The History of Witches and Witchcraft

In Europe, witches were considered in terms of theology. It was believed that Satan enters the bodies of women to acquire physical presence. The Inquisition aimed to eradicate witchcraft by torturing and executing them. The purpose of these beliefs was to blame witches for diseases and epidemics as well as...

“Spiritual Wellness: A Journey Toward Wholeness” by Hrabe, Melnyk, and Neale

Assigned Article Summary The object of the review and summarizing is the article “Spiritual Wellness: A Journey Toward Wholeness,” written by Hrabe, Melnyk, and Neale (2018). The key idea of ​​this work is to find an answer to the question of how to achieve the unity of the soul, mind,...

Religion: “The Sage From Galilee” by David Flusser

Introduction The Sage from Galilee: Rediscovering Jesus’ Genius is a historical book written by David Flusser in the 20th century and edited in 2007 for the fourth time. Its major themes are early Judaism and Christianity and the life of Jesus in one of the best interpretations for scholars and...

Spiritual Suicide from the Religious Perspective

Suicide is a highly controversial issue that requires special attention of society. Significant efforts have been put on a global scale into the research of this grave phenomenon and the development of the prevention programs. In this section, suicide and its implications will be regarded from the religious perspective. The...

Ring & Elsaesser-Valarino’s “Lessons from the Light”

The book Lessons from the Light: What We Can Learn from the Near-Death Experience by Kenneth Ring and Evelyn Elsaesser-Valarino, 2006, presents an extensive study of near-death experiences (NDEs). Some spiritual insights into these life-changing encounters and the lessons that can be learned through NDEs are discussed in the book....

Calvin’s Reaction to the Council of Trent

The evolution and formation of the Christian Church were complex processes impacted by the appearance of various perspectives on basic dogmas, rituals, cannons. For this reason, there were many attempts to structure all existing ideas and outline a unified vision that should be followed by all adherers. For instance, the...

Spirituality Part in the Worldview Inventory

Spirituality Over the years, several connotations have been developed with regard to the concept of spirituality. The commonly accepted definition of spirituality describes it as a religious process through which human beings seek to reorient their originality in the image of God through the help of the Holy Spirit (Sheldrake,...

The Epistle to the Romans: God and Human Beings

The attempts to justify God’s treatment of human beings play an important role in the Bible. This issue is explored in the Epistle to the Romans, in which Apostle Paul discusses God’s relations with the people of Israel. To some degree, his rhetoric can be regarded as the theodicy aimed...

Saint Prosper and the Council of Orange

The Christian Church has passed a long way to become one of the most powerful human social institutions. The process of its evolution and especially its initial stages can be associated with the numerous attempts to create a unified theological ground for further rise. However, differences in perspectives on the...

Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Views of Predestination

The question of predestination has always been topical for the Christian Church. Being one of the main dogmas of faith, it triggered multiple debates about factors impacting the divine providence and individuals lives. For decades, theologians argued about the role or prayers in furthering predestination and the ways in which...

“If God, Then What?” by Andrew Wilson

Prologue In this part, the author talks about his law problems in the USA and a debating competition at Yale University (10-12). It is exciting to read about Wilson’s understanding of the importance of asking questions (13). I agree with the author that questions help people perceive the world in...

Reason and Revelation: Mendelssohn vs. Ascher

Moses Mendelssohn (1729-1786) combined the notions of rationalism and revelation. This approach underlined the distinctness of Judaism as a religion as well as emphasized the belief that the Jewish population was the people chosen by God. Thus, while the idea of revelation has no supernatural background, it involves a prescription...

Appreciating the Natural World

Nowadays all people live in different communities, and various religions are spread among the population. During its history, humanity accumulated and explored a significant amount of knowledge about the world around. The world is changing, and all these changes affect the population in whole and certain human beings in particular....

Christianity in Hirsch’s and Formstecher’s Portrayals

Samuel Hirsch (1815-1889) rejected the contention that in some ways Judaism is inferior to Christianity, on the contrary, he held a view that both religions are equal in their validity. While Judaism as a religion involves the intensive religious belief and implications of a way of living, Christianity, on the...

The St. Patrick Catholic Church

I attended a Roman Catholic Sunday Mass Celebration at the St. Patrick Catholic Church. Parishioners visit the church that is located at Miami Beach, within Miami-Date County, Florida. It was an unforgettable experience – stepping into the church area and getting ready to enter the main building. The profound experience...

Sacred, Sacrament and Relationship to Christ

The Sacred, the Profane, and Sacrament Sacred is a concept that identifies the association of an object or phenomenon as pertinent to divinity. As such, sanctity is present in the majority of the world religions and is usually characterized by either partial or complete absence of its manifestation from the...

God’s Laws and Gospels Relationship

Introduction In the Old Testament, God gave different laws to guide people on how to lead an acceptable lifestyle under the standards of moral behaviors. Additionally, the laws were meant to point to God’s purity and expose people’s sinful nature. As such, all the 613 commandments in the Old Testament...

Islam in America: History and Present-Day Status

Nowadays, historians do not know exactly when the first Muslims came to the USA. Nevertheless, the earliest migration is believed to take place at the beginning of the 14th century. In particular, these people were Moors who came from one of the African regions. Professionals presuppose that they made their...

Christianity History from Various Viewpoints

Introduction Views on Christianity as one of the world’s major religions are largely shaped by the experience of generations and those laws that are considered inviolable and eternal. Nevertheless, some opinions can be considered settled due to the fact that they are influenced by people’s certain worldviews, and particular ideas...

Christianity and Feminism: Differences in Beliefs

Although nowadays, the role of religion in the world is lowering, Christianity remains one of the dominant and most influential systems of beliefs. It is not only a religious conception but also a philosophy that impacts the minds of many, though some of them may not even know about this....

“Christian Anti-Semitism” Article by Pawlikowski

Summary of the Source The article “Christian Anti-Semitism: Past History, Present Challenges: Reflections in Light of Mel Gibson’s the Passion of the Christ” by Pawlikowski focuses on the problem of anti-Semitism among Christians in modern society (2). The biblical account, especially in the New Testament, explains the birth, activities, and...

Modern Jewish Thinkers, Their Contributions and Achievements

The emancipation of Jews in Western Europe was a lengthy process that had started as far back into the history, as in the mid-17th century, and attained an exponential momentum from the late 18th century onwards. It involved the gradual secularization of European Jewry, on one hand, and the sociopolitical/empowerment...

Assessment of Spiritual Needs and Life Philosophy

Interview Q.1. Who or what provides you with strength and hope? Well, I suppose that my greatest support is my family. My husband makes me stronger, children make me feel needed, and a tiny granddaughter is my inspiration. I want them to be happy, so I try not to focus...

Buddhism and Life: Living the Principles of the Buddhist Religion

Explain the following quote using Buddhist terms and beliefs “Do not think about the past. Do not worry about the future. Things of the past have died. The future has not arrived. What is happening in the present should be observed deeply. The Wise Ones live according to this and...

Confucianism in Chinese Culture and Traditions

The concept of Confucianism has had a diverse impact on the social and cultural identity of Chinese people. Hence, it appears that its integration in the Chinese mentality has gone wide beyond the religious beliefs but has transformed into “an emotional attitude as well as a body of rational teaching”...

Buddhist Religion and Western Psychologies

Principles The principles and rules used in this school are derived from the Buddhist religion. There are two main divisions of Buddhism: Mahayana and Theravada. Each of them also includes a number of schools which differ in their principles. However, all Buddhists use meditation practices to reach their goals. Values...

Romans and Church History: Exegetical Assessment

Introduction My thesis consists of two major parts and a conclusion. The first part would cover the previous interpretations of Romans 7 by famous analysts found in church history. This will help us to focus on how the traditional interpretation has affected the church’s point of view concerning this section....

Christian Eschatology: The Destiny of the Unsaved

Introduction Many Christians as well as the representatives of other confessions ask this question: why do loving God allow His creatures to suffer in Hell? Can an idea of eternal punishment be compared with the love of God? Clark Pinnock says: “How can Christians possibly project a deity of such...

Living Religions: Religion, Politics, and Society

In the present age, many people of different faiths are trying to define the relationship between the sacred and the secular or religion and politics. Please answer the following questions Is it wrong for those who believe a law or regulation is contrary to God’s will to oppose it? The...

Religious Website “Faith Communities Today”

Introduction Religion can be defined as a particular essential set of beliefs and practices which are usually agreed upon by a group of people or sect, for instance, the Islamic or Christian religion. People generally believe in religion and follow it devotedly. There are various faith groups that are aimed...

Christians and Going to Church

What is the purpose of the church? A church has a huge purpose; Slick presented the purpose of the church as thus: To worship God (John 4:23), study the word of God (2 Tim. 2:15), pray (Acts 2:42), love one another(Phil. 1:1-4), help each other (Gal. 6:2), partake of baptism...

Religious Pluralism and Distinctive Features

Hinduism The major difference between Hinduism and Christianity is that Hinduism encompasses many religious trends with a multitude of deities while Christianity is a religion based on a single doctrine. The various schools in the Hindu religion all hold that the universe originated from Brahman. The Brahman is an impersonal...

Wedding Session in Christian Religious Tradition

Introduction Upon requesting the church leader to attend one of the services, he welcomed me to the wedding session that was going to take place the following week. The church is Anglican and it differs in several ways from the Catholic tradition, even though the two share many things. I...

Nicaragua Catholics and the Pope

What did some reform-minded Catholics in Nicaragua hope the pope might do during his visit to that country? When the Pope made his highly publicized visit to Nicaragua, the reform-minded Catholics in the region hoped that he would give a message of peace to the people. This is because they...

Beliefs in Buddhism and Classical Hinduism

Abstract The following text reviews the similarities and differences between Buddhism and Hinduism to understand the relationship between the two unique religions. The study findings show that Buddhism and Hinduism are the two most dominant and thoughtful religions worldwide, which might have similarities, but are very different in terms of...

“Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling” by Mark McMinn

According to McMinn, the book is intended for Christian counselors with interest in investigating the link between theology and religion. In this regard, he defines the basic perspectives of integrating religion and psychology in counseling. Moreover, he outlines the fundamental concepts of integrating counseling in religion. He epitomizes the belief...

Divergence of Opinion between Science and Religion

Annotated Bibliography Monroe, Kristen, Ronald B. Miller, and Jerome S. Tobis. Fundamentals of the Stem Cell Debate: The Scientific, Religious, Ethical, and Political Issues. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2008. Print. Monroe, K., Miller, R. B., & Tobis, J. (2008). Fundamentals of the Stem Cell Debate: The Scientific, Religious, Ethical,...

Jesus’ Concerns for the Women and Sick

Jesus’ Concern for the Women Jesus demonstrated his concern for the women and attended to them. He was not limited by the traditions or religious beliefs that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law had. “And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And, behold,...

Unification Church Founded by Sun Myung Moon

Sun Myung Moon is the founder and head of the Unification Church. He was born on February 25, 1920, as the second son in a family of 13 children to Kyung –yoo Moon and Kyung-Hye Kim. Sun Myung undertook the Confucian-style education but later converted to Christianity as a Presbyterian...

Religious Capital and Conversion to Other Religions

Personal Religious Capital and Impacts on It Religious capital entails the fundamental investment that individuals tend to make in their respective religious faiths. It incorporates the mutual time as well as the physical work devoted towards maintaining both religious faith along with private and special investments in the doctrines, practices,...

Muhsin al-Hakim as a Religious Leader in Los Angeles

Southern California is home to several Islamic religious factions with major Muslim populations in three cities. Sayyid Muhsin Al-Hakim is a Shia leader in Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat of Los Angeles situated at Serapis Avenue, Pico Rivera, California. He leads the Dawoodi Bohra community, which constitutes the Shi’ah, family, and Tayyib....

Religion: “A Crusade for Compassion” by Douglas Todd

In my opinion, “crusade for compassion” is an article whose main aim is to feel the pain felt by other religions when attacked, by those who consider them as enemies. The word compassion, in this article, which is supposed to mean feeling sorry for others, is considered as making one...

Evangelical Theology of Grenz and Olson

Stanley Grenz and Roger Olson explored modern theology through the grid of “divine transcendence and divine immanence” (Grenz, & Olson, 1992). They pointed out that “One significant theme that provides an interpretive tool and a means of bringing to light the unity and diversity of theology in the transitional century...

Roman Catholic Theology of Rahner and Kung

Introduction Roman Catholic Theology is comprised of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Decisions on the Scripture and the Sacred Tradition are interpreted by the “Magisterium,” and these form the basis of the Catholic teachings (McGrat, 2006). This article evaluates the theology of Rahner and Kung in terms of...

Liberation Theology and Its Expressions

Introduction This essay delves into and delineates the uniqueness of three expressions of liberation theology within the context of each other. It further presents a critical view of the three expressions, reflecting on the totality of the concepts and themes. It is evidenced that liberation theology has elicited a lot...

Reverend Jim Jones as Peoples Temple’s Founder

The People’s Temple, also known as the Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ, was a religious movement of the 1950s. However, the movement is known primarily for the mass suicide, which its members committed on November 18, 1978, in Guyana (Moore 47). The doctrine of the movement was based...

Christian Doctrines and Church Attendance

Christianity as a religion has many faith groups and denominations which subscribe to various specific set of doctrines, based on various interpretations of the Bible. Quarles (2011) explains that there are fundamental Christian beliefs which are recognized and observed by almost all Christian faiths. The six main Christian doctrines that...

Thom Rainer’ Views on Religion

What myth about the Unchurched surprised you the most? How will your new knowledge about characteristics of the Unchurched affect your ministry? The author introduces nine powerful myths about the unchurched people and their attitudes to churches, leaders, and insights offered. Each myth is a unique approach to the understanding...

Genesis 28:10-22 and Its Ideological Aspects

Introduction This paper focuses on the passage presented in Genesis 28 verses 10 to 22. It is crucial to examine the literary, ideological, and communal aspects presented in this passage with the view of revealing the theological message intended by this author, Moses. In particular, these verses convey vital ideological...

Christian Salvation as One of the Main Paradigms of Christianity

Information About the Text The author of the text about salvation as one of the main paradigms of Christianity is Thomas Humphries (2017), and his book is called “Who is Chosen?: Four Theories About Christian Salvation.” At the heart of the plot, there is the description of some of the...

Catholic Church: Religious and Imperial Expansion Impact

Because in the early modern period, the forces of globalization put a variety of historical personalities in contact, challenges and conflicts were inevitable since they were and remained parts of human nature. Furthermore, globalization was associated with a rapid pace of social change, which, in the historical context, was very...

Holy Terrors: Religion and Terrorism in the US

What/who caused God to “lift the veil of protection” which allowed the attacks on September 11, 2001? It seems that Falwell and Robinson lay the blame for what happened on September, 11 completely on Bill Clinton. Falwell and Robinson tended to think that the ex-president’s political moves were not wise...

Rastafarianism Belief System, Sacredness, Rituals

Introduction Religion manifests certain basic elements that include a belief system, community, central myths, emotional experiences, rituals, an ethical system, sacredness, and material expressions of religion. Certain elements are stronger and more valued than others. This paper will examine the extent to which my religious beliefs manifest the aforementioned elements....

Islam and Politics’ Relations

Introduction The topic of interrelations between Islam and politics has been subjected to extensive research in the past few decades due to the complications in the processes of external relationships between Western institutions and those following the Islamic rule. In the very beginning, it is crucial to mention that the...

Biblical Christianity: God and Evil

Introduction Biblical Christianity represents God as a figure who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and inherently benevolent. However, people also cannot deny that evil is a part of this world, and harmful events happen every day to millions of children and adults. Thus, atheists and believers continue to debate the reality of...

Buddhism and Classical Hinduism Concept and Values

Introduction Buddhism and classical Hinduism are the oldest religions in the world. It is worth to note that both religions originated from India (Kaewchaiya, Photisan & Purisuttamo, 2011). This has made many scholars debate whether they have major differences. Buddhism is believed to split from classical Hinduism, something Buddhists have...

Faithful Citizenship: Catholic Social Thought

Personal Reflection The Church has always played a great role in the politics of Christian states. However, while the Middle Ages were the time of its full power, the Church’s influence in the modern world is not as significant. In the times of the crisis of faith, it is extremely...

Music Ministry by Roberts and Wilson-Dickson

Roberts’ Music and Vital Congregations Contradicting the traditional view of children as the future of the church, Roberts views them as the immediate present and the integral part of any congregation (Roberts, 2009, 65). Children make the congregation complete with their vitality and full-bodied enjoyment of life. Therefore, they should...

Greg Faulls and Gregory Gilbert’s Religious Writings

“From Dust to Destiny” by and “What is the Gospel?” are pieces of writing that empower in that they roll out on paper what is hidden in the deepest recesses of the human soul. Each text attempts at finding the answers to the questions that sometimes plague the mind of...

Biblical Texts: John 12:32

The original Bible was written in classical Hebrew, and thus as the gospel spread across nations, the texts had to be translated into different languages. Specifically, the gospels were originally written in Koine Greek and later translated into other languages. One of the contentious issues about Bible translation is the...

Spirituality and Personal Worldview Inventory

Introduction It is crucial for every person to develop a single exhaustive and consistent worldview that is positive and which a person endeavors to stand by on a daily basis (Boylan, 2014). Scholars distinguish between two divisions of the personal worldview imperative: theoretical and practical. The theoretical one requires the...

“Why Politics Need Religion” by Sweetman

Author Brendan Sweetman delineates the difference between form and content in the arguments that arise between church and state, particularly in the area of traditionally controversial religious and moral issues such as abortion, gay rights, capital punishment, and euthanasia (Sweetman 232). Form, Sweetman contends, refers exclusively to the quality of...

Islam in Zaid Shakir’s and Reza Aslan’s Views

Introduction In an interview with Bill Moyers, Imam Zaid Shakir, a renowned American-bred Muslim religious leader tried his best to defend the religion of Islam a year after 9/11 changed world history. Shakir was skillful in his defense, saying that Islam’s core values are similar to that of America and...

Islam and the Rise of the Islamic Community in the US

Islamophobia in the US has risen significantly since 9/11. People are fearful of Islamic extremism that has caused panic and speculation. Even in this environment of uncertainty, a small yet potent group of Muslims is living in America, struggling to balance their faith and the country’s dominant social culture. This...

Contemporary Democratic Ideals and Christian Tradition

Introduction Nowadays, democracy as a form of political organization is of great interest to researchers in multiple fields of knowledge due to its potential to establish and maintain just social order. Democracy has a long and ancient history. It can be regarded as a result of the development of Western...

Religious Sights and Traditions

New Temple of the Vedanta The first sight for the visit is the New Temple of the Vedanta Society of Northern California located at 2323 Vallejo Street, San Francisco. The building of the temple is of light-brown color with long and narrow windows. Inside it is spacious and light so...

Small Groups Philosophy in Disciple-Making Efforts

Introduction Small groups form the basis for any interactions that occur not only in the church, but also in all other aspects of life. For instance, subtle interrelationships in homes and at the workplace offer individuals the necessary intimacy for them to build one another. The same dynamic applies to...

Pre-tribulationist Theory and Approaches

Introduction Theological science operates diverse concepts that are used to determine relationships between a man and the highest powers. In Christian theory, the discussion around the issue of the end-times has been popular for centuries. People believe that Jesus Christ will return according to his promise (Matt. 24:30; 26:64; John...

Haitian Vodou Traditions and Western Perception

Introduction Haitian Vodou has a long and proud history that incorporates discoveries and insights into human nature and the place of a man within the realm of the environment. However, Haitian Vodou as a set of practices, traditions, and observations has been affected by the dominant culture for a while....

The Path to Salvation: Faith, Grace and Spirit over Flesh

Paul’s Writing: Faith and Grace; Spirit vs. Flesh The question of how one may be purified and allowed into the realm of heaven haunts many Christians. The answer, however, becomes quite clear once one considers some of the passages from St. Paul’s writing. According to the latter, the act of...

Judaism and Christianity as Revelational Religions

Ascher’s and Formstecher’s Views on Judaism and Christianity The characteristic of Judaism and Christianity as revelational religions is attributed to the German writer and translator Saul Ascher. Ascher viewed Judaism and Christianity as religions of revelation. In his opinion, Judaism is a religion that is made up of the belief...

The Chinese Lesson of Religious Pluralism

Religion is one of the most important constitutes of any culture. The coexistence of many beliefs generates interest, and China is a perfect illustration of this phenomenon. The book by Yang sheds light on various aspects of religion in the country and explains the present-day situation (180). Chapter 8 and...

Mendelssohn’s Truths and Jewish Emancipation

Mendelssohn brings to the three truths, which are universal, contingent, and historical. Universal truths “exist in this and no other way”, and they are associated with “pure mathematics” (Greenberg 46). The eternal truths refer to religious doctrines. Importantly, Mendelssohn stresses that all people share some values that make them humans....

How Does Religion Affect the African Community?

Introduction When examining any particular culture, a variety of indicators can be used to describe people from that particular culture. In traditional African life, the sense of community is highly valued. Within the African-American culture, religion is the center of all things. For this community, religion affects each person in...

The Christian Worldview and Key Concepts

Abstract Although the Christian religion is often viewed as a rather complex set of concepts and rules, it, in fact, conveys rather simple ideas, which are related closely to the human nature. While the latter is linked to the concept of sin directly, the origin thereof allows assuming that there...

The Manifestation of Christianity and Rastafarian

Introduction Human beings across the world tend to develop certain beliefs and practices. Some of these faiths are passed from generation A to B. This development has led to the establishment of different religious groups such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Taoism (Elton-Chalcraft, 2015). Evidence reveals that most of these...

“Religion in Chinese Society” by Ch’ing-k’un Yang

Religion has always been an ongoing issue for human society. For centuries people have been trying to define the role it plays in their lives and the extent to which this phenomenon impacts their being. Yet, the attitude to religion in Eastern and Western societies differed greatly. Yang states that...

Medical Ethics: Christianity and Buddhism Perspectives

Ethical concerns are present in any working conditions. However, ethics in medicine is particularly important, and it has many complicated issues. Taking into consideration that more and more patients with chronic or severe diseases choose to perform euthanasia, it is necessary to contemplate on this problem. Ethics should be combined...

Homonationalism and Gender Identity in Catholicism

Introduction There can be only a few doubts that as of today, the LGBT-related issues continue being considered highly controversial – especially when discussed in conjunction with the discursively relevant provisions of all three monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam). Therefore, nothing is surprising about the fact that the public...

Moses Mendelssohn and Saul Ascher on Judaism

Moses Mendelssohn is one of the central figures in developing the historical understanding of Jewish thought. He was harshly criticized for his unique opinion – synthesis of Jewish and Christian postulates – and active involvement in emancipation. Nevertheless, regardless of criticism, his peculiar stance was used for defending Judaism. To...

Effective Church Models: The Apostolic Harvest Church and the Team Planting

Ed Stetzer is a famous Baptist leader whose contributions are impressive and influential indeed. In his book, Planting Missional Churches, the author introduces several effective church models (Stetzer 2006). Each of them has its strong and weak points. In this discussion, two models, the apostolic harvest church and the team...

Religion in Chinese Society: Confucianism

Confucianism has been proven to be one of the key contributors to the development of the Chinese society. It established the basic principles that guided the operational values for family life, social endeavors, as well as governmental affairs. The Confucianists (scholars trained in the doctrine of Confucianism) were considered the...

Creole Religions of the Caribbean by Olmos et al.

Introduction The book under consideration, written by Margarite Fernandez Olmos and Lizabeth Parvisini-Gebert, represents a comprehensive investigation of the diversity of religious practices, beliefs, and traditions that originated in the Caribbean region as well as the current state of these religions. The introduction to the book begins with the description...

Ignatian Spirituality: Origin, Concepts, Attitude

Introduction The dynamic changes in the present-day society and a great number of international conflicts make many people realize the necessity of the social structure transformation. A lot of researchers in the social studies recognize the importance of spirituality in the life of individuals and collectives. The recent research investigates...

“The Bible Among Myths” a Book by John Oswalt

Introduction The God that is seen in the Bible is described as the only true God and the only one that should be worshipped. This is beside the fact that the Israelite religion is not the only one that existed during the Old Testament period. Other religions were practiced by...

Vegetarianism in South Asia: Religious Impact

Vegetarianism, in modern times, is often compared to the kind that is practiced in South Asian societies. Alsdorf (2010) argues that a vegetarian has a higher nutritional value in comparison to the rest. However, the societies in South Asia largely practice vegetarianism based on the religious teachings. In this essay,...

Comparing Religious and Scientific Perspectives on the Natural World

Introduction Nowadays all people live in different communities, and various religions are spread among the population. During its history, humanity accumulated and explored a significant amount of knowledge about the world around. For people, it is important to learn more about the reality to appreciate it. Moreover, the world around...

Islamic Themes in Kerem Oktem’s and Thomas Solomon’s Articles

“Being Muslim at the Margins Alevis and the AKP,” by Kerem Oktem The author presents how the people of Tunceli province were festooned by the holiday wishes which were being celebrated at the same time. He presents the duties that were carried out by various people. For example, the author...

Islamic Culture and Perception in the USA

Introduction Islam is one of the most dominant religions in North America and the world at large. Furthermore, this religion is the fastest-growing denomination in the world even though it is subject to various controversies around the world (McDonnell, 2015). The American media has played a significant role in portraying...

Human Life and Death in Christianity and Buddhism

Illness often leads to agony and prompts the search for the meaning of life as people try to understand the reasons behind their predicaments. At times, individuals use their religious convictions to interpret sickness. Ivtzan, Chan, Gardner, and Prashar (2013) posit, “Religious and spiritual beliefs provide possibilities of attributing meaning...

Examining Cultural Misunderstandings Depicted in Films About Islam in America

Introduction As a matter of fact, the Islamic religion is one of the most popular religions in the world. However, it should be highlighted that a number of people fear Muslims and think that their religion is directed on war, destructions, and promotes murders and violence. Is it really so?...

Islamic Culture and American Muslims

Islamic Culture Islam is the third largest religion in the United States and has more than 3 million followers. This accounts for approximately 1% of the American population (GhaneaBassiri, 2010). Since the 9/11 attacks, the controversy regarding the compatibility between American and Islamic cultures and values has dominated political and...

Euthanasia as a Christian Ethical Dilemma

Having to make a complicated choice between two different options is a part and parcel of life. The choices, which people make, define their future spiritual growth and create premises for their evolution. While it would be erroneous to state that the wrong decisions that people make mean that they...

Biomedical Ethics in the Christian Narrative: Treatment vs. Prayers

Background of the Case Study The case study under discussion is focused on a situation faced by a Christian family. The parents had identical twins, but with the course of time, one of them was diagnosed with acute glomerulonephritis. It is also known as kidney failure that affects people’s lives...

“Islam in America” BBC Documentary

Introduction Atheists around the world are having a field day when it comes to proving their point that religion serves no purpose other than to oppress and prevent the growth of human civilization. It is problematic to mount up a defense of religion, especially when the deplorable acts of corrupt...

The First Islamic State Under Prophet Muhammad

Introduction The rise of Islam was not anticipated or planned. In fact, it had become so common within the first three years since the introduction of the religion that many scholars were shocked by the progress. It should be mentioned that the religion spread immediately after the death of Prophet...

Christianity in Western Civilization and Thought

Introduction Christianity is one of the most widespread and developed religious systems. And although it is present on every continent, it is predominantly the religion of the West. The adoption of Christianity as a formal religion by the majority of peoples of Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe occurred between the...

Scientology Religious Beliefs, Rituals, Ethics

Introduction Scientology manifests the eight elements of religion in varying degrees. For example, the most conspicuous elements include a belief system, an ethical system, rituals, community, and material expressions of religion. Sacredness, central myths, and emotional experiences are almost non-existent. Their beliefs are based on the ability to use reason...

Zion Revival Church and Its Management

Introduction The effective management of a church organization is crucial for the realization of its vision and goals. Besides fostering the congregation’s spiritual nourishment and growth, the church needs to experience growth that denotes desirable progress (Jackson-Jordan 77). For this reason, church leaders need to consider the demographic elements of...

World Religions: Origins, Core Beliefs and Practices

Judaism Origins and Development Judaism is a monotheistic religion that was founded by Abraham (who was the first to be commanded by God) and Moses (who was also guided by Him as he led the God’s Chosen People from Egypt) (Davis & Velaidium n.d.). As pointed out by Karkra (2012),...

Islamic State: Analyzing Human Rights Values and Violations

Introduction Muslims worship a God known as Allah. The believers acknowledge that there are numerous similarities between religion and Christianity. This paper gives a reflection and analysis of Islamic culture using the ideas gained from the movie “Islam in America”. The essay seeks to explain how an Islamic state can...

People’s Religious Beliefs and Their Behavior

Introduction The impact of people’s religious beliefs on their behavior can be listed among the factors that often cause ethical dilemmas in healthcare. The target of the given paper is to present and analyze the ethical dilemma related to the discussed factor. The paper describes the case of a teenager...

Catholic Intellectual Tradition: Medieval Influences

In the Middle Ages Europe Christianity, namely Catholicism, was the prevailing religion. What is more, it was the only religion recognized and generously financed by the state. Having such robust support, the church has become a dominating institution having a powerful influence on the lives of both noblemen and peasants....

The Passover: Exploring Its Origin, Development, and Contemporary Practice

The Jewish people started practicing the Passover feast as a religious requirement from Yahweh. It was one of the primary methods they had to adapt on the eve of their exodus from Egypt. From the beginning of this tradition to the current day scenarios, the Jews have passed on this...

Euthanasia in Christianity and Buddhism

Case Study on Death and Dying Nowadays, we live in a multicultural world, where individuals who represent different traditions have to engage in contact and coexistence in a wide array of situations. In particular, patients of clinics may often belong to different cultural and/or religious traditions. This means that it...

ALS and End-of-Life Decisions: Christian vs. Buddhist Perspectives

Introduction George was recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and in the spinal cord, causing muscle atrophy and leading to eventual complete loss of muscle control. The median life expectancy for this diagnosis is between three and five years, but...

Is Islamic Spirituality a Key to Psychological Well-Being?

Islam, in general, has three dimensions – Islam, Iman, and Ihsan, or law, theology, and spirituality. In other words, it may be said that the foundations of Islam are submission, faith, and spiritual perfection (Spevack, 2012). The first dimension is based on five pillars of ritual and practice of the...

Did Jesus Think of Himself as God? Michael Bird’s Perspective

Introduction How God became Jesus is a masterpiece book by Michael Bird, who is a theology lecturer at the Ridley Melbourne College of Mission and Ministry. This book deconstructs various claims by Bart Ehrman in his book, How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee. Ehrman...

Innovate Church: Non-Negotiable Commitments

Which of the non-negotiable commitments to you find most difficult to keep? How do you plan to strengthen your commitment in that area? There are four non-negotiable commitments. Each of them plays an important role in understanding God, human beliefs, and the power of faith. First three commitments are clear,...

Exploring Death and Dying: Christianity vs. Buddhism

Introduction The presented case study indicates that George has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This condition progresses gradually and eventually results in motor neuron deterioration and complete loss of coordination and muscle control. Terminal conditions such as ALS call for appropriate care delivery from competent health professionals. That being the case,...

Rastafarianism as a Religious Movement: Origins, Beliefs, and Cultural Impact

Rastafarianism was founded by Tafari Makonnen in 1930 in Harer Ethiopia (RMHP 1). The group drew their inspirations from the teachings of Marcus Garvey and aimed at uniting the black race. Rastafarians consider parts of the Holy Bible to be sacred and reject the Bible commonly used by Christians in...

Why Did God Ask Abraham to Sacrifice His Son Isaac

Introduction Questions about why God asked Abraham to sacrifice his own son have been raised countless times, and for a number of reasons. The most common belief is that by demanding a sacrifice from Abraham, God tested his faith, will, and loyalty in such way. Even though Abraham was committed...

Covenant with the Israelites

1. In religion, the term covenant differs from its common meaning. Traditionally it is taken as an agreement between different parties. However, in terms of religion and the Bible, the given word “implies more of a formal treaty like a commitment to a relationship” (United Church of God, 2011, para....

Islam: Understanding the Religion

What is the essence of this ancient faith? Islam is followed by fully one-fifth of people in the world, and its essence is encrypted into the Quran, the holy book for all the Muslims. It is possible to suggest that the essence of Islam is in the worship of one...

Understanding Religious Identity in Children: Interviews with Annie and Kevin Begaj

Explanations concerning how individuals conduct themselves and how they change have troubled men and women of learning all through the centuries. As such, the psychology of religion seeks to provide an explanation of religious behavioral practices based on psychological methods. In two separate interviews, a series of questions were posed...

Islamic Religion and Culture in America

Introduction Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world. It is projected that by 2050, 2.1% of the U.S. population will be Muslims. Many Americans have not understood the essence of religion. For instance, there is a common suspicion that Islam is anti-Western and supports terrorism. The perception...

Milarepa’s “Life Is Short” Statement Evaluation

Introduction There is often much wisdom to be found in the writings and sayings of ancient philosophers and thinkers. Often, this wisdom can be of great use in one’s life. For example, the following statement belongs to Milarepa, who is one of the most widely known Saints from Tibet: Life...

Religion in Indonesia: History and Tolerance

Introduction Indonesia’s religions include Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam, and traditional practices (Arli & Tjiptono 2014). Many existing religious groups in Indonesia adopted Islam and blended it with their practices in their localities (Chalmers 2006). Therefore, this paper agrees that the Islam of Indonesia ended up growing more tolerant as it...

Jehovah Witnesses and Kingdom Hall

Material Dimension The designated sacred space for the Jehovah’s Witnesses is the Kingdom Hall which they believe to be a representation of God’s Kingdom (Heyns, 2002). Simple design, lack of the altars, no sitting pews and images, are the main characteristics of the Kingdom Hall, the sacred places of Jehovah’s...

Calvinism and Arminianism in Historical Theology

Historical Theology Calvinism and Arminianism are two well-known theological systems that introduce different methods to explain the relations which develop between God and people which are directed to achieve salvation. John Calvin is the founder of Calvinism in the middle of the 1500s, and Jacobus Arminius is the theologian, who...

Dante’s Purgatorio Cantos: A Deep Dive Into Themes and Symbolism in The Divine Comedy

Introduction Dante’s Purgatorio symbolizes people’s need to face their inner inconsistencies, flaws, and fears to make personal growth possible. In other words, Dante’s Purgatorio is the emblem showing how imperfect humans strive to control their sinful desires and passions to overcome them and ascend to the place where soul and...

Yoga Practices in History and Today

Yoga has gone mainstream and it has become an important part of Western pop culture. Yoga’s global success is due in large part to the endorsements made by celebrities and influential people of the Western world. Yoga’s popularity surge was aided by testimonies of ordinary people extoling the curative power...

Analyzing “Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff”: Themes and Insights

There are many ways to view religion and interpret various events related to a specific religion. There can be the moments of joy and the moments of sadness, the times when God seems a threatening, powerful and mysterious creature, and the times when God appears a caring and loving Father...

Creationism, Its Theories and Forms

This research project provides an overview of the famous life origin theory that dwells on religious beliefs. Specifically, the report outlines the foundation of the Creationism theory that regards God as a creator of life on the earth. Thus, the argument relies on Christianity and is supported by numerous theological...

Jesus’ Identity: God, Man, or Both?

Religion is a unique phenomenon that unites a certain group of people by presenting them with common values, beliefs, and worldviews. In most cases, it arises from the idea that some almighty creature could impact people’s lives and their destinies, as well as contribute to their spiritual growth. However, the...

Buddhist Spirituality: Contribution to Psychological Well-Being

Introduction During recent years, the popularity of Buddhism among the population of Western countries has risen significantly. The tradition of Buddhist Spirituality attracts many people seeking to find harmony in their lives. Buddhist spirituality is the philosophy based on the principles of wisdom, ethical conduct, and concentration, which if followed...

Jainism’s Historical Development in South Asia

Introduction Jainism forms one of the oldest religions across the world, and it is traditionally referred to as Jain Dharma amongst the South Asian communities as transcribed in the Sanskrit literature. Jainism emphasized the doctrines of non-violence and peaceful coexistence towards all living beings, whilst prescribing equality and respect to...

Jesus’ Teaching About the Kingdom and About Himself

Introduction Faith and religion are very personal concerns that could be treated in different ways depending on what a person wants to see, understand, and believe in. That is why there have always been vigorous debates related to the understanding of the basics of faith. The ground for these discussions...

Judaism and Christianity: Revelational and Spiritual Perspectives

Ascher’s view on Judaism and Christianity as forms of revelational religion It is hard to argue with the fact that many similar elements are present in Christianity and Judaism. Furthermore, Ascher suggests that they both may be regarded as revealed religions because it is a common theme in many writings....

Galileo’s Condemnation and Religious Conflict: Science vs. Church

The condemnation of Galileo by the Catholic Church is a prime example of the vast dispute between religion and science. It is widely believed that his support of Copernicanism, the theory that the earth rotates on its axis, led to his condemnation by the Catholic Church. However, modern historians disagree...

Deities in Hinduism and Buddhism

Abstract This paper dwells upon the differences in roles of Hindu and Buddhist deities from mythological and scientific perspectives. It is noted that Hindu gods’ pantheon was very hierarchal while Buddhist deities were almost equal to people. In Hinduism, gods had supernatural powers and were knowledgeable while in Buddhist tradition....

Jewish Thought: Modernity, Emancipation, and Truths

The changes in history were the primary reasons for the rise of a new movement, which can be referred to as Jewish thought (Greenberg 19). It depicted the correlation between philosophy, religion, and theology and created a novel framework of views, as it tended to reflect the lifestyle of Jews....

The Problem of Evil and Arguments for God’s Existence

The issue of whether an omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent God exists amidst all the evil that is being experienced in the world has remained to be one of the highly debatable issues among various stakeholders of religious-based education. Some people may argue that such a God would logically be incompatible...

Understanding the Conflicts Between Incompatible Traditions and Communities

Karma is a theological concept that emphasize on living righteously (Moore & Bruder, 2011). This theological doctrine warns believers of consequences for actions and thoughts that are relived through reincarnation. Samsara describes the state of ignorance and assumptions of the current impressions. In this regard, the cycle of rebirth is...

Major World Religions Before the 16th Century: Common Aspects and Differences

The world is currently dominated by five major religions that have been in existence for several years. These religions are Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and Hindu. The common religions have certain common aspects and also exhibit some ideological differences. This paper examines some facts about the world religions by utilizing...

The Christian and Buddhist Perspectives in Healthcare

Introduction The aspects of health and disease create a significant portion of the shared understandings of human existence meaning that it influences the diverse elements of religion practiced in various societies. Historical documentations demonstrate that health has all along been an essential aspect that ensures sustainability of the well-being of...

Paul’s Letters: Christianity vs. Judaism in Romans and Corinthians

In his letters to Christians in Rome and Corinth, Paul focused on the Christian blessings in contrast to the state of affairs with the Judaism being the religion of the flesh, law, and strict sin detection regulations. The following discussion will address how exactly Paul represented Christianity as superior to...

Religion and Beliefs About Illness: A Comparative Study of Cultural Perspectives

Introduction The world has a diversity of religions with each having its own beliefs regarding illness. Healthcare professionals are obliged to consider religious beliefs when taking care of patients coming from different backgrounds. Religion plays a major role in healthcare and nurses ought to consider the patients’ religious backgrounds before...

Catholic, Church of Christ and Jewish Religions Comparison

Catholics, Protestants, and Jews are three major denominations of Christianity among many others. While the pope is the head of the Catholic Church, Protestantism and Judaism refer to Christianity that is not a subject to Papal authority (Neusner, 2001). The Catholic Church and the Church of Christ are the two...

The Five Stages of Grief: Insights from Job and Kisa Gautami

Grief is the deep sorrow that people experience when they receive news about death, illness, or loss of property. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross model summarizes the stages that make up the grief process. The model states that people undergo grief in five main stages (Curry, 2011). This paper focuses on the five...

Religious Tensions in the Horn of Africa: Causes and Consequences

Abstract Religious hostilities in Ethiopia and Eritrea have posed challenges for quite a long period. Such religious disputes have been threatening peace and stability in the nations and the whole region. This study discusses the perspectives that exist regarding the supposition that religious hostilities create global unsteadiness, progress to the...

The Contexts of Religion and Violence

Introduction Researchers, who adopt a functionalist approach to religion, believe that it strengthens the unity of the community. Moreover, this institution is believed to eliminate the risk of social conflicts or at least minimise their impacts. This idea has been advocated by Emile Durkheim and his supporters (1965, p. 44)....

Practice of the Teachings of Jesus and Also Understand Their Impact

In Matthew 6: 19-24, Jesus has three main teachings for Christians to apply in their lives. First, he talks about the importance of storing treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed (Bible Gateway, n.d). He explores the concepts of storing treasures in heaven (spiritual) and on earth (material). This...

Religion and Ecology

When it comes to discussing how a particular religion responds to ecological crises, it is important to outline ecologically relevant theological postulates of this religion and to define the qualitative aspects of how it reflects upon psychological/behavioral leanings of its adherents. In my paper, I will aim to explore the...

Creation and Wisdom in the Old Testament: Key Concepts

Distinguish between key concepts and subordinate ideas. Concisely summarize these The key concept of ‘Creation and Wisdom’ by Phillip McMillion is that creation plays a vital part for a minimum of three ways in the acumen of the Old Testament: Wisdom and ethics, wisdom and idolatry, wisdom and praise. The...

Original Sin and Its Connection to Human Nature: A Theological Perspective

The Fall – Then What is revealed about human nature? In Christianity, such a notion as human nature has two major assertions. The first one is the statement that a human being was created in God’s image. It means that our human nature, to a limited degree, has some attributes...

The Religious Experiences of Many Women in Colonial Latin America

Introduction Latin America covers “an area of around 19.2 square kilometers” (Socolow 5). The region has twenty sovereign nations covering the Caribbean and South America. Most of “the countries in Latin America are characterized by the use of different Romantic languages” (Socolow 9). The landing of the Europeans in Latin...

Jesus Christ’s Philosophy in the Gospel of Matthew: A Comprehensive Overview

The first chapters of the Gospel of Mathew in the New Testament relate an account of how Jesus Christ has begun his earthly ministry to people. In this paper, chapters 3, 4, and 5 will be observed in detail with an objective to narrate my insights into Jesus’ thinking as...

Exploring Religious Philosophy: Concepts of Right and Wrong Beliefs

From the point of view of Hinduism samsara is a cycle of being born, living, dying and then being re-born again. This cycle will repeat many times, while the person is tied up by their own karma, which is the law of causes and consequences that determine an individual’s quality...