Emerging Issues in Society

Issues from Chapter 10...

Inequalities are so strong and persistent in American society that sociologist are not convinced by speculation in the popular press that the landslide election of President Barack Obama, the fist African American U.S. president, will lead to the virtual disappearance of prejudice and racism . Racism has merged with sexism, violence, and greed; hence, racism cant be eliminated if others are not as well. We need to stop dwelling on the past racial relations and actually act like we are all equal instead of saying it, with little truth behind it. I wish we could just study it in the history books and learn not to repeat....if life were that simple!

Issues from Chapter 13...

Religion can have a very positive impact on family values, and it can just as easily have a negative impact on family values. The basic fact is that every religion has it very good and round points and it has its share of flaws, regardless of which religion you encounter. Religion can teach discipline, honor, a sense of pride, a sense of right and wrong, and introduce children to a very strong and honoring commitment like no other. Extremism has been prove to lead to behaviors of hate and intolerance. Any religion throughout history can be proven to have had extremists which brought about an act of intolerance and hate. This, of course, is not really the point of religion. Religion is supposed to act as a guide for behavior, to extend honor and caring to the fellow human race and to ground us in a sense of chronic and undeniable love. When religion is used as a weapon of hate, there can be no good in that.