Abstract
This paper is a short discussion of Augustine's conversion of faith, towards the church and away from Gnosticism and skepticism, and how this conversion coincides with the changes in his will and sexual appetite.

From the Paper
"In The Confessions, St. Augustine goes through three distinct intellectual conversions in his adult life that led to the ultimate goal of conversion of his will toward God. Augustine's method is extremely philosophical in nature. The first stage of his conversion is acceptance of Manicheism; a doctrine he continually criticized throughout the book. The second stage is somewhat of a transitional period in Augustine's life where those philosophies he accepted with the Manichee faith are challenged and rebutted. The third and final stage of Augustine's intellectual conversion and subsequent conversion of the will is his appraisal of neo-platonic philosophy. Although Augustine remains is concerned about how conversion may affect his lifestyle and sexual appetite throughout the book, his intellectual progression ultimately leads to his conversion."

Tags:augustine, catholic, church, confessions, conversion, evangelism, gnostic, neoplatonic, neoplatonist, religion, theology

Abstract
The paper asserts that most people in the West have only a partial understanding of the people of the Middle East and too often see those people through their own social and historical prism. The paper discusses how this was recalled when the current war in Iraq began and U.S. government officials were cautioned against using the term "crusade" to refer to the war being fought against terrorists and others in the Middle East. The paper explains that this term has a neutral coloration in the West, while it recalls the earlier Crusades to the people of the Middle East and has an aura of imperialism and Western superiority. The paper looks at how much of this is analyzed in the book "The Crusades Through Arab Eyes" by Amin Maalouf.

From the Paper
"Most people in the West have only a partial understanding of the people of the Middle East and too often see those people through their own social and historical prism. This was recalled when the current war in Iraq began and U.S. government officials were cautioned against using the term "crusade" to refer to the war being fought against terrorists and others in the Middle East. The term has a neutral coloration in the West, while it recalls the earlier Crusades to the people of the Middle East and has an aura of imperialism and Western superiority. Much of this is analyzed in the book "The Crusades Through Arab Eyes" by Amin Maalouf. Amin Maalouf is a Lebanese journalist and novelist. His native language is..."

Tags:crusades, arab, maalouf

Abstract
This paper examines the first and third Crusades in terms of their success and failure and ultimately their impact on Christian-Muslim relations in the Middle East. The author describes the first Crusade and the eventual internal conflicts among the Christians that allowed Muslims to rise up against the Europeans. Leaders on both sides are described, especially Saladin. The paper gives historic details of various battles, with particular emphasis on the fight for control of Jerusalem. The paper includes a discussion of anti-Western attitudes by Muslims that may have developed as a result of the Crusades.

From the Paper
" Generally speaking, the First Crusade was ignited in 1095 by predominantly French Christians whose main intention was to seize the sacred city of Jerusalem from Muslim control. This First Crusade was considered as a magnificent success in 1099, due to the crusaders conquering Jerusalem and maintaining control of the Holy Land for seventy-eight years despite much Muslim restlessness and bitter resentment. Internal conflicts among these crusaders then began to increase as a result of more nations joining in their actions against the Muslims. Some of these conflicts include arguments on leadership, political differences and war strategies."

Tags:Crusades, Muslims, Jerusalem, Holy, Land, Saladin, Richard, the, Lionhearted

Abstract
The paper is a brief look at the conversion to justice of a young Che Guevara in the film, "Motorcycle Diaries". Most of all, the paper explores the three-step conversion process - the conversion of the feet, head and heart - and how, in the case of Che, this conversion is motivated by an implicit desire to hasten the arrival of the Reign of God to destitute parts of Latin America. More than that, the paper briefly touches upon the concept of the cross and upon the leitmotif of conversion and/or self-sacrifice. All in all, the paper shows how the film is a classic look at how personal growth arises primarily from giving unto others.

From the Paper
"The following paper is a brief look at the conversion to justice of a young Che Guevara in the film, "Motorcycle Diaries". Most of all, the ensuing pages explore the three-step conversion process - the conversion of the feet, head and heart - and how, in the case of Che, this conversion is motivated by an implicit desire to hasten the arrival of the Reign of God to destitute parts of Latin America. More than that, the paper will briefly touch upon the concept of the cross (the epitome of sacrifice for the greater good even though the rewards are not manifest at first glance)..."

Tags:justice, conversion, theology

Abstract
The paper is an extensive essay on Christian mission and is addressed in two sections. Firstly the Biblical commentary and the church's interpretation explaining that Christian mission is conversion. The second section attends to scriptural outlooks on conversion. The paper continues and explains how the terms "mission" and "conversion" are interpreted by various commentators and finally looks at how this is all applicable to the Indian community.

Outline:
Introduction
Understanding of mission
Scriptural perspective on conversion
Mission and conversion
Its implications for the church today
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In this chapter I would like to give some idea and concept of mission as understood by Christians. The Christian mission is rooted in the Holy Scriptures. They and only they alone are able to make man 'wise and able to instruct you for salvation" (2 Tim 3:15). From them Christians derive their message, their mandate, their motivation, and their methodology. Apart from the word of God the missionary movement has neither meaning nor sanction. According to the 'new theology' man is not eternally lost, because God is a loving Father. His all conquering love and his irresistible grace will finally win the last day, and till men will be saved. Indeed, they are already saved by the virtue of Jesus' death on the cross. The task of Today's missionary, then is simply to inform the non-Christians that, without their knowledge or consent, all men are 'in Christ', and as such are part of the new humanity of which he is the head."

Tags:theology, mission, conversion, church, bible, India

Abstract
The paper discusses the main motivators of the Crusades. The paper further examines how the historian Riley-Smith reminds us that violence was normal and widespread during this historical period and how the Church was unable to distance itself from this violence. The paper analyzes the historical relationship between the Christians and the Muslims.

From the Paper
"The main motivators of the Crusades were many and various. The historian Riley-Smith reminds us that violence was normal and widespread during this historical period (i.e. the Middle Ages), and furthermore that the Church was unable to distance itself from this violence. He also points out that although the common people of the time had some prejudices against Muslims, regarding them as idolatrous polygamists, they did not have such a complete set of prejudices that they would have been motivated to go off and fight a long way from home. However, what was important was that over a period of centuries, society had become thoroughly militarized."

Tags:crusades, christian, muslims

Abstract
Tracing the life of Augustine, this paper aims to identify the stages of conversion as noted by Augustine himself in his Confessions. The writer examines reasons for his conversion and the historical significance of the conversion itself.

From the Paper
"Fourth century Rome was a time of many changes. Writers and common society alike pointed out many of the problems within the framework of the Empire. Although many writers, such as Aristides, were quick to point out the virtues of Rome, there were definite undercurrents of uneasiness throughout the empire. Many citizens, fearing the growing climate of immorality and desiring deeper spirituality, turned to a new power: Christianity. There is no work which tells better the allure of Christianity than St. Augustine s Confessions a work in which a man tells of the stages of his conversion to the religion which was to be the most influential factor in the development of European history. Augustine s main purpose in writing the confessions was to praise God, to extol the wisdom of God and to search for God through prayer. In his Confessions, Augustine describes five stages in his conversion to Christianity: his love of philosophy, sparked by the readings of Cicero s Hortensius; his conversion to and disenchantment with Manichaenism; his meeting of St. Ambrose; his conversion to Platonism, and a final mystical experience which led to his total conversion in 386."

Tags:ancient, augustine, christianity, conversion, history, religion, rome

Abstract
This paper presents an examination of health issues in the Jewish faith. The paper outlines many of the beliefs of the Jewish culture and how these beliefs can affect the care of a Jewish patient. The paper then explains how nurses can comply with the beliefs of the Jewish patient in their care.

From the Paper
"America has always prided itself on its cultural diversity. Millions of immigrants each year flock to its borders for the purpose of living in a land where all cultures are embraced. While America works hard to embrace the diverse traditions of its residents there are areas in which the differences can create complications. One of those areas is the health care field. In the field of health care nurses are charged with the care and advocacy of their patients and the patients' families. Within that scope it is important for the nurses to understand and work with the different cultures they may encounter. The Jewish culture is a unique one in the field of medicine as there are a disproportionate number of Jewish doctors in the field when compared to other cultures (The Healers..http://www.geocities.com/buddychai/Religion/TheHealers.html), but that does not carry into the nursing field. "

Tags:faith, trans-cultural, nursing, dietary, concerns, kosher, vegetarian

Abstract
The paper examines the aspects of Anglo-Saxon culture that are prevalent in the tragedy "Macbeth", including religious implications, the unique interpretation of the idea of faith and the social customs which ruled over the people of early Britain after the departure of the Romans from the area. The paper shows how these elements help frame the tragic story of a man who rejected the normal behavior allotted to his status and let his ambition ruin an entire nation.

From the Paper
"The tragedy of Macbeth took place in Scotland at the end of the medieval period of Europe. It was based on real accounts of a Scottish Thane who murdered his Lord. William Shakespeare was known for his poetic language, which helped framed the dramatic and tragic story of Macbeth, (Nostbakken 14). By highlighting elements of the Anglo-Saxon culture which existed in that area and later influenced future generations, Shakespeare creates a world torn by war and ruled by fate."

Tags:religion, faith, Christianity, Romans

Abstract
This paper relates the major events of the life of the German Jewish writer Heinrich Heine, who was unable to escape persecution as a Jew by converting to Christianity. The writer explores how his poem "The Loreley" can be interpreted both as reflecting his hope for a new national identity in Germany that would include an integration of traditional German and Jewish culture, and as a message to the Jews to take pride in and stick with their own culture.

From the Paper
"Heinrich Heine's life story demonstrates the hardships faced by those born Jewish in nineteenth century Germany. Heine was born to Jewish parents in 1797. He studied law and eventually wanted to have a career teaching at a university. Unfortunately for Heine, university professorship was a career option not available to Jews at the time. Rather than dismiss his vocational aspirations, Heine converted to Protestantism. As Heinrich soon discovered, conversion did not solve any of the underlying problems. A converted Jew, Heinrich was shunned by Christians for his Jewish background and by Jews for denouncing his faith. The road to Jewish emancipation had forked, with both directions leading to dead ends."

Tags:intolerance, Napoleonic Wars, Crusades faith culture conversion