How to Start and Essay?

After completing my degree at Lancaster University in Politics and now starting again at the University of Cumbria on a PGCE, it is safe to say I have done quite a few essays.

Now, I am not very good at them mind. Pretty awful if you ask me, but there is an art form in doing them. Some people like to research like mad, spending days upon days in the library and then blitz the actual writing of it. And others simply like to get straight to the keyboard and do the best they can as they go.

For me, its a matter of finding an idea and running with it. It may be crap, it may be totally erroneous to the facts and the world's understanding, but I tend to believe that without a level of study impossible at even a Masters level there is no point in going for studied truth; it is best just to find some idea you like and make things fit... And sometimes they do!

Take this opening for example.

The advancement of Creationism and Creationist Science was rapid through the 20th Century and in many ways this can be seen as a success for those that support it. Even so this success, for example development of a sizable minority of people in the US who support it, as well as other effects being felt across the world(Council of Europe, Assembly Debate, 4th October 2007) caused by the creationist movement does not increase the theological and scientific reasoning behind it. In other words; no matter how many people believe in it creationism’s justification and evidence does not increase in validity nor in strength. Indeed the nature of that growth highlights the false nature of Creationism, at least from a historical perspective. As has been mentioned, from the point that Darwin published his research on Evolution and Natural Selection a seeming majority of society, church and all, saw this theory and understood it to be the truth. It has only been in response to the resulting effect on belief, the secularisation of society and the understanding of Science to be the truth that Creationism flourished. Indeed its power is not in the theory, but in its basic opposition to science which gives Creationism its strength and seeming plausibility.

It is for my next essay (which I eluded to earlier) and could quite possibly be wholeheartedly incorrect. At this point in time I don't really care. I think I have enough evidence to support it and I like the idea of it at least so what the (proverbial) hell?

So, oft shy readers (ha!), what do you find are the best ways to start an essay?

Creationism

Like much of the time that I gain some sort of inspiration or impetus to blog on more intelligent topics or in a more clear and coherent manor, I am at this moment in time writing an essay on the wonderful world of Christian Fundamentalism, largely in the United States and more specifically on their views on the Creation of the world.

To be honest. I wont bore you with the details of an academic essay and how it approaches this topic what I will comment on is some of the research I have done, namely answeringgenesis.org by Ken Ham, and this post in particular.



In his post entitled 'European Assembly Attacks Creation' he looks at how the European Parliament (to be honest I'm not 100% which aspect of the EU's governing institutions is being quoted here, and nor do I have the time an patience to find out) is worried about the rise in the tendency for Christian fundamentals and creationists to get their literatures into schools.

Now I am very much against this, and any other form of indoctrination by religions upon our children. Though I am atheist and in many ways strongly so I try to accept the choice that other people make, and the experience other people have resulting in them following religion.

Anyway. For once I guess I agree with the quotes in the post by the EU for once.

The European Assembly (a very influential body in Europe that we’ve reported on before) recently released a document that is a scathing attack on creation/creationists.

Now, as far as I know, this 'European Assembly' is some aspect of the EU. And even taken at it's entirety I would not call it a 'very influential body' when the education of our children are involved. There is no devolution (HA! There I said it, we are in a federal state of Europe. Ahem.) of powers to Brussels on this YET! Thankfully. And indeed the 'attack' as it is stylised only really speaks of concern about the effect that creationist 'science' might have on the minds of our young, both in the confusion it may cause and how it is perceived as false to anyone who is not of the creationist view point.

Keep in mind that what they want taught to students is that all life, including humans, can be explained by natural processes—this is the RELIGION of atheism (which is the predominant religion across Europe today).

Ok, here is where I laughed out loud (L-O-L is 1337). Firstly I have Just completed a placement within a VASTLY under appreciated school that is being amalgamated within a city academy very soon in a gross expression of the stupidity of this government, and its approach to education. The school is called Skerton Community High School. But never mind that. What we should mind is the misrepresentation of Religious education here. That being how it is expressed that all of Europe is devoid of any teachings of the Christian creation story, and indeed Christianity at all.

This is simply not true. I had the pleasure indeed to take part in a lesson on this matter and there is no mention of one understanding being more valid than another. Indeed both creationism and evolution are approached in a comparative footing with MUCH more respect being given to the religious understanding of the world because of political correctness etc.

Oh yeah, and the concept that atheism is the religion of Europe is the final straw for me. You sir, Mr Ken Ham, are either an idiot or a propagandist and as a result are one of the many creationist who fail to gain my respect. In balance to this, I may post soon on the topic of creationist who do gain my respect... But I have lost the article I read a couple of hours ago and have spent far too much time on this already. Oh well.

...Back to doing my essay... Or maybe some Team Fortress 2... oooOOOO!

"I am not Labour - I am not Conservative"

I am at this moment listening to 'Vox Politx' on 18 Doughty Street. With one of my favourite political blokes The Devil from the Devil's Kitchen.

One comment he makes is that he is not either part of the Labour party or the Conservative. Which is an interesting comment seeing he in some ways is very much immersed in the political life of the blogsphere... Though this does not fully represent politics in our country it highlights the ability to 'get into politics' without the usual pigeon-holing of the bi-polar political party system (which we effectively have).