Accounts of Miracles and Their Support of Belief in God Essay

Accounts of Miracles and Their Support of Belief in God The definition of a miracle is a violation of the laws of nature, it is an exception that is beyond all naturalistic explanations, meaning they must be explained supernaturally. So do accounts of miracles support the belief in God? Firstly, one must decided whether there is sufficient evidence to prove the existence of miracles, something that people have disagreed about a lot. A McKinnon says that natural laws are just descriptions of the actual course of events so to say that a natural law has been violated would be a contradiction, these events merely show that our natural laws are at†¦show more content†¦Humes argument is not a very strong one, as we need an argument independent of what we are trying to prove. Hume also argues that all recorded miracles made by various religions contradict each other, therefore cancel each other out, however Hume is confusing the interpretation of the miracle with whether or not the miracle actually exists. Different religions have interpreted events differently, but these interpretations are not the same as the event, all Humes argument is succeeding in doing is cancelling out the interpretation, not whether or not miracles do in fact exist. A. Flew says that we must go back to the definition of a miracle, and there we shall find that there is something wrong; the definition is incomplete. The definition states that a miracle is something that is beyond naturalistic explanation. However, Flew argues that one never has the ability to state whether or not something will permanently be beyond naturalistic explanation, we do not know what we may discover in the future, with our limited knowledge we cannot be sure that something may not be naturalistically explained in the future. Therefore, Flew says that one can neverShow MoreRelatedThe Relationship Between God And Jesus Christ1326 Words   |  6 PagesClaim Christianity claims that 2,000 years ago God the son came to the earth to reveal the father to us and then die to save us from our sins. This claim needs to be further elaborated. God the son; Jesus Christ came to earth to remove sin from the lives of people so that he could come into the lives of those who were ready to accept him into their heart and transform them. The relationship with God is based entirely upon the relationship with Jesus. 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These two accounts shine a light on very important events that would shape the nation they would eventually become. Many miraculous events took place in these chapters, as God was fighting and winning battles for His people. These narratives also include many exhil arating and extraordinary battles that are sure to captivate any reader. However

Maquiladora Industry in United States Free Essays

In this paper I will discuss the history and practices of the Maquiladora industry. I will discuss its background, its problems, the benefits it offers to United States companies, and the impact the NAFTA has and will have on the industry. In addition, I will make a suggestion on a possible strategy the Maquiladoras can adopt in order to address the challenges brought on by the NAFTA, to ensure it remains a strong force in the future. We will write a custom essay sample on Maquiladora Industry in United States or any similar topic only for you Order Now Mexican agricultural workers had been granted temporary work visas allowing them to work in the United States† agricultural industries through a program called the Bracero Program until 1965 when this program was terminated. As a result of this termination, the unemployment rate had exceeded 70% in certain border cities. In May of 1965 the Border Industrialization Program was established as a replacement for the Bracero program. It was later renamed the Maquiladora Program. The program was established by the Mexican government to provide employment for Mexico†s rapidly growing population along its border with the United States. This program was utilized to keep Mexicans from entering the United States. The idea was that Mexican workers would be kept on the Mexican side of the border if they were given factory jobs on the Mexican side. The Maquiladora program also wanted to attract foreign manufacturing facilities, technology, and know-how by giving a permanent tax holiday to manufacturing companies that would set up â€Å"twin plants† on the Mexican side of the border. In the beginning of the program, all foreign-owned operations had to be located within a 20-kilometer strip along the US-Mexican border. Since 1972 they can be located anywhere in Mexico. In 1996 there were around 2,500 Maquiladoras – 35% of them were located in the interior states of Mexico. Last year there were over 3,000 and more and more of these operations are being located outside of the border regions. Each of Mexico†s 31 states has at least one Maquiladora. Maquiladoras, also referred to as â€Å"in bond† or â€Å"twin† plants, are allowed to temporarily import into Mexico (free of tax) machinery, equipment, replacement parts, raw materials, and just about anything that was used in the assembly or manufacture of semi-finished or finished products. Once assembled or manufactured, the Maquila products must be exported unless special permission is obtained to sell a limited amount of output in the Mexican market. When these products are imported back to the United States, import duties are levied on the foreign value-added only. If Maquila products stay in Mexico, the are subject to applicable Mexican duties. The largest issue surrounding the Maquiladora industry is the exploitation of cheap labor. The working conditions are often unsafe, workers are not compensated adequately for their labor, attempts to unionize are discouraged; and sexual discrimination and harassment are too common. The conditions in and outside the Maquiladoras are terrible. Workers perform tasks such as welding without protective masks, leather gloves, or goggles (in many instances) and industrial accidents and toxic exposures are common. This, along with malnutrition caused by low salaries, produce skin illnesses, cancer, irregularities in menstruation, abortions, tumors, intoxication and birth of undernourished or disabled babies. Of the employees, many are young girls and women ranging from the ages of 14 to 20. They work 6 days a week in 10-hour shifts. The average weekly salary for a Maquiladora worker is US$35 – $45 even though the average monthly rent for a house with public services such as running water and electricity is around $200 a month. For the most part, Maquiladoras are unorganized. In those that are organized, state-controlled unions represent the workers. Although some companies are unionized on paper, the unions, for the most part, function to reinforce management policies rather than for the benefit of workers. Then there are what are called â€Å"phantom† unions. These unions do not fight for the worker†s rights. The workers do not even know them and have never seen their union leaders. When a conflict arises in a factory, management informs the worker that their unions have accept these or those conditions. Not only are they not protected by existing unions, those that attempt to unionize and are often threatened or bribed by plant managers and the government. In many companies, discrimination against and harassment of the female employees is very common. Female job applicants are required to produce urine samples to be used for pregnancy test, while some have company doctors and nurses examine the applicants or ask confidential information concerning their contraceptive practices. This is done because pregnant women are refused employment. Sexual harassment is often the rule rather than the exception. Rapes occur frequently and few are reported because women fear being fired or blacklisted. Shame and humiliation also keep them quiet. In Mexico, men and women are equal before the law, but the law does not recognize discrimination as a problem to be solved. The Pollution Brought on by the Maquiladoras The increased pollution, accompanied by the dumping of tons of hazardous wastes, poses a serious health threat to the residents of Mexico as well as the resident of the bordering US states. There are several canals that are â€Å"black† with chemical wastes that have been measured at levels that greatly exceed permissible standards. One factory was caught dumping drums of paint, solvents, and shellac into a drain. In other areas there are abandoned lead smelters and air full of soot and dust from brick-making ovens and smoldering tire dumps. Main Advantages for the United States† Companies For the United States companies this was a great advantage since Maquiladoras operates at very low costs in places where the currency is weaker than the dollar–such as Mexico. The less a currency is worth, the more relative value the dollar has. Since Mexico†s peso is relatively week, companies can trade their dollars for pesos with which they pay workers and expenses. The products they manufacture, however, are sold for dollars, increasing their profits by huge margins whenever the local currency falls. They could enhance competitiveness, reduce their costs, and maintain quality by placing their labor-intensive operations in the less developed Mexico, benefiting from the lower wage rates there. For many US companies, manufacturing in Mexico has become necessary to battle overseas competition. Since many manufacturers are moving to â€Å"just-in-time† inventory systems, the quick delivery possible from Mexico†s border towns offers a substantial advantage over Asian alternatives. The NAFTA†s Impact on the Maquiladora Industry Traditionally, Maquiladoras offered foreign businesses several advantages over other forms of direct foreign investment. Since the signing of NAFTA, however, many of these advantages are either being phased-out or granted to all Mexican companies. The most significant advantages of operating as a Maquiladoras include: 100% foreign investment, operation without ownership of assets, tax sheltering of cost centers, and 100% duty-drawback or waivers for temporary imports. Furthermore, the NAFTA attempted to address the labor exploitation and environmental problems associated with the Maquiladora industry. One of the benefits of the Maquiladora program is 100% foreign investment of Mexican operations, which formerly was not allowed. However, Mexico†s Foreign Investment Law has changed through the years (most significantly in 1989 and 1994)-full investment is now allowed in most business ventures. Operation Without Ownership of Assets Another advantage that Maquiladoras have is that they can receive production materials and capital goods as loans from their parent and client companies. As a result, most Maquiladoras have little of no inventory of fixed assets, eliminating the need to pay the Mexican asset tax of 2% of all assets. In January 1995, the Mexican IRS reported that Maquiladoras would now have to factor the depreciation of â€Å"loaned† assets in price-transfer calculations, which is the first step toward phasing-out this advantage by 2001. When Maquiladoras are structured as cost center (providing manufacturing services for a foreign parent) the foreign corporation has traditionally paid the Mexican company for operating costs plus negligible profit. By doing this they avoid Mexico†s 34% corporate income tax, 10% mandatory profit sharing, and asset taxes. Now the Mexican IRS is changing the way Maquiladoras must declare assets. Over the next few years, Maquiladoras will be forced to raise their declared profit percentage to a rate that is comparable to that of two unrelated companies performing the same transaction at â€Å"arm†s length†. This is the type of transfer pricing procedure that is implemented by most trading blocks, like the EC. It will soon be effect throughout North America. 100% Duty-Drawback or Waivers for Temporary Imports Maquiladoras have always allowed Mexican companies 100% duty drawback or waivers in imported components that are exported as final goods. Since 1994, this has provided many Maquiladora programs a way to use non-NAFTA materials within products without the need to pay the corresponding duties over those materials when importing or exporting goods to other NAFTA nations. On January 1, 2001, Maquiladoras that manufacture goods for export to NAFTA partner countries will no longer be allowed to take the waiver. The waiver will still be available for goods that are going to non-NAFTA countries. In 1995 the NAFTA†s of Labor created the National Administrative Office (NAO) as well as the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC). Both were intended to stop labor abuses. The NOA was established to monitor labor complaints that NAFTA critic†s voice regarding unfair labor practices. The NAO can recommend â€Å"ministerial consultations† as well as imposed heavy sanctions against Mexico. Unfortunately, the side agreements proved useless. The NOA cannot force Maquiladoras to allow unions-the most they can do is recommend â€Å"ministerial consultations.† Sexual harassment and discrimination continues as well. The NAFTA has also created side agreements covering the environment. One of them is the North American Development Bank (NAD Bank). Its purpose was to finance wastewater treatment projects along the border in the poorer communities. However, the most important criteria that needed to be met in order to receive funds were meeting certain market considerations. With this program NAFTA â€Å"encouraged† growth without regard for the environment through its practice of placing market consideration above environmental protection. Another is the Commission for Economic Cooperation (CEC). The CEC was established to investigate governmental non-enforcement of environmental laws. Unfortunately it has no power to enforce ,they can only investigate-and they can†t even do that until Mexico collects the data on the pollution for them. Possible Strategy for the Maquiladora Industry As long as the Mexican currency is weaker than the US dollar I don†t think that the changes are going to dramatically effect the flow of US companies to the south. However, the Maquiladora industry cannot count on this for continued growth. By the year 2001 the Maquiladora industry as we know it now will have significantly changed when the phasing out is complete. Maquiladoras will no longer be â€Å"tax break† establishments; they will be just like other foreign investments. In order for them to fully compete in the near future they must become more efficient and leaner. The impact of globalization is forcing manufacturers to produce more rapidly and cheaply than ever before and to continuously improve. Because there will be no differentiation between the non-Maquiladora and Maquiladora industries I feel the inefficient producers will be wiped out. Therefor, Maquiladora employees will need better training, education, incentives as well improved working conditions and higher wages. Operations will also have to be streamlined in order to reap the benefits of economies of scale and scope. In addition, Mexicans as well as US citizens will start to demand more accountability from the Mexican government and the Maquiladora industry. They need to be more responsible for their actions. What will the U.S. corporations do when human rights activists and environmentalists start lobbying and protesting on their US sites? Do they want to risk losing their shareholders to this type of negative attention? How to cite Maquiladora Industry in United States, Essay examples

Lemon battery free essay sample

Several people had an experiment on conducting electricity with various fruits (lemon, kiwi, tomato, orange, and grapefruit). However, the researcher’s focused on generating electricity using a lemon. Somehow, in different area Lemon have many uses thus it has also many benefits. Normally, lemon is as flavor pies, pudding, frosting, candies, jams, and marmalades. They are served with fish and some kinds of meat. Lemon juice is used in salad dressings and in tea. Lemonade is popular hot-weather drink. In the other hand, Lemon is also good for health. Fruit is convenient, because it provides both the electrolyte and a simple way to support the electrodes. The acidity, which is measured by the pH, varies substantially. Lemon, a small evergreen tree native to Asia and the trees ellipsoidal yellow fruit. The fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world, primarily for its juice, though the pulp and rind (zest) are also used in cooking and baking. We will write a custom essay sample on Lemon battery or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The juice of the lemon is about 5% to 6% citric acid, which gives lemons a sour taste. The distinctive sour taste of lemon juice makes it a key ingredient in drinks and foods such as lemonade. Lemon juice in its natural form generally has a high PH that makes it hard to consume as it is without neutralizing it. To allow harmless consumption it is mixed with vitamins and additives that make it less acidic to levels of between 2. 2 and 3. 0 PH which is good for general consumption. However using it as a food is just one of the uses that lemon juice is put into. The high acidity found in lemon juice can actually be used to generate electricity. Lemons contain acid that has both positive and negative ions. These ions are usually found in the water the liquid part of the lemon. This can be easily illustrated by carrying out a simple experiment to find out if a lemon contains these ions. For understanding how electricity is produced in a lemon we will go through the basic principle of transfer of electrons and electro-chemical reactions. The juice of lemon is acidic in nature and works as a powerful electrolyte. The lemon itself serves as a reservoir for transfer of electrons to and from the electrodes. When the two electrodes, copper and zinc, are suspended in the acidic lemon juice, the atomic structure of the atoms of both the electrodes starts breaking, resulting in production of individual electrons. Both the electrodes are not in contact with each other and thus a flow of electrons is generated through the electrodes and electrolyte. The copper acts a positive electrode and the zinc acts as the negative electrode. Both the metals are good conductors of electricity and thus a flow of electrons take place from the negative to positive electrode. This free flow of electrons results in the generation of an electric potential. Depending on this electrons flow rate, the amount of voltage generated is measured using a voltmeter. Thus this experiment proves that electricity can also be generated just by plain chemical reaction. However, it is to note that electricity will be generated only when the battery circuit gets completed by external wiring. Also, it is not the lemon which is the source of energy, but the chemical change in the zinc that produces electricity. The zinc electrode, when inside the lemon, gets oxidized by releasing electrons and goes to a lower energy state. This leads to the transfer of electrons from a high energy state electrode to a low energy state electrode. Thus, lemon just serves as an environment for the generation of electricity; however doesn’t produce any electrons on its own. The voltage produced by a single lemon is very small. However, a series of lemons can be used to increase the voltage of the whole battery. A series involving four lemon batteries can easily light an LED. Although a lemon does not have enough power to light a large flashlight, it can conduct electricity and you can run an experiment to light up a small light bulb to see the proof. This experiment works with other citrus fruits as well. However, lemons work the best because lemons are one of the more acidic citrus fruits. It is important to note when exploring how lemons produce electricity, that lemons, specifically lemon juice on its own, cannot produce an electric current. Lemon juice has to react with a metal element in order to yield a current of flowing electrons. The researchers designate this topic for they would want to lucubrate and seek answer for their questions. The researchers’ acquisition’s interesting and worth lucubrating. B. Statement of the problem 1. How long the lemon does generates? 2. Will the lemon generate electricity? 3. What are the smaller electronically gadgets and devices that the lemon could afford to generate with adequate electricity? C. Hypotheses 1. The lemon will generate electricity for a long period of time. 2. The lemon will generate electricity. 3. The smaller electronically gadgets like wrist watch, small light bulb etc. D. Significance of the study This research is compelling because it is also for the researchers’ profit. It is not only for the researchers’ profit but also for any students or anyone who would want to use this as a substitution for their clocks or small light bulb that might lost its’ battery life. This could also be profitable which could be use in a science fair or school activities. In a household this research could be convenient; specifically if such people would want to try and find out its good benefits towards their small electronic gadget that is out of power. In the other, although the product batteries are recommended for the people to use, it’s not however bad on using alternative fruits to make their electronically gadgets work. Thus it could even give them new knowledge and furthermore conclusive findings. Science fair is a common school activity. Students are having an exhibit on showing up new discovered things or showing up inventions; inventions that are at their strength and level. They could use this research upon this activity. E. Scope and limitations This lemon generator could only give a small amount of electricity; which could also just be use for small electronic gadget which requires a battery. Thus, this study is focused on lemon generating small electronic gadget and not with gadgets or appliances that needed great amount of electricity like an air-conditioner, television etc. The experiment will be done in any of the researchers’ residence. The experiment upon the electronic gadget and the lemon will be timed which however will have its own data. The researchers will set two types of elec. Gadget for the test. In the other hand, the researchers will assign five respondents -respondents for the survey that the researchers will prepare. The measured time for the experiment would be 2 days or 3. It depends upon when the lemon will lose its potential to generate our prepared small electronic gadgets. In the other hand, we will have our respondents presence while we are conducting the research thus to make them see and convince if the lemon is really beneficial. After the lemon lose its potential to generate a further electricity to power it up, we will now ask them one by one and have their answers jotted in our data.