Search Results (5)

The use of relics for exhortation was not a novelty of the First Crusade, but it is remarkable how, in the most crucial moments, various relics were found and used effectively to inspire pilgrims. Beyond their motivational function, they also contributed to fostering a sense of unity among the diverse and leadership-fragmented masses by framing power in abstract terms and linking the Crusaders directly to God. Due to this role, relics may also have had the capacity to tip the balance of power and legitimacy in favour of one participant in this divided context. This study examines how these phenomena are illustrated through several well-known examples, such as the Holy Lance of Antioch, the relics of the True Cross, and other relics of the saints mentioned by our sources. Full article

Many young Christian men faced a moral dilemma when selective military conscription was introduced in Australia during the Vietnam War from 1964–72. The legislation was the National Service Act in 1964 (NSA). Some believed that their Christian conscience did not allow them to kill or serve in the army. Most of them sought exemption as a conscientious objector decided at a court hearing. Others chose non-compliance with the NSA. All exercised nonviolent Holy Disobedience in their individual opposition to war and conscription for it. Holy disobedience stresses the importance of nonviolent individual action, which was an idea of A.J. Muste, a great Christian pacifist. The research reported here is strongly influenced by his approach. It is believed to be the first study which explicitly considers Christian conscientious objectors. A data set was compiled of known Christian conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War years from authoritative sources. Analysis allowed identification of these men, the grounds on which their conscientious beliefs were based and formed and how they personally responded to their moral dilemma. Many of their personal stories are told in their own words. Their Holy Disobedience contributed to ending Australia’s participation in the Vietnam War and military conscription for it. Full article

Sports participation in the military is important for physical fitness and building morale and camaraderie. However, injuries caused by sports are detrimental to military capability. The purpose of this study was to investigate patterns of injury from sports participation in Australian Regular Army personnel. Injury data spanning a two-year period were obtained from the Department of Defence Workplace Health, Safety, Compensation, and Reporting (WHSCAR) database. Data were extracted for the top five sporting activities causing injuries. The most common body sites, natures, and mechanisms of injuries across these five sports were then determined. Sports participation accounted for 11% (n = 1092) of reported injuries (n = 9828). Soccer presented with the greatest number of injuries (23.3%), followed by rugby union/league (22.9%), touch football (18.6%), Australian rules football (12.0%), and basketball/netball (11.9%). The ankle, knee, and shoulder were the most injured body sites (21.9%; 17.2%; 11.6% respectively) across these five sports, with soft tissue injury, dislocation, and fractures being the most common natures of injury (55.1%; 12.7%; 11.9% respectively). The most common mechanisms of injuries were contact with objects (35.1%) and falls (27.4%). The current injury rates, locations, and mechanisms are similar to historical rates suggesting little impact by injury mitigation strategies. Full article

Military rabbis in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are an integral part of the army and currently posted in almost all army units. The role of the military rabbi has undergone fundamental changes since the founding of the State and the IDF, most notably in the past generation. While the formal definition of the military rabbi’s role has remained relatively stable; in practice it has undergone dramatic changes on the backdrop of processes in the IDF Military Rabbinate and in the religious-Zionist sector in Israel. Whereas in the past military rabbis were viewed as religious service providers, during the term of Chief Military Rabbi Rontzky (2010–2016) they viewed themselves in the role of a “Kohen anointed for war” (Meshuach Milchama). Harking back to the biblical description of the Kohanim who strengthen the people at a time of war, this military figure is entrusted with strengthening soldiers, morally and spiritually, before they go into battle. Nonetheless, a return to the religious services provider model can be discerned in recent years, mainly in response to the contention of religionization in the military. The article focuses on the changing role of the IDF military rabbi and identifies three major explanatory factors of these changes: (a) Differences between the formative period of the IDF Military Rabbinate and later periods; (b) Demographic changes in the composition of the IDF, mainly the growing number of soldiers from the national-religious sector; (c) The changing character of the Chief Military Rabbi’s background which affected the nature of the military rabbi’s role. The article aims to show that the Military Rabbinate has not been immune to the struggle over the collective Jewish identity of the State of Israel, and its underlying processes reflect the complexity and diversity of Israeli society. Full article

The Creating Shared Value (CSV) strategy that companies are adopting to make their own sustainable management possible and solve social problems no longer remains in the business model for corporations alone. Not only state-run companies, but also social enterprises are using CSV strategies as a part of their management strategies to attain social values and achieve remarkable results. However, the majority of CSV studies conducted so far focus on only corporations and their contents are mainly covered to identify the correlation between the independent variables and financial or non-financial performance from a business perspective. In this context, the purpose of the study is to identify how public organizations can enhance their core competitiveness by using CSV strategies. Utilized case-based research and document analysis method, the study analyzes CSV activities carried out spanning the period of 2017-2018 in Korea Army Cadet Military School (KACMS) from the public organization’s point of view. As a result, CSV strategies done by public organizations can improve the performances of unique tasks, improve the level of safety, human rights, and increase job satisfaction and morale. Additionally, the strategies can also improve the sustainability of the region, activate the local economy, and contribute to the conservation and betterment of the local environment. This study presents case-evidence that public organizations, like private companies, may also achieve their intended performance through CSV activities. The study provides guidance to expand the scope and subjects of CSR research theoretically, and may also contribute to exploring new approaches that can lead to co-prosperity among social components, in practice. Full article