Abstract
This paper analyzes how Martin Luther's inability to convince himself that he was worthy of God's grace dominated his being to such an extent that he gave birth to the Reformation movement. It discusses how it shattered the 1200 year reign of the Catholic Church, reorganized the political structure of much of Western Europe and sent the Middle Ages hurtling to the era of the modern world. It also examines how Luther believed that salvation was found though the scriptures and religion was paramount and how he was able to bring formidable change where others had repeatedly failed.

From the Paper
"It must be understood that Luther was not simply "concerned" with his own salvation. It was an obsession. He did not simply love and revere God, he feared him. His glorification of God stemmed from his idolization of his father. Hans Luther was a strict pious man to whom Luther was thoroughly devoted. Although Luther describes that he was beaten severely at the hands of his father, it is apparent that he accepted this as a method of child rearing and did not bear any grudges against him. It has been said that at the time of his father's death, he was so aggrieved that he was unable to perform his duties for several days."

Tags:europe, catholic, church, religion, god, christ

Abstract
This paper describes the prominent and significant role that religion plays in Tibet. The paper first describes the basic beliefs held by Tibetan Buddhists as well as the four major sects that make up Tibetan Buddhism. Next, the role of the lama or spiritual teacher is described and a brief history of Tibet and the role that Buddhism has played in the country is presented. The paper concludes that religion plays an integral role in Tibetan daily life, uniting its people through peace while providing guidance and a means to endure through hardship.

From the Paper
"Although Buddhism plays a large role in Tibetan daily life, the Islamic religion and the Tibetan Muslims serve an essential role to the continuing survival of the Tibetan people. Because Tibet is a mainly pastoralist society, slaughtering animals is sometimes necessary in order for the people to survive and it is the Muslims who carry out that role. Tibetan Buddhists are forbidden from killing unless it is necessary for the survival of the family, and will only do so under dire circumstances. Meat is an important part of the Tibetan diet because vegetables do not grow in the dry, cold climate and the animals provide the fat intake required to survive the extreme cold and strenuous manual work of their daily lives. The Muslims essentially allow the Buddhists to follow their faith by indirectly giving them the needs to survive in Tibet's harsh climate."

Tags:Tibetan, tradition, unity, religious, practice

Abstract
This paper discusses the historical background of the Spanish Inquisition of the 15th century. It specifically shows how the Inquisition was used to eradicate heresy and safeguard the unanimity of Christendom in Spain. It discusses the role of the Catholic Church and how the Inquisition was finally suppressed by Queen Isabella II 356 years after it was started.

Table of Contents:
Background
Origin and Aims
Conclusion

From the Paper
"On Wednesday, March 15th, 1391 his harangue was particularly effective, and his audience was roused to a high pitch of frenzy. On its way from the church, a turbulent crowd, thirsting with zeal and greed, surged towards the Jewish quarter, which seemed to be in imminent danger of sack. The civil authorities were at last awakened to the necessity of stern measures. Seizing two of the most turbulent members of the mob, they had them flogged, turned them into martyrs overnight. After some further disturbances, order was outwardly restored: but the spirit of unrest still simmered and Martinez continued his unbridled invective from the pulpit. These seemingly unimportant disorders are to be traced some of the greatest tragedies in history - the darkest page in the dark record of the Jewish people, one of the saddest episodes in the history of human thought, and the ultimate decline of sprain from the high status to which her achievements and her genius entitled her - everything, in a word, which is associated with the term, "the Spanish Inquisition"."

Tags:Christendom, Isabella, Jews

From the Paper
"English reformation is a perplexing issue, influenced by the continent, yet indigenous in its character. The multiplicity of issues makes it difficult to identify a single rationale, but one thing is certain, the Church of England's constitution is domestic in its origin. The foundation for separation dates back to the period when the Roman's empire was contracting in defense against barbarians from northern Europe. During that time, England had little contact with Rome and was left without influence from Rome for a number of years. "

Tags:england, history, reformation

Abstract
This paper examines the appeal of Buddhism in the historical context of the Period of Division. It explains that Buddhism's rise was answering the needs and desires of both the people and the rulers, especially foreign rulers, in a period of instability and in competition with the past dominated by Confucianism and organized Daoism. There is also the dialectic between its new content as a foreign religion and its sinicization, as both can account for its success in China.

From the Paper
"The Period of Division in Chinese history spreads between 220 and 589 A.D. The period is marked by wars, successions of small kingdoms, and great political instability and misery for the people. It is also the period of nomadic invasions. Buddhism exerted a great appeal to the Chinese during this period, became dominant at least in the north, and firmly established itself alongside Confucianism and Daoism as the main religions or schools of thought in China. What are the reasons behind its popularity during this period?"

Tags:china

Abstract
This paper examines how Mary Magdalene is a character who often catches the imagination of biblical scholars and how although her role in the "New Testament" is quite limited, recent knowledge uncovered when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered suggests otherwise. It looks at how the "Gnostic Gospels" suggest that she was a very important figure in early Christianity and that the suppression of her personal religious philosophy was an intentional move by the disciple Peter. This paper tries to reconcile those ideas with the text of the "Gnostic Gospels" and that of the "New Testament". Was she a prophet, an apostle, Jesus' wife or simply the former prostitute who washed his feet?

From the Paper
"There is evidence that Mary was spiritually superior to all the other disciples. She was the first to be charged with the supreme ministry (proclaiming Christ's message) at the site of his resurrection (Haskins 2). Mary Magdalene is referred to as "the woman who knew the All", she who "reveals the greatness of the revealer", the "chief interlocutrix of the Saviour", or the one who brings gnosis to the other disciples, and the "one who is the inheritor of the Light" (Haskins 38). Mary's position as the "apostle who excels the rest" according to Dialogue of the Saviour (Haskins 40), is due in part to her ability to prophecy. After the resurrection of Jesus, Mary tells of a vision in which "Jesus showed her the course of the liberated spirit on its way back to the Aeon" (Price 57)."

Tags:bible, dead, jesus, prostitute, scrolls, sea

Abstract
This paper is a discussion of Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan as the greatest rulers of all time, arguing that Alexander the Great was the greater ruler. It compares and contrasts the empires of both. The armies and military strategies of the two are also discussed.

From the Paper
"Both men developed large empires and although Genghis' empire was larger, Alexander's proved to be more influential to civilizations and empires to come. Alexander had inherited his throne from his father Philip of Macedonia in 356BC at the age of 20. He continued in his father's campaign to rid Greece of the Persians, but he did not stop there. In the span of four years he had conquered all of Persia. By the time of his death, his empire spanned from the Adriatic Sea to India. His main objective was to create a common cultural exchange throughout the world. Due to the extensive trade routes in highly populated areas of that time, he was able to achieve his goal. He succeeded in establishing Greek as the universal language and was able to pass the Greek culture to other countries."

Tags:genghis, khan

Abstract
This paper examines sixteenth century theologist and philosopher, Martin Luther's monastical life, his studies, writings and the impact of his "Ninety-Five Theses" on the Protestant Reformation. The paper shows that from his ideas developed four new religious denominations.

From the Paper
"In the year of 1517, the Roman Popes saw the Catholic Church as the strongest institution in Christendom and a significant influence in both public and private life. Even with its many imperfections, the Catholic Church was still seen as a powerful institution. At the time, it was evident that the Catholic Church needed many changes, but it failed to do so from within. Because the Church could not reform itself from the inside, an Augustinian monk named Martin Luther reformed it from the outside."

Tags:catholicism, christianity, lutheran, religion

Abstract
Pope John XXIII was a supposed to be a transitional pope, but instead he became one of the most influential popes in the history of the Church. He called the important and famous Second Vatican Council with the main emphasis being on 'aggiornamento', which means 'an updating.' This paper discusses the need for an updating within the Church, and also the role that updating played in the Church.

From the Paper
"Pope John XXIII was elected to be a transitional pope; he was seventy-six years old when he was elected to the position. He had succeeded Pope Pius XII, a man whom was considered by some to be a Nazi-sympathizer because of his silence during the Holocaust. John XXIII was seen as a frail, old man, so it was much to everyone's surprise when he called for a Second Vatican Council. John XXIII made the announcement on January 25, 1959, but he remained very vague about his intentions of the council. He made the announcement after a Christian-unity celebration in St. Paul's Basilica. (1) After his announcement, Catholics understood his plans as calling for a council of unity; John XXIII assured them that it wouldn't be a council of unity, but rather a council that would serve the cause of unity. One of the long-term goals would be Christian unity. Another point that was made was the council might represent a new beginning for the Catholic Church."

Tags:catholic, catholicism, church, papistry

Abstract
This paper deals with Galileo's arguments with church officials, and his attempt to reconcile his scientific findings with teachings from the bible. Emphasis is placed on Galileo's conviction that scientific truth and the biblical message are not contradictory, but can complement each other. Historical and religious figures are discussed with respect to their influence on Galileo.

From the Paper
"Perhaps the most relevant and convincing argument that Galileo posed to clear up the relationship between
scientific truth and the bible was that the bible was often unclear and ambiguous (GAL 214, 206, 199), which could cause the true meaning to be misunderstood by people attempting to translate its meaning. An example of this posed by Galileo was from the commonly known story of God stopping the sun in the sky to allow Joshua to win a battle."

Tags:bible, church, dogma, galileo, religion, renaissance, scientific, truth, -, LO, TOV