Changes

On September 11, 1683, Muslims made a second major attempt to conquer Europe (recall that Charles the Hammer turned back their first attempt).  A massive Islamic army arrived at the Gates of Vienna.  An alliance of Christian armies, led by the Polish King Jan III Sobieski, defeated the Muslim force.<ref>http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2006/09/other-september-11th.html</ref>  Some have observed that the "9/11" massacre in New York City was on the anniversary of this day.

On September 11, 1683, Muslims made a second major attempt to conquer Europe (recall that Charles the Hammer turned back their first attempt).  A massive Islamic army arrived at the Gates of Vienna.  An alliance of Christian armies, led by the Polish King Jan III Sobieski, defeated the Muslim force.<ref>http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2006/09/other-september-11th.html</ref>  Some have observed that the "9/11" massacre in New York City was on the anniversary of this day.

Two other momentous events happened in the 1600s which would also affect the world forever.  In 1607, Englishmen established a permanent settlement at Jamestown, Virginia.  In 1611, the King James Bible was published with this introduction:<ref name="KJV">http://www.av1611.org/kjv/kjvhist.html</ref>

Two other momentous events happened in the 1600s which would also affect the world forever.  In 1607, Englishmen established a permanent settlement at Jamestown, Virginia.  In 1611, the King James Bible was published with this introduction:<ref name=""KJV">http://www.av1611.org/kjv/kjvhist.html</ref>

:THE HOLY BIBLE, Conteyning the Old Testament, and the New: Newly Translated out of the Originall tongues: & with the former Translations diligently compared and revised, by his Majesties Special Commandment. Appointed to be read in Churches. Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie. ANNO DOM. 1611.

:THE" HOLY BIBLE, Conteyning the Old Testament, and the New: Newly Translated out of the Originall tongues: & with the former Translations diligently compared and revised, by his Majesties Special Commandment. Appointed to be read in Churches. Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie. ANNO DOM. 1611.

Some might say that the publication of the King James Bible was more significant than the settlement at Jamestown.  This version of the Bible, which became known as the "Authorized Version," was a spectacular work that transformed and elevated the entire English language to new heights.  Even a Catholic scholar expressed the highest praise for this Protestant work, as all Christians recognized it to be an absolute masterpiece:<ref name="KJV"/>

Some might say that the publication of the King James Bible was more significant than the settlement at Jamestown.  This version of the Bible, which became known as the "Authorized Version," was a spectacular work that transformed and elevated the entire English language to new heights.  Even a Catholic scholar expressed the highest praise for this Protestant work, as all Christians recognized it to be an absolute masterpiece:<ref name=""KJV"/>

:The highest eulogiums have been made on the translation of James the First, both by our own writers and by foreigners. And, indeed, if accuracy, fidelity, and the strictest attention to the letter of the text, be supposed to constitute the qualities of an excellent version, this of all versions, must, in general, be accounted the most excellent. Every sentence, every work, every syllable, every letter and point, seem to have been weighed with the nicest exactitude; and expressed, either in the text, or margin, with the greatest precision.

:The" highest eulogiums have been made on the translation of James the First, both by our own writers and by foreigners. And, indeed, if accuracy, fidelity, and the strictest attention to the letter of the text, be supposed to constitute the qualities of an excellent version, this of all versions, must, in general, be accounted the most excellent. Every sentence, every work, every syllable, every letter and point, seem to have been weighed with the nicest exactitude; and expressed, either in the text, or margin, with the greatest precision.

To this day many feel that the King James Bible is the finest English translation available, despite the antiquity of some of its terminology.  It is free from modern translation biases that hide the existence and wrath of Hell, for example.  But for the purposes of this course, we are interested in how this was a defining moment in the development of the English language, and how the language has grown since then.

To this day many feel that the King James Bible is the finest English translation available, despite the antiquity of some of its terminology.  It is free from modern translation biases that hide the existence and wrath of Hell, for example.  But for the purposes of this course, we are interested in how this was a defining moment in the development of the English language, and how the language has grown since then.

Note how the term “Enlightenment” is biased and self-serving.  It makes it appear that people became enlightened compared to their ignorant ancestors.  In fact, the achievements of the so-called “Enlightenment” movement were not any greater than other movements and periods in history, and there are valid criticisms of certain aspects of the Enlightenment.

Note how the term “Enlightenment” is biased and self-serving.  It makes it appear that people became enlightened compared to their ignorant ancestors.  In fact, the achievements of the so-called “Enlightenment” movement were not any greater than other movements and periods in history, and there are valid criticisms of certain aspects of the Enlightenment.

Frenchman Voltaire (1694-1778) was a leading philosopher in the Enlightenment, advocating freedom everywhere and emphasizing his form of reason.  He wrote “The Candide,” in which Voltaire described many bad things that happen to Candide in order to make the point that the world could be a better place.  Increased freedom was Voltaire’s way of improving things.  His ideas later formed the basis of the French Revolution, when many innocent people (including the French royalty and much of the aristocracy) were murdered and churches destroyed amid a reign of terror.

Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet) (1694-1778) was a leading french philosopher during the Enlightenment, advocating broadened freedom (though a monarchist) and emphasizing his form of reason.  He wrote ''[[Candide]],'' a vicious satire on human nature, religion, slavery, and the optimistic philosophy of [[Leibniz]].  Increased freedom was Voltaire’s way of improving things.  Some of his ideas formed the basis of the French Revolution, thought he was always a staunch opponent of democracy and a proponent of religious freedom.

Englishman John Locke (1632-1704) was the leading political philosopher, whose ideas helped the American colonists form a new government.  Locke described society as a contract between an individual and society.  This was a radical concept at a time when monarchs and the divine right of kings was the controlling theory.  Locke’s view helped lay the foundation for the constitutional government that we use in the United States.  Locke had built on the prior work of Englishmen Francis Bacon and Thomas Hobbes.

Englishman John Locke (1632-1704) was the leading political philosopher, whose ideas helped the American colonists form a new government.  Locke described society as a contract between an individual and society.  This was a radical concept at a time when monarchs and the divine right of kings was the controlling theory.  Locke’s view helped lay the foundation for the constitutional government that we use in the United States.  Locke had built on the prior work of Englishmen Francis Bacon and Thomas Hobbes.