Abstract This paper investigates the battle of Jericho to see what scientific evidence relates to the battle, how the battle affected the lives of the Israelites, the historical setting, and the theological and spiritual meaning of the battle both then and now. Evidence from recent years shows that Joshua and his army could have conquered this city just as it is told in the Bible.
From the paper:
"The battle of Jericho, as told in Joshua 5:13 ? 6:27, is a story that has captured the interest of biblical scholars, scientists, and even Sunday school classrooms with its mystery and intrigue. It is the story of how the weak were able to overtake the strong through a supernatural force, Yahweh, the Lord of Israel. There are many facets of this story that can be explored. We will look at the scientific evidence of the story's truth, as well as biblical and moral concepts that can be derived from it. We will also discuss the time period the Israelites were living in during the battle, and how the passage relates to events occurring at that time in the Bible."
Abstract The author begins this paper with an examination of the development and decline of the Roman Empire and its various trade connections. The author moves on to look at the rise of Islam in the 7th century and the subsequent fall of the Axum Empire. The author continues by looking at the rise of Christianity in the Mediterranean region and its move into Africa and then how Islam essentially eliminated Christianity in those regions. The author then discusses Islam's effect on commerce and military matters and its development in Africa by means of conquests and it's ideology of equality among believers.
From the paper:
?The spread of Islam, from its heartland in the Middle East and North Africa to India and Southeast Asia, revealed the power of the religion and its commercial and sometimes military attributes. Civilizations were altered without being fully drawn into a single Islamic statement. A similar pattern developed in sub-Saharan Africa, as Islam provided new influences and contacts without amalgamating African culture as a whole to the Middle Eastern core. New religious, economic, and political patterns developed in relation to the Islamic surge, but great diversity remained.?
This is a personal essay examining and analyzing arguments about both the good and bad of today's morality, a value-system that is generally without God's influence.
Abstract This is an essay which discusses God and morality. It looks at how God is viewed by different people. The author disagrees that a lack in faith in God has contributed to the country's current moral fibre, and argues that while moral standards and looser values are in existance today, but they are a result of the influence of the mass media and dissolution of the nuclear family, and not because of absence of a God-based society.
From the Paper "The negative effects of the loss of God are just as crucial to understand in discussing God and morality. These have often been overlooked by those who welcome all things new and better at whatever cost. The fact that society has lost the perception of harmony and unity created by divine guidance means that it can be argued that there are no universal morals left in the world. The acceptability of certain acts that were considered immoral before bothers many of us, and the term "liberalization" is often used in society when we really mean that we are without common norms of behavior or values."
Abstract This paper looks at the way in which Emerson, Thoreau and Melville confront and reject the Christianity of their time--though they do not reject God. All three authors address what they see as a fundamental error of human perception: that doing is the same as being. This essay shows the way in which these authors draw on Christianity's powerful images, but reject its salvation.
From the Paper "Romantics at heart, these writers may be strong in their condemnation of society's and Christianity's errors, but as Thomas Wolfe so aptly put it of every romantic: "His tongue was bitter because his heart believed so much."
"Dream delivers us to dream, and there is no end to illusion" writes Ralph Waldo Emerson in his great essay, Experience. There is something essential, indestructible in the human soul that must be sought out but it is supremely difficult to do so."
Abstract This paper examines the ways in which Greek religion was tied to Greek political beliefs and practices and the ways in which Hebrew religious beliefs and practices were linked to social conventions and cultural values since neither religion can be understood in isolation from its social context.
From the Paper "Because most people have now heard of Greek mythology, we should start off by discussing how it differs from Greek religion. Greek mythology was a collection of folk stories about heroism, passion, loss and victory. Greek religion was much more serious, being focused on the ways that people should feel towards the gods. Greek religion was practiced for over a thousand years, from the time of the poet Homer (who lived in the ninth century before the Christian era) through the reign of the Emperor Julian in the fourth century a.d."
The following paper examines the way in which Paul the Apostle managed to herald a radical break between Christianity and the world that provided the fertile religious soil of thought from which it sprung.
Abstract This paper explains Paul's theory that Jesus's sacrifice on the cross rendered Mosaic Law invalid. It suggests that the formation of this idea was the fundamental break between Christianity and Judaism.
From the Paper "This philosophic shift of thought both made the Jesus sect that emphasized Jesus' life rather than his words more important in the Early Christian tradition as well as heralded a radical break between Christianity and the world that provided the fertile religious soil of thought from which it sprung."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth look at the superstitions and mysticism of ancient Rome. The author discusses how magic and witchcraft conflicted with Rome as a modern society. The paper examines the history of spell-casting as a powerful tool among ancient civilizations, and explains the different types of spells and rituals that were popular among the Romans.
From the Paper "To a culture acclimated to the traditional control and directive demands of a host of unseen dominant deities, belief in the potency of divination, binding spells and ritualistic curses came easy and a strong faith and belief in the might and power inherent in the art of magic soon became deeply rooted within much of Roman society. In the arcane secrets and influential chants of magic, the ancients perceived the chance to gain a measure of control over a life and a death traditionally dependant on the whims of the gods as well as a method of counteractive defense against deities whose offenses frequently affected success and often determined survival. Although the philosophers of Rome continued to condemn the practices of magic, much of the ancient citizenry of Rome readily accepted the principles of the magic arts and eagerly embraced its ritualistic practices."
Abstract The universal declaration of human rights is dissected in this paper in order to challenge the notion of human rights and religion interacting cohesively. The three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam and their opinions on human rights are carefully examined in this paper, as well as their differences and similarities regarding this issue. Several examples of said human rights violations are described in respect to these religions. This paper tries to find a balance between human rights and respect for religious belief , which depends on the most important human right, the right to choose.
From the Paper "Judaism, Christianity and Islam have much in common. All are, "founded on the eternal command to love one God, oneself, and all neighbors. Each tradition recognizes a canonical text as its highest authority- the Bible, the Torah and the Qur"an.? The similarities continue in delegating authority to officials to propagate the faith, the embracing of an expanding body to interpret and enforce the religion's decree, the presence of a refined legal structure (the canon law, Halakha and Shari?a) and the endeavor of each religion to imbue its religious, ethical and legal values into the daily lives of individuals and communities. Religious laws are not necessarily in breach of human rights so long as the freedom to choose religion or no religion is acknowledged. However, as has happened throughout history and even today, when religious laws are constructed by a state affecting all citizens, their option of a different or no religion becomes impossible."
Abstract This paper describes the daily lives and culture of the black American Muslim and Nation of Islam communities. The paper defines these groups and their customs and religious rituals. It illustrates the historical leaders of the black Muslim movements, including in depth biographies of Malcolm X and Louis Farrakhan. The paper discusses the missionary and racist elements in these movements.
From the Paper "Religion is important to many Americans not simply because they believe that their faith will bring them to a better world in the afterlife or because it will guide their actions as a moral and good individual here on earth but also because it provides them with a sense of self-identity. Religion tells people who they are, how they are different from other people, to which community they belong. This may be especially true for black Muslims. This paper examines the black Muslim and Nation of Islam movements within the larger context of religious life in contemporary America and the context of the daily lives of black Americans as we enter the 21st century.
It may be helpful for us toe begin with some basic definitions. Black Muslims are simply those followers of a predominantly black religious movement in the United States who profess Islam as their faith. Not all of the followers of this movement are in fact black, although nearly all of them are black or have a black member of their family (such as a spouse or child) who is involved. The movement encompasses not only spiritual and liturgical aspects of life but political and wide-ranging cultural as well, including an emphasis on economic cooperation and self-sufficiency for black communities and individuals. "
Tags: black, muslim, nation, islam, regilion, contemporary, america, identity, 21st, century, united, states, spiritual, political, cultural, farrakhan, malcom, x
Abstract This paper debates the book "Compromising Palestine: A Guide to the Final Status Negotiations" by Aharon Klieman and examines the options of both nations, Palestine and Israel. This paper illustrates the major issues of the ongoing conflict and the fundamental problems of territories, religious sites, and refugees.
From the Paper "Kleiman wrote that partition was a necessary evil while Mearsheimer suggests that in no way will the Palestine people ever agree to a partition on the terms that are being offered. The paradox of partition continues even after 50 years and it becomes a race to see which side will win the race. Is partition necessary as Kleiman suggests or is Mearsheimer correct when he claims that the 50 year old history between the two nations will not allow the concept of partition being accepted. In order to understand the dynamics we must under take a analysis of the history of the two nations. While analyzing the concept of partition Kleiman studied the history of the Palestine - Israel conflict. He realized that fifty years ago the Palestinians, and the Arabs, rejected resolution 181 calling for the establishment of two independent states in Palestine. The resolution also made Jerusalem a city under international administration and marked its borders. While the Arabs rejected the offer, the Jews accepted it. Thirty-three countries, including the then Soviet Union and the United States, voted for the resolution while 13 voted against and 10 abstained."
An analysis of the presence of religion in everyday life from a democratic and spiritual approach by reviewing Wallace Stevens? poem, "Sunday Morning".
Abstract This paper is an analysis of the themes and messages of Wallace Stevens? poem "Sunday Morning". It explores the following themes: Religion is not connected to a sacred time or a sacred community, Religion and religious experience is the province of all, religion is present everywhere. It includes key excerpts from the poem that explain the author's intentions when writing the poem. The poem addresses the search for meaning that every human being experiences.
From the Paper "One of the most important themes in American Literature is the presence of the sacred in the everyday. Religion is not relegated to a sacred time or a sacred community. Religion and religious experience is the province of all. It is possible everywhere one goes. It is not only possible in old and archaic lands. Wallace Stevens? poem "Sunday Morning" explores these themes by beginning with a very banal image, that of a woman having breakfast on a Sunday morning. Note that she is not in church, even though it is Sunday."
Abstract This paper looks at how the religion of Islam, Western modern culture and ancient African cultures and traditions all come together to create the "African culture". The writer claims that there is no one such culture and there is a patchwork of many cultures all fusing together. The countries of Mali and Nigeria are analyzed as an example.
From the Paper "From the distance of the New World, Africa may appear to be a relatively homogeneous country, black and exotic and poor and fighting a losing battle against AIDS. But Africa is no more homogeneous than is the United States. It is a fascinating and ever-changing blend of cultural values and social institutions, many of them shaped by the intersection of three essential forces: indigenous beliefs and values, Western cultural values and practices, and Islam. This paper explores how these three come together in Nigeria and Mali."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to briefly introduce, discuss and analyze the prophet Isaiah as he appears in the Old Testament of the Bible.
From the Paper "Isaiah lived about 700 years before Jesus in Israel, during the reign of four different kings, and during a time of great unrest in the country. God sends him to help mend the Israelites ways, because they are facing a war with Assyria, and they have stopped worshipping God, they have become self-centered and preoccupied with their own lives, and they are sinners"
Abstract To better understand these two Founding Fathers and their attitudes towards Christianity, this paper compares and contrasts the sentiments of Thomas Paine ? author, pamphleteer, and political maverick ? and Benjamin Franklin ? scientist, author, politician, statesman, and diplomat. It examines their backgrounds, their familial upbringings, their personal experiences as young men: essentially, how their life experiences shaped and molded their thinking on Christianity. In many aspects, both Paine and Franklin share common grounds on religion, though there's sufficient diversification that they both publicly espoused and noted in print.
From the Paper "It's a surprise that America is not a Christian nation. The entire history of Mankind is replete with rising civilizations having a religion closely associated within the structure and framework of a nation's government and society, such as the Church of England in Britain. America's Founding Fathers had the foresight not to designate any one sect as the official religion of a nation. At no point does Christianity enter the context of governmental recognition or incorporation in the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution of the United States of America; yet, many ? if not all ? of the Founding Fathers were raised in one Christian sect or another. When the Puritans first fled England, they were seeking a place to live without religious persecution from the authorities. Their journey first took them to the Low Countries of Europe and eventually to the New World of America. These Puritans were looking for a new home where they can live their lives, raised their families, become prosperous, explore new lands, and worship freely. As England expanded its colonies in America, religious institutions and houses of worship became the cornerstone of any community from Maine through Georgia, but, still, Christianity never became America's national religion."
Abstract This paper discusses St. Augustine's sin of stealing the pears and what made him do so. It details the commentary on this, what was going through St. Augustine's head, and what were the consequences of his act. It describes how St. Augustine became one of the greatest doctors of the Catholic Church and details his great achievements despite this incident.
From the Paper "St. Augustine's account of his stealing the pears is a starkly honest confrontation of his ? and man's ? wretchedness without God. He freely admits that stealing is against God's law, which is inherently etched in the heart of man, a law which not even sin can erase. Nonetheless, man steals -- and Augustine stole those pears, not out of want for something to eat or any other need for them, nor for the desire to own the fruits because of their exceptional quality, such as color or taste. Augustine writes that he stole simply because he "lusted to thieve" (p 4 par 4). He revealed that the act came out of being habituated to sin, ?a pampered ness of iniquity.? (p 4 par 4), which inclined him to no other pattern of acts but the wrong ones. He said it exactly and clearly but in repentance, that it was out of a joy for the evil that he sinned by stealing: ?It was foul, and I loved it.? (p 5 par 1). It was doing something wrong for the preference and enjoyment of evil."
