The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI By Jack (Coenred) and Adam (Rachael98) The Origins of the Papacy The first Pope was Saint Peter, one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus. Jesus told Saint Peter that he was to be the ‘rock’ on which Jesus would build his church (Matthew 16:18). The title of ‘Pope’ however, didn't come into use until 366 A.D. under Pope Damascus I. From the beginning, the Pope has been considered to be the leader of the Catholic Church. Amongst other denominations...

A review of Buffy the Vampire Slayer By Chess (Syzygy.) On May 20, 2003, the final episode of the television show 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' was aired. The episode, ‘Chosen’, signalled the end of its seventh season, and it remains a critically acclaimed program that remains popular with fan groups around the world. The franchise was developed in 1992 with a film of the same name, which has been described by the series creator as ‘a start, but it’s not quite the girl’. The intention with the...

Men with eating disorders By Jenna (.:BreakingBeautifully:.) It is common knowledge that women are more likely to struggle with eating disorders than men. It is estimated that on any given day, ten million American women struggle with an eating disorder. According to the most recent statistics provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, 4.9% of all American women struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their lives (0.9% with anorexia, 1.5% with bulimia, and 3.5% with...

Got Plants? Reasons for a plant-based diet By Traci (Masterpiece) Most people have at least one vegetarian or vegan friend, and it’s easy to wonder why they would pick a lifestyle that seems so difficult to manage without being able to eat meat, and for vegans, cheese and eggs! These are staple foods in most western lifestyles, and for most it would seem crazy to give them up. There are actually many reasons why people transition to vegetarianism, some that the average person isn’t aware...

Complementary therapies By Jessie (Felorena.) Complementary therapies are a combination of conventional medicine therapies and philosophies (such as believing that illnesses develop when the person's body is out of balance and that a person's body, in the right conditions, can heal itself). While some people find going into counselling helps them with their mental health, other people find complementary therapies to be more beneficial. Complementary therapies are not just used by people who...

Coping with social anxiety at school By Gareth (Oracle.) Everyone feels nervous or self-conscious sometimes. Even the most confident of people can get the jitters just before a big occasion, such as an interview or giving a speech in front of a large group of people. This is perfectly normal and generally nothing to worry about, but when these feelings are very powerful and you just can’t seem to shake them, it can be a sign of a more serious issue. Social anxiety disorder, also known as...

A guide to writing poetry by Maria (Gidig) Writing anything, especially a poem, can be a difficult but rewarding process. This process can take minutes, hours, months, and even years to complete. You may write a poem that you dislike and never look at again. On the other hand, you might write a poem you like so much, you edit and change until it you find it perfect in your eyes. Whatever the case may be, here are some suggestions about how to write your best! Get in the mood. Getting in...

Lucid dreaming By Maria (Gidig) Certainly you can remember a dream you’ve had at least once in all the years you’ve been sleeping. Perhaps it was something realistic, such as going swimming with a friend or doing your homework. Perhaps it was something crazy like buying a mansion in another dimension where Antarctica is the hottest place on Earth. Dreams are a natural part of sleeping and people over the age of ten have about four to six dreams per night. Lucid dreams are something...

Understanding non-binary gender By Hester (LiveLongAndProsper) There is more to gender than the two tick boxes on forms. Not everybody can tick ‘male’ or ‘female’. Binary means two, and non-binary gender means any gender identity that doesn't fall in either of the two binary categories. Instead of considering gender as binary, people are now beginning to consider it as a spectrum with people identifying somewhere between ‘male;’ and ‘female’. The problem with viewing gender as a position on...

Preventing child sexual abuse By Jenna (.:BreakingBeautifully:.) One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18. These staggering statistics may leave you wondering what you can do to help children who might fall prey to child sexual abuse. Most people are aware that child sexual abuse occurs, but are unaware of the steps they can take to try and help prevent it, which leaves them with a sense of hopelessness. Many people cling to the idea that the main...