Abstract This paper provides an in-depth discussion of the Crusades, the military expeditions which Christians undertook from the eleventh to the thirteenth century to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims. The author examines how and why Christian soldiers of the middle ages believed that the sole motive was to regain the Holy Land in the name of God, and the roles of key figures such as Richard the Lionheart and numerous church officials.
From the Paper "Many Christians during the middle ages were eager to undertake violent challenges to fight for God's cause. Their opportunity availed itself in the form of the Crusades. The Crusades can be defined as ?any of the military expeditions which Christians undertook from the eleventh to the thirteenth century to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims. Between the years 1095 through 1291 Christian popes initiated these military attacks against the Muslim peoples who had taken over the holy city of Jerusalem and other places associated with the earthly life of Christ. There were seven major Crusades and although the Knights of Europe fought them with great passion, they can be considered a failure when one observes that the original goal was to regain the Holy Land ."
Tags: christian, crusade, holy, jerusalem, muslim, pope, war, lionheart
Abstract In this paper the author examines the trading routes of the Roman Empire and how changes in them led to the rise of Islam. The author pays particular attention to the development of Islam in Africa and how it remains a great influence in African society even in this modern day.
From the paper:
?Islam offered a number of attractions within Africa. Its fundamental teaching that all Muslims are equal within the community of believers made the acceptance of conquerors and new rulers easier. The Islamic tradition of uniting the powers of the state and religion in the person of the ruler or caliph appealed to some African kings as a way of reinforcing their authority.?
Abstract This paper analyzes and examines Max Weber?s, "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism". The paper goes on to discuss Weber's views concerning bureaucracy and finally examines how capitalism, charisma, and Protestantism affect bureaucracy.
From the paper:
?Although Weber believed that bureaucracy has several advantages, the main one being efficiency in attaining goals, Weber also noted the dysfunctions of bureaucracy in terms of the impact that it had on individuals. For example, while impersonality is important to attaining and maintaining the efficiency of an organization, it is dehumanizing because it views individuals as just another cog in the machine.?
Abstract In this paper the author examines the work of Voltaire and looks at social evil as demonstrated in Candide. The author makes mention of what happened to Candide and suggest that human beings are able, through great philosophical effort and not through mere creed and dogma, to create some good out of the sweat of one's own brow and the effort of one's own mind.
From the paper:
?Voltaire is secular in the sense that he mocks religion and is anti-Catholic in the sense that he does not believe in innate human goodness. Yet his belief that the only value lies in acceptance of the world as it is, which Candide finally achieves, also shows that he is not entirely a cynic.?
Abstract This is a summary of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics that emphasizes Aristotle's big influence in the world of ethics. His work amplifies and analyzes the concepts of many ethical issues. Since his book is divided into ten books, this term paper is also divided into 10 different, complete summaries.
From the paper:
"All knowledge and every pursuit aim at some good. Happiness is directly related to living well and doing well. Happiness is a complete and sufficient good. Most people associate happiness with pleasure. A life of pleasure is what man seeks out. There are three prominent types of lives: the pleasure life, the political life, and the contemplative life. The contemplative life is one, which practices the best activity. The best activity brings perfect happiness. The contemplative life is by far the happiest life. Aristotle explains that the good of anything is to perform its characteristic activity well."
Abstract This paper looks at rituals and how they structure society. The author discusses how rituals effect communication mediums between people as well as how they impact cooperation and understanding. The author examines different types of rituals in different cultures.
From the paper:
"Regardless of who we are, or where we live, rituals form a basic part of our lives. We participate in them ourselves, we see them being performed by others, we notice them in the actions of animals. Rituals are physical actions that mean something to us: we do them because they serve a purpose and help us achieve what we need to in order to move on to the next step in our daily lives."
Tags: tradition, culture, religion, religious, god, ritual, bond
This paper is a study of the message in Acts from a Christian perspective. Emphasis on the great commission to share the gospel, using examples presented in Acts.
1,841 words (approx. 7.4 pages), 7 sources, 2002, $ 59.95
Abstract This paper describes the Book of Acts, its importance, and the significant role it plays in Christianity. The paper looks at the book's importance from a historical perspective, taking into account the events going on in the world during the time this book was written, the author of the book and the importance of one's belief in God.
From the paper:
"The Book of Acts is one of the most significant books in the New Testament. It describes the origin of the church and the lives of the apostles who were responsible for carrying out the great commission. Acts presents a great example of the Christian mission, as well as providing the inspiration to complete that mission. Christians are called by God to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all nations of the earth. The apostles were devoted to this mission, and would give their lives for it. This is the mission we as Christians are called to: To devote ourselves to the Lord and to bring his lost sheep into the fold."
Abstract This paper is a detailed discussion of Islamic criminal law, its sources, its application, and its conflict with international law and human rights. The author examines both primary and secondary sources of Islamic law, and describes Hudud, Tazir and Qesas crime and punishment. The paper also focuses on the historical background of Muslim law.
From the paper:
?Islam means "submission" or "surrender" to the will of Allah. For the more than one billion Muslims of the world, this means submission to a comprehensive code of law governing every arena of life: social, political, economic, and religious. In Islam there is no separation of church and state, no distinction between religion and politics; Government, law, and religion are unified. Some would argue that Islamic law is not fully practiced in any part of the Islamic world. While this may be true, twenty-three nations have either declared Islam to be the state religion or declared the religious writings of Islam to be the principal source of law.?
Abstract This paper looks at Mariama Ba's "Scarlet Song" from the perspective of attitudes towards women in the Muslim religion. It focuses on inter-religious marriages and bigamy using the characters Ousmane and Mareille as examples.
From the Paper "When reading Mariama Ba's "Scarlet Song", one particular scene has caught my eye. It was an argument between two friends, Ousmane and Ali. Ousmane was involved in a serious relationship with the woman of an opposite race. While he was in a relationship with Marielle, he cheated on her with another woman. In an argument between those two friends Ousmane tried to make sense by saying that it as O.K. for him to stay with both women. Ali tired to stop him from cheating on his wife and forget about the other woman. In my paper I will be supporting Ali and his argument on why should Ousmane dump Oleymatu and stay only with Marielle. "
Tags: marriage, faithfulness, religion, love, Muslim, convert, family
Abstract The paper begins identifying the flaw in tradition free exercise of jurisprudence and discusses its original understanding. The paper looks at how this understanding has been applied to traditional religions like the Amish, Mormons and Native Americans in an inconsistent manner. The paper resolves that the Supreme Court needs to consider their own biases and look more towards the harm caused by the practice as opposed to the practice itself if it is to be protected.
From the Paper "The First Amendment to the Constitution provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"? However, since Reynolds v. United States, in 1879, the Supreme Court has been struggling to understand the limits of free exercise. This paper will examine a historical conception of how the Supreme Court has viewed and misunderstood religion by examining three cases that best mark free exercise jurisprudence in the United States."
Abstract This paper examines the issue of holding prayers in public schools, whether they are mandatory or not. It examines the legal and moral aspects of this issue from the point of view of the three major religions. It details the First Amendment and several cases dealing with this matter and their outcomes. It details different ways of dealing with this problem and ways that are legal to implement it.
From the Paper "In 1947, when the Supreme Court was debating the issue of the separation of church and state, Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black remarked, "The First Amendment has erected a wall between church and state. That wall must be kept high and impregnable." With the case of Lee v. Weisman, the Court drew a distinct line between what is constitutional and what is unconstitutional. The case involved the practice in Providence, Rhode Island, of having a short prayer at the beginning and end of public school graduation ceremonies (an invocation and a benediction). The audience at these ceremonies was made up primarily of students and parents. The Court had to decide whether this short prayer was like the prayers recited to open legislative sessions, or like the daily prayers in public school in front of impressionable schoolchildren. This was not an easy decision to make. Four justices thought that the prayers at public school graduation ceremonies were more in the nature of a formality at a public event. These justices believed that the prayers were part of a long tradition, like prayers at legislative sessions, and could not be seen as an attempt to indoctrinate children in a particular religious belief. The other five justices did not agree and ruled that such prayers violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Justice Kennedy, who wrote the majority opinion, held that while attendance at public school graduation ceremonies is not required, few students would want to miss the ceremony. While the children could absent themselves from the part of the ceremony that contained the prayer, that would be difficult for them because of the very nature of the graduation process. There would also be peer pressure to participate and to not "make a fuss" about the prayer. The Court ruled that because the graduation ceremony is part of an official public school event, prayers cannot be allowed. (CARELLI 2000)."
Abstract Tracing the life of Augustine, this paper aims to identify the stages of conversion as noted by Augustine himself in his Confessions. The writer examines reasons for his conversion and the historical significance of the conversion itself.
From the Paper "Fourth century Rome was a time of many changes. Writers and common society alike pointed out many of the problems within the framework of the Empire. Although many writers, such as Aristides, were quick to point out the virtues of Rome, there were definite undercurrents of uneasiness throughout the empire. Many citizens, fearing the growing climate of immorality and desiring deeper spirituality, turned to a new power: Christianity. There is no work which tells better the allure of Christianity than St. Augustine's Confessions-a work in which a man tells of the stages of his conversion to the religion which was to be the most influential factor in the development of European history. Augustine's main purpose in writing the confessions was to praise God, to extol the wisdom of God and to search for God through prayer. In his Confessions, Augustine describes five stages in his conversion to Christianity: his love of philosophy, sparked by the readings of Cicero's Hortensius; his conversion to and disenchantment with Manichaenism; his meeting of St. Ambrose; his conversion to Platonism, and a final mystical experience which led to his total conversion in 386."
Abstract This paper details the different attitudes of these scholars' views on God and religion. St. Thomas Aquinas and Machiavelli represent the two extremes of the understanding of reason and faith. Machiavelli exhibits the influence of the Renaissance on his conception of God and faith in God. The existence of God is unquestionable and need not be proven. Aquinas also believes that the existence is self-evident, but as a Christian scholar Aquinas is obligated to develop a proof for the existence of God.
From the Paper "Machiavelli mentions God in various passages of his writing, but God never represents the central theme of any of his writings. Typical of Machiavelli he manages to incorporate the gods of pagan religions into his writing and his theories. God's focus was justice and mercy. As a Christian, Machiavelli naturally mentions the importance of Jesus Christ. As with other people of the time, Machiavelli prayed to God when difficulties arose with the possibility that his prayers would be answered."
Tags: religion, philosophy, god, politics, realism, The, Prince, faith, Christian
Abstract A brief look at the Al Qaida Terrorist Network. This paper looks at the group's leadership, where they get their training and funding and what their ultimate goals are. It also examines their strategies and methods for achieving these goals.
From the Paper "There are many terrorists groups throughout the world, but the most extreme of these radicals are the Al Qaida. Established by Osama bin Laden in the late 1980s, the groups originally worked to bring Arabs together to fight against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.
"Its current goal is to ?establish a pan-Islamic Caliphate throughout the world by working with allied Islamic extremist groups to overthrow regimes it deems "non-Islamic" and expelling Westerners and non-Muslims from Muslim countries."
Abstract This paper examines Christianity's attitude towards homosexuals in light of recent exposure of high-ranking church official's homosexual and pedophilia tendencies. It draws on many biblical sources in order to determine a stand to be taken amongst various Christian branches - Catholics, Presbyterians, Baptists and Mormons.
From the Paper "Christianity seeks to justify the marginalization of homosexuals by variously interpreting these passages. One must recognize that homosexuality, as a sexual proclivity, was acceptable in biblical times. While criminal by today's standards, in the Roman era, some men used younger boys for sexual gratification without the associated predatory, pederast behavior. The passages should be viewed within the social mores of the times. Biblical scholars also agree that the rigidity of interpretation of certain words: the etymology and relevance have changed, based on translation (Helminiak 85)."
