How can Taoist texts can help deepen our understanding of early Chinese history?

. Most Chinese historians use official dynastic histories. They comb through it for mention of who is a Taoist and then write this up as a history, but ignore the religous texts. However, these texts can help deepen the understanding of early Chinese history by providing alternatives perspectives. the early history of Taoism is different. Early Taosim believed in a new political referred to as "The Great Peace" in which every individual would be treated justly. This provided an important alternative to the norm of Confucianism. For years Taoism  has been looked down upon by Chinese scholars who refer to it as a "degenerate philosophy" that is controlled by the government, but Taoism is important because it gives a view outside the "zhengshi" or the official chinese documents. 

Is this the real life? Or is this just fantasy?

Many religions have tried to answer the question of "why are we here?" and "what is our purpose"? Lots of stories surrounding our creation exist - but what if we were never real to begin with? What if our entire existence is just a computer simulation programmed by creatures more advanced than ourselves? That is the topic of the article we read in class today. The article,  entitled "Are We Living in a Computer Simulation?" published by Scientific American says the odds of our entire existence being on someone's flash drive is 50-50. It is also pointed out that the world as we know it, is built on math - like computer code. Well, I don't know about you, but I certainly feel I exist. "I think therefore I am" - but I can't prove anything else is, including you. If the world really is a computer simulation however, I'm  annoyed at the developer. Assuming you are alive however, how can the developer  let sentient people suffer? There's natural disasters, famine, drought, war....why doesn't the developer (who we can basically liken to God) help us? Unless they don't know we're alive - I've read many fiction books, but I don't feel bad for the trials the characters are put through because I know they're not alive. The scariest part about this is that at any time we could be deleted, or an error could crash the system. Let's just hope we're lucky, and the world we see is not a Sims game.

World War 2 and The Book of Job

The story of Moshe Yosef Daum and Fela Mussbaum is similar to that of The Book of Job. Both face perilous tests to their faith, which have them doubt God's existence or benevolence. Moshe Yosef Daum and Fela Maussbaum who are a married couples couple, had to endure the horrors of Nazi Germany, where they were placed in Auschwitz. To survive the camps, they had to give up their baby which caused them to doubt God and question why he did not help the Jews, when they are his chosen people. This story has a similarities with "The Book of Job." Both are faithful followers towards God - but are punished. Both question why this is and they are answered with "God works in mysterious ways." This answer is of course, frustrating after all the pain they have endured, despite doing all God asks of them, Eventually, they both reach a point where they question God's decisions and their faith is severed.

The Book of Job

In "The Book of Job" God shows off one of his most dedicated followers to Satan - a man named Job. Job has had a prosperous life and lives according to God's commands. The Devil claims that Job only obeys God because he has blessed him with good fortune, and that if his life was not so pleasant he would reject God.  God decides to make a bet with Satan - he will curse Job, and see if he will still be faithful for him even when his life is in shambles.
        God testing man is a theme I've seen before. In the story of "Abraham and Isaac"  God tests the prophet Abraham's faithfulness. God orders Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac.  Abraham obeys God, and is about to kill Isaac when an angel of God stops him and offers a lamb in his son's place.
        Both stories are similar because they both feature God testing man to see how faithful they are. God is characterized as constantly demanding praise, even when actions are cruel and unecessary. Both Abraham and Job were innocent and loyal followers of God - but he is seemingly not satisfied with this. He wants his followers to praise him even when his actions are despicable and without reason. I was appalled that God still pettily demanded praise after destroying their lives. The story also bears a resemblance to the story of "Noah's Arc" when he floods the entire world for their sins. God has a habit of "taking things too far." He goes to extreme lengths to ensure that man will continue to worship him, and servers punishes those that question his actions.
       There are however,  differences between these stories. Abraham and Noah remain faithful to God throughout their legends. Job also,  at first, resists cursing God's name for his misfortunes but eventually breaks down. God has taken everything from him. Job in agony, wishes he had never been born - therefore questioning God's judgement. Not only is God being unreasonable, but he also sees Job's misery as being defiant. God tortures this poor man so far he wishes he had never existed. Yet
still, God is only concerned with himself. He sees this as an insult against him. God pushed Job to the brink - and I get the unnerving feeling that God would have kept going until Job eventually snapped. I believe God would have kept searching for disobedience even when there was none - that he is truly afraid that people will stop loving him. God punished Job for no reason but his own selfishness.
       God also appears as foolish. Why does he agree to make a deal with the devil in the first place? It would seem that Satan is the only one who benefited from this. God of all people (or beings,) should know not to trust a demon - but it seems that he is tempted himself. Out of curiosity, he ruins Job's lives and causes him to sink into depression - all while the devil watches in delight.

My Opinions on Highschool

        The best thing about Highschool is the creative independence. While middle school had independence outside of the classroom I often felt we were restricted for what we could do creatively. Middle school English was in my opinion, very limiting. The teacher never provided alternative options and the topics were overall uninteresting. This year's English classes are, in comparison very open - ended which is the way I believe English classes should be taught. In science my teacher has also allowed us to do labs outside of the classroom.

          My least favorite thing about Highschool is the divided lunch times. Most of my friends ended up in separate periods and so lunch is boring for me. In addition, because of my school schedule I only get lunch every other day, so I get hungry during classes. Thankfully, some of the teachers are understanding and allow eating in class. I don't know why lunch is considered optional but if I want to take my elective (Creative Writing,) I have to fork it over (no pun intended.)