Neither Irish nor English: The Scotish Presence in Ulster

From the Washington University Senior Honors Thesis Abstracts (WUSHTA), 2017. Published by the Office of Undergraduate Research. Joy Zalis Kiefer, Director of Undergraduate Research and Associate Dean in the College of Arts & Sciences; Lindsey Paunovich, Editor; Helen Human, Programs Manager and Assistant Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences Mentors: Derek Hirst and Christine Johnso

LGBTQIA+ People and Religious Trauma

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or questioning), intersex, and asexual people (LGBTQIA+) experience religious trauma caused by the harmful messaging often aimed at sexual and gender minorities. Identity dissonance can be created when LGBTQIA+ people find their religious and sexual or gender minority identities at odds with each other. A review of existing literature revealed themes of identity erasure, internalized homophobia, and resilience, but there was limited research involving this population. This qualitative study centers the voices of those who have experienced religious trauma based on their identities and works to understand their healing journeys. Fifteen LGBTQIA+ individuals participated in semi-structured interviews wherein five main themes were identified: anti-LBGTQIA+ messaging, internalized homophobia, resilience, self-acceptance, and pathways forward. This study adds to the current body of research and relies on minority stress theory as a framework to better understand the experiences of this marginalized population. Highlighted herein is the need for clinical social workers to engage in culturally competent practice and social justice advocacy for the dignity and worth of this population

LGBTQIA+ People and Religious Trauma

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or questioning), intersex, and asexual people (LGBTQIA+) experience religious trauma caused by the harmful messaging often aimed at sexual and gender minorities. Identity dissonance can be created when LGBTQIA+ people find their religious and sexual or gender minority identities at odds with each other. A review of existing literature revealed themes of identity erasure, internalized homophobia, and resilience, but there was limited research involving this population. This qualitative study centers the voices of those who have experienced religious trauma based on their identities and works to understand their healing journeys. Fifteen LGBTQIA+ individuals participated in semi-structured interviews wherein five main themes were identified: anti-LBGTQIA+ messaging, internalized homophobia, resilience, self-acceptance, and pathways forward. This study adds to the current body of research and relies on minority stress theory as a framework to better understand the experiences of this marginalized population. Highlighted herein is the need for clinical social workers to engage in culturally competent practice and social justice advocacy for the dignity and worth of this population

Stuck in Ohio\u27s Legal Limbo, How Many Mistrials are Too Many Mistrials?: Exploring New Factors That Help a Trial Judge in Ohio Know Whether to Exercise Her Authority to Dismiss an Indictment with Prejudice, Especially Following Repeated Hung Juries

Multiple mistrials following validly-prosecuted trials are becoming an increasingly harsh reality in today’s criminal justice system. Currently, the Ohio Supreme Court has not provided any guidelines to help its trial judges know when to make the crucial decision to dismiss an indictment with prejudice following a string of properly-declared mistrials, especially due to repeated hung juries. Despite multiple mistrials that continue to result in no conviction, criminal defendants often languish behind bars, suffering detrimental psychological harm and a loss of personal freedom as they remain in “legal limbo” waiting to retry their case. Furthermore, continuously retrying defendants cuts against fundamental fairness and substantial justice highlighted in the “Ohio Due Course of Law” clause. This Note argues that Ohio trial judges need to apply a list of factors to avoid allegations of misconduct, to breathe life back into the defendant’s presumed innocence until proven guilty, and to guarantee prompt administration of justice. These factors include: (1) the number of prior mistrials and the circumstances of the jury deliberation therein, so far as is known; (2) the character of prior trials in terms of length, complexity, and similarity of evidence presented; (3) the likelihood of any substantial difference in a subsequent trial, if allowed; (4) whether the defendant is or has been incarcerated awaiting trial, and the length of such incarceration; (5) the severity of the offense charged; (6) the professional conduct and diligence of respective counsel, particularly that of the prosecuting attorney; and (7) the trial court’s own evaluation of the relative case strength. Weighing these factors will promote stability, uniformity, and predictability among courts. Implementing factors will also help ensure that defendants are not pushed into taking unfair plea deals; it will aid appellate courts reviewing trial judges’ decisions whether or not to dismiss. Also, it will give legitimacy to the trial judges’ decisions. Overall, these factors will explore a fair balance between the prosecution’s right to seek a conviction and the rights of the accused, the victim, and the community at large

The Christian-Orthodox Faith and Christian Transhumanism

The Church has been confronted with various challenges in the recent period. One of these is the transhumanist movement that aims to create a new man by using the means of science and technology. In this context, the "œChristian Transhumanist Association" was set up, an organization that proposes a dialogue with Transhumanism and even a way to find compatibilities between Christianity and this new trend. In this essay, having "œThe Christian Transhumanist Affirmation" as a starting point, we will try to offer a possible perspective from the point of view of Orthodox Christianity in relation to what this association claims. Keywords: Transhumanism, Christian transhumanism, Eastern Orthodox Church, technology, scienc