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This article was excerpted from “The Sex Lovers Book of Lists”, which contains all the interesting and bizarre sex trivia you need to make you the life of the party! Go to How to Succeed With Women to order your copy today!

1. Movie censorship began in 1894 when a peep show featured a belly dancer named Fatima. The show shocked audiences and the producer was forced to paint a white bar across the film to prevent the audience from seeing her groin.

2. One famous and salacious scandal took place in 1921 in San Francisco. Comedian “Fatty” Arbuckle took a young actress named Virginia Rappe to his hotel room. Later that night Rappe died of a ruptured spleen. Afterwards, many strange rumors began to spread. Some claimed that Arbuckle had had sex with Rappe with a Coke bottle, forcing ice into her private parts, and many other obscene acts. Arbuckle was found not guilty by three separate juries. Even though proved innocent, he never appeared in another major film.

3. Movie houses refused to show the 1930 film Naked Truth, a sex education film. The movie was later shown in burlesque houses and impromptu theaters.

4. In 1931 former postmaster General Will Hays began his crusade against Hollywood because they were encouraging the ruin of the American moral code. Hays encouraged Billy Sunday, a popular crusader, to lobby Hollywood to change their moral standards. Hays created The Office of Motion Picture Production Code to enforce the rules.

5. 1933, the U.S. Customs Department impounded a series of Michelangelo’s paintings printed on postcards. The art was impounded because it featured nudes.

6. In 1933 the 12 year ban on Ulysses by James Joyce was overturned.

7. The Christian Crusade was founded in 1948. By 1967 their organization grew to 250,000 members. One of their acts of protest was to burn albums by the Beatles after John Lennon remarked that the band was more popular than Christ.

8. In 1953 the film Moon is Blue was banned because it contained the words “virgin”and “seduced”.

9. The independently made The Immoral Mr. Teas was directed by Russ Meyer on a budget of $24,000. It was one of the first to combine burlesque and nude films. It was shown in burlesque houses. The film later broke box office records.

10. In 1961 one of the first S/M films was released, Once Upon a Knight directed by Jack Harris.

11. Famed comedian Lenny Bruce was convicted in 1964 for public obscenity in New York. After his conviction, Bruce had a hard time being hired and eventually went bankrupt. In 1966 he died from a morphine overdose; many claim from suicide. His conviction was overturned on appeal in 1968.

12. From 1964 to 1970 many new sex-violence films were released in the U.S.

13. In 1965-1968 filmmakers Andy Warhol and Kenneth Anger make experimental homosexual films.

14. In 1969 distributors, producers and exhibitors of erotic films come together to create the Adult Film Association of America to fight censorship legislation.

15. In 1970 the Johnson Administration’s Commission on Obscenity and Pornography finds no evidence to prove that pornography causes bad moral character or sex crimes.

16. In 1972 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal to prosecute someone from having pornography in their home.

17. In 1972 Gerard Daminos released Deep Throat. The film was shown in New York. The theater that exhibited it was fined $3 million. The verdict was later overturned and Deep Throat became a huge hit.

18. The film, The Devil in Miss Jones, was the subject of controversy in 1973. The movie featured several sex scenes. A Wayne County, Michigan prosecutor brought a suit against several movie theaters showing the film, claiming they were “public nuisances” because they were showing lewd films.

19. Another controversial film, The Exorcist, was the cause of additional trouble in 1973. Police, the Justice of the Peace, and the District Attorney went to a showing of the film in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Afterwards they arrested the projectionist and manager. The charges were later dropped. However, the corporate owner was convicted of publicly displaying an “obscene and immoral motion picture.”

20. France had two major changes in their censorship laws in 1975. The changes occurred when they stop banning all adult films for adults. However, the public became upset with the decision and lobbied for stricter laws. Later that same year the government created a system whereby X-rated films were highly taxed and restricted.

21. The Sony Corporation released the videocassette recorder. Porn movies were sold on the street for $300 each. Video cassettes change the porn industry forever.

22. Screw magazine was on trial for obscenity from 1973 to 1977 costing them over $400,000. The case was thrown out of court in 1977 in Kansas City, Kansas.

23. By 1977 the market for soft-core sex films had nearly disappeared. Hardcore sex films became popular.

24. In 1985 Tipper Gore along with four of her suburban female friends convinced the Senate to examine rock lyrics. This later lead to lyric censorship and warning labels placed on “controversial”music albums.

25. In 1987 a former nun was arrested in Milwaukee because she took an axe to a snow sculpture of a female wearing a bikini. After the axe incident her male neighbors were scared of her.

26. The first obscenity charges against an American museum were filed in 1990. The Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center was indicted for their Robert Mapplethorpe exhibit, which featured five photos portraying homoeroticism. The most controversial photo was of a man urinating into another man’s mouth. In the end, the Arts Center was acquitted.

27. The rap group 2 Live Crew was also under attack over their First Amendment rights during 1990. A record store owner was convicted of selling their album,As Nasty as They Wanna Be, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Two days later several members of the band were arrested for performing their songs.

28. In 1990 the first movie to ever receive the NC-17 rating, devised to replace the X rating, is given to Henry & June.

29. Madonna was also banned for obscenity in 1990. Her video “Justify My Love”was banned from MTV because of its lesbian sex overtones and fetish apparel worn by people in the video.

30. In 1994 the controversial Tales of the City was shown on PBS. This soap opera contained drug use, homosexuality, and nudity. Many affiliates in the Southern U.S. choose to black out the program. Georgia Governor Zell Miller personally banned the show from airing in Georgia, even though he was not legally empowered to do so.

This article was excerpted from “The Sex Lovers Book of Lists”, which contains all the interesting and bizarre sex trivia you need to make you the life of the party! Go to How to Succeed With Women to order your copy today!

Read more from Ron Louis here: The Sex Lives of Sex Symbols

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SELF HELP GROUP AS AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY AND DOABLE APPROACH TO EMPOWER WOMEN IN INDIA

Prof. D.Sambangi

Head, Department of Social Work, Kodaikanal Christian College, Tamil Nadu, India 

———————————————————————————————————–

THE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Empowerment is a process of awareness and capacity building leading to greater participation, to greater decision making power and control and transformative action. Empowerment of women signifies harnessing women power by conscientising their tremendous potential and encouraging them to work towards attaining a dignified and satisfying way of life through confidence and competence as person with self-respect, rights and responsibilities.  Empowerment as a concept was introduced at the International Women’s Conference at Nairobi in 1985. The conference defined empowerment as “A redistribution of social power and control of resources in favour of women. Empowerment is a multi-faceted process which encompasses many aspects i.e. enhancing awareness, increasing access to resources of economic, social and political etc.”1 In recent years women empowerment has become a subject of great concern for the nations all over the world especially in poor and developing countries. The impact of globalization is seen eventually on position of women in some form or other in most of the developing countries with the variation of degree. The United Nations has also strived hard in an incredible way to draw the due attention of the World Community on this issue in the past years.

(1. International Women’s Conference held at Nairobi in the year 1985)

SHG AS AN INEXORABLE WAY TO EMPOWER WOMEN-RATIONALE

One has to believe that the progress of any nation is inevitably linked with social and economical plight of women in that particular country. For concrete results, we have to assert and act with our full might and what is needed most. Empowerment by way of participation in SHG can bring enviable changes and enhancement in the living conditions of women in poor and developing nations.. Self Help Group (SHG) is a process by which a group of 10 – 20 women with common objectives are facilitated to come together voluntarily to participate in the development activities such as saving, credit and income generation thereby ensuring economic independence. The principles underlying the SHGs are financing the poorest of the poor, and achieving holistic empowerment. SHG phenomenon certainly brings group consciousness among women, sense of belonging, adequate self confidence. What she cannot achieve as an individual, can accomplish as a member of group with sufficient understanding about her own rights, privileges, roles and responsibilities as a dignified member of society in par with man. When she becomes a member of SHG, her sense of public participation, enlarged horizon of social activities, high self-esteem, self-respect and fulfillment in life expands and enhances the quality of status of women as participants, decision makers and beneficiaries in the democratic, economic social and cultural spheres of life. Thus undoubtedly SHG can be an effective instrument to empower women socially and economically by which the implication on the overall development of women is indisputably possible particularly for a country like India wherein still large segment of women population are underprivileged, illiterate, exploited and deprived of  basic rights of social and economic spectrum.

The experiences of SHGs in many countries have been proving great success as an effective strategy and approach in recent years. Group-oriented efforts in the form of Micro-credit groups in different countries of Latin America, Africa and Asia are examples of current self-help efforts. The grameen groups in Bangladesh ,Local self-help development efforts – harambee (Thomas, 1985) in Kenya , Tontines or Hui with 10 to15 members  involved in financial activities through cash or kind in Vietnam,self help efforts through credit unions, fishermen groups, village-based banks, irrigation groups etc (Gaonkar, 2004 ) in Indonesia , the self-help groups (SHGs) in countries like Thailand, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and India are successfully proving forms of micro-credit groups or  SHGs.

THE PROBLEMS OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN INDIA

The Constitution of India guarantees equality, liberty and dignity to the women of India. The Fundamental Rights, The Directive principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties etc virtually assure equal status to women and provide special protection. After independence, a gamut of laws have been passed and some have been altered so as to award equal share to women in property as well as to eradicate some of the injustices meted out to women. However there are many shortcomings and ambiguities in the enforcement of laws.  As a result of this, the evil of dowry continues in spite of the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961. Sati Prevention Act was passed in 1987 but glorification of sati continues in the state of Rajasthan. Immoral Traffic Prevention Act was passed in 1956 but does not prohibit prostitution altogether. Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1975 has led to amniocentesis and female foeticide . It is  believed  that 78,000  female foeticide  are done every year in India.. Indecent Representation of women’s Protection  Act was passed in 1986  but the media still continues  to project  women as sex objects . Suitable changes in the Indian Penal code, Code of Criminal Procedures and the Indian Evidence Act have been made especially for the offence of rape, but judicial process and perception continue to be heavily weighed against victims of rape. Some of the labour laws are never enforced and some enforced in a mutilated form. In spite of the Equal Remuneration Act 1976, there is discrimination in promotion, training and transfer on the basis of sex.  By and large undoubtedly more than six decades of efforts since Independence  by the government and spell of fights and struggle  under the immense  pressure of women  lib activists  in the country  have indeed brought certain  changes  in social, psychological  and economic and political spheres of life. Consequently it becomes an imperative need to look into problems and issues and their implications upon underprivileged women thereby to explore appropriate strategies and approaches uplifting women in all spheres of life in India.

THE GENESIS AND GROWTH OF SHGS IN INDIA

The Self Help Group (SHG) in India has come a long way, since its inception in 1992.  The spread of SHGs in India has been phenomenal. It has made dramatic progress from 500 groups in 1992 (Titus 2002) to some 16, 18,456 groups that have taken loans from banks. About 24.25 million poor households have gained access to formal banking system through SHG-bank linkage programme and 90% of these groups are only women  groups (NABARD2005)2. The NABARD(2006)3 homepage declares that more than 400 women join the SHG movement every hour and an NGO joins the Micro-Finance Programme every day. There are also agencies which provide bulk funds to the system through NGOs. Thus organizations engaged in micro finance activities in India may be categorized as Wholesalers, NGOs supporting, SHG Federations and NGOs directly retailing credit borrowers or groups of borrower. The spread of the SHGs is highly concentrated in the southern part of the country with very few in the north and the east. Over half a million SHGs have been linked to banks over the years but a handful of States, mostly in South India, account for almost 60% of this figure (Harper 2002b, NABARD 2005:41). Andhra Pradesh has over 42%, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have 12% and 11% respectively, and Karnataka has about 9% of the total SHGs (Chakrabarti, 2004). Since the advent of   SHG in India, it’s growth rate has been very low in the states of Rajasthan, Bihar, Utter Pradesh , Madhya Pradesh , Orissa and union territory of Andaman Nicobar Islands where the status of women is still very backward and pathetic.

The SHGs have taken the form of a movement for women’s social development in India. In fact as a strategy for women’s development, they have arisen out of the perceived problem of women’s lack of access to resources at both the household and the village level. Women’s development has gone  beyond the economic dimension and place emphasis on issues relating to equality, autonomy and self reliance at the individual level and on solidarity of the community (of women) at the group level (Hardiman & Midgley 1982, Dube 1988, Pieterse 2001). As a group-oriented model, SHGs in India is a mechanism for women’s development to bring in individual and collective empowerment through improvement in both ‘condition’ and ‘position’ of women. Women are organized as collectives towards the overall goal of achieving gender equality as well as sustainable,Comprehensive community development (Purushothaman1998:80). Unlike the self-help projects in Kenya, the SHGs in India are primarily micro-credit groups and the direct objective of micro-credit is to improve the ‘condition’ of women. Women in India are mobilized to protest against domestic violence, legal discrimination, rising prices, dowry,Prohibition of liquor, rape, child marriage, female infanticide, sexual abuse, domestic violence, male alcoholism and so on. In dealing with women’s strategic interests, women participate in collective activities through SHGs to address these strategic needs. In the process, it aims to empower women with several forms of power. Hence a study on Empowerment of rural women through SHG in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, South India

A STUDY ON EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN THROUGH SHG IN VELLORE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, SOUTH INDIA

The objectives of the study: The main objectives are a) to understand and analyze  psychological, social and economical benefits accrued by women participating in SHGs and b) to explore the merits of SHGs as strategy and approach to empower women in India.

Nature of the study: The study is a descriptive in nature as it has attempted to describe the psychological, social and economic benefits enjoyed by the members by participating in self help groups. T

Data Base: The information collected directly by the researcher from 100 respondents’ form as primary data and other details collected from text books, reports, websites etc form as secondary data.

Sampling and Tools: This micro –level study was conducted among women of 20 Self-Help Groups which have completed 5 years.   A total of 100 women (members of SHGs)

were selected comprising four persons randomly from every group and  one animator from each group purposively. Interview schedule was utilized as a tool of data collection as most of the respondents were semi –literate.

Place of study: This study was conducted in three villages i.e. Ariyur Village, Ariyur Colony , Chitheri  and Avarampalayam Village  of  Vellore Panchayat Union , Vellore District , Tamil Nadu,South India.

THE MAIN FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

Psychological Empowerment : The participation of women in SHGs enables them to acquire inimitable psychological benefits to rise up psychologically powerful which is an  essence for women empowerment in any socio-cultural and economic environment and situations. The respondents of the present study have accrued various psychological benefits including self awareness, high self esteem, self confidence and courage , understanding about own rights, privileges, roles  and responsibilities, power of self determination , Positive attitude , Risk taking ability , Power to face challenges of daily life, gaining knowledge and new ideas and skills, great relief from mental stress and anxiety, leading a happy and satisfied  life and so on. Out of 100 respondents 75 percent had got self awareness gaining adequate understanding about strength and weakness of self to reasonable extent. About 82 percent had developed a high level of self –Esteem. 69 percent of the respondents had obtained enough Self – Confidence and Courage. SHGs had given enough exposure for about 89 percent of the respondents to understand about their own rights, previleges, roles and responsibilities. The power of self-determination had tremendously improved among 70 percent of respondents. The positive attitude about life and society had come to more than 65 percent of the respondents. The risk taking ability had developed among 55 percent of respondents. The SHGs had enhanced the power to face challenges of daily life for 63 percent of the respondents. Through participation in SHGs 67 percent had got General Knowledge, New ideas and communication skills. The four fifth of the respondents i.e. 80 percent had great relief from mental stress and anxiety due to group moral support and comfort. The majority of the respondents (73 percent) were able to lead happy and satisfied life  due to participation in SHGs

Social Empowerment: The women who participate in SHGs garner a lot of social benefits including awareness about society and existing social problems, good recognition and image in the family and community, role in family decision making on important matters, plan and promote better education for their children, Able to take care of health for children and aged. participation in public and political life, chance to serve the community including fighting for the basic amenities and welfare needs of village community such as safe drinking water, street light, public sanitation etc, chance to help weaker section like aged and differently abled,  able to resist social evils like dowry, violence against women, gender discrimination and other social injustice in the family as well community , sense of responsibility for collective action and solidarity etc. Out of 100 respondents 83 percent got awareness about their own community and society in general. About 79 percent enjoyed considerable recognition and good image in the family and community after joining SHGs. Nearly 65 percent had the privilege to participate in family decision making process on important matters. 57 percent of the respondents were able to contribute for the education of their children. More than 60 percent of the respondents were able to take care of health of the children and aged in the family. For half of the respondents SHGs provided opportunities to participate in public and political life.  75 percent of the women had the chance to serve their own community including fighting for the basic amenities and welfare needs of village community such as safe drinking water, street light, public sanitation etc. One fourth of the women ( 25 percent ) got chance to help aged and disabled in the community. More than two third ( 72 percent) able to resist social evils like dowry, violence against women, gender discrimination and other social injustice in the family as well community. About 60 percent of the respondents felt that they had sense of responsibility for solidarity and collective action.

Economic Empowerment : The members of SHGs are really privileged to enjoy many economic benefits including saving, liberation from debt trap, economic independence , economic skills for income generation, able to contribute for education of children , able to meet the healthcare needs, accumulate economic assets including house, land , jewels other valuable things, economically strong to meet unexpected financial challenges and so on. All the respondents were able to save reasonable amount for safety and security. For more than 60 percent of the respondents were able to liberate their families from the debt trap. About 71 percent of them attained  economic independence to greater extent and able to contribute towards prosperity of the family, More than half of the respondents (58 percent) had acquired some economic skills or other with help of SHGs  for income generation or additional income, 69 percent of the respondents were in a position to contribute for education of children and healthcare needs of the family with help of saving, 38 percent had accumulated economic assets including house, land, jewels other valuable things. Majority of the respondents (78 percent) felt economically strong enough to meet unexpected financial challenges being as members of SHGs with help of saving.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE STUDY

The outcome of the study clearly indicates that the majority of women who constituted as respondents for the present study, being members of SHGs have benefitted considerably in terms of psychological, social and economic development. Women participation in SHG have obviously created tremendous impact upon the life pattern and style of poor women especially in rural areas and empowered them at various level not only as individual also as member of family, member of community and society as whole. It can be concluded that the SHG strategy is undoubtedly a convivial experiment for women empowerment in India as it opens up flood gates of opportunities to enhance capacities and capabilities in their development and growth in total perspective. It is evident from the study undertaken by the researcher that women particularly in rural, tribal and slum areas can be empowered psychologically, socially and economically with the concerted application of SHG as an effective strategy and doable approach. It is also understood from the study that Indian women have adequate potential sparks which can be well fanned into flames with necessary guidance and training through SHGs thereby bringing them to live in par with men in all spheres of human life in our society. Therefore as a group-oriented model, SHGs in India can be evolved as mechanism or movement for women’s development to bring in individual and collective empowerment through improvement in both ‘condition’ and ‘position’ of women in India or else where the plight of women is miserable and pitiable.s

Suggestions and Recommendations

The following suggestions and recommendations have been made based on the findings of the study and also in the interest of welfare women of India in general

The Concerted efforts should be made to form SHGs for women as much as possible in rural and tribal villages and slums to uplift womenfolk particularly in very backward states and Union territories by government agencies, Educational Institutions, NGOs and other service organizations of civil societies.

Government both state and Central should work hand- in -hand to promote the concept  of SHG without political biasness and  selfish motives taking into account the welfare of the womenfolk in general by incorporating as an important strategy for women empowerment in the national policy and  allocating more grant in the budget and developing effective implementing machinery.

NGOs, Educational Institutions and Social Service organizations etc engaged in the works of promotion and development of SHGs should be encouraged at all levels with sufficient financial grants and appreciation and awards

Conducive atmosphere and harmonious network should be established among Government Agencies, Banks, Ngos , Other service organizations for effective functioning of SHGs to avoid overlapping  and duplications.

Banks and other financial institutions should work with open-mind and service motives to promote SHG among women particularly downtrodden communities like scheduled caste and scheduled tribes, marginalized groups in order bring them into main stream of development and growth of India

SHGs should be strictly encouraged to undertake economic activities /income generating activities for sustainable income to the group.

SHG can be encouraged to form cooperative societies to promote Village, Cottage and Other industries for which raw materials and resources available abundantly in and around rural and tribal areas

SHG may be encouraged to involve in manufacturing products such as electronic and electrical goods, readymade garments , handicrafts  to  fetch market in Third –World countries ,European countries, USA and Latin American countries

In order to promote SHGs for women empowerment Mass media such New papers, TV , radio etc can play a significant role by creating awareness in the public and also among women about the merits of SHGs by publishing success stories of SHGs ,case studies, achievment of NGOs and Governemtn efforts etc

References

Dr.Jaya Kothai Pillai, 1995, Women Empowerment ,Gyan Publishing House,

New Delhi

2. Dr. Anita Arya, ,1963  Indian Women-Volume I,II&III Gyan Publishing House

New Delhi

3.Tandon.R.K. 1998, Women in India , Indian publishers & distributors, Delhi,

1998

4.Agarwal,C.M, 2001, Indian Women , India Publishers & Distributors, Delhi

5. Saraswathi Mishra, Status of Indian women , Gyan Publishing  House ,

New Delhi, 2002

6.Karl,Marilee,1995,Women and Empowerment; Ned Books and UN  Non –

Governmental service

7.UNICEF, ,1994,Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls :                  policy Review , UNICEF Programme Committee

8.Women For Women,1995,Empowerment of Women, Nairobi(1985)

Dhaka  women For Women.

9. Joshi,2004,,Women Empowerment : Myth and Reality Akhansha

Publishing   House, New Delhi

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SELF HELP GROUP AS AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY AND DOABLE APPROACH TO EMPOWER WOMEN IN INDIA

Prof. D.Sambangi

Head, Department of Social Work, Kodaikanal Christian College, Tamil Nadu, India 

———————————————————————————————————–

THE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Empowerment is a process of awareness and capacity building leading to greater participation, to greater decision making power and control and transformative action. Empowerment of women signifies harnessing women power by conscientising their tremendous potential and encouraging them to work towards attaining a dignified and satisfying way of life through confidence and competence as person with self-respect, rights and responsibilities.  Empowerment as a concept was introduced at the International Women’s Conference at Nairobi in 1985. The conference defined empowerment as “A redistribution of social power and control of resources in favour of women. Empowerment is a multi-faceted process which encompasses many aspects i.e. enhancing awareness, increasing access to resources of economic, social and political etc.”1 In recent years women empowerment has become a subject of great concern for the nations all over the world especially in poor and developing countries. The impact of globalization is seen eventually on position of women in some form or other in most of the developing countries with the variation of degree. The United Nations has also strived hard in an incredible way to draw the due attention of the World Community on this issue in the past years.

(1. International Women’s Conference held at Nairobi in the year 1985)

SHG AS AN INEXORABLE WAY TO EMPOWER WOMEN-RATIONALE

One has to believe that the progress of any nation is inevitably linked with social and economical plight of women in that particular country. For concrete results, we have to assert and act with our full might and what is needed most. Empowerment by way of participation in SHG can bring enviable changes and enhancement in the living conditions of women in poor and developing nations.. Self Help Group (SHG) is a process by which a group of 10 – 20 women with common objectives are facilitated to come together voluntarily to participate in the development activities such as saving, credit and income generation thereby ensuring economic independence. The principles underlying the SHGs are financing the poorest of the poor, and achieving holistic empowerment. SHG phenomenon certainly brings group consciousness among women, sense of belonging, adequate self confidence. What she cannot achieve as an individual, can accomplish as a member of group with sufficient understanding about her own rights, privileges, roles and responsibilities as a dignified member of society in par with man. When she becomes a member of SHG, her sense of public participation, enlarged horizon of social activities, high self-esteem, self-respect and fulfillment in life expands and enhances the quality of status of women as participants, decision makers and beneficiaries in the democratic, economic social and cultural spheres of life. Thus undoubtedly SHG can be an effective instrument to empower women socially and economically by which the implication on the overall development of women is indisputably possible particularly for a country like India wherein still large segment of women population are underprivileged, illiterate, exploited and deprived of  basic rights of social and economic spectrum.

The experiences of SHGs in many countries have been proving great success as an effective strategy and approach in recent years. Group-oriented efforts in the form of Micro-credit groups in different countries of Latin America, Africa and Asia are examples of current self-help efforts. The grameen groups in Bangladesh ,Local self-help development efforts – harambee (Thomas, 1985) in Kenya , Tontines or Hui with 10 to15 members  involved in financial activities through cash or kind in Vietnam,self help efforts through credit unions, fishermen groups, village-based banks, irrigation groups etc (Gaonkar, 2004 ) in Indonesia , the self-help groups (SHGs) in countries like Thailand, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and India are successfully proving forms of micro-credit groups or  SHGs.

THE PROBLEMS OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN INDIA

The Constitution of India guarantees equality, liberty and dignity to the women of India. The Fundamental Rights, The Directive principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties etc virtually assure equal status to women and provide special protection. After independence, a gamut of laws have been passed and some have been altered so as to award equal share to women in property as well as to eradicate some of the injustices meted out to women. However there are many shortcomings and ambiguities in the enforcement of laws.  As a result of this, the evil of dowry continues in spite of the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961. Sati Prevention Act was passed in 1987 but glorification of sati continues in the state of Rajasthan. Immoral Traffic Prevention Act was passed in 1956 but does not prohibit prostitution altogether. Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1975 has led to amniocentesis and female foeticide . It is  believed  that 78,000  female foeticide  are done every year in India.. Indecent Representation of women’s Protection  Act was passed in 1986  but the media still continues  to project  women as sex objects . Suitable changes in the Indian Penal code, Code of Criminal Procedures and the Indian Evidence Act have been made especially for the offence of rape, but judicial process and perception continue to be heavily weighed against victims of rape. Some of the labour laws are never enforced and some enforced in a mutilated form. In spite of the Equal Remuneration Act 1976, there is discrimination in promotion, training and transfer on the basis of sex.  By and large undoubtedly more than six decades of efforts since Independence  by the government and spell of fights and struggle  under the immense  pressure of women  lib activists  in the country  have indeed brought certain  changes  in social, psychological  and economic and political spheres of life. Consequently it becomes an imperative need to look into problems and issues and their implications upon underprivileged women thereby to explore appropriate strategies and approaches uplifting women in all spheres of life in India.

THE GENESIS AND GROWTH OF SHGS IN INDIA

The Self Help Group (SHG) in India has come a long way, since its inception in 1992.  The spread of SHGs in India has been phenomenal. It has made dramatic progress from 500 groups in 1992 (Titus 2002) to some 16, 18,456 groups that have taken loans from banks. About 24.25 million poor households have gained access to formal banking system through SHG-bank linkage programme and 90% of these groups are only women  groups (NABARD2005)2. The NABARD(2006)3 homepage declares that more than 400 women join the SHG movement every hour and an NGO joins the Micro-Finance Programme every day. There are also agencies which provide bulk funds to the system through NGOs. Thus organizations engaged in micro finance activities in India may be categorized as Wholesalers, NGOs supporting, SHG Federations and NGOs directly retailing credit borrowers or groups of borrower. The spread of the SHGs is highly concentrated in the southern part of the country with very few in the north and the east. Over half a million SHGs have been linked to banks over the years but a handful of States, mostly in South India, account for almost 60% of this figure (Harper 2002b, NABARD 2005:41). Andhra Pradesh has over 42%, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have 12% and 11% respectively, and Karnataka has about 9% of the total SHGs (Chakrabarti, 2004). Since the advent of   SHG in India, it’s growth rate has been very low in the states of Rajasthan, Bihar, Utter Pradesh , Madhya Pradesh , Orissa and union territory of Andaman Nicobar Islands where the status of women is still very backward and pathetic.

The SHGs have taken the form of a movement for women’s social development in India. In fact as a strategy for women’s development, they have arisen out of the perceived problem of women’s lack of access to resources at both the household and the village level. Women’s development has gone  beyond the economic dimension and place emphasis on issues relating to equality, autonomy and self reliance at the individual level and on solidarity of the community (of women) at the group level (Hardiman & Midgley 1982, Dube 1988, Pieterse 2001). As a group-oriented model, SHGs in India is a mechanism for women’s development to bring in individual and collective empowerment through improvement in both ‘condition’ and ‘position’ of women. Women are organized as collectives towards the overall goal of achieving gender equality as well as sustainable,Comprehensive community development (Purushothaman1998:80). Unlike the self-help projects in Kenya, the SHGs in India are primarily micro-credit groups and the direct objective of micro-credit is to improve the ‘condition’ of women. Women in India are mobilized to protest against domestic violence, legal discrimination, rising prices, dowry,Prohibition of liquor, rape, child marriage, female infanticide, sexual abuse, domestic violence, male alcoholism and so on. In dealing with women’s strategic interests, women participate in collective activities through SHGs to address these strategic needs. In the process, it aims to empower women with several forms of power. Hence a study on Empowerment of rural women through SHG in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, South India

A STUDY ON EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN THROUGH SHG IN VELLORE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, SOUTH INDIA

The objectives of the study: The main objectives are a) to understand and analyze  psychological, social and economical benefits accrued by women participating in SHGs and b) to explore the merits of SHGs as strategy and approach to empower women in India.

Nature of the study: The study is a descriptive in nature as it has attempted to describe the psychological, social and economic benefits enjoyed by the members by participating in self help groups. T

Data Base: The information collected directly by the researcher from 100 respondents’ form as primary data and other details collected from text books, reports, websites etc form as secondary data.

Sampling and Tools: This micro –level study was conducted among women of 20 Self-Help Groups which have completed 5 years.   A total of 100 women (members of SHGs)

were selected comprising four persons randomly from every group and  one animator from each group purposively. Interview schedule was utilized as a tool of data collection as most of the respondents were semi –literate.

Place of study: This study was conducted in three villages i.e. Ariyur Village, Ariyur Colony , Chitheri  and Avarampalayam Village  of  Vellore Panchayat Union , Vellore District , Tamil Nadu,South India.

THE MAIN FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

Psychological Empowerment : The participation of women in SHGs enables them to acquire inimitable psychological benefits to rise up psychologically powerful which is an  essence for women empowerment in any socio-cultural and economic environment and situations. The respondents of the present study have accrued various psychological benefits including self awareness, high self esteem, self confidence and courage , understanding about own rights, privileges, roles  and responsibilities, power of self determination , Positive attitude , Risk taking ability , Power to face challenges of daily life, gaining knowledge and new ideas and skills, great relief from mental stress and anxiety, leading a happy and satisfied  life and so on. Out of 100 respondents 75 percent had got self awareness gaining adequate understanding about strength and weakness of self to reasonable extent. About 82 percent had developed a high level of self –Esteem. 69 percent of the respondents had obtained enough Self – Confidence and Courage. SHGs had given enough exposure for about 89 percent of the respondents to understand about their own rights, previleges, roles and responsibilities. The power of self-determination had tremendously improved among 70 percent of respondents. The positive attitude about life and society had come to more than 65 percent of the respondents. The risk taking ability had developed among 55 percent of respondents. The SHGs had enhanced the power to face challenges of daily life for 63 percent of the respondents. Through participation in SHGs 67 percent had got General Knowledge, New ideas and communication skills. The four fifth of the respondents i.e. 80 percent had great relief from mental stress and anxiety due to group moral support and comfort. The majority of the respondents (73 percent) were able to lead happy and satisfied life  due to participation in SHGs

Social Empowerment: The women who participate in SHGs garner a lot of social benefits including awareness about society and existing social problems, good recognition and image in the family and community, role in family decision making on important matters, plan and promote better education for their children, Able to take care of health for children and aged. participation in public and political life, chance to serve the community including fighting for the basic amenities and welfare needs of village community such as safe drinking water, street light, public sanitation etc, chance to help weaker section like aged and differently abled,  able to resist social evils like dowry, violence against women, gender discrimination and other social injustice in the family as well community , sense of responsibility for collective action and solidarity etc. Out of 100 respondents 83 percent got awareness about their own community and society in general. About 79 percent enjoyed considerable recognition and good image in the family and community after joining SHGs. Nearly 65 percent had the privilege to participate in family decision making process on important matters. 57 percent of the respondents were able to contribute for the education of their children. More than 60 percent of the respondents were able to take care of health of the children and aged in the family. For half of the respondents SHGs provided opportunities to participate in public and political life.  75 percent of the women had the chance to serve their own community including fighting for the basic amenities and welfare needs of village community such as safe drinking water, street light, public sanitation etc. One fourth of the women ( 25 percent ) got chance to help aged and disabled in the community. More than two third ( 72 percent) able to resist social evils like dowry, violence against women, gender discrimination and other social injustice in the family as well community. About 60 percent of the respondents felt that they had sense of responsibility for solidarity and collective action.

Economic Empowerment : The members of SHGs are really privileged to enjoy many economic benefits including saving, liberation from debt trap, economic independence , economic skills for income generation, able to contribute for education of children , able to meet the healthcare needs, accumulate economic assets including house, land , jewels other valuable things, economically strong to meet unexpected financial challenges and so on. All the respondents were able to save reasonable amount for safety and security. For more than 60 percent of the respondents were able to liberate their families from the debt trap. About 71 percent of them attained  economic independence to greater extent and able to contribute towards prosperity of the family, More than half of the respondents (58 percent) had acquired some economic skills or other with help of SHGs  for income generation or additional income, 69 percent of the respondents were in a position to contribute for education of children and healthcare needs of the family with help of saving, 38 percent had accumulated economic assets including house, land, jewels other valuable things. Majority of the respondents (78 percent) felt economically strong enough to meet unexpected financial challenges being as members of SHGs with help of saving.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE STUDY

The outcome of the study clearly indicates that the majority of women who constituted as respondents for the present study, being members of SHGs have benefitted considerably in terms of psychological, social and economic development. Women participation in SHG have obviously created tremendous impact upon the life pattern and style of poor women especially in rural areas and empowered them at various level not only as individual also as member of family, member of community and society as whole. It can be concluded that the SHG strategy is undoubtedly a convivial experiment for women empowerment in India as it opens up flood gates of opportunities to enhance capacities and capabilities in their development and growth in total perspective. It is evident from the study undertaken by the researcher that women particularly in rural, tribal and slum areas can be empowered psychologically, socially and economically with the concerted application of SHG as an effective strategy and doable approach. It is also understood from the study that Indian women have adequate potential sparks which can be well fanned into flames with necessary guidance and training through SHGs thereby bringing them to live in par with men in all spheres of human life in our society. Therefore as a group-oriented model, SHGs in India can be evolved as mechanism or movement for women’s development to bring in individual and collective empowerment through improvement in both ‘condition’ and ‘position’ of women in India or else where the plight of women is miserable and pitiable.s

Suggestions and Recommendations

The following suggestions and recommendations have been made based on the findings of the study and also in the interest of welfare women of India in general

The Concerted efforts should be made to form SHGs for women as much as possible in rural and tribal villages and slums to uplift womenfolk particularly in very backward states and Union territories by government agencies, Educational Institutions, NGOs and other service organizations of civil societies.

Government both state and Central should work hand- in -hand to promote the concept  of SHG without political biasness and  selfish motives taking into account the welfare of the womenfolk in general by incorporating as an important strategy for women empowerment in the national policy and  allocating more grant in the budget and developing effective implementing machinery.

NGOs, Educational Institutions and Social Service organizations etc engaged in the works of promotion and development of SHGs should be encouraged at all levels with sufficient financial grants and appreciation and awards

Conducive atmosphere and harmonious network should be established among Government Agencies, Banks, Ngos , Other service organizations for effective functioning of SHGs to avoid overlapping  and duplications.

Banks and other financial institutions should work with open-mind and service motives to promote SHG among women particularly downtrodden communities like scheduled caste and scheduled tribes, marginalized groups in order bring them into main stream of development and growth of India

SHGs should be strictly encouraged to undertake economic activities /income generating activities for sustainable income to the group.

SHG can be encouraged to form cooperative societies to promote Village, Cottage and Other industries for which raw materials and resources available abundantly in and around rural and tribal areas

SHG may be encouraged to involve in manufacturing products such as electronic and electrical goods, readymade garments , handicrafts  to  fetch market in Third –World countries ,European countries, USA and Latin American countries

In order to promote SHGs for women empowerment Mass media such New papers, TV , radio etc can play a significant role by creating awareness in the public and also among women about the merits of SHGs by publishing success stories of SHGs ,case studies, achievment of NGOs and Governemtn efforts etc

References

Dr.Jaya Kothai Pillai, 1995, Women Empowerment ,Gyan Publishing House,

New Delhi

2. Dr. Anita Arya, ,1963  Indian Women-Volume I,II&III Gyan Publishing House

New Delhi

3.Tandon.R.K. 1998, Women in India , Indian publishers & distributors, Delhi,

1998

4.Agarwal,C.M, 2001, Indian Women , India Publishers & Distributors, Delhi

5. Saraswathi Mishra, Status of Indian women , Gyan Publishing  House ,

New Delhi, 2002

6.Karl,Marilee,1995,Women and Empowerment; Ned Books and UN  Non –

Governmental service

7.UNICEF, ,1994,Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls :                  policy Review , UNICEF Programme Committee

8.Women For Women,1995,Empowerment of Women, Nairobi(1985)

Dhaka  women For Women.

9. Joshi,2004,,Women Empowerment : Myth and Reality Akhansha

Publishing   House, New Delhi

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I recently had the opportunity to review Eric Kampmann’s latest book Trail Thoughts. It is a very reflective piece with biblically inspired thoughts for each day of the year. This is a book designed for the reader to sip and enjoy, rather than guzzle down like us reviewers are apt to do!

I had the opportunity to ask Eric about his book, and also about himself.

Can you tell us a little about yourself Eric?

In one way, you need a “unified field theory” to understand my bio. I am an entrepreneur, a businessman, a publisher, a distributor, a teacher, a photographer, a section hiker on the Appalachian Trail, and most importantly of all, I am the author of Trail Thoughts: A Daily Companion for Your Journey to Faith. I guess the real point is I love all the things I do and I particularly enjoy sharing them with other people.

Trail Thoughts is a very reflective piece, where did the idea come from and how long did it take you to put it together?

In a sense you are asking another biographical question. This journey began with a discovery. Up until the late 1980’s, I knew about the Bible, but I certainly did not know the Bible. Quite the opposite. But in early 1991 I began reading a little bit every day and over time I became committed to not only knowing the Bible but also sharing it with others. That was the seed for my first book Tree of Life which began as a book of daily Bible verses for my three sons. It later became a full-fledged book of verses of wisdom for men. (Not a brilliant marketing move as most books are bought by women). But again we are talking about planting seeds and so in January 2003 I began writing a daily reflection for each verse in The Tree of Life. Approximately five years later, Trail Thoughts was published.

What kind of feedback have you received from readers?

I have had great individual reviews and I have even received testimonials. People sense that Trail Thoughts is a work of love, written to touch the human heart as well as the mind. So I have been really pleased by the response. It also has a near highest rating at Amazon.

Do you have a web site where people can find out more information?

The Web Site is trailthoughts dot come. Not only can you get a devotion a day sent to you, but you can view some of my photographs in the gallery section. Plus we have a place where the readers can blog.

Changing the subject completely for a moment. When you are not writing, and I understand that you currently have 3 books to your credit, you are involved in the publishing industry. In fact if my memory serves me correctly it was your house that published the O.J. Simpson If I Did It book. Can you tell us a little about that project?

Talk about a question that requires a long answer! Yes, my publishing company did publish If I Did It last September. Perhaps I am naïve, but I did not expect the intensity of interest that the book generated during the moments after it was announced that Beaufort would indeed publish the book. A point of clarification: The Goldman’s owned the book Beaufort published, not OJ Simpson. The Goldman’s won the book in a bankruptcy court as part of the judgment they had won against Mr. Simpson years before. Ironically, they hated the book, but the court awarded it on the condition that they publish it. The Goldman’s knew nothing about publishing. I did, therefore, I decided to do what I could to help them succeed in this endeavor.

As for the decision to become involved, I had few qualms because I was working for the Goldman’s and not OJ Simpson. Many people were enraged that the book would be published but they missed the real point. OJ Simpson’s own words would finally show the world who this man really was and people could then decide whether justice had been rendered in LA back in 1994.

Apparently, the public wanted to know more about this case and they wanted to read Mr. Simpson’s own words. The book became a national bestseller topping out at number 2 on the NY Times bestseller list.

In retrospect was it a good business decision?

In retrospect it was a riskier project than I first thought. It is only from the vantage point of today that the book looks like an inevitable bestseller.

What is your next personal writing project going to be?

I believe I am headed more in the direction of speaking. I have no books planned, but I would love to fill up my speaking calendar.

What would you like readers to get out of Trail Thoughts? What would you like them to take away?

When I began reading the Bible on a daily basis I began to become aware of the power of language, the beauty of it and how profoundly it changes our view of not only ourselves but also of the world. Psalm 65 ends with this magnificent picture: “You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands overflow; the hills are clothed in gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.”

You can see it, feel it, taste it even. Who doesn’t want to be in this bounteous place? And just think: It was written three thousand years ago. Amazing.

Thanks for taking the time to do this, it is greatly appreciated.

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When I was five years old, my parents bought me a manual typewriter for a Christmas present. I practiced every day until I was able to type letters to my grandparents and other relatives. Although it is safe to say that I have been a writer since 1963, I didn’t start making money from my writing until I started Graphic Publishing in 1988.

Back in those days, Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) had never been thought of. In fact, the word “internet” was unknown to the majority of the general public. Therefore, I had only three options available to me if I was going to sell my articles and books:

1. Submit them to publishers, hoping they would be published “someday”;

2. Typeset my own books, print them on a copier and mail copies to customers ordering directly from me (this also meant that I had to market the books myself); or

3. Pay a printer to typeset and print my books, which meant I had to buy a minimum amount and pay for them upfront (which could cost $10,000 or more).

I chose to employ option Number 2. I figured that I would not have to spend any money using that option because as books were ordered, I could print them on my copy machine. Besides, my books were not full-length paperbacks. They were 20-page booklets that I could print on letter-size paper, fold in half and saddle stitch. Only until I started selling 100s of books would I invest into purchasing a minimum amount from a printer. Besides, the idea of not having to stock a product was of great importance to me since I was living in a small one-bedroom apartment at the time.

However, while choosing the Number 2 method above would save me a lot of money, I was going to have to learn how to market and typeset my books. Learning to typeset was pretty easy. I went to a printer’s supply store and picked up books showing me different styles of fonts and I looked at every display advertisement I could find. I purchased Roger Parker’s Book, “The Aldus Guide to Basic Design” (http://www.newentrepreneur.com/) and was soon able to start designing my own ads, using combinations of examples I learned from the professional designers. The entire learning experience was great fun and I acquired a skill that I now use on a daily basis.

Learning to market though, took longer compared to learning how to typeset. That is because there are so many variations to marketing. What works for one person may not work for another. However, with the vast amount of technology available at your fingertips today, learning to market your products and services is as simple as filling out forms and posting messages to bulletin boards utilized by your target market.

Little did I realize at the time that the procedure I utilized to sell my books by printing copies only when an order was received is the same thing as print-on-demand publishing. The only difference is that today, most of the marketing and typesetting is included in the publisher’s price. Since I already know how to typeset my books, the publisher normally gives me a discount of $100 to $150 for saving them time and expense.

I was first introduced to print-on-demand publishing when I wrote my book, “How to Start, Operate and Market a Freelance Notary Signing Agent Business” available online at . Not knowing that print-on-demand publishing existed I sent my manuscript to several publishers for acceptance. To my surprise, two publishers accepted the book and one offered me an advance of $2,800.

At first I was elated. I called all my friends and we all yelled and screamed together in excitement. The excitement was short lived when I received an email from the publisher the next day with a list of demands they required before my book could be published. One of the demands was the name of my book needed to be changed and secondly, I was not permitted to publish my testimonial to Jesus Christ in the back of the book. I immediately said “no” and began seeking other alternatives for publishing.

To make a long story short, I found Gom Publishing (http://www.gompublishing.com) through my local Christian Blue Pages directory. It just so happened that their office was located within 10 miles of my house. I called them up, asked if I could come for a visit and received a personal tour of their operation. It was a great learning experience and I was sold on the idea of print-on-demand publishing.

Here are just some of the advantages to a writer who uses print-on-demand publishing:

1. You have total control over your book. No one is going to edit your work and take out your personal “style” or omit sections you know to be important. Gom Publishing includes copyediting with virtually all of their publishing plans, which is something I did not find with most other print-on-demand companies.

2. Your book is available for sale within 90 days or less if you assist with the design. Compared to the “old time” methods of publishing, even if a publisher accepts your book, it normally is not available for sale for almost a year or later. The whole world could change in that length of time and you would still have to wait a year or more before you got paid for your hard work.

3. You can make up to 50% for every book you sell. Compare this to a publisher who only pays the writer an 8% to 10% commission. This means that you can set up a web page to sell your book, take orders and purchase the amount of books your need to fill the orders at a 50% discount from the print-on-demand publisher. Gom Publishing offers a 55% discount, which increases your profits even more. This option is not possible with standard publishers who purchase the exclusive rights from a writer, thus not allowing the writer to sell their books on their own.

4. Print-on-demand publishers also build excellent marketing benefits into their basic prices. These marketing benefits include: (a) assignment of an ISBN number; (b) ISBN bar code printed on book cover; (c) Library of Congress cataloging and registration; and (d) automatic listing on the world’s largest bookstores: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Waldenbooks and Borders. I found with Gom Publishing that they even have programs to distribute your book through third party distributors, sales reps, and even offer publicist services. All you have to do is help in the promotion by directing people to you book on these websites. The credit card orders are processed for you, the books are shipped to your customers and you receive a monthly commission check.

Of course there are many more benefits to print-on-demand publishing than the four I listed above, but I am sure you can begin to see the benefits for yourself. However, even though print-on-demand publishing has many “pros,” there are some “cons” that you might want to consider. One of those “cons” is how the established publishing community views print-on-demand books. They view them as “vanity” publications and booksellers may be reluctant to deal with them. Trade journals like Publishers

Weekly and Kirks also do not like to deal with print-on-demand published books and magazines and newspapers shy away from them also.

Why are publishers who are located in the high-traffic media biased against print-on-demand publishing? Because they know the author had total control over the book and it did not go through the standard editing process. So what? In my opinion, the media makes a great deal of money from writers and since print-on-demand technology does not provide them with this extra revenue print-on-demand publishing leaves a “bad taste” in their mouths. They tell their employees that print-on-demand publishing is not professional behavior, when the truth of the matter is that print-on-demand publishing is taking money out of their pockets. The “biggies” cannot reveal their true motive, so they do the “human” thing and create as much bad publicity for the print-on-demand industry that they can then use the leverage of other “biggies” like themselves to keep everyone’s pockets padded with the green stuff.

Or, go to any search engine and type in the search words “print-on-demand publishing” and start shopping. I chose Gom Publishing to publish my book. The total cost was less than $600 and I made this money back almost immediately.

If area first time writer or even published, you need to check out the benefits for your work by utilizing print-on-demand publishing. At least you now have more options available to you and perhaps one day, writers will be less dependent on publishers and can take the control over their own products.

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God’s Word Continues to Speak Via Christian Web Sites That Offer You Outstandingly Helpful and Highly Supportive Christian Ebooks.

Some Christian web sites supply you with fundamental guidance by offering downloadable ebooks. These may be such unique Christian ebooks that capture the essence of Christian lifestyle and thereby help you to benefit from the assistance provided by helpful, supportive, Christian web sites throughout the world.

When you are searching for enhancement or enlightenment on Christian lifestyle endeavors, you may find that your best Christian ebooks online, in addition to brick and mortar outlets, now tend to meet, match, and even neutralize the pace set by our modern, conquest oriented, quick-fix society.

As uniquely stated that Christianity is a time-honored tradition, the word of God continues to show forth dependably. Within the technological advances of our time, solid Christian web sites knowingly provide digital beacons in conveniently obtainable and easily readable formats.

Compact disks, USB or flash remote disk drives, plus read-write CD-ROMs or DVDs synergistically combine, to offer you vast, economical, and rare selections of online and offline Christian development reading material.

This gives you the option, for example, to now almost effortlessly download ebooks from your own personal or preferred medley of Christian ebooks.

It is possible that standard stores possess a disadvantage in that regard. Because, although brick-and-mortar stores may carry or provide a large selection of hard-cover reading materials… they compete far less favorably with the no-cost, digital delivery features of Christian web sites.

Additionally, delivering much-desired, common-grounded cordiality, plus dependability in God-centered customer service (which Christian web sites especially supply), gives Christian market shoppers the well demanded and highly expected satisfaction they are seeking in an otherwise, seemingly complacent or non-caring, sales driven society.

Whether you are a devout, seasoned Christian, or a newcomer to the fold, basic Christian lifestyle concepts and fundamentals remain standing, without alteration or change.

For example, consider the following basic principle you see, constantly expounded upon by countless Christian web sites and Christian book distributors across the globe…

That is, one of the greatest and most helpful Christian commandments you may find is, “Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself. Do This For The Love Of Me.”

These words provide a challenge, if you will. They invite you to become a much better person… to improve your own human relationship skills, but most importantly… to bind yourself in-line with cooperative spiritual giving through enhanced personal control or power.

In essence, striving to increase power over ones self… emotionally, socially, spiritually… remains a formidable challenge and an almost elusive goal for many non-Christians and Christians alike.

Now, although only ten commandments form this generally solid basis for a positive, overall Christian life, the single commandment to take control over ones self continues to provide its own, unique obstacle course for millions of people you might encounter.

And, when fervently seeking God (or, in ones quest for attainment and adherence to God-centered principles)… one can easily forget, overlook, or simply underestimate the healing power associated with self-discipline, Christian adherence, and Godly direction.

In other words, God creates human beings with a general capacity to shine. Yet, we also operate with another unique ability. Meaning, another choice we can make just as easily is one that includes a decision to falter.

And, falling short of God’s glory may often become all too familiar, especially in today’s individualistically hectic, needs-driven society.

Therefore, considering all of the above… finding one solid source for peace of mind, innocent stress release, divinely approved relaxation, and majestic calm is a service that Christian web sites also have a calling to perform.

And, it is within such light that, today, you are here reading this article. Most likely, you seek to maximize your mutual sharing, understanding, and utilization of the Godly word.

Your goal is to acquire more confidence, in the Christian way. Plus, you desire to become equipped and readied by applying your focused intention and upgraded sincerity towards being a better person.

So, here is what you find. Out of all the millions of Christian web sites at which you may have landed on this day, God sees fit to place you here, to find the one, most useful gem out of many, that Christian web sites may offer you.

Yet, where lays your primary, greatest, and most obvious or startling, year 2008 Christian challenge?

Well, a Christian majority, much like almost any other normal majority in our populous, wants to walk away from essentially every Christian encounter… with personal improvement, newfound joy, and uplifted willpower to take positive action upon the Godly principles, concepts, or fundamentals revisited in online mediums like Christian ebooks, for example.

Christianity is not a new occurrence. And, Christian guidelines on sex, marriage, lifestyle, or career sometimes deserve to be presented to you in an invitingly optimistic way.

Rare and unique Christian web sites manage to meet your expectations for such options – offering you Christian reading material specifically selected to match multi-purposed facets of your life.

As merely a polite and well intended suggestion, you can allow Christian web sites to help you find your own place in God’s plan for this world.

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Question Details: I just visited my grandson’s book fair at his elementary school in Texas. I noticed that on the shelves were numerous books, at least 5, about witchcraft and incantations and spells, for the gradeschool children to read. There were no Christian books. The company that supplies all of the books for the fair was Scholastic, the world’s largest children’s book distributor . The woman who was running the book fair, told me that it was because Christian books would be religious. I informed her that Witchcraft, is a religion. Christians, please write to them at the Scholastic official site. Let them know that we want Christian literature for our children to read.
hese books were not Harry Potter. I didn’t get the author’s names. One was about how to do incantatians and cast spells. I received a reply from Scholastic. Thank you Scholastic.
Since we promote Book Fairs within the public school
system, we try to remain neutral in the area of religion. If you do not
see Christian titles at your grandson’s next Book Fair, please direct
your request to the Book Fair Chairperson. They can easily place an
order for additional titles to be sent during the course of the Book Fair.

Scholastic Book Fairs does not promote sorcery as a craft and we
apologize if the perception has been anything other than fantasy. We do
understand that not every book we offer will meet the approval of every
parent or educator. We are happy to offer a 100% money back guarantee to
anyone who has purchased an item they feel in inappropriate for their
child.

Since you have provided the school name, I have taken the liberty to
forward your concerns to your local Book Fairs office. They will make
sure to contact the school and discuss future options to help accommodate
parents requests for items during the Book Fair.
My statement was deleted yesterday because it was not a question. Sorry, I didn’t obey the rules. That is why I have added it back today as a question.

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I need to find a reliable and cheap book wholesaler (all types of books, children’s, young adults, christian, classic literature) online. Everytime I type book wholesaler or distributor or direct seller, I get thousands of websites back, and none seem to be what I’m looking for. I’m getting frustrated. Any suggestions?

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i came across them on the Christian book distributor website. im listening to some of the lyrics and it doesnt sound christian. just looking for a little info about my favorite band. where can i get a history of the band?

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