(A cult in the webster's is defined as," a system of religious worship, especially with the reference to it's rites and ceremonies".) The word cult comes from the Latin word cultus, which means "worship". "In this sense the cultic act is an act of worship, inv...

The Lutheran and Calvinist Reformations are very similar in principle. Martin Luther and John Calvin hold that not mere abuses of the Roman Catholic Church need correcting, but that the Catholic Church itself is wrong in principle. I will discuss the platforms from which religious revolutionaries Lu...

Following the "Roman Road" to the "Door of Salvation" and reciting the "repeat-after-me" magic words that mysteriously transform a person into one of the "saved" was an experience that caused me great bewilderment for many years. Convinced in his heart...

In Dostoevsky's work, the Inquisitor presents his case with many wordy arguments. He cleverly discusses the issue of Catholicism, the freedom inherent in oppression and the joy and peace of submission to the iron will of another. The Inquisitor speaks from the position of a dictator; an entit...

"They fear and see philosophy as a threat that will shake their sense of spiritual security or fissure their soda-cracker-like faith which is seemingly solid, but just a touch of philosophy's sturdy hand crumbles this faith before their very eyes." (Velasco, 54) This line struck me when I was rea...

Authoritarianism is defined as a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator. However society sometimes views authoritarianism as misused authority. Valid authority is aligned upon a necessary purpose. Misused authority involves reality control and domination. Metaphorically, it is...

The nature of individual's role in salvation from the point of view of Luther and Erasmus Erasmus was one of the most intelligent people of his century. In his time, he was the leader of all scholars in Europe from Germany to Italy and Spain and from Englan...

In the movie The Pledge, director Sean Penn delivers a suspenseful and compelling mixture of murder and faith. Not only does he force us as viewers to examine our own opinions of good and evil throughout the twisted plot of the film, but he also keeps our attention with his unique editing style. ...

Vision, reality, and attitude, how would one define these three terms? Are they all related in some way? Vision is defined as the manner in which one sees or conceives of something. Reality is defined as the quality or state of being actual or true. Attitude is defined as a state of mind or a f...

The Social and Spiritual Dilemmas Among Women When we stop and consider the fact that women in our country were not able to vote until 1920, it is staggering to imagine the obstacles facing women during the Middle Ages. The 19th Amendment to our Constitution was ratified only after women foug...

Fitting the Holes of Theory and Faith Since the dawn of human awareness, we have wondered how we have come to exist and for what purpose, yet no theory thus far has even been agreed upon, let alone proven. Philosophers, theologians, and scientists have argued back and forth about our or...

God vs. The Green Girdle In the days of King Arthur, religion was one of the most important aspects of life. Literature from this period reflects that strong faith and reliance that people had in God. People looked to God for answers, protection, and comfort. To these people, God worked in m...

Religion in Crime and Punishment: -Raskolnikov's Pilgrimage Towards Salvation- "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"...

If you have ever gone to school, then you have most likely recited the "Pledge of Allegiance" numerous times. Did you ever notice the part of it that said "under God?" The Pledge was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Christian socialist; it was to be said in the public school...

The End of The Affair', by Graham Greene, is about the novelist as God, and God as the novelist who gives his characters freewill. Critic David Lodge once said that in Greene's fiction, 'Catholicism is not a body of belief, but a system of concepts which Greene can arrange and dram...

The End of The Affair', by Graham Greene, is about the novelist as God, and God as the novelist who gives his characters freewill. Critic David Lodge once said that in Greene's fiction, 'Catholicism is not a body of belief, but a system of concepts which Greene can arrange and dram...

"Lift Every Voice And Sing" is a high-spirited gospel song that was written by the famous black poet and civil rights leader, James Welden Johnson. Performed by Melba Moore and a few others, I downloaded a version of the song to play. Originally in honor to celebrate Lincoln's birthday, it was perfo...

Charles Russell and Jehovah's Witnesses On February 16, 1852, a child was born that would grow up to lead millions of people astray from families, friends, Christianity, and, most importantly, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The teachings this child taught later as an adult ...

In Jane Eyre, religion is embraced through a series of spiritual explorations. Bronte portrays Jane's character and zest for religion by revealing Jane's transitions from Gateshead to Lowood, Lowood to Thornfield, and Thornfield to Moor House. Jane ultimately rejects everyone of these organized sty...

Hinduism and Christianity The world is filled with many religions and beliefs. Some religions have close similarities and some are extremely different. The world is a complicated place that we as human beings have been trying to understand since our species began on this earth. Religion has...

Once encountering the subject of secular spirituality, one is bombarded by a host of modalities which seem to be available in every brand imaginable. Many things can be spiritual; meditation, critical thinking, sports, and the list continues. It points to some very interesting conclusions conce...

Discovering Fire "After man has mastered the winds the waves and the tides, some day he will harness for God the energies of love, and then for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire" (Teilhard de Jardin...

In his classic novel "Ragtime," E. L. Doctorow presents a type of "Godfather" character which posses many of the same attributes and characteristics of the Don Corleone character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather. This Godfather-like a character is the character, J.P Morgan. One can always go...

The religious symbolism and undertones of Flannery O'Connor's "Good Country People" The short story "Good Country People," by Flannery O'Connor, is a work that uses both irony and symbolism to convey to the reader a religious message. The heroine, Hulga Hopew...

God and the Platypus In the beginning there was man. That seems like a lofty statement, doesn't it? It is apparent that throughout the course of conscious human existence, people have looked for answers to questions that have ultimately eluded them. However it is in the humble opinion of t...