Abstract This paper examines arguments by many religious leaders why they consider the Harry Potter series to be anti-Christian and pro-Pagan. It looks at different articles and opinions from religious leaders as to why they think this is the case. It also takes examples from the various books in the series on which their arguments are based.
From the Paper "The Harry Potter Series by British author J.K. Rowling and the recently released film have introduced youngsters everywhere to the fantastical world of the occult. Whereas some parents and educators praise the series for renewing children's weaning interest in reading, other critics, especially those from the Christian sector, fear that this book is introducing children to paginated ideals. The Bible tells us, that "There shall not be found among you anyone who... practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord..." Harry Potter and his cohorts practice these condemned activities with no mention of the Christian blasphemies they are committing, and have resultantly enraged critics everywhere. "
From the Paper "Political, social, and artistic changes on a vast scale make the reign of Constantine the Great and, indeed, the entire fourth century the most confusing era in the history of Roman art. The fortuitous survival of the Arch of Constantine--with its historic relationship to the rise of Christianity as the state religion--has made this monument the focus of many questions about the emergence of the distinctly unclassical style that was eventually identified with the new religion. The Arch featured various classical sculptural elements taken from monuments of earlier reigns in addition to contemporary carving in the new style. Though there is little agreement among scholars as to the precise stylistic significance of the new style as represented on the Arch and the form in which it was eventually manifested as Christian art, it is clear that the Arch of Constantine stands at.."
From the Paper "The gospel of John, known as the fourth gospel, presents the Bible's greatest teaching on the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The concept of the Holy Spirit is introduced, portrayed in earthly form (a dove), and discussed at length by Jesus Christ. In John's gospel, the Holy Spirit begins its mission on earth: its infusion into the lives of human beings. The description of the activity of the Holy Spirit makes the Fourth Gospel perhaps the most inspiring book of the Bible.
The Holy Spirit is interrelated with the Father and the Son in the mission of salvation. The activity of the Holy Spirit on earth is the third part of this mission. In the Old Testament, God himself communicated directly with the patriarchs, the most notable of whom was Moses. Moses spoke with God at the top of the mount and was even allowed to view God, albeit from the.."
A comparison of the two religion's definitions and views, including the Buddhist theory of dependent origination, actions vs. intentions and Hindu reincarnation vs. Buddhist rebirth.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 3 sources, 2000, $ 47.95
Abstract This study examines and compares the different views of karma in Hinduism and Buddhism, including consideration of the Buddhist theory of dependent origination, the role of actions vs. intentions in karma, and the difference between the Hindu concept of reincarnation and the Buddhist concept of rebirth.
From the Paper "This study will examine and compare the different views of karma in Hinduism and Buddhism, including consideration of the Buddhist theory of dependent origination, the role of actions vs. intentions in karma, and the difference between the Hindu concept of reincarnation and the Buddhist concept of rebirth.
The concept of karma in general is not as simple as the popular interpretation of it would hold. Comparing the two religions' views brings out additional subtleties and complexities. On one level, karma would seem to lock the individual into a cycle of behavior from which he has no hope of breaking free, as Schroeder writes with respect to the Hindu definition of the concept:
Karma: "deed, action, impression": The law of causality: all events have causes and results; the principle of universal..."
From the Paper "This study will examine the concept and the importance of religion in the perspectives of Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Sigmund Freud, and Max Weber. The study will consider how each theorist views the relationship between religion and social stability, on the one hand, and religion and social change on the other, how each theorist sees the relationship between religion and modernization, and the strengths and weaknesses of each theorist's views, and will argue that Marx's views are most convincing.
Marx deals with the alienation which society produces in the individual, and argues that religion, which aims at healing this alienation, in fact masks its economic causes. The other theorists will be shown to take too lukewarm a view of the ills of society and the role religion plays in society, although..."
Abstract This paper discusses the types of discriminatory actions that have taken place against the Arab and Muslim communities in America since the events of September 11th. The paper examines why this type of discrimination exists and provides suggestions as to what can be done to remedy the issue.
From the Paper "Since the events of September 11th many Arab Americans have experienced discrimination in their mosques?, on their jobs? and in the communities in which they live. Many have been beaten, robbed and some have even lost their lives because of the ignorance of others. Discrimination against different ethnic group is not a new social issue it has existed for generations. However, for the Arab and Muslim community this issue has been of special concern in lieu of the terrorist attacks."
Analyzes the philosopher's description of faith in his work on Abraham. Examines the issues of religious paradox, universal morals and obedience to God.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 1 source, 1989, $ 71.95
From the Paper "Abraham and the Paradox of Faith
"The paradox of faith, then, is this: that the single individual is higher than the universal, that the single individual . . . determines his relation to the universal by his relation to the absolute, not his relation to the absolute by his relation to the universal" (Kierkegaard, 69).
This statement on faith made by S.ren Kierkegaard expresses a difficult concept: the paradoxical nature of faith. Kierkegaard believed that people should not get caught up in the big ethical question of performance; rather, they should concentrate solely on their duty to God. This was the only way their actions could be called right. For Kierkegaard, Abraham..."
From the Paper "Shortly after the publication of Darwin's Origin of Species in 1859, there began a conflict that has been raging to this day. Theologians with their biblical creationism have sought to contest the ideas of biological evolution as stubbornly as scientists have attempted to prove them. While it may seem that the scientists and their theory of evolution, having logic and hard scientific method on their side, have dominated in modern society, the creationists have not given up. With the new development of what is called "creation science," or the attempt to establish a scientific basis for the biblical creation stories, the creationists have managed to regain at least a foothold in the modern scientific world.1 In response to this, there have been several scholars strongly opposing this movement, labeling it a fad and building up a wealth of arguments against ..."
A discussion on the differences between the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and the American Counseling Association (ACA).
Abstract This paper explores the differences among the code of ethics of the organizations listed above. It examines how many of the divergent codes are attributable to the religious affiliation of the AAPC accompanied by the not-for-profit roots of religious organizations. It evaluates how religion appears in referral policies and attitudes about the imposition of values in the AACC and AAPC and how religion seems to underlie these group's codes for therapist/client relationships and termination policies whereas the ACA is more liberal toward making profits as evidenced by policies regarding fees, record ownership, advertising and testing, to name a few.
From the Paper "There are no major differences among the confidentiality and conflict of interest mandates of the three groups. They respect a client's right to privacy and avoid disclosures of confidential information. All allow for confidentiality breaches only when the law requires it or if the client or someone else faces danger because of the client's actions. The AACC, the AAPC, and the ACA discourage dual relationships with clients that could affect the counseling relationship or present the opportunity for personal gain."
Abstract The paper looks at the founding of the religion and its basic tenets-- from the belief that there is one God (Allah) to the existence of Muhammad as his prophet. The paper begins with the history then leads through the growth and rebuilding of the religion into the present situation of Islam, with two main sects. The writer concludes with a look at the fundamentalist movement that is growing as Muslims desire to return to a stricter past.
From the Paper "The events of Muhammad's life took on extraordinary significance as the practice of Islam evolved. Muhammad was married and had one daughter, Fatima. After his revelations began he spent ten years (611-621) preaching and attempting to reform religious practice in Mecca. But the town was very hostile toward him and very attached to its polytheistic practices. In 622 Muhammad finally fled Mecca with some followers and was much more successful with his preaching in the city of Medina. This flight to Medina was called the Hijra and it became the starting date for the Muslim calendar since it was "the beginning of Muhammad's public and organizational life on a large scale" (Ellwood & McGraw 381). In the remaining ten years of his life Muhammad's successful preaching managed to unite all of Arabia under his religious and civil leadership."
Abstract This paper discusses Anthony F.C. Wallace's book "The Death and Rebirth of the Seneca" which tells the story of the Seneca Native American tribe of the Iroquois Nation and deals mainly with the Seneca prophet named Handsome Lake and the religion he created. The paper covers details about the religion, as described in the book, which functions like a church, as well as the history of the Seneca tribe and their move away from their traditions.
From the Paper "The remainder of the book goes on to discuss more about Handsome Lake's reformation and religion, while he continues to have visions and begin preaching his Gospel. Handsome Lake died in 1815, but his followers continued to worship his religion which included a "daily life of temperance, peace, land retention, acculturation, and domestic morality" (Wallace 263), which Handsome Lake himself lived and practiced. He saw the wisdom of schooling the Seneca children, and learning to farm and keep domestic animals like the white settlers surrounding their reservations. The sad part of this is; the Seneca gave up their lifestyle to the white ways, which may have been inevitable, but still changed their way of life forever. They could never go back to hunting in the forest and living peacefully in their wilderness, their lives were forever intertwined with the white man and his ways."
Tells all about Paul's life, as both a Pharisee and a born again Christian. Also tells of his conversion experience, ministry, travels and the 17 Epistles that he wrote.
Abstract This paper illustrates Paul's life from the first time he was mentioned in the Bible, at the stoning of Stephen, until his death in Rome. It also tells of his life as a Pharisee and his conversion to Christianity while on the road to Damascus. The paper shows in detail Paul's many travels and tells about the 17 Epistles that he wrote that later became books of the New Testament and explains why he wrote them and to whom they were written. Finally, the paper gives many examples of Paul's devotion to Jesus Christ and details the many times that he was imprisoned for his refusal to stop preaching the Gospel.
From the Paper "If I had to rate all of the Apostles of the Bible on a scale from one to ten, I would give the Apostle Paul a fifteen. He was an Apostle among Apostles, a Christian among Christian, a powerful and influential man of God whose witness and message pierced the hearts of people everywhere to the core. When I think of the Apostle Paul and hear about his Holy Spirit filled power, I see in my mind a tall, handsome, and strong man, but interestingly enough, Paul was not much to look at. Paul was said to be a small and feeble man, near sighted, partially bald, eyes set close together, and his nose was somewhat crooked (All the Apostles 204). His unappealing looks aside, he mesmerized the hearers of his message with his fire of faith and zeal that flashed and flared in his eyes, this is why he is known as the greatest of Christians and profoundest of teachers (All the Apostles 205).
Abstract This paper examines the story of Moses as told in the book of Exodus in the Old Testament. It looks at how Moses was the predominant Israelite in Exodus and the most influential and important of all Israelites at the time. It shows how through God's command, Moses persuaded the Israelites to follow God and in return, God would deliver them from slavery and a life of suffering. It tells the story of Moses from his birth into slavery in Egypt in the Palace of the Pharaoh until he received God's covenant on Mount Sinai.
From the Paper "Moses used his miracles to convince the influential Israelites that God had indeed sent him, and with the success of making believers out of the elders, Moses attempted to do the same with the Pharaoh; however, when Moses ordered the Pharaoh to let his people go, the Pharaoh responded with ignorance claiming that he knew no such Lord and would not let the people go because they were his servants. Moses became dismayed and asks the Lord why he continues to let the Israelites suffer; God assured Moses that he will drive them out of the Pharaoh's land. Even when Aaron performed a miracle by turning his staff into a snake, the Pharaoh was not convinced."
Tags: commandments, covenant, god, y, israelites, jewish, sinai, yahweh
Abstract This paper studies the issues regarding the integration of religious beliefs into counseling. The paper looks at the benefits of a spiritual and religious approach to counseling, why this approach has been neglected for so long, the negative consequences that can occur when spirituality is not part of the counseling framework, and the ethical challenges posed to the integration of religion and spirituality into counseling. The paper also describes ways in which spirituality and religion can be integrated into the therapeutic process and highlights what is most beneficial about each approach.
From the Paper "The complexities involved with psychology and the Christian faith are complicated. John Carter, author of The Integration of Psychology and Theology, states that some Christians embrace psychology for answers to problems that are not clearly defined in scripture. In addition, they also look outside the church because they church may only offer such solutions as more prayer and a more committed Christian walk, but "certainly not psychotherapy" (1979 Carter 12). In addition, pastors encounter a similar impasse for not being able to provide answers that relate to a deeper understanding of human psychology. Some pastors may even fear being ?disloyal to God and his word,? which may create anxiety. This anxiety adds to the complexity of the problems associated with introducing religion into psychology."
Abstract This paper examines how burial rituals or funerary customs in other cultures are as unique and different as the cultures themselves and how, in every culture, when death occurs, the body is usually buried or cremated respectfully to honor the person that passed on. It looks at how different cultures have different beliefs regarding what happens to a person after they die and how, in general, most cultures believe that one's soul leaves the body and goes on to another world or to become another creature. In particular, it shows how a culture's belief of what happens to the soul affects the manner in which the dead are prepared or disposed through analysis of the burial rituals of several different cultures and religions.
Outline
Introduction
Egyptians
Hinduism
Judaism
Islam
Tibetan Buddhists
From the Paper "An Egyptian funeral began at the house of the deceased early in the morning. By the time that the funeral began the person had already been mummified (Taylor 114). The mummification process itself was a very long process that lasted on an average of seventy days or more (Mims 197). The mummification was completed in order to preserve the body so that when it's soul came looking for the body it would be recognizable (Arriaza 123). They would be carried from their house by servants through town and across the Nile in a procession that would end at their tomb (Taylor 115). During the procession food would be handed out and professional mourners were hired to mourn the dead (Taylor 114)."
