Reasons for Israels Invasion to Lebanon in 1982 Essay

Reasons for Israels Invasion to Lebanon in 1982 - Essay Example The relations between Israel and Lebanon have a long history, and vary depending on the historical timeline. To understand the reasons behind the Israeli Invasion to Lebanon in 1982, one needs to highlight the history of the two nations. Before the emergence of First World War, the Ottoman Empire was the ruler of the land that is currently Lebanon and Israel. The empire had a division system over the land, setting up series of sub districts and districts. During this time, Palestine had no administrative or political establishment, and Lebanon was a term that referred to the area between mountains and the Sothern Syria. The boundary between Lebanon and Palestine was the district of Beirut . The Zionists, influential at the time, were silently taking notice of the Lebanon in the early 1900s, especially the southern parts. In 1916, the region’s division into zones by the Sykes-Picot agreement was the first attempt of establishing a border between Palestine and Lebanon. Britain w as controlling the southern part (Palestine), and the French had the other northern half. The Zionist began lobbying for the Liwani River to be part of Palestine, arguing that the viability of the northern side was dependent on the river’s resources.... Later, anti-Zionists Arabs became the dominating political power in the southern Lebanon, and that was the beginning of security issues in the region. After the Second World War, Britain and France were again focusing on the issue of the border between the Syria, Palestine and Lebanon. Some of the lessons the Christians in Lebanon learnt were that the southern part of Lebanon was better off a part of Palestine. This would be an effort to restore Lebanon as a truly Christian nation. The border matter was now in the hands of the UN, but still there was no solution. The result was the development of extremist anti-Zionist Arabs in the southern parts of Lebanon, and the eventual involvement of PLO forces in the border conflicts3. Israel and Lebanon had been having conflicts since the onset of the twentieth century, with Israel directing its effort to have a peaceful North. On the other hand, Lebanon was harbouring terrorists within its boundaries like the Palestinian Liberation Organizat ion (PLO), down playing Israel’s efforts. The PLO terrorists began infiltrating Israel in the late 1970s, and spread terror to the non-enthusiast civilians against them. Around March 1978, the terrorists from the organization kidnapped and killed an American tourist in one of Israel’s beach, and proceeded to hijack an Israeli civilian bus. On interception of the bus by Israeli police force, the terrorists began firing on the police. Among the passengers in the bus, 34 Israeli civilians lost their lives in the attack, leading to more severe damage of the relations between the two countries. Responding to the attacks, the Israeli force invaded Lebanon destroying terrorist bases near its borders in the southern parts of the nation. After two months

How did war world 1 impact women Essay Example for Free

How did war world 1 impact women Essay There are all types of information including lesson plans, articles and news. BBC origin is a British Broadcasting Corporation. Established in 1922,London. The founders of BBC are John Reith and George Villers. BBC purpose is to â€Å"enrich peopleÊ ¼s lives with programs and services that inform, educate and entertain.† The values of the source are that it has beneï ¬ ts of hindsight; this is because they wrote this a long time after the event, which makes them less likely to have strong emotions that will make them biased. The source was written long after the event, so it has a greater ability to see turning points/ key events. This source has credibility, because it was written by academic authority. The limitation of the source is that it is not ï ¬ rst hand, meaning that facts could be changed or interpreted differently over time. This source might be biased because it is British. It might take their side. In my opinion overall BBC is a trustworthy source. Notes Beyond Domestic Services: -WWI changed the role of women politically and economically. -WWI gave women bigger opportunities in paying jobs. -Around two million women took over menÊ ¼s jobs The War left women with a a wide range of jobs that were not available to them before and different jobs opportunities in different ï ¬ elds â€Å"The war revolutionised the industrial position of women it found them serfs and left them free.† Said the founder of Cambridge College in 1918 The war changed womens roles in factories. It gave women job opportunities which was not available before. Summary: WW1 affected women in the home front because it gave women an opportunity to prove themselves in a male role, doing more than house work and caring for their family. How did war world 1 impact women at the home front during the war? Sources Book: The us borne introduction to ï ¬ rst war world (December,6,12) O.P.V.L â€Å"The Usborne Introduction to ï ¬ rst World War† book is a reliable source because it is a book which provides detailed information and published works of the ï ¬ rst world war. The origin is Great Britain, published in 2007. The authors of the book are Ruth Brocklehurst and Henry Brook. The purpose of  the book is to â€Å"provide a fascinating and detailed introduction to the First World War. It also includes a selection of recommended websites to take readers even further, with ï ¬ lm footage, photographs and eyewitness accounts.† The value of the source is hindsight; this is because they wrote this a long time after the event, which makes them less likely to have strong emotions that will make them bias. The source was written long after the event, it has a grater ability to see turning points/ key eve nt. This source has credibility, because it was written by academic authority. The source is published, meaning that it was checked for accuracy many times. The limitation of the source is that the source is not ï ¬ rst hand, meaning that facts could be changed or interpreted differently over time. This source might be biased, because it is a british book. In conclusion this is a reliable source because it is a published book. Even though it may be biased it has facts that need to be edited. Notes Women into work -Before the war, jobs were available to to women, but they were limited (e.g. domestic work). -Before the war most were expected to watch over their family -In beginning of war, women were mostly involved in in charity work (e.g. making bandages and socks to send to the soldiers). -The war created many new jobs, keeping the soldiers supplied with basic needs. -Government used many posters to persuade women of all ages and classes to help out in the war and factories. -Millions of women helped out -Women operated telephones exchange, drove busses, worked agriculture and even worked dangerous, heavy jobs (e.g. mining, shipbuilding and packing explosives shells.) Summary WW1 affected women in the home front because women replaced men jobs, they helped in any area they could, from sending the soldiers basic needs to working dangerous jobs. How did war world 1 impact women at the home front during the war? Sources http://www.nls.uk/ learning-zone/history/ themes-in-focus/womenin-the-great-war (december 7,12) O.P.V.L NlS (national library of Scotland) is a reliable source because it is a library with information for educators and others. NIS origin is a library established in 1880s in Britain. NIS is a government funded organization. NIS purpose is to give educators and others a verity of resources and information. The values of the source is, The source has beneï ¬ ts of hindsight; this is because they  wrote this a long time after the event, which makes them less likely to have strong emotions that will make them biased. The source was written long after the event, it has a grater ability to see turning points/ key event. This source has credibility, because it was written by academic authority. The limitation of the source is that it is not ï ¬ rst hand, meaning that facts could be changed or interpreted differently over time. This source might be bias, because it is a british government funded organization, the government might want good things to be said. In my option overall TIS is a trustworthy source because it is government funded, meaning information is checked. Notes Women at work -During the ï ¬ rst year of the war, there was a lot of unemployment. -Women now took over menÊ ¼s jobs. -Even though women enjoyed working and earning money on their own, life for them was not easy. -Women worked long hours, plus they had to care for their children Summary: WW1 affected women in the home front because it changed the role of women, it changed the daily lives of women, and how the society looked at womenÊ ¼s roles in general. How did war world 1 impact women at the home front during the war? Sources http:// www.nationalarchives.go v.uk/education/ homefront/women/ factories/default.htm (December,11,12) O.P.V.L The National Archives, is a reliable source because it is a source which provides detailed information and reliable government sources. The origin is Great Britain, published in 2006. The purpose of the source is to â€Å"Provide many resources and documents for members of the public as well as professionals.† The value of the source is hindsight; this is because they wrote this a long time after the event, which makes them less likely to have strong emotions that will make them biased. The source was written long after the event, it has a greater ability to see turning points/ key event. This source has credibility because it was written by academic authority (government library). The source is published, meaning that it was checked for accuracy many times. The limitation of the source is that the source is not ï ¬ rst hand meaning that facts could be changed or interpreted differently over time. This source might be bias, because it is a british online library, the sources in the library might take sides. Overall this source is reliable because it has a wide range of government supported sources. Notes -Although women worked  in factories before. There was a big increases when the war started. -When men were called to the home front women were there to replace them. -Women did many different kinds of work. -they worked in the chemical and explosive industry,made shells and bombs, electrical cable and wire, uniforms, clothing etc.. -Around 7 million women were employed during the war. -Many women never worked before and had to learn how to cope with it all. (e.x. coping with working and taking care of their family) -Some had to travel far to work. -Some had to work part time so they could look after their children. -Some work for women was dangerous and risky. Summary: WW1 affected women in the home front because it gave women a change to showed a different side of women (e.g. how they are able to work and balance life.) Reï ¬â€šection on action plan: I thought I did a overall good job on my reï ¬â€šection plan. I thought I organized my reï ¬â€šection plan well. I like how I colored coded the plan and added check boxes next to the task. This helped me to stay organized and to see my progress. I thought overall I did a good job with keeping up with my reï ¬â€šection plan. Except for 2 days where I did not complete the OPVl. But ended up completing them the next couple of days. I think the action plan did help me with this task. It kept me organized and on task.

Human rights in the Middle East

Human rights in the Middle East Human rights, an integral part of global development, is still a dilemma that virtually every region in the world faces. Within the Middle East, many countries have human rights violations ranging from honor killings to child labor. With the long road of human rights progress, and progressive thinking, it is hard to imagine any inhumane human rights violations today. However, everyday, innocent peoples human rights are violated throughout the world. Even with the almost equal treatment of women and men in the western world, many other countries are subjecting their women to unfair and very brutal treatment and customs. In some countries, children are abducted and threatened with death until they submit themselves and become child soldiers. Following the Cold War, democratic ways, emerging markets, and human rights development seemed to emerge from different parts of the Middle East. The important question to address is why some countries in the region where able to respect the concep t of human rights, while many find it difficult to establish. Do they merely not want to address the situation of human rights? Or maybe the countries religious observance conflicts with that of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Surely, most of these countries share the same religious dogmas and perhaps some are more conservative than others, but addressing each countries inability to accept the issues pertaining to their human rights violations is very important to understand. To completely recognize this situation, we must analyze certain case studies of diverse Middle Eastern countries, such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. P A K I S T A N Since its creation as a Muslim country in 1947, Pakistan has gone through a chaotic course of building and establishing its own country. The delay in creating a parliamentary democracy in a national setting has been hindered by the multi ethnic groups, disagreeing elite, and the overall influences from other countries. In Pakistan, the civilian rulers have often relied on the military to preserve their power. Since the creation of Pakistan, the martial law has been called into effect three times. The military considers its authority of Pakistani politics as imperative to protect the territorial integrity of Pakistan with the various ethnic, linguistic, and regional diversity. In 1977, when General Zia ul-Haq took power, he used Islam to eliminate democratic elections and constitutional liberties. He also utilized Islam to legitimize his own control. Zia instituted a concept of Islamization that shifted the laws from a more secular tradition to an Islamic one. This abolished the value of Pakistani institutions, particularly their system of justice. Zias attempts to create an alliance with Muslim clerics in Pakistan, he offered them positions as judges. This allowed people with no previous legal qualifications in the seats of judges. This decision and change damaged the reliability of the Pakistani judiciary and also tied its power directly to the state and Zia. (Mustafa pg 168-84) Cultural and religious developments such as traditional Islamic influences and the strict enforcement of Sharia law, have negatively affected the countrys human rights situation. The prospects for the improvement of human rights in Pakistan are unwelcoming, although the country is ranked, according to the comparative survey of freedom worldwide, as being partly free. (Malik 117-28) Death from torture while in police custody is very common in Pakistan. Indistinct custody without any charges, that sometimes add up to one year, is not unusual. Speaking out against the regime is silenced, especially on matters relating to the military and religion. Forced or child labor is prevalent in rural areas, and the government appears incapable of recognizing and preventing it. After the threat of sanction by sporting goods manufacturers and labor organizations, Pakistani authorities have investigated child labor in the soccer ball industry. Ethnic and religious discrimination are rampant. The dif ferent minority groups in Pakistan that are continually targeted are: Baluchis, Pathans, Ahmediyans, Christians, Shiite Muslims, and Hindus. The Federal Sharia Court has prescribed the death penalty for insulting the Prophet Mohammad. Traditional and religious groups block political and legal equality for Pakistani women. An all-Pakistan Working Women Convention in Karachi uttered concerns over social attitudes towards women. The convention called for an end to abuse of property rights, inheritance, and social traditions. (Khan 181) Womens rights, however, are restricted in varying degrees in Pakistan. The underprivileged womens rights condition can often be attributed to actual underdevelopment, low female literacy rates, and harsh local traditions in the case of Pakistan, and to patriarchy, and to strict social codes. (Nizamani 317) While Pakistan has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, Pakistan have thus far refused to ratify those agreements (Malik 2007 117-28) More than half of Middle Eastern and North African countries have ratified the same covenants. Pakistan has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. With the exception of Saudi Arabia, which is not a party to any human rights instruments, all Muslim countries are a party to one or more of those instruments. Although the ratification of these human rights instruments is no evidence of palpable improvement of fundamental rights, becoming party to such treaties has at least made their governments vulnerable to international criticism in cases of grotesque violations of global standards. It should be noted, however, that effective enforcement of human rights instruments remains almost entirely within these countries purview. (Whaites 2005 229-54) The most active and vocal human rights monitoring groups, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Bonded Labor Liberation Front (BLLF), have been instrumental in promoting legislation which bans the bonded labor system. (S.V.R 2005 135-36) S A U D I A R A B I A Saudi Arabia is a monarchy without elected representative institutions or political parties. The Government has declared the Islamic holy book the Koran and the Sunna (tradition) of the Prophet Muhammad to be the countrys Constitution. The Government bases its legitimacy on governance according to the precepts of a rigorously conservative form of Islam. Neither the Government nor the society in general accepts the concept of separation of religion and state. The Government prohibits the establishment of political parties and suppresses opposition views. In 1992 King Fahd appointed a Consultative Council, or Majlis Ash-Shura, and similar provincial assemblies. The Majlis, a strictly advisory body, began holding sessions in 1993 and was expanded first in 1997 and again in May. The judiciary is subject to influence by the executive branch and members of the royal family. The Governments human rights record remained poor. Citizens have neither the right nor the legal means to change their government. Security forces continued to abuse detainees and prisoners, arbitrarily arrest and detain persons, and hold them in incommunicado detention. In addition there were allegations that security forces committed torture. The Mutawwain continued to intimidate, abuse, and detain citizens and foreigners. Most trials are closed, and defendants usually appear before judges without legal counsel. The Government infringes on citizens privacy rights. The government prohibits or restricts freedom of speech, the press, assembly, association, religion, and movement. However, the Government continued to tolerate a wider range of debate and criticism in the press concerning domestic issues. Other continuing problems included discrimination and violence against women, discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities, and strict limitations on worker rights. The two declarations have inflamed on the Saudi constitution such article 26 and below, the state protects human rights in accordance with the Islamic (Shariah), the state guarantees the rights of the citizen and his family in cases of emergency, illness and disability, and in old age; it supports the system of social security and encourages institutions and individuals to contribute in acts of charity. The state provides security for all its citizens and all residents within its territory and no one shall be arrested, imprisoned, or have their actions restricted except in cases specified by statutes, the home is sacrosanct and shall not be entered without the permission of the owner or be searched except in cases specified by statutes, penalties shall be personal and there shall be no crime or penalty except in accordance with the (Shariah) or organizational law. There shall be no punishment except for acts committed subsequent to the coming into force of the organizational law, inf ormation, publication, all other media shall employ courteous language and the states regulations, and they shall contribute to the education of the nation and the encouragement of its unity. All acts that foster sedition or division, harm the states security and its public relations, or detract from mans dignity and rights shall be prohibited. The statutes shall define all that. Nevertheless, this is only the theory, what about the reality? Well Saudi Arabia is one of a number of countries where courts continue to impose corporal punishment, including amputations of hands and feet for robbery, and lashings for lesser crimes such as sexual deviance and drunkenness. The number of lashes is not clearly prescribed by law and is varied according to the discretion of judges. Saudi Arabia also still engages in capital punishment, including public executions by beheading. Some are also executed in private by shooting. There have also been allegations that stoning and crucifixion are carried out. Recently, in 2003, the case of Abd al-Karim Mara`i al-Naqshabandi, who was executed after being convicted of practicing witchcraft against his employer. The organization concluded that the Saudi legal system fails to provide minimum due process guarantees and offers myriad opportunities for well-connected individuals to manipulate the system to their advantage. By western standards Saudi women face severe discrimination in many aspects of their lives, including the family, education, employment, and the justice system. Women are not allowed to drive or ride bicycles on public roads. Religious police enforce a modest code of dress. Also it is illegal for Saudi women to go out, meet with men. If these laws are broken they are punishable by death. Freedom of speech and the press are restricted to forbid criticism of the government or endorsement of un-Islamic values. The government officially bans satellite television, but the rule is generally ignored. Trade unions and political organizations are banned. Public demonstrations are forbidden. Saudi Arabia forbids missionary work by any religion other than Islam. Officially all religions other than Islam are banned and churches are not allowed. Unofficially the government acknowledges that many of the foreign workers are Christian and on Aramco civilian compounds, foreign Christians are generally allowed to worship in private homes or even hold services at local schools provided that it is not spoken of in public. This is a degree of unofficial tolerance that is not given to Judaism, or Atheism. Freedom of religion does not exist, Islam is the official religion, and all citizens must be Muslims. The government prohibits the public practice of other religions. Foreigners must conform to local practices in public. Conservative dress is expected, especially for women who travel to rural areas. Shops and restaurants close five times a day for prayer, and public displays of foreign religious or political symbols is not be tolerated. During Ramadan eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is prohibited. Foreign schools are often required to teach a yearly introductory segment on Islam. At October 27, 2005, a death sentence of Ahmad al-Dammam, an Egyptian boy resident in Dammam, who was convicted for a crime committed when he was thirteen years old, a Saudi court sentenced him to death in July 2005 for the April 2004 murder when he was thirteen years old of his neighbor, three-year-old Wala `Adil Abd al-Badi, also an Egyptian citizen, in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

everyday use Essay example -- essays research papers

A symbol is a person, place, event, or object that suggests more than just its normal meaning. The symbols in this story, â€Å"Everyday Use†, were pretty clever and told a lot of clues about the story. Also Little peepholes that would dig into deeper meanings, and hints in the story.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first symbol, which I thought meant something was towards Maggie and Dee’s mom. â€Å"I was always better at a man’s job.† (pg.320). â€Å"In real life I am a large, big boned woman with rough, man- working hands.† (pg. 318). â€Å"I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man.†(pg. 318) I think because man was used a lot referring to their Mom, might have meant that she was the man of the house. Maybe that she was the only parent and that her husband was never around to help after the kids were born. So she really had to be tough and do a lot of things that the men would usually do.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another symbol I found was one that goes along with Dee. â€Å"She burned us with a lot of knowledge we didn’t necessarily need to know.†(pg. 319). â€Å"It is hard to see them clearly through the strong sun.† (pg. 320). â€Å"Dee next. A dress down to the ground, in this hot weather.† (pg. 320). â€Å"There are yellows and oranges enough to throw back the light of the sun. I feel my whole face warming from the heat waves it throws out.† ( Pgs. 320-321). â€Å"She put on some sunglasses that hid everything about the tip of her nose and her chin.† (pg. 324). I think because we don’t quite kno...

The Confined Voices of Female Slaves Essay -- Essays Papers

The Confined Voices of Female Slaves Slave narratives provide a first-hand experience on slave lives and reveal the truth about slavery. Through the writing of narratives, slaves hoped to expose the cruel and inhumane aspects of slavery and their struggles, sorrows, and triumphs. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, slave narratives were important means of opening a dialogue between blacks and whites about slavery and freedom. Some slave narratives were crafted to enlighten white readers about the realities of slavery as an institution and the humanity of black people. Today, slave narratives are one of the few reliable sources for the study of slave lives. Many female slave narratives indicated that gender was an important factor in determining the fate of a slave even though slave owners often did not differentiate between genders in the assigning of tasks. Thus, women often ended up working along side men. Most male slaves performed chores such as trapping and hunting animals or working in the fields. Their jobs mainly consisted of some type of physical labor which required strength and endurance. However, a woman's place in society, throughout the travesty of slavery, was somewhat different. Women often performed domestic duties, attempted to keep the slave family healthy and unified, and tended to their masters' demands and whims. Above all jobs, women slaves also represented an authority figure within their families and communities. In times of melancholy they were relied upon for guidance and comfort through agony, and in times of ecstasy they came together with the slave community to share in the happiness. Slave families had a tendency to be unstable, due to the nature of the institution of slav... ... mentality that the community raises the child also precedes the Civil War. Each of these demonstrate how slavery greatly influenced the generations to follow. The role played by slave women is one that is present in the lives of many modern day families-- the foods eaten by families today as catfish, ox tail, pigs feet, and chitlins were once the leftover animal parts the slave owners no longer had a use for and gave to the slaves for nourishment. Without choice, those ingenious women created an eating tradition that once was used out of necessity for sustenance. Little did they realize that future generations would utilize that creative knowledge and treasure it as their heritage and part of the history of their people. Bibliographical Sources 1. http://weber.u.washington.edu/~sunstar/ws200/dimitrio.htm 2. http://ftp.oit.unc.edu/docsouth/neh/specialneh.html

Money Is Everything

â€Å"Money isn’t everything. † To some people, this is an easy and preferred answer. It is an easy answer because it’s ideal and it gives hope. However, this idea is a common misconception and is dangerous because money is everything. Without the ability to purchase tangible items, intangible ideas would not be able to be pursued. Money is what helps people survive and pursue the ideological things in life. Therefore, the misconception â€Å"money isn’t everything† is a dangerous and mistaken belief. Money is what helps people survive.Sodapop Curtis, from The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, quits his high school and stops his chances of getting his dream job to get more money for his family to survive and help his little brother, Ponyboy, pursue his dreams. According to Sodapop, money is essential for survival, and without it, life would be very difficult to manage. He had dropped out of school because he needed money to help put food on the table for hi s family and helps his family when needed. Money isn’t a luxury but a necessity in order to survive in today’s world, so the idea that money isn’t everything is a misconception.The misbelief that money isn’t everything can result in devastating situations. A YouTube video, The Homeless Experiment, featured a man who did horrible in high school and eventually dropped out; he had thought that he did not need money do pursue ideological things. Although some people, such as Steve Jobs, may become a billionaire from dropping out, only a few actually become successful not having to chase after money. Many high school students believe in this misconception, and it may lead to dropping out to pursue a dream with false hopes.â€Å"Money isn’t everything† is a dangerous and mistaken belief that may foster fake hopes. â€Å"Money isn’t everything† is a dangerous misconception because money is necessary to survive in the world we live in today and because it can make people believe that dreams can come true without having money. Money does not buy respect, but is needed to gain authority which comes with respect. Money isn’t everything but most things require money. Therefore, it is crucial to use money and wealth wisely.

Religious Freedom in the Philippines Essay

I. Introduction Based on Dr. Jose Rizal’s symbolisms on the cover page of Noli Me Tangere, religion is a big influence with the perspective of the people. However, in the future, there will still be the influence of religion, but people are then educated. People stop continuing the old practices because they start to question the logic in doing these practices. This is only proof that even though the Filipino mind is deeply influenced by Christianity, being open to improving and revealing of oneself is not that far away. We can never change history or force someone to change their beliefs, but let the youth be the ones to discover it themselves. The Filipino youth must be allowed to choose their religion. If not, they end up being confused, losing the essence of religion during marriage, and continuously discriminated due to offensive stereotyping. Inclining their personality with the appropriate beliefs will result to a better perspective for living and to discovering their self-identity. In fant Baptism states that it wipes away original sin; this is a sacrament being practiced almost fully in the Philippines. Their parents are already binding them to be devoted to a belief that may or may not be suitable for their child. This is the simplest act of violation to the freedom of religion. What will happen to those children who refuse to believe in the practices that their parents taught them? These children end up being outcast to their society, causing depression that sometimes leads to suicide. Majority of the Filipino population are Christian Catholics. At present, the essence of Christianity has been continuously forgotten by these Catholics themselves. For Christians, the Ten Commandments take on a whole new perspective. But it seems that the Ten Commandments are not followed, showing signs of unfaithfulness or betrayal to their owl religion. Then what is the logical explanation for being baptised as Christians if they are not devoted or loyal to Christianity? Based on their actions, they are clearly violating the Ten Commandments. The First Commandment states that â€Å"I am the Lord your God. You shall not have other gods beside me† (Ex 20:2-3; Dt 5:6-7), but to be loyal to their God is to follow His commandments. Unfortunately, there are violating the f irst commandment without them knowing it. At the same time, the Filipino population has a young population, meaning majority of the community are minors. And in lieu with the majority of Christians in the Philippines, majority of these minors are Christians. Since Filipino Christians are mostly unfamiliar to their religion, they do not practice their religion fully despite that they are born Christians. They are growing to be more confused about their religion, and end up losing the essence of it as they grow older. Marriage is a part of adulthood, and marriage is a holy sacrament practiced by Christians to bond their relationship with the opposite sex, declaring them husband and wife, in the name of God. But do the Christians being wedded nowadays even recognise the essence of being married? Most of them get married to have the right to experience sexual intercourse legally, property rights of the mate, and in the name of love. Not knowing they are already forgetting the essence of getting married in the name of God. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respected this right in practice. Although Christianity was the predominant religion, there is no state religion, and under the Constitution church and State are separate. Muslims were the largest minority religious group in the country. There was widespread debate over the exact size of the Muslim population, as some officials and observers claimed that security concerns in western Mindanao prevented census takers from conducting accurate counts outside urban areas. Estimates ranged from 3.9 million to 7 million, or 5 to 9 % of the population. Muslims resided principally in Mindanao and nearby islands, but there were Muslim communities throughout the country. Historically, Muslims have been discriminated from the Christian majority. The national culture, with its emphasis on familial, tribal, and regional loyalties, forms informal barriers whereby access to jobs or resources is provided first to those of one’s own family or group network. Muslims reported difficulty renting rooms in boarding houses or being hired for work if they used their real name or wore distinctive Muslim dress. As a result, some Muslims used a Christian pseudonym and did not wear distinctive dress when applying for housing or jobs. The Government’s crackdown on the terrorist ASG has led some human rights NGOs to accuse the police and military of unfairly targeting Muslims for arrest and detention. However, most observers believed that discrimination against Muslims was grounded on cultural differences, not religious beliefs or practices. There also were reports of Muslim discrimination against Christians in areas where Muslims were the majority. In conclusion, freedom of religion must be strictly implemented in the Philippines. And the first step to continue practicing the freedom of religion is to let the youth have the freedom to choose their religion. As a result, Filipinos possibly will be more productive and will have a better point of view in life. This may be a solution to the major crisis of the Philippines with the economy. Workers, namely Filipinos, play a big part in the economy. So having better and devoted workers will help produce a greater economy for Philippines, and resulting to rise of the Filipinos from poverty. II. Significance of the Study Religion is a system of belief that a group of people practice. It involves devotion and ritual observances. And often contains a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. Religion is something that virtually all humans have in common. In all corners of the world and in all eras of history, people have wondered about the meaning of life, how to make the best of it, what happens afterwards, and if there is anyone or anything â€Å"out there.† Nowadays, religious devotion is being practiced by Filipinos. Sudden devotion to the Black Nazarene is being observed. But still, there are devotees to other religious groups who stay loyal. The freedom of religion is going to benefit majority of Filipinos because of the importance of religion to the Filipinos. The freedom of religion is giving Filipinos the right to practice their religion and still belong to the community without being discriminated; this will unite the Filipino community. Freedom of religion can improve quality of education and man power. Children who are free to choose their belief will have a better perspective in life, and this will help increase man power. Man power is a basic element to greater economy which will be beneficial to the community. It is better to have a better set of generations to educate and nurture for the betterment of our country. Those who will be working or earning money can have a better life. Fewer crimes will be committed due to devotion to what you really want to believe. Democracy will be more effective, because even though there is a law including freedom of religion, namely Article III, section 5, stating free exercise of religious worship shall be allowed, we are not fully practicing freedom. III. Body A. Religion a. Religions in the World 1. Major Religions Religion is a belief where in people sometimes uses it as a way of life or a perspective. There are many, long established, major world religions, each with over three million followers. These religions that are considered as major religions include Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, Baha’i Faith, Jainism, Judaism, Shinto’s, Sikhism, and Paganism; All from different countries of the world. If we had been born in a specific place, we are most likely to adapt the most common religion in the place. Given that you were born in Saudi Arabia, you would almost certainly hold Muslim beliefs. In much of Europe, there is Christianity. And in the Philippines, you are most likely to be Catholic; except if you were born in ARMM, you are to be a Muslim. 2. Neopagans This religion is a modern-day reconstruction of ancient Pagan religions from various countries and eras. Majority of the followers of the Neopagans refer to themselves as Pagans. But the term Neopagans is used because the followers and the religion itself is less ambiguous compare to the Pagans. Neopagans include Asatru or Norse Paganism, Druidism, Wicca, and Witchcraft. But some followers of Asatru regard themselves as Heathens rather than Neopagans. 3. Atheist An Atheist is seldom referred to as agnostic or infidel. Atheists are people who do not believe in the existence of a supreme being. They deny to be committed to the belief of creation of the universe by a particular deity. They spread free thoughts, sceptical inquiry, and subsequent increase in criticism of religion. One of the most famous groups of Atheists is the Scientology. b. History of Religions in the Philippines 1. Early Period In this period of time, the Philippines were invaded by the Spaniards. The Spaniards were the ones who introduced Catholicism to the Filipinos. Specifically, Ferdinand Magellan was the one who introduced it to Lapu-lapu. The Spaniards were off on a search for Marianas Island, it is said to be rich in different spices. They got off the chart and accidentally went to the Philippines. Their goal was the three G’s; God, gold, and glory; God, to introduce Catholicism, gold, to be able to get a lot of resources, and glory, to invade the islands. They were successful with this because until now, most of the Filipinos practice the religion they introduced to us, Catholicism. 2. Revolutionary Era In 1898, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States. By February 1902, the United States defeated the forces of Spain. They established an independent state for the country. The Philippine Organic Act of 1902 was declared stating that no law shall be made to prohibit free will, and that free exercise must forever be allowed. 3. Late American Period The Americans established a religious freedom by declaring the separation of church and state based on the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Filipinos still show signs of anti-friars; therefore, the Americans replaced the Spanish friars for Filipino one’s to take over. The Marcos regime continues to rein the country and imposed Martial Law, which some of the bishops opposed, trying to win back the hearts and loyalty of the country. 4. Post-Independence Corazon Aquino took over Marcos’ presidency and brought back the unity of the government with the Catholic Church. This made way for church officials to make an impression on the 1986 Constitutional Commission. B. Freedom of Religion in the Philippines a. Constitutional Laws 1. Benevolent Neutrality The Supreme Court of the Philippines, established the doctrine of benevolent neutrality-accommodation. The 2006 ruling, imposed by former Chief Justice Puno, explained benevolent-neutrality in the context of U.S. jurisprudence. It states that religious practices is a unanimous right and does not privilege the society to discriminate anyone who accommodates their religion under some circumstances. 2. Article II, Section 3 The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable. With the guarantee of religious freedom in the Philippines, the Roman Catholic Church clergy subsequently remained in the political background as a source of moral influence for many voters during elections until today. Political candidates generally court the clergy for support, although this does not guarantee victory for a candidate. The Philippines was placed under martial law by Dictator Ferdinand Marcos and relations changed dramatically, as some bishops opposed the martial law. 3. Article III, Section 5 No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights The former Philippine Organic Act of 1902. This law is now imposed in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. But the right to act in accordance with one’s belief cannot be absolute. Conduct remains subject to regulation and even prohibition for the protection of society. It may not be used to justify an action or refusal inconsistent with general welfare of society (People vs. Diel, [CA] 44 O.G. 590, August 22, 1947). One of the regulations imposed in its exercise is the compliance of government employees to Section 5 of the Omnibus Rules relative to the number of working hours. While government employees of Muslim faith are excused from work between the hours of 10 o’clock in the morning up to 2 o’clock in the afternoon every Friday, they are obligated to compensate said lost working hours by adopting flexible time schedule to complete forty hours of work in a week. 4. Republic Act No. 3350 This was intended to serve the purpose of advancing the constitutional right to the free exercise of religion, by averting that some people be dismissed from work, or be dispossessed of their right to work and of being impeded to pursue a modest means of livelihood, by reason of union security agreements. b. Religious Conflicts 1. Religious Freedom in the Government Offices Act Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino has withdrawn House Bill 6330 otherwise known as the Religious Freedom in Government Offices Act, which seeks to ban religious images and ceremonies in government offices. The fact that one legislator actually had the guts to file a bill like this in a country where the Roman Catholic Church holds considerable influence in politics is already an achievement in itself. As Palatino said in a statement,†We are encouraged by the fact that despite the misunderstandings, the bill initiated relevant discussions on freedom of religion as one of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.† 2. Muslim Discrimination Muslims were the largest minority religious group in the country. Muslims resided principally in Mindanao and nearby islands, but there were Muslim communities throughout the country. Historically, Muslims have been alienated from the predominant Christian majority. The national culture, with its emphasis on familial, tribal, and regional loyalties, creates informal barriers whereby access to jobs or resources is provided first to those of one’s own family or group network. Muslims reported difficulty renting rooms in boarding houses or being hired for retail work if they used their real name or wore distinctive Muslim dress. As a result, some Muslims used a Christian pseudonym and did not wear distinctive dress when applying for housing or jobs 3. Separation of Church and State The First Amendment is about the right to free exercise of religion. It’s interaction with non-discrimination law based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The right of a non-church-related employer to discriminate against gay employees based on religious belief is against a law prohibiting job discrimination. The enactment of employment protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, opponents of such laws have often raised concerns about the infringement of the religious freedom of business owners. C. Current Religious State Is religious freedom being practiced fully in the Philippines? Based on other researches, even though there are many laws regarding the separation of church and state, the Catholic Church still has a lot of influence in the system of the government. And in the minds of the Filipino community, they are not practicing this given democracy and the simple act of baptism to a child is a form of violation. Baptism is a form of surrendering yourself to a Supreme Being and you are already making a sin to that Supreme Being whenever he has doubts or decide to choose their own religion. This is giving pressure to the youth and sometimes lead to social discrimination and suicide. IV. Conclusion The Filipino youth is the foundation of the future of the Philippine community. That’s why we must nurture the youth and continue to educate them and guide them towards a life with more purpose. In our country, religion is one of the major factors that affect the society’s perspective. That is why as early as now; the youth must be guided properly and taught according to their choice of religion. Religion is a way of life, a system of belief wherein they give knowledge of people’s lives importance. And it will be an advantage for everyone in the way they behave. This will lead to a better community, the one that can provide a safe environment for Filipinos and foreigners. And freedom of religion can help produce educated people, and this results to greater man power and greater economy. V. Bibliography Agoncillo, Teodoro; Guerrero, Milagros (1970). History of the Filipino People. Malaya Books. Bacani, Teodoro (1987). The Church and Politics. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines: Clarentian Publications. Schumacher, John (1976). Church and State in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Loyola School of Theology, Quezon City. de la Costa, Horacio; John Schumacher (1976). Church and State: The Philippine Experience. Quezon City, Philippines: Loyola School of Theology.