Please visit this Google Document for the list of comments I have made:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Zu-k89qvGl5vNcd8GnxDy0xgBph5BZbvNItQjxk7tw/edit?hl=en_US
Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Regards,
Ivan
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
High Ministerial Pay Debate
From The Economist:
As a citizen, I feel that ministers are entrusted with the responsibility of looking after the welfare and needs of the citizens when they are sworn into office, since we are the ones who chose them to lead us. I believe that all of us want a minister who has the passion to lead the people, and is willing to listen to their opinions and not someone who wants just materialistic objects, like money. Denmark has also the lowest corruption rate, and yet their ministers are paid around $300000, far higher than Singapore’s. In an interview by UniversityPost with Denmark’s Minister of Science Charlotte Sahl-Madsen in response to university deans in Denmark earning higher than she herself, she responded that she didn’t see anything wrong with the salaries considering that the deans are in charge of arduous responsibilities and tasks of education. Quoting from her, she said that the minister job is rewarding in many ways, and that the wage is not everything. I think that this is precisely the mindset which our ministers are lacking, and this result in them allowing for such high payrolls. I feel that the ministers forget all about listening to the people’s opinions; the influx of foreign talents would be a great example. Therefore, high salaries do not necessary attract people with compassion to public service.
Next, I feel that the ministerial salaries are too exorbitant to the extent where the government no longer pays attention to looking after its citizens, but only on developing Singapore as a whole, essentially widening the income gap. Even though ministers have longer working hours, a loss of privacy, and make sacrifices to serve the people, it does not justify the payroll. Then Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew defended the policies of the high ministerial salaries by arguing that the high salaries had kept Singapore’s governance top-notch and uncorrupt for 50 years. Although it is true that Singapore has indeed one of the lowest corruption rate in the world and that the high salaries do play a part in deterring corruption, I still feel that the ministerial salaries are absurdly high. Singapore’s Prime Minister is paid 40 times our Growth Domestic Product (GDP) each year, and not to mention that it ranks among the highest of all countries, he is still entitled to a pension for life even after stepping down amounting to two-thirds of his last drawn pay. Revisions of the ministers’ payroll are neither discussed in Parliament nor asked for approval or opinion from the people, and yet they draw taxpayers’ money at such a rate, isn’t it unreasonable to have the government decide their own pay?
I feel that lower pay should be implemented to attract competent and honest individuals to participate in public service. Decades ago in the 1960s and 70s when Singapore was still a country fighting for its identity and not a developed one, our founding fathers including Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Keng Swee and Lim Kim San were selfless men who served the people genuinely. Once, a Singapore government-linked company set up by Mr Goh learnt that he was living on a net monthly income of $8500 per month, and offered a cheque for $500000 to Mr Goh’s wife which they claimed was for in appreciation of a book the company had written on Mr Goh. His wife had instantly cancelled the cheque and wrote to the CEO to thank him for his kind gesture, and said that what her husband had done for the company was not for money, not for power, not for glory, or even to be honoured, but for Singapore and Singaporeans. Mr Goh was indeed a man we should all respect.
I would also like to mention an interview by Mr Yadav with Mr David Marshall in 1994, the year Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew suggested pegging ministerial salary with that of the private sector; Mr Marshall mentioned that there isn’t a need to have a minister earning so much money a year. As quoted from him “Where does the money go to? It can’t be eaten. Your children don’t need the money.” He said that the ministers should be contented with pay that is enough for them to use. After all, the poor like us could use the money for something more useful and we would be much thankful to the government. From the same interview, “We have lost sight of the joy and excitement of public service, helping our fellow men. The joy and excitement of seeking and understanding of the joy of the miracle of the living the duty and the grandeur. We have lost taste for heroic action in the service of our people.” This is what pragmatism has brought about today; money is more important than anything else. As a result, high remuneration will attract the wrong people to public service.
In conclusion, I believe that lower pay will attract more empathetic ministers who truly have a heart to serve the people, both the rich and the poor.
Monday, August 1, 2011
'This I believe' Essay - Teachers
Teachers
Before Primary 4, I have always led a carefree life free of stress from school work and from friends. After joining the GEP, my whole world changed. I had never imagined the piles and loads of school work it would bring. After a long day at school, I still had to sit down and complete my homework, catch up on assignments, an work on projects. The first year in Primary 4 was a long and tedious year. I had problems with my English, Chinese and Science and I was first exposed to Maths Olympiad in that year, and I was literally struggling are barely passing my exams. The first common test I took for English in Primary 4 was a baseline pass, and my Chinese compositions were week in many areas and I often write off topic, resulting in a failing grade. Fortunately, my teachers have helped me tremendously in those three years. I remember many teachers who have made my life in primary school a much more enjoyable one.
However, before Primary 4 when I was in a neighbourhood school, I had always topped the class since the year I entered in Primary 1, and even though I did not top the level, it didn't really matter. I still remember the form teacher of my class from Primary 1 to 2. She taught us English and we called her Mdm Teo. After so many years (6, 7 years), she is still a teacher whom I will always respect and remember her as my teacher. Why then is she so special? Firstly, she always talked to us and gave us counselling sessions, serving not only the role of teacher, but also the roles of mother and counsellor. We have to understand that students from neighbourhood schools come from a variety of backgrounds and many of the pupils have financial problems, divorced parents, learning disorders etc. At that time, I was still ignorant of all these problems of other children and it was she who made me see the real world out there. She was effortless and unselfish in her teaching, she had the student's best interests at heart, she helped us through in times of need, she shared with us the happy memories and laughter, and she also shared the burden and sadness of the pupils.
On the last day of Primary 2, I distinctly remember our class standing in two neat rows outside the swept and cleaned classroom, and Mdm Teo was standing in front of the class and looking at us with eyes of reminiscence. On that day, she told us what all teachers would always tell us, to continue to work hard and strive better results. Although that might seem very ordinary to some of you, those few sentences left a deep impression on me, and I also believe on the other students. There was one thing though, on the last day, she wanted all of us to remember how to spell the months of the year, and it was then when I started falling in love with learning. It might seem amazing how one teacher can change your entire life.
[On the other hand, there were also some teachers who made my life in school a living torture. (Read more here: http://ivanlablog.blogspot.com/2011/02/to-kill-mockingbird-chapters-1-11_14.html)]
In our 16 over years of education, we will be taught by many teachers and some of them will eventually play a huge influence in our life, personality and character. Teachers shape who we are today and we should learn to appreciate what they have done for us, even if it might be for the worse. After all, we should learn to look at the bright side of things and that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you, all the teachers who have taught me so far.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Shakespeare's Language, Our Language
- Now that you understand how the English Language evolved, share with us some words into which you have gained new insights (about their origin, their form, etc.)
Courtship: the act of wooing in love
- The word originated from the Elizabethan era in the 1970s. Courtship is made up of two words court + ship, literally meaning "the behaviour of a courtier". It was only from the 1590s when its definition was "paying court to a woman with intention of marriage," like how we use the word today.
Compound(n): An enclosed group of buildings
- The word originated from the Middle East word compounen, to the Middle French componre, to the Latin componere. It could also have originated from the Malay word kampong ("A group of buildings"). The original usage was for "the enclosure for a factory or settlement of Europeans in the East," and later used for South African diamond miners' camps in 1893, and finally for large generic fenced-in spaces in 1946.
Tycoon: A wealthy and powerful business person
- The word originated from Japan in 1857 and was used as a title for the shogun of Japan. In Japanese the word taikun means "great lord or prince". In 1861, its meaning was "an important person" and was later on specifically restricted to businessmen during the period of post-WWI.
- In what ways is Elizabethan English different from the English we use today? Discuss some new terms and grammars that exist in the various Englishes in the world today.
In terms of vocabulary, the English we use today consists of many words which have been incorporated from many other languages as we are more culturally diverse and tolerant today than in the past. During Shakespeare's times, there was constant debates over the appropriateness of adopting words from other languages, though Shakespeare used many seldom used words in his works.
In terms of grammar, the rules in the past were less strict than today. To allow for a sentence to flow naturally and rhythmically, writers could change the order of words and phrases within a sentence freely, unlike modern English.
The Elizabethan era was before the Great Vowel Shift, which was a period in England's history where there was a huge change in the pronunciation of the English language between 1350 and 1500. As a result, many words are now pronounced differently as compared to Elizabethan English.
Courtship: the act of wooing in love
- The word originated from the Elizabethan era in the 1970s. Courtship is made up of two words court + ship, literally meaning "the behaviour of a courtier". It was only from the 1590s when its definition was "paying court to a woman with intention of marriage," like how we use the word today.
Compound(n): An enclosed group of buildings
- The word originated from the Middle East word compounen, to the Middle French componre, to the Latin componere. It could also have originated from the Malay word kampong ("A group of buildings"). The original usage was for "the enclosure for a factory or settlement of Europeans in the East," and later used for South African diamond miners' camps in 1893, and finally for large generic fenced-in spaces in 1946.
Tycoon: A wealthy and powerful business person
- The word originated from Japan in 1857 and was used as a title for the shogun of Japan. In Japanese the word taikun means "great lord or prince". In 1861, its meaning was "an important person" and was later on specifically restricted to businessmen during the period of post-WWI.
- In what ways is Elizabethan English different from the English we use today? Discuss some new terms and grammars that exist in the various Englishes in the world today.
In terms of vocabulary, the English we use today consists of many words which have been incorporated from many other languages as we are more culturally diverse and tolerant today than in the past. During Shakespeare's times, there was constant debates over the appropriateness of adopting words from other languages, though Shakespeare used many seldom used words in his works.
In terms of grammar, the rules in the past were less strict than today. To allow for a sentence to flow naturally and rhythmically, writers could change the order of words and phrases within a sentence freely, unlike modern English.
The Elizabethan era was before the Great Vowel Shift, which was a period in England's history where there was a huge change in the pronunciation of the English language between 1350 and 1500. As a result, many words are now pronounced differently as compared to Elizabethan English.
Monday, June 27, 2011
LA Online Lesson Term 3 Week 1
- For minor crimes, most states have a “statute of limitations” that prohibits bringing charges when a certain period of time has elapsed since the crime. When it comes to serious crimes, is it right for the justice system to pursue criminal charges several decades after the crime is said to have occurred?
Yes, it is right and appropriate for the justice system to pursue criminal charges several decades after the crime was committed, especially serious crimes like murder. In most of these cold cases which are archived and looked through decades later, there is often a lack of evidence, witnesses and/or clues. I watched a television programme about the solving of cold crimes and prosecution of criminals which were committed some 30 years ago on Crime and Investigation last weekend. In one of the crimes, fingerprints, blood and stains were found on the pantyhose which was used as the murder weapon to strangle the victim. Due to a lack of technology in the past, the blood stains could not be tested for DNA and the criminal went scot free. However, the DNA tests of today allowed the police to track down the criminal and he was charged with manslaughter. From this example, prosecuting these criminals is the right thing to do as the constraints of the past could have prevented a criminal from receiving his dutiful punishment.
- Reporting for The Times on the conviction of Edgar Ray Killen in 2005, Shaila Dewan wrote, “While some in Neshoba County [Mississippi] said it was too late and too painful to revisit the episode, others thought that in doing so, the county might find redemption.” What do you think: was the state’s image “rehabilitated”?
Although I never lived through the civil war and only learn about it through movies, books and articles, I understand some of the horrors of the civil war in America. The Civil Rights Activists, both black and white, risked their lives to fight for the rights and equality of the African Americans and it was a noble deed to do so. Many of the people who killed and lynched the civil rights activists should be put on trial and severely punished. Mississippi did the right thing to convict the criminal and some credit should be given to them for punishing him even after decades of the painful memory; the state’s image should be allowed redemption.
- How much do you know about the civil rights era in general?
The Civil Rights Era was a period of time from 1865-1970 in American for the struggle to give equality and civil rights to all Americans. There were attempts to give equality to the African Americans like the Ku Klux Klan Act, and the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1875 but most of the whites in the South kept the Blacks as inferior to them with the Black Codes and the Compromise of 1877. The Blacks continued to be discriminated in the country.
After many protests, strikes, riots, marches, massacres, assassinations, and various movements across the country, the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1964 and 1968 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the African Americans were given their full civil rights and were treated equally with the other Americans. Among the numerous incidents which occurred in America during the Civil Rights Movement, these are just some of them which contributed to the Movement: the Montgomery Bus Riots, the lynching of Blacks by the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), the role of Black churches in the Civil Rights Movement which included Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Great Migration and the Second Great Migration, the incident of the Scottsboro Boys, and the enacted Jim Crow laws.
Yes, it is right and appropriate for the justice system to pursue criminal charges several decades after the crime was committed, especially serious crimes like murder. In most of these cold cases which are archived and looked through decades later, there is often a lack of evidence, witnesses and/or clues. I watched a television programme about the solving of cold crimes and prosecution of criminals which were committed some 30 years ago on Crime and Investigation last weekend. In one of the crimes, fingerprints, blood and stains were found on the pantyhose which was used as the murder weapon to strangle the victim. Due to a lack of technology in the past, the blood stains could not be tested for DNA and the criminal went scot free. However, the DNA tests of today allowed the police to track down the criminal and he was charged with manslaughter. From this example, prosecuting these criminals is the right thing to do as the constraints of the past could have prevented a criminal from receiving his dutiful punishment.
- Reporting for The Times on the conviction of Edgar Ray Killen in 2005, Shaila Dewan wrote, “While some in Neshoba County [Mississippi] said it was too late and too painful to revisit the episode, others thought that in doing so, the county might find redemption.” What do you think: was the state’s image “rehabilitated”?
Although I never lived through the civil war and only learn about it through movies, books and articles, I understand some of the horrors of the civil war in America. The Civil Rights Activists, both black and white, risked their lives to fight for the rights and equality of the African Americans and it was a noble deed to do so. Many of the people who killed and lynched the civil rights activists should be put on trial and severely punished. Mississippi did the right thing to convict the criminal and some credit should be given to them for punishing him even after decades of the painful memory; the state’s image should be allowed redemption.
- How much do you know about the civil rights era in general?
The Civil Rights Era was a period of time from 1865-1970 in American for the struggle to give equality and civil rights to all Americans. There were attempts to give equality to the African Americans like the Ku Klux Klan Act, and the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1875 but most of the whites in the South kept the Blacks as inferior to them with the Black Codes and the Compromise of 1877. The Blacks continued to be discriminated in the country.
After many protests, strikes, riots, marches, massacres, assassinations, and various movements across the country, the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1964 and 1968 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the African Americans were given their full civil rights and were treated equally with the other Americans. Among the numerous incidents which occurred in America during the Civil Rights Movement, these are just some of them which contributed to the Movement: the Montgomery Bus Riots, the lynching of Blacks by the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), the role of Black churches in the Civil Rights Movement which included Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Great Migration and the Second Great Migration, the incident of the Scottsboro Boys, and the enacted Jim Crow laws.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
6. Shakespeare’s Theatre
- In what sort of building were Shakespeare’s plays performed?
Before the construction of theatres, plays were performed in the private houses of aristocrats and noblemen and in the courthouses of inns. Balconies (for the audience of up to 500 people) surrounded the open space and platform in the centre of the courthouse where the acting took place. In 1574, the City of London started to restrict the activities in these inns. As a result, this prompted James Burbage to construct The Theatre in 1576 and this was the model for The Globe and many other theatres thereafter.
Shakespeare’s plays were performed in open-air theatres like the Globe Theatre. These theatres were mostly constructed with timber and were prone to burning down. They were three stories high, had a polygonal shape with an open space and platform in the centre for the actors, as well as inward-facing galleries on the different levels for the audience of up to 1500 people. There was also an upper level behind the stage which was used for different purposes.
From 1599 onwards, after the construction of the Blackfriars Theatre which was a smaller an indoor theatre, theatres were built based on that structure. The newly constructed Blackfriars Theatre incorporated the used of artificial lighting. The building could accommodate an audience of 700 people.
- How did the physical constraints of the theatre affect the language of Shakespeare’s plays?
The theatre was open air and there was no scenery. To make the play seem realistic, Shakespeare would have to describe the setting and time of each new scene to the audience through dialogue or action in the play.
- What sort of people acted in plays? What sort of people went to see them?
Men were only allowed to work in theatres as it was deemed to be an unsuitable place for women to work in. The female roles of plays were taken up by adolescent boys whose voice had not yet broke. It was only till the reign of Charles II when women were allowed to work in theatrical performances.
The royalty, nobility and commoner all went to see the plays performed in theatres. Elizabethan drama was a common recreation for many of the people during Elizabeth’s reign. Both men and women were allowed to watch plays.
- How was ‘the theatre’ viewed by society?
The City of London authorities disliked the public performances of plays. However, the Queen was a frequent patron of the plays and the theatre was supported by the Privy’s Council. The plays which the aristocrats watched were the same as those which the common peasant watched in the public theatres.
- Compare the modern day Globe Theatre in London with the theatres that Shakespeare worked in.
The globe theatre in the 16th century was a three storey octagonal-shaped open-air theatre and was made of timber. There was a central open area and a raised rectangular platform in the middle of the building for the actors to perform. A trap door was built under the platform. There was a pit in front of the platform where the commoners watched the play from. Directly opposite the pit were rows of seat on the three stories of the building for the nobility and royalty. There was a balcony where musicians were positioned. There were large columns at the sides of the stage supporting the roof above the stage. The roof was painted with clouds and the sky and was known as the “heavens”.
The modern day open-air Globe Theatre in London was built by Sam Wanamaker and opened in 1997. The modern theatre followed the physical structure of the old Globe Theatre and has a thrust stage with three stories of audiences’ seats, which are simple benches. Plays are performed in the afternoons as natural light is used to brighten the theatre. No spotlights are used, music is played there and then, and no amplification is used for the actors. The building was constructed with English Oak with no steel, similar to the old Globe Theatre. The Globe Theatre has the first and only thatched roof since the Great Fire of 1666 and is protected with water sprinklers and fire retardants to prevent the roof from catching on fire. The pit is made of concrete unlike the earthen ground in the 16th century theatre. The stage has extensive backstage support areas and is connected to a lobby, gift shop, restaurant and visitors’ centre. The seating capacity is 857 and 700 people can stand at the pit and watch. The theatre is used for educational purposes in winter and plays are performed in summer. Tours of the theatre are also conducted all year round.
Resources:
Alchin, L. Elizabethan Inn-Yards. http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-inn-yards.htm (26/6/2011)
Alchin, L. Shakespeare and the Blackfriars Theatre. http://www.william-shakespeare.org.uk/shakespeare-blackfriars-theatre.htm (26/6/2011)
Alchin, L. Shakespeare and the Globe Theatre. http://www.william-shakespeare.org.uk/shakespeare-globe-theatre.htm (26/6/2011)
Alchin, L. Performances of William Shakespeare Plays. http://www.william-shakespeare.org.uk/performances-william-shakespeare-plays.htm (26/6/2011)
Alchin, L. Elizabethan Theatre. http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-theatre.htm (26/6/2011)
Alchin, L. Elizabethan Costume. http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-costume.htm (26/6/2011)
McCurdy, P. The Reconstruction of the Globe Theatre. McCurdy & Co. Ltd. http://www.mccurdyco.com/globefab.html (26/6/2011)
Shakespeare’s Globe. http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/ (26/6/2011)
Before the construction of theatres, plays were performed in the private houses of aristocrats and noblemen and in the courthouses of inns. Balconies (for the audience of up to 500 people) surrounded the open space and platform in the centre of the courthouse where the acting took place. In 1574, the City of London started to restrict the activities in these inns. As a result, this prompted James Burbage to construct The Theatre in 1576 and this was the model for The Globe and many other theatres thereafter.
Shakespeare’s plays were performed in open-air theatres like the Globe Theatre. These theatres were mostly constructed with timber and were prone to burning down. They were three stories high, had a polygonal shape with an open space and platform in the centre for the actors, as well as inward-facing galleries on the different levels for the audience of up to 1500 people. There was also an upper level behind the stage which was used for different purposes.
From 1599 onwards, after the construction of the Blackfriars Theatre which was a smaller an indoor theatre, theatres were built based on that structure. The newly constructed Blackfriars Theatre incorporated the used of artificial lighting. The building could accommodate an audience of 700 people.
- How did the physical constraints of the theatre affect the language of Shakespeare’s plays?
The theatre was open air and there was no scenery. To make the play seem realistic, Shakespeare would have to describe the setting and time of each new scene to the audience through dialogue or action in the play.
- What sort of people acted in plays? What sort of people went to see them?
Men were only allowed to work in theatres as it was deemed to be an unsuitable place for women to work in. The female roles of plays were taken up by adolescent boys whose voice had not yet broke. It was only till the reign of Charles II when women were allowed to work in theatrical performances.
The royalty, nobility and commoner all went to see the plays performed in theatres. Elizabethan drama was a common recreation for many of the people during Elizabeth’s reign. Both men and women were allowed to watch plays.
- How was ‘the theatre’ viewed by society?
The City of London authorities disliked the public performances of plays. However, the Queen was a frequent patron of the plays and the theatre was supported by the Privy’s Council. The plays which the aristocrats watched were the same as those which the common peasant watched in the public theatres.
- Compare the modern day Globe Theatre in London with the theatres that Shakespeare worked in.
The globe theatre in the 16th century was a three storey octagonal-shaped open-air theatre and was made of timber. There was a central open area and a raised rectangular platform in the middle of the building for the actors to perform. A trap door was built under the platform. There was a pit in front of the platform where the commoners watched the play from. Directly opposite the pit were rows of seat on the three stories of the building for the nobility and royalty. There was a balcony where musicians were positioned. There were large columns at the sides of the stage supporting the roof above the stage. The roof was painted with clouds and the sky and was known as the “heavens”.
The modern day open-air Globe Theatre in London was built by Sam Wanamaker and opened in 1997. The modern theatre followed the physical structure of the old Globe Theatre and has a thrust stage with three stories of audiences’ seats, which are simple benches. Plays are performed in the afternoons as natural light is used to brighten the theatre. No spotlights are used, music is played there and then, and no amplification is used for the actors. The building was constructed with English Oak with no steel, similar to the old Globe Theatre. The Globe Theatre has the first and only thatched roof since the Great Fire of 1666 and is protected with water sprinklers and fire retardants to prevent the roof from catching on fire. The pit is made of concrete unlike the earthen ground in the 16th century theatre. The stage has extensive backstage support areas and is connected to a lobby, gift shop, restaurant and visitors’ centre. The seating capacity is 857 and 700 people can stand at the pit and watch. The theatre is used for educational purposes in winter and plays are performed in summer. Tours of the theatre are also conducted all year round.
Resources:
Alchin, L. Elizabethan Inn-Yards. http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-inn-yards.htm (26/6/2011)
Alchin, L. Shakespeare and the Blackfriars Theatre. http://www.william-shakespeare.org.uk/shakespeare-blackfriars-theatre.htm (26/6/2011)
Alchin, L. Shakespeare and the Globe Theatre. http://www.william-shakespeare.org.uk/shakespeare-globe-theatre.htm (26/6/2011)
Alchin, L. Performances of William Shakespeare Plays. http://www.william-shakespeare.org.uk/performances-william-shakespeare-plays.htm (26/6/2011)
Alchin, L. Elizabethan Theatre. http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-theatre.htm (26/6/2011)
Alchin, L. Elizabethan Costume. http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-costume.htm (26/6/2011)
McCurdy, P. The Reconstruction of the Globe Theatre. McCurdy & Co. Ltd. http://www.mccurdyco.com/globefab.html (26/6/2011)
Shakespeare’s Globe. http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/ (26/6/2011)
5. Religion: Jews vs. Christians
- What was the dominant religion in England and Venice in the 15th and 16th century?
The dominant religion in England and Venice in the 15th and 16th century was Roman Catholicism.
- Why was there such animosity between Jews and Christians?
Anti-Semitism started in the early years of Christianity probably due to a difference in beliefs and for Christians to protect Christianity from Judaism. Judaism and Jews were seen as threats to Christianity and were often prejudiced against and discriminated for many centuries. Jews were also discriminated for political and financial issues. The New Testament rejected Judaism and criticized the Jews which led to further hatred and hostility between the two religions. In addition, rulers often prosecuted and exiled Jews as they were seen as threats to the political stability of the nation. They were expelled from England in 1290 and from Spain in 1492. Due to the lack of understanding between the believers of the two religions, Christians see Jews as inferior and should be ostracised due to their religion.
- In what ways did Christians discriminate against Jews in 15th and 16th century Europe?
In the 15th and 16th century, Jews were expelled and restricted in many countries across Europe, including England, Spain, Austria and Portugal. In countries which allowed Jews, they were forced to live in a certain part of the city (ghettos) and could only engage in certain occupations that were deemed as socially inferior, like tax and rent collecting, peddling and money lending. Jews were forbidden to own land and had restrictions on dress.
References:
Author unknown. A Calender of Jewish Persecution. http://www.hearnow.org/caljp.html (26/6/2011)
Pawlikowski, J. T. Introduction to Gerald S. Sloyan’s article on Christian Persecution of Jews Over the Centuries. Christian Persecution of Jews over the Centuries. http://www.ushmm.org/research/center/church/persecution/ (26/6/2011)
The dominant religion in England and Venice in the 15th and 16th century was Roman Catholicism.
- Why was there such animosity between Jews and Christians?
Anti-Semitism started in the early years of Christianity probably due to a difference in beliefs and for Christians to protect Christianity from Judaism. Judaism and Jews were seen as threats to Christianity and were often prejudiced against and discriminated for many centuries. Jews were also discriminated for political and financial issues. The New Testament rejected Judaism and criticized the Jews which led to further hatred and hostility between the two religions. In addition, rulers often prosecuted and exiled Jews as they were seen as threats to the political stability of the nation. They were expelled from England in 1290 and from Spain in 1492. Due to the lack of understanding between the believers of the two religions, Christians see Jews as inferior and should be ostracised due to their religion.
- In what ways did Christians discriminate against Jews in 15th and 16th century Europe?
In the 15th and 16th century, Jews were expelled and restricted in many countries across Europe, including England, Spain, Austria and Portugal. In countries which allowed Jews, they were forced to live in a certain part of the city (ghettos) and could only engage in certain occupations that were deemed as socially inferior, like tax and rent collecting, peddling and money lending. Jews were forbidden to own land and had restrictions on dress.
References:
Author unknown. A Calender of Jewish Persecution. http://www.hearnow.org/caljp.html (26/6/2011)
Pawlikowski, J. T. Introduction to Gerald S. Sloyan’s article on Christian Persecution of Jews Over the Centuries. Christian Persecution of Jews over the Centuries. http://www.ushmm.org/research/center/church/persecution/ (26/6/2011)
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