post for 4/17/15

                Since I forgot to do this last week, I will discuss what we have been talking about for the last two weeks.

                Last week we finished our discussion of different viewpoints of the Bible. I read a Palestinian perspective on the Exodus story. This Palestinian was a Christian. His argument is that the Israeli Jews and the Palestinians must learn to work together; he argues that Palestinians must be allowed to love and respect their homeland. He argues that many Palestinians were born in Palestine and have a right to their homeland. This right is justified by the Bible. He also argues that western culture ignores the second exodus story, and that it should be given more attention.

                I also read a Native American perspective of the exodus story. They also argued that it is important to remember the second Exodus story. In many cases the Exodus story was used to oppress the Native Americans. It was used to conquer Native American lands. The west has often ignored the stories of those that they oppress. It is time for the west to recognize the harms that it has caused.

                It is important for the west to begin to recognize the problems that it has caused. The western culture has long been oppressive to other cultures. It has long been the problem and not the solution. IT is time for the west to recognize this and begin to take steps to fix the problems it has caused. The west must solve the problems that it has caused.

                Next, this week we began work on our group projects. I am a bit nervous about this because we will present the final products in front of people that I do not really know. I guess I am a bit afraid of being judged. Anyway, my group is researching “The Bible and Refugees”. We are researching what the Bible calls Christians to do regarding refugees. We will also do research regarding specific problems of refugees. We will do a case study of Palestinian refugees; this is a specific area of concern. This is because it is a modern day conflict, in modern day Israel, which has ancient origins. We will examine specific issues faced by Palestinian refugees. We will conclude by examining solutions for refugees and for states. The refugee problem should be solved in a way that ensures human dignity, human rights and human security, but also grantees state sovereignty.

                The last two weeks have been rather interesting. We have examined many perspectives that I have never thought of. We have also begun to do our group work; my group is doing the very interesting work of researching refugees. I am looking forward to continuing this work.