Abstract
This paper discusses Jon Krakauer's book, "Under the Banner of Heaven," which contains the history of the founding of the Mormon religion as well as accounts of recent fanatical activities of small fundamentalist sects, such as the murder of Allen Lafferty's wife and daughter by his brothers Ron and Dan. The writer finds that Krakauer sets out to tell the story of the Lafferty brothers but jumps around from topic to topic and at times it is difficult to follow his course of thought. Further, Krakauer tends to criticize not just fanatics but faithful people in general, and at times his agnostic fervor gets in the way of the points he is trying to make.

From the Paper
"The book is most definitely a good introduction to Mormon history, but where it falls short is in its fairness. Labeling occurs when an entire group is lumped together rather than taking a look at the differences within a group. In the case of the Mormon fundamentalists, they have a whole different set of ideas than the non-fundamentalists. This creates a conflict when it is applied to the religion as a whole because their definition of deviance and morality, in general, is going to be varied. Krakauer reveals some very serious accusations against fanatical Mormons, but does not focus at all on the other Mormons who do not have any connection with the fanatical side of the Mormon Church - or reputation thereof."

Tags:revivalism, Latter Day Saints, terrorism religious Jesus revelation Utah belief

Abstract
This paper gives a biography of the life and work of Charles Robert Darwin. The writer discusses his controversial theory of evolution, and explains that although many atheists use his theories to debate the existence of God, Darwin was not an atheist; in fact, for most of his life he was a churchgoing man, active in his parish. In later years Darwin declared himself agnostic but never an atheist. The paper relates that the subject of religion was a big topic of discussion in his household as his wife was a devout Christian and his children were raised to be as well. The paper also looks at how Darwin's theories were the subject of intense and heated debate throughout his lifetime and remain so to this day.

From the Paper
"Darwin's family was considered to be nonconformist Unitarian but his grandfather and father were freethinkers and sent Darwin to schools, which were part of the Church of England. In Cambridge he became an Anglican clergyman. Although he was an evolutionist in theory he believed in the bible and looked for explanations in laws of nature rather than miracles and saw adaptations of species as evidence of design. He remained orthodox and would quote the bible as his authority on morality. He questioned why all religions were not equally valid and was critical of the bible as history and gave much thought to religion, which was the source of many discussions with his wife. Natural selection produced the good of adaptation but removed the need for design; he viewed organisms as perfectly adapted. In On the Origin of Species he reflects on theology and describes God as the ultimate lawgiver."

Tags:scientific, botany, revolutionary, biologist, environment, geology, fossil, propagate, variety

Abstract
This paper offers a brief synopsis of the 'Proslogion', and Anselm's ontological argument. The writer examines Anselm's first premise of the ontological argument for evidence to prove God's existence via reason, and explains how it is compelling in that it astutely chooses understanding and coherency as foundation to knowing. The second premise follows with a vigilant use of philosophical forms to prove God's existence is reality. The writer concludes that Anselm's work serves as a potent persuasive tool for the theist who is engaged in an ontological dialogue with an atheist or agnostic. This paper contains MLA-style footnotes but does not include a works cited page.

From the Paper
"First, Anselm writes about understanding, and how understanding and conceiving leads to existence of that which is conceived. If something is understood by a person then it exists. When the concept of God is conceived and understood, God then exists. For example, if an expression X is understood by a person Y, then X exists in the understanding of Y. Second, Anselm's argument informs us that when something exists in understanding it also exists in reality. As a matter of importance, it would be better for it to exist in reality than in understanding. Lastly, if the Supreme Being only exists in understanding, it would then entertain the thought of something being greater than it. If the Supreme Being exists in understanding, it can be "thought" to exist in reality."

Tags:theology, discipline, logic, Plato, belief, fool, consciousness, distinction

Abstract
This paper discusses how Catholics, Jews, agnostics and atheists have been placed outside the acceptable contours of the mainstream of American life vis-a-vis Protestantism. The paper views Protestantism as having dominated American culture since the nations inception. The paper also gives a brief history of religious tensions in Europe around the time of the founding of the US.

From the Paper
"What must be appreciated about the founding of the New World colonies that were to coalesce into the United States is that they were born of a desire for religious freedom that reached a critical mass in the the ... century. In England, civil war, Restoration and ultimate accession of William and Mary in... were political features of a religious-war dynamic that led to the final Protestant triumph over Popery. Even so, Catholicism which had been a transnational religion that was anchored in the authority of Rome survived as..."

Tags:Catholicism, judaism, agnostics, Protestantism, Protestantism, Puritanism

Abstract
The following paper examines the way in which the American government mandates that children will attend school, that there will be teachers, and there will be education. This paper asserts that if the latter is mandatory, then the government must decide what religious value or training will be mandatory. The debate explores how on the one side many have suggested that no religion be instituted, whereas on the other side just as many say that no religion is the same thing as preaching the religion of atheism or agnosticism. The writer examines how many Christians want a more exclusively Christian environment, while many atheists or agnostics want to decrease the level of religious power invested in school systems. Both sides have problems with their issues, and may be extremists in theory, in actions, and in rhetoric. This paper suggests a solution to this everlasting debate.

From the Paper
As the American government has progressed from a withdrawn state where it controlled little more than a militia and trade treaties to being an authoritarian structure which oversees everything from highway speeds to public education, the basis for change in its relationship to religion was firmly sown. A government which does not regulate public schools, or zoning laws, has in every field a very different role from one which does, but this is particularly important in the role of religious and ethical convictions. The difference between being tax-exempt and not tax-exempt is tremendous. The difference between having a building license or not changes the entire scope of a ministry. Perhaps most important, though, is the increased need for the government to determine what schools will teach about religion, if they teach anything at all

Tags:system, support, institutional, application, violations, human, religious, rights, illegality, discriminated, interpretation, school, officials

Abstract
This paper offers a thorough, logical analysis of both sides of the argument for and against the existence of miracles. The paper opens by explaining that throughout history, numerous people have witnessed or experienced rare events that they believe to be inexplicable by the laws of nature. Many of these individuals are so appalled and dumbfounded by these events that they assume that a "greater" or "higher" power is involved. The paper cites "On Miracles" by David Hume, "Miracles" by C.S. Lewis, and the film "Religulous" by Bill Maher. The author arrives at the conclusion that miracles do not exist and are a false claim set by religion in order to account for the unexplained events that occur, thus giving people comfort from the shadows of the unknown. The paper finishes by stating that the true definition of a miracle is an event that occurred with a favorable chance outcome - nothing more and nothing less.

From the Paper
"The mathematical process known as probability explains the chances of something happening, and why some things are more probable than others. You will most likely live to see tomorrow, but possibly you won't? Indeed. You probably won't win a million dollars, again this is possible. Another fine thing we have is cause and effect, which can work hand and hand with probability. Now here's a scenario: Joe reaches into his pocket and $20 falls out without him noticing; the chances of this happening are slim I doubt Joe loses $20 every time he reaches into his pocket. Now the chances of someone walking to the place Joe had been (not very unlikely) and finding Joe's lost money, a miracle? No - the cause (Joe in his pocket) led to someone else (effect) having $20. These two elements, if you will, lead into a coincidence. Miracles are false accusations; no force other than gravity caused you to get the money. When a coincidence happens, people tend to link that to a greater being rather than just pure chance: The truth of the situation is when cause and effect and probability join in to create the coincidence. Thus, pure chance allowed Joe to find $20, not God nor a miracle."

Tags:philosophy, miraculous, Religulous, Maher, agnostic, atheism

Abstract
This paper offers a concise overview of religion and atheism and describes their interactions in both modern and ancient times. The paper asserts theories as to the function of religion in human society. The paper concludes that, based on evidence presented, one could safely and reasonably conclude that there is no one, all-powerful deity.

From the Paper
"Some people argue that centralized religion may also have created a way for unrelated individuals to live together peacefully. Up to this point, human beings had lived in small villages and bands in which everyone was related. However, a nation consists of thousands or millions of unrelated people, who without religion would be prone to enmity towards each other.(www.middle-ages.org)
"Throughout human history religion has advanced and changed to adapt to the times. For example, as the Middle Ages came about, Christianity became the only recognized religion in Europe.(www.middle-ages.org)"

Tags:creationism, atheist, agnostic

Abstract
This paper relates the history of the Scopes monkey trial starting in 1925 with the passage of the Butler act in Tennessee to prohibit the teaching of Charles Darwin's controversial theory on evolution in all the state's public schools. the paper highlights the roles in the trial of William Jennings Bryan for the prosecution and Clarence Darrow for the defense. Included in this paper is a range of criticism and intense scrutiny over the last eighty-five years of the trial. Finally, the author relates the discussion over teaching evolution in America's public school system, which continues to this day.

From the Paper
"Also, the opponents of creation science were in complete agreement that the whole concept patently depended upon "a creator and misrepresented or ignored facts" which had been gathered together via more than a hundred years of scientific research in the fields of geology, biology, and chemistry. Undaunted, the creation science movement, in line with the 1925 Tennessee law that forbade the teaching of evolution in the classroom, began to lobby local and state governments in order to have its position represented in scientific school books and curriculum across the country."

Tags:bible-thumping agnostic dayton jury, fundamentalist-backed movement

Abstract
Sociology is an extremely important field of study that has dramatically changed the world in which we live. This paper looks at how Emile Durkheim played a major role in shaping sociology and its theories. The discussion provides an overview of the theorist and his work and focuses on the evaluation of the validity of the theories of sociology.

From the Paper
"A book entitled Emile Durkheim, 1858-1917: A Collection of Essays, with Translations and a Bibliography describes the socialist and his theories. Durkheim was born April 13, 1958 in 'pinal, France. Epinal is located in the Vosges region of Vosges. (Durkheim, 'mile) Thought and intellectual capabilities came to him easily as his ancestors were rabbinical scholars; in fact, Emile was supposed to become a Rabbi and continue this tradition. (Durkheim, 'mile) There is very little known about his parents; the book reports that he rarely spoke about his parents. One of his most influential teachers was a Catholic woman and while under her tutorage he studied a mystical form of Catholicism. However, the book explains that Durkheim was actually agnostic."

Tags:agnostic, theorist, study

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."

Tags:adherent, agnostic, atheism, belief, buddha, buddhism, christians, faith, god, jesus, muslim, non, psychology, religion, religions, sociology