Abstract This paper is an in-depth examination of people's belief or non-belief in God. The author attempts to show some of the areas of conflict between believers and non-believers, including does God exist, do we have to believe in God to live a full life, and exactly how important is God in our every day life. The author looks at how different religions, authors, philosophers and theorists have attempted to answer these questions since the beginning of time.
From the Paper "The Intelligent Designer theory has gotten more sophisticated. Some of its proponents are Dr. Michael Behe- who proposed ordered creationism at the molecular level, and Philip E. Johnson, the self-styled leader of the Intelligence Designer movement. These theorists aver that the complexities of living beings, the mechanisms within even a single living cell, the balance of everything in nature, are unfathomable when looked at from a perspectives of evolutionists?the number of random permutations that had to occur before it all fell into place. In other words, the natural order of things we see around and within us had to have been pre-designed. The Intelligent Designer theory from a standpoint of astronomy is known as the ?anthropic principle.? Astronomer Sir Edward Hoyle and Mathematician Chandra Singh, both avowed atheists, calculated the odds that the world as we see it occurring by chance are 1 in 1040,000"truly, a number unfathomable even by astronomical standards. South African Astronomer David Block has observed that the Universe is expanding at the right rate and balance that sustains life on planet. There is an inbuilt design factor that cares for the universe"God the Intelligent Designer."
Abstract This paper details the similar origins of Hinduism and Jainism, explaining that both evolved from the ancient Vedic religions in the region of the Indus River. The similarities of custom and dress of the followers are given as well as their ideas about rebirth, salvation and heaven. The paper looks at their religious literature and their different ideas on the purpose of life.
From the Paper "Jainas and Hindus do not outwardly appear to be different. They are alike in many ways such as dress, occupations, games, language, literature, outlook on life, behavior, superstitions, religious festivals and fasts, sacraments, rituals and diet. Their similarities would not seem so great if we only examine the surface [Liebert, 1976]. However, that is where the similarities end. The Jaina deities, temples, places of pilgrimage, holy days, fasts, festivals, rituals and ceremonies are quite different from those of the Hindus. Although to the Westerner, they may appear to be the same. "
Abstract The paper first takes a look at the women accused and their backgrounds and pleas. Its inspects each one's life and social backgrounds and why it was thought that they were witches. The paper also includes recent studies as to why these poor women were thought to be witches by the towns people in Salem.
From the Paper "Witchcraft has historically been a part of English folklore and theology. Obsession with paganism began with a vengeance following the Reformation and, unfortunately, continued when many moved their families to the New World to avoid religious persecution. Though men were occasionally accused of practicing witchcraft, it was primarily women who were targeted. Why? The male-dominated society maintained that women, being the weaker sex, were more susceptible to the temptations of Satan. "
An analysis of the book "From Longhouse to Village" by anthropologist and missionary R. Daniel Shaw, regarding the study of mixing Christianity and native cultures together.
850 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 30.95
Abstract This paper examines Shaw's study and shows how he focuses specifically on the Samoan culture and its familial, organizational, and political structure. Shaw suggests that the introduction of Christianity profoundly changed the course of Samoan life through the process of ?syncretism,? or a blending of new cultural life with the old, a result of introducing outside religious structure in combination with indigenous social structures.
From the Paper "Can a person worship Christ on Sunday and visit a witch doctor on Monday morning for a healing remedy?? This question forms the central thesis of the book, From Longhouse to Village by anthropologist and missionary R. Daniel Shaw. (Shaw, p. 17) In his text on Samoan social and religious life from its inception to the present, Shaw puts forth a radical thesis viewed through a Christian, missionary lese. He suggests the anthropological thesis that apparently minor changes in the level of technological and philosophical religious development and the social and political organizational structure of a culture can have a profound effects on the way that culture changes and develops."
Abstract This paper begins with an introduction describing the magnitude of the Hindu religion. The history of the religion is discussed, emphasizing the importance of the ancient vedas and the Arya people. The wheel of rebirth is also discussed.
From the Paper "It is said that by the first century of the third millennium, approximately one billion people in the world will be Hindus. Apart from the millions of people outside India, who live their lives in accordance with the principles of Hindu thought, around 550 million Hindus live within the frontiers of India. Most of the people of India direct their lives by the Sanatana Dharma, which means eternal law. Within this eternal law, which is usually referred to as Dharma, there are many beliefs that interpret Hindu beliefs on life and death."
Abstract This paper traces the allegorical references to the Bible in Hawthorne's novel. The writer shows how the aspect of sin in prevalent in every aspect of the novel. The story tells the tale of a young preacher and his mistress and of original sin. Original sin is seeking self-gratification or placing the self above the community. The writer shows the parallels of stories in the Bible and in the novel - the Garden of Eden, the sin of the apple and others.
From the Paper "Sin is prevalent in society. There is no escaping the burden of sin. These facts are brought into view through Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. When the woman gives birth to a child, the sin of adultery comes into plain view of the Puritan society surrounding them. According to the Puritan view, there must be accountability for such actions. Such Puritan views originated from devout practice of biblical law, especially the Old Testament. There are several allegorical references to stories told in the Holy Bible. The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden parallels that of Hester and Dimmesdale, while the life of Hester closely resembles that of Queen Esther."
Tags: allegory, Bible, Hawthorne, Nathaniel, sin, community, Puritan, holy, Adam, Eve
Abstract This paper analyzes the meaning of life. The writer gives a personal and brief account about what he considers to be the most important aspects of life and the reasons for living.
From the Paper "It seems as though everyone is looking for something - objective answers to subjective questions. That is philosophy. One of those philosophized questions is to the meaning of life. The word "meaning" can be defined as "to give purpose". I believe this purpose of life is the act of LIVING. Life is a journey through a time of many physical experiences and cognitive development. It is this constant evolution of each thought and experience building upon the previous ones that is known as living. In living life, one considers from which he came, the variety of emotions and feelings, and the awareness of living."
Abstract The writer of this paper shows how Anselm (1033-1109), philosopher, theologian and church leader presented an argument for the existence of God that has been debated by philosophers and academicians for centuries. The paper shows that from the beginning, Anselm's argument has been met with criticism, appreciation and interest by philosophers such as Kant, Descartes and Spinoza. The writer is of the opinion that, after studying the argument, although interesting, it has certain basic flaws, which he attempts to bring out in this paper.
From the Paper "While analyzing Anselm's argument and focusing on its weaknesses, the obvious question arises: Why has the argument fascinated so many philosophers over the years, if it was such a weak argument? The answer probably is that it is difficult to prove Anselm's argument wrong logically. Even Kant's argument that ? existence is not a predicate? has been challenged by others who have argued that there are senses in which existence is a predicate. So the controversy of and fascination with Anselm's argument is far from over and is likely to continue."
Tags: Book, on, Behalf, of, the, Fool, Lost, Island, Proslogium, Gaunilo, Liebniz, RAA
Abstract This paper is an in-depth exploration of the role of the Apostles after Christ's resurrection. The author details 'The Acts' and its teachings, which marked the beginning of Christianity. The Apostles' goals in the aftermath of Christ's death and resurrection and the roles they played in shaping the development of Christianity is examined in detail. Some of the topics discussed include the sins of the people, the life of Saul, who became Paul, and many of the issues surrounding Baptism and the occurrence of miracles.
From the Paper "As well the apostles are required to help the world understand the teachings of Christ and to encourage them to carry forward the word of the Lord themselves, that is, in order to be converted and Saved. To that end, Peter performs a miracle, and both he and John preach the word of God to the people; as a result, the people begin to sell their possessions and give their lives over to Christ. An enraged Jewish authority then arrest the apostles for their heresies about resurrection and their apparent threat to what the authorities would have felt was their own just and rightful leadership. The apostles proclaimed Christ to be the one true power, and though the authorities were swayed by their "notable miracle" (4:16), they chose to contain their voices by commanding them not to speak, nor teach, the Word of the Lord. Of course, the apostles would return to their teachings in the temple, performing miracles, and would again face conflict with the authorities."
Abstract The paper looks at the development of the Church of England from its beginnings as an English version of Roman Catholicism, to its later establishment as Protestant English, the basis of both Church and State in England. The paper asks why the counter-reformation failed under Mary Tudor, and how the Church established its law. It also examines in what respects and to what extent had the Church of England by 1553 became a Protestant Church.
From the Paper "The church in England by 1553 had passed through a series of phases from the time of Henry VIII's 'Great Matter' to the death of his son Edward. By examining the different actions taken over the years we can begin to see how the church changed from Henry's view of an Anglican Catholic institution, unconnected with the strident, evangelical Protestantism of Germany to a Protestant church in England which would survive the attempted counter-Reformation of Queen Mary. The Church of England was founded on a basis that was both clerical and secular, and was enforced on the people by methods that were in turn both harsh and more circumspect. We will examine both types of methods and look at the role played by the bishops of England, the people of the country and by those who possessed lay power in the Council and magistracies."
Abstract The following paper critically analyzes 'Beowulf', a collection of heathen tales of the early Northland, put together and shaped by a Christian Anglo-Saxon poet in the era of Bede who was influenced by both Greek/Roman and Church sources. This paper examines the significant parallels apparent between Beowulf's adventure and Christ's death, decent into hell and resurrection. However heathen the original story was, the writer argues that it is reasonable to suppose that the account of Beowulf's decent into the grim fen, his encounter with the demon-brood staining the water with blood and his triumphant emergence from it into joyous springtime is at least an allegory of baptism. The following paper gives ?Beowulf and the "Historic Age" a far fuller historical meaning and even greater artistic value than the writer would have if it were only interpreted on a story level. The writer contends that if one were to start from scratch and invent a story whose every detail was to allegorize the story of salvation (which C.S. Lewis did in his "Narnia" series, for example), one could not do much better than was done in Beowulf by using plot inherent in the ancient tales.
From the Paper ?A classic work of literature is one that endures past its own generation. One reason a work endures is because it can be read, enjoyed and promote thought not only for the author's contemporaries, but for people who read it for years to come. In order to do that, it must contain universal themes that remain true across times and cultures.One thing that successive generations of readers do with a classic is relate its themes to their own lives and times. A classic may mean one thing to one person who reads it and another thing to another person. Quite often readers recognize a simple story as an allegory for something else. A recent example of this is how the "Star Wars" saga has come to be "adopted" by Christian readers because Christians realized that many of the main concepts could be metaphors for Christian ideals. "The force" can be God or the Holy Spirit who helps the Jedi (those chosen to lead and defend the common people, or in the Christian tradition, the clergy or ministers or even "everyman" Christians) to fight "the dark side".?
Abstract This paper begins with a brief history of Muslims in America and discusses the government's attention toward Islamic concerns, political and religious outreach efforts, and media visibility in general.
From the Paper "The most common stereotype, among American society, concerning Muslims was that they were radical terrorists who hated the Western world. This false accusation became a great embarrassment for America when journalists and politicians, with little evidence, rushed to point fingers at Muslims during the early hours after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. As the investigation continued, the media was soon made aware that their rash judgment was wrong. Yet, more of the same happened after TWA flight 800 crash in New York in 1996 (Lebor)."
Abstract The paper shows that Flannery O'Connor has been acclaimed as well as criticized for merging comedy with brutality and tragedy through her literary work. Although her literary legacy is comprised of only 31 tales, 2 novels and a few letters and speeches, what has distinguished her from other writers is her ability to promote the South's identity and provoke examination of Christian dogma. This paper answers her critics and illustrates her substantial contribution to literature, particularly Christian literature.
From the Paper "Her work also concentrated on the degenerating South and its condemned citizens (http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/flannery.html, 1). O'Connor believed that the essence of the South is derived from a fount of faith and attributes "absorbed from the scriptures and from her own history of defeat and violation: a distrust of the abstract, a sense of human dependence on the grace of God, and a knowledge that evil is not simply a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be endured." O'Connor wished to portray the dualism involved in comparisons of grace and nature, the human and the God-like, the corporeal world and Heaven, the spirit/soul and the body - all competing components of Southern religion (Collum, 1995, 1). She presented a different perspective on Catholicism and the South, that no other writer had conveyed previously and which many writers afterwards sought to follow."
Tags: A, Good, Man, is, Hard, to, Find, A, View, of, the, Woods, Good, Country, People
Abstract By using examples and sources from the Bible, the author of this paper shows God's intentions for his followers on issues relating to the environment. The paper shows that Christian Environmentalists believe that the earth was given to Man as a gift with certain conditions and that Man is not fulfilling these conditions by destroying the earth and annihilating species.
From the Paper "There are many examples in the Bible of Christianity's environmental concerns. There is a broad belief in taking care of all of God's creations, and we, as humans are to be the caretakers. God put the responsibility of caring for the earth with man. Man is required to take care of the resources God put on earth. The Bible warns us that those who destroy the earth will be destroyed themselves. God has put man to watch over his creation and it is our commitment to do so that portrays the ideas about nature in Christian beliefs."
Abstract Charlemagne was one of the greatest emperors that Europe has ever seen and this paper details how he came to power, what it took to stay in power, and how he lost his power. Included is his involvement with the Church and the first Crusades to spread Catholicism.
From the Paper "During the reign of Charlemagne, from 768 to 814 A.D., the growth of the Church in the west gained increasing power over its eastern counterparts. Charlemagne, the son of Pepin the Short, was indoctrinated with the Christian religion early in his life, and as a result he grew to become the leading proponent of Christian belief throughout the west. He continued the role of papal protector in Italy and his father's policy of territorial conquest in the north. After defeating King Desiderius and the Lombards in 774 he crowned himself "King of the Lombards". He began to increase the size of his kingdom by forcibly converting "pagans" into Christianity. His most difficult conquest was converting the Saxons into loyal Christian citizens. Thus, after thirty-three years of war the Saxons accepted Charlemagne's terms and renounced their religion and customs and adopted those of Christianity, while those that refused were relocated throughout Gaul and Germany. In 800 A.D. on Christmas day Pope Leo III, who was imprisoned by the Roman aristocracy a year earlier but escaped to the protection of Charlemagne who then restored him as pope, crowned Charlemagne emperor."
