Abstract
In contrasting the "insider" view of the purpose and function of Christian faith with an explanation from an "outsider" perspective, it is evident that the traditional Christian perspective of faith is itself based upon faith. Many outsiders consider this to be a classic example of flawed circular reasoning, for Christian justification and belief in the doctrine of faith is based upon the doctrine of faith itself and not upon confirming evidence or authenticated experience, which outsiders would consider necessary in order to validate the doctrine.

From the Paper
Insider vs. Outsider: An Analysis of Perspectives On Christian Faith In contrasting the "insider" view of the purpose and function of Christian faith with an explanation from an "outsider" perspective, it is evident that disagreement is inevitable, for the traditional Christian perspective of faith is itself based upon faith. Many outsiders consider this to be a classic example of flawed circular reasoning, for in their view Christian justification and belief in the doctrine of faith is based upon the

Tags:doctrine, of, faith

Abstract
An objective student of truth must reconcile faith and reason in order to formulate an approach to moving closer to the truth. The purpose of this brief study is to examine the methods of both faith and reason in the pursuit of truth in order to illustrate that ultimately it is reason that provides individuals with a superior means of coming closer to an understanding of truth.

From the Paper
Faith, Reason, and the Pursuit of Truth The pursuit of truth is no small undertaking. Simply developing a workable sense of what constitutes truth can be difficult in and of itself. The issue is further compounded upon recognizing that some people approach the quest for truth solely through faith--those of religious persuasion, for example--while others utilize reason to varying degrees--scientists and philosophers. It is, as Galileo asserted, as if science and faith can best be understood through the metaphor of two books: "of Nature and of Revelation" (Rodrigues da Cruz, "It Started with Galileo," 591). An objective student of truth must reconcile these two different viewpoints

Tags:faith, reason, truth

Abstract
This paper takes an in-depth look at Florida's faith and character based correctional facilities - the largest in the United States. The author examines the accountability, legal and ethical considerations in addition to the political and stakeholder issues regarding these institutions in an attempt to discover a potential benefit for society or a potential harm in having a governmental agency run completely faith-and character-based institutions. The paper gives a brief history of the development of faith and character based correctional facilities and then discusses issues such as accountability, legal and ethical considerations and political and stakeholder issues.

Outline:
Introduction / Basic Organizational Information
A Basic Background and History
Accountability
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Political and Stakeholder Issue
In summary
References

From the Paper
Lawety was established as a Faith-and Character-Based Correctional Institution for men on December 24, 2003 and has a bed capacity of 835, making it the first Faith-and Character-Based Correctional Institution in the country. However, of importance is that by this time the Florida Department of Corrections had already been operating 10 Faith-and Character-Based Dormitories in several of their prisons. Florida Department of Corrections [FDC-E], Nd.; Florida Department of Corrections [FDC-F], Nd.). Hillsborough was created on April 14, 2004 for women with a housing capacity of 292 beds, and Wakula was created on March 1, 2006 with a bed capacity of 1,756 for men. (id).

Tags:crime prison faith correctional institution florida, jeb bush, society police

Abstract
This three part essay contains three responses to questions posed on the topics of ethics/morality, faith/belief, and God. The first response makes the case that evolution and morality can indeed progress simultaneously; the second response makes the case that faith/belief can come from abstract as well as logical origins and the third response is a support of the critique of tautological (circularly reasoned) religious theory.

From the Paper
"The threat to morality posed by evolution has been regarded classically to be a revelation among the masses of the fallacy of socially inculcated ethical mores and beliefs. The argument is that if society fully realized the implications of biological evolution and Spencer's "survival of the fittest," then many individuals would make completely self-centered..."

Tags:ethics, faith, god

Abstract
This paper examines various themes in Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, "Young Goodman Brown." According to the paper, Hawthorne wrote a good deal about the Puritan era and some of the hypocrisies found during that time. One of the themes the story explores is faith and the degree to which faith can be applied to human beings. In a story that may be real or may be a dream, "Young Goodman Brown," Hawthorne shows how one young man is lost in the woods and emerges with doubts about his fellow citizens, including his wife, because of what he experienced.

From the Paper
"Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote a good deal about the Puritan era and some of the hypocrisies found in that era, as well as noting ways in which that period influenced his own time. One of the themes involves faith and the degree to which faith can be applied to human beings, who are fallible and who are also not always what they seem. In a story that may be real or may be a dream, "Young Goodman Brown," Hawthorne shows how one young man is lost in the woods (literally and figuratively) and emerges with doubts about his fellow citizens, including his wife, because of what he experienced. In this story, Hawthorne both shows the image of the Puritan woman and..."

Tags:hawthorne, story, faith

Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at Kierkegaard's work "Fear and Trembling". Using this review, the writer offers an account of two models of faith presented by Kierkegaard. The writer discusses his ideas on religious believers. Further, the writer looks at the concept of faith, as expressed in Kierkegaard's model of humankind.

From the Paper
"In 'Fear and Trembling' Kierkegaard explains that for religious believers to have faith they must simply yield to what is incomprehensible or absurd about their experience of the finite world. God the believer realizes is infinite and thus incapable of comprehension and the lesson of finite experience is that neither God nor reason works in the world. That is worldly experience is the absurd not to say evil. How then can there be faith? Repeatedly Kierkegaard uses the phrase 'by virtue of the absurd' which suggests ... "

Tags:faith, passion, absurd, Kierkegaard

Abstract
This paper considers the nature of faith healing in today's society and traces its development through a belief in shamanism in traditional societies, noting how religion and medicine are often fused, with the religious leader also being the medicine man who knows the secrets of healing. Christians have faith in the healing power of prayer and depict Jesus as a healer as well.

From the Paper
"Religion and medicine have had a long relationship. In modern times, the two are often at odds, with some believing more in faith than in science and others taking the opposite view. In traditional societies, religion and medicine are often fused, with the religious leader also being the medicine man who knows the secrets of healing. Christians have faith in the healing power of prayer and depict Jesus as a healer as well. Certain groups place a greater emphasis on faith than medicine, such as Christian Scientists, who do not take their health issues to doctors but to God."

Tags:faith, healing, shamanism

Abstract
A comprehensive analysis of the legality of parents denying their children access to health care on the basis of their involvement in a "faith healing" religion such as Christian Science or Faith Tabernacle. The paper explains that for some residents of the United States, traditional medicine is not religiously acceptable in the face of sickness. On the contrary, these residents are so strongly against medicine that they will not even allow their children to see a doctor if they suffer from life threatening illnesses. It discusses how many followers of these religions are denying the use of traditional medicine and joining a movement that shies from what society considers the norm for treating sickness by putting their belief in God's ability to heal their family's illnesses. The paper argues however, that parents' religious convictions about the disuse of any type of medicine for their children should not be allowed as a legal means of denying their children this medicine because these convictions often cause the needless deaths and suffering of many children whom medical care would have helped.

From the Paper
"For centuries America has debated to what extent church and state should be separated. More recently the argument about the disuse of medical treatment for religious reasons and the resulting deaths of the children of certain religious organization's followers has arisen. Since the seventeenth century when settlers came to America to escape religious persecution and seek religious freedom, the issue of separation of church and state has been in debate (Council 1). However, not all religions were given equal rights before the Bill of Rights was created: in Boston anyone preaching outside the established church could be fined or banned from the settlement (Weiss 11). Also, in areas that practiced South Anglicanism, those who spoke out against the Christian faith were sentenced to death (Weiss 11). However, the first amendment to the American Bill of Rights, which was passed in September of 1789, changed these discriminatory practices on a federal level and caused less religious discrimination to occur (Weiss 31). This amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" (Bartlett 3). This amendment did not, however, guarantee the protection of United States citizens from state religious discrimination; but the fourteenth amendment, which was passed at a later date, did (Weiss 32). Opponents for and against parents' rights to deny their child medical care based on religious convictions are eager to solve the question of the relationship of church and state and the necessity of parents to obtain medical care as required by state governments. This issue has thus become a pressing argument that must be solved quickly because many children's lives are at stake."

Tags:abuse, children, christian, faith, healing, illness, law, medicine, science, tabernacle

Abstract
This paper explores the meaning and use of mysticism in the religious faiths of Christianity and Islam. The author shows the reader how mysticism impacts the faiths and allows the reader to explore the truth of the existence within the faith.

From the Paper
"Around the world the religious faiths of people can be a powerful motivator for living a life free from anger and sin. Many people live their life according to a doctrine that they take to be truth based on little more than their own personal faith that the religion exists as does the higher power that the faith has been build upon. Mysticism in both faiths plays an important role. It guides the followers many times when the only thing they have is their faith. However, even though mysticism is woven into each faith it is used, viewed and believed in different ways."

Tags:faith, christianity, islam, belief, mystic, mysticism, proof, tradition

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