American and British Civil Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

American and British Civil Religion - Essay Example In order to understand American and British civil religion and its link to Christianity, one must focus on the history and what brought about the changes in these regions historically and their impact on the Christian world in these two most influential regions. In my research efforts, I would like to discuss Gerald Parsons book â€Å"Perspectives on Civil Religion and Sydney Ahlstrom's book on the religious history of these two countries. There are different levels of the definition civil religion and the two most influential authorities on civil religion's definition from Robert Bellah the American sociologist and later Pierard and Linder have in turn served to actually link the concept of civil religion with Christianity (Parsons,2002, p.6). According to Bellah, American civil religion has two aspects :priestly and conservative, liberal and prohetic (Parsons, 2002, p.3). He goes on to explain the Americans on the one hand see themselves as divinely appointed by God to lead the world in a particular direction. â€Å"..For some among the new Christian Right within recent and contemporary American politics, the concept of an American civil religion has been deployed as part of a campaign to create and sustain a distinctively 'Christian America' (Parsons, 2002, p.4).† According to the author, the move in this direction advertises America's ideologies in a Christian context- the ideologies of peace and justice and mingle them in the context of Christian religion. Richard Pierard and Robert Linder have actually defined certain characteristics of civil religion where a nation and its vision are somehow intertwined with each other (Parsons, 2002). His book actually serves to show us how a nation's civil religion is predom inantly linked to some form of religion-in this case Christianity. One must understand through their analyzing of this concept that this concept still is ambiguous to the present day. But in order to under their links, it is only fair to look at the history of these two major powers in the world and their religion in order to understand more clearly their dealings with the world. Both these countries are dominantly Protestant and Anglo-Saxon and their forms of "modernity" go back to the eighteenth century (Parsons, 2002, p.7). In doing so, in my discussion of civil religion, it is important to look at the rituals of remembrance of these two countries. Americans celebrating the 4th of July independence and Memorial day (remembrance of those who have died in civil war), and the British having celebration of Remembrance Sunday (the anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War in 1918) are most notably viable examples of civil religion in these two countries (Parosn, 2002). In America, the most influential leader Abraham Lincoln who led the civil war in the 18th century, delivered certain key speeches that contributed to the concept of civil religion in America that were intrinsically tied to the Old testament Scriptures :for example at the Gettysburg Address in 1863, "Lincoln used Christian symbolism and language and he saw America as the promised land to which God had led their predecessors (Parsons,2002, p.15)."1 In the meantime in Britain, there is a growing trend in the twentieth century to mark the graves of those who had died in the war (Parsons, 2002). "From 1915 onwards, street shrines were designed to list the names of those who were currently serving with the armed forces and of those who had been killed ...For the clergy they were part of the process of evangelism and the attempt to reassert the relevance of the message of Christianity in the midst of war...it also endorsed the understanding of the war as a holy crusade (Parsons, 2002, p.29)."2 Also , it is notable to include that the British were fueled in their ceremony of marking the graves of those deceased in war-commonly known as the commonwealth war graves were met with huge public support (Parsons, 2002). The British people although

Evaluation Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Evaluation Methods - Essay Example 1). Scientific Experimental Model The scientific experimental model is the most commonly used; it is normally applied in the field of social sciences. The main aim of the scientific experimental model is to assess the accuracy and objectivity of information generated. In addition, the strategy also involves assessing the impartiality and the validity of information. Evaluation in this model takes the form of experimental and non-experimental designs (Research Methods, 2012, para. 6). Management Oriented System Models The most widely used method in respect of the management oriented system models in the management of businesses and organizations includes Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). In addition, other method of management oriented system model that has been introduced by evaluators includes the UTOS. This acronym stands for Units, Treatment, Observation and Settings. Another model in this category is CIPP (context, input, process and p roduct). The main aim of management oriented systems models is to emphasize the suitability of an object within the framework of organizational activities. CIPP looks at the context in which the object operates, whether the environment is suitable or not, and the nature of effort required in using the object. An object is evaluated as being inefficient if the amount of input or resources put in place in operating is more and costly. Further, the process taken by the object to produce the goods or services must involve the least effort necessary as well as time. In the end, the product is evaluated on its usefulness to the society in general (Research Methods, 2012, para. 7). The main difference between the scientific experimental models and the management oriented models is in the discipline in which they are applied. Scientific experimental models are used in social sciences as well as in physical sciences to determine the accuracy of a given theory or scientific process as formula ted by scientists or theoreticians. The management oriented models are used by the managers in different organizations to assess the suitability of an object within the framework of organizational activities. However, these two strategies of evaluation can be used interchangeably (Research Methods, 2012, para. 8). Qualitative Models Qualitative models majorly dwell on the need for observations. They also involve the need to ensure that a given object retains its qualities for a longer period of time. The assessment is mainly centered on the subjective interpretation of an individual to the suitability and validity of a given object. Quality is the main measure while undertaking the evaluation process. Evaluators normally ensure that a given object conforms to the standards of operation without causing any dangers to the individuals concerned with its usage. Assessing the quality of the product is very important in knowing the strengths and weaknesses of a given product or service (R esearch Methods, 2012, para. 9). Participant Oriented Models Participant oriented models mainly concentrate on the participants. Participants include the clients and users of a given object. The evaluators seek to establish the effectiveness of a given product or service through the participants. The information concerning