Abstract The following paper examines how throughout time there have been, and still are, important similarities among many of the world's religions. The writer seeks to find in this paper any one aspect of religion that transcends every different sect. This paper argues that, with the presence of atheists in the world and their lack of belief in any god at all, be a single, divine source of all knowledge and understanding is difficult to create.
From the Paper "Certainly, it is possible that one of these is the true faith ? if by "true" we mean that there is a high correlation between the tenets of that religion and what anyone of us may find after death. But this seems unlikely for one simple reason: Surely if there were a single faith that was the true one than there would be far less disagreement about religion. If there were indeed only one true god (or goddess or pantheon), then it seems that this would have become apparent over the long course of human history. There might have been some disagreement over which faith was the real one, but over time it seems to me that whatever divine force was at the center of that religion would manifest itself to more and more people, who would adopt or convert to that faith."
Abstract The following paper examines the story of Noah ? or rather the story of the destruction of the world that exists at the beginning of time and then its recreation after a flood. This paper explores the fascinating aspects of Findley's book that reminds us that the story of Noah is really a story about how God admits to making a mistake and having to start again with a fresh slate
From the Paper ?The story of Noah and the flood is a fascinating one, not in the least because it allows us to draw connections between Christianity and a number of other religions. While it is certainly not universally true that all creation stories include tales of great floods, such stories are so common across the breadth of the world's cultures and the length of history that they seem to constitute more the rule than the exception.Timothy Findley's Not Wanted on the Voyage is thus more than simply a retelling of a biblical story; it is also a retelling of an essentially and nearly pan-human story, and we should read it in this context.?
Abstract This essay examines the content of Pre-Qin Chinese religious thinking, namely the religions of the Shang and Zhou dynasty. It explores the forces, which according to the religious beliefs of the Shang and Zhou people, controlled the human and non-human world. It shows that, according to these beliefs, the two worlds mentioned above co-existed and affected one another. Subsequently, the essay reveals that the ancient Chinese ideas about cosmic order and disorder were very closely related to the political domain.
From the Paper "However, at the same time, it can be argued that the human world also controlled, or at least affected, the non-human world. The term "non-human" can be defined very broadly. It simply means "anything that is not human". The people of the Shang Dynasty believed that natural happenings such as storms, droughts, comets or eclipses were affected by human conduct. They were seen as warnings sent by the heavens, so that ?human beings especially rulers might reform their personal conduct as well as their conduct of government.? It is clear that there was a belief that the behavior of the human world would affect the happenings of the non-human world- bad behavior would cause natural disasters."
Abstract In understanding the importance of the prophet in shaping the relationship between God and his chosen people, the idea of covenant is central. The words and acts of the prophets spoke to individuals as well as national governments using harsh criticism, wonderfully complex illusions and metaphors and always concluding their message with reconciliation and covenant love. Several prophets are also examined to identify the continuity of God's message and the prophetic style.
From the Paper "An inner compulsion to speak that is unique to all other experiences was seen to be a direct result of God's intervention. He goes on to describe visions he saw and how they represented the conflict of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. The Lord promises to deliver Jerusalem from the attack by the Northern Kingdom of Judea. Later in chapter 20, Jeremiah describes how painful it is to speak out against his own people. He is a laughingstock and many people denounce him. He says to himself that he will speak no more and then, ?it becomes like a fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.?(v.9). Jeremiah knows that God is with him through all of this like a best friend. A very powerful best friend who he asks to take vengeance on his persecutors as the Jews perceived God to have done in Egypt.
Within the Deuteronomic theology of retribution, the final word is of compassion. As Jeremiah felt the prophetic call in his heart as an uncontrollable fire, so God is presented as one who is in love with Israel as we would be in love with another. "
Abstract The paper shows that one of the main focuses of religions are the "rewards" of living a religious life ? exactly what you are going to get at the end of your life for having devoted much of your life to the work, or ministry of your religion. This is a complex subject, one that cannot be generalized very easily among the vastly different religions in the world today. The paper explores how Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Shinto predict the afterlife.
From the Paper "Muslims (followers of Islam) believe that there is one Supreme Being to be worshipped ? Allah. They are taught through the Quran that life does exist after death, and this will begin when the Day of Judgment comes about. This Day of Judgment is the day when the fate of every person's soul will be determined based upon their "record of deeds", or what they have done while on Earth. Those who are true believers, and who have suffered persecution while on Earth will be greatly rewarded, and those who have not heeded what they have been taught about Allah will suffer greatly for eternity. In a similar fashion as Christians, Muslims live their lives in accordance with their moral standards (Five Pillars of Islam) and strive to attain a more perfect life within their lifetime. More specifically, the Quran speaks of how this life is in preparation of the next life ? every work that is done while in this life will effect the afterlife, which is motivation for Muslims to live better lives, and to be accepting of their persecution from outsiders, much like Christian beliefs."
Abstract This paper examines the reason the prophets John the Baptist and Elijah were sent by God to proselytize and is key in discovering the prophetic connection between the two devout men. The author states that they are stalwart examples of unwavering faith in the face of persecution.
From the Paper "The New Testament writers often refer to John the Baptist as the "New Elijah". The similarities between the ancient Israelite prophet from the Hebrew scriptures and the forerunner of Jesus Christ are striking. Both men were steadfast in their dedication to the true God, unwavering in the face of persecution, and similar in their demeanor. The only significant disparity in the congruity of their religious service occurred at the end of their lives."
Abstract The author illustrates because of many historical factors, religion among black people is the only institutional area that was permitted to develop to any significant degree. During several centuries of slavery other institutions were deemed illegal and remained relatively undeveloped. As the only significant social institution other than the black family, the Black Church has taken on multiple roles and burdens that differ from its white counterpart.
From the Paper "Black churches have remained overwhelmingly Protestant because blacks have little contact with Roman Catholicism. Some blacks have become Catholics, however, and because other religious orders refused black candidates, two communities of black nuns were founded - the Oblate Sisters of Providence in 1829 and the Holy Family Sisters in 1842. The first black American priest, James Augustine Healy, was ordained in 1854."
Abstract The paper provides a short history of male circumcision and its present day status in the world. It then provides a thorough examination of the arguments for and against circumcision. The paper shows that arguments for circumcision are the health benefits such as the reduction of HIV and penile cancer. Those against male circumcision claim that it is traumatic for the baby and that there is no evidence of health benefits.
From the Paper "Even though genital mutilation of females under the age of 18 is now a felony crime in the United States, after over 20 years of debate, boys however, are apparently not entitled to equal protection. ?This entire legal interpretation, aside from being in conflict with common sense, as well as British and American common law, is also in conflict with existing international law.? In the United Nations, the National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers has acknowledged that male infant circumcision is, in fact, a form of child abuse. NOCIRC also presents information that male infant circumcision is clearly in violation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
Abstract A paper which discusses Jonathan Spence's book "God's Chinese Son: The Chinese Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan" about Chinese Christian missionary Hong Xiuquan who led the Taiping "Great Peace" Rebellion in a bid to gain power over China's major cities and succeeded in seizing Nanjing in 1853. By examining Spence's book, the paper delves into questions such as: What is the nature of Christianity and how should the missionary movement conduct itself in foreign lands? How did the Taiping Rebellion affect geopolitical forces, in China and abroad? Did the Taiping Rebellion carve the way for the Communist revolution in the following century? What does it mean to have a religious conviction and apply it with military force?
From the Paper "Christianity already had its claws in Asia by the 1840s, as did Western trade interests. China's Qing dynasty faced serious challenges to its integrity as it pondered the course of the nation's future. Protestant missionaries that had flourished in the 19th century began to distribute, on a large scale, religious tracts and Chinese-language Bibles. The impact of these missionaries and their publications might not have been foreseen by the Qing dynasty, which already had begun to splinter. It is within this chaotic and semi-stable environment, coupled with the personal stress of continuously failing his Confucian exams, that Hong Xiuquan had his spiritual visions."
Tags: Confucian Heavenly Father, Mother, and Elder Brother demon-devils Emperor Sir George Bonham
Abstract This paper discusses the stories of "Arabian Nights". The writer illustrates how the stories within the main story are told with the purpose of teaching lessons about life in the Islamic culture and religion.
From the Paper "The stories of "Arabian Nights" vary as much as the lands they originate from. However, all the stories have a spiritual message and a message about values during life. The stories talk about life and how to live it, based on the Islamic culture and religion. Each story gives the reader a vivid image of life in Islamic culture."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, compare, and discuss the short story "Rappaccini's Daughter," by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Specifically, it will compare and contrast the characters with those of Adam and Eve in the Bible, and show their commonality. The paper describes the symbolism in the story in relation to the Bible.
From the Paper "From the very opening, the reader knows this is to be a story concerned with good and evil, as Giovanni lives in a home where the former occupant was a "partaker of the immortal agonies of his [Dante's] Inferno" (Hawthorne 293). Clearly, Rappaccini represents the Devil, as he is a truly evil and corrupt man. His lovely daughter, Beatrice, represents Eve, as she too spends her life in a garden, and drinks in the poisonous effects of the vile plants her father has grown. "
Abstract This paper explores the sexual perversion theories of Thomas Nagel. The paper defines sexual perversion as viewed by religion, secular culture and Nagel's psychological ideals. The paper discusses what sexual normal is and perversion according to Nagel's psychology. The author writes that sexual perversions occur when sexual interactions differ from the norm of each individual responding, with sexual arousal, to noticing the sexual arousal of the other person
From the Paper "Thomas Nagel's theory of sexual perversion is based on many factors. Sexual perversion has been widely debated, and viewpoints have ranged from the Catholic view that all non-reproductive sexual activity is a perversion, to the secular view that sexual perversions occur when acts infringe on basic human rights. Nagel's view is that it is a psychological basis that provides the criteria for sexual perversion."
Abstract The paper reviews the book "The Long Loneliness" which is set during the Depression era. Dorothy Day desperately searches for some meaning and purpose to her life. This search results in her conversion to Catholicism. From then onwards, she devotes herself to community work, which is her way of staying in touch with God. Her autobiography, "The Long Loneliness" talks about the turmoil of her times, and her renewed faith in religion and God. The paper reflects on various experiences of Day's life and the lessons she learns from them.
From the Paper "Dorothy Day is and will always be remembered as one of the most prolific American writers of the Depression era. But Day was not exactly a writer, as one would conclude from the warm reviews that that her books received. She was essentially a social activist who wrote novels only to serve her life goals and objectives. "
Abstract This paper states that, aside from the theme of waiting, the central theme of the play "Waiting for Godot" is religious beliefs, especially penance and redemption. The author continues that all four major characters in the play represent a part of these themes. The play is reviewed in detail from this perspective. The paper concludes with the idea that in the last act, there is a turn of events wherein their roles are further reinforced and widened through a display of religious representations and implications.
From the Paper "Perhaps one of the first instance of the play's religious theme is Vladimir's reference to the story of the thieves in the Bible. In the first act of the play, Vladimir tells Estragon the story of the thief who repented, and was saved because of his repentance. This part of the play illustrates the first sign of hopelessness of the two protagonists in the story. Both Vladimir and Estargon are men who seem to have nothing at all, save for the boots of Estragon, and the hat of Vladimir, which were constantly referred to and discussed in the play. Their nothingness was further worsened when the fact that they were actually humans who were born to suffer was brought up in the first act. In this scene, Vladimir asks Estragon the need to repent so that they will also be saved from their sins."
Abstract The paper states that the Islamic rule over Spain lasted for almost 800 years, starting in 711 A.D., and left its indelible marks on the Spanish culture and European history. The author describes several Muslim contributions. The paper concludes that the contribution of the Muslims to the European Renaissance is obscured by centuries of prejudice and animosity towards the Muslims in Spain.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Background & Reasons for the Easy Conquest
Culture
The Golden Period (756-1031 A.D.)
Architecture
Language
Other Influences of Muslim Spain
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Andalusian Umayyad dynasty ruled Muslim Spain for about three centuries (756-1031). In the early part of the dynasty, Andalusia was an independent kingdom. It became a caliphate in 929 when Abd-ar-Rahman III proclaimed himself caliph. His capital, C?rdoba, became the most splendid city in Europe apart from Constantinople (present-day Istanbul), and as noted earlier, the Spanish civilization during the Muslim rule was far in advance of the rest of Europe. Numerous schools were built, many of them provided free education to the poor. There were several Muslim universities where medicine, mathematics, philosophy, and literature were studied and researched."
