...Conversion experience are the strongest evidence for the existence of god William James argued that conversion was “the habitual centre of personal energy” in a person taken over by religious aims but never stated what the habitual centre was. The person who had such an experience was the “undergoer of an outstanding process performed upon him from above. There is too much evidence if this for any doubt of it to be possible”. Despite this he does acknowledge that other factors may be at work. He points out that dramatic emotions show themselves which can feel similar to conversion experiences. There are people with temporary inhibitions which make them refuse to believe but they may change their minds later in life. He believes that it is impossible for some people to ever be converted as religion never comes the centre of their spiritual energy there can be a number of different reasons for this. James maintained one common feature of conversions is the struggle between the personal will and the imperfect sinful self. He sees the in some people the struggle between will and sinful never takes place this but for the people that do experience this whether volitional or involuntary a conversation can only lead to a loss of worry, truths not known before ,and a sense that the world has objectively changed. Even when James saw conversion as a being natural process is still maintained that it was inspired by the divine. Another scholar that studied conversion is Edwin Starbuck,...
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...Is Religious experience a valid and trustworthy argument for the existence of God? Introduction In this essay I shall be making a case for why I believe Religious experience to be a valid and trustworthy argument for the existence of God, I will be focusing primarily on the Christian faith and some of it’s faithful adherents. I shall address some counter arguments, and conclude with what I believe counts for a valid religious experience, so as to decipher, to an extent, subjective human experience in contrast to what adherents to their faith would believe is a universal, absolute truth. Religious Experience The argument for ‘religious experience’ being a valid and trustworthy argument for the existence of God is often termed ‘the argument from perception’ as the one experiencing perceives that the experience itself is birthed by something or someone independent of the recipient . The logic behind the ‘argument from perception is that since there are so many people who at various times in history have claimed to have Theistic perceptions, there simply must be something to them’( Gellman,17,2001). Concerning the area of ‘Religious experience’ It is interesting to note that in an article for ‘The Guardian’ by columnist Mark Vernon, he cites renowned Harvard University psychologist and philosopher William James as stating that the ‘strongest evidence for the existence of God was found in personal, inner religious experience’ ( Vernon, 2010). After extensive...
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...Paul the Apostle (Greek: Παῦλος Paulos; c. 5 – c. 67), original name Saul of Tarsus (Greek: Σαῦλος Ταρσεύς Saulos Tarseus), was an apostle (though not one of the Twelve Apostles) who taught the gospel of Christ to the first-century world. He is generally considered one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age. In the mid-30s to the mid-50s, he founded several churches in Asia Minor and Europe. Paul used his status as both a Jew and aRoman citizen to advantage in his ministry to both Jewish and Roman audiences. Fourteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament have traditionally been attributed to Paul, and approximately half of the Acts of the Apostlesdeals with Paul's life and works. Seven of the epistles are undisputed by scholars as being authentic, with varying degrees of argument about the remainder. The Pauline authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews, already doubted in the 2nd and 3rd centuries but almost unquestioningly accepted from the 5th to the 16th centuries, is now almost universally rejected by scholars. The other six are believed by some scholars to have come from followers writing in his name, using material from Paul's surviving letters and letters written by him that no longer survive. Other scholars argue that the idea of a pseudonymous author for the disputed epistles raises many problems. Today, his epistles continue to be vital roots of the theology, worship, and pastoral life in the Roman and Protestant traditions of the West, as well...
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...PREFACE This major project examines the indispensable desiderata of Transcendentalism in comparison to the Dark Romantics background and how these technicalities prepare this work of art as an influential synthesis of human imagination incorporated with mystic facts. Transcendentalism and Dark Romanticism were two literary movements that occurred in America during roughly the same time period (1840—1860). Although the two had surface similarities, such as their reverence for Nature, their founding beliefs were quite different, enough to make one seem almost the antithesis of each other. Moreover one’s genesis is ventured out from other; i.e. Dark Romanticism from the roots of Transcendentalism or precisely the lacunae are best determined for raising up the term called Dark Romanticism. Contents S. No. Page no. Chapter 1.........................................................................................................4-14 Chapter 2.........................................................................................................15-23. Chapter 3..........................................................................................................24-27 Resolution.........................................................................................................28-29 Work Cited................................................................
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...destroyed a lot of properties. The text elaborates al these and review the timeline of those events act the number of lives lost the number church and mosques destroyed all for the name of religious conflict. CHAPTER ONE 1. INTRODUCTION Nigeria is known be highly religions each of these groups has its own religious behalf and procures. Religion is the strongest element in traditional background and the greatest influence upon the thinking and living of the people concerned. According to John S. Mbiti “religion are not primarily for the individual but for his community of which he is part. Chapters of Nigerian religion are written everywhere in life of the community and in traditional society there are no irreligious people. To be human is to belong to the whole community and to do so involves participating in the beliefs, ceremonies, rituals and festivals of that community and a person cannot detach himself from the religion of his group for to do is to be severed from his roots, his foundation, his context of security, his kingships and the entire group of those who make him aware of his own existence. To be without one of these corporate elements...
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...destroyed a lot of properties. The text elaborates al these and review the timeline of those events act the number of lives lost the number church and mosques destroyed all for the name of religious conflict. CHAPTER ONE 1. INTRODUCTION Nigeria is known be highly religions each of these groups has its own religious behalf and procures. Religion is the strongest element in traditional background and the greatest influence upon the thinking and living of the people concerned. According to John S. Mbiti “religion are not primarily for the individual but for his community of which he is part. Chapters of Nigerian religion are written everywhere in life of the community and in traditional society there are no irreligious people. To be human is to belong to the whole community and to do so involves participating in the beliefs, ceremonies, rituals and festivals of that community and a person cannot detach himself from the religion of his group for to do is to be severed from his roots, his foundation, his context of security, his kingships and the entire group of those who make him aware of his own existence. To be without one of these corporate elements of...
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...“You will know them by their fruits.” Mt. 7:16 CHRISTIAN PURITY By Randolph Sinks Foster FOREWORD The past generation produced some outstanding leaders and writers among the advocates of the Wesleyan doctrine of entire sanctification. The writings of these authors are of such high rank and their value has been so tested by time that today their books are worthy to be recognized as classics in this field of religious literature. That these writings, all of which are now out of print, may be preserved and made available to the people of the holiness movement today, the publishers are presenting this series of Abridged Holiness Classics. The abridged message is that of the original author from which has been deleted material mostly applicable to the previous generation. The man called upon to undertake the task of abridgment for the first four volumes in the series is the Rev. John Paul, who is well known as a Bible scholar and as an authoritative preacher and teacher of the doctrine of entire sanctification. That Doctor Paul has done an admirable work will be recognized by the reader of this series which starts with the following titles: “Purity and Maturity,” and “Perfect Love,” by J. A. Wood; “Possibilities of Grace,” by Asbury Lowrey; “Christian Purity,” by Bishop Foster. It is the sincere prayer of the publishers that these classics in abridged form will be the blessing to the readers of this generation that they were to the generation to which they were written originally...
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...“Independent Project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree BA (Hons) History, in the Department of History and Economic History, Manchester Metropolitan University”, 29 March 2014 Cultural Changes and the Growth of Christianity in Medieval and Early Modern England By Janine Scambler I certify that, apart from the guidance provided by my supervisor and the references cited in the text and bibliography, this dissertation is the sole work of Janine Scambler and has not been previously submitted as part of the assessment requirements for any academic reward. Signed: Contents Abstract 3 Introduction 4 Chapter 1: Visual Culture 8 Chapter 2: Ancient Practices 21 Chapter 3: Beliefs and Superstition 30 Conclusion 41 Bibliography 43 Appendix 56 Abstract This dissertation will demonstrate cultural changes in England through the period c.700-1660. The changes studied will focus on visual sources, or visual culture; ancient practices, or festivals and the cult of saints; and superstition and belief. It will show how changes occurred around political and religious change, and that different areas were affected by different factors. Introduction This dissertation will assess the extent to which ancient beliefs and practices survived the introduction of Christianity and their subsequent development in England. This will be achieved through the study of visual culture; the survival of ancient practices; and an investigation...
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... Contents Introduction 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7 8. 9. 10. The nature and function of worldviews Religion true and false . . . . . . . . .. . . . 1 16 30 The problem of dualism and synthesis in Christianity Major themes in a worldview: Human nature, truth, meaning, purpose . 46 Scripture as the source of a Christian worldview The contours of a Biblical worldview . . . . . . .. . . . . . 59 70 87 104 119 136 157 Structure and direction. Sin and evil. Common grace The task and calling of humankind: to care for the creation . The nature of Christian community. A Christian view of society. The Kingdom of God: God's righteous rule over the whole creation . Bibliography . . . . . . . . ii Introduction The creation of the Father, fallen in sin, is redeemed by the death of the Son of God and is being transformed by the Holy Spirit into the kingdom of God. Herman Bavinck This series of studies is designed to provide a basic introduction to a distinctively Christian worldview that seeks to see the whole gospel applied to the whole of life. This Christian worldview makes a difference, because it is significant for our life in the world. It shapes and directs our lives in important ways, because it is the framework of our most basic beliefs about everything. These studies provide an initial introduction to the idea that Christianity provides a coherent, robust and significant basis for life that is a distinctive and genuine alternative to the prevailing worldviews...
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...Sacrifice CONTENTS XIV The Principle of Divine Works XV 134 145 158 168 177 188 200 212 224 234 247 The Possibility and Purpose of Avatarhood XVI The Process of Avatarhood XVII The Divine Birth and Divine Works XVIII The Divine Worker XIX Equality XX Equality and Knowledge XXI The Determinism of Nature XXII Beyond the Modes of Nature XXIII Nirvana and Works in the World XXIV The Gist of the Karmayoga SECOND SERIES Part I — The Synthesis of Works, Love and Knowledge I The Two Natures II 263 278 The Synthesis of Devotion and Knowledge CONTENTS III The Supreme Divine IV 289 301 311 322 337 355 366 The Secret of Secrets V The Divine Truth and Way VI Works, Devotion and Knowledge VII The Supreme Word of the Gita VIII God in Power of Becoming...
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...19 Essays on the Gita VOLUME 19 THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SRI AUROBINDO © Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust 1997 Published by Sri Aurobindo Ashram Publication Department Printed at Sri Aurobindo Ashram Press, Pondicherry PRINTED IN INDIA Essays on the Gita Publisher’s Note The first series of Essays on the Gita appeared in the monthly review Arya between August 1916 and July 1918. It was revised by Sri Aurobindo and published as a book in 1922. The second series appeared in the Arya between August 1918 and July 1920. In 1928 Sri Aurobindo brought out an extensively revised edition in book form. For the present edition, the text has been thoroughly checked against all previous editions and against the manuscripts of the revised Arya. CONTENTS FIRST SERIES I Our Demand and Need from the Gita 3 II The Divine Teacher 12 III The Human Disciple 20 IV The Core of the Teaching 29 V Kurukshetra 39 VI Man and the Battle of Life 47 VII The Creed of the Aryan Fighter 57 VIII Sankhya and Yoga 68 IX Sankhya, Yoga and Vedanta 81 X The Yoga of the Intelligent Will 94 XI Works and Sacrifice 105 XII The Significance of Sacrifice 114 XIII The Lord of the Sacrifice 124 CONTENTS XIV The Principle of Divine Works 134 XV The Possibility and Purpose of Avatarhood 145 XVI The Process of Avatarhood 158 XVII The Divine Birth and Divine...
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...The Power of Logic The Power of Logic FOU RTH E DITION Frances Howard-Snyder Daniel Howard-Snyder Ryan Wasserman WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Published by McGraw-Hill, an imprint of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Copyright © 2009, 2005, 2002, 1999, by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written consent of The McGrawHill Companies, Inc., including, but not limited to, in any network or other electronic storage or transmission, or broadcast for distance learning. This book is printed on acid-free paper. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 DOC/DOC 0 9 8 ISBN: 978-0-07-340737-1 MHID: 0-07-340737-2 Editor in Chief: Michael Ryan Editorial Director: Beth Mejia Sponsoring Editor: Mark Georgiev Marketing Manager: Pamela Cooper Editorial Coordinator: Briana Porco Production Editors: Melissa Williams/Melanie Field, Strawberry Field Publishing Cover Designer: Ashley Bedell Cover Photo: © Dan Trist/Corbis Media Project Manager: Thomas Brierly Production Supervisor: Louis Swaim Composition: This text was set in 10.5/12.5 Goudy by Aptara, Inc. Printing: Printed on 45# New Era Matte by R.R. Donnelley & Sons, Inc. Credits: The credits section for this book is on page 647, following the Answer Key in the back of the book, and is considered an extension of the copyright page. ...
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...U N D E R S TA N D I N G U N D E R S TA N D I N G S U N Y s e r i e s i n P h i lo s o ph y George R. Lucas Jr., editor R I C H A R D M A S O N understanding understanding S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W Y O R K P R E S S Published by State University of New York Press, Albany © 2003 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207 Production, Laurie Searl Marketing, Fran Keneston Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Mason, Richard, 1948– Understanding understanding / Richard Mason. p. cm. — (SUNY series in philosophy) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7914-5871-7 (alk. paper) — ISBN 0-7914-5872-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Comprehension (Theory of knowledge) I. Title. II. Series. BD181.5.M27 2003 121—dc21 2003042557 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 for Margie Contents INTRODUCTION, 1 CHAPTER ONE WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, 7 CHAPTER TWO HOW WE UNDERSTAND, 21 CHAPTER THREE UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE...
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...INTRODUCTION The plays and prefaces of Bernard Shaw deal with many and diverse themes. At least four, however, concern themselves with evolutionary themes and ideas: Man and Superman, Back to Methusalah, The Simpleton of the Unexpected Isles, and Far-fetched Fables. In Man and Superman, especially the third act, the preface, and The Revolutionist's Handbook and Pocket Companion, Shaw touches on two main themes: the pursuit of man by woman and the direction of evolution, which Shaw sees as leading towards the development of the mind and brain. In Back to Methusalah, Shaw carries forward his vision of evolution as proceeding in the direction of mental development but introduces a seemingly new idea in the last play of the cycle, the antithesis of mind and body. Shaw's dualism receives its most explicit statement in the last play of the cycle although there may be indications of it in the earlier plays. The mind-body antithesis, however, derives as a philosophical problem from Descartes,1 although the antithesis also appeared in the Manichean and Gnostic heresies, the spirit, or mind, being regarded as good and the body as evil. Although the antithesis of body and mind makes its first open appearance in the Methusalah cycle, it is present, at least as an implicit assumption in Man and Superman. Don Juan continually expresses his longing for the life of contemplation, a life which is to be achieved at the expense of the body. We will deal with the presence of the mind body antithesis...
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... reverence for the gods”, and according to the text refers to the fear or awe a person feels in the presence of a spirit or a god. 2. Taoism and Confucianism are nontheistic religions, that is, religions for which belief in God or gods is nonessential. While gods are not alien to either Taoism or Confucianism, belief in/of gods is not central to either tradition. What are a couple of other religions that can be called nontheistic religions? a) A few additional examples of some nontheistic religions are Agnosticism, Atheism, Buddhism, Secular Humanism and Scientology. 3. What is Paul Tillich's definition for religion, and why do Hopfe and Woodward consider its development too broad? a) Paul Tillich defines religion as, “that which is of ultimate concern”. Hopfe and Woodward consider the development of Tillich’s definition of religion too broad for a world religions course because a philosophical exploration of Tillich’s definition of religion, yields many an individuals personal belief of what is of ultimate concern hardly lending to the general understanding of popular or mainstream religions they hope to accomplish in this text. 4. Explain E. B. Tylor's theory concerning the origin and evolution of religion. What is animism, and to what, "ultimately" and "finally," did Tylor think it evolved? a) E.B. Tylor’s theory regarding the origin and evolution of religion is that primitive people developed a sense of other or soul from their experiences with death and dreams...
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