...policy during the Cold War, religion acted as a powerful tool to direct U.S. leaders’ decisions and unite Americans in the war against the Soviets (Kirby, 2003; Grimshaw, 2011; Winsboro 2009; Gaddis 1997). Emerging out of studies of the cultural dimension of the Cold War, the “religious Cold War” has become a subject of focus for scholars in the past two decades. Dianne Kirby, a professor of history at the University of Ulster, is the primary voice in the literature surrounding religion and the Cold War. Kirby argues that ideology, specifically the religious component, is key to comprehending “perceptions of and responses to the Soviet Union,” beyond the traditional...
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...until 1942. In 1951 he became keeper of the Orleans library. He also edited scholarly journals and in 1946 founded an influential literary review, Critique, which he edited until his death. George Bataille’s “Theory of Religion” is an attempt to sum up religion in as succinct a manner as possible. To be all things to all religions, the book is very vague and difficult to understand. Bataille created a chart or table to explain what he was doing and to give body to the work. ALAS! The chart is not in the book, lost to time. Thus, as it exists, Bataille’s book is a glimpse into the inner workings of a genius mind. It is a colorful attempt to understand “religion,” whatever that is. Further, it is an off-the beaten path romp through the daisies of the study of religion, sweet flowers that often remain unromped. Theory of Religion brings to philosophy what Bataille’s earlier book, The Accursed Share, brought to anthropology and history; namely, an analysis based on notions of excess and expenditure. Bataille brilliantly defines religion as so many different attempts to respond to the universe’s relentless generosity. Framed within his original theory of generalized economics and based on his masterly reading of archaic religious activity, Theory of Religion constitutes, along with The Accursed Share, the most important articulation of Bataille’s work. Theory of...
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...there is NO God, you actually affirm there is one. Hence I must conclude that the answer to our openeng question is a simple and flat no. No, it is not necessary for a truly contemporary person to be an atheist or to disbelieve in the existence of God. And I find no arguments, no reasons, no evidence or facts, not in Bishop Robinson's writings, nor in Bishop Pike's, nor in the writings of Tillich, Bultmann, and Bonhoeffer, or in the lesser breed of new theologians, which support the opposite answer. The new theologians are impressed by the secularism of our society, by the spread of irreligion and of atheism or disbelief in God. It is this which leads them to propose a religionless Christianity, or an atheistic Christianity, a secularized religion to meet the needs or fit the condition of present life. All this is...
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...Cultural Analysis The marketer needs basic information to evaluate a country market’s potential, identify problems that would eliminate a country from further consideration, identify aspects of a country’s environment for possible adaptation, and develop a strategic market approach. One further use of the information collected in the preliminary analysis (cultural analysis) is as a basis for country notebook. A country notebook includes a Cultural Analysis, Economic Analysis, Market Audit and Competitive Market Analysis. The data suggested in the cultural analysis includes information that helps the marketer make market-planning decisions. However, its application extends beyond product and market analysis to being an important source of information for someone interested in understanding business customs and other important cultural features of the country. The information in this analysis must be more than a collection of facts. You need to interpret the meaning of cultural information. That is, how does the information help in understanding the effect on the market? For example, the fact that almost all the populations of Italy and Mexico are Catholic is an interesting statistic but not nearly as useful as understanding the effect of Catholicism on values, beliefs, and other aspects of market behavior. Furthermore, even though both countries are predominantly Catholic, the influence of their individual and unique interpretation and practice of Catholicism can result in important...
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...Structuralism Essay Introduction Functionalism created a number of concerns in the late 1950s that shaped a “climate of receptivity to a rather different form of analysis, known as ‘structuralism’” (Bell, 1997, pg.42). Structuralism aimed to uncover the underlying meanings and patterns of social constructs. These meanings can only to be found by interpreting the ritual participants unconscious understanding of the symbols used and the overall context. Levi-Strauss is the founding father of structuralism, as it is applied to anthropology. Many have refined his thesis such as E.E.Evans-Pritchard and Arnold van Gennep. This essay outlines the main features of the theoretical position, the key proponents of the theory as well it critically examines structuralism as a theory used for ritual interpretation. Main features of Structuralism Bronislaw Malinowski among other ritual theorists “began to ask: if such symbols, beliefs, and patterns of ritual activity do not serve simply to maintain the patterns of social relationships, then what do they mean to the people who use them? (Bell, 1997, pg.34). Spawning from functionalism, structuralism is the theory that analyses the function of rituals and how they promote social order and community. Furthermore, structuralism aims to analyse the meaning of ritual activity such as the ideologies and core group values that are conveyed through symbols and the underlying patterns (Bell, 1997). “Structuralism in its widest sense is all about...
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...schoolgirls. The abstract clearly states the purpose, the setting, the research design as well as the study’s conclusions and recommendations. The abstract outlines Dr. Adely’s intent to explore the importance of extracurricular activities, more specifically music, in the education of patriotism, faith and femininity in a female high school in Jordan Her qualitative study based on first-hand experience as well as conversation analysis is aimed at both the academic community and the general population interested in socio-cultural perspectives on education in the Middle East. Analysis Throughout her study, Adely builds primarily on her previous work from 2004, however she does cite literature from Kandiyoti (1991) and Ahmed (1992) among others. This literature is cited in the conclusion and little reference is made to the exact content of the cited authors work. Dr. Adely chose these authors in order to show the reader that many others have also explored the field of female roles in nation building, authenticity and modernity in the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. Although the author does state that, “there is a vast literature...
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...Why do people convert religion? Proponents: Baliguat Caryl Buga-ay Myna Delgado Harlyn Laja Aurelio Lumacad Rhona Marmolejo Gilbert Magbanua Christine Nepal Flory Mae Santianes Djamaica Vicada Jecel Mae Yelo Margie Thesis/ research Entry Binalbagan Catholic College Negros Occidental September, 2014 Mr. Lazaga Adviser Acknowledgement A journey is easier when you travel together. Interdependence is certainly more valuable than independence. This thesis is the result of a too little time of work whereby the researchers have accompanied and supported by limited people. It is a pleasant aspect that the proponents have now the opportunity to express their gratitude. The first person they would like to thank is their excellent teacher/ adviser Mr. Lazaga who always remind them with their research and answer whatever questions that we do not know or things that we do include in our study. Who always kept an eye on the progress of their work and always available when needed his advices. In a short period of time, they owe his lots of gratitude for having them shown this way of research. The researchers also want to express their gratitude to all their respondents who answer honestly their survey and accommodate them with open heart just to help the researchers. Although, they do have limited respondents, they are very thankful to them. These people substantially contributed to the development of this work. Introduction Religion is said to an organized...
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...Investigate a Social Issue Jacquelyn Wintersteen Don Anderson Introduction to Sociology December 9, 2012 Religion plays a large role in society across the globe, whether it’s being recognized by believers or non-believers. The main religions that have been viewed around the world for most of our developments are Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. There have been new religions forming, such as Mormonism, which have been aiding in the reshaping of our societies and tolerance. For a good part of human existence, religion has been a factor of life, shaping the mind of the Homo sapiens. Hinduism is viewed as the world’s oldest religion, dating back to 2nd century BCE. Hinduism had gone through great change over the centuries, beginning with the change of the Aryan Gods, originally including Indra, Soma, and Agni, with Vishnu and Shiva as minor deities that become the main deities by 300BCE. Mahatma Gandhi has become the ‘face’ of Hinduism since the 1950’s, when he attempted to abolish the caste system within the religion. Hinduism has segregated its followers into ‘castes’, which include the Brahmins, the ritual priests, Kshatriyas, the warriors, Vaishyas, the merchants, and lastly the Shudras, the manual laborers (Kinnard, 2012). The caste system is separated much like the class system of earlier eras where Church was at the top, followed by Nobles, merchants, and the lower class of laborers. Buddhism was created out of dissatisfaction for Hinduism in 5th...
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...to the Aiteraya Upanisad and the Kulnarnava Tantra. “Gu” signifies darkness and “ru” is that which restrains it; “so a guru is a restrainer of ignorance.” This understanding is shared in the Janam-Sakhi text: “via the Guru, the light, the ontological basis of all, becomes visible.” Nanak is thus charged to deliver the message bequeathed to him through the vision. For the next twenty-four years Guru Nanak traveled throughout India and beyond, spreading the Divine Word (p. 341). INTRODUCTION In order to research the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, we must focus on analyzing the data relating to the personality and the man that was Guru Nanak and not so much the Sikh religion that follows him today. More specifically, we must look into some of the primitive thoughts and teachings that surrounded Guru Nanak in his time. Finally, we must attempt to relate Guru Nanak’s theology to today and note its relevant influence. Literature Search Process In order to research the life of Guru Nanak with a thorough and complete analysis we must look beyond the standard texts that are written about his life and teachings, and look deeply into what religious scholars have written and interpreted. The scholars are the knowledgeable...
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...Elements of Religious Traditions In striving to understand religious traditions it is important to understand what religion is. The common translation of religion is “to join again,” “to reconnect” (Molloy, 2010, p. 5). Religion cannot be accurately defined with a single definition because there are many differences. Most definitions found in dictionaries are not completely accurate or complete. Dictionary definitions according to Molloy, 2010, p. 5, indicates religion is a belief system that consists of the worship of a single God or multiple gods, ceremony, ethical and moral code, and prayer. To define better religion one should identify the characteristics commonly found and accepted as religions (Molloy, 2010, p. 5). To identify the elements of religious traditions one must explain religious traditions relationship with the divine, sacred time, sacred space, and their relationship with each other. Scholars believe the following eight elements are commonly found in most religions (Molloy, 2010, pgs. 6-7): * Belief System * Community * Central Myths * Rituals * Ethics * Characteristic Emotional Experiences * Material Expression * Sacredness Understanding the key critical issues in the study of religion will help one understand that there is a vast number of religions with a vast number of beliefs (Johnson, 2013). Religions Relationship with the Divine To identify religious traditions relationship with the divine, one must be acquainted...
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...theory of neurosis, he captured the tragic dimension of human existence, particularly in the selfdestructive antithesis of instinctual conflict. The locus of these destructive impulses is internalized in the individual and not merely derivative from civilization. In this respect, Freud’s portrayal of the human condition has more depth than romantic humanism and yields significant points of correlation with the Christian understanding of sin, guilt, and the need for redemption. Regarding Freud’s theory of personality, there appears to be no unified structure or functional unity between the id, the ego, and the superego, and these personality components are described in intuitive and literary terms that elude scientific analysis. Instead, they are often personified as homunculi that operate in monochromatic ways, yielding a theory that does not adequately account for the richness, complexity, and diversity of human personality. In spite of his commitment to a scientific world view, Freud’s ideas were less objective and scientific than he liked to think. His theory was based more on clinical impressions than on controlled empirical methods. The accumulation of data and presentation of conclusions is...
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...Management 1 Communication Skills 2 Science and Religion Science without religion is lame and religion without science is blind. This is a famous line quoted by Albert Einstein. Way back in time during the last century, it was widely held that there was an irreconcilable conflict between knowledge and faith. Even until the modern period, different opinions on this speculation prevailed among advanced minds. Both the method and aims of science and religion seem to be different. While science is linked to the material, religion is concerned with the spiritual. Science deals with the world that we know and could be understood by the senses. It relies in the study of processes, forces, and development of nature, which is based on the analysis of evidence through laboratory works and series of actual experiments. Scientists believe that various processes and events we observe take place due to natural causes instead of some divine forces. Moreover, science is precise, and the matters of morality, spirituality, and holiness lie beyond its areas of interest. On the other hand, religion begins where science ends. It is closely connected to faith that is a profound concept in Christianity. The main bases of religion is often revelations reflected from the holy bible and given by a deity that is either traditionally transmitted from elders to their offspring, or revealed to the believers in the process of prayer. Religion believes more on the spiritual and divine aspects to...
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...Religion Ideas REL/133 January 15, 2012 Religion Ideas The religion topic is kind of complicated. Around the world people have different points of view about the religion. The youngest generation in comparison with the old people they do not take importance to religion or any issue related with the religion. In some parts of the world the people do not care about religion but they believe in other things such as afterlife. This paper will explain what religion does for people, why people avoid religion and what are the factors that make the religion study complicated. What religion does for people? The word religion is related with the word spirituality. The people that have the religion in their lives are more spiritual persons. The people that have the religion in their lives are a happiest people. Religion can act as a buffer that will protect people from life’s disappointments. The religion can provide positive spirituality to people as well. The religion can change the life of a person. The religion can provide feeling emotions such as love, awe, wonder, respect, and gratitude. The feelings that religion provide can connect people to others. The spirituality that religion gives to people makes them to focus on the purpose and the meaning of life. People also will find social support when they introduce the religion to their lives. The religion often offer help to the community. People can find help for problems like drugs abuse, alcohol abuse, domestic violence...
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...instructor; see details on the course syllabus under “Writing Requirements.” • Assignment Your task is to analyze the “religious content” of a particular film. To accomplish this task, your essay must do the following: 1. Identify a key message promoted by the film. One way to find a key message is to complete this sentence: “According to this film, what is most important in life is . . .” 2. Use theories about belief, text, ritual, and/or visual culture to show how this message is promoted by the film. The theories you use must be drawn ONLY from these readings: • Malory Nye, Religion: The Basics, Chapters 5 (“Belief”), 6 (“Ritual”), or 7 (“Text”) • S. Brent Plate, Introduction to Religion, Art, and Visual Culture (in the course reader) Imagine that you are writing this essay for a film website. Your audience consists of people who have seen the film, but who do not know anything about the study of religion. This means that you do NOT need to provide a plot summary of the movie, but you DO need to clearly explain each theory that you use. Films Each TA has made a list of films for the students in their tutorials. You must select ONE film from YOUR TA’s list. If you write on a film from another TA’s list you may be penalized up to ten marks....
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...problem of the interaction between philosophy and science is well known. Some philosophers say that philosophy is a science while others say that it is not a science. So, philosophy differs from science as well as from religion by its methodology of cognition and also by world outlook, while science and religion consider that knowledge has only one beginning therefore there is only one true knowledge and only one true methodology of cognition. I think that scientific methodology is in many ways close to the religious one. Science supposes that there is only one proper basis of knowledge, it is experiment and rational analysis of nature, just as religion considers that there is only one source of knowledge, God (or other Absolute). Therefore there is only one methodology of searching for science (scientific theories and experiments) and only one way of cognition for religion (revelation and spiritual dialogue with God). By contrast, philosophy agrees that there are many ways of cognition, just as there are many forms of knowledge and many beginnings of that knowledge. Wisdom in my mind is the form of personal knowledge. That is why there is neither a scientific philosophy, nor a religious philosophy, but there is philosophy of science and philosophy of religion, which describe the phenomena of scientific and religious thinking. Philosophy is always personal experience and cogitation and there is no universal wisdom, which would be the same for all the people, just as there is...
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