Enlightenment

1. In the age of enlightenment, religion was much more exposed than it had been in the past, and that led to many people realizing what they really believed in, not just what they were told to believe in.

In the age of enlightenment, expansion in all categories of life was major theme.

In the age of enlightenment, progress was made in civilizations/communities no matter what perspective you look at it.

2. The one word that really jumps out at me immediately is PROGRESS. Progress really what the age of enlightenment was all about, especially compared to the middle ages. During the middle ages there was almost no change. Without progress, most of the things on the list would be impossible. Housing would never expand to bigger, better houses, like from manors to villas. We would have never gained all the access we have to the outside world without progression in the technological region, for example the printing press allowed us to gain access to worldwide news much easier. The word progress really, to me, defines what the age of enlightenment was all about.

3. The age of enlightenment was all about learning, realizing, expanding, and growing. All these terms are basically ways of describing what the word Enlightenment itself means. To be honest, the age of enlightenment was really all about enlightenment. The people were enlightened with out of country news that they had not heard much of before. People were enlightened on building newer, bigger better buildings in general. the economy grew in overall, and people became richer. People were enlightened about God, and they could finally decide what they wanted to believe in the religion aspect of life because they could now own their own bible due to the printing press. The best way to describe the age of enlightenment is really by reading its name.

4. Voltaire was very pro-civil liberties. He strongly believed in one's rights to express themselves they way they like. His most strongly advocated subject was freedom of religion, which is about accepting all religions and being able to believe in what you want. The article i found was all about Muslim-Americans trying to make a bridge between them, and the most common islamic people of their culture. I feel like this directly connect to voltaire, and the Muslim-American people are doing just what Voltaire would have done; at least try and break the stereotype about muslims and make an effort to be accepted. They have right to believe what they want to as well and the Islamics are not being accepting of that.

For article click here...>>> http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/17/us/17bcarts.html?_r=1&ref=religionandbelief

5. I feel like my background in general has made an obvious impact on who I am as a person today. It may seem a bit obvious of a statement, but i don't take for granted who i am surrounded by in my family. My family is great; they are down to earth good people, especially my parents, and that has really had a lasting impact on me so far in my life. I am very grateful to have such great parents who have taught me to do the right things in life, and make good choices. Your parents really have the biggest impact on you in your life because they raise you to be who you are.