Capital Punishment

In this article on the Capital Punishment, or the Death Penalty,the Catholic Church speaks out on the issue. Many people have made up their minds about the death penalty without really even thinking about the moral part of the situation. Sometimes people use facts and statistics to back up their arguments without simply even thinking about the moral part of it. People just tend to think about what they will be gaining, and their revenge on others before thinking about Jesus. "What would Jesus do" as some would say. 

Essentially, the Catholic church recognizes the death penalty, however the church certainly does not agree with it. They acknowledge that the death penalty certainly prevents the criminal from committing more crimes, however, it it right? While the Bishops tend to oppose the death penalty, but they do recognize that society needs to be protected. Jail time is necessary but the Church does not want to dehumanize individuals. Both I and the Catholic Church, apparently, agree that significant changes in the structure of prison is necessary.

Personally, I feel like solitary confinement would be the best bet for criminals. Sitting in a 12x12 room for the rest of your life; I think is worst than the death penalty. The death penalty, for me, is the easy way out, and of course I do not agree with dehumanization however whatever crime they committed already stripped them of their rights as free men. 

The 1st Commandment In Today's Society

In the society we live in today, not everyone follows the first commandment as they should. Nowadays people view celebrities, musicians and the casts in television shows as "idols". People especially teenagers put other people or things, except for God on a higher pedestal then they should. When we do things like this, it is a sin, because they first commandment clearly states "And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me."(Exodus20:1-3). We as God's children must venerate the First Commandment.

The First Commandment should be important to teenagers because it's what will set us apart from everyone else. Not loving a different type of artist or worshiping another artist apart from everyone else. It seems like in today's society teenagers try to stand out, sometimes go to extremes to stand out, but what they don't know is worshiping God and following his law is what will set you apart. As Christians we believe in Monotheism, which is one God not another.

I personally feel like the media does put celebrities on a high pedestal of importance, like they are more important than any other being in the world. And this has caused great controversy in the world of catholicism because we feel no one deserves that much recognition but God. When you worship someone else other than God himself and call them an idol, it is considered Idolatry. I believe no one should be more praised than God because he died for our sins and no celebrity, no matter how much they say they love you would ever die for you.

Before Jesus came and saved us all, people used to worship all kinds of Gods. Which is one of the reasons Jesus stepped in. The Canaanite goddess of love and fertility, Asherah, was considered a false god by the Israelites. After Jesus came around is when people started to be told the truth. I feel we need someone to step in and give us a reality check and tells us the true t. 

What we need to learn is that there in no one will do what God has done for us, and is continuing to do each day. God has all the "magic". No other person can do what he can do and the more we learn to accept the better off we will be in life and the afterlife. As God's children we must spread the good news. WE must respect what our society was built on.

Who's Next? Is It You?

Trayvon Martin

Emmett Smith

Africans-Americans have always been seen as threats throughout history even when they are harmless.For example, Emmett Till, 14, Chicago native, was brutally murdered and thrown in Tallahatchie River just for winking at a white woman. The mother, Mamie Till Bradley, held an open-casket wake for Till to show everyone what those men had done to her son. 

Everyone I'm sure is aware of what happened to Trayvon Martin and if you don't, you will now be informed. Martin was gun downed in Sanford, Georgia by George Zimmerman. The 17-year old Martin was on his way home from a "Corner store" type of store and on his way, he was being followed by Zimmerman. Zimmerman found Martin suspicious, so he called it in to the police and even after they told him not to pursue Martin, he still continued to do so. Then, Zimmerman and Martin got in a dispute, which ended in the death of Martin.  

Both of these deaths are prime examples that racism is still alive and is as powerful as it's even been. Some people believe racism is gone, but obviously not.

Now the murderers of Martin and Davis await trial, while the parents of these two innocent children grieve the loss of their beloved children.

Is it Democrat? Or Republican?

Personally, I don't really care to much about these parties. I feel as though they should not exist. Even so, I do agree with some of the things democrats stand for and some of the things republicans stand for. Like I agree with the republicans when they say taxes shouldn't shouldn't be raised for anyone and Republicans believe all students, regardless of race or socio-economic background, should become proficient in both reading and math. I stand for all of these especially education because I believe education is the most important thing. Like my mom always said "They can take anything they want from you, but your education" and that inspires me everyday to work my hardest.

But if I was any political party I would be a democrat because they support gay marriage, they put the community of America before the economy and democrats fund programs for the less fortunate  like welfare, so everyone will have a fare chance at life. Even though I believe the government should stay out of our business, they help us when we are in need. Because were all one and we all need help at times, we can't always do it on our own. That's what drifted me towards the Democratic party, because they generally just care about the people.

Bullying In My Perspective

Jamey Rodemeyer

 Bullying to me is wrong anyway you put it. You can try and justify it anyway you want, but no one should ever get put down. I actually think that people that are unique should be more welcomed and loved then the norms. Bullying is everywhere in today's society. In the workplace, school and anywhere else where you have to work. People put other people down in order to climb the ladder to be successful. Jamey Rodemeyer, 14 years old from Buffalo, NY committed suicide last year because of gay bullying. In reaction to the tragic news of his death, Lady Gaga advocated for laws against bullying. Jamey posted a video for the it's gets better project, assuring that it gets better and saying that Gaga always made him happier and he was "born this way". Soon Lady gaga performed at the iHeart concert in Las Vegas dedicating the song "Hair" to Jamey. She said and I quote, "bullying is for losers".
In recent news, there is said to be bullying of the Australians in the London summer Olympics. It is reported that a young swimmer allegedly was bullied being called names such as fatty and chubby. It was so confronting that he spent the rest of the Olympics avoiding the men who instigated the attacks. There was also an altercation with another male swimmer. In two weeks 14,000 students Oakland middle school and high school students are to watch a film called "Bully" with their classmates. It seems as though people are taking precaution in trying to stop bullying.
Robert Gladden, 15, opened fire at is high school because of bullying. He said he wanted to be killed by police, saying he couldn't take it anymore. He said he was bullied for three years straight, he even tried to commit suicide in the seventh grade. Emmanuela E. says "bullying is only for the weak, they use this to express their insecurities." Shelia H. also in my class says "bullying is wrong. It should stop." Lastly, another classmate, Stanley F., says "please stop bullying." Hopefully one day bullying will be stopped because what some people don't know is bullying sticks with you your whole life.