Islamism in Nubia and Egypt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Islamism in Nubia and Egypt - Essay Example The arrival of the Arab Muslims into the Christian Country of Egypt began the call to Islam. They penetrated the country to restrain it and bring it under their dominion. Their arrival sparked off the process of Islamization in Egypt. Although throughout the history of Egypt the conversion to Islam was quite gradual but a steady trickle of Copts converting to Islam was inevitable. At some points, this trickle distended to a steady or even gushing flow of new converts. The Islamisation of Egypt went through stages which were diverse in nature and occurred at different stages in its history. People in Egypt were taken by surprise when the triumph of the Muslim Brotherhood achieved a fifth parliamentary seat in the 2005 elections. Concurrent to this shock is the escalating number of attacks on Copts in the country. These two events are in fact connected and should be viewed as a natural consequence of persistent efforts over the past few decades to Islamise the country. Egypt's system o f government that was on the threshold of collapse under a corrupt monarchy some six decades ago, nearly succumb to the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood. ... of the "Free Officers" had formerly been Brotherhood members and, as new leaders, it was apparent they had exceptional connections with the Brotherhood, but the realities of ruling soon led to differences of interests. This eventually led to the ban of the Brotherhood in 1954, and its objectives and designs had to be set aside. Nevertheless, these goals and aspirations never really died. The years of the Nasser with successes, losses, and experimentations with Arabism and socialism, those set-aside aspirations were revived with the arrival of Anwar Sadat. He commenced his rule by providing avenues to the Brotherhood and other Islamic groups. He then began what has been famously dubbed as the "Great Islamic Transformation" of Egypt. There transpired changes in the constitution to where the Principles of Islamic Shari'a were "a main source" of legislation. This was stipulated in the Second Article of his new Constitution that was promulgated in 1971. The "a" was then replaced with "the", that made Shari'a the term of reference for the entire constitution, therefore stating that all other articles will be interpreted in that sense. This was done in May of 1981. This significant change provided the official, political, and 'psychological' foundation for the Islamic transformation to advance in an unstoppable pace. "I am a Muslim president of a Muslim state." This famous slogan of Sadat was an apparent manifestation of this historical transformation. Those who have endured the most sufferings during the drastic transformation are the Copts. "I can no longer stand the insults and the spitting in my face because I don't wear hijab. I have become a stranger to my own country." This was a statement made by a young Coptic woman from Alexandria, as quoted by one of the

Pelagian Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pelagian Culture - Essay Example Original sin and overemphasized necessity in Divine aid were considered as the fetters for human. Therefore, the essence of traditional Pelagianism was in negation of original sin influence upon human nature and in neglecting of Divine aid role for human salvation. Promptly these ideas were transformed into several moral principles, namely that human will is capable of choosing good or evil without Divine aid, and that humanity has full control and responsibility for its own salvation in addition to full responsibility for every sin. These old ideas are in a heart of modern society. Indeed, most of us live inspired by ideas of independence, self-sufficiency, and also responsibility for our free choice. However, allegorically some of us build our houses upon the sand. "And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:26-27). Are we strong enough to make the right choice between good and evil without God's will inside of us Are we so wise to disclose consequences of our actions hidden in future Last Last questions are contra-Pelagian for the "no" answers. It is interesting that these questions will become pro-Pelagian rhetoric for the "yes" answers assumed. It seems that psychologically Pelagian culture is a culture of self-confident and active individuals. And vice versa, non-Pelagian culture is "suited" for submission and confidence in God's will. For instance, Pelagius places free will at the basis of all turning to God for grace; see St. Augustine's critique in (Book I, chapter24). Then, doctrine of Pelagius somewhat conflicts with the words of Christ: "Without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5); see details in St. Augustine (Book I, chapter 30). It seems that for modern human being non-Pelagian culture is too passive and internal oriented. However, I suppose that this is essential feature of true Christianity. Of course, both Pelagian and non-Pelagian cultures have positive and negative aspects. To disclose these ones, let us consider the case of real person which tried to balance between own freedom and responsibility. This is the case of Albert Speer, the first architect of the Third Reich. He was talented designer having numerous architectural ideas. And he wished to realize them all. This was the case when individual wants to be self-fulfilled, but self-fulfilled at any price. It is important that this is a typical case for Pelagian (sic!) culture. Moreover, Speer was capable to understand and then realize monstrous architectural visions of Hitler. Therefore, he had access for almost all intellectual, financial and human resources of Nazi Germany. In other words, his free will was supported by external forces. And Speer worked. He felt oneself as a creator of beautiful, perfect and immense constructions. But simultaneously he agreed with the forced evictions of Jews from their houses t o make room for his plans, and also agreed with usage of the slave labour to build his constructions. After years, Speer acknowledged his own guilt, but as guilt of blinded creator with "see no evil" attitude towards the