Monday, December 30, 2019

Athletes Should Be Getting Paid for Playing in College

Is an athletic scholarship really enough of a â€Å"payment† to reimburse athletes for the billions of dollars made by the NCAA every year? This issue of paying collegiate athletes, especially football and basketball players, has been around for many years. Athletes, students, bystanders, and NCAA analysts and authority figures have a strong opinion about paying college athletes. Whether college athletes should be paid or not is a debate topic that is more prevalent today than ever. Most student-athletes playing a sport in college are there on an athletic scholarship. The scholarship is granted to them by their respective schools and is worth anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000. According to Edelman, the football program alone at University of Alabama brought in roughly 143.3 million dollars of revenue. In perspective, that’s about 2 million per player. Even though Alabama is an elite program and brings in more than the average football program, the NCAA brought in nearly $845 billion in 2011 per Sonny. Now it is obvious there many ways a university brings in revenue, but it is safe to say that a player is worth more than that $100,000 scholarship. In fact, a substantial share of college sports’ revenues stay in the hands of a select few administrators, athletic directors, and coaches. Now think about what college athletics would be without the world class athletes it has today, or without any athletes at all. If a school didn’t â€Å"award† athletes these scholarships, there would beShow MoreRelatedShould College Athletes Be Paid?1364 Words   |  6 PagesHave you paid attention to all of the news that has been surfacing about collegiate sports lately? It is a big topic now days in the world of sports on weather college athletes should be getting paid to play sports. College athletics have gained great popularity of the past few decades, and have brought schools lots of revenue. A lot of college athletes think they should be g etting paid for their services they do for their school. College sports like basketball and football generate over six billionRead MoreWhy College Athletes Should Get Paid1309 Words   |  6 PagesEbeling 1 Austin Ebeling English 115 Why College Athletes Should Get Paid And Why They Shouldn’t November 18, 2014 Ebeling 2 Intro: How much harder would athletes work if they were paid for their performance on the field, track, or court? College athletes are put to the test each and everyday, they risk their health to entertain millions day in and day out. College athletes deserve part of the money due to the revenue they bring in for their schools and for the NCAA, they deserve theRead MoreShould College Athletes Be Paid?1398 Words   |  6 Pagesbelieve that college athletes at the highest performing schools are better treated than others. Although they do not get paid, they do receive some benefits for being athletes that other students would not get. One advantage for playing a sport is access to scholarships that some schools reserve for their athletes. Depending on the school and the athlete’s performance, money towards tuition is often given. Only some schools are willing to grant â€Å"full-ride† scholarships for certain athletes. AccordingRead MoreShould College Athletes Be Paid?1130 Word s   |  5 PagesWhat college athlete would not want to be paid to play the sport that he or she loves? The real question is, though, should college athletes be paid for their roles in a college’s athletics? They are many points to each side of this recent controversial topic, which is why this has been made into such a hot debate in the past couple of years. As of right now, these athletes are not getting paid, but many of them truly believe that they should. Others believe that they already are being paid throughRead MoreCollege Athletes Should Not Be Paid?. Athletes Believe1296 Words   |  6 Pages College athletes should not be paid? Athletes believe that just because they have played in a sport, they should be treated like royalty Every year, multiple colleges give out scholarships to college athletes in high school and in college. Before signing an athlete from a university, they should look more into their GPA and not their performance in a sport. It is not fair to pay college athletes, especially if they are the most valuable player on the team. Paying a college athlete would just makeRead MoreShould College Athletes Get Paid?853 Words   |  4 PagesShould College Athletes Really Get Paid? The question whether â€Å"If college athletes should get paid or not?† has been debated for many years. The debate is brought up every year during the NCAA men’s basketball, March Madness competition, and starts again when football season begins. College athletes do provide entertainment for sports fans, but all the benefits that they do receive should limit them from being paid. The benefits student athletes obtain is free tuition, health coverage, and an openedRead MoreMoney In College Athletics1647 Words   |  7 PagesMoney In College Athletics A huge topic in sports right now is whether or not college athletes should get paid. If you turn on any sports channel that discuss sports topics you will find this debate being discussed. Turn on sports radio and you will be sure to find callers with strong opinions on the subject. In the sports world this is a hot topic. College athletes should not be paid for playing any college sports at any level. Collegiate football athletes should not get paid for the revenueRead MoreShould College Athletes Get Paid?1742 Words   |  7 PagesShould College Athletes Get Paid? Should college athletes be paid? This has been a controversial topic ever since college sports started. Many people argue that they should. Many people argue that they should not. College athletes should get paid because they work extremely hard playing their sport. The people that say they should be paid argue that the amount of time athletes dedicate is equivalent to a full-time job, and maybe even more. The people that say they should not get paid argue that collegeRead MoreCollege Athletes Should Not Be Paid1206 Words   |  5 PagesCollege athletes are fun and exciting to watch each and every time we watch them. The only problem with college athletes are that they are not getting paid like they should be. Athletes give it their all each and every time they go out on the court or the field. The NCAA makes billions of dollars each and every year from championship games or the NCAA March Madness, but none of that money is sent to the players. College athletes have the right to be paid by the NCAA and the universities because theyRead MorePaying College Athletes Essay656 Words   |  3 Pages Most of us have watched a college sporting event at one point or another in our life. Few people actually know and are aware of all the hard work, and dedication college athletes put towards their sport. However, they do not receive a compensation for their hard work. These Athletes are sometimes mistreated physically and mentally, yet the debate over whether or not to pay college athletes is a big debate. One reason college athletes should get paid is because they make millions of dollars

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Taking a Look at Magazine Advertisements - 505 Words

Companies have been using advertisements in magazines as means of marketing for many decades now. While the purpose for ads, which is to get the consumer to buy their products, is seemingly obvious. Most of the messages that ads are sending are being received to the viewer’s subconscious mind. As Jean Kilbourne touches upon in her documentary Killing Us Softly 4, ads not only tell us what we need to buy, they tell us who we are (Killbourne, 2010). The specific ad I will be analyzing is an ad that was produced by the marketing executives at BMW. The ad can be found in many different magazines and the targeted audience for this particular ad is obviously to gain the attention of men. The ad displays a man and women in bed believed (suggested) to be engaging in intercourse with a picture of a BMW covering the women’s face. Through the knowledge that I’ve gained from Jean Kilbourne’s documentary, I can point out that three are three strong messages being displ ayed in this ad. The ad sends a message that dehumanizes women, uses sex to sale a product, and shows men that they can objectify women without consequences. In the ad the image of a car is shown in place of the women’s face. This act of dehumanization can affect women in many ways they may or may not even be aware of. That simple act of turning the woman into a thing could cause the viewers to experience distorted self-thoughts. An ad like this one can affect the women’s self-esteem, cause them to devalue themselves, andShow MoreRelatedRepresentation Of Women And Femininity1557 Words   |  7 PagesQuarterly, or GQ, is a men’s magazine which, focuses primarily on male’s fashion and culture through advertisements and articles of varying topics. Despite being a men‘s magazine, there is a fair amount of women and femininity displayed throughout the magazine. This paper will be focusing on and analyzing only the visual representation of women and femi ninity within the men’s magazine. There are three main modes in which women and femininity are shown in the visuals of the magazine. First, Femininity, inRead MoreEntertainment Weekly Magazine Analysis : Entertainment884 Words   |  4 PagesEntertainment Weekly Magazine Analysis Entertainment Weekly is a weekly periodical featuring entertainment related news stories. The magazine is notable for featuring film, television, book, and music reviews. Unlike some magazines targeting specific demographics, Entertainment Weekly appeals to a broad audience. Considering many people of all ages have an interest in the arts, the magazine appeals to both young and old readers. The magazine features celebrities of all ages, along with typicallyRead MoreAdvertisements Are A Popular Display Of Marketing1480 Words   |  6 Pagesever really looked at ads, though? I mean, if you look closely and I mean really look closely, advertisements aren’t what they appear to be, in most cases. Advertisements are a popular display of marketing and have been for decades and will be for decades to come. For as long as I can remember, advertisements have been a popular way of getting a message across. Whether they are simple or colorful, they catch the eye of someone that’s reading a magazine, or a newspaper. No matter how much you think it’sRead MoreAdvertisements Have The Capability Spark Consumer Interest, Promote Activism, And Make An Impact On Society1517 Words   |  7 PagesAdvertisements have the capability to spark consumer interest, promote activism, and make an impact on society. Each advertisement is made with a specific purpose in mind, and the effectiveness of the ad can be determined by if that purpose was met. The purpose of DSW’s March On advertisement was to connect their brand to a social movement, while also encouraging customers to purchase DSW and â€Å"March On†. The March On ad successfully accomplishes these goals by placing their ad in the context ofRead MoreMarketing Analysis : Maybelline s Ad931 Words   |  4 Pages The first fashion ad I selected is from the Cosmopolitan June 2015 magazine. Maybelline is advertising their lipstick in different shades of pink. This ad covers two full magazine pages, displaying a model on one page and the product on the other. I enjoy how the ad displays the model most because without looking at the next page, which has the product on it, I can automatically know Maybelline is advertising lipstick. The lipstick is so strong and bold and having subtle eye makeup on the modelRead MoreAnalysing an Advert Essay1070 Words   |  5 Pagesin the Fujifilm advertisement is the girl. The fact that she is staring out at you with her blue eyes, red lipstick and bright coloured clothes draw my eye to her. Her stare portrays her as being confident and direct. Her facial expression implies that she is pleased and knowing as if we are with her on the joke and it shows that she is in control. She is a pretty girl that seems sophisticated and smart from the way she glows with radiance. She looks as though she caresRead MoreThe Beauty Of Advertising : Advertising1433 Words   |  6 Pagesis through advertising. Advertisements can be found virtually anywhere ranging from the newspaper to TV commercials to billboards†¦ The possibilities are endless. Competition in the advertising world is fierce as corporations do their best to persuade their audience to buy their product, convince consumers that their product is the best, and overall come out on top. One of the most effective advertising tools in mass marketing today is print advertisements. Seen in magazines, newspapers, fliers, andRead More munipulation in the media Essay838 Words   |  4 Pagescome across some type of advertisement, wither it be watching television, seeing billboards, reading magazines, or listening to the radio. These advertisements all instill into people’s heads, what they are is not good enough. Most advertisements show photos of women and men with no wrinkles and flawless skin, no fat and built bodies, or stylish clothes and trendy accessories. These types of advertisements give men and women an unrealistic perspective of what they â€Å"could† look like, not suggesting theRead MoreIdeological Critique Of The Media998 Words   |  4 Pageschanging, the media lags to reflect the power struggle taking place within society. While occupations are making great progress in diminishing inequality, the media still portrays messages that objectify women, and deprives them of the respect that is readily awarded to men. Men are seen as powerful, rich, confident, and athletic, while women are judged on their outer beauty and their sexual appeal (Jacobson Mazur, 1995). The advertisement by adidas, as seen in figure 5, carries the connotationRead MoreEssay on Health of the Female Population Endangered by Media1008 Words   |  5 PagesToday’s media is playing a huge role in the lives of everyday women and the way that they t hink about themselves and how they should look. This portrayal of unattainable beauty has effect women and young adolescent girls the most. The number one wish for girls ages 11 to 17 is to be thinner, and girls as young as five have expressed fears of getting fat (Tiggemann, 1996). The medias usage of ultra thin and beautiful models are leading to eating disorders and depression and other mental disorders

Friday, December 13, 2019

Alternative medicines for various forms of cancer Free Essays

Alternative medicine for cancer treatment are defined as a group of different healthcare and medical systems, procedures and products that are not part of the basic definition of conventional medicine( National Cancer Institute). Unlike complimentary alternative medicine, which can be used together with the conventional medicine for management of cancer, alternative medicine is used in solitary, without the inclusion of conventional medicine. In most cases however, people only result to alternative medicine use after conventional medicine has failed to achieve the desired results. We will write a custom essay sample on Alternative medicines for various forms of cancer or any similar topic only for you Order Now When such happens, the disease is usually at a progressed stage, the effects of alternative medicine are usually minimal. Despite this however, the use of alternative is widespread across the world. In many cases however, it is difficult to make the difference between just what constitutes alternative medicine and complimentary medicine, since what may work for one patient may not necessarily work for another patient. However, before taking up non-conventional medicine, whether as an alternative measure or a complimentary one, cancer patients are advised to confirm with their oncologists The revelation that cancer has about 70 percent nutritional or environmental component some decades ago have led to the advent of non-medical healing approaches for cancer. However, since there is no known cure for cancer, just like the conventional medicine used to treat cancer, the alternative medicine either inhibit the growth of cancerous cells or reduce the side effects that arise when one uses a conventional medicines. Alternative medicines are used in various forms. Key among them is herbal remedies, special diets, vitamins and acupuncture. Other alternative therapies include homeopathy, ayurveda and shark cartilage, mainly used to manage pain after one has undergone conventional cancer treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy. The use of alternative medicine first started in North American but has also spread to other parts of the world as the benefits become more apparent (Rosenbaum, H. Ernest 117) The popularity of the alternative medicine has resulted in academic institutions taking up research to prove or disapprove the effectiveness alternative cancer remedies. The popularity has attracted attentions by governments. In 1992, the United States government through congress mandated the creation of the Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM); this office was later elevated to a center status in 1998 and renamed the Center for Complementary Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). This federal supported center is mandated with identifying alternative medicines, researching them and disseminating relevant information to the general population. The center is also charged with stipulating diagnostic, preventive and treatment modalities that apply to the alternative medicine sector. NCCAM works closely with the National Cancer Institute, which also has a cancer complementary Alternative Medicine (OCCAM) office that is involved in research regarding the role that alternative medicine play in cancer treatment (Rosenbaum 117). Dietary medicine Nutritional supplements and special anti-cancer diets are among the most prominent alternative therapies used for cancer treatment. The reasoning behind nutrition treating cancer thrives from the fact that vegetables and fruit are rich in dietary fiber and hence lowers one’s cancer risk. However, patients are also advised to avoid foods rich in dietary fats. Beyond what is supported by research findings, some people claim that some diets can actually cure some forms of cancer (Rosenbaum, 118) One of the diets touted as a feasible cancer treatment, although not backed by research is the macrobiotic diet (Horowitz, Joellyn Mitsuo Tomito). The Macrobiotics diet stresses the importance of avoiding animal proteins. Instead, the diet encourages people to eat meals containing 50 percentage whole grains, 25 percent vegetables, 7. 5 percent beans in addition to the consumption of sea weed and fruits, nuts and seeds. The diet also stresses the need for the patient to engage in physical exercises, reduce stress, and avoid exposure to pesticides and electromagnetic radiation (Horowitz and Mitsuo). The alleged anti cancer properties for the Macrobiotic diet according the American Institute for Cancer Research may be derived from the fact that consumption of whole cereals minimizes cancer risks in various body parts. For example eating seaweed regularly reduces the risk of breast cancer by acting as an anti-estrogen (Braun, Lesley Mark Cohen 127) Diets are especially effective when used to inhibit tumors that respond to hormones. The hormonal agents in the foods are used to control the hormonal levels in the body. Theoretically, the active components in foods and herbs can inhibit or stimulate tumor growth. A good example is the flavonoids found in nuts, fruits, vegetables and drinks such as coffee, tea and red wine. Flavonoid is believed to have free radical scavenging properties, which modify enzymes responsible for activating or detoxifying carcinogens. When such happens, protein -1, which acts as the transcription factor promoting tumor growth is inhibited and thus the tumor cannot grow (Braun and Marc 128). The only downside to dietary intervention in cancer prevention and treatment usually arise because the flavanoids in everyday food is very low, thus reducing the effect that everyday eating has on tumor growth. According to research carried out by the American Institute of cancer research in collaboration with the World Cancer Research Fund, it is possible that foods high in dietary fiber protect people against colorectal cancer (73). The research however doubts that these same foods have any protective properties against esophageal cancer. Indirectly however, the reports states that the only link between esophageal cancer and high fiber diet is that the foods have low energy density and thus do not contribute to much weight gain as other foods would. Weight gain is linked to obesity, which is believed to pose higher cancer levels (74) There is scientific probability that non starchy vegetable could protect people against cancers of the Stomach, esophagus, larynx, pharynx and mouth. However, any protective properties of these vegetables against lung cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer or nasopharynx cancer were ruled out (75). The report further states that evidence supporting alleged protective properties of carrots against cervical cancer was limited, while it is probable that garlic has anti-colorectal cancer properties. Soya products could protect against prostate and stomach cancers, while the risk of larynx, pharynx and mouth cancers reduced with fruit consumption. Folate rich foods lower the risk of colorectal and esophageal cancers, while lycopene rich foods fight prostate cancer Mind-body exercises The belief that one can influence the physical health by his/her mind is a long ingrained notion in most people’s mind. The conviction that most people holds such believes with has eventually led to the inclusion of mind-body exercises into mainstream medical procedures. Such include prayer and meditation. This belief suggests that a person is only as healthy as they allow themselves to be. Even when sick, the belief suggests that the course that the illness takes is fully dependent on one’s frame of mind (Rosenbaum 119). In Cancer treatment, the belief maintains that mental toughness plays a major role in overcoming malignancy. While conventional wisdom would suggest that prayer and meditation helps cancer patients handle psychological issues better, thus reducing stress and consequently increasing their survival rates, proponents of the healing powers of mind-body exercises believe otherwise. Though not proven through medical findings, cancer patients at times report getting healing after being prayed for. Proven benefits of the mind and body exercises reduce anxiety, mood disturbances and stress among the patients. In addition, the exercises help reduce chronic pain, nausea, vomiting and thus helps improve the overall quality of life among cancer patients. Hypnosis is also among the relaxation techniques that cancer patients use to control anxiety, distress, pain or depression (DeVita, T. Vincent Et al 2958) Mindfulness mediation is also among the most common mind-body exercise used by cancer patients. It involves the individual accepting and acknowledging his/her health status. Once this is accomplished, the patients are encouraged to speak out their feelings in a group therapy setting. With time, the patients learn to deal with stress, anxiety, depression and other psychological needs that arise when one learns that they have cancer. Manual healing This includes touch manipulation techniques a practiced by chiropractic doctors and osteopathic doctors. Hand massage is also effectively used to reduce stress and alleviate anxiety among cancer patients. Another common form of healing is the therapeutic touch common in North America. This too is used on cancer patients to clear their systems through the healer’s hands, which are placed above the patient’s head. The efficacy of this method is however not backed by any scientific evidence and the psychological benefits that patients acquire are thought to come from the concern expressed by the caregiver during therapy (Rosenbaum 122). Herbal medicines Most Herbal cancer treatment across the world has no scientific backing to prove that they indeed have anti-cancer properties. Despite this, cancer patients continue to use them in the hope that their health concerns will be alleviated. One such example is the Essiac, which is popular in North America. The product is banned in Canada, but can still be found in shops across the United States. Essiac is made of four herbs namely: Slippery elm, Sorrel, Turkey rhubarb and burdock. Proponents of this herbal remedy claim that Sheep Sorrel is beneficial to the endocrinal system, while Burdock gets rid of free radicals hence purifying the blood. On its part, the slippery elm is said to dissolve mucous deposits on nerve channels, glands, or tissue hence soothing the inflamed organs, while the Indian rhubarb is said to help the liver get rid of toxins (Cassie, M. Rene). In Europe, a diffirent cancer herbal remedy known as Iscador is also widely used as a folk medicine. Although it is not backed by any scientific evidenced, Iscador is widely used in Europe, something that made European governments to fund studies to prove the effectiveness of the herbal remedy. Aromatherapy This involves the use of essential oils to activate learned memories in a cancer patient. Often practiced during massage, aromatherapy has been known to increase the quality of life for most cancer patients. Evidence that aromatherapy helps reduce anxiety, blood pressure, pulse rate, pain and depression abounds in the medical circles (Yarbro, C. Henke 604) Antioxidants Research has proved that antioxidants have free radical scavenging properties. Since conventional cancer, treatment uses therapies such as antimebolites, radiation and alkalizing agents, this evidence has made the use of antioxidants more common among recovering cancer patients. Products with high anti oxidant properties include vitamin E, Vitamin C and Beta carotene. Some alternative medicine proponents believe that Vitamin C increases the survival rate for breast cancer patients (Yarbro 606). In addition, Yarbro and others states that men suffering from prostate cancer may have more survival chances by taking vitamin E supplements. It is however notes that the results of same treatment may vary between different person due to the amount of doses that each takes and the duration differences. Shark Cartilage The shark cartilage is got from the spiny-dogfish sharks and has been used as a cancer therapy for centuries now. The belief that the shark cartilage could heal cancer sprouted from observations to the effect that sharks do not get cancer. The main properties of the shark cartilage that makes it so popular are the potential anti tumor activities. They include the cartilage’s ability to stimulate the immune system, ability to kill cells directly and angiogenesis. Despite its popularity, health practitioners against using shark cartilages as a form of cancer treatment claiming that there is insufficient evidence t o support its efficacy or safety (Yabro 608). How to cite Alternative medicines for various forms of cancer, Papers

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Presence Of A God Essay Paper Example For Students

Presence Of A God Essay Paper Either God exists or He doesnt. There is no middle ground. Any attempt to remain neutral in relation to Gods existence is automatically synonymous with unbelief. It is far from a moot question, for if God does exist, then nothing else really matters; if He does not exist, then nothing really matters at all. If He does exist, then there is an eternal heaven to be gained (Hebrews 11:16) and an eternal Hell to be avoided (Revelation 21:8). The question for Gods existence is an extremely important one. One might wonder why it is necessary to present evidence for the existence of God. As Edward Thomson so beautifully stated it: the doctrine of the one living and true God, Creator, Preserver, and Benefactor of the universe, as it solves so many problems, resolves so many doubts, banishes so many fears, inspires so many hopes, gives such sublimity to all things, and such spring to all noble powers, we might presume would, as soon as it was announced, be received by every healthy mind. Some, however, contrary to their higher interests, have refused to have God in their knowledge and thus have become vain in their reasonings and foolish in their philosophy (Romans 1:21,22,28). They do not see the folly (Psalm 14:1) of saying there is no God. The Christian has not only the obligation to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you.. . (I Peter 3:15), but an obligation to carry the Gospel message to a lost and dying world (Mark 16:15-16, et al.). There will be times when carrying the Gospel message to the world will entail setting forth the case for the existence of God. In addition, we need to remember that Christians are not agnostics. The agnostic is the person who says that Gods existence is unknowable. As difficult as it is to believe, some Christians take that same stance in regard to Gods existence. They assert that they believe there is a God, but that they cannot know it. They state that Gods existence cannot be proved. This is false! Gods existence is both knowable and provable. Acceptance of Gods existence is not some blind leap into the dark as so many have erroneously asserted. The Christians faith is not a purely emotional, subjective leap, but instead is a firm conviction regarding facts based upon reasonable evidence. Gods existence can be proved to any fair-minded person. Granted, we do not mean by the word proved that Gods existence can be scientifically demonstrated to human senses as one might, for example, prove that a sack of potatoes weighs ten pounds. But we need to be reminded (especially in our day of scientific intimidation) that empirical evidence (that based solely upon experiment and/or observation) is not the only basis for establishing a provable case. Legal authorities recognize the validity of a prima facie case. Such a case exists when adequate evidence is available to establish the presumption of a fact which, unless such can be refuted, legally stands as a fact. Inferential proof (the culmination of many lines of evidence into only one possible conclusion) is an invaluable part of a prima facie case which simply cannot be refuted. But an important question which serves as a preface to the case for Gods existence is this: From whence has come the idea of God in mans mind? The inclination to be religious is universally and peculiarly a human trait. As one writer observed, even today the evidence indicates that no race or tribe of men, however degraded and apparently atheistic, lacks that spark of religious capacity which may be fanned and fed into a mighty flame. If, therefore, man is incurably religiousand has the idea of God in his mindand if we assume that the world is rational, it is impossible that a phenomenon so universal as religion could be founded upon illusion. The question is highly appropriate therefore: what is the source of this religious tendency within man? Alexander Campbell, in his celebrated debate April 13-23, 1829 in Cincinnati, Ohio with Robert Owen, provided the answer to this question in a very positive fashion. He asked Owen from whence the idea of God had come in mans mind. Owen (and all skeptics) had (have) stated that the idea of God has not come from reason (skeptics hold, of course, that the concept is unreasonable), and that it has not come from revelation. Campbell pressed Owen to tell him from whence the idea of God had come. Owen retorted, by imagination. Campbell then quoted both John Locke and David Hume, two philosophers who are highly respected in the secular community. Hume stated that the creative power of the mind amounts to nothing more than the faculty of combining, transposing, augmenting and diminishing the materials afforded to us by sense and experience. The imagination, it turns out, has no creative power. Neither reason nor imagination create. Reason, like a carpenters yardstick, is a measure, not an originator. Imagination works only on those items already in the mind; it does not create anything new. Sigmund Freud, German psychoanalyst of the first part of the 20th century, attempted to explain Gods existence by stating that man had indeed formed the heavenly father from the idea in his mind of his earthly father. But this idea will not suffice either. Is the God of the Bible the God man would invent if asked to do so? Hardly. Look around at the god man invents when left to his own devicesthe god of hedonism, epicurianism, subjectivism, or the god of if it feels good, do it. The God of the Bible is not the God man would invent, if left to his own devices. Freuds attempt to explain the idea of God in mans mind failed miserably. Campbell pointed out to Owen, in a very forceful way, that the idea of God in mans mind could only have come through revelation. There is no other choice. The concept of God, therefore, though greatly perverted in heathen hands, is ultimately traceable to an original communication between the Creator and the creature. There is no other alternative, all the disclaimers of the atheist notwithstanding. But suppose the unbeliever objects: If the idea of God is basic to human nature, we would not be able to deny it; we do deny it, however; therefore it is not intuitive. It is sufficient to observe in rebuttal to such a claim that man, under the enchantment of a deceptive philosophy, can deny the most obvious of things. Those deluded, for example, by Christian Science religion deny the existence of matter and death. Some today deny that the earth is spherical or that man has ever been to the moon. But a denial of facts does not automatically negate the facts. Mans attitude toward Truth does not change Truth. Can Gods existence be proven? Can we know God exists? The answer is a resounding YES! The psalmist said, Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10) as he echoed the Creators sentiments to man. The allusions to th e manifestations of Deity in the created world are profuse. David exclaimed, O Jehovah, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth, Who has set thy glory upon the heavens? (Psalm 8:1). In the same psalm, the inspired writer was constrained to say that the heavens are the work of thy fingers and the moon and stars thou hast ordained (Psalm 8:3). Later David was to utter the beautiful words of Psalm 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Isaiah graphically portrayed the majesty and power of natures God when he wrote that God hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with a span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance (40:12). Dr. E. A. Maness once remarked, If the word God were written upon every blowing leaf, embossed on every passing cloud, engraved on every granite rock, the inductive evidence of God in the world would be no stronger than it is. John C. Monsma, in the text which he edited entitled, The Evidence of God in an Expanding Universe (which is a compilation of testimony from forty outstanding American scientists), affirmed that science can establish, by the observed facts of Nature and intellectual argumentation, that a super-human power exists. . Dr. A. Cressy Morrison, former President of the New York Academy of Sciences, affirmed that so many essential conditions are necessary for life to exist on our earth that it is mathematically impossible that all of them could exist in proper relationship by chance on any one earth at one time. Dr. Arthur H. Compton, Professor of Physics at the University of Chicago and Nobel laureate, wrote: It is not difficult for me to have this faith, for it is incontrovertible that where there is a plan there is intelligencean orderly, unfolding universe testifies to the truth of the most majestic statement ever utteredIn the beginning, God.' . Louis Agassiz, M.D., Ph.D. , Harvard University (and a life-long opponent of Darwinian evolution), made these remarks:.. Though I know those who hold it to be very unscientific to believe that thinking is not something inherent in matter, and that there is an essential difference between inorganic and living and thinking beings, I shall not be prevent ed by any such pretentions of a false philosophy from expressing my conviction that as long as it cannot be shown that matter or physical forces do actually reason, I shall consider any manifestation of physical thought as an evidence of the existence of a thinking being as the author of such thought, and shall look upon intelligent and intelligible connection between the facts of nature as direct proof of a thinking God.. .. All these facts in their natural connection proclaim aloud the one God whom man may know, adore, and love, and natural history must in good time become the analysis of the thoughts of the Creator of the universe as manifested in the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Lord Kelvin, the famed English thermodynamicist once said, I cannot admit that, with regard to the origin of life, science neither affirms nor denies Creative Power. Science positively affirms Creative Power. It is not in dead matter that we live and move and have our being, but in the creating and directing Power which science compels us to accept as an article of belief . There is nothing between absolute scientific belief in a Creative Power, and the acceptance of the theory of a fortuitous concourse of atoms . Forty years ago I asked Liebig famed chemist Justus von LiebigBT, walking some-where in the country, if he believed that the grass and flowers that we saw around us grew by mere chemical forces. He answered, No, no more than I could believe that a book of botany describing them could grow by mere chemical forces.. .. Do not be afraid of being free thinkers! If you think strongly enough you will be forced by science to the belief in God, which is the foundation all religion. You will find science not antagonistic but helpful to religion. . One cannot help but wonder what has caused many of the most prominent and brilliant minds of both days gone by and of our day to make such statements. No doubt, at least a partial explanation lies in the fact that they saw a few, or many, of the thousands of signposts or ensigns scattered throughout the natural world which point clearly to the unseen Designer of nature. These signposts are multitudinous in our world, and plainly obvious to those whose minds have not been blinded by the god of this world (II Corinthians 4:4), refusing to have God in their knowledge (Romans 1:28). Immune-mediated diabetes (formerly called insulin- Essay If there are roughly 5 billion people on the earth, and it took two cells to make each of them, thats approximately 10 billion cells (remember: this is the DNA it took to give every living person every physical characteristic he or she has), and that DNA would fit into no more than 1/8th of a cubic inch! Does that tell you how powerful the DNA is? Are we to then understand that this kind of design came by accident? Hardly! The Hebrew writer was correct when he said, For every house is builded by someone; but he that built all things is God(3:4). Consider the skin of the human. It is a nearly waterproof layer, enclosing the bodys contents, almost 60% of which is water. It prevents the exit or entrance of too much moisture, and acts as a protector for the rest of the body. At the same time it is both a radiator and retainer of heat, helping to regulate the bodys temperature in conjunction with the two hypothalamus glands in the brain. Skin may be as thick as 5/16th of an inch (e.g., the eyelid). The skin contains over 2,000 sweat glands which form one of the most ingenious air-conditioning systems ever known to man. Skin acts as a barrier to protect the sensitive internal organs, and even has the power to regenerate itself. Consider the skeletal system of the body. It is composed of 206 bones, more durable and longer lasting than mans best steel. Each joint produces its own lubrication and the system as a whole is able to provide not only structure, but great protection (e.g., the 24 ribs guarding the internal viscera). There are 29 skull bones, 26 spinal vertebrae, 24 ribs, 2 girdle bones, and 120 other bones scattered over the body. The bones range in size, from the tiny pisiform bone in the hand, to the great femur (over 20 inches long in the thigh of an average man). Yet in a man weighing 160 pounds, the bones weigh only 29 pounds. Remember Pauls comment about all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, making the increase of the body into the building up of itself.. . (Ephesians 4:16). And consider, of course, the muscles. There are over 600 of them in the human, with the function of contraction and release. From the smile on the face of the newborn baby to the legs of the marathon runner, the muscles are in charge. They are placed, however, into two systemsthe voluntary system over which you have control (reach out and grab a ball), and the involuntary system over which you have little or no control (try stopping a kidney). Are we to believe that the skeletal and muscle systems, in all their complexity, just happened? No one could ever convince you that, for example, a Cadillac limousine just happened. Yet something infinitely greater in design and structure the human bodywe are asked to believe just happened. What kind of incongruous logic is that, to reach such a conclusion? As G.K. Chesterton once said: When men stop believing in God, they dont believe in nothing. They believe in anything!' How true. One does not get a poem without a poet, or a law without a lawgiver. One does not get a painting without a painter, or a musical score without a composer. And just as surely, one does not get purposeful design without a designer! Consider, for example, the human ear and the human eye. The average piano can distinguish the sounds of 88 keys; the human ear can distinguish over 2,500 different key tones. In fact, the human ear can detect sound frequencies that flutter the ear drums as faintly as one- billionth of a centimeter (a distance one-tenth the diameter of a hydrogen atom).. The ear is so sensitive that it could even hear, were the body placed in a completely soundproof room, the blood coursing through the veins. Over 100,000 hearing receptors in the ears are sending impulses to the brain to be decoded and answered. The human eye is the most perfect camera ever known to man. So perfect is it that its very presence caused Charles Darwin to say, That the eye with all its inimitable contrivances could have been formed by natural selection seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree. Darwin also commented: If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down. The eye, as it turns out, is such an organ, and Darwins theory, as such, has broken down. Each human eye is composed of over 107 million cells with 7 million cones (allowing the eye to see in full, living color) and 100 million rods (allowing the eye to see in blacks, whites, and greys). The eyes are connected to the brain by over 300,000 nerves, and can detect light as feeble as 1/100 trillionth of a watt. How is the eye supposed to have evolved? What intermediate state between no eye and a perfect eye could nature have selected to be passed on to successive generations? As Mark Twain once c ommented, Its amazing what men will believe, so long as its not in the Bible! There are so many systems in the human body that could be discussed, but since space precludes discussing them all, it is now to the brain that we turn our attention. The brain, of course, regulates the rest of the body. It contains over 10 billion nerve cells, and 100 billion glia cells (which provide the biological batteries for brain activity). These cells float in a jellied mass, sifting through information, storing memories, creating what we call consciousness, etc.. Over 120 trillion connections tie these cells together. The brain sends out electrical impulses at a speed of 393 feet per second (270 mph), and receives nerve impulses being produced at a rate of over 2,000/second. The brain receives signals continuously from 130,000 light receptors in the eyes, 100,000 hearing receptors in the ears, 3,000 tastebuds, 30,000 heat spots on the skin, 250,000 cold spots, and 500,000 touch spots. The brain does not move, yet consumes 25% of the bloods oxygen supply. It is constantly bathed in blood, its vessels receiving 20% of all the blood pumped from the heart. If the blood flow is interrupted for 15-30 seconds, unconsciousness results. If blood is cut off to the brain for longer than 4 minutes, brain damage results. Four major arteries carry blood to the brain as a sort of fail-safe system. And, the brain is protected from damage by not one, but three major systems: (1) the outer skull bone; (2) the dura mater (Latin for hard motherthe protective lining around the brain), and; (3) the absorbing fluid, which keeps the brain from hitting the inner skull. With the brain properly functioning, all the other body systems (hormones, circulatory, digestive, reproductive, etc. ) can be overseen and controlled. Are we, as Dr. George Gaylord Simpson of Harvard stated some years ago, an accident in a universe that did not have us in mind in the first place? Or, are we created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26,27)? Sir Isaac Newton once said, In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of Gods existence. How much more, then, should the cells, the brain, the lungs, the heart, the reproductive system, etc. , be shouting to us that there is a God, and He is not silent. As the psalmist so well said, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Or, as Imogene Fey has observed: The birth of every new baby is Gods vote of confidence in the future of man. Dr. Lewis Thomas, the renowned medical doctor and author of The Medusa and the Snail, commented in that work about the miracle of how one sperm cell forms with one egg cell to produce a single cell that will, nine months later, become a new human being. His conclusion: The mere existence of that cell should be one of the greatest astonishments of the earth. People ought to be walking around all day, all through their waking hours, calling to each other in endless wonderment, talking of nothing except that cell.. .. If anyone does succeed in explaining it, within my lifetime, I will charter a skywriting airplane, maybe a whole fleet of them, and send them aloft to write one great exclamation point after another around the whole sky, until a ll my money runs out. Yet we are told that such a miracle has just happened. Carl W. Miller once stated: To the reverent scientist the simplest features of the world about us are in themselves so awe-inspiring that there seems no need to seek new and greater miracles of Gods care. In order to get a poem, one must have a poet. In order to have a law, one must have a lawgiver. In order to have a mathematical diagram, one must have a mathematician. A deduction commonly made is that order, arrangement, or design in a system suggest intelligence and purpose on the part of the originating cause. In the universe, from the vastness of multiplied solar systems to the tiny world of molecules, marvelous design and purposeful arrangement are evidenced. In the case of man, from the imposing skeletal system to the impressive genetic code in all of its intricacy, that same design and purposeful arrangement are evidenced. The only conclusion that a reasonable, rational, unbiased mind can reach is that the existing systems of our world, including all life, have been purposefully designed by an Intelligent Cause. We call that Cause God. Conclusion Alan Devoe significantly writes, Some naturalists have become convinced that there is an unknown force at worka force that guides creatures by influences outside the entire sphere with which science ordinarily works. We would prayerfully urge those who speak of this unknown force to turn to the God that made the world and all things therein (Acts 17:24), and ascribe honor and glory to Him. The revelation He has left of Himself in nature simply could speak no louder of His existence than it already does. Furthermore, this examination of arguments for Gods existence has not even touched upon the historical arguments which come to bear on the case. For example, the historical Christ, the resurrection, the Bible, the system of Christianity, and other such arguments are equally as important. The arguments from historical fact are additional proof that there is a God, and He is not silent. That Christ existed cannot he doubted by any rational person. His miracles and other works are documented, not only in biblical literature, but in profane, secular history as well. The empty tomb stands as a silent but powerful witness that God does exist (Acts 2:24; Romans 10:9) and that Christ is His Son. The Bible exists; therefore, it must be explained. The men who wrote it were either deceivers, deluded, or telling the truth. What do the evidences say? The internal and external evidences are enough to tell the story of Gods existence, and the fact that He has spoken to us from His inspired word. Additional evidences are available at every turn. Little wonder Paul stated that in him we live, and move, and have our being.. . (Acts 17:28). Moses statement still stands as inspired testimony to the fact of the existence of God: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).Bibliography: