A look at the Maya creation story which can be found in the "Popol Vuh", and acts as a window into the religious, secular, psychological, and environmental life of the Maya people.
1,690 words (approx. 6.8 pages), 4 sources, 2000, $ 54.95
From the Paper "Universal to virtually every human culture is the "Creation Myth or Story." A myth or story created by humans in an attempt to explain the creation, purpose, and existence of life. For the Maya, this creation story can be found in the Popol Vuh. Not only does the Popol Vuh recount the Maya creation story, but it also is a window into the religious, secular, psychological, and environmental life of the Maya people. This view can be applied to both the individual and the society and it also encompasses the cosmic world, the earth, and the underworld..... "
From the Paper "...Religion can be examined from any number of academic disciplines with each discipline exercising its own terminology, methodology, and subsequent theories. In the world of anthropology, religion is viewed within a socio-cultural framework. Religion is seen as connected to, the driving force behind, and the reflection of culture. Because religion is seen in these terms, it becomes almost inseparable from the human culture in which it exists. Both religion and culture are seen as an institutionalized system of attitudes, beliefs, and practices all of which are human created, recreated, and ultimately adjusted in order to enable a society to communicate, form economic and political frameworks, gender roles, marriage rules, social roles, concepts of the natural environment, and the basic beliefs of where, when, and how things are to-be done. Each culture has its own way of looking at the world and its own way of communicating this worldview within its own boundaries, boundaries it has created for itself..."
Abstract Compares the Mesopotamian flood stories of Gilgamesh and Atrahasis to the Biblical account of the flood found in Genesis. By comparing these three texts, the paper demonstrates that although they share similar events, the Biblical account establishes an entirely different rationale for the occurrence of the flood, and uses the story to define characteristics of the Israelite God that are not present in the earlier Mesopotamian texts.
From the Paper "The Biblical flood story contained in Genesis and the Mesopotamian flood stories of Gilgamesh and Atrahasis contain similar themes, language, events, and details that would lead one to believe that the text produced later chronologically, the Biblical account, draws on the earlier Mesopotamian accounts, or the Biblical narrative and the Mesopotamian stories both draw on a document produced at an even earlier date. The differences in the details of these stories, however, make the interpretation of them significantly different for the societies from which they are drawn."
From the Paper "Simply put, demonology is the science of unseen evil, much as criminology is the science of visible evil. The primary focus of demonology is the infestation of demons in either a living organism or an inanimate object. This occurrence is commonly referred to as demoniac possession."
Abstract This paper seeks to know whether the devil is a real physical entity or a personification of evil. It discusses demon possession, and Satan as a fallen angel, as mentioned in the Bible. It goes on to discuss moral evil throughout our history, starting with Columbus arriving in the New World in 1492, up to the present day, including Adolph Hitler, and arrives to the conclusion that the devil physically exists, not just as a metaphor.
From the Paper "Whether the devil is a real physical entity or a personification of evil, remains a central issue in theology, particularly within Christianity. Most of the conventional Christian churches teach beliefs that they have had since the first century; the beliefs are that Satan is an incredibly evil, fallen angel who is entirely consumed with destroying and corrupting humanity.(1) They teach that he is a supernatural being that is surrounded by evil minions. The liberal Christian churches teach that the devil is not a real creature but rather a metaphor for the presence of evil in the world. Early Christian thought concluded that Satan is a being without a center.(2) He is wholly a deceiver..."
Abstract This paper looks at the anti-Semitism of the Medieval period. The way the Jewish people were treated is discussed, as well as reasons why people were so against them.
From the Paper "The Anti-Semitism of the medieval period is a powerful force, and found in almost every Christian country of Europe. The Jew was seen as a very different outsider to the medieval person. While the other outsiders, like Muslims and Lepers, were kept away from the medieval person, the Jews actually lived side by side with the Christians. As the only group distinctly different living in a persecuting society, the Jews were very often the victims of the community's aggression. One thing that is difficult to understand, however, is exactly why these Anti-Semitic feelings were so widespread in the medieval period. The answer is that the society, those people in control and those people working in the fields perpetuated the tradition of viewing the Jew as an outsider and therefore a target of aggression from the xenophobic society of Western Christendom."
Literary analysis and criticism of the movie "Fight Club" and a comparison of the leading character to the character of Zarathustra in Friedrich Nietzsche's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra".
1,270 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 1 source, 2001, $ 43.95
Abstract A literary analysis and criticism of the movie "Fight Club". The author compares the leading character, Jack to the leading character in Friedrich Nietzsche's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra", Zarathustra. The author discusses their similarities how they both overcome themselves, they both develop a following, and how they both progress through the metamorphoses of the spirit. "Jack" is the modern day embodiment of the Zarathustria.
From the Paper "In Friedrich Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Zarathustra is presented as a wise prophet, a knowledgeable philosopher, and a man who continually overcomes himself. He abandons popular beliefs and dogmas and makes no apologies about doing so. He is his own person, not the person that the "herd" wants him to be. In David Fincher's Fight Club, "Jack" embodies Zarathustra's progression from a member of the herd to an independent, confident, individual. Like Zarathustra, Jack evolves into the person that he wants to be, not the person he should be according to society."
Abstract Massachusetts and Virginia were both strongly affected by strong religious customs in the mid seventeenth century. The author provides an in depth look at the impact of religious development on the cultures and society of the people of Massachusetts and Virginia.
From the Paper "In the mid seventeenth century, when the English migrated to the New World, there were strong religious beliefs and customs which they brought and soon developed. These religious ways had an enormous impact on the people from both colonies of Massachusetts and Virginia.As these colonies evolved independently of each other, their secular values especially those of religion began to take different directions. So let us now analyze how these two regions progressed separately in terms of religion and how this shaped the character of these two cultures. "
Abstract This paper looks at the Buddhist elements in the Herman Hesse story, "Siddhartha". The author relates his own experiences as a teacher of Buddhism in analyzing Hesse's treatment of Buddhism in the book.
From the Paper " The beauty of reading this novel is in the students' instinctive identification with this mysterious despair which Siddhartha is experiencing. It may seem distracted and diffuse, both to my students and to Siddhartha, but that does not minimize its reality. Pedagogically, it is often more effective for students to identify intuitively with a protagonist without too much overt teacher invitation or intervention. Many students do identify with Siddhartha quickly because they sense what he is experiencing, even if they cannot name it."
Abstract This paper details in great length the reasons why the author has abandoned Christianity. The argument includes principles of Christianity concerning the character of Jesus, fallacies in the Bible and the prophecies as reasons for the author's decision.
From the Paper "There are many reasons why I am not a Christian. In this paper I am going to present my case for not being a Christian and argue for my beliefs. I am sure that I will sound harsh and cruel in parts of this paper, but I ask that you, the reader, do not take it personally and that you understand that I am being so in order to get my point across.For the first eighteen and a half years of my life I was a Christian. I was brought up in a Southern Baptist Church, but I did not consider myself to be a Baptist. I considered myself a Christian. I was never one to like denominations that claimed to worship the same thing, each of course claiming that they where the ones that were correct. So I simply called myself a Christian and let other people bicker and argue about the petty things. But I did consider myself a good Christian, as nearly all Christians believe the same about themselves, I simply was not worried about whether someone should be sprinkled with water or dunked during baptism. I mean do you really think that God would care that much about you being soaked or lightly sprayed? I didn?t think so. To me it was the spiritual aspect that was important. But I think that my dissatisfaction with the factions within Christianity itself, Catholic or Protestant (and if Protestant what denomination), made it easier for me to let go of the religion altogether."
Abstract A look at the revolutionary changes during the Victorian period. The author examines changes in religion, poetry and views of love and faith. The author discusses the change of love to a form of faith in Matthew Arnold's "Dover Beach" and Dante Gabriel Rossetti's "The Blessed Damozel".
From the Paper "In a time when Darwinian ideas and new technological breakthroughs were reinventing the concepts of reality, faith itself was sometimes hard to find in the Victorian Period. Poets of the time rejected the previous era of peace in nature and unquestioning praise of God, and the Victorian poetry gave images and concepts that were more troubling than the idealized ballads of the Romantic Period. As Tennyson wrote, ?Byron is dead,? and so, too, was the romanticized view of life that accompanied the poet. The age was saturated in questions of religion and the whereabouts of God, and many poets used this religious skepticism as a springboard for numerous celebrated poems. The Victorian Period was a time of creating poetry as means of redefining the human soul, and many efforts were made to redefine one's faith as well. To many poets of the Victorian Period, religious faith was all but dead, and love had emerged as the new faith."
Tags: arnold, beach, blessed, damozel, dover, romantic, rosetti
This paper discusses how the advancement of new technology is impacting our society and mankind. It looks at how technology shapes the way we live today, and how it will affect the way we live tommorow.
2,000 words (approx. 8 pages), 4 sources, 2001, $ 63.95
Abstract This paper attempts to identify why technology may no longer be just our slave, but our tyrant. Technology clearly shapes the way we live today, and is now no less of a significant influence than religion or the government for determining how we shall live tomorrow. We can perceive technology as the artificial enhancement of human power, which will be used to serve all of our needs within the twenty first century. However is our society learning that technology is potentially self-destructive, and would it be so welcomed if people really new how it will impact our life in the future, and the nature of mankind.
From the Paper "It appears that as technology advances, it will continue to play an increasingly significant role in the future and shape of mankind. We must remember that whatever technology does to our lives, technology in itself is not to blame, but rather how we use it. Humans should not become so dependant on technology that it dictates the way in which we live our lives, and the fundamental decisions we make. Technology is certainly a virtue of human intelligence, but we must be careful not to phase ourselves out, and create more wrong than good. In conclusion I would say that technology should be used to support our efforts, but not replace our efforts."
Abstract A paper which gives a general summary of the connections between Islam, al-Qaeda, and the Taliban, and how terrorists have scarred the public's view of Muslims.
From the Paper "In the media frenzy following the September 11 attacks, it is easy to find a wealth of information on the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and Osama bin Laden. Virtual every newspaper, magazine, and television newscast includes some amount of information concerning Afghanistan. However, wading through the barrage of facts can prove to be overwhelming. With so many facts and figures whirling around, it can be hard to sort through it all. Some Americans who have not kept up on their facts are a little mixed up and have blamed the entire Muslim faith. How did Islam get twisted so badly?"
Abstract This paper discusses the emergence of Malcolm X. The author delves into Malcolm Little's roots to the life-changing events in his life. Islam's importance in the shaping of this American icon is highlighted by the author.
From the Paper "The man who started out as Malcolm Little enlarged himself into the greatness of Malcolm X. A remarkable man who experienced the power of redemption, he was saved from drowning in the ocean of blackness, grew beyond his hatred of the white "devil" into the self he was meant to be, into the black leader and hero who could plead to a multi-racial audience: ?Let us learn to live together in justice and love.? (X and Haley xviii intro) To the extent that his words were heard and heeded and his martyrdom honored Malcolm X was the lifeline that helped to rescue many from the depths of that ocean of blackness."
Abstract This paper discusses the country of Northern Ireland, and some of the strife present in this divided country. The author outlines the situation between Catholic and Protestant inhabitants. An in-depth look at the I.R.A. (Irish Republican Army) and Sinn Fein is offered.
From the Paper "Northern Ireland is an administrative division of the United Kingdom, which is situated, in the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland. The remaining portion of the island is part of the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland constitutes about 17 percent of the land area of Ireland and has 31 percent of the island's population. The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast. Northern Ireland's population is deeply divided along religious and political lines. The split between the Protestant majority and the Catholic minority extends deep into Northern Ireland's past and has strongly influenced the region's culture, settlement patterns, and politics."
