Abstract This paper is about religion in public schools. It looks at this issue in relation to the regulations of the First Amendment. A case is given where a child was not allowed to read a bible story in class for fear it may influence other children. The paper questions how far schools should go in enforcing the First Amendment.
From the Paper "The debate about the expression of religion in our nation's public schools is a very prevalent issue. There have been numerous lawsuits against public schools, and the debate about including religion in the curriculum of state-run schools is a central issue in Congress, the Supreme Court and even the Presidential Election. The first amendment guarantees the right to freedom of expression, and expressing one's own religion is key to the meaning of the first amendment. The first amendment guarantees that someone can freely practice their religion, but a conflict arises between the doctrines of the separation church and state and this freedom to express religion. Many questions arise when examining the middle ground between these two points. The consideration of allowing prayer in public schools is one of the most obvious places where this debate is currently an important issue."
Tags: censorship, clause, establishment, religious
Abstract This paper takes a look at the life, times, work, and fate of the first-century Christian missionary, Paul of Tarsus, including his relations with other Pharisees in Biblical Judea.
From the Paper "Paul was a Pharisee of the very strictest order, along the lines of Nicodemus and Gamaliel. Unlike the hypocritical Pharisees that were rebuked by Jesus, Paul was not a worldly or indifferent priest, but a religious fanatic of the highest degree. His life before conversion, though he persecuted the Christians and oversaw the execution of the martyr Stephen with satisfaction, was marked with an honest and earnest pursuit of righteousness. While this would not pardon his actions or reduce his liability in his early persecutions, it does shed light on the genuineness of Paul's religious fervor. Upon hearing of the trial and subsequent crucifixion of Christ, he undoubtedly viewed it as the righteous destruction of a heretic. So intent was Paul in his desire to exterminate what he viewed as a dangerous assault on The Covenant that he petitioned the Sanhedrin for authority to proceed to Damascus and bring all the Christian apostates he could find back to the holy city in chains to follow their Savior upon their own crosses. As the bravest and strongest of the rising rabbis, he was granted this request and set out upon the road that would change his life forever."
Abstract An examination of the role of the Indian woman in society. An analysis of the "Mahabharata" which goes into great depth when describing this role. The author looks at the lives of Indian women, their status, education, goals and contributions.
From the Paper "The Mahabharata is essential for understanding human nature and the culture of India, past and present. As declared by Vyasa, ?Whatever is not found in the Mahabharata cannot be found anywhere else.? The Mahabharata does indeed present a complete picture of the lives of women in India, dealing with such topics as status, education, goals, marriage, achievement, family life, social life, moral codes, duty (dharma), and etiquette."
Tags: hindu, india, indian, ramayana, vedas, vishnu
Abstract This paper deals with Galileo's arguments with church officials, and his attempt to reconcile his scientific findings with teachings from the bible. Emphasis is placed on Galileo's conviction that scientific truth and the biblical message are not contradictory, but can complement each other. Historical and religious figures are discussed with respect to their influence on Galileo.
From the Paper "Perhaps the most relevant and convincing argument that Galileo posed to clear up the relationship between
scientific truth and the bible was that the bible was often unclear and ambiguous (GAL 214, 206, 199), which could cause the true meaning to be misunderstood by people attempting to translate it's meaning. An example of this posed by Galileo was from the commonly known story of God stopping the sun in the sky to allow Joshua to win a battle."
From the Paper "This research will compare and contrast what it means to have faith in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The research will set forth the historical and cultural context out of which these three monotheistic faiths emerged and will discuss both convergences and divergences in the belief systems of each religion.
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all arose out of the same geographical region, comprising the eastern Mediterranean area and reaching eastward into Asia Minor. Chronologically the first of the three religions, Judaism appears to have been distinguished chiefly by its monotheistic aspect. The monotheistic innovation may not have begun with Judaism. The Amarna period of Egypt, marked by the pharaoh Akhenaten's (also Ikhnaton and Akhenaton, reign 1353-1336 B.C.) establishment of a version of monotheism as sun worship, has been interpreted as a ..."
This paper reviews two Holocaust books describing personal experiences in Nazi concentration camps during World War II: "Night" by Elie Wiesel and "Survival in Auschwitz" by Primo Levi.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 2 sources, 1982, $ 71.95
From the Paper "This report reviews two books describing personal experiences in Nazi concentration camps during World War II: Night, by Elie Wiesel, and Survival in Auschwitz, by Primo Levi. Both books convey similar horror stories about the Holocaust. The stories of the two men will be compared, and the styles and treatment of the subject will be contrasted.
Wiesel's account of experiences in Auschwitz and Buchenwald and a few points in between projects a family focus. His youth was undoubtedly a factor in his perspective: he was only twelve when Jews in his Hungarian town of Sighet were initially rounded up for slaughter, and only fourteen when he and his family were shipped to Auschwitz. Wiesel recalls the attitudes of the townspeople when the first stories of mass genocide reached their ears -- overwhelmingly, the stories were met with disbelief and ... "
Analyzes Christopher R. Browning's history of the German Police Battalion in Nazi Germany, comparing it to Daniel Goldhagen's "Hitler's Willing Executioners".
Abstract According to Christopher R. Browning's aptly-titled history of the German Reserve Police Battalion 101, "Ordinary Men", the most significant single factor influencing any given policeman's decision to participate in acts of Nazi genocide, was that individual's personal willingness to obey the orders given to him as a soldier and as a German. In other words, how much was that individual willing to be subject to, for want of a better word, ?peer pressure.? The paper shows that this is in direct contrast to the thesis advocated by Daniel Jonah Goldhagen in his book, "Hitler's Willing Executioners". Goldhagen stresses that the actions of the policemen, soldiers and citizens who enforced the larger Reich ideological agenda were performed enthusiastically. The paper explains Goldhagen's belief that this willingness was the result of many years of anti-Semitic propaganda in Germany, extending back in historical time to the earliest days of German Lutheranism's influences on Christianity.
From the Paper "The actions of the Reserve Police Battalion 101 become, in essence, even more chilling when viewed through Browning's schema of explanation. It is easy to rationalize inhumanity as a symptom of German culture, and to state that all human beings have pure free will to resist the pressures of position, country, and ideology. The idea that one can still retain one's ethical, moral compass (as evidenced by the disgust and horror of the policemen) and act against it when structural pressures persuade one to do otherwise is far more disturbing and a far more bracing slap in the ethical face of one's judgment."
An examination of the role myths and folk tales play in guiding the cultural, social, and religious life of the Native American community and the way religion as the backbone of culture also directs society, both individually and communally.
1,700 words (approx. 6.8 pages), 8 sources, 1998, $ 55.95
From the Paper "Myths and folk tales are the oral traditions that act as guides for the cultural, social, and religious life of the Native American community. Within Native American life, these factors are intertwined and cannot be easily separated into distinct categories. Native American religion as the backbone of culture also directs society, both individually and communally through the use and practice of sacred rituals, ceremonial dances, songs, prayers, and vision quests (Thomas et al., 1993). This belief system represents, as well as directs the Native American wayof life. A life that is in tune with and at the same time, at odds with the surrounding natural environment. This dichotomy found in their relationship with the natural world is the motivator for these oral and ritual traditions, and through these myths and folk tales the , people are able to create and maintain a sense of religious, cultural, and social identity and purpose within the larger picture of existence in an ever-changing and mystifying universe (Leeming, 1990)."
Abstract This paper is about three sculptures of the Buddha image and how they have changed throughout different cultures and time periods. The paper begins with a discussion of a standing Buddha from India, which was where Buddhism began. It then moves on to two other countries, Tibet and Thailand, where Buddhism is still popular. The paper then explains how the people of these countries took what the Indians had done in their portrayal of the Buddha and made it their own, adding parts of their culture to the image. In regards to Thailand, there is a discussion about the Sukhothai walking Buddha, which was probably the most important image from that period. Then, the gold image from Tibet is discussed, which was very interested in the cosmic or Tantric form of Buddhism. The paper concludes by pointing out that the image has changed over time and cultures, but still enables us to know it's a Buddha image through the consistent characteristics given to the Buddha in sculpture.
Abstract This paper examines prayer in the American school systems It bases its arguments on a recent request by a Virginian school for a minutes silence dedicated to prayer. The paper provides a survey of historical court rulings on this matter and proceeds to analyze opinions for and against the recent decision by the Virginian court.
From the Paper "Our constitution bans state-imposed religion and protects freedom of worship. The line between those two can be very fine, and last November 7, the Supreme Court drew that line by reinforcing a ruling in Virginia allowing a minute of silence in schools. During this moment of silence, students might pray, meditate, or simply remain neutral."
Abstract This paper examines the roots of monotheistic and polytheistic religions, and the different gods worshipped over time. The author uses such examples as the gods of ancient Greece, the Code of Hammurabi, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and the Bible.
From the Paper:
"There is no doubt that having belief in a supernatural being or beings is healthy for the human soul. Whether it be one God or a family of gods and goddesses, religion allows the human essence to have something to help cope with emotions, give blame for the unjust, and rejoice in a celebrate life. Truth, indeed, is finite, and the roads that lead to it are numberless.?
Abstract An investigation of women's rights in Afghanistan. The author examines the rules and laws that women must abide by concerning work, travel and education, punishment and specific difficulties that they encounter such as health care. The paper provides a look at some personal stories.
OUTLINE
I. Introduction
A. Who are the Taliban?
B. Life Before the Taliban
II. Rules
A. May not work
B. Ban on education
C. Travel
D. Contact with males
E. Hiding in home
F. Dress
G. Bathing
III. Punishment
? Death for traveling with man not her mahram
? Whipping, beating and verbal abuse of women not clothed in accordance with Taliban rules, or of women unaccompanied by a mahram, for having non-covered ankles.
? Women have been shot at for leaving their homes without a male escort to receive medical care.
IV. Specific difficulties
A. Employment
B. Health care
V. Personal stories
A. SUMAYYAH KARIMI
VI. Conclusion
From the Paper ?The plight of women in Afghanistan has received much media attention since the start of the United States war on terrorism. This war has focused on Afghanistan because the Taliban government allowed their country to be used as a safe haven by terrorists. While the women of Afghanistan have lived under restrictions unfamiliar to many women living in Western countries, since the Taliban took control of the majority of Afghanistan in 1996, they have been subjected to a series of rules and punishments unprecedented in any other country of the world.?
Abstract The following paper discusses views of 'God' with reference to Anne Bradstreet's 'Upon the Burning of our House', and Jonathon Edward's 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God'. This paper compares their views and tries to interpret what each author means by a particular sentence.
From the Paper "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God conveys an extraordinarily unique viewpoint of God. According to Edwards, we are all sinners by nature; it is our most forth standing trait, despite our ongoing efforts to counter it. Throughout his sermon, he goes on endlessly about how God is so merciful to us, and without his mercy we would be thrown to the deepest depths of hell by the very earth itself. What was so deplorable to the people when they first heard it, was that Edwards alleged that all this time that they had thought they had been good Christians, they were in fact sinning against God; all the while they thought they were going to Heaven, they were actually destined for Hell, and there was naught they could do to stop it. (?You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder; and you have no interest in any Mediator, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing that you have done, nothing you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment.? Edwards, 121.) So, essentially, they were screwed, and it was too late to do anything, you are all going to hell in a hand basket, have a nice Sunday. Edwards wanted to make religion almost a physical experience, and with reports of people fainting and weeping openly without abandon, I would have to say it seems as if he accomplished his task. I only wonder if perhaps a few of his followers turned to Agnosticism or Atheism after such an oration?"
The paper presents the argument that a commitment to the separation of church and state does not mean that no religious sentiment, symbolism or ideal should emanate from government.
Abstract The paper shows how, for two millennia, church and state were either linked or joined. Examples are given from England, Russia, Germany and the American states during the colonial period. The paper describes how the separation of church and state first came about in America and how the term has been grossly misinterpreted as eliminating religion from secular life. The phrase in the First Amendment calling for a separation of church and state is discussed.
From the Paper "It must also be stressed that the phrase "separation of the church and state" does not appear in the Constitution but is the mere misinterpretation of our courts. Jefferson's mention of the "wall" referred only to that protection of the church from the state, not vice-versa (The Myth) so that the church could teach Biblical truths and values to people. It is not even one being protected from the other, but only the church being secure from the corruption and influence of the state, symbolizing the world."
Abstract Life of Nicholas Black Elk, a religioius elder, as told to the author. History of the Plains Indians of the late 19th Century. Describes the tribe's belief system. Black Elk's relating how the spirit voices came to him. Sanctioning of his vision. Need to bring his message of the unity of the planet to the world.
From the Paper " Black Elk Speaks (2000) is more than a history of the plains Indians of the latter 19th century. Black Elk was a religious elder of a people that has historically relied on the oral tradition. So this recounting of his life and his vision can be seen as a sacred text that has been preserved on paper instead of committed to memory. As Black Elk begins to relate his life and his vision to John Neihardt, he calls upon the Spirit of the World to keep him true (2), and then he reaffirms the authority of his vision, his tribe's belief system, and his belief that somehow, this vision can still be fulfilled.
When Black Elk was five years old he heard the spirit voices and saw the two messengers who flew down from the sky (14-15). He knew that this was not a dream, but a vision that came from the One Spirit. From that time he would occasionally hear the..."
