Abstract
This paper explores the question of issues of at what point in a person's life do Internet addiction, consumer spending collide with Christian values and ethics. Next, in addition to an extensive literature review, the author describes the quantitative methodology for this study, which included a survey of 100 Christians in the main group and 100 non-Christians in the control group. The paper includes the complete data analysis and recommendations based on this study. The writer also devotes a section to Christian counselors and others who work toward helping Internet addicts to recognize their addiction so that they can obtain the help that they need from those who are qualified to give them that help. Footnotes are included in the paper.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Table of Contents
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Importance of the Study
Scope of the Study
Rationale for the Study
Overview of the Study
Review of Related Literature
Methodology
Research Design and Approach
Quantitative v. Qualitative Studies
Population and Sample
Collection and Tabulation of Data
Data Analysis Procedure
Limitations of the Study
Reliability and Validity of the Data
Survey Instrument
Data Analysis
Christian Group - Survey Answers
Non-Christian Group -Survey Answers
Summary, Recommendations, and Conclusion
Summary
Recommendations
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Capitalism and religion are often discussed together, and it depends on one's point of view as to whether the two belong together or not . Some church leaders believe that capitalism is a good thing and that there is no harm in working to make a good profit, provided that it is done fairly and honestly, so as not to do deliberate harm to others . Others that have different feelings about the issue think that capitalism is something that has grown much too large and should be avoided as much as possible - it does not fit in with God's plan for the world and His people."

Tags:debt, home lives, validity families motivation

Abstract
The paper discusses how as children we are wisely taught by our parents and teachers to treat everyone equally. The paper asserts that whether or not we choose as children to be guided by The Golden Rule can affect our relationships with others later on in life, so it is important to teach children to treat others as they would want to be treated themselves because it is a moral lesson that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. The paper contends that instilling Christian values and morality in children is a responsibility that churches, schools, and parents cannot neglect, for providing moral guidance at an early age can have an enduring impact and equips children to meet and overcome moral challenges once they become adolescents and young adults. The paper posits that there is no expiration date on The Golden Rule, it should be respected and acted upon beginning in childhood and throughout one's life.

From the Paper
"As children we are wisely taught by our parents and teachers to treat everyone equally. Whether or not we choose as children to be guided by The Golden Rule can affect our relationships with others later on in life, so it is important to teach children to treat others as they would want to be treated themselves because it is a moral lesson that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Instilling Christian values and morality in children is a responsibility..."

Tags:morals, and, values

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. "

Tags:religious, rowling, children, bible, god, witch, fantasy, education, parents

Abstract
This paper studies the symbols of Christianity and religion, and shows us how to interpret the symbols and use them in our everyday lives to overcome hardships and difficult times. This paper also explains the use of alternative, creative methods of dealing with personal issues, helping a person to relate to religion and God.

Contents:
Symbol
Internal Experience (Art)
Projected Self and True Self Realities
Leaving Our Sins at The Cross
Finger Painted Feelings
Blindfolded
Body Outline
Sticks
Safe Place
The Act of Forgiveness
The Journey

From the Paper
"Succumbing to social pressures can lead to drug addiction, depression, and social anxiety. By exploring masks of self, we can also see how we have damaged our relationships with other people, with ourselves, and with God. On the other hand, masks serve a definite purpose; we would have a hard time relating with other people in the world without masks. For example, if we feel inadequate on the inside we can develop a mask of self-confidence. By exploring the different masks we have created, we can reach an image of our whole self.
One of the most constructive exercises at the core of spiritual counseling is to explore our masks. By peeling away the false layers of self, we can reach the core of who we really are, and develop true spiritual communion with God. Physically creating the masks that represent our projected self or selves and our true self can help us to distinguish between our inner feelings and the external influences of other people or the media. Finding our true self can be a frightening prospect, which is why the process should be done with the guidance of a counselor."

Tags:faith, honesty, mask, Lord, creation, forgiveness

Abstract
This paper examines the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 in the light of Christian principles and finds that it fails to live up to Christian values.

From the Paper
"The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of is not entirely consistent with Christian social ethics. As Thompson points out, the reformers of our original welfare system had a variety of motives and objectives, many of which had nothing to do with the well-being of welfare recipients. Although the premise that "Welfare should be a second chance, not a way of life" is laudable, the Act encumbered poor people with time limits and other restrictions that they must meet or else lose their benefits."

Tags:Christian, social ethics, personal responsibility, and work opportunity act of 1996

Abstract
This paper extracts common Christian themes shared in "Everyman", "Beowulf," and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight". The author argues that all three tales illustrate that how a person behaves is important every day, but it becomes more important when exhibiting strength in times of trouble and temptation. The paper further relates that the main characters of each tale demonstrates strength by employing Christian values.

From the Paper
"Responsibility is a Christian belief that we see in these three tales. In Everyman, the Messenger is quick to explain how we must all take responsibility for our actions and our feelings towards these actions will change over time. "You think sin in the beginning full sweet" (Everyman 13), he explains, but in the end it "causeth the soul to weep' (Everyman 14). The Messenger also explain how we should "Give audience to and hear" (21) what God has to say because we will be held accountable for our actions. Everyman also includes the act of confession, in which Everyman is compelled to ask God for forgiveness with a "heart of contrition" (549). The play is a discourse on how to behave in life and it ends with the lesson of good behavior revealed. We should not be so concerned with the momentary pleasures as we should be the things that matter.

Similarly, "Beowulf" has Christian themes and references that refer back to responsibility. One of the most predominant is the notion of a God that cares about his creation. Beowulf relies on God's providence as he comes within reach of Grendel and prays, "May wise God, Holy Lord, assign glory on which hand seems good to him" (Beowulf 41). Beowulf and Hrothgar worship after Grendel is defeated. Beowulf also contains Biblical references. For example, the story of Cain and Abel is referenced when we read that God condemned a tribe of monsters as "kin of Cain" (33) and "The Eternal Lord avenged the murder in which he slew Abel" (33). When Beowulf encounters Grendel's mother, we read that he "relied on the Almighty for favor, comfort and help" (50). The handle of her sword carries the tale of the flood on it. Beowulf experiences tough circumstances and because he does the right things, he emerges a hero and can live knowing he did the best he could. Here, responsibility leads to good works and, subsequently, a good life."

Tags:christian, biblical, bible, god

Abstract
This paper explains that the author's core Christian values, such as always telling the truth, came from his father who was an ordained minister. Next, the author explores the values that he has learned as an airman and as a member of the Latino minority. The paper relates the use of the "mirror test" to evaluate if a person feels good about his decisions.

From the Paper
"Being Latino has made me appreciate what I've worked to become. As a minority I can recall my parents stressing education and hard work as the keys to success. My father did not graduate and my mother only obtained a high school diploma so they insisted on my siblings and me to do better. They provided well enough for us but hard manual labor was always involved. Regardless of how hard they worked and no matter if we were just barely making it, they showed me small town values such as always helping others who were less fortunate than us."

Tags:competencies, commitment, truth, trust, standards

Abstract
Ethical behavior is essential to conduct in business. However, the standards that are agreed to by a business are not established in a vacuum; they must be grounded in commonly held social principles in order to be valid in the context of a business environment. The paper explains that many communities in the United States are predicated on a Christian value system. Even when community residents do not profess faith in the teachings of Christ, the residual effect of centuries of Christianity creates an intuitively Christian world-view in America and many other countries. The paper shows, however, that common perceptions about Christianity and the perceived adverse effects of "fundamentalism" within Christian communities has resulted in a re-questioning of Christianity in the workplace; active measures have already been taken to eradicate it from many schools. However, the manager is still able to act at his own discretion and a Christian manager must always face moral dilemmas that accompany conduct just as individuals have always faced moral dilemmas. This paper examines what underscores Christianity and this applies in the context of a business environment, which is considered by many to be secular. The paper uses Larry Burkett's "Business by the Book" and Peter Hess' "Management: Responsibilities for Performance" as references.

From the Paper
"Perhaps Christian values are best employed in a business environment in that they condition responsible behavior. Christians tend to reflect more upon their actions and look to scripture for guidance. The gospel uses allegories in order to demonstrate Christian behavior, and Burkett emulates this style when he presents his own ideas. Such values include honesty, fairness and the divination of God's will in the presence of diversity. Prayer can achieve introspection; Burkett most often speaks of a culture in which regular prayer is ubiquitous. Through prayer and a careful, thoughtful read of the Bible, Burkett believes that one can more carefully chose one's actions as they reflect the will of God as well as the interests of the company. Burkett believes that one has to first develop a relationship with Christ with reference to his or her personal goals and then from them engage in devotional work, asking God for ways of developing Christian business practices."

Tags:Cornelius, Vanderbilt, tobacco, industry, Bible

Abstract
The paper relates that Brad H. Young's book "The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation" illustrates how Judaism was not only a background for Jesus Christ but was rather the context of his message and teachings. The paper discusses how Young analyzes these parables in a novel way: instead of looking at them as purely Christian material, he attempts to place them in a broader context. The paper describes how he looks at the settings of the stories, their linguistic values as well as similar parables from Judaic literature of first century period (Second Temple period).

From the Paper
"Brad H. Young's book "The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation" illustrates how Judaism was not only a background for Jesus Christ but was rather the context of his message and teachings. Young analyzes these parables in a novel way: instead of looking at them as purely Christian material, he attempts to place them in a broader context. He looks at the settings of the stories, their linguistic values as well as similar parables from Judaic literature of first century period (Second Temple period). He chooses and focuses on particular stories of..."

Tags:judaism, christianity, parables

Abstract
In this paper, Wallace Stevens poem, "A High-Toned Old Christian Woman," is explicated for what might be meant by the speaker's claim to an old Christian woman that "poetry is the supreme fiction." It discusses arguments in the poem that maintain that fictions are all products of human imagination and reflect the values of the individual that creates them.

From the Paper
" The speaker in Wallace Stevens' A High-Toned Old Christian Woman attempts to convince a true believer that since religious faith and belief and poetry all stem from the human imagination that poetry is as ..."

Tags:belief, bawdiness, religion, God, Christianity