Religion or Ritual?

Re-enactment of the crucifixion

I have always been interested in religion. Not as a true believer, but more from a scholarly point. There are so many interpretations of religious beliefs that one would not be surprised to learn that there are many people who are confused by this.  Why are there so many different religions? and why do they all do different things?

Each religion focuses on their particular brand of belief. Christians, Seventh Day Adventists, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Mormons, Muslims, etc…, all have a system which defines the way they worship, and the way they demonstrate their beliefs.

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The Changing Face Of Music

The BeatlesWith the recent passing of three very recognizable faces in the music world, it is hard not to reflect on how the face of music has changed over the last several decades, and is still changing. Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, Prince, and Lemmee of Motorhead fame, were 4 artists whose work spanned generations, who images were always evolving and changing with the times, and whose love of music was their driving factor.

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Brits Abroad

British abroad

 

I am writing this article because of a recent encounter I had with some fellow Brits. From my previous sentence you can guess that I myself am also a Brit(English). I live in the Philippines, which has an increasing number of expatriates from many countries. The 3 most prominent regions being, The USA, Europe(UK), and Australia.

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Customer smiles

Customer care in Asia. Where is it? Is my question.

Is it the smiles which greet you at every juncture, which are backed up by nothing else? I keep hearing about this amazing customer service in my adopted country of The Philippines, but only on 1 or 2 occasions during my 10 year stay have I encountered it.

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Saving Face!!

Japanese saving face

Having lived in Asia for a number years, there is one aspect, which is particular to Asia, which I still have a hard time getting to grips with. Coming from the West (Europe), I and many like myself have been taught to be honest, and direct. To make ones voice heard when need be. But this behaviour is in direct contrast with most Asian countries where, the act of keeping ones mouth shut, or not voicing ones real opinions, is preferable to voicing them. There is also the culture of not being seen as ‘wrong’ to avoid embarrassment at any cost. Even at the cost of ‘loss of position'(this translates to, ‘cutting off your nose to spite your face’.)

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Independence Day (Again!!!)

Independence Day ResurgenceIndependence Day (Again!!)

Coming to your screens soon. The unforgettable story of the alien invasion of earth which is thwarted once again.

But what a minute. Haven’t we been there before? time and time again?

This time we have a repeat of Independence Day, in which Will Smith, our wise-cracking Colonel in the Air Force, partners up with Bill Paxton as POTUS (as he is so widely known as now. Now wonder people are slowly turning into dummies), to save the world. AGAIN.

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Warranties.

Warrantwarrantyies or guarantees as they are otherwise known as, have been the bedrock of consumerism in the modern age.
A warranty( I will use the term warranty for this article) gives the buyer a promise of quality, longevity, convenience, and service. They also show that the seller or manufacturer has confidence in their products, and are willing to show that confidence by way of free replacements, repairs, servicing, shouldering shipping costs, etc…,

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