...Most people generally accept that as a country, America was founded on religions principals. Many of the writings of the founding fathers, including our own Declaration of Independence, include religious doctrine as not only the partial justification for our separation from mother England but also as a part of the vision of how our new nation would be successful. Over time, our society and culture have changed so that today, even though people claim to be religious, religion is certainly not as main stream in our culture as it once was. By better understanding our society in colonial America, how the denominational makeup of churchgoers has changed, how our legal system has both protected and not protected religion’s presence in our daily lives, the influence of different organizations and social movements on religious practices and perceptions, the change in how Christians are perceived and finally the changes in the message that the church is preaching the reader will be able to understand not only how America has changed but also how contemporary Christian leaders and organizations are trying to remain relevant and consistent with God’s word. Colonial America & Our Founding Fathers From the settling of our nation to the Revolutionary War, religion was much more a part of mainstream society. The pervasive nature of religion had an impact on those who led the fight for our freedom. The period of history leading up to the Revolutionary War is commonly referred to as the...
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...mostly of children in an environment that radically changes their soul. Like the quote from Olara Otunnu, children are used as objects to carry forth actions that certain adults feel towards their civilization. If one is fortunate enough to escape or rescued then they must deal with the cruel effects of reintegrating into society. Research confirms that it is immoral to have child soldiers in Uganda because war-related experiences inhibit a healthy growth as a one suffers from psychological and physical trauma. Known to be one of the worse humanitarian crises since World War II, the epidemic in Uganda began over twenty years ago. This came about due to a man name Joseph Kony and his ideology of establishing a government based on the Ten Commandments (Benter 1). He believed with a large enough army, he would be able to overthrow the current system residing in Uganda today. One usually associates the idea of an army with adults; men and women who voluntary commit to serve their country for a certain amount of time. Kony believed he represented the people of Uganda, the Alcholi people, but his support dwindled and people ceased to join his army. In the article A Child’s Hell in the Lord’s Resistance Army the author provided reason for child soldiers in Uganda rather than adult soldiers, “Kony was influenced by the idea of using children in this army, convinced that the young...
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...Wives showed how women were expected to act and how they were perceived by men of the time. It was hilarious to men (who were the same gender as the author of the play, meaning not who the criticism was projected to), but offensive to women because they were who the censure was directed at. Moliere believed that tragedy must be heroic, while comedy must hold the mirror up to nature, and this is exactly what he did with School for Wives. Using subtle humor along with the blatant examples of flaws in the society to create a play of truth and wit, he showed his brilliance and humanity’s true colors. Along with men and women in general, he also criticized the church and nobles of the time. For example, the 10 maxims can be related to the 10 commandments. His satire using the Catholic Church didn’t seem to go over well with many, showing his readiness for risk taking. He was creative and edgy in his brashness; I believe it was because of this that his work pulled through and gave him great success. As he wrote about the very people that were funding his plays, he was putting his whole life's work in jeopardy showing how avid he really was. Through his new comedies that caught the eyes of many, he was able to help start a movement away from dramas in the French arts. His perpetual spirit is still at work today through the works of many authors following his technique of following your own style; leaving the set in stone...
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...womb.” Identity questions what it is like to be human and/or whether humans are more important than animals? The Bible specifically answers this question. Genesis 1:28 states that after God created man and women he blessed them and ordered Man to rule over the fish, birds, and all other animal. Psalm 8:6 also gives an example how The Lord our God made Man and destined him throughout the Bible to be a ruler over the earth. The Meaning or Purpose of life also has a very common thread throughout the Bible. Ironically the Bible does not define “purpose of Life” however God provided within Exodus 20: 1:17, The Ten Commandments a teaching tool on how to live our life. Additionally throughout the Bible lessons are taught to reference us back to the Commandments such as within Psalm 119:15-16. These lessons are meant to keep us grounded within our purpose. The Ten Commandments as referenced above provide a Moral way to live a Christian life. Matthew...
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...Adrianne M. August 31, 2013 Instructor w Thich nhat hanh speaks of the eightfold path as a daily practice to help in living the way according to Buddhism a sin free life. I believe that what is taught in the eightfold path is similar to the Ten Commandments and other passages in the Bible. Rather it is the Bible or any other teachings the similarities in all can be helpful in teaching how to live a righteous life. The eightfold path is not in any particular order but are all used or intertwined to work together to build on self. First, Right view supports wisdom and understanding of things as they are or seeing things in its true nature within ourselves or an insight of. Christianity is similar as to knowing ourselves because we are to look within ourselves to find what is hindering us and pray to God almighty to help make changes that need to be made to better ourselves. Right intention is part of the path that cultivated wisdom. There are three parts or kinds of right intentions. The intention of renunciation (desire), the intention of good will (ill will), and the intention of harmlessness (harmfulness) so all that we are is followed by our thoughts. In Christianity our thoughts are apart of whom we are so we are to control them. For example, if I have thought about someone in a sexual way I would have already sin in my thoughts, Mark 7:20-23 says, Mark 7:20 And he said, that which cometh out of the man that defileth the man. Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the...
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...the lord, for he is good; for His loving-kindness is everlasting (Psalms), another way is the 10 commandments which shows God setting the standard of what is morally right and wrong. Another way of showing of how ‘God is good’ is by creation in genesis 1 and 2 which shows God either creating the world or how he is crafting everything, also in the bible of how God has preformed miracles and in todays society. In the bible there are many passages, which say ‘God is good’ for example in James ‘every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow’ this is clearly saying that God is the source of goodness. Another example is the goodness of God is a character trait, which applies to every other attribute. God’s wrath is good. God’s holiness is good. God’s righteousness is good. God is good in His entirety. There is nothing about God that is not good (Romans), this is basically saying that the goodness of God is a life-transforming truth and that we should use the words of God in are attitudes and actions. The Ten Commandments are the clear example of God setting the standards of what is morally right and wrong. We follow these laws that God has set because we believe that they show us are sins and if we follow these laws that we will be reward towards the light. These Commandments show us the righteous side of being a human being, and that we should follow them because God has...
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...THE CHOICE Imagine I offered you a choice of four gifts: ● ● ● ● The original Mona Lisa The keys to a brand new Lamborghini A million dollars in cash A parachute You can pick only one. Which would you choose? Before you decide, here’s some information that will help you to make the wisest choice: You have to jump 10,000 feet out of an airplane. Does that help you to connect the dots? It should, because you need the parachute. It’s the only one of the four gifts that will help with your dilemma. The others may have some value, but they are useless when it comes to facing the law of gravity in a 10,000-foot fall. The knowledge that you will have to jump should produce a healthy fear in you—and that kind of fear is good because it can save your life. Remember that. 1 Now think of the four major religions: ● ● ● ● Hinduism Buddhism Islam Christianity Which one should you choose? Before you decide, here’s some information that will help you determine which one is the wisest choice: All of For most of humanity stands on the humanity, death is edge of eternity. We are all a huge and terrify- going to die. We will all have to pass through the ing plummet into door of death. It could happen to us in twenty years, the unknown. or in six months, . . . or today. For most of humanity, death is a huge and terrifying plummet into the unknown. So what should we do? Do you remember how it was your knowledge of the jump that produced that healthy M 2 fear, and that...
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..."significant others." They speak of "satellite relationships" rather than affairs. Perversions have been downgraded to "personal sexual expressions." What was once shameful is now acceptable. Why is sex promoted so extensively? Because sin is pleasurable, and sex sins are particularly so. Moses chose to forego the "passing pleasures of sin" (Hebrews 11:25) for a greater ultimate reward and pleasure. Unaware of their glorious potential, the people of this world are busy "serving various lusts and pleasures" (Titus 3:3). Though we may not engage in sex sins, this barrage of innuendo and flagrant sensuality can leave us very jaded. Such an assault can deaden our resistance. We can find ourselves losing sight of God's purpose for the seventh commandment and...
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...Worship of the Creator and Worship of the Creation Christianity and Buddhism both have core beliefs that appeal to the masses and were easily spread through the missionary progress of Jesus Christ and Buddha. Naturally, Buddhism and Christianity have their similarities and differences. Each religion has a specific set of morals, which are considered and affect the religion’s follower’s actions, thoughts, and character. Life after Death Buddhism teaches that humans are bound to a perpetual cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth called samsara. Depending on a person’s karma, the good and bad deeds of their present and former lives, each rebirth could bring a better, a worse, or a similar life. In each life, one is subjected to sufferings, brought on by their own infatuations and urges. The existence of suffering is the First Noble Truth taught by the Buddha, and the causes of suffering are the second. Through self-enlightenment, one has the ability to reach the ultimate goal of nirvana; immunity, liberation, and a life free from suffering. Christianity teaches that each human has only a single life on earth, but faces an eternal life in Heaven or Hell. Where a person will spend eternity is determined by Jesus Christ, who administers the Final Judgment based a person’s actions and beliefs while on Earth. If deemed worthy of Heaven, one lives a life of eternal happiness free of suffering. Otherwise, one is subjected to eternal suffering in Hell. ...
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...An Examination of Conscience I believe in a loving Savior Who forgives my sins and Who gives me the grace to become a saint. Jesus Christ, through the ministry of His priests, does both in the Sacrament of Penance. "As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you ... Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained." (John 20:21-23) "If your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow." (Isaias 1:18) "I am not come to call the just, but sinners." (Matt. 9:13) "Men have received from God a power not granted to angels or archangels. Never was it said to the heavenly spirits, ‘Whatsoever you shall bind and unbind on earth shall be bound and unbound in heaven.’ The princes of this world can only bind and unbind the body. The power of the priest extends further; it reaches the soul, and it is exercised not only in baptizing, but still more in pardoning sins. Let us not blush, then, to confess our faults. He who blushes to discover his sins to a man, and who will not confess, shall be covered with shame on the Day of Judgment in the presence of the whole universe." (St. John Chrysostom, Treatise on Priests, Bk. 3) Prayer before Confession: O Lord, grant me light to see myself as Thou dost see me, and the grace to be truly and effectively sorry for my sins. O Mary, help me to make a good confession. How to Confess: First examine your conscience well, then tell the...
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...Holy Spirit. 3. Original Sin – sin of first human beings and the fallen state of human nature that affects every person born in the world. 4. Social Sin – collective effect of many personal sins over time. 5. Free Will – gift from God that allows us to make our own choices. 6. Intellect – gift from God to see and understand the things God placed on Earth. 7. Value – a person's principles or standards of behavior. 8. Moral Law – rational expression of God’s eternal law 9. Ethics – moral principles that govern a person's behavior. 10. Eternal Law – order in creation that reflects God’s will and purpose. 11. New Law – Perfects the old law and brings it to fulfillment. 12. Old Law – the Ten Commandments. II. Commandments and Moral Explanation with example 1. You shall have no other gods before me. -Don’t put power and money above everything else. 2. You shall not make idols. -This reminds us to only serve and worship one true God. 3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain. -Don’t speak of God negatively. Everything should always be good about God. 4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. -God wants this day to be a day to remember and serve the lord. 5. Honor your father and your mother. -Respect your parents because they are the ones who brought you into this world. 6. You shall not murder. -One should not take the life of one of God’s children. 7. You shall not commit adultery...
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...CWV-101 April 28, 2013 Jesus Reflection Essay In the beginning God created the heavens and earth and he also had a son that was one in a million. Jesus was a wonderful counselor, mighty son of God, everlasting father and prince of peace, respectively. He was born to a virgin as we know of today as Mary. “When Jesus was born, the people will see through the darkness. Their burdens will be lifted so they will rejoice and stand strong. But as Jesus grows older his nation will grow but there will be no peace” (Isaiah 9:1-7). Jesus was sent by God to perform blessings that were unimagined by the human eye and to also bring justice to the people with their faith in God. With that said, Jesus had to walk with God and fear nothing! “But to not falter and discourage anyone else along his journey, God called him righteous” (Isaiah 42:1-7). Personally I have taught myself to have a personal relationship with God because I know if I put my faith and trust in him, everything will fall in divine order. I know I still have work to do regarding temptation and partying but I'm confident God will lead me in the right direction. God as I know him is a spirit and it mentioned in the Bible, “God has no appearance.” As Jesus continued his walk with God, he was rejected plethora of times by men. Some of the men would even hide their faces when Jesus came across them. Jesus still took up our sorrows even though he was mistreated. “Jesus was smitten and afflicted upon. His punishment brought...
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...JonNecia Kane Intro to Theology December 4, 2008 Paper #4 When I signed up for your class I was anticipating learning some things that would be quite challenging and eye opening. I never thought I would be faced with so many different issues concerning the way I currently live my life. I had always heard that we were all sinners but I never really understood to what extinct. Psalms chapter 1 verses 1 through 6 it states: 1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. 4 But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. 5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. 6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. This is a very touching chapter however it concerns me more, at times I myself am among what is considered the wicked, although I am extremely God fearing I do sin. I have learned in this class and from my readings that I shall be forgiving for my sins; however I must begin the process of limited how often my sins occur. I’m not referring to breaking the...
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...A Psychologist takes the client’s life and emotional welfare into their hands and they are supposed to adhere to the Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct; however, without Christ at the center of the healing process how can true healing really ever happen? Leviticus 19:14 say “You shall not curse the deaf nor place a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God—I am your Lord”(Bible, KJV). Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence, strives to show psychologists to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm. God tells us to do no harm just as the Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct do. In Jeremiah 22:3 it states: “Thus said the Lord; Perform justice and righteousness and rescue the robbed from the hand of the oppressor; and to a stranger, orphan, and widow, do not maltreat, do not cheat, and do not shed innocent blood in this place” (Bible, KJV). Principle C; Integrity tells us a lot. Psychologists need to be truthful and honest not to steal or cheat among other things. In Ephesians 6 God tells us that we need to take up the whole armor of God. Verse 14 specifically tells us we need to “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;” (Bible, KJV). Ephesians 6:18 tells us: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Bible, KJV). Exodus 20:13 says: “Thou shalt not steal” (Bible...
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...Essay I – on two of the Ten Commandments I chose the Fourth and the Fifth Commandment for my essay, because they are the most important to me. Our society is still based on the commandments and therefore they set a big part in our life. The Commandments can be considered whether exegetical, or hermeneutical. The Fourth Commandment in Exodus 20:12 is: “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Mainly, honoring your parents means obey them when you are young and to take care of them when you mature, (Chan 74 -75). I have never thought about that the Fourth Commandment, it also demonstrates an important relationship between God and parents (Chan 74). Moreover, related to the covenant, the Fourth Commandment means that honoring the parent’s effects having a long life in the Promised Land, accordingly it is based on reciprocity (Chan 76). Furthermore, teaching and showing the own children how to behave to their parents and thus you treat your parents how you want to be treated by your own children (Chan 76). At that time, this commandment was very important, because old people who were not able to work anymore, they were dependent on their children, thus it was indispensable to their lives. Moreover, the commandment shows that the family is important and that women and men are equal, so it shows a big part of the community (Chan 76). Therefore, the effect of to honor the parents also contains “blessings...
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