Abstract This essay argues that most Christians fervently believe in Christ based on superstitions and mythological presuppositions rather than on a rational reaction to his lessons. The paper examines the resistance to demythologizing Christ's more supernatural attributes and asks why the supernatural stories built upon Christ centuries after his death should carry more weight than the words and ideas he actually espoused.
From the Paper ""What is left in Christianity if you demythologize it?" The fact that this question has to be asked is part of the problem; so much of Christianity is based on the importance of its supernatural elements. To many believers it is more important that Jesus died and was resurrected as a way of expiating our own sins than that he tried to teach humans to love one another and treat one another with respect. The focus for most Christians seems to reside in the promise of salvation, forgiveness of their sins, and everlasting life after death. Sometimes this focus is to the detriment of the actual teachings of the historical, non-mythologized Jesus. Christianity has much to offer beyond its mythology; many believe the world would probably be a better place to live in if most Christians looked at Jesus as teacher to model their lives on rather than as a pathway to eternal life."
This paper examines a 1969 work, "Custer Died For Your Sins" by Vine DeLoria, Jr. about the American Indians from demythologizing and intercultural communications viewpoints.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 1 source, 1990, $ 47.95
From the Paper "It seems as if both historians and ethnographers are again concerning themselves with the diatribe of past events in relation to modern, more pragmatic, communicative efforts. In fact, many of the recent works tend to readdress some of the historical issues so prevalent in ethnographic research, and attempt to merge the varieties of fieldwork with an historical perspective--presumably to reformat some of the issues in a newer, more modern, bent. Within this context, this paper will examine a 1969 work, Custer Died For Your Sins, by Vine DeLoria, Jr.
In brief terms, the book is less of an historical interpretation of the American Indian, for it would be difficult for any book to attempt such a feature in only one volume, than an extended essay-like commentary on the way the American Indian ... "
Abstract This paper looks at angelology from several points of view. Firstly, it shows that many are skeptical about the existence of angels, since they cannot be physically perceived with the senses. Thus these people take a rational and scientific view of the issue, explaining angels in religious literature in rational, naturalistic terms. It then explains the religious (Christian) view where the Bible features angels in both the Old and New Testaments. Such evidence is enough for Christians to justify a religious belief in angels. Finally, the paper covers the more occult view of actual current experiences with angels. Some people claim to have had experiences such as dreams and visions during which angels visited them. This, like all other occult phenomena including mediumism, is a highly controversial issue. The paper describes the nature of angels and gives evidence of their existence from the above-mentioned points of view. It concludes that, in the same way as beauty, the reality of angels is in the eye of the beholder.
From the Paper "The supernatural concept of angels as it is depicted in a society not necessarily attached to any religion is therefore now considered. Many religious persons have termed any reference to the supernatural outside of religious scripture as dangerously "occult". The appearance of angels in society and the media is therefore a highly controversial issue. A television show such as "Touched by an Angel" for example has been rejected by many Christians as unbiblical, and thus perpetuating the misconceptions attached to these creatures. However, even biblical conceptions of angels appear to disagree more than anything else, and surely each person has the right to investigate and prove the matter for him- or herself. It thus appears to be a much more personal issue than some religious fanatics would admit."
Tags:Demythologization, Rudolph, Steiner, Satan, Chino, Michael
This paper examines author Robert Went's book "Globalization: Neo-liberal Challenge, Radical Responses" while focusing on the writer's view that the current trend towards globalizing the economy must be demystified and demythologized.
Abstract This paper reviews and analyzes the views of the author and Dutch economist Robert Went as detailed in his book "Globalization: Neo-liberal Challenge, Radical Responses." In his book, Went attempts to put the phenomenon of globalization in its proper historical perspective, rather than normalizing it as an inevitable and positive development from capitalism's supposed victory over world socialism. This paper also discusses Went's fears that life-threatening ecological deterioration and a pervasive dictatorship of the market will result from globalization. This paper explains and details Went's views on the nature of globalism, which the author contends has fundamentally changed for the worse due to the significant increase in the number integrated global markets.
From the Paper "The first of the harms perpetuated by globalization are social inequality. 1960 the average income of the richest 20 per cent of the world's population was 30 times higher than that of the poorest 20 per cent. In 1995 this disproportion between the incomes of rich and poor had grown to 82:1, according to Went. If globalization is allowed to continue in its current form, Went warns that worldwide social inequality will intensify, that there will be a long lasting leveling of lower income and working class wages, and a general worsening of working conditions for all people, all over the world as an eventual result. Went also fears that life-threatening ecological deterioration and a pervasive dictatorship of the market will result from globalization, if the current pace of globalization is not kept in check and its form is not altered."
