Abstract
This paper focuses on Maya Angelou's poem, "Christians" where Angelou describes what it is like to be a Christian. An analysis of "Christians" shows how the author used literary elements to give meaning to the poem. The paper describes how Maya Angelou's poem describes her life as a Christian and how God makes the difference in her life even during difficult times. The paper explains that the meaning of the poem is that a person does not have to be perfect to be a Christian because God forgives and he is there to help the Christian.

From the Paper
'What does it mean to be a Christian? Jane Fonda (actress), Gary Busey (Academy Award actor), George Foreman (heavy weight world boxing champion), and President Bush will define the meaning of Christianity differently (Famous `Born Again' Christians). Often people struggle to describe what it means to be a Christian. Maya Angelou in her poem, "Christians," describes what it is like to be a Christian. An analysis of "Christians" will show how the author used literary elements to give meaning to the poem. Maya Angelou's poem describes her life as a Christian and how God makes the difference in her life even during difficult times."

Tags:christians, forgiveness, perfection

Abstract
The paper discusses how the moral issue of whether Orthodox Christians should engage in warfare has been debated by theologians and religious leaders for centuries. The paper relates that they have not succeeded in achieving a comprehensive resolution to this question which can be applied at all times and in all circumstances because of the complexity of the religious, social, political, and economic issues involved, but general doctrinal agreement has developed that Orthodox Christians can engage in warfare if the cause or principle they are defending or fighting for is just.

From the Paper
"The moral issue of whether Orthodox Christians should engage in warfare has been debated by theologians and religious leaders for centuries. They have not succeeded in achieving a comprehensive resolution to this question which can be applied at all times and in all circumstances because of the complexity of the religious, social, political, and economic issues involved, but general doctrinal agreement has developed that Orthodox Christians can engage in warfare if the cause or principle..."

Tags:orthodox, christians, war

Abstract
The paper claims that while not every type of environmental activism would be considered appropriate for Christians, Christians should participate in the kind of actions that can help preserve and restore the environment that are based on strong spiritual principles that are compatible with their own theology and practice. The paper asserts that ideally, this sort of environmental activism should also allow Christians to demonstrate their faith in action, in the public arena.

From the Paper
"The claim to be presented in this paper is that while not every type of environmental activism would be considered appropriate for Christians, Christians should participate in the kind of actions that can help preserve and restore the environment that are based on strong spiritual principles that are compatible with their own theology and practice. Ideally, this sort of environmental activism should also allow Christians to demonstrate their faith in action, in the public arena."

Tags:environment, christianity, activism

Abstract
This paper discusses the book, "The Christians as the Romans Saw Them," and focuses on the roles Roman knowledge and interpretation of Judaism and their Jewish subjects played in their understandings of Christianity and their relations with Christians.

From the Paper
"Just as the Romans were skeptical of Christianity and Jesus, they were skeptical of the Jews and their religion. Romans had developed a sophisticated and well-functioning society, but their intolerance of other religions left little room for acceptance, and so, as Christianity spread, Romans either had to accept it or slowly disintegrate into a pagan and non-believing state that did not fit in the new world order. Later, the author seems to confirm this when he notes, "Christianity exposed Hellenism to acute peril. For the revolt against Judaism injected a poison into the society that would eventually destroy the traditions of Hellenism" (Wilken 1984, 121). It seems that understanding the Jewish religion ultimately led to a fuller acceptance of Christianity around this world, and this doomed the Roman Empire."

Tags:roman, empire, jewish, christianity

Abstract
This paper explains that Christians living in the Holy Land are not only subjected to the oppression of being linked and grouped with the subjugated Palestinians but also have the disadvantage of being further subjugated by Palestinian Muslims. The author points out that the mass exodus of Christians from the area is dependent upon economic and human rights issues. The paper concludes that the kind of Islamism and nationalism, which are required to over throw a powerful interest like Israel, will likely continue to be spurred on by powers who overlook and even overtly discriminate against Christians of any form and from any place.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Historical Background
The Present Situation of Christians Living in the Holy Land
Conclusions and Summary

From the Paper
"The final group supporting this issue of Islamization of the Palestinian problem, is one that even more clearly demonstrates the Islamic ideal of the "Palestinian problem," Hamas, which clearly expresses the idea that the Palestinian issue is an Islamic issue and to alter the landscape and reassert power over Palestine (virtually taking back all land from the Jewish State) will be solved through Jihad "holy war" with those who oppress Islam and support oppressors. The resulting situation is again an oversimplification of the indigenous diversity of the region."

Tags:israel islamization persecution, collective rebirth, misunderstandings

Abstract
The view of non-Roman Christians as constructed by Roman Christians is examined in this paper through three texts. The first two are texts by anonymous authors, both translated by Kenneth B. Wolf and dated 750 and 850, respectively. These two texts represent two widely diverse views of the Muslim faith and the Arab people. The third text concerns the view of the Greek Orthodoxy and is translated by Ernest F. Henderson.

From the Paper
"The initial Roman intention was to achieve peace by means of a marriage between Otto II and a Greek princess. Despite the fact that Liutprand arrives in peace as an emissary to conduct negotiations, by his account, his reception is nothing short of hostile and even barbaric: Liutprand and his companions were held prisoner without food or drink, and in terrible conditions (Henderson, 1910, p. 442). Things never improve throughout the narrative, and the Greeks; most especially the orthodoxy, are shown to be stingy and hypocritical: "In all Greece - I speak truly and do not lie - I found no hospitable bishops. They are at the same time poor and rich; rich in gold, with which they play from full coffers; poor in servants and implements." (Henderson, 1910, p. 475)."

Tags:Walid, Visigoth, Muhammad, Liutprand

Abstract
This paper examines the issue of identity among the Maronite Christians in Lebanon, providing first a brief historical background and then discussing how they have pursued various strategies for determining for themselves who it is that they are. The primary Maronite group is a Christian community of Arabs centered in Lebanon and in communion with the Pope. Smaller Maronite groups also exist in Cyprus, Palestine, Syria, and the United States, with a total number throughout the world of about 1.3 million. It examines how the self discovery process is especially difficult since they are the minority in their own culture surrounded by majority groups who are overtly hostile towards them.

From the Paper
"The group's roots lie in the seventh century when members adhered to the (then) heresy of Monothelitism. Monothelitism was the belief--which was held in conformity to traditional Christian doctrine--that Christ had two distinct natures, divine and human, but also held that the two natures are manifested in a single will and activity. The doctrine of Monothelitism was first promulgated about 624 by Byzantine emperor Heraclius, in an attempt to reconcile the orthodox point of view that Christ has two natures, with the heretical belief of the Monophysites that he has but one. By this reconciliation Heraclius hoped to bring back into the church the thousands of Monophysites who had been excommunicated for heresy. The result of the promulgation of Monothelitism, however, was not greater unity in the church and empire, but further division, as is so often the case with such well-meaning compromises."

Tags:pope, monothelitism, islam, druze

Abstract
By using examples and sources from the Bible, the author of this paper shows God's intentions for his followers on issues relating to the environment. The paper shows that Christian Environmentalists believe that the earth was given to Man as a gift with certain conditions and that Man is not fulfilling these conditions by destroying the earth and annihilating species.

From the Paper
"There are many examples in the Bible of Christianity's environmental concerns. There is a broad belief in taking care of all of God's creations, and we, as humans are to be the caretakers. God put the responsibility of caring for the earth with man. Man is required to take care of the resources God put on earth. The Bible warns us that those who destroy the earth will be destroyed themselves. God has put man to watch over his creation and it is our commitment to do so that portrays the ideas about nature in Christian beliefs."

Tags:Adam, Eve, Environmentalism, Corinthians

Abstract
This paper examines the intolerance of many Christians towards homosexuality. Be that as it may, the paper suggests that intolerance towards gays and lesbians is contrary to the teachings of Christ and do far more harm than good. The paper shows that the schism between those vehemently opposed to homosexuals and those less so is a schism between the old and new testaments.

From the Paper
"This paper will examine Christian attitudes towards homosexuality. In particular, this paper will examine the Christian divide over homosexuality. As will soon become evident, many Christians are appalled at the practice of homosexuality; that being noted, however, just as many Christians believe that it is imperative that Christian men and women love the sinner while reviling the sin. In both instances, the Holy Bible is used as an authoritative text for justifying strongly-held convictions on an issue that is among the most controversial ever to hound Christianity. In the case of this particular writer, my own humanist sensibilities have convinced me that tolerance and benevolence are both the most progressive approaches to this issue - and the most like the teachings of Jesus."

Tags:christians, gays, tolerance

Abstract
The paper defines and analyzes Arab Christianity, giving an overview of the history of the upper Middle East before the invasion of Arabic Islam. The paper asserts that today, the term "Arab Christian" has become as complicated as the diversity of nations in the regions themselves, and Arab Christians today are not recognized for their distinct ethnic identity. The paper clarifies that they are instead seen as segments of a wider nation who are also Christian, while the "real" Arab Christians, as identified by Phares, live in areas among the Jordan, Syrian, Israelite, and Palestinian territories. These people, the paper notes, are the descendants of the Arab Christians who survived the invasion of Islam during ancient times, as well as the product of evangelization. The paper concludes that although the Middle East is still dominated and oppressed by Islam and its adherents, the rest of the world is becoming more tolerant and informed regarding the belief systems and cultures of others, and intolerance has become largely unacceptable.

From the Paper
"The history of the upper Middle East before the invasion of Arabic Islam is one of Christianization. Specifically, the nations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Sudan, Asia Minor, Syria, and Lebanon were Christianized. Only the ancient Israelites retained their original religious identity. The majority of nations in Arabia were pagan at the time, of which many subsequently converted to Christianity. The Jews were then dispersed by the Romans, with some Christians moving from the north and East to Palestine. The result was that the majority of the upper Middle East was not Arab, but they were indeed Christian. Furthermore, Phares notes that many Arabs in the Peninsula were Christian, and this is where the term "Arab Christianity" originates. It refers to people of Arabic origin, whose religion is Christianity. The issue and term were however complicated by subsequent political and social developments.
"While the non-Arab Christians were reduced and suppressed by the invasion of Arab Islam by both violence and semantics, as mentioned above. The actual Arab Christians at the time of Christianization were defeated during the onset of Islam. They were erased from Arabia and their churches either destroyed or converted to Mosques. Very few of them survived in areas such as southern Iraq, southern Syria, and northwest Arabia. Some Arab Christians moved to Palestine, joining the non-Arab Christians in the region. Currently there are the non-Arab Middle Eastern Christians and Arab Christians in Palestine."

Tags:Palestine Islam Jordan Syria, Middle East