Disneyland Isn’t Just For Kids

Every child’s dream is to go to Disneyland and have the adventure of a lifetime. Imagine going to a theme park as vibrant, colorful and exciting as Disney. It probably is the definition of heaven in the eyes of a child. But nobody can blame them. Even adults also get starstruck once they step inside Disneyland. The memories you have of this place will stay in your mind throughout your lifetime. While there is no need to stay specifically at the hotels on the property (others are available), it can make things easier. Despite the years it has logged, Disneyland remains to be the ultimate theme park destination for people of all ages and walks of life. Over the years, they have opened up in different key cities all over the world and added attractions in line with new movie releases.

It’s safe to say that almost everyone has this big Disneyland dream and who can blame us, really. Even just by looking at pictures, we can see just how amazing this happiest place on earth is. For a few hours or days (depending on which Disneyland you’ll visit), you can get lost in the magic and awaken the child in you as you try one ride to another and shout like there’s no tomorrow with every twist and turn of these popular attractions. There are rides that are especially suited for kids, some for adults, and the rest that both young and old can enjoy. You certainly won’t get disappointed from the moment you step in until you go out later in the day. Worth every dollar you paid for it, indeed.

Guests flocking to Disneyland’s slew of exciting new attractions in the coming years will soon be able to book entirely new accommodations on property as well.

Disney shared details this week about a previously announced hotel addition coming to Disneyland Resort in 2021.

The 700-room Four Diamond location is the first new hotel to open at Disneyland in nearly 20 years, and will take root on the west end of the Downtown Disney District, a promenade of restaurants and shops between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

According to Disney’s Editorial Content Director Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog, the sophisticated new hotel will be a complete dining, entertainment and hotel destination for guests.

(Via: http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/disney-vacations/disneyland-new-hotel-2021)

Progress means to keep moving forward. You can see how much growth there is with the countless improvements that the company has undertaken to ensure that the magic lives on and people won’t get tired of visiting these magical places on earth. And considering how the world’s population keeps on exploding, it is but imperative for most Disney resorts and theme parks to make upgrades in order to accommodate the potential influx of people, especially during peak seasons. And by adding new attractions, it gives the public more reasons to visit Disneyland if they haven’t yet or come back if they already did.

During this limited time event, some of the beloved stories from Pixar Animation Studios will come to life in new ways at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks, with characters and experiences from films such as Disney•Pixar's "Toy Story," "Monsters, Inc.," "Finding Nemo" and "Up." Guests will join the fun as they experience a new fireworks spectacular, the return of two favorite parades with fresh new Pixar surprises, new décor, atmosphere entertainment, creatively themed food and beverage and exclusive event merchandise.

A new fireworks show, "Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular," will celebrate Pixar stories through the decades as it lights up the sky over Disneyland, connecting guests with characters they've come to know and love. Along with dazzling pyrotechnics and memorable music, a heartwarming story celebrates the theme of friendship, an ever-present concept in Pixar animation. Guests are invited to embark on an emotional journey that begins with the meeting of unlikely Pixar pals and follows their adventures as they overcome obstacles and forge everlasting friendships. "Together Forever" comes to life through projections on iconic park locations.

(Via: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pixar-fest-the-biggest-theme-park-celebration-of-stories-and-characters-from-pixar-animation-studios-opens-at-the-disneyland-resort-april-13-2018-300544221.html)

All-year-round, the various Disney theme parks have activities to capture everyone’s interests. Whatever the season or the occasion is, there is always a reason to have some magic in your life. There are events that young boys will like, some for girls, but most of them can be appreciated by both young and old regardless of your gender as they are mainly feel-good and captivating performances or activities that are meant to warm everyone’s heart, so everyone leaves the place happier than when they first came in. If you live somewhere where there is a Disneyland nearby or if you can afford to go to one, don’t miss out on the chance to experience the magic of Disney that most people has probably grown up watching.

The blog article Disneyland Isn’t Just For Kids is republished from The Church Report

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/disneyland-isnt-just-for-kids/

The Banning Of Extremist Content

We have witnessed our fair share of radical events in our lifetime. We’d like to think that violence of global scale has no room in our present modern world anymore and they’re all but a part of our horrific past but we are badly mistaken. In different parts of the globe, wars and senseless violence define a population’s way of life. Even in highly progressive nations like America and Europe, religious extremism has already invaded them and the casualties list just keeps on growing as we can never really tell when and where the next attack will happen. Even on the web, we can see various posts that pertain to extremism. After all, we have heard from somewhere that these extremist militants recruit new members online and that is how they communicate with one another wherever in the world they may be.

Indeed, the world remains to be a scary place despite all the tech advancements we are now enjoying. Initiatives to curb the access of these extremists to the web so they can no longer get in touch with people and share their radical views on life and just everything else on the planet. Social media and the Internet is open to everyone but it can be abused too, which also explains how terrorists are able to coordinate with one another from all over the world and why we have been seeing more coordinated attacks over the years. If their access to the web is limited and they can no longer post videos of their terror attacks, how they torture prisoners, or them preaching their twisted beliefs in order to recruit new terrorists in the making.

Four foreign publications that contain "undesirable and harmful teachings" have been prohibited in Singapore, announced the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) on Monday (Oct 30). 

Published between 2011 and 2016, the materials contain ideas that can "cause social distancing, distrust, hatred and even violence among people of different faiths and religious views", said MCI. 

"Such teachings and ideologies are detrimental to the peace and harmony of multi-cultural, multi-religious Singapore.

"The Singapore Government has zero tolerance for individuals or publications which aim to encourage hostility or violence among different religious groups, and has therefore decided to prohibit these publications," added MCI in a media release. 

(Via: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/4-publications-with-extremist-content-banned-in-singapore-mci-9357800)

It makes perfect sense why foreign publications should be banned if they help spread terroristic ideologies that can influence others to support them and wreak havoc to mankind. Religion has long since been a cause of conflict among people even if it shouldn’t be but we can no longer change that. However, fanning the fire of our religious differences is something unacceptable especially now that we can see acts of terror killing many people for the most insane of reasons.

As governmental pressure mounts on social media companies to rid their platforms of terrorist content, initial AI methods are producing results; though we know not how.

YouTube recently pointed proudly to an 83% success rate in their new approach to removing “extremist” content, a method developed by training an AI engine which flags content to be reviewed by a team of human monitors.

The results sound strong, but between their AI approach and their desire to retain proprietary knowledge the definition of “extremist” remains within.

The statistics are timely, only recently the EU threatened tech companies with legal repercussions should their platforms fail to remove hate speech quickly.

(Via: https://sociable.co/social-media/social-media-anti-terrorism/)

Now that more people are becoming aware how terrorists are using social media platforms in spreading hate and recruiting neophyte terrorists, efforts to stop them from doing so are being done. Most of the time it is the platform themselves that are doing it as they are also being pressured by the government and private organizations and individuals to make it harder for terrorists to get in touch with one another and prevent them from brainwashing others to join their (ludicrous) cause.

Youtube is one of their favorites because it is easy to use and has the widest reach but fortunately, the company is already addressing this issue and the number of hate and terror-related videos has significantly gone down after appropriate measures have been put in place.

The blog article The Banning Of Extremist Content is courtesy of The Church Report

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/the-banning-of-extremist-content/

A Boost To Mental Health

Most of the time, we only focus on our physical health. We focus on the way our body works (or not works when we are sick) and the physical signs and symptoms we feel when our immune defenses go down. Many of us fail to see that our mental health needs as much attention and care as our physical body does. There are various stresses that put a strain on our mental health that can make us lose our focus and become anxious or depressed if we are unable to cope with the problems we are facing. Many times other people discredit what and how you feel because they don’t give importance to human emotions and state of mental health as much as they do about physiological health.

Whether you are young or old, there are mental issues that you would face throughout your lifetime. Sometimes, a simple insecurity can cause you to become anxious and depressed over time. And with the way the world is going nowadays, people are becoming more disconnected without good help, even if technology has bridged the distance between nations and people can connect with virtually anyone on the planet through social networks. Isolation is always one thing that messes up people’s mind. On top of that, there is bullying. There’s a new platform now, though, where people are bullied on the web and they feel even more helpless that makes them more depressed than ever.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging, the most common mental health concerns of older adults are anxiety, severe cognitive impairment and depression. In fact, adults over the age of 65 have the highest rate of suicide in the United States, with depression being the most prevalent risk factor.

For many Americans, struggling with a mental illness is an issue that can be very challenging to deal with, especially with the costs associated with therapy sessions, and the stress that can come with finding a recommended professional. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five Americans experiences mental illness every year, with nearly 60 percent of not receiving mental health services in the past year, and 50 percent not doing so because of cost, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

However, there are various local resources for aging adults available within the greater Houston area, many of which can come at little to no cost.

(Via: http://www.chron.com/news/article/Houston-area-organizations-offer-mental-health-12276418.php)

Your mental health will likely deteriorate as you age. Most people consider it as a normal part of aging. However, it should not be the case. Depression is depression regardless of how old you are. Unfortunately, older people fail to receive treatment because what they go through is perceived as something normal and should not warrant medical attention. It’s sad, though, that they have to suffer deep inside when depression is actually but normal and also easily treatable. With all the changes happening to an older person’s life not only with their bodies but their living arrangements, it is easy for them to feel lost and anxious most of the time. Yet, it is not an excuse to allow them to suffer in silence when something can be done about their condition.

Further, mental health services may be underutilized by older patients as they may be in denial, may not have adequate insurance coverage, or their other physical chronic conditions may take precedence during a primary care visit, leaving their mental health unchecked.

"I think that time is an issue for practitioners," says Eric Weakly, chief of state and community programs for the western branch of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services.

"If you're coming and you only have maybe 15 minutes, and you have a person who has multiple chronic conditions – they may be presented with cardiac conditions or diabetes or other things – of the list of conditions, depression, anxiety or another mental illness may not be first on the list when they're doing their screens," Weakly, a social worker, continues.

(Via: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2017-10-11/older-adults-struggle-to-get-adequate-mental-health-care)

The problem why older people often get depressed is because they don’t have access to mental health care. They usually suffer from a lot of other medical conditions but they are rarely assessed or get treated for their mental health issues. Getting older is not entirely a bad thing as it is a gift to be able to celebrate your birthday every single year. Yet, misconceptions and the poor geriatric mental health care facilities, policies, and practices have made it difficult for older adults to age gracefully. Suicide becomes a common thing as some geriatric people are unable to cope with all the changes they are going through and just simply want to put an end to their suffering. Organizations are doing something now about this and extends help to ensure that the mental health of older adults are not overlooked and they get the support they need whenever the need arises.

The following article A Boost To Mental Health is courtesy of TheChurchReport.com

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/a-boost-to-mental-health/

Will You Stop Eating Meat?

For the longest time, humans have been known to be omnivores. It means we eat both plant and meat-based food. Our natural anatomy supports this diet as evidenced by the way our teeth are made up. We have teeth for tearing, chewing, and grinding whatever we put inside our mouths. But as our intellect improved and we became the modern humans that we are today, there are other factors that must be taken into consideration when it comes to eating. Religion and giving value to the life of animals are just among those things that change a person’s diet. There are certain religions that do not allow the eating of pork like Islam, for instance. Now, vegans and vegetarians are strong advocates of avoiding meat products and a growing number of people are supporting this now.

Now, are these causes enough to urge you to give up meat altogether? We need meat in our diet for various reasons. There are certain nutrients that are only found in meat that promotes good health. If you entirely give up eating meat, you might miss out on these nutrients and develop a nutrient-deficiency and get sick over time. Yet, it is also worth noting the arguments of people who support the life of animals and advocate for a different way of life starting with the food you eat. After all, millions of animals are bred and killed for the purpose of feeding humans, in general.

The experience changed 15-year-old Runkle, inspiring him to start Mercy for Animals, a nonprofit fighting to protect farmed animals around the world. Nearly two decades later, MFA has worked to reduce their suffering through corporate lobbying and legislation, and Runkle continues to speak out against animal cruelty from factory farms to classrooms and courtrooms. His goals are twofold: to convince fast-food giants that animals are more important than their bottom line and to encourage the world to stop eating meat.

Runkle’s advocacy training began when he volunteered for PETA, protesting to save animals of all kinds. When he started MFA, he chose to focus on farm animals for one major reason: “Of all the animals that are mistreated at the hands of humans, well over 90 percent are used for food,” Runkle says.

(Via: http://www.ozy.com/rising-stars/the-animal-rights-advocate-reenvisioning-the-future-of-food/81240)

Not everyone is thrilled at the thought of giving up that huge chunk of meat that makes a world of difference to their meals each day. Yet advocates point out that there are other food alternatives where you can get the same nutrients you get from animals from healthier food options like tofu. Although not as palatable as meat, they do serve its purpose of nourishing your body without having to eat any animal that died just for the sheer purpose of satiating your hunger. Animal factory farms do not necessarily have the best conditions for animals and it’s what these advocates want to put a stop to.

Sevilla pointed out the forms of cruelty animals such as cows, pigs, and chickens endure inside slaughterhouses: "filthy" cages and enclosures, un-anesthetized surgical procedures, and their eventual slaughter.

"They just experience such (a) horrible life and that's what we end up eating, it's not good, it's not good for our body and it's not good for the planet," Sevilla said.

Sevilla added that going vegan — where one eliminates animal meat and byproducts such as eggs, milk, and honey from his or her diet — was "very simple."

It's so simple, in fact, that even those with little budget will find this alternative diet "penny-wise," or rather "peso-wise."

"A kilo of vegetables is always cheaper than a kilo of beef or a kilo of pork. So it's really not fair to say that vegan food is expensive, or more expensive than a meat diet, than any meat," Sevilla said.

(Via: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/healthandwellness/628147/animal-rights-activists-dress-up-as-clowns-to-promote-veganism/story/)

Aside from the mere thought of eating another live being, there are more reasons why people switch from eating a typical diet to one that is devoid of mean and perhaps as well as its by-products. In some parts of the world, slaughterhouses or places where cows or pigs are butchered are often filthy and definitely unsanitary. The animals die mercilessly under these inhumane conditions. The filth may also be contributory to why people get sick or acquire food-borne diseases.

Whether some of the reasons cited are enough to stop you from taking that big bite of meat done just the way you like it, it’s up to you. Nobody can really force you to live differently if you don’t want to do so. It’s enough that you are aware of your actions and made the conscious choice to do as you wish.

Will You Stop Eating Meat? was first published on TheChurchReport.com

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/will-you-stop-eating-meat/

Are You Ready For A Cannabis-Infused Beverage?

The market is full of a wide variety of drinks that suit every taste buds. From child-friendly beverages to strictly for adults only, you can get a sip of your favorite drink no matter the occasion. But there will be likely more reasons for you to indulge in more drinking once this new cannabis-infused drink becomes available to the public. We all know how popular cannabis has become over the years as more US states and countries outside America legalize the use of cannabis (mostly medical but some are recreational) and as such, has introduced countless products that are made of marijuana in more ways than you can imagine.

Fittingly, the market for water pipes (bongs in the vernacular of the smoker) has grown markedly, attempting to capitalize on a wide variety of new both legal and medical smokers. Sales are growing quickly, says Marcia Ralston of ThickAssGlass.com, an online headshop which offers these glass pipes in a variety of shapes and sizes. This page shows their collection.

Drinking Your Flowers

Meanwhile recently, the owner of the beer company, Corona, known as Constellation Brands ties up with the Canadian Cannabis seller, Canopy Growth Corp. to give a new kick to old-fashioned alcohol. The sales of alcoholic drinks have gradually gone down but the demand for cannabis is just picking up. It can offer a whole new world of possibilities for both companies to not only boost sales but offer a new way of getting your cannabis fix that is something many people are accustomed to. Loyal cannabis users are growing in numbers each year and it is one market worth investing in early on to reap the most (financial) rewards.

Alcohol giant Constellation Brands is making a foray into marijuana, a precedent-setting move for an industry that has mostly stayed on the sidelines during the cannabis boom.

Constellation will pay about $191 million (C$245 million) for a 9.9 percent stake in Canopy Growth Corp., a Canadian seller of medicinal-marijuana products. The deal kicked off the biggest rally in nearly a year for Canopy, which trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker WEED.

The legalization of marijuana in Canada and a growing number of U.S. states is opening up a huge potential market — just as demand for alcohol is slowing. Still, pot remains prohibited at the U.S. federal level, meaning American companies have to tread carefully.

(Via: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-constellation-canopy-medicinal-marijuana-20171030-story.html)

They may have limitations, though, as marijuana is not legal in all places especially in America, so the companies have to do their research first and only market this new line of beverage to places that not only have a positive reception and a demand for cannabis-infused drinks but where it is also safe to do business that is related to weed. So, they would likely be focusing on the Canadian market first and take it from there. Unlike other companies that only join in on the bandwagon when the market is almost saturated with competition, this two decided to start the trend and take the associated risks as well.

However, Constellation may soon sell the marijuana drink product in Canada, where legalization of edible and drinkable cannabis products is expected by 2019.

The move comes amid signs that suggest some consumers are reducing alcohol usage in favor of cannabis.

“We believe alcohol could be under pressure for the next decade,” Cowen analysts led by Viven Azer wrote in an April note. “Consumer survey work suggests [about] 80% of consumers reduce their alcohol consumption with cannabis in the mix.”

(Via: http://fortune.com/2017/10/30/constellation-brands-cannabis-canopy-growth/)

Expect to have that sip of beer with a kick of marijuana in it in the coming years as preparations are now underway. Alcoholic drinks sell on their own most of the time and with the added kick cannabis offers those who are curious to find out what it’s like to drink alcohol that is infused with cannabis, sales may even go up and establish an entirely new market of its own. Constellation can see the big picture now and is willing to bet their 200-million in this entirely new concept. This new beverage will likely be marketed as a recreational cannabis fix rather than for medical use given the nature of the business but we can expect to hear more news about unconventional ways of getting marijuana as the world opens up more and more about it each day.

The following article Are You Ready For A Cannabis-Infused Beverage? was originally published to The Church Report Blog

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/are-you-ready-for-a-cannabis-infused-beverage/

Juice Your Way To Wellness

Even though our elders say it over and over again that health is wealth, we don’t really recognize its value until we find ourselves lying on the hospital bed and getting treated for a potentially life-threatening condition. Only then do we understand our own sense of mortality and realize that life in this world is indeed fleeting. It’s no wonder why many people are now into healthy living. In a world dominated by fast food and sweet and preserved foods, eating healthy and organic is not only challenging but expensive too.

It all begins with what you eat. If you want to stay fit and healthy, you must make a conscious effort of choosing fruits and veggies over food staples these days that’s often made of preservatives and lots of greases. Another way to boost your health is to drink veggie or fruit juices or its combo. You can mix and match fruits and vegetables that blend together and drink them daily to become fit and healthy.

Marion, 42, of Wallasey, Merseyside underwent six months of intensive chemotherapy but scans after the gruelling treatment revealed that the cancer had spread to her liver.

Determined not to undergo more chemotherapy - as it had left her virtually bed-ridden and unable to enjoy time with her kids - Marion started to research alternative treatments.

After looking into the benefits of cold press juicing and going vegan, Marion has rejected more chemo - against the advice of her oncologist - and instead overhauled her diet.

Now six months after drastically changing her lifestyle to include oxygen treatment and daily vitamins, one of Marion's tumours has shrunk while others are stable - and the mum is doing so 'remarkably' she claims nobody believes she has cancer.

(Via: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4506760/Single-mother-cancer-stops-chemo-vegan-juicing.html)

While you miss out on the fiber you usually get when you eat fruits and veggies as they are, you get to squeeze out every last bit of important nutrients from them that you don’t get when you eat them either fresh or cooked. A combination of 2 veggies and 3-4 fruits can make a great juice but others can actually come up with a concoction that has far fewer ingredients.

The most important tool you need, though, is the juicer. You can opt for the cheap kind or buy a more expensive juicer, it all depends on you. Basically, a juicer leaves the pulp behind after extracting all the juice from the fruit or vegetable, unlike the blender where you put everything in and all parts are blended together.

“I became super specialized in that area,” said Crysler. “I learned what needed to go into these health products and looking at their safety, efficacy and how you mix certain things together.

“It’s about putting things together so you get the maximum benefit.”

It also put her in touch with the latest trends in natural health when she visited places like California and Vancouver — like juicing.

 “I’ve juiced for years and did detoxes and studied Chinese medicine and a lot of natural modalities,” said Crysler. “It kind of resonated with me about taking something full of nutrients that goes instantly into your body is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

“It doesn’t replace eating fruits or vegetables, but it’s a boost, like taking a supplement.”

(Via: https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news-story/7271708-moonshine-juicery-opens-its-doors-to-the-benefits-of-juicing-to-natural-health-enthusiasts/)

Even the experts agree that while juicing can’t replace the benefits of eating, drinking these healthy fruit & veggie juice blends act like a health boost – similar to what supplements do to our bodies. Juicing isn’t as daunting as what others want you to believe. Instead of drinking flavored smoothies or blended juices that are rich in sugar, natural juices like these are low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals our body needs.

While it is generally advised to drink your juice the same day you make it, it is possible to store it in jars with lids and put inside the fridge to make it last several more days. They would come in handy during those days when you are running late but don’t want to resort to the quick caffeine fix you get from coffee or drink a fruit juice or sweetened milk straight from the carton. Juicing has a lot of health benefits and may differ as well depending on the ingredients you used. Let your digestive system rest for a while from all the junks you’ve been eating and detox with a refreshing and healthy juice you made from scratch.

Juice Your Way To Wellness is courtesy of TheChurchReport.com

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/juice-your-way-to-wellness/

Humans Hurt The Environment The Most

Humans have lived on the planet for six million years but modern human have only been around for about 200,000 years. The technological advancements we now enjoy were only developed in the 1800s during the industrial revolution yet we have done so much in that short span of time. We can’t always say that these changes did us more good than bad. Although things generally became more convenient for us, it has badly hurt the environment in return. With more or less 7 billion people populating the world right now, you can just imagine the damage every single one inflicts on the planet whether in the form of pollution, trash, and the unending need for resources in order to live.

Cities are full of high rise buildings, industries and vehicles that are almost always bumper to bumper and often emit black smoke that poses various health risks to humans and an environmental hazard as well. We only have one planet to live in but many of the things we do end up hurting the environment even more yet we still continue doing them without regards to the destruction we inflict. We don’t have anyone to blame for the havocs caused by global warming and climate change because it our own doing that we end up suffering from them now.

"The growing population is the main cause of environment deterioration in Burundi", says Samuel Ndayiragije, Director of Burundi Office for Environment Protection [OBPE], at the closure of the environment week on 14 June. He says Burundi has 11 million people who still occupy the same territory that three million people used to occupy back in the independence period, in 1961, with a big demand for natural resources. "The population eat, use water and must breathe. There is then a lot of pressure on the environment which consequently causes its deterioration", says Ndayiragije.

Among the threats to the environment include crop production in areas reserved for pastures or forests in former times, bush fires that ravage forests, illicit animal hunt as well as illegal quarrying and stone extraction in rivers.

Ndayiragije says the environment degradation is remarkable both in the country and city. In addition, he says, soil erosion due to deforestation, improper terracing, and overgrazing pose also a serious threat to the environment.

(Via: http://allafrica.com/stories/201706150166.html)

We now experience climate change and all its negative impact to the planet. Climate change messes up weather systems that puts us in the direct path of stronger storms, flooding, earthquakes, and many more. No matter where you look at it, human activities have speed up the rate of climate change’s destruction but continue to do so until today.

Humans have destroyed a tenth of Earth’s remaining wilderness in the last 25 years and there may be none left within a century if trends continue, according to an authoritative new study.

Researchers found a vast area the size of two Alaskas – 3.3m square kilometres – had been tarnished by human activities between 1993 and today, which experts said was a “shockingly bad” and “profoundly large number”.

The Amazon accounted for nearly a third of the “catastrophic” loss, showing huge tracts of pristine rainforest are still being disrupted despite the Brazilian government slowing deforestation rates in recent years. A further 14% disappeared in central Africa, home to thousands of species including forest elephants and chimpanzees.

The loss of the world’s last untouched refuges would not just be disastrous for endangered species but for climate change efforts, the authors said, because some of the forests store enormous amounts of carbon.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/08/humans-have-destroyed-a-tenth-of-earths-wilderness-in-25-years-study)

Aside from the modern advances you can see all around you, the wilderness is also quickly disappearing. When we say the wilderness, it is a piece of nature that is almost free of any human presence. Well, aside from the handful of native tribes living in these frontiers for centuries, modern humans have not yet touched these places. But because of the burgeoning population and increasing need to tap into natural resources to meet human needs, acres upon acres of the wilderness fall prey to humans. All over the world, forests are receding, leaving the wildlife lost and without a home to call as their own. They lose access to food supply and have no choice but to invade modern cities and end up shot down by naïve humans fearing for their lives in the face of many of these natural predators.

Species get extinct and the damage is irreversible if not stopped before it is too late. There is still time to reverse the damage we have also caused in the first place. In our own little ways, we can reduce our impact to the environment. We can also pressure legislators to pass bills/laws that are in favor of Mother Nature to force as many people into changing their ways for the better. It is still our loss if we don’t unite and act on conserving the environment before something catastrophic happens that ultimately wipes us all.

Humans Hurt The Environment The Most See more on: thechurchreport.com

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/humans-hurt-the-environment-the-most/

The Irony Of Religion

Many people have entrusted their whole lives and that of their loved ones to the religion they have professed their faith into. Soon after birth, a child’s baptismal commits them to an organized religion throughout their lifetime unless they decide to change religion somewhere along the way. It can either be because they have been disillusioned by the teachings of their current religion and how it affects their lives or the found something else that embodies what they truly value in life.

The truth is – we define religion. The people who founded these religious organizations determined the dos and don’ts and everything else they observe and follow. There often has to be an enemy, an evil force detested by the sect. The comfort of knowing there is someone superior and divine up there that looks down on all of us and guide us in everything we do likewise comforts us and eases all our worries away. For a country as progressive as the US, can religion still save the millions of Americans who may or may not profess a religion themselves or are we just deluding ourselves of a divine saving grace?

We human primates live and die for symbolic ultimate concerns. These concerns are our religion. For example, America’s religion could be defined as the market or through the mythic story that America is a benevolent and necessary nation. Every civilization and culture defines itself through myths, rituals and allegiances that call forth our willingness to sacrifice either our own self or others. Every civilization and culture hangs a sacred canopy over its way of life and divides the world between us and them.

Indeed, religion is a sociological and psychological necessity. It is a human invention, a fabrication that protects us from our terror of physical death and symbolic insignificance. Religion is very powerful, and we easily fall under its spell, obeying its dictates and its beliefs even though they are only human constructions, a fictive lie that we tell ourselves. In other words, religion is a necessary illusion that helps us organize our life and evolve into a future.

(Via: http://www.realchangenews.org/2017/05/31/we-need-escape-limits-religion)

While religion was initially organized to save mankind from a certain doom, it has now evolved into a destructive force. Blame it on human nature, religion has caused more wars and conflict than any other thing in this world. Millions have died in religious crusades as one religion tries to wipe out the other. And if you say that those events can only be read in history books, you are largely mistaken. Just scroll your social media news feed and you’ll surely come across posts and news about religious extremists like ISIS Jihadists who made it their personal mission to wipe out every other religion in the world aside from that of Islam. Although this vendetta thingy is not taught in the Koran, extremists use this excuse as to why they orchestrate terror attacks that hurt and kill many innocent civilians.

If so, my point is this: like it or not, the main schools of traditional Islam have always embraced a theology of politics that recognises the proper use of force in the name of religion.

It is a distinctive feature of Islam that it is inherently, not just incidentally, political. In short, the traditional Islamic ideal is for any society to be governed by Islamic law. This implies that various state apparatus – including the justice and law enforcement systems – would be legitimately at the disposal of Islamic religion.

This is not controversial. Theologically trained traditional Muslims do not dispute whether political force can be used to enforce Islam. Instead, the controversy lies in debates about just what forms of force are legitimate, especially within a modern democratic context.

Obviously, these debates are complex, particularly in their handling of situations where Muslims are a minority. They are especially complicated when a Muslim minority perceives itself as victims of serious injustice. This is precisely the situation we are in. All contemporary Islamic political theorising takes place under the shadow of more than a century of Western geo-political impositions upon the Muslim world that have failed to produce just and prosperous societies. Given this melding of perceived injustice and a political theology that can legitimise the use of power, radical Islamism should be an unsurprising global development.

(Via: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/we-cant-ignore-the-role-islam-played-in-the-brighton-shooting-20170615-gwrlnb.html)

Many people wonder if we just all can try to get along. But then, it is easier said than done, believe me. While religions are actually cohesive units where people who profess the same religious beliefs unite and respect each other, their views may contradict the beliefs of others and result in many misunderstandings. People can get so fanatic when fighting for their religion especially that many mistake it for faith. But in reality, religion is more political than it is religious. And today, religion fuels terror attacks further dividing an already divisive world.

The article The Irony Of Religion See more on: https://www.thechurchreport.com/

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/the-irony-of-religion/

Migrant Workers Help Eradicate Poverty In Their Home Countries

Poverty is the main reason people leave their hometowns in search of greener pasture. They fight the loneliness and homesickness they feel to be thousands of miles away from loved ones as they toil to earn money to send back home. It’s the life story of many migrant workers right now. They may often post the glamorous life of living abroad but deep down, they actually feel sad and blue to not see their family and friends at the end of the day.

It is not always easy working in a foreign land. At times, you have to work double or even triple jobs just so you can earn more and be able to send more money to their families. Migrant workers often scrimp on themselves and deny themselves of certain luxuries for the same reason – to save more money. And it seems that their hard work is finally paying off as their remittance helps alleviate poverty in their own countries.

Migrants working in rich countries sent home almost half a trillion dollars in 2016, helping to lift families out of poverty by providing financial stability, access to education, housing and healthcare, according to a global report.

About 200 million migrants, half of whom are women, sent $445 billion to their families in Asia, Latin America and Africa in 2016, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said on Wednesday.

The total amount of remittances, which is estimated to reach $450 billion in 2017, has risen by more than 50 percent in the past decade, IFAD said.

"It is truly a global phenomenon in which people, due to lack of opportunities, have to leave their families behind to provide for them," said Pedro De Vasconcelos, IFAD policy advisor and author of the report.

(Via: http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/06/14/525290/Migration-Poverty-US-EU)

While workers should not be forced to find employment in far-off progressive countries, they usually don’t have any recourse since there is no opportunity for progress and a better life for their families if they don’t go out of their comfort zones. Their families can pay for their many expenses using the money migrant family members sent them, which in turn also help boost the local economy.

The report said families back home receive an average of $200 a month, which makes up 60 percent of the household income.

Using the steady flow of remittances, families can buy food, get housing, go to school, access healthcare, improve sanitation, or even invest in a business and have some savings, the report said.

De Vasconcelos said relying on remittances is a symptom of poverty in developing nations that pushes people to find economic opportunities abroad.

He said helping families use the money more productively could help reduce poverty, and in turn, prevent people from migrating in the first place.

"Remittances are a symptom, but (they) ... can be used to have a long-term positive effect in the economies where these funds are going," he said.

(Via: https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2017/06/14/migrants-sent-home-445-billion-in-2016-lifting-millions-out-of/22207235/)

International migration seems like the best solution to uplift the lives of poor families especially in third world countries where opportunities to earn big is rare. It is even more challenging if you don’t hold a college diploma like most poor children does. In order to get out of this cycle of unending poverty, parents leave their families so they can send their kids to school and hopefully give them a better chance in life. At least, the money they are sending is put into good use and their efforts are not in vain.

Sometimes, it takes years before workers abroad get to go home, so that means years after years of loneliness. Fortunately, social media has bridged the distance and you can now get in touch with loved ones anytime of the day as long as there is a stable enough Internet connection you can use. Even if the main reason why these migrant workers leave home is for their families, their government has a lot to be thankful for because the money they send not only help their families but the economy too. In a way, migrant workers give back in ways you can’t even imagine.

Migrant Workers Help Eradicate Poverty In Their Home Countries was originally seen on TheChurchReport.com

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/migrant-workers-help-eradicate-poverty-in-their-home-countries/

Humans Obvious Addiction To Their Mobile Phones

Mankind suffers from various addictions. The most famous of all are illegal drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, and gambling. These vices have transformed people’s lives and not always for the better. Many even died from a drug overdose because of the need to feel the ultimate high elicited by certain drugs like heroin is simply irresistible and drug addicts will move heaven and earth just to be able to get their next fix.

Today, a new kind of addiction is affecting almost everyone in the planet – mobile phones. Almost everyone is glued to their phones. Whether at home, at school, at work, or at play, everyone got their grip on their cell phones especially when they can connect to WiFi or have data to splurge. Many people would even prefer to spend hours tinkering with their smart device rather than strike up a conversation with the person beside them or just simply move around the house for the sake of your health.

Have you ever noticed that no one looks up while crossing the street anymore? Most people are too busy responding to text messages or scrolling through social media to pay attention to their surroundings.

Truth be told, I'm guilty of this myself. But nevertheless, it defies all logic. Why do we risk our safety to check if someone liked our latest Facebook update? Can't it wait for later, say, maybe when you're not near oncoming traffic?

It's a fact of modern-day life: we can't live without our devices. In fact, a recent Gallup poll revealed that the average adults checks their smartphone hourly, if not every few minutes. Americans' attachment to their phones is so strong that 63 percent of people actually sleep with their phone right next to them.

(Via: https://www.inc.com/melody-wilding/the-psychological-reason-you-cant-stop-checking-yo.html)

You’ll never run out of things to do on the web. You can get your office or school work done without ever needing to go out of the house anymore. You can likewise connect and stay connected with family, friends, and long-lost relatives through social media as well as make new friends online. Online entrepreneurs are making lots of money without having to open a single physical store where they can sell their products to a wider audience. Indeed, the Internet offers a lot of possibilities and we have the power to tap on all these options now through our handheld phone. It is one of the reasons why we can’t put our phones down 24/7 aside from saving us from boredom.

MILES O’BRIEN: One billion of us own a smartphone, and we know how addicting it can be.

One former Google employee says this is no accident. Indeed, it is by design. And he became troubled by the relentless efforts of app developers to keep us glued to the gadgets.

So, Tristan Harris founded an organization called Time Well Spent. He is asking the tech industry to bring what he calls ethical design to its products.

NewsHour special correspondent Cat Wise has more, part of our ongoing collaboration with The Atlantic.

TRISTAN HARRIS, Founder, Time Well Spent: I noticed when I was at Stanford, there was a class called the persuasive technology design class, and it was a whole lab at Stanford that teaches students how to apply persuasive psychology principles into technology to persuade people to use products in a certain way.

So, it’s not about giving you all this freedom. It’s about sucking you in to take your time.

(Via: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/phone-trying-control-life/)

Well, it is not entirely our fault why we can’t seem to take our eyes away from our phones. They have been designed to be addictive in the first place. Yet despite that, we can make a conscious effort to limit our exposure to technology so as not to compromise the more important things in life like making actual conversations and nurturing relationships with the people we love. It is hard, I know, but nothing is impossible if you set your mind and heart into it. A little discipline can go a long way and you’d be able to gradually loosen up your addiction to your mobile gadget and not constantly check on it every minute and second of the day.

The post Humans Obvious Addiction To Their Mobile Phones was originally seen on The Church Report Blog

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/humans-obvious-addiction-to-their-mobile-phones/

The Woes Of PC Repairs

Computers make our lives easier and at the same time more difficult too. We love the ease and convenience these tech gadgets give us especially now that the world has become more closely inter-connected through the web. However, all hell breaks lose once your computer starts to act up and you don’t know what to do about it. Repairs cost money and it is not always cheap to get your device fixed. For individuals who do not have prior knowledge regarding computers, it is even more stressful and confusing because you do not know where to start.

There is even the possibility of you getting ripped off of your hard-earned money by scammers while you are still stuck with a broken computer that does not work. Sometimes in our rush to get things fixed right away, we make more mistakes that aren’t just costly but may even be the reason why PC repair no longer becomes an option for you as it can’t be salvaged anymore.

Troubleshooting computers is sometimes a difficult task.

"It doesn't work..." isn't the best description to allow a technician to fix the problem.

"It doesn't boot..." indicates that the computer won't start. This could mean that nothing happens when you push the power button. It could also be caused by a corrupted operating system. The computer isn't able to read the hard drive. The computer "lights up" but it never gives you a login prompt.

Once the computer displays a normal desktop, the computer has done a lot of work. It has verified the hardware and loaded the operating system. At this point, the user may be considering getting online. If you are able to start the browser -- Internet Explorer, Firefox or Google Chrome -- the next task is to attempt to connect to a website. A failure in the browser indicates that there is no network connection available.

Many times the Internet Service Provider (ISP) reconfigures its network. You need to reboot the modem device. Unplug the router or turn it off for a few seconds. When the modem powers up again, it should load the proper configuration. Ask your ISP for the proper LED display when the modem is functioning normally. There is no need to unplug all the wiring if everything worked properly and none of the wiring has been modified.

(Via: http://www.lowellsun.com/business/ci_31133772/relax-and-make-smart-plans-fix-your-pc)

When it comes to computer repairs, you would really require the technical assistance of a computer expert or a technician to ensure all your data stays safe as they try to fix the problem with your computer. The complex codes and various interconnected (and often sensitive) parts inside your PC make it doubly more challenging to get these devices working once more. And as such, their highly-skilled services come at a price we are not always ready to pay for.

Even as machines and devices have become less mechanical and more electronic, we have found that customers still expect to be able to repair and continue using electronic products they purchase. When manufacturers support that expectation, by offering repair manuals, spare parts and other guidance on how to fix their products, they build customer loyalty.

Specifically, we found that customers are more likely to buy additional products from that manufacturer, and are more likely to recommend that manufacturer’s product to friends. The math here is simple: More customers using a company’s products, whether brand-new or still kicking after many years, equals more money for the business.

Our research also shows that the failure of most electronic devices is due to simple accidents such as dropping a device or spilling water on it. The most common problem is a broken screen. There are other issues, too – such as batteries that no longer hold their charges or circuit boards that just stop working.

(Via: https://theconversation.com/why-cant-we-fix-our-own-electronic-devices-77601)

Not all consumers want the experts to fix or maintain their gadgets especially if money is tight. Some of them would love to do all the work if they can find step-by-step manuals or tutorials on how things should be done and not have to pay for somebody else to simply change some damaged parts on their gadgets or other mundane things related to your device. Aside from helping computer users and owners save money and get their devices fixed and looking and working brand new once more, we also cut down on e-waste and save the environment in the process without compromising the comfort and convenience offered by your average working computer.

The Woes Of PC Repairs was first published to The Church Report Blog

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/the-woes-of-pc-repairs/

Landscaping Opportunities For Those Born With A Green Thumb

Not everyone is gifted with a green thumb. Some have tried effortlessly in planting a single plant or flower but to no avail. They most likely wither before it even grows an inch from the ground. But with the rapid urbanization and the construction of numerous skyscrapers here and there, there is little space left for landscaping or gardening. Then, there is pollution makes it harder for us to stay healthy as we are exposed to all sorts of it in our daily lives. Hence developers and builders now try to incorporate green spaces in tiny pockets of land in various parts of the city to make it greener and more livable aside from possibly reducing our carbon footprint.

It is why landscaping jobs are increasing and companies need more people to fill in jobs that require actual work on plants and green spaces to maintain a clean and lush look all year round. Aside from prior knowledge and skills on landscaping, a passion for plants and in beautifying spaces is also a must or else you’d find the job too exhausting and laborious aside from taking up too much of your time. It is the reason why only a few take up the challenge of doing something like this for a living because it can be really hard work at times.

Jobs are plentiful on Hilton Head Island, the problem is finding people to fill them.

For businesses like The Greenery, costs are growing like the weeds they cut down every day.

The landscaping company employs 650 people, and covers hundreds of acres in Savannah, Bluffton and Hilton Head.

But as the work has gotten bigger for the Greenery, their workforce is getting smaller.

“We used to have when you got into work 2-3 guys waiting outside looking for a job. explains Lee Edwards. “The next day if you didnt have one they would be out there again. Those days are long gone.”

(Via: http://wsav.com/2017/08/08/landscaping-business-is-booming-but-costs-rise-as-workers-disappear/)

It is not a glamorous job but it pays the bills and feeds the family too. It is also clean money and a decent job any average Joe can be proud of. If you are someone who doesn't mind doing the dirty work and likes making the planet a greener and more beautiful place to live in, then a landscaping job is right for you. And you should not feel threatened of any work stability issues as there will always be a demand for professional landscaping services in various parts of the country.

2. Diversify Your Offerings

Just because there’s a time that’s slower for your industry doesn’t mean it needs to be a slow time for you. Think about how you can expand your business to increase the scope of what you do and generate income during those sluggish months.

If you own a landscaping business, consider offering snow plowing services during the winter. Your expansion should be something logical that’s easy to manage with your existing resources and is a good or service that your current customer base will want to take advantage of; you don’t want to expand in a way that diverts your efforts and resources from your original business idea.

(Via: http://www.business2community.com/consumer-marketing/6-ways-leverage-seasonality-advantage-01893969#Yg7CpYctRUF1tmJo.97)

Perhaps the issue with landscaping is that work may be limited because of the changing of the seasons. But don’t let that dampen your spirits as there are plenty of ways you can make up for lost revenue by diversifying the services you offer such as tree clearing during autumn and even dabble into snow plowing during winter. With the help of technology and the Internet, you can learn new ideas on what can possibly work for your landscaping business in your area because for sure somebody else has already tried it too. You not only make money by landscaping other people’s lawns but you likewise make a positive change in this world that is badly needed at a time right now when climate change is at work and wreaking havoc on everyone’s lives.

The blog article Landscaping Opportunities For Those Born With A Green Thumb Read more on: TCR Blog

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/landscaping-opportunities-for-those-born-with-a-green-thumb/

Common Constraints To Volunteerism

The world isn’t always a nice place to live in but we can’t deny it is the only habitable planet in the universe where mankind can basically survive. Simply living isn’t an easy task anymore because many actually can’t afford a place of their own and essentially live in the street and rely on the generosity of others to sustain their needs. It’s the harsh reality of life but millions are living as homeless in various parts of the globe and it keeps on growing as the requirements for daily living isn’t that easy anymore.

While those living in poverty continue to grow, what can the rest of the world do to uplift their lives and brighten up their days even just once? The answer lies with volunteerism. People who are generous with their time and money enjoy supporting and volunteering in civic groups and NGOs that directly work with the poor and the homeless and those who deserve to receive help from the affluent. Unfortunately, not all the time these people are always rich and they do lead normal lives, which means they also have jobs that need their time and attention.

More than half of people who do not volunteer say that work commitments are the main reason they have never helped a charity, according to data from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.

Further information released this week from last month’s Community Life Survey 2016/17 reveals that 52 per cent of people who had never formally volunteered said work commitments prevented them from doing so.

The Community Life Survey is an annual survey of adults aged 16 or over about their levels of community cohesion and engagement.

This year’s survey found that the proportion of people who said they volunteered fell over the past three years.

(Via: http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/work-commitments-main-barrier-volunteering-survey-finds/volunteering/article/1441752)

The number of people that volunteer in good causes has dropped because aside from work and family obligations, they have multiple preoccupations now that mostly involve technology. A lot of adults and teens spend a great deal of their time daily surfing their news feed and updating their social media accounts that they have little time left to spare for other causes like volunteerism and charity.

Ronald Lovell heard about the number of people in Shasta County failing to answer their summons for jury duty.

Frustrated that this is so common, he decided to volunteer his service.

"Someone who's committed a heinous crime walking free simply because people didn't show up for jury duty, that's not acceptable," Lovell said. "You're turning this person loose to do this again and you're making a mockery of the justice system."

He wanted people to think about if it were their family member that was targeted by the criminal that was then set free because of a dismissal. 

Lovell said jury duty is "the last real grip where we're effective in what takes place in our government."

(Via: http://www.krcrtv.com/news/local/shasta/man-volunteers-for-jury-duty-upset-by-number-of-no-shows/602417072)

More people even avoid doing common voluntary activities like jury duties. They come up with all sorts of excuses even if they were already summoned by the court. Now, what more on other voluntary civic causes that they aren’t exactly required to participate in? Most people would rather stay at home and surf the web to their heart’s content or hang out with their friends. Those who are already into volunteerism are continually trying to raise awareness on the impact of volunteer work to society especially in the lives of the less fortunate.

The government can’t always address all the issues happening around us 24/7. At times, we have to pitch in and do our part in making a positive difference to society and not just complain all the time about the state’s inefficiencies. You’d be surprised at how volunteering a few hours of your time can uplift a person’s life or even an entire community. That’s the power of extending a helping hand – random acts of kindness that perpetuate the goodness in humanity over and over again.

Common Constraints To Volunteerism See more on: thechurchreport.com

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/common-constraints-to-volunteerism/

How Religion Sparks Terrorism

People are both sensitive and passionate about their faith. And the most apparent way of professing your faith is through your religion. Various organized religions abound the world today. Even in ancient times, people have professed different faiths and fought for it to the ends, especially when their religion or faith is threatened. And nothing much has changed if you look at how things are lately. Even though technology has taken over the world and we can say we are centuries ahead of the barbaric ways of our ancestors, religious terrorism remains to be an existing threat that we all face.

The rise of nationalism sparked religious terrorism and terrorist activities motivated by religion have risen significantly since the 1980s. Even during biblical times, violence and religion had a symbiotic relationship. Terrifying acts motivated by religion, justified by religious beliefs, or influenced by religious organizations is the very essence of religious terrorism. Today, current geopolitics forces are likewise closely linked with acts of religious terrorism.

Two horrific suicide bombings, in two different cities, two hours apart—this is how Egyptian Christians began Holy Week. 

In the cities of Tawra and Alexandria, Muslim terrorists stormed Coptic churches where they proceeded to blow themselves to a fine pink mist while taking 44 worshippers with them. These two attacks followed last December’s horrific suicide bombing at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Cairo that killed 29. 

Does Egypt have a problem with Islamic violence? Not according to Egypt’s most prominent clergyman, Dr. Ahmed al-Tayeb, who holds the prestigious title of Grand Imam of al-Azhar. At a conference in Cairo last month, al-Tayeb said that the incidence of Muslim violence around the world is rather unremarkable: “There is an obvious double standard in the world’s judgment of Islam on the one hand, and [its judgment of] Christianity and Judaism on the other, despite the fact that all are guilty of one and the same thing, that is, religious violence and terrorism.” 

The point al-Tayeb is trying to make is pretty straightforward: that people are quick to chide Muslims for terrorism when in fact the terror problem cuts across religious lines. Clearly all of this talk about terrorism must be a cloak for bigotry. If people were truly concerned with eradicating terrorism they would condemn it wherever it’s found. The fact that they don’t exposes their hypocrisy. 

(Via: http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/266436/if-terror-knows-no-religion-where-all-benny-huang)

Throughout history, revolutionary groups or terrorists with religious and political motivations perform various acts of martyrdom, self-sacrifice and suicide terrorism to trigger panic or mass hysteria and destabilize the government or sow seeds of fear in society and the people. Terrorist suicide attacks are inexpensive yet efficient ways of causing damage and sending the message aside from being highly difficult to counter.

US President Donald Trump has said that terrorism is one of the gravest threats to religious freedom around the world and hoped for a “better tomorrow” when people of all faiths, including Hindus, can worship according to their conscience.

In his weekly radio and web address, he said the US has cherished the freedom of worship “from the very beginning”.

“That is the promise the first settlers saw in our vast continent — and it is the promise that our bravest warriors have protected for all of our citizens in centuries since, a long time ago,” he said on Friday.

“Sadly, many around the globe do not enjoy this freedom — and one of the gravest threats to religious freedom remains the threat of terror,” he said.

On Palm Sunday, as Christians around the world celebrated the beginning of the Holy Week, IS killed 45 people and injured over 100 at two Christian churches in Egypt, he said.

“We condemn this barbaric attack. We mourn for those who lost loved ones. And we pray for the strength and wisdom to achieve a better tomorrow — one where good people of all faiths, Christians and Muslims and Jewish and Hindu, can follow their hearts and worship according to their conscience,” Mr. Trump said.

(Via: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/terrorism-one-of-gravest-threats-to-religious-freedom-trump/article18044812.ece)

One of the reasons why Donald Trump ran for office is because he is worried about the state of the nation and the constant terrorist threats all Americans have to deal with for a while now. He felt that the previous administrations weren’t doing enough measures to prevent these terrorists from gaining access into the country and endangering the lives of millions of Americans.

His campaign of making America great again aims to address the issues of religious terrorism among others; something that he felt weren’t given enough focus in the past. He is a true patriot by heart and only does the things that he feels is for the good of America regardless of what the outsiders may say. And for him, religious terrorism is a threat that he doesn’t take lightly because he’ll never risk the safety and security of every American, regardless if they voted for him or not.

The following blog article How Religion Sparks Terrorism Read more on: TCR Blog

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/how-religion-sparks-terrorism/

Africans Deprived Of The Chance To Learn

Education is the key to the good life. It’s common knowledge that educated people have better chances in life. They can land better jobs than those without bachelor degrees and can definitely go up the corporate ladder. And since quality education opens doors to various opportunities, parents do their best to send their kids to good schools for their brighter future.

Our cognitive superiority as humans is what separates us from all the other species on earth. However, not everyone is given the chance to better themselves because you need to invest a lot of money before you can get that coveted college diploma that will be your ticket to living a stable and comfortable life. Not everyone gets the chance to study in struggling third-world countries. How can they pay for expensive tuition fees when they can barely afford basic life necessities like food, shelter, and clothing? Even the government can’t afford to subsidize the youth’s education, making it hard for the poor to uplift their lives.

The Global Education Monitoring Report notes that donor countries are placing a lower priority on education aid, creating an annual $39 billion financing gap between 2015 and 2030. As allocations for health and humanitarian relief increased globally due to the refugee and migration crisis in Europe, aid to education stood at $12 billion in 2015, 4% below the 2010 levels.

This shortfall is specifically affecting countries most in need—worsening the prospects for achieving global education goals. The situation is especially critical in sub-Saharan Africa, where the countries most in need are located, and which also has over half of the world’s out-of-school children.

(Via: https://qz.com/1003800/unesco-says-education-funding-stagnates-as-us-uk-and-others-place-lower-priority-on-aid/)

Africa is a rich country in terms of natural resources but is one of the poorest places on earth. It’s quite an irony, right. When you hear the word, Africa, you often think of famine, poverty, and conflicts. Even the wilderness is fast disappearing because the Africans aren’t educated enough to protect their natural resources and they can’t count on a corrupt government to fight for their rights.

In the next two decades, Africa must become capable of negotiating a global economy increasingly driven by technological advances and new trading relationships. Much of Africa’s economic performance flows from resource-rich industries that are hardly models of sustainability. Rather than relying on its natural resources, Africa must accept that the most important factor in its future success – as it is for all economies, developed or not – is education.

Education is now the best predictor of wealth creation worldwide, and in the coming decades that pattern will only intensify, as economic productivity becomes increasingly focused on innovation, technology, specialisation, and creativity. Many types of jobs will also be automated in the coming years, and this will change Africa’s labour market – partly because many industrial jobs in Africa consist of tasks that could in theory be replicated by new technologies. Countries must think about creating or promoting sectors with jobs that are high in ‘soft-skills’ and creativity if they want to be competitive globally in the decades to come. Without investment in educational standards, Africa will be left behind.

That would be a tragedy for the continent’s greatest resource – its young people. 

(Via: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/opinion/without-education-revolution-africa-s-economic-green-shoots-will-wither/199261.html)

The only disadvantage of Africans is that they lack the resource to produce globally competitive citizens. The African youth are not oblivious of all the technological advancements that their foreign counterparts get to take for granted. With the right tools, they can change the image of their continent and gradually address the chronic issues that are crippling their society and lives.

Most African families can barely eat, so sending kids to school is quite impossible given their current situation. Aside from the basic necessities, it is the one thing they need the most. If only their resources are managed right and they don’t get looted by corrupt officials and other countries of the richness of their land, educating the African youth won’t be a problem at all. Only then can they truly change African life for the better.

Africans Deprived Of The Chance To Learn is republished from https://www.thechurchreport.com

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/africans-deprived-of-the-chance-to-learn/

HIV/ AIDS: The Silent Epidemic

For anyone who is sexually active or in their child-bearing years, the threat of getting HIV or AIDS is a scary thought. Back in the days, only a small fraction of the population gets infected but nowadays both heterosexual and homosexual relationships are at risk. Our modern lifestyle of casual hook-ups and one-night stands are contributing factors to this rising phenomenon. Even the use of illicit drugs like heroin is a culprit why people get it even though they practice safe sex.

HIV is the acronym for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. When an individual’s immune system severely weakens and is characterized by a CD4 count that is below 200, a person is then diagnosed with AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is known as the last stage of an HIV infection or an advanced HIV infection. This viral infection is unlike common viral infections like the common cold which is self-limiting. HIV is a lifelong infection leaving an individual HIV positive for life. The virus attacks the body’s immune system and destroys WBCs or white blood cells, so the body is unable to protect itself from invading pathogens or illness.

The population of people who are living with HIV and AIDS is ageing fast. This reflects the ‘good news’ story of the effectiveness of anti-retroviral drugs that have meant that many people with HIV now have a near-normal life expectancy. However, part of this growth is also new infections in the older age group, accounting for 17 per cent of all new HIV diagnoses in 2015 in the US. The trend is seen most clearly in developed countries, where people have better access to high quality health care, but is also replicated around the world. Over 30 million people in Sub Saharan Africa are now living with HIV and 10 per cent of them are over 50. Around half of the people living with HIV in the US are over the age of 50 and that number is set to rise.

Short of someone finding a cure for HIV, we now have to face the issue of how we are going to provide them with the right care and support in the decades to come. This is both a challenge and an opportunity. We need to ensure that the health services are tailored to the different needs of people who are entering retirement and may have other issues to deal with including co-morbities that come with age, and social isolation.

(Via: https://www.hippocraticpost.com/ageing/ageing-with-hiv/)

While we often associate HIV infections with younger people who have higher libidos, multiple sexual partners, and rampant drug abuse, a big number of the older population also suffer from the condition and live with it until their death. They also have to deal with the stigma of being diagnosed with such an infection.

Shortly after the 2017 presidential inauguration, the web page for the Office of National AIDS Policy was removed, and terms such as “LGBT,” “Lesbian,” “Gay,” “Bisexual” and “Transgender” were stripped from the new White House website. A few weeks later, the Trump administration lifted federal guidelines that said transgender students should be allowed to use public school bathrooms and locker rooms matching their chosen gender identity. There is still no mention of HIV and AIDS in President Trump’s health care policy. Now the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives is attempting to fast-track its Obamacare replacement plan. And we have every reason to be frightened and angered by the proposed plan and its potential outcomes.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, before the Affordable Care Act was passed, 24 percent of people with HIV had no health insurance coverage at all. There are 1.2 million people in the U.S. already living with HIV. Health insurance is vital to keeping viral suppression rates up and infection rates down. The ACA provided critical subsidies for private insurance and expanded Medicaid in 31 states and the District of Columbia, which increased access to medical treatment. It also guaranteed coverage for people with preexisting conditions such as HIV and covered HIV testing. Finally, by funding prevention efforts of HIV and AIDS service organizations, the ACA was playing a big role in keeping the virus from being transmitted to our most vulnerable communities — transgender women of color, and young men of color who have sex with men.

The Trump administration should look into all possible repercussions of the Obamacare repeal so they can also prepare for a new health care policy that addresses these issues and ensure a smooth transition. If not, not only will more people get sick but mortality rates on deadly and communicable conditions like HIV and AIDS will likely go up and have a negative impact on society.

Make no mistake — gutting the Affordable Care Act will have widespread impacts that stretch beyond HIV and AIDS. The repeal and replacement would cause 24 million people to lose health insurance within a decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. And a report from the Children’s Defense Fund found that more than two million children in New York alone are now at risk of losing coverage or benefits once ACA is repealed.

We must think back to the 1980s, when HIV and AIDS were on the rise and we were losing our friends and loved ones at alarming rates. Over three decades later, and our nation is at a perilous crossroads. If we move forward with a health care plan that causes millions of Americans to lose insurance and doesn’t prioritize HIV and AIDS testing and funding, we could see one of the deadliest epidemics of all time resurface. I urge members of Congress not to make this mistake — do not pass the Trump administration’s replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act.

(Via: http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2017/3/20/trumpcare-could-bring-hiv-roaring-back)

Many were disappointed and upset at the various budget cuts imposed by the Trump administration. He considered the education department, arts, and healthcare, for instance, to be irrelevant to nation-building and rebuilding the greatness that is America, thus cutting back on budget and putting their programs on the sidelines. While many of us think of these things as a major inconvenience and utter insensitivity on the part of Donald Trump, it can actually have more serious complications especially on the field of healthcare.

President Trump still pursues the repeal of Obamacare. And if he does, the abolishment of the Affordable Health Care Act can result to a rise in HIV cases in the country that was put at bay by Obamacare as they offered health insurance coverage to roughly 24% of HIV-infected Americans. By ensuring these patients have access to health care and medicines that not only offer palliative relief in suppressing symptoms but likewise reduce the infection rate of this virus. Without a national health care policy that addresses this issue, we may once again witness a rise in patients diagnosed with HIV or AIDS especially that most younger people don’t have second thoughts in having casual sex with a total stranger or indulge in unspeakable sex acts that are far from safe.

Aside from that, these patients will once again be subject to the phobia and stigma associated with the condition and will probably be worsened by cyberbullying on social media and other social channels. We not only want to prevent deadly conditions from spreading but more so we want to promote the health of every American regardless of their status in life.

HIV/ AIDS: The Silent Epidemic was first published to The Church Report

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/hiv-aids-the-silent-epidemic/

Can Medicine Benefit From Social Media?

If there’s one thing we love the most that technology has given us, it is the debut of the Internet and everything else that comes with it especially social media. Imagine how social media has changed the lives of virtually everyone on the planet. It’s not just used for leisure but even for work and business too. People can spend hours on the web browsing through their various social media accounts and never feel bored at all. Access to the Internet is no longer a luxury but a basic human need that should be met without much of a struggle.

Social media got everything covered. Whatever your field, profession or interests may be, you are sure to find a page where you can feel at home and connect with like-minded individuals. The use of social media is not just about maintaining existing relationships with previous and current offline contacts but even in making new contacts from complete strangers you meet online.

Just as Snapchat and Instagram and YouTube have influencers, so too does medicine. Chronic diseases occupy an online world of memes, hashtags (#hospitalglam), and people who provide information and insights to communities that too often feel they have no voice. A growing number of companies are hiring these patient influencers to reach, and understand, these folks. And, of course, sell them stuff.

Last month, the Boston company Wego Health launched a web-based platform that introduces pharmaceutical firms, medical device manufacturers, hospitals, and insurers to people like Ingles. Those firms, in turn, pay influencers for access to their experiences, expertise, and followers. Ingles started working with Wego’s beta pilot last year and takes a few jobs a month. Wego is something of a bulletin board where companies post their needs—someone to recruit 50 people for a survey, for example, or represent the patient perspective on a panel—and influencers vetted by Wego apply. All the details are left to the parties involved; Wego only coordinates the introductions.

And social media serves as a powerful, efficient and cost-effective tool in helping everyone learn more about various health conditions and management direct from the social media posts of patients themselves who have the disease or tried specific treatments (especially medical breakthroughs and innovative treatments) and medical experts who now act as social media ambassadors for these causes.

Some people on the platform put their personal disease journeys front and center of their social media channels—posting hospital gown selfies and live tweeting colon imaging procedures. But other patient influencers work more behind the scenes. Jodi Dwyer, an oncology social worker from Boston who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2008, has recruited other MS patients for surveys, sat in on focus groups, and spoken on panels hosted by various pharmaceutical manufacturers.

(Via: https://www.wired.com/2017/03/social-media-influencers-finally-come-medicine/)

We live in a world dominated by technology. So, it does not come out as a surprise that people often make their choices according to what they often see on social media or what is shared the most by the people or pages they follow. Traditional advertising is no longer the only platform to deliver key messages to the masses. Social media is where almost everybody is, so it makes perfect sense to tap this channel to reach a wider audience without spending a fortune.

There’s no point in denying that millennials are influenced by opinions posted on social media. They frequently consult blogs, Facebook, and other social media sites before making decisions relating to education, career, finances, travel and purchases. But does the influence of social media expand to include health care decisions?

As it turns out, the answer is yes. Millennials rely strongly on social media as a source of education on healthcare issues. Further, social media has a huge impact on provider selection, general medical advice and lifestyle choices.

Over 75% of Americans use social media to research their symptoms. Also, 90% of people aged 18 to 24 stated they trust medical info shared on their social feeds, according to PwC Health Research Institute. This survey makes it pretty clear that medical and health information isn’t simply being shared to spur conversation, or because it’s interesting. Millennials, or at the least the youngest segment of that generation see social media as a trustworthy source for medical information.

This could be problematic if they are using that info to make healthcare decisions without vetting the information, or foregoing medical advice, especially as, according to Epiphany Resources, one in five Americans admit to taking medicine either prescribed for someone else or misusing their own prescription for nonmedical reasons.

(Via: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimmyrohampton/2017/04/13/does-social-media-influence-millennials-healthcare-decisions/#791892357657)

However, we likewise need to remember that when it comes to our health, we should not rely solely on the opinions and experiences of others when making decisions. One should consult with a health care provider and get a proper and thorough assessment before taking anything internally. Each of us is unique and so is our body. Another person may react differently to a set of drugs or treatment than the other person, so you really can’t expect to get the same results.

Moreover, you may have underlying conditions that are different from the other or are currently taking other medications that may trigger a different reaction. Even if you read all health care reviews, you can’t always expect to experience the same thing although it helps that we raise our awareness over something by enriching our knowledge about various medical conditions and management. A word of caution, though, that not everything you see on the web is true. So, the best thing to do is to always have that talk with your doctor before believing in any medical hype that is trending on social media to stay on the safe side. At least, you can confirm whether it really is true or not. There is no harm in asking, after all, because it is your life and health that is at stake.

The post Can Medicine Benefit From Social Media? was first seen on TCR

source https://www.thechurchreport.com/can-medicine-benefit-from-social-media/