and many more.http://www.haystravel.co.uk/dest_sharm-el-sheikh.phtml
Overseas Property Investments (Rating: 5) , Votes:International Dreams specializies in emerging markets around the world. We offer a one stop service for all clients, from selling the property, to arrange lawyer services, furniture packs, currency exchange and insurance. Our aim is help clients every step of the way.http://www.internationaldreams.co.ukCategory: Directory/Business/Real Estate
Alaska King Salmon (Rating: 4) , Votes:Alaska King Salmon Adventures provides you with a memorable experience on the famous Nushagak River which boasts the largest King Salmon run in Alaska.http://www.alaskakingsalmon.com/Category: Directory/Recreation & Sports/Outdoors
Sovereign Luxury Holidays (Rating: 28) , Votes:Luxury holidays with great attention to detail in 4 & 5 star hotels from around the Mediterranean and beyond.http://www.sovereign.com
African Business Directory - Companies (Rating: 88) , Votes:Africa Business Directory with African Products, Companies and Trade Leads.http://africa.tradeholding.com/Category: Directory/Africa
Homes Overseas (Rating: 0) , Votes:Find your dream property overseas. Read regional buying guides, articles on buying property abroad, property investment advice and international property newshttp://www.homesoverseas.co.ukCategory: Directory/Business/Real Estate
Middle East Business B2B Directory (Rating: 20) , Votes:Middle East Business and B2B Directory listing thousands of Middle East and Gulf Companies, products and business opportunities.http://gulfbusiness.tradeholding.com/Category: Directory/Middle East
Discount Hotels (Rating: 47) , Votes:Offers description and photos for discount hotels in the world covering 80,000 cheap hotels in 100+ countries.http://www.localhotelexplorer.com/
Related searches:
Webotopia provides a business directory designed to promote Alaskan Malamute In Egypt companies, products and services whilst helping it's users find the Alaskan Malamute In Egypt information they need. Webotopia business directory, with the help of it's dedicated support specialists and reviewers, enables delivery of Alaskan Malamute In Egypt quality content, excellent customer support as well as value added services such as content publishing and press releases for it's users.


text:
The 'It's a Knockout' presenter fell foul of the ad watchdog for the tweet on behalf of online sweepstake and shopping site Publishers Clearing House (PCH)
It read: "just a quickie: log on to pchprizes.co.uk 4 Your chance 2 win £100k plus Win £2,500 a week 4 life. Have a go X".
PCH defended itself by claiming the tweet was not prompted by them and claimed they had no role in the content of the tweet.
The sweepstake company admitted it had a "promotional relationship" with Chegwin, but added there was nothing in the contract that required him to tweet on its behalf.
PCH also argued that Chegwin, who has almost 120,000 followers, would not have misled anyone with the tweet, because he had written it to make it look like a commercial communication.
The ASA threw out PCH's arguments and ruled that the tweet "must no longer appear", because it was a marketing communication and had not been "obviously identifiable" as an advertisement.
Although the tweet contained a link to the PCH website, the ASA believed it was not clear from the tweet that Chegwin had a commercial relationship with the site.
In the absence of an identifier such as an "#ad" hashtag, the ad watchdog was not obviously identifiable as an ad and consequently misled Twitter users.
Follow @mattchapmanuk


text:
Abduction! World Attack is not new. It's not complicated. And it's not super HD. But it is silly, fun, cute and addictive, which makes for a great combination.
In Abduction! World Attack, you are a cow. You are a bouncy, leaping cow and you need to rescue your cow brethren from the UFO that has abducted them. Sheep brethren, too and a few more species here and there.
It's a vertical platformer that relies entirely on tilt: tilt the phone left to go left, tilt right to go right. The screen wraps around, arcade-game-style, meaning sometimes you jump right to land left. The tilt response is just sensitive enough, neither flinging your cow around with every tiny twitch nor failing to respond when you want the little critter to move.
The rescue and the item collection (in the form of little gifts) get more challenging as you play through the levels, but never more complex. A number of challenge modes (time, score, farmyard animals rescued, etc) exist for the more achievement-minded bouncing bovines among us.
Abduction! World Attack [Google Play (Android Market)]


text:
State Sen. Mike Kehoe reluctantly admitted defeat this morning on his proposal for a 10-year, one-cent sales tax to pay for transportation improvements.
"No one has denied the problem we have," Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, told colleagues as he acknowledged that asking for a vote by the full Senate would be blocked by the same senators who filibustered the measure for four hours Tuesday night.
During that filbuster, Sen. John Lamping, R-Ladue, suggested that the sales tax supporters easily could get the issue on the November 2014 ballot by circulating an initiative petition.
But Kehoe told colleagues he's not certain that will happen.
And Sen. Ryan McKenna, R-Crystal City - whose father, former Highways and Transportation Commission chairman and former state Senate President Pro Tem Bill McKenna - said this morning: "This is going to cost business a lot of money to put it on the ballot."
But, Kehoe told reporters, while he doesn't know, yet, what will happen next with the proposal, waiting to have the Legislature discuss it next year likely is too late.
Any initiative petition would have to be turned in to the secretary of state's office next May, before next year's General Assembly session was finished.


text:
Jennifer Aniston's school crush speaks out after 31 years
JENNIFER ANISTON is set for an unhappy Thanksgiving after her first schoolgirl crush went public with intimate details of their childhood romance.
The former Friends beauty shared her first kiss with Adonis Tsilimparis as a 12 year old at a school in New York, and 31 years later he has spoken out to reveal details of their brief courtship.
He even showed off a Valentine's Day card Aniston sent him, which contained the message, "Dear Adonis, Love & Friendship Always. Love Ya. Jennifer A."
In an interview with the New York Daily News, Tsilimparis, who writes musical scores for films and TV shows, reveals he and Aniston would sneak behind a staircase at school to kiss.
He says, "She was very open, very, very sweet. She was very, very loving, and she had a very big heart... We used to go to the back stairs at school at lunchtime and make out."


text:
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Senior forward Melissa Bizzari scored the game-winning overtime goal and Taylor Wasylk scored her second short-handed goal of the season to lift No. 6 Boston College to a 2-1 victory over Providence College at Kelley Rink on Sunday afternoon.
Wasylk gave BC a 1-0 lead with a short-handed goal in the second period when she took a pass from Haley Skarupa and lifted a wrist shot from the left circle into the net, beating Providence goaltender Sarah Bryant glove side.
Providence evened the score at 1-1 at 18:42 of the middle stanza with a goal from Molly Illikainen. Brittney Thunstrom passed the puck from the boards behind the net to Illikainen in the slot, who snuck the puck under the pads of BC goaltender Corinne Boyles for the goal.
After a scoreless third period in which BC outshot Providence 15-5, Bizzari ended the game with an overtime goal, a wrist shot from the bottom of the circle into the top shelf. The goal marked Bizzari's second of the season.
The Eagles led 6-3 in shots on goal in a defense-dominated first period. Boston College's best opportunity in the first came at 15:56 when Andie Anastos was able to sneak behind the defense but had her backhanded breakaway bid on the penalty kill denied by a kick save from PC goaltender Sarah Bryant.
The Friars had the majority of the chances in the second period, and outshot the Eagles 9-2. BC was able to kill off two penalties in the period, but could not keep Providence off the scoreboard. Janine Weber had a great opportunity for the Friars at 16:20 of the middle stanza, but Boyles made an amazing kick save with her pads on the wrister from just outside the crease to temporarily preserve the lead.
BC dominated the third frame, tripling PC's shots on goal, but was unable to find the back of the net. A late penalty on Providence's Corinne Buie for hitting from behind carried into the overtime period, but PC was able to kill it off before BC scored the game-winner.
Boyles topped 16 shots and improves to 5-2-0. Bryant stopped 22 shots and falls to 4-4-0 in defeat.
Both teams were scoreless on the power play. The Eagles were 0-3 and the Friars were 0-4.
Boston College (7-2-0, 3-1-0) will be back in action on November 8, when they take on the Catamounts in Vermont.
Game Notes: The short-handed goal by Taylor Wasylk was her second of the season, and the fifth for the Eagles. Haley Skarupa, who assisted on the play, also has two SHG's. This game marked the first overtime contest of the season for the Eagles.


text:
The other day I shared a most curious case from a recent client of mine. If you haven't read it yet, go ahead - click over and give it a read so you'll be caught up with the rest of us. I'll wait. . . .
Now, are we ready to roll?
"A WOMAN SHOT BY HER HUSBAND - Insane Jealousy The Reason For The Shooting
Finally the neglected woman applied to the District Attorney under the impression that it was his duty as a public official to procure her a divorce. Mr. Nutter did not try to disabuse her mind of the error, having learned of the circumstances, but filed the complaint and obtained the divorce. Mrs. Douglass did not allege drunkenness, but indolence and neglect on the part of the husband."
"Douglas showed no signs of having been drinking and there is nothing to suggest that he is a drinking man."
NOTE: The California State Archives has State Prison records that include San Quentin and Folsom prison registers, inmate photographs, inmate case files (samples only) and pardon files. There is a name index for the years 1850–1979.


text:
Why Limbaugh, Hannity Hold Reins in Cumulus Deal
Cumulus Media may drop both Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity from its stations at the end of the year, according to some reports. Talkers Magazine editor and publisher Michael Harrison joins Lunch Break to explain why the ball is actually in Limbaugh's and Hannity's court. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... the world may be in for ... the ... league a shake up is the second biggest US broadcaster cumulus media ... means drop Gold Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity from the station's that's according to reports today ... join me now to discuss with this could mean for cumulus and ... to read his biggest for Sally's Michael Harrison his editor publisher ... of talkers magazine that is an industry publication ... dedicated to talk ... radio Michael thank so much for being here I guess I should point out ... up front that did did the key is that Rush and Sean are not going anywhere these markets they just made E on other stations out there to the biggest money makers in talk radio why would Cumulus MRIs breaking ties with them ... he was going through a major restructuring a huge level of Lake Teana reorganization store here in case is far greater challenges must do much Limbaugh and Sean Hannity ... days were bought Hatters household names ... political ... talk radio were all ... just all fraction of the year it Shouldn't ... Chivas you never ... knew restructuring the company since ... taking over ... to be able to ... strategize with him through challenging years and are ... but it ... does end up going for this and that drop their shows in the markets that where where they happen ... will what would happen to them what state where would they go and Michael ... refused or were rushing ... up with the Russians on now ... Schlumberger Looks to personal where clear channel radio station is another up and it's ... actually bigger than she lets the company were reaching more ... than workers getting less stark her phone rang a little less to the ... ISU to the rear ... were you aware that Sino Russian army fire or in pots ... June is just the ... it's ... the ... the owner of the Senate caterer and company owned stores a It's and Kinross Clear Channel and that's where our ... on line to the great any clear channel station that's more word in the station was never are ... up in there is no years station to ensure ... some other radio company ran Rush Sean ... that I be that this is an internal radio industry story ... as I know because of all medical controversy discounts ... much of our Sean Hannity at any time anything happens within the ratings over the edge on the radio business of war in his ... controversial problems just wash my hands ... and face advertisers when possible crimes challenge is to actually ... be ... worse is that really are ... show you ... the story that is a question that it is for you and our stay ... with this now much much more money into these attractions all all radio at his home this ... up somehow ... got my rock ... and hip are affected though that being said ... that he you know the ball and there for them owning the ball use to paint a picture here ... right you know any chance that Russians on my kids have abandoned this model altogether ... move to an online operation or they don't have to deal with this ... uncertainty is the chance that ... however ... we are about to do that because they still all I want to read the ... rest going into the radio industry also contrary to reports ... there's a lot of money to me ... it is ... or is it reached in Russian Schoenberger is what you're looking at a station on the table and let ... it rain ... thousands millions was split into a popular up here you're targeted audience how I go in ... the first option is ... to be used ... in five years no they ... aren't huge the exchange ... I I thank so much for being with us appreciate that that in ... this the fall the story thank so much ...


text: Who Voted For/Against Farm Bill June 24, 2013 05:59 AM Tweet TAGS: Marketing, Overseas December 18, 2014 By Jim Dickrell Dairy Herd Management Dairy Editor Email The U.S. House of Representatives has posted the roll call votes on last Thursday's farm bill, with 195 voting for, 234 voting against and 6 not voting. One hundred seventy one Republicans and 24 Democrats voted for the bill. In contrast, 172 Democrats and 62 Republicans voted against it. The Republicans blamed the Democrats for the farm bill's demise, saying the Democrats had promised to deliver 40 votes in favor. Even if they had, however, the bill would have still been defeated 211-218. The Democrats, of course, blamed the Republicans for the bill's demise, saying the $20 billion in food stamp cuts were too big to swallow. The Goodlatte/Scott amendment, which removed the market stabilization portion of the dairy title, overwhelmingly passed, 291-135. Even so, the architects of that amendment, Robert Goodlatte, R., Va., and David Scott, D., Ga., voted against the entire bill when it was finally brought to the floor. It is still unclear where the farm bill goes from here. Any attempt to bring the Senate version of the bill to the House will be fraught with the same issues that brought down the House version: If Speaker John Boehner increases food stamp cuts in the Senate version, he'll lose Democratic support. If he eliminates or reduce those cuts, he'll lose his own party's support. Click here to see the roll of votes to determine whether your representative voted for or against the farm bill. Back to news


text:
Inspired by Australian tree flora, this creation features sparkling crystals and white beads that are finished with a metallic thread. Back hooks give a clean finish as this sash is designed to appear to be one with your gown. Leather, glass crystals. Handmade. Imported.
- A BHLDN exclusive
- Due to this sash's pronged setting, take extra care when pairing it with lace and tulle.
- Small: 28.5"L, 1.5"W
- Medium: 30.5"L, 1.5"W
- Large: 33"L, 1.5"W
- Each belt includes two tightness options
- Style #33047986


text:
Yeah yeah we are a little late to the "schedule release party". We have lives too. Sorry. It's here now, so enjoy it for what it's worth okay? Plus, now we aren't clumped in with all the other schedule explosion pieces. We like to show up fashionably late some times. But yeah, without any further delay, here are some of the major points and what you need to know from the Jets 2013-14 schedule:
- The Jets open the season October 1st in Edmonton. It's the boys first flight out to Oil Country, and it will be a part of Hockey Night in Canada's season opening broadcast. Puck drop is at 9:00 on a Tuesday, so get the kids to bed early and enjoy the game.
- They then fly home for the home opener on October 4th, when the Kings come to town in an attempt to score their first goal against the new Jets. It'll be the Kings second trip out to Peg City, and the first time for Jets fans to see all the (2) new faces.
- The Jets exciting start to the season then continues on Sunday October 6th, when the Ducks come to town for what could be the second coming of Teemu Selanne. The Finnish Flash is yet to announce what his plans are for next season, but you have to think most Jets fans are hoping for one more appearance back home.
- The next game on October 10th finds the Jets making their first trip down to Minneapolis. Devin Setoguchi will make his first trip back to his old home in what many expect to be the first game of a budding divisional rivalry.
- Speaking of Divisions, the Jets will be in the 'Central' division. Real original NHL. But hey, it's better than the Metropolitan…
- November 2nd marks the first visit of the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, along with hometown kid Jonathan Toews.
- Interestingly enough and a problem that is likely only really cared about in Winnipeg, that November 2nd game starts at 2:00pm in the afternoon. While that is a common occurrence throughout the season, on this particular date the Bombers just happen to be closing out their season with a game against Hamilton that day, with kickoff at 1:00. I'm kind of (but not really) surprised to see that this actually happened, but expect the Bombers to already be talking to TNSE about getting that puck drop pushed to a later time.
- The Jets Olympic Break will start following a February 8th game in St. Louis, and end with a home game against the Coyotes on February 27th. There could be a few Jets representing their home countries during that span (we'll have more on that later this week), but get yourself ready for a lot of early mornings.
- I seriously doubt this was done on purpose, but you have to laugh at the Jets "April Fools" game in Phoenix on April 1st. Good one NHL schedule maker, good one indeed.
- The regular season will wrap up with a game in Calgary on April 11th, so even if the Jets don't make the playoffs, we can at least expect the season to end with a win.
- The Jets longest home stand lasts for 6 games from October 11th to 22nd, featuring match-ups against the Stars, Devils, Canadiens, Blues, Predators and Capitals.
- The Jets longest road stretch also lasts 6 games, spanning from Novembers 25th to December 7th, featuring games in New Jersey, New York (Islanders), Philadelphia, New York (Rangers), Florida and Tampa Bay.
- By day of the week, the Jets play on 12 Mondays, 14 Tuesdays, 4 Wednesdays (don't expect many TSN national broadcasts), 14 Thursdays, 11 Fridays, 15 Saturdays, and 12 Sundays. They also only play 9 back-to-backs throughout the year.
- The Jets may have 15 Saturday games, but only 6 are evening/night games, and only 1 is in October. There will be 14 games broadcast on CBC, one of which is the Tuesday night opener, one is a Thursday, and one is a Sunday. Honestly, I'm not complaining, as I really don't like the guys who CBC usually assigns to Jets games, and Glenn Healy is probably the worst hockey "analyst" known to man. Too bad we miss out on a lot of montages though.
So there it is. From the Southeast, to a lockout, to an Olympic year. Three seasons, three schedules, and the Jets are still yet to play what many would consider a "regular" NHL schedule. None the less the sooner actual hockey games get started the better, so mark your calendars, prepare your loved ones, and for those of you lucky enough to have season tickets, get to scalping, because the season is fast approaching.


text:
Last Wednesday morning Mount St. Joseph Academy recognized the members of the senior class who have committed to colleges where they will continue their athletic careers. The school will make another announcement in the spring.
Pictured are: (front row, from left) Annie Tenzinger (Boston College; crew), Lexi Meister (Bucknell University; crew), Kate Mirabella (Princeton University; crew), Adrienne Cellucci (Ursinus College; basketball), Ann Burgoyne (Fairfield University; field hockey)
(back row, from left) President Sr. Kathleen Brabson, SSJ, Maddie Wescott (Lehigh University, crew), Dominique Nyzio (Drexel University; lacrosse), Alex Lista (William and Mary; lacrosse), Olivia Gannon (Villanova University; lacrosse), Kelsey Jones (Philadelphia University; basketball), Julia Mustin (St. Joseph's University; field hockey), Emilee Ehret (Penn State; field hockey), Kiera McCloy (Villanova University; crew), Emily Ruddy (University of Connecticut, crew), Athletic Director Janet Columbro, Principal Judith A. Caviston.


text:
Jmalloy needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
2 winners were selected from 12 designs submitted by 8 freelance designers.
Nexus Photography
In business 30+ years, bringing on an emerging photographer to develop fresh new teens/tweens/babies market. Primary goal is a fresh identity look to integrate with this audience..
Teens, new parents, so 15 to 30 something...primarily female BUT (see below)
Although the target market is female, 50% of the subjects are male...so the design should not be so much feminine as appealing to female viewers.
Please avoid cameras and other trite design elements such as a stylized diaphragm, etc.
Color is important, however there is also a need for one and two color reproduction, so the design should read clearly in BW...
We have found over the years that emphasizing the "X" in Nexus is offputting, so we've been using a total lower case "nexus" and that is not at all objectionable to us...
Fresh and contemporary are keywords, Thanks, John
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
Detroit Auto Show: Can New Corvette Spark GM?
General Motors on Sunday was expected to unveil a seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette that it hopes will become the poster child for a 2013 product blitz designed to buff its top-selling Chevrolet line. WSJ's Jonathan Welsh reports. Photo: AP Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the the ... Dulaney welcomed the new tile on WS J tonight it's Monday the fourteenth of January ... I'm conceit that until ... coming up with a satellite ... this couple is I find find complainants ... and how minions American black is ... maybe getting announced the surprise um and and and that's paychecks of the eight clubs ... to one big at last night's Golden Knights the fast channel eight isn't at the time Brecon Profit divinity recently ... the ... hope of an ongoing slide in market share ... now the company sunbathing a seventh generation Chevrolet Corvette ... and hopes that in the Stingray Will Power IGN is my successful line ... to the top ... of people's grocery shopping with some of the Welsh ... is that the Vista or put in Detroit's he joins us on the News Hub ... this morning good morning to attend ... good morning thank you very much a dining us out ... he added that make you thin and North America chief Mark writes How provided under intense profits are painted TPG and they have been able to hold Monte set which is Kony and his lowest ... since about nineteen thirty seven he said ... how is this the stingray can turn things around ... or is it ... well they hoped their ... aerial grew up with ... the good work record low card with the goes to the ... park ... more consumer interest in the Chevrolet Boing and Richard General Motors ... bread and butter brand that they can ... I'm that they can get people into the showroom they feel they are so though be halfway toward ... rebuilding some of that market share ... the other thing is ... the court that the weight of ... the issue now they say they're trying to track the and the five years younger buyers ... I'm you know that the ... baby boomers in their fifties are sticking your will ... to help a lot of the people the current quarter but today they're looking for a further ... thirty to forty year-old finale I need to see that in the design anymore cannot tasting ticking up to the stingray ... well worth a read here working hard this year ... but ... really ... over time the current become more and more conservative you know that the current fifteen years old now which is fine ... but think that the baby boomers the purported to be ... you know ... that that ... that was radical design changes to the nineteen fifty seven ... but that that kind of want to light during the nineteen eighty and the decline and very conservative very evolutionary than that ... although the new car is obvious to you ... I'm that goes on sale later this year ... if there was a lot like last years model ... we recognize the work that much more evolutionary than ... revolutionary ... I don't I'm not ... convinced them attract younger buyers that over the cliff could well be on the part of the the ... we are going to be held up pretty overbought but more ... I also don't know if ... he is the literature of the Stingray name which went away decades ago when ... the mostly associated with nineteen sixties and seventies version of the car ... I'm ... I don't know your average thirty to forty year-old even remember that name ... much less pull up identified with it in anyway ... why did contents of the industry without ceasing to sales daughters and an uptick since ... the dog days of the session how does is trying to fit into that ... well it should ... you know anytime introduced new ... you are like that ... the new quirk that ... they're going to bump in sales but ... that particular model is such a niche product ... the last couple of years they've sold fourteen fifteen thousand of them which is ... just a trickle ... you know in in Cardiff this term ... they told the doctor twice that many good years but that's still not much stuff ... it's not really the field of the current health of more ... the question of who we would help ... to rebuild its ... Chevrolet division ... not just the ... sort of ... of ... all going and ... going and type of carpet at that that the brand ... to form and the associated with a thump ... them what they call ... option is to be in the current addicted to the winter ... I was the fact that they've been trying to hail damage to the core of the past ... dozen years ... now and and the U S Treasury are preparing to sign up for them to the gym says ... how much pressure is see advantages in on the teeth and ... O tremendous in order to ... be under tremendous pressure in the stock price ... but Mark Lloyd their North American bought the the ... the the real died in the wall color for them and that the ideas that he can't get into the ... more interested in the land of ... the pic but you can ... while ... most expectations are high riding high on the nice thing right I ten west of the Welsh out of its airports in Detroit


text:
Wangari Maathai
Planting the Future
A remarkable Kenyan woman and environmentalist speaks from experience about the links between ecology, human flourishing, war and peace, and democracy. And she shares her thoughts on where God resides.
Wangari Maathai is the founder of the Green Belt Movement and recipient of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. She's the author of Replenishing the Earth and Unbowed: A Memoir.
September 29, 2011
KRISTA TIPPETT, HOST: She is a biologist by training with flashing black eyes and a presence that fills the room. Wangari Maathai received the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. Sitting across from her, it is not hard to imagine that this woman stood up to a dictator and won, and that she's fought off encroaching desert by planting 30 million trees and counting. Wangari Maathai knows what many in the West have failed yet to grasp: that ecological crises are often the hidden root cause of war. She speaks from experience this hour about the link between trees and soil, human flourishing, and democracy. She even shares her thoughts on where God resides.
WANGARI MAATHAI: The church teaches you that God is omnipresent. Now if he is omnipresent, he is in Rome but he can also be in Kenya at the same time, if he is omnipresent.
MS. TIPPETT: From APM, American Public Media, I'm Krista Tippett. Today on On Being, "Planting the Future."
Wangari Maathai was born in colonial Africa in 1940. She was the first woman in central Africa to earn a Ph.D. In the mid-1970s, she started planting trees with rural Kenyan women after she became aware of the consequences of soil erosion and deforestation in their daily lives. She founded the Green Belt Movement there to create designated areas of park, farm, and uncultivated land around communities. For a quarter-century, she battled powerful economic forces and Kenya's tyrannical ruler, Daniel arap Moi. She was beaten and imprisoned. But her movement has now spread to over 600 communities in Kenya and into over 30 countries.
[Sound bite of music]
MS. TIPPETT: I spoke with Wangari Maathai in 2006. And I learned that there is a powerful faith behind her passion — a fusion of Christianity, real-world encounters with good and evil, and the ancestral Kikuyu traditions of Kenya's central highlands. Wangari Maathai grew up there, schooled by Catholic missionaries, and she is a practicing Catholic to this day. The Kikuyu culture worshipped under trees and honored Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest mountain, as the place where God lives. And when Wangari Maathai looks back on her childhood now, she realizes that Kikuyu culture had an intuitive sense of environmental balance, based on both pragmatic and spiritual teachings.
MS. MAATHAI: And one of the things that I may have inherited without being conscious about it, because my people were already Christians by the time I was growing up, is the fact that my people were very close to nature. And I like to give a story, for example, that reflects that, that when I was a young child, I used to collect the firewood for my mother. And I remember my mother telling me not to collect any firewood from this tree called a fig tree, the so-called strangler fig tree. And when I asked her why not, she told me, "That is a tree of God. We don't cut it. We don't burn it. We don't use it. They live for as long as they can, and they fall on their own when they are too old."
Now, I didn't think much about that until much, much later. Indeed, when I became environmentally conscious, I remembered that story. I also recognized that in the period of, maybe, between 1920s to 1960s, a lot of those fig trees had actually been cut, because, having become Christians, the missionaries were very eager to get rid of all these trees that reminded the natives of a god that they did not relate to, because they needed to relate to another god, and this new god was a god who was worshipped in a house called church. But the god they were relating to prior to that was a god that they worshipped under these trees, such as that fig tree. Not every one of them, but they definitely were among the sacred trees.
MS. TIPPETT: And what did your mother mean? What was it about the fig tree? Was there more explanation to that, about what it was about it that was holy or of God?
MS. MAATHAI: Well, the point I want to emphasize here is these trees, because they are so huge and because they were never cut, they actually provided stabilization of the land, because these are highlands. They protected these people from landslides.
MS. TIPPETT: Physically, they protected people.
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, physically they protected people.
MS. TIPPETT: There's nothing mystical about this.
MS. MAATHAI: Yes, precisely. They physically protected the land from sliding, because it's so steep. And because they have roots that go very deep and, as I say, because they are not cut, they last forever. They are able to go down into the underground rock. They are able to break the rock, and they are able to bring some of the subterranean water system up nearer to the surface, and so they were responsible for many of the streams that dotted the landscape. So in many ways, therefore, they were part of the water system in the area, and so they served a very important purpose. Of course, nobody quite recognized that until now, maybe. People are beginning to see, well, where are these trees, because we do get a lot of landslides now, by the way.
MS. TIPPETT: So there's a really pragmatic component to that religious teaching.
MS. MAATHAI: Yes. And sometimes in religion, whether it is Christian, Buddhism, or Judaism, we have these teachings we read in the Bible. The Bible tells you to do this. It doesn't tell you why, but sometimes it is because there is some coded wisdom …
MS. TIPPETT: Human wisdom, right.
MS. MAATHAI: Human wisdom that people have accumulated in the course of generations, and sometimes it becomes a ritual, sometimes it becomes a cultural practice, sometimes it's associated with a festival. But when you look into many of these activities that people did before they were influenced by a foreign culture, there was always a very good reason why they did it. It was very much part of their way of having learned how to live within the environment in which they found themselves.
MS. TIPPETT: Wangari Maathai often refers to the biblical Genesis creation story when she speaks about the morality of environmental care, and she urges people to find new meaning in that story. For example, God celebrates the goodness of every aspect of the creation, she points out, and God would surely not celebrate human decimation of soil, forests, and rivers. Wangari Maathai believes that the Christianity she knew as a child in colonial Africa singled out the part of the Genesis story where God instructs Adam and Eve to dominate the natural world and subdue it.
[Sound bite of music]
MS. MAATHAI: Perhaps in those days, and especially as missionaries and explorers and settlers moved into new grounds, perhaps it really did look to them like their resources were unlimited.
MS. TIPPETT: Right.
MS. MAATHAI: But in the past, therefore, I would say that the Christian faith — and I can only talk about the Christian faith, because that's my heritage — has not really played the role of a custodian, such as now you hear theologians emphasizing that you really should be.
MS. TIPPETT: Right. I think there's an awakening about that within Christianity.
MS. MAATHAI: Absolutely. I guess that's what we should call it, is an awakening. It's a good awakening. I don't really think I remember very much of religious teaching of how to take care of the environment. I studied biology.
MS. TIPPETT: Yes.
MS. MAATHAI: So I think that it was more out of the science and the understanding of the ecological systems, and the observations I made in my country, especially the damage that seemed to be happening between the time I left my country in 1960, came to the United States for five and a half years, then went back. And in that period, my country had become independent. It had introduced new ways of commercial agriculture. It had introduced cash crops, and these were now growing in the areas where there used to be wood lots. Levees, which used to be nice and clean, were no longer clean. They were full of silt. So these observations for me aroused an interest that there must be something that is happening that is bad, but it wasn't the faith. And I wish it was, because it should have been. I should have been reading the book of Genesis a little more closely.
MS. TIPPETT: Right. So clearly, there was a huge change in your country between those years that you left and came back. And when I think about those years, the early '60s in the United States, it was clearly a really dramatic period here as well — not a very environmentally conscious period in this culture.
MS. MAATHAI: No.
MS. TIPPETT: Although the civil rights movement was going on then. How did that time in the States flow into the perspective you took back to Kenya?
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah. Now, I want to say that sometimes, you know, things happen around in your life, and you're not consciously absorbing them, and you're not consciously asking yourself, now, what am I learning out of all this?
MS. TIPPETT: Right.
MS. MAATHAI: But, indeed, what you are observing, what you are reading, what you are seeing influences you, sometimes in your subconscious, and I'm quite sure that the civil rights movement in the United States in the '60s greatly influenced my sense of justice, my sense of the need to respect human rights, my sense of respecting the rule of law, which later on became very useful when, I accidentally, I would say, became an activist for human rights issues, for women rights issues. And there was no effort for me to do that, and I'm quite sure that if I had not come to America at that time, I would probably not have made human rights issues an issue. It would probably not have struck me that somebody else's rights were being violated.
MS. TIPPETT: Really?
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, sometimes, you know, you are a product of the society in which you grow. And quite often it takes a special kind of mind to break away from the norm, to know or to believe that what everybody's accepting as norm is not right and to question it, and to almost have people say, "What's wrong with you? Everybody else thinks this is all right. Why do you think it's wrong?" And I think that it is sometimes, because you have escaped that society, and you have gone to another place, and you have seen your challenges.
MS. TIPPETT: Your vision has changed. You've been opened up.
MS. MAATHAI: Your vision has changed. Your perception has changed. Your consciousness has changed. And so you come, and you tell people, "Now, how can you accept that?" And they want to say, "What?"
MS. TIPPETT: Right, right, because you suddenly see it.
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, you suddenly see it, and you see it so clearly, so you're passionate about it, and sometimes people here don't understand what burns you.
MS. TIPPETT: You know, it's so true. As I was reading about the work you're doing — I mean, a tree is a simple thing, right?
MS. MAATHAI: Right.
MS. TIPPETT: But when you talk about the observations you started to make in listening, initially, it sounds like, in the '70s to women in Africa, and you started to suddenly see this simple equation between trees and having to walk far for water and soil erosion and lack of work and lack of fodder for animals and malnutrition, and you kind of wonder how that simple equation had broken apart. I suppose that's a very common human paradox, but …
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, I think that is so true. One of the things that happens — and this happens to us whether it is because we are going through a colonial experience like we were, or you're going through an industrial experience like many people would experience in a country like America and other industrialized countries. What happens is that you slowly moved from the world you knew, and you move into another world, and most of the times, you move into a world that you believe is better. That's why we are told this is development.
MS. TIPPETT: Right, progress.
MS. MAATHAI: This is progress. And we accept it. And it takes us some time to realize, "Wait a minute." Maybe it was not all good progress. Some aspects of it is not quite all right, and you begin to see how things have become disconnected. And now the challenge is to see how can you connect them again. How can you make people see the linkages?
MS. TIPPETT: Mm-hmm. That, in fact, are organic.
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah.
[Sound bite of music]
MS. TIPPETT: I'm Krista Tippett, on Being — conversation about meaning, religion, ethics, and ideas. Today with Nobel Peace Prize laureate and environmental activist Wangari Maathai.
Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, while she was the first woman department chair ever at the University of Nairobi.
MS. TIPPETT: So how did you start planting trees?
MS. MAATHAI: Well, in the University of Nairobi, there were very few women. There were actually — there were originally two of us, and then three. And we were being very badly treated, because the university had never dealt with women academic members of staff, so they didn't have terms of service. But one thing they knew is that we should not enjoy the same terms of service as men, but they didn't know how to draft our terms of service.
But before they got there, we were complaining like mad that we should not be discriminated against, and as part of this campaign, I joined the National Council of Women to represent the Association of University Women. Now, you'll remember, in 1975, the first United Nations Women's Conference was in Mexico, and I found myself in a forum where Kenyan women were discussing the agenda that we should take to Mexico. And I came in. I had my own agenda about the discrimination of women …
MS. TIPPETT: In universities.
MS. MAATHAI: … at the University of Nairobi. But when I got there, then I listened to what the rural women were talking about. And it was the rural women's story that actually struck me, and I completely forgot my story, because for me, by comparison, I was complaining about minutia — by comparison to what these women were really asking for. They were asking for water. They were asking for food, nutritious food. They were asking for energy, which was mainly firewood. And they were saying they have no income.
And when I listened to what they were saying, it so happened that many of these women also came from the highlands, in the same highlands where I grew up. And it struck me that in that period of less than 10 years, so much change had taken place in the environment, that water was no longer clean, yet when I was a child, I would go to the river, and I fetch water for my mother. I would come home. We would drink it. We didn't even boil it. And there was no firewood, and as a child, I was collecting firewood for my mother in the wood lots, but all these wood lots had been cleared to make way for tea and coffee. And because of the new commercial agriculture and because of clearing the bushes, now there was massive soil erosion and leaching of agrichemicals into the water. So the water was no longer clean.
And that's why, in my acceptance speech, I talked about the fact that in this …
MS. TIPPETT: For the Nobel Prize?
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, for the Nobel Prize. You remember, I mentioned that I was shocked by the fact that the stream where I used to play as a child with tadpoles dried up, and the fig tree that my mother had talked about had been cut to make way for tea. And so I told the women, "Now, you know what I think? We should plant trees."
MS. TIPPETT: You started with seven trees. Is that right?
MS. MAATHAI: I planted seven trees. Five died, two survived.
MS. TIPPETT: In downtown Nairobi.
MS. MAATHAI: In downtown Nairobi. And the two are still alive, which is fantastic. But the important thing for me was to see the linkage, and that's what I try to encourage people to do. If you're going to do anything for the environment, you have to see what has been disconnected.
MS. TIPPETT: It really strikes me that — how important it was, that proximity that you had to that land, and also that you saw what a short period of time it had taken for such destruction to happen.
MS. MAATHAI: Yes, yes.
MS. TIPPETT: But maybe that also empowered you to think that taking some simple steps could, as you say, you know, reconnect what had been disconnected.
MS. MAATHAI: Yes, yes. Because I immediately could see that if you planted trees, you'd protect the soil from soil erosion. You'd provide the firewood for the women. If they planted fruit trees, they can supplement their diets. The trees grow very fast, so they can easily sell these trees and make an income. So I quickly saw how the tree could solve the problems.
MS. TIPPETT: You know, I think that part of your story is so important, because when people are presented, I think, especially with these great ecological disasters or impending disasters …
MS. MAATHAI: Yes. Yes.
MS. TIPPETT: It's the same thing with political problems. It seems so enormous …
MS. MAATHAI: Right.
MS. TIPPETT: … that an individual person wonders what they could possibly do. But, I mean, your story is actually one of looking at what you knew, what you were close to, and seeing what had gone wrong and seeing, in a very basic way, what you could do to move it back right.
MS. MAATHAI: Absolutely. And I really think that that's part of what the Norwegian Nobel Committee saw, was the simplicity, but also the complexity. The fact that here's something that is being done by individuals at the grassroots level, but it also gradually had the capacity to get to the decision-makers and make the decision-makers sit up either to stop you or to control you, because they felt like you were threatening them. And …
MS. TIPPETT: And that two trees that live can become 30 million trees, which is pretty remarkable.
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, indeed, because of the mobilization. But I would say, since we are talking about the faith, that to a very large extent, if I had, perhaps, not gone to school in a Catholic school, in a school that was run, managed by sisters, by nuns, at a time when missionaries were really very serious about values — they were very concerned about values, and especially the value of service — I think I would probably have turned out to be a different kind of a person. Because for me, as I said earlier, sometimes people don't have to tell you, "This is what you need to believe in, and this is the value you need to embrace." You just observe. And when people ask me, "Who are the people who inspired you?" — these are some of the people who actually inspired me, these nuns, that these, at the time, beautiful women, young women, and I remember thinking, now, why did they leave their country to come here? Why didn't they get married and have families? And, of course, the answer was because they wanted to serve Jesus. They even wore rings, because they told us they were married, spiritually, to Jesus.
MS. TIPPETT: Right, right, right.
MS. MAATHAI: I really couldn't see what is the benefit. We are so used to doing things, because we benefit. There is something — we always want to know, why are you doing that? Because there must be something you're going to get. When you look at nuns like that, what do they get out of that?
MS. TIPPETT: And isn't that an interesting way, also, to think about — you and I were talking earlier about how the Christian church in general, Christian theology, has really not paid attention to the environment. In fact, has interpreted some of the stories and teachings that are in there in a way that has been destructive to the environment, and there's a — people are waking up to that. But that's an interesting way to think of that, how even traditions which have something to correct can look to other virtues, right?
MS. MAATHAI: Yes, yeah.
MS. TIPPETT: And besides just the teaching on the environment, this virtue of service that is there and has been very strong.
MS. MAATHAI: Mm-hmm. And that virtue is really what we are calling upon to take care of the environment, because we are saying we want to protect the environment — not so that we can use and not for our own purpose. We want to protect biodiversity — not so that we can use these forms of life, because some of them we don't even know they're there — but it is to say that you're not doing it, because of something beneficial that you're going to get, something tangible. And that's a very important experience, especially today, because I find — even in my own country, I find that every time you want to tell people, "Do this, it is good to do it," people want to say, "What do I get out of it?" Now, of course, for the nuns, they will tell you, "I'll go to Heaven." Well, OK, fine, but …
MS. TIPPETT: That's a real long-term goal.
MS. MAATHAI: It's a long-term goal, and we are still here on Earth.
MS. TIPPETT: Those first women who you had this conversation with, you paid attention to what their needs were, and then you planted these trees. I wanted to know, you know, what effect that had on them, on these women, in their lives.
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, one of those women, actually, that I like to remember, was a woman called Priscilla Mereka. She came from the Presbyterian women.
MS. TIPPETT: Was she a rural resident, also?
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, she was a Kenyan, and she was representing the women's guild in the National Council of Women. So she's one of those women who reasoned, who were presenting. And later on, when I said, "Why don't we plant trees?" — and we formed a small committee within the National Council of Women, she became a member of that committee, and we worked together for many years.
Unfortunately, she died some years ago, maybe about 10 years ago now. But by the time she died, she had completely transformed her landscape so very much, that when they were putting her remains to rest, everybody in the community was praising her, not only for the work that she had done in the church, but the fact that she had brought the Green Belt Movement into her area, that she had facilitated and encouraged the planting of, literally, millions of trees and that — one thing that I remember women saying is that, you know, how you always see these women carrying their firewood on their back …
MS. TIPPETT: Mm-hmm.
MS. MAATHAI: … and there is a typical rope that they use, usually made out of animal hide. And the women said at her funeral that you never see any woman today with that rope, because it's not necessary. No women need carry firewood, because the firewood is at the household. And that, I thought, was such a legacy for her.
[Sound bite of music]
MS. TIPPETT: On our blog, we recently posted a written follow-up conversation with Wangari Maathai about the themes in her new book, Replenishing the Earth: Spiritual Values for Healing Ourselves and the World. You'll find that at OnBeing.org. She has some things to say about the meaning of trees and why trees matter both spiritually and environmentally. She also describes how she sustains her hope.
And as always, you can get downloadable MP3s of this week's show, and all our shows, through our e-mail update, our podcast, and our home page. Discover all of this at OnBeing.org.
Coming up, more from her on how ecological crises are the hidden root cause of peace and war, even for the richest countries. Also, Wangari Maathai's thoughts on where God resides.
I'm Krista Tippett. This program comes to you from APM, American Public Media.
MS. TIPPETT: I'm Krista Tippett. Today, "Planting the Future," with the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Wangari Maathai. A biologist by training, she is a celebrated environmentalist and activist for global democracy. She served as the Assistant Kenyan Minister of the Environment from 2003 to 2007. We're exploring Wangari Maathai's story and her spiritual and moral bearings.
And conversation with her does lead repeatedly back to her sense of the immorality and violent consequences of human recklessness with the environment. In recent years, for example, she's become a key global voice on the issue of encroaching desert, or desertification. This ecological catastrophe now threatens the southwestern United States and China, as well as the African continent. About 1 billion people in over 100 countries are potentially affected.
Wangari Maathai has been working on the front lines of this crisis for over three decades. And when it awarded her the Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said this: "When we analyze local conflicts, we tend to focus on their ethnic and religious aspects, but it is often the underlying ecological circumstances that bring the more readily visible factors to the flash point." The Committee noted that in places as diverse as the Sudan, the Philippines, Mexico, Haiti, and the Himalayas, deforestation, encroaching desert, and soil erosion are among the present root causes of civil unrest and war. Again, Wangari Maathai.
MS. MAATHAI: It is extremely important and especially for people who live in highly industrialized and rich countries, because people who live in such countries have a feeling that even if they don't have resources within their borders, they can get them from wherever those resources are. But even if you can buy those resources, even there there is a limit to what extent you can get those resources and not create a conflict. Because remember, the resources that are left behind, people have to fight over them. And because the world is now so interconnected that when conflict anywhere in the world, sometimes they come right into your living room, either through television — or like now with the Americans being a superpower, a very influential member of the United Nations, if there is conflict somewhere, we are very quick to say we need peacekeeping forces; and these peacekeeping forces are quite often soldiers from areas where there is peace.
MS. TIPPETT: Right. Right.
MS. MAATHAI: So suddenly you realize you may be in peace, but it is your son or your husband who now has to go and try to keep peace where peace has been threatened. And so it becomes really an important issue for all of us, whether we are rich or we are poor. Recently, I was in Japan. I was very lucky, because I came across a word called mottainai, which is a Japanese Buddhist concept that is entrenched in the Japanese culture, which encourages people not to waste resources. And this was especially true, they told me …
MS. TIPPETT: And it's a spiritual concept.
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, it's a spiritual concept. And in fact, this aspect was brought out to me by a monk; I think his name is Monk Mori from Kyoto Temple. We went in and he had heard me use that word publicly and he said, "I'm so happy you're using that word mottainai, because it is a word that Japanese don't use anymore because they feel embarrassed to say don't waste resources, because they have so much, or receive resources with gratitude, receive what you get from the Mother Earth with gratitude, or from nature with gratitude. And we usually don't think about that. We don't usually thank Nature for giving us what she does."
MS. TIPPETT: Right.
MS. MAATHAI: And he reminded me of the Christian concept of let us be custodians of the environment, of the resources, rather than of …
MS. TIPPETT: Stewardship is a good Christian word.
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, the stewardship. And I'm very happy that theologians now are really more and more encouraging us to think of ourselves as custodians, stewards, rather than domineering masters, you know. So this coming from a country like Japan is very, very …
MS. TIPPETT: It's very interesting.
MS. MAATHAI: It's very interesting, and it's very, very good. And I was very happy that, because it was their word, when I started using it they said, "Oh, this is so wonderful." I said, "Yeah." And especially, because in the industrialized countries like America you have the technology, you have the capital, you have the skills, and you can therefore help to save the resources that are being used in the world. But see, if you become wasteful, if you are not grateful, if you don't recycle, because why should you recycle when you can buy more, you must always remember, but there are billions out there who don't have enough even to survive, let alone to decide whether they should reduce or reuse.
MS. TIPPETT: It's hard for people to — for those billions to seem real, you know, to influence little tiny decisions that are made in the course of daily life about whether to recycle something.
MS. MAATHAI: Precisely. They look distant, because quite often we don't see their faces except when they are dying and their faces are brought to the television in our living rooms, and then we are very quick to call our representatives and tell them, "Do something about these people who are dying in this corner of the world." But it's happening all the time.
MS. TIPPETT: I'm Krista Tippett, on Being — conversation about meaning, faith, ethics, and ideas. Today, "Planting the Future," with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai.
Up close to Wangari Maathai's visceral courage and hope, it's easy to forget that she was suppressed for a quarter-century, under the autocratic regime of the former Kenyan ruler Daniel arap Moi. Arap Moi publicly called her a madwoman. Her Green Belt Movement was driven largely by disenfranchised rural women, improbably confronting powerful elites with a mandate to clear-cut Kenyan forests for economic development. Wangari Maathai was arrested and beaten for protesting illegal logging and land grabbing and once for leading an historic march of women demanding the release of their sons from Daniel arap Moi's political prisons.
MS. TIPPETT: So much of your work has been with women, and you write a lot about the balance of power between men and women. And I wanted to ask if you think of that, the balance of power between men and women, also as a sustainability issue?
MS. MAATHAI: The truth of the matter is we are all resources anyway. We are a human resource. And the biggest problem that we have had, especially in the women's movement, is trying to convince the other half that we are a very important resource and we do make great contributions, and therefore we should be respected, we should be appreciated, our work should be quantified, we should be compensated, and that we should not be taken for granted. Now, unfortunately, 30 years ago, in 1975, as I said earlier, when we were meeting to go to Mexico, we were going there, because we wanted to …
MS. TIPPETT: For the United Nations Women's Conference, the first one.
MS. MAATHAI: … Women's Conference, the very first one. And it was at that conference that we declared the women decade. Obviously we have made great strides, and we should be very, very proud of the strides we have made. But it is true that women are still a very unappreciated resource in many societies. I can see how quickly women, even very competent women, are sacrificed on the altar of political convenience.
MS. TIPPETT: That's a strong sentence.
MS. MAATHAI: Mm-hmm.
MS. TIPPETT: Over these years, it's not all been happy ceremonies planting trees. I know you've been scorned and you've been pursued and you've been beaten. You've stood up to powerful forces. And you didn't know, when all this started, that it would become so large, that you would found this great movement, that you would win the Nobel Peace Prize, I mean, but what kept you going? What were the resources you drew on in the hardest times?
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah. Now, again, I would probably say that that is where the experience and the being molded by people of faith made a lot of difference. That although I was not professing my faith, I'm quite sure that I was grounded in that moral fiber of wanting to do the right thing. I was so sure that this was the right thing, because I could see, it was quite obvious. And even those who were persecuting me knew, and I knew they knew.
MS. TIPPETT: Knew that you were doing the right thing?
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, they knew I was doing the right thing.
MS. MAATHAI: But they didn't want me to do it, because it was inconveniencing them. And I knew that, the fact that people have a right to clean drinking water. So anybody who is there polluting that water knows he is doing the wrong thing, knows he should not do it. Anybody who is interfering with the catchment areas where these levees come from, so that some levees start drying up, he knows he's doing the wrong thing. And because he's doing it to enrich himself, and he is enriching himself with resources that have been entrusted to him by the public and he knows the public don't know, and if they know they are too afraid to challenge him. So me, when I challenge, he can afford to intimidate, he can afford to ridicule, because I'm alone, but I somehow I had that conviction that I'm right and he knows it.
MS. TIPPETT: Now, it sounds to me like you always assumed that there was a morality, a conscience somewhere, even inside the people who were — or an ability to see what you saw about what was right.
MS. MAATHAI: It was too obvious for people not to see.
MS. TIPPETT: Yeah, but it would also have been possible for you to just write these people off, to fight them, to declare them evil. Do you know what I'm saying?
MS. MAATHAI: But I didn't have the power to do anything to them. They had the power. That's why they could arrest me, they could take me to jail, they could ridicule me publicly. They had the power. I didn't have the power. I couldn't do anything. So the only thing I had, the option I had was to work with these ordinary people and try to teach them. Initially, I didn't do any teaching. But gradually, when I saw that people were being taken advantage of because they were ignorant, I started reading the Bible, you know, the book of Hosea …
MS. TIPPETT: Been reading the prophets?
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, the prophet. I wanted to know, what did the prophets do when these things happened? And I read about the book of Hosea. Sometimes it's fascinating to read about these old Bible stories and see — and sometimes the stories you read, they are almost replicated in the world we live in. So I read, for example, the book of Hosea quite often, and I think it is chapter 4, and it talks about this prophet who is sent to the people of Israel to tell them they will perish, because they are so ignorant.
And he said, you're ignorant and even the priests are ignorant, and you are not listening to the instructions of the Lord, and so you will perish. So I saw literally that our people were perishing, because they were ignorant. They didn't understand the linkages between the problems they were facing and the environmental degradation that was happening right there below their feet.
MS. TIPPETT: It's an interesting model too, because it is — what the prophets were doing, what you were doing in a sense is railing against your own people for their sake.
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah, telling them that, you know, open your eyes and see that what we are doing is very, very important. And don't be intimidated; don't be persuaded by these people who are in power, because whatever they are doing, they're doing it against your good and the good of your children. So at least plant trees, for goodness sake. And by planting trees you are not harming anybody. You're not harming them.
MS. TIPPETT: Right, right.
MS. MAATHAI: But I knew that they didn't like what I was doing.
MS. TIPPETT: It's kind of an ecological form of civil disobedience, planting trees.
MS. MAATHAI: It was, in fact. It was, indeed. And, indeed, it became a symbol of our defiance every time. For example, we wanted to protect our forests that the people in power were privatizing. For example, I remember we had a big fight over a forest called Karura, which is close to the — it is actually within Nairobi, and it is actually essentially the land of Nairobi, the equivalent of Central Park in New York.
MS. MAATHAI: And they wanted to clear-cut this forest and put up residential houses. And I said, "Are you out of your mind? You need this forest." And they said, "We don't need the forest, we need houses." Now, you tell me. So we would take trees and march with our seedlings towards the forest and say we are marching to go and plant trees. Now, ordinarily nobody should be bothered about a bunch of women trying to plant a tree, but because we are marching towards this forest, we were essentially saying, you're not going to clear-cut this forest, you're not going to put any residential houses in this forest, because this forest is needed by the city.
MS. TIPPETT: And did you win that battle?
MS. MAATHAI: After many years we won, which is great.
MS. MAATHAI: And that little forest is still there, thank God.
MS. TIPPETT: We started out talking about growing up, and within your culture trees were holy places or they created holy places, and you had a Catholic upbringing and then you read the Prophet Hosea when you were fighting some of your darkest battles. I want to ask you about your image of God. How do you think about — that's a hard — I don't usually ask people a direct question like that, but I'd be really curious about your response to it? What does your work with trees, I mean all the work you've done, the battles you've fought, and, you know, in your new awareness of the importance of democratic spaces, I mean, how does all of that flow into your understanding of these big religious questions?
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah. Well, when I was in a Catholic school in Nyeri, which is where I was doing my primary education, I was actually being taught by sisters of the Consulata Order, Order of the Consulata, who come from Milan, by the way, and their founder recently became beatified, by the way, so they're on the right track. At that time, I must say that religion was extremely superficial in the way that God was presented to us, because God was presented to us in the way he appears in the Sistine Chapel, you know, by Michelangelo. So at that time it was, I would say, a very superficial presentation of God, almost like a human person. And with the mind of a young person, you almost felt like, yeah, God is somewhere in Rome or somewhere in the sky, in the clouds. And then, of course, you remember, my own background, and I was already removed from my own background, because my parents had already converted into Christianity.
MS. TIPPETT: From Kikuyu culture.
MS. MAATHAI: Yes. But there was always that influence of, for example, the fact that they believed that God lived on Mount Kenya, and they had a great reverence to Mount Kenya. And so in the course of my environmentalism, I have often visited those two concepts of the way my ancestors presented God to me and the missionaries presented God to me.
MS. TIPPETT: The Sistine Chapel or Mount Kenya.
MS. MAATHAI: Yeah. Now, where is God? And I tell myself, of course, now we are in a completely new era when we are learning to find God not in a place, but rather in ourselves, in each other, in nature. You know, in many ways it's a contradiction, because the church teaches you that God is omnipresent. Now, if he is omnipresent, he is in Rome, but he can also be in Kenya at the same time, if he is omnipresent.
So I have had this transformation for me of who God is. I still believe strongly that there is that power. His shape, his size, his color, I have no idea. But you are influenced by what you hear, what you see. But I still — when I look on Mount Kenya, it is so magnificent, it is so overpowering. It is so important in sustaining life in my area that sometimes I say, yes, God is on this mountain.
MS. TIPPETT: Before I left Wangari Maathai, I asked her whether music is part of the Green Belt Movement. And she immediately offered to sing me a favorite chorus she often sings with others as they work and meet together.
MS. MAATHAI: It says there is no God like him. There is no love like his. There isn't, there is no love like his. And there is no strength like his, no strength like his.
[Wangari Maathai Singing in Swahili]
MS. TIPPETT: Thank you so much, Wangari Maathai.
MS. MAATHAI: Most welcome.
Wangari Maathai is the founder of the Green Belt Movement and the 2004 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Her books include Unbowed: A Memoir and Replenishing the Earth: Spiritual Values for Healing Ourselves and the World.
[Sound bite of music]
The day I spoke with Wangari Maathai, we trudged through eight inches of snow to interview her in a hotel room in Minneapolis. She was supposed to be attending a youth festival. And in that moment, at the end of our interview, as you just heard, she broke into song in Swahili. We've coupled her singing with images of Kenyan women as part of our SoundSeen series. View this audio slide show and share in the complete experience.
The best way to get free MP3s of this entire show, of course, and my unedited interview with Wangari Maathai is by subscribing to our e-mail newsletter and podcast. She discussed in much greater detail her unexpected career path and how she dealt with political corruption while she served for a time in a Kenyan administration. It's all free and easy to download. Subscribe by clicking the "Updates" button on our home page or following our easy podcast instructions for iTunes. That's all at OnBeing.org.
This program is produced by Chris Heagle, Nancy Rosenbaum, Shubha Bala, and Susan Leem. Anne Breckbill is our Web developer. Trent Gilliss is senior editor. Kate Moos is our executive producer. And I'm Krista Tippett.
Next time, we continue our Civil Conversations Project — with a magnificently wise civil rights elder. Vincent Harding describes how Martin Luther King's vision might speak to our current domestic confusions and divisions. Also, what he's learned in recent decades of how lessons of that time can be powerfully useful for the young of today. Please join us.


text:
A Merry Christmas
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Job 1:4-5
Suggested Further Reading: Nehemiah 8:9-12
The text gives a license. Now, ye souls who would deny to your fellow-men all sorts of mirth, come and listen to the merry bell of this text, while it gives a license to the righteous especially a license that they meet together in their houses, and eat and drink, and praise their God. In Cromwell's days, the Puritans thought it an ungodly thing for men to keep Christmas. They, therefore, tried to put it down, and the common crier went through the street, announcing that Christmas was henceforth no more to be kept, it being a popish, if not a heathenish ceremony. Now, you do not suppose that after the crier had made the proclamation, any living Englishman took any notice of it; at least, I can scarcely imagine that any did, except to laugh at it; for it is idle thus to strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. Although we do not keep the fast as papists, not even as a commemorative festival, yet there is something in old associations that makes us enjoy the day in which a man may shake off the cares of business, and relax with his little ones. God forbid I should be such a Puritan as to proclaim the annihilation of any day of rest which falls to the lot of the labouring man. I wish there were half a dozen holidays in the year. I wish there were more opportunities for the poor to rest; though I would not have as many saint[s days as there are in Romish countries; yet, if we had but one or two more days in which the poor man's household, and the rich man's family might meet together, it might perhaps be better for us. However, I am quite certain that all the preaching in the world will not put Christmas down.
For meditation: Perhaps you are completely opposed to the keeping of Christmas! That is your right! But you can still benefit from the holiday and show the joy of the Lord to those who are going to be with you.
Sermon no. 352 24 December (Preached 23 December 1860
All rights belong to the collections of Charles Spurgeon(C)


text:
First, my coming out story. After church, I got into yet another argument with my Dad about what happened in Church. The story was that one city that got destroyed and that guy who was spared's wife looked back and disenigrated. I said that that was her home. She had friends, family, etc. It was unrealistic to think she wouldn't give one glance back. Dad said that it was a horrible place so her looking baxk meant she liked it. We didn't get anywhere, so my Dad said something like "Well, you love God, don't you?". I felt it was time to tell the truth and said "So it all comes out? I don't". My little sister gasped.They left the car and me and Dad talked. Luckily, he was at least a little tolerant, as he wasn't angry nor did he punish me. But of course he had to guilttrip me by saying how sad he was that his son would go to hell. But we moved on and we barely have a rift.
Note barely. Now he and my mom force me to go to church. I tried once to lock myself in my room and refuse to go, but my dad talked to me and said that I lived in their house and that I should respect their wishes until I'm 18. I kinda agree, but I feel guilty. I feel like I'm letting my fellow Atheists down. The most I do to rebel now is make snide comments during the sermon. Then when I read books like Atheist Universe(and I use bookS sparingly, as my school library doesn't have any yet has books about religions like Christianity and such) my dad makes me read stuff like Left Behind. When I go online and read atheist things, I need to look at other views(course, I didn't need to read about Atheism or Hinduism etc. and get their views when I was a Christian) What should I do?
As a side note, should I talk to my younger siblings about atheism? Part of me thinks I should, seeing as my mom and dad preach about Christianity. But another thinks that I'd cause problems between them and my parents. Again, what should I do?
Views: 1897
For now, at least until you turn 18, you're kind of at the mercy of your parents' beliefs and the whole "you're under my roof, you'll do as I say" that we all had to deal with at one point or another. However, instead of seeing it as a bad thing, you could inspect the silver lining as a sort of scientific method.
Learn what you can about Christianity. Think about it, consider it, understand what it is about the belief system that you consider flawed. Much of history and literature are seeped in Christian teachings, so the more you know, the more you'll be able to learn once you hit college. Think of it as archaeological research; the more you know about this subculture within our history, the more you'll be able to understand Milton, Shakespeare, the Republican party and current Tea Party activist arguments. Consider it to be similar to learning Greek mythology. You understand the motivation of Lot's wife (the chick who turned to salt for feeling sentimentality for her hometown); what are your thoughts on the psychological motivations within mythology for, say, Abraham? Muhammed? Consider this an education, not a religious oppressiveness.
Also, the more you know about Christianity, the more you can understand why you're against it. I wouldn't necessarily encourage you to talk to your younger siblings about atheism; however, I would bring up discrepancies based on what you learn in church, and see if they come to the same conclusions you do. If they don't, it'll be an interesting conversation and, perhaps, a bonding experience.
Good luck to you :)
I actually reccomend reading those kinds of books, they're great for a laugh! But yeah you have the right as an american citizen and a human being to (not)read what ever you wish, it's as simple as that.
As for the siblings, I wouldn't recommend lecturing them or anything, but i don't see the harm in explaining your views to them.
Jacob, you're in a difficult position to be sure. but it won't last forever, although it may feel like it. i've been an atheist since i was 14 (24 years ago) and have endured many a church service, whether it be for a wedding, funeral, or to make my mom happy at Xmas. here's what i would do:
1. go to church with them
2. look around
3. notice all the silly "idols" that they worship even though they aren't supposed to
4. notice all the dreary people, and try to count yawns (fun little game)
5. sing their songs, loud and clear (this will either inspire or piss off your parents - either way it's a win)
6. listen to the prayers and gospels and try to interpret them, but do not recite prayers
7. take the good out of the positive messages as many are indeed good
8. look for cute girls (or boys if that's your thing)
9. don't kneel
10. don't take communion
11. don't genuflect
12. don't touch the holy water (it burns!!)
13. take mental notes
14. don't ask questions, but give an honest answer if you are asked
15. quit going the day you turn 18 and/or leave your parents house
best of luck to you Jacob. it won't be that bad. it's an hour per week, you have the whole rest of your week to have your thoughts in the privacy of your own mind.
so you recommend Jacob run away? that advice is highly irresponsible. Jacob is being forced to go to Church, not commit armed robbery. and he's not living a highly oppressed lifestyle such as that of the Amish.
while it is an unfortunate situation, i'm certain he's better off living with his fundie twit family than living on the streets.
Be a good son.
Obey your mommy and daddy.
You can be every mommy and daddy's dream, even if you are an atheist.
Don't burn any bridges.
Engage your peers.
Church is a great place to meet girls. (I know)
Enjoy the fellowship.
You're never too young to practice patience.
You're never too young to practice tolerance.
Always be polite.
Smile, and fill your heart with love.
start a teenage or young adult group on meetup.com
or on here
and maybe even join up w/American Atheists
i noticed many young folks connecting through:
lately i get from kid's w/fundy parents
"do you believe in god?
i say I believe children are our future...
and then leads to what's the 'name' of god!?
they just say 'god alright!?' lol sigh... educate
E d u c a t e.
hey I still battle with the fundies, it'll never end.. as quick as they'd like.. the whole end-time crap..
every big journey starts with one, two, a few little steps nah mean!? peace n' best wishes
I find it quite disturbing that your dad thought he could get away with guilt-tripping you by saying that he was sad that you were going to hell. He may not realize that he has such a smart son.
You live in your parents home. You have to abide by their rules. It sucks, sure. When I was younger, I was in a similar position. You really don't have much choice *but* to obey their rules. One thing you DO have a choice to do is regulate the amount of feedback you give them. This feedback may fall on deaf ears, I don't know what your parents are like. This is something you have to decide for yourself. The way that you respond to your parents may have a great affect on the way they treat you and your overall quality of life right now.
Don't feel like you are letting your fellow Atheists down. As an atheist myself I am happy to hear that you are standing for what you believe in, in some way- even telling your family alone is a great accomplishment.
I also think that you should stress to your siblings that they should "think for themselves" and come to their own conclusions. Plant a seed of logic. Hopefully it will stay with them so that they can arise to intelligent conclusions themselves. I wish you the best of luck in your situation.
... I just realized you posted this in DEC 2010. How about an update, if you're even still around? ...
© 2019 Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: The Nexus Group. Powered by


text:
Pullovers and sweaters
A knitted sweater with an O-neck or a V-neck is some of the most iconic menswear you can own. It's so iconic that it often doesn't get the attention it deserves. Whether you call it a sweater, pullover or knitwear doesn't matter, as long as you have something to wear.
A sweater works well with almost everything. You can wear a sweater with a shirt and tie or you can be more casual with a t-shirt under your sweater. It doesn't matter if you have a t-shirt or dress shirt under you pullover, there's no reason for wearing a blazer as well.
We can think of a combination that doesn't work well with a sweater. A pullover and shirt works well at the office and gives a business look, and it works well with a night out.
We have a knitwear style guide where you can get inspiration for your pullover or sweater.