The article aims to examine how individuality is projected in Paper Towns by John Green. John Green’s writings are known for sharp dialogue, unrequited love, and many heart-breaking twists. Green identifies the individualistic spirit through Margo's character, which becomes a focus of this paper. The different facets of the character are explored to reveal the bildungsroman journey undertaken. John Green's Paper Towns is the primary text of analysis in this study. Other secondary sources are also consulted to substantiate the arguments (...) presented in this study, and other sources. The theoretical framework is built on feminism and relevant critical insights.and other sources. Liberal feminism theory is employed in the analysis of the primary text to comprehend the woman’s problem in the novel. The sociological approach was also used to show the social context in John Green’s Paper Towns as it represents Florida’s society in the 21st century. It concludes that a woman must fight for her rights as they become her natural rights. For Margo, leaving Florida is only the beginning of pursuing her goal. (shrink)

This article is concerned with the environmental conservation efforts that respond to the human race’s ecological crisis. It does this by looking at Sufistic-based environmental conservation at the pesantren of ath-Taariq in West Java, Indonesia. Data were obtained through interviews, observation and documentation using qualitative methods. Two findings were yielded; firstly, environmental conservation practices taught to students include ecology teaching, producing plant seeds and recycling waste into organic fertiliser. Secondly, significant steps have been taken by the establishment for reforestation and (...) nature conservation motivated by Sufi values and doctrines, including the concept of zuhud [asceticism] and gratitude, kinship and mutual assistance, love and blessing, as well as tafakkur [contemplation]. Contribution: This article helps develop studies of Sufism and environmental conservation. It offers a new direction for the teaching and learning of contemporary Sufism that all Islamic educational institutions could adopt. (shrink)

In the past decade, electronic cigarettes emerged as a possible harm-reduction instrument in nicotine consumption, sparking extensive research interest. While comparisons between e-cigarettes and traditional tobacco products have been conducted, the long-term health consequences of e-cigarette utilization remain unclear. This research conducted a study analyzing publications to investigate patterns of research in the domain of e-cigarettes and e-liquids usage and its health risk by utilizing the Scopus database, Biblioshiny, and VOS viewer to identify the trends in this subject and providing (...) insight into the current state of research in this area. Three types of analysis—performance analysis, ranking analysis, and scientific mapping—were conducted using a dataset comprising 212 research papers obtained from the Scopus database. This analysis includes a visual representation of document types, author keywords, international collaborations, and yearly scientific output. This research also identified the most significant authors and affiliations, as well as scientific production by country. Word clouds and network visualizations show the most relevant words and their relationships in research. Furthermore, this research also provides a general overview of the potential harm-reduction tool as well as the future impact of e-cigarettes on health risks. (shrink)

Justice has a high status in Islamic societies, and as one of the most important human ideals, has long been the focus of thinkers and researchers. In fact, when the citizens do not understand the presence of justice in the behaviour of the officials of their society, their trust in the current procedures, and consequently the public participation will be affected. Considering the importance of the subject, the present study has been conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of (...) perception of justice on citizens’ trust and participation in the creation of a democratic Islamic society. The statistical population of this research included 3578 Indonesian Muslim citizens in 2022, and the research questionnaires were distributed among them. Data analyses were done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Linear Structural Relations (LISREL) statistical software. The results of statistical analyses indicated that the perception of Islamic justice does not have a significant effect on the participation of Muslims in creating a democratic Islamic society. In addition, the perception of Islamic justice has a positive effect on the trust in officials of the Islamic society. Moreover, trust in the officials of the Islamic society positively affects the citizens’ participation in creating a democratic Islamic society.Contribution: According to the results of this research, it is necessary for the officials of the Islamic society to use all their efforts in creating a justice-oriented Islamic society in order to create trust among the citizens, and to involve Muslims in development decisions and to establish democratic Islamic society. (shrink)

Al-Sira Al-Nabawiyya is often used as a reference to violence in Islam, mainly because war narration is so dominantly displayed. The tendency of using Al-Sira Al-Nabawiyya as the basis of violence conception in Islam drives Islamic teaching practices to become violence-oriented. This article presents a re-reading of Al-Sira Al-Nabawiyya by Wakhiduddin Khan, Tariq Ramadan and Satha-Anand, with a mimetic anthropology framework. The reading on Al-Sira resulted in three conclusions. Firstly, there are many non-violence stories at all stages in the life (...) of Prophet Muhammad, since the pre-prophetic era until his death. Secondly, the Prophet Muhammad was a teacher who based his activities on the principles of tawhîd, patience, love, forgiveness and appreciation for humanity. Thirdly, educational activities are Muhammad’s exemplary activities which are full of non-violent values. The findings of this article can be used as the basis for the reformulation of Al-Sira Al-Nabawiyya teaching materials in Islamic Education as well as the basis of teaching activities for Islamic teachers. Contribution: This article contributes to a paradigm shift in teaching the History of the Prophet Muhammad in a peaceful Islamic education system. The peaceful paradigm in this article can also divert the tendency of Islamic extremism to become an Islam that provides peace and prosperity to the universe ( rahmatan lil ‘alamin ). (shrink)

The New Autonomous Region (DOB) conducted in West Bandung Regency in 2007 made many fields relevant for evaluation. The reason is that West Bandung has been established as a new regency for almost two decades, but several problems are still visible to the public, including poverty, education, and health services. Therefore, this paper will examine several important aspects of West Bandung Regency in an evaluative manner. In addition, it will also explain the implications of the DOB policy on community life (...) in West Bandung. Therefore, this paper relies on Dunn's policy evaluation theory and Leo Agustino's evaluation model, as well as several arguments from many previous policy researchers. Methodologically, this research uses a qualitative method with an exploratory analysis approach where data is obtained from interviews and observations of related sources. The results of the study explain that the evaluation of DOB policies in West Bandung Regency still shows several shortcomings in the health and education sectors, especially in the dimensions of efficiency, equity, responsiveness, adequacy, and other dimensions according to Dunn. Meanwhile, from Leo Agustino's perspective, the aspects of apparatus resources, institutions, and infrastructure are still part of what needs to be improved in West Bandung Regency. The DOB policy, which has been running since 2007, has not yet had significant implications for citizens in the aspects of welfare and human development, although some aspects of public services have shown improvements. (shrink)

Visual arts have undergone significant changes in their character, identities, structures, And perceptions of what it means to be an artist. Arts have been ‘dematerialized’, so to say. This, in turn, creates a dilemma’: on the one hand, art turns into philosophy or mere strategy of representation; on the other, art becomes anything, with its pluralistic, pragmatic and multicultural characters. Corollary to this is that now art can hardly be judged, and hence, art criticismdisappears. Today art bears the character of (...) pop-products : traumatic, nostalgic, transgressive, and nomadic. In such a cultural plight, however, art is not without significance. While the exclusive ‘world of Art’ seems to dissolve, its significant relation with broader life is resolved. (shrink)

This research aims to determine the influence of brand trust and brand loyalty on Sociolla customers who are members of the SOCO community in Indonesia. This research uses a quantitative approach, with a sample of 200 respondents. The data analysis technique uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings in this research found brand trust has a positive and significant influence on brand loyalty, so researchers recommend that Sociolla continue to maintain and improve brand trust with positive perceptions through dimensions of (...) brand reliability, brand intentions, and brand reputation so that customers have trust in the brand and form brand loyalty. (shrink)

Teachers have a very important role in determining the quality of the teaching-learning process and the students’ learning outcomes. Learning outcomes will optimally be achieved if it is supported by qualified teachers. One way to enhance the teachers’ performance is through instructional supervision which can be divided into two techniques, namely group and individual supervision techniques. Therefore, this study aims to find out the influence of instructional supervision techniques on the work motivation and performance of elementary school teachers. This study (...) was conducted in East Java, Indonesia, and an explanatory research design was used. The sample was taken from 80 elementary school teachers in Malang and Blitar using a multi-stage random sampling technique. Data were collected through the use of questionnaires and documentation, and then they were analyzed by using the structural equation modeling technique. The result of this study showed that group supervision has a significant effect on teachers’ performance, whereas individual supervision influenced teachers’ work motivation and it affected their performance. (shrink)

This article proposes a 'fusion of horizons' in constructing urban public theologies in South Africa. This is done through the introduction of five interrelated themes that have emerged from the on-going knowledge and idea production by a distinguishable counterpoint in contemporary scholarly, intellectual and activist engagement with the urban, in the authors' own South African context but also wider internationally. In advancing a praxis-agenda for urban public theology, the authors subsequently identify the following, albeit not exhaustive, themes: southern urbanisms and (...) the factor of unprecedented urban migration; 'right to the city' and urbanisation from below; a reclaiming of the commons; the making of 'good cities'; and actors of faith in relation to urban social life. (shrink)

Jon Sobrino and Jean-Marc Éla provide unique contributions for theological ethics in reflecting suffering as mystery of evil (mysterium iniquitatis) and suffering as the driving force for liberation (mysterium salutis). As a proponent of liberation theology, Sobrino focuses on structural problem of evil. In this regard, Éla gives his unique voice by analyzing suffering from its socio-cultural perspectives. Putting Sobrino and Éla in dialog shows the need for interdisciplinary approach in doing theological ethics. This interdisciplinary reflection on suffering on the (...) one hand will bring a more holistic view on the complexity of the problem of suffering. On the other hand, it brings a more contextual understanding on the meaning of discipleship in a violent world. Keywords: Saffering, evil, liberation, resocialization, structural & socio- cultural approach, discipleship. Abstrak: Jon Sobrino dan Jean-Marc Éla memberikan sumbangan yang khas bagi refleksi teologis etis tentang kompleksitas problem penderitaan sebagai misteri kejahatan (mysterium iniquitatis) namun sekaligus menawarkan daya dorong bagi kesetiaan menapaki jalan pembebasan (mysterium salutis). Sobrino yang menekankan analisa struktural atas kejahatan membutuhkan analisa sosio-kultural dari Éla sehingga aneka upaya “memberi nama” dan melawan problem kejahatan mendapatkan pijakannya pada praktik-praktik kultural dalam komunitas lokal. Dialog Sobrino dan Éla juga menunjukkan bahwa teologi mesti membuka diri pada kajian interdisipliner dengan ilmu lain sehingga, di satu sisi, misteri penderitaan dapat didekati secara lebih utuh dan, di sisi lain, jalan kemuridan yang muncul karena tanggapan atasnya menjadi lebih kontekstual. Kata-kata kunci: Penderitaan, kejahatan, pembebasan, resosialisasi, pendekatan struktural, pendekatan sosio-kultural, kemuridan. (shrink)

In the moment of grief, people need consolation coming from the very core of human existence: living communication with one’s source of being. This communication ensues stories of life-sustaining one’s self-identity and spiritual vitality. When a story of life enlightens one’s experience of grief, it becomes a curative force for one’s soul-healing process. Yet if the life story becomes ineffective, it needs an “editing” process—or a revision—to get a meaning reconstruction that is more compatible with the grief situation. Using a (...) postcolonial ethnography, we evaluate the pastoral care done by Nias Christian Church for people experiencing grief. We will describe a theoretical framework to argue that pastoral care is fundamentally an editing process of the story of life-sustaining the well-being of the human soul. We, then, will describe the Nias tradition on grief. Finally, we will discuss how the church should develop pastoral care interculturally. (shrink)

The tradition of Western philosophy has been tracing out the significations of logos and centered around logos. This in fact has given birth to many significant results. Through its logical structuring of empirical reality it has made possible critical understanding transcending the past and progressive creation of the future. But this Logology or Logocentrism has eventually also led to its self-destruction and to the brink of absolute nihilism.Along the history, logos has been interpreted in various ways. The history implies that (...) at least in the cosmic, theological and ideological frameworks logos used to be seen as extralinguistic substance; whereas starting from the scientific mode of thinking logos has been seen more as intralinguistic substance . This ends up in the political perspective in which logos is without substance: mere effects of the play of texts and discourse.While the latter appears like a predicament, the fact is that it can also be taken as a moment of liberation, a liberation from the keen yet stifling Western paradigm of logos apophanticos which has animated all kinds of “positivistic” mode of thinking; a liberation from the so-called Metaphysics of Presence, hence an openness towards the Absence, the ambiguity, the indefinability or the elusiveness of reality ; an openness towards the richness and complexity of human experience; hence an openness for mutual interogative and transformative dialogues among different semiotic systems, traditions and language games, which would also empower and incorporate non-Western as well as non-scientific mode of thinking into global discourse.Perhaps wisdom lies in the courage to recognize the fact that ultimately reality or the so-called Being is not a substance, but rather, fleeting relations, ever-changing networks, or elusive flux. Wisdom ultimately might mean an ability to come to terms with insecurity, an ability to see through the “absence”. (shrink)

This article proceeded from the assumption that the theme of service delivery in present-day South Africa could well be qualified by the notion of 'crisis', to the extent that this qualification, from a theological perspective and on the basis of comparative social analysis, well recalls the statements in such critical and profound theological documents as The Kairos Document and Evangelical Witness in South Africa on the 'crisis' in the latter years of apartheid. The further recognition that the theme of service (...) delivery constitutes an essentially new focus for practical-theological scholarship in South Africa led the author, who has a pertinent interest in the field of Christian diaconia, to thereupon go the full circle of practical-theological interpretation in developing such a focus. This was done by, firstly, attempting to develop a deeper contextual understanding of the problem of service delivery in the country on the basis of the prevailing debate on service delivery in South Africa, after which the ideas from conceptualisations of two different modes of diaconal practice within contexts of endemic poverty in the practical-theological literature were explored. The discussion concluded with a more pertinent consideration of the extent to which these two conceptualisations could be taken as providing direction in conceptualising a transformational diaconal response to the current service-delivery problem. (shrink)

INTRODUCTION The subtitle of this dissertation, "Brahman, the pure unity of thought within itself", which epitomizes Hegel's view of Indian philosophy and ...

This article presents a missional perspective on the complex interplay between socio-political realities, religious vulnerability and the formation of political ideologies among Western Christians, drawing insights from the biblical narrative of the choice of Barabbas at Jesus’s trial. In today’s world, Western Christians are confronted with numerous socio-political challenges that can compromise their spiritual discernment, leading to religious delusion and, potentially, the adoption of politicised ideologies. Through a deep dive into the Jewish choice of Barabbas over Jesus, we seek to (...) unravel the underlying dynamics. By examining the socio-political context of Roman occupation and Jewish societal pressures, we illuminate how these external factors influenced the religious vulnerability of the Jewish people. Furthermore, we explore how this vulnerability manifested in the decision to prefer Barabbas, a figure representing worldly resistance, over Jesus Christ, the embodiment of divine grace. From a missional perspective, we reflect on the implications of this historical event for contemporary Western Christian engagement with socio-political issues. We argue that understanding the delicate interplay between socio-political context, religious vulnerability and political ideology is essential for Western Christians seeking to embody the transformative mission of Christ in today’s world.Contribution: This article contributes to missional theology by offering insights into how believers can navigate socio-political complexities with spiritual discernment and faithful witness. (shrink)