Abstract This article looks at the effects of personal, cultural and organizational values on decision-making in a person's personal and professional life. It explores the difference between ethnic culture and corporate culture and looks at how corporate culture colors decision-making at work.
From the Paper "Personal and cultural values affect decision making in a person's personal life because they define who the person is and how they will react to different situations. Different cultures often have vastly different value systems such as the respect for elders in Eastern cultures, the faith-based beliefs of different religious groups such as Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus. These factors play a major role in the way people think and how they approach problems. In some cultures, it is customary to seek the advice of elders in decision-making whereas ... "
Abstract This paper examines the role of religion and explains its role of in the settlement of the American Colonies. The writer discusses religious persecutions in Europe. The writer also looks at the Puritans concept of religious freedom in the New World.
Tags: Religion, american, colonies, founders, pilgrims, puritans, quakers, religious freedom, persecution, beacon on a hill, william penn
Abstract In this paper, the parallel meanings and definitions of the creation of the Earth are very similar in Hesiod's Theogony and the Book of Genesis. In similar ways, both Earths are created from a dark void, and then transformed through the will of the gods or god to bring forth a material world. This is how these two ancient creationist beliefs are similar, and how they correspond through textual observation.
From the Paper "In this mythological study, the creationist story of Hesiod resembles some of the key aspects of the Book of Genesis within the Holy Bible. By revealing the similar approaches to the 'void' before Earth was created, one can ultimately realize how similar these creationist views are within a textual comparison. In essence, the Theogony of Hesiod closely resembles The Book of Genesis as found within the Holy Bible. Hesiod, in the beginning of his creationist story, reveals that the prominence of a void that existed before Earth came into being. The birth of the various gods that come to represent chaos or the darkness of night are revealed, but the existence of the Earth has not yet been considered. The chaos or void is presented after a period of darkness that must ensue before anything resembling life is brought forth."
Abstract The paper discusses how Barbara Myerhoff, in "Number Our Days," presents a complex anthropological study of a group of about 300 Jewish American seniors whose lives revolve around the Aliyah Senior Citizen's Center. In Myerhoff's representation of the dynamic interactions of this group, religion plays a central role. As this essay demonstrates, with reference to the Christian community with which I am most acquainted, Myerhoff approaches the role of religion in these seniors' lives not only in terms of Judaism itself but also in an anthropological sense; in terms of the "definitional ceremonies" and rituals with which both practising and critical/non-practising members of the community defined their lives. The paper shows how this dual understanding allows us a broader perspective of the role of religion in our everyday lives.
Abstract Religion plays a key role in the works of both Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx and a close look at their respective views on religion are therefore very important. With that in mind, this paper argues that, while both Durkheim and Marx are not strong advocates of religion, Marx is especially sharp in his denunciation. In particular, whereas Durkheim does see some salutary effects associated with religious practice - such as the promotion of social solidarity as well as a collective moral code - Marx views religion as being basically an appendage of the capitalist establishment. More than that, Marx's vision of both religion and of capitalism is so unflattering that he compares the former to an ancient Near Eastern religious sect which favored the sacrifice of children to an obscure deity.
Abstract This paper explains that Paul is clearly the author of the Book of Romans and that he, indeed, had connections with the churches in Rome. The author points out that Paul makes it clear that, although the Jews and Gentiles had almost unlimited liberty in Christ, they still were required to live responsibly by taking into account the traditions, customs and feelings of the other group. The paper suggests that evidence within the text indicates that, in Rome, the large Jewish community was composed of various congregations; thereby, Christianity was able to spread rapidly with a centralized authority proscribing it. The author relates that Paul summarizes his message of the gospel and introduces the relationship between the Jews and Gentiles, claiming that "the righteous will live by faith".
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Socio-Historical Background
Literary Context
Theological matters
Application
Meaning of "Unclean" and "Stumbling Block"
From the Paper "Because relations between Christian and non-Christian, Jews and Gentiles were not harmonious, Claudius, the Roman Emperor, expelled all Jews from Rome in 49 A.D. This expulsion was caused by Jews all over Rome disputing the fact of whether or not Jesus was indeed the Messiah. After the Jews departure, the Christian population in Rome became mainly Gentile. This caused a culture shock when the Jews were allowed to return in 54 A.D. as they had to adjust to the dominant Gentile customs in the church . Paul hears of this conflict and rightly decides to address it in his letter in hopes of keeping a positive atmosphere within the church at Rome."
A look at how Kai Nelson and J.P. Moreland answer the question: If there is a higher being, how much control does he/it have over ordinary lives, and how does this affect human choices of morality?
2,419 words (approx. 9.7 pages), 0 sources, 1999, $ 73.95
Abstract A discussion of the existence of God based on arguments on morality and ethics as argued by Kai Nielson and J.P. Moreland. Also a discussion of freedom and free will and the phenomenon of determinism.
From the Paper "Why is human cloning viewed as a bad (unethical) thing?? The only thing that is holding the possibilities back is the fact that some people, actually a lot of people, do not approve of cloning in the least bit. It is stated that "one (a clone) will lose the sense of human possibility in freely creating one's own future" (28), constantly haunted by their earlier twin. Also argued by the Nation Bioethics Advisory Committee is the fact that cloned children have a high chance of low self esteem, wondering their value because they were cloned instead of conceived. On page 21 in the book, it states some of main benefits. The biggest benefit is the fact that people can be cloned, and the embryos can be frozen and gestated for organ harvesting. This would be a huge advance in science, as many people in need of organ transplants will not get them and will die. With organ harvesting, there could be an unlimited supply of "spare parts" to increase the length of life. There is a possible legislation of using cloning as the first step to cure Parkinson's disease.
How the separation of church and state, science, the organization of modern society, and the "futuristic" outlook of people today have led to the de-religionization of Americans.
1,720 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 5 sources, 2000, $ 55.95
From the Paper "No doubt there has been downward trend in religious following in the United States; in the last ten years alone the estimated percentage of the adult population that identifies themselves as any one of major religions has dropped by the following percents: Catholicism has dropped 6.3 %, Baptism 6.5 %, Methodism .2 %, Lutheranism 1.3 %, and Presbyterianism .3%. The only major United States religions that have not suffered a loss in affiliation are Judaism and Latter-day Saints (Mormonism).These figures do not only indicate changes in faith in the last ten years, but are representative of a continuos cycle of disbelief. "
From the Paper " The term of a Schone Madonna means a beautiful Madonna; which I think gave justice to the lovely sculpture from Salzburg, Austria. Like many Schone Madonnas she had the common S-curve figure and her stance. The Madonna's stance made her seem as if she was in the midst of rocking her baby ? The Christ Child to sleep. Though her body parts were heavily hid through the long draping garments; her position made it that she was standing with one leg straight while the other leg bent at the knee. "
From the Paper "When you hear about a place or worship what is the first thing that comes to your mind? A church with a cross on the steeple? A booming organ with music that makes you feel as if you walked in ? The Phantom of The Opera? musical? A balcony with young children singing in a choir? Enormous door that represent both the Old Testament and The New Testament with images of holy people from Noah and The Ark, Abraham and Sarah, The Jesse Tree, King David, Jonah and The Virgin? In my case, that was what I thought about. I viewed all the churches and cathedrals in their splendor and beauty. I was fascinated by the architectual style that each magnificent religious building possessed. Two of the churches that seemed to have their own personality were The Church of St. Thomas and Saint Peter's Church. "
Tags: art, catholic, church, churches, city, greek, judaism, ny, of, peter, roman, russian, st, thomas
Examines Michael Coe's book "The Maya" which pulls together the available data from many different fields of study to produce a comprehensive survey that sheds new light on the beginnings and eventual decline of the ancient Mayan civilization.
2,160 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 3 sources, 1999, $ 67.95
From the Paper "By using new and updated material from the archaeological field, combined with the recent studies done in the field of linguistics, Coe has been able to create a plausible 'history' of the Maya people, while at the same time creating a new model that portrays a very complex social and economic system not believed to have existed in earlier research. Coe's revised edition also dispels the notion that the complex centers were primarily used for religious or priestly functions. Coe instead sees these centers as also being the hub for politics, trade, and social functions. Added to this history are the artistic forms expressed in the Maya Murals, burial sites, architecture, ceramics, clothing and dated monumnts, all of which gives insight as well as documentation to the lives and movements of the humans that inhabited the many areas of Mesoamerica as early as eleven to fourteen thousand years ago. By tracing the various art forms displayed on these archaeological items along with the decipherable hieroglyphic writings, Coe has been able to offer a realistic progression of the Maya civilization through its Pre-Classic, Classic, and Post-Classic eras. Included in this progression is the outside influences of different languages and styles of artistic expression, whether these influences came through the process of trade, exchange, or war. But before Coe examines these three stages of Maya development, he first explores the possible human lifestyle prior to these stages, thus setting the stage for the development of the obvious and intricate architecture that is found in Mesoamerica today."
From the Paper "Formerly Saul of Tarsus, a well-educated Pharisaic Jew who persecuted the early Christian churches, which he considered blasphemous, Paul the Apostle converted to Christianity after direct divine intervention. Having seen and heard the arisen Jesus, Paul rejected his former views to become among the most significant proselytizers of the early Christian church. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, created several Christian communities in Asia Minor and Greece. Paul's letters, canonical writings of the New Testament, demonstrate his commitment to permanently influencing the communities so that the new converts would adopt practices that Paul considered correct. Of course, Paul's need to exert influence against competing Christian practices demonstrates that early Christian practice was neither well defined nor monolithic. Paul's writings substantively influenced these early Christian communities, and his theology, which preaches Christ crucified, facilitated the growth of Christianity as a religion. Paul is best understood, therefore, as a missionary who advanced Christians? understanding of the significance of Jesus, and not as the founder of a new "Paulist" version of Christianity."
Abstract A look at Campbell's concept that one can find clues about the human psyche from human created mythology that forms the core of the many different religious traditions found both historically and today in the twentieth century.
From the Paper "As present-day humans we can trace the physical growth of the human species by examining "man the hunter", "man the toolmaker", 'man the city builder, and so on. These are the most often used explanations to trace the path of the human species, but according to Campbell, these aspects are only one-half of the human life cycle. The other half and more important part of the development of the human species lies in the human psyche. It is within the human psyche that the spiritual growth and the spiritual experience of life resides and functions. The clues to this part of the development of the human species can be found in the human created mythology that forms the core of the many different religious traditions found both historically and today in the twentieth century. "
From the Paper "....I have found through other's mistakes, abstinence is the only form of ?safe sex.? Religion is one of the main reasons why adolescents choose abstinence. God created everyone as a sexual being. Through my beliefs, I have chosen not to have sex before marriage. Suddenly, virgin geek is giving way to virgin chic. The fear of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, are not the only reason for saving sex for the marriage bed. Despite the religion and social reasons to not have sex, the consequences alone are reason enough to choose abstinence. People who are sexually active say they have ?safe sex,? they always use protection. Choosing abstinence is the safest and most respected decision anyone can make..... "
