Abstract
Evans quoted Peter Paris' interesting observation that the interpretive framework that African Americans used to understand Scripture was more important than the Scriptures themselves because they were the source of meaning (Evans 1992: 52). It is, in other words, the interpretation, rather than any literal reading (if there is such a thing), that determine who any individual, or group, says that Jesus is.

From the Paper
"Who Do You Say I Am?

Introduction
Evans quoted Peter Paris' interesting observation that the interpretive framework that African Americans used to understand Scripture was more important than the Scriptures themselves because they were the source of meaning (Evans 1992: 52). It is, in other words, the interpretation, rather than any literal reading (if there is such a thing), that determine who any individual, or group, says that Jesus is. The image of Jesus Christ that Evans proposed is an image that he believed represented a common, or typical, interpretation of the figure of Jesus Christ in the African American community. This, he indicated, emerged from the history of that community and ..."

From the Paper
" James H. Evans, Jr., a well-respected African-American theologian, presents his version of "an African-American systematic theology" in We Have Been Believers (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992). Although the text is compelling, the question is whether or not there is a genuine need for yet another "systematic theology" in Christian practice.

Evans would obviously argue that there is. For him, African-Americans have been forced to accept a "European-American" system of theology, which he, and a number of other African-American theologians, views as being oppressive. And although Evans implies that other non-white, non-European ethnic groups have also been abused at the hands of European theology, he restricts the application of his systematic theology to African-Americans. This may be the single largest flaw in his.."

Abstract
The paper explains how philosophers and a range of other researchers have spent a great deal of time and effort dealing with issues of the senses and reality. One of the most contentious debates surrounds the reality of visual information. In other words, is seeing believing? This essay argues that seeing is not believing. This argument is proven with two lines of evidence. The first line of evidence deals with the way in which visual information is processed by the brain through perception. The second line of evidence deals with the existence of scientifically proven phenomena that can't be seen, but actually shape reality.

Tags:is, seeing, believing

Abstract
The paper discusses how many individuals believe in the concept of karma, which is thought to have first been taught by Mahavira (599-527 BC), an infamous teacher of the Jain religion in India (Mabbett, 2002). The paper relates that Mahavira endured stoning, neglected his body through starvation, allowed dogs to be set on him, and sat motionless for long periods of time because the Jains believed that "human actions (karma) generate a sort of field that controls the individual's later fate.... it compels the individual to be reborn after death into another form, human or otherwise..." (Mabbett, 2002, p. 27).

From the Paper
"Recently, I have become aware that many individuals believe in the concept of karma, which is thought to have first been taught by Mahavira (599-527 BC), an infamous teacher of the Jain religion in India (Mabbett, 2002). Mahavira endured stoning, neglected his body through starvation, allowed..."

Tags:karma, beliefs, erroneous

Abstract
This paper discusses Michael Shermer's book "Why People Believe Weird Things," in which he discusses many issues such as pseudoscience and superstition, which continue to permeate our modern society. The paper describes the two major fallacies that Shermer discusses, that have led people to believe in things that are not true and it describes some of the examples that he brings to illustrate his points.

From the Paper
"As with the Holocaust deniers, the creationists also latch onto flaws or mistakes from historians and academics. When there are any gaps in the time line of artifacts used in the works of evolutionist scientists, it works as full proof in the eyes of creationists that evolutionary theory is incorrect, and by default their beliefs are proven. In this case, just like with Holocaust deniers misquoting historians, they do not work to fulfill burden of proof, because they are not working to actually prove their own theory or belief, but only making futile attempts to poke holes in the case of the opposing belief system or theory. They are misunderstanding the burden of proof, that even if they completely disprove evolution it does not prove creation, but only opens up the field for a whole new option."

Tags:Holocaust, creationist, proof, logic

Abstract
An analysis of Jung's work, "Flying Saucers" and the films "Signs" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" in relation to the issues they bring to light about religion and faith in general. The paper questions what makes people believe and uses the sources to answer this. The author concludes that belief is based on many factors, including personal experience, imagination, upbringing and education.

From the Paper
"The word "faith" is a term that often appears in conversations about both religion and the existence of life elsewhere in the universe. By definition, "faith" can be explained as the belief something that cannot be proven rationally by logic or evidence. Many people, however, who adhere to a religion might argue that religious texts, tenets, or a personal relationship with a deity gives sufficient evidence to factually prove their religion. This same trend applies to those who claim to have seen alien life forms; these people may have physical evidence or photographs that seem to have no other explanation except contact with alien beings. Why, then, is the existence of aliens not accepted as general fact? Why, along the same line of reasoning, is there not just one, true, fundamental religion? The answer lies in faith."

Tags:alien, aliens, close, encounters, extraterrestrial, faith, fiction, flying, jung, kind, religion, saucers, science, shyamalan, signs, spielberg

Abstract
This paper, written from the perspective of a believing Christian, analyzes how Christianity became the religion of the Roman Empire in light of the epoch's morality and beliefs. Life in pre-Christian Rome is described as self-centered and egotistical, based on actions with personal and superficial benefit. The leaders who adopted Jesus' faith are discussed as being the reason the religion became widespread. The outlook of early Christianity is described as preaching good and overcoming evil, a completely new approach for the pagans. Various Biblical and theological quotes are used throughout the paper to reinforce the author's view of why Christianity became the largest religion in the world.

From the Paper
"Christians could look at Jesus and see themselves in his image--they could understand his pain and relate it to theirs. Sacred rituals and intimate meetings with others of the same belief helped Christians feel a sense of togetherness and unity with their fellow man and with their savior, Jesus Christ (Durant 600). Everyone is accepted into the Christian family, as "Roman Christians are to accept one another, just as they have been accepted by Christ" (Donfried 198). In succession, each new Christian would undergo a series of sacraments, beginning with baptism to wash away original sin (Durant 600). Using symbolic water as the tool for washing, "through baptism, one became a part of the corporation" (Frey 76). Forgiveness was easy to obtain, another important reason of early Christians to follow the path of righteousness."

Tags:pagans, Rome, morality, afterlife

Abstract
This paper looks at the origins of religion and how they may have evolved from a basic human need to believe in something that was meta-physical, divine, and omnipotent. The paper also focuses on the indebtedness - if any - of some of today's prominent religions to other sects which have been lost to the mists of time. Furthermore, this paper explores what purposes myths served in the ancient world and how they benefited ancient societies in ways that other forms of socialization perhaps could not. In the final analysis, the paper suggests that religion may have evolved from more primitive forms of morals and maintains that religion is beneficial to the human species.

From the Paper
"Returning once more to the work of Paul Kurtz, the need for religion is something that all ancient human societies required insofar as it was an ideal (or at least tolerably effective) coping mechanism for dealing with all of the many things early man could not control. For instance, it assuaged the fear of death, gave human beings the comfort of believing that the injustices of this world would be rectified in the next one, was a means by which the tribulations brought about famine, pestilence, terrible weather or warfare could be endured in the hopes of better days to come, and - finally - religion was a palliative that restored hope in instance wherein hope might not be easily revived otherwise. Finally, religion gave early man the faith that the unseen factors shaping the world (for better or for ill) could be propitiated and even brought to serve the needs of the local community (Kurtz, 23)."

Tags:religion, belief, moral, faith

Abstract
This paper examines the book "The True Believer" by Eric Hoffer that deals with the nature of mass movements such as religious fundamentalism, Communism and Nazism.

Tags:Eric Hoffer, original thinker, political scientist, mass movements, cults, fundametalism, dogma, ethical schools of thought

Abstract
This paper explores the abiding elements of Jewish belief, including the origins of the major ethical, ritual and theological aspects of Judaism, as described in David Ariel's book "What Do Jews Believe?" This paper discusses how various Jewish sects have vigorously searched for a better understanding of God as well as the influence of Kabbalah in Judaism. This paper also examines the differences between orthodox, Hassidic and conservative Judaism.

From the Paper
"It is intriguing how the various Jewish sects vigorously have searched, with their intellects and their souls, for a better understanding of God. The difficult question Ariel tackles is the seeming duality of God's nature, His nearness and distance from the world and humanity or "(His)transcendence and immanence." In rabbinic Judaism, God is regarded as "different from and above the world, on one hand, and closely involved and concerned with the world and its inhabitants, on the other. This paradoxical information of God's simultaneous transcendence and immanence is central to understanding rabbinic conception of God." The rabbis believe that they as "designated disciples" are able to be the interpreters of the divine."

Tags:jewish, judaism, religion, culture, orthodox, theology, tradition