Abstract
The paper explains why the ritual of baptism is such an important experience in the Christian community, as well as the background of the ritual itself. With baptism, a person is following the instructions of Jesus. Also, the person is immersed in the death and resurrection of Christ. Baptism is the most clear and explicit act that Jesus instructed for his disciples in order for them to follow him.

From the Paper
"Baptism is a pivotal part of the Christian faith and is performed in Christian communities in accordance with Jesus' directions in the New Testament. Being baptized not only means becoming a part of the Christian community, but also being thrust into the death and resurrection of Christ and receiving eternal life in Jesus. While one of the functions of baptism is to absolve a person of his or her sins, Jesus insisted that he be baptized in order to, "Fulfill all righteousness."1 In the New Testament baptism is done in order to immerse a person into the Paschal Mystery, to become a member of the Body of Christ and join the Christian community, and to publicly proclaim a person's repentance."

Tags:bible, christianity, new, rituals, testament

Abstract
This a research essay about one of the oldest religions in the world, Satanism. It deals with common misconceptions, the history of how it began, moral codes, rules, and the different cults. The religious basis is discussed as well as the many sects, cults, and moderations over the years, including the Satanic Bible, written by Anton LaVey. This essay gives information about religion and provides many overlooked facts about beliefs.

From the Paper
"Satanism is a religion that is often misinterpreted and not fully understood. Ever since the 18th century, people have begun to blame many faith-related problems on this particular religion. Satanism is a belief in Satan, and that he has the grace of the Earth. He is seen as the prince of darkness, and many of the beliefs are based on self-service, pride, and superiority. Satanism is divided in a few groups, but two are most recognized, which are the Traditional and Modern Satanists. Not all Satanism has the same beliefs, values and worships, but many among the different groups are common. All Satanist groups have the same beliefs about the creation of Satanism, believe in the same rules, sins and Statements, and have relatively similar moral codes."

Tags:satan, anton, belief, black, celtic, code, lavey, mass, moral, religion, templeofset, zoroastrianism

Abstract
The paper looks at the development of the Church of England from its beginnings as an English version of Roman Catholicism, to its later establishment as Protestant English, the basis of both Church and State in England. The paper asks why the counter-reformation failed under Mary Tudor, and how the Church established its law. It also examines in what respects and to what extent had the Church of England by 1553 became a Protestant Church.

From the Paper
"The church in England by 1553 had passed through a series of phases from the time of Henry VIII's 'Great Matter' to the death of his son Edward. By examining the different actions taken over the years we can begin to see how the church changed from Henry's view of an Anglican Catholic institution, unconnected with the strident, evangelical Protestantism of Germany to a Protestant church in England which would survive the attempted counter-Reformation of Queen Mary. The Church of England was founded on a basis that was both clerical and secular, and was enforced on the people by methods that were in turn both harsh and more circumspect. We will examine both types of methods and look at the role played by the bishops of England, the people of the country and by those who possessed lay power in the Council and magistracies."

Tags:catholic, common, counter, edward, gardiner, lutheran, mary, prayer, reformation, roman, somerset, supremacy, tudor, vi

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
This paper examines the story of Moses as told in the book of Exodus in the Old Testament. It looks at how Moses was the predominant Israelite in Exodus and the most influential and important of all Israelites at the time. It shows how through God's command, Moses persuaded the Israelites to follow God and in return, God would deliver them from slavery and a life of suffering. It tells the story of Moses from his birth into slavery in Egypt in the Palace of the Pharaoh until he received God's covenant on Mount Sinai.

From the Paper
"Moses used his miracles to convince the influential Israelites that God had indeed sent him, and with the success of making believers out of the elders, Moses attempted to do the same with the Pharaoh; however, when Moses ordered the Pharaoh to let his people go, the Pharaoh responded with ignorance claiming that he knew no such Lord and would not let the people go because they were his servants. Moses became dismayed and asks the Lord why he continues to let the Israelites suffer; God assured Moses that he will drive them out of the Pharaoh's land. Even when Aaron performed a miracle by turning his staff into a snake, the Pharaoh was not convinced."

Tags:commandments, covenant, god, y, israelites, jewish, sinai, yahweh

From the Paper
"At the risk or resorting to cliches, it is generally accepted that beauty means different things to different people. How did Socrates know that the attendees of the banquet would judge him based primarily on physical appearance? Perhaps he believed similar people with similar beliefs, such as pederasty, share similar views of beauty and love. Socrates is acknowledging the fact that the pederasts judge and value physical beauty above other forms. Apollodorus is not unprepared to tell us this story, if it is what he must do; but why is he prepared to tell it? What have we to learn from this? Each is free to take from The Symposium what they choose, to filter out the verbose eulogies and determine the true nature of eros for ones self. However, Socrates and Diotima's fascinating interpretation on the evolution of the perception of beauty is arguably the most compelling and revealing concept that should be extracted from this reading."

Tags:alcibiades, aristophanes, banquet, greek, pederasty, socrates, classics

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

Abstract
This paper discusses various elements of Asian religions and how it is intertwined in Crane's novel "Bones of the Master." These elements include pilgrimage, master/disciple relationship and the importance of meditation. The book is a true story of a man on a spiritual quest for the truth.

From the Paper
"The concept of the teacher and the student is prevalent in Bones of the Master. When beginning a religious path, it is most widely agreed that the best place to start is by finding a teacher, or a master. It is this teacher, that can guide the student towards proper meditation techniques and passing their wisdom down to the student. In his younger days, Tsung Tsai found his master in Shiuh Deng. One of the key teachings of a Buddhist master is the art of meditation. For one who is seeking a religious path, the most important aspect to learn is meditation."

Tags:bones, buddhism, crane, george, master, meditation, tsai, tsung

Abstract
This paper outlines the approach taken by Weber and Durkheim, and compares and contrasts them. The argument that is presented through this paper is that Durkheim chooses to approach the subject of religion in terms of its greater role in the overall society, while Weber seeks to understand the role that religion plays in determining individual action. The paper illustrates the difference in perspective between Weber and Durkheim, as is evident in terms of their approaches, but emphasizes that each view is valid, and together they provide a very complete understanding of the social significance of religion.

From the Paper
"To set the stage, Weber and Durheim are among the most important thinkers to have addressed the subject of religion from a sociological perspective. Each concentrated a great deal of their thinking on the topic, and as such a discussion of the thinking and approaches of each provides an effective demonstration of the overall methodology constructed by each. Although they differ in their approaches, together they provide an accurate understanding of both the individual religious experience (Weber) and the role religion plays as an institution in constructing and maintaining society as a whole (Durkheim)."

Tags:sociologists

Abstract
This paper examines the controversial issue of abortion and argues that the pro-life decision is the morally right one.

From the Paper
"There are many hard and truthful facts about abortion, especially in America. "There are seven hundred thousand abortions performed each year in America after nine weeks of pregnancy. All abortions, ninety-five percent, are done because of means of birth control. Only one percent is performed due to rape or incest, one percent because of fetal abnormalities, three percent due to the mother's health. In America since nineteen seventy-three approximately forty million babies have been killed due to abortion. In Canada, since nineteen seventy, over one point seven million babies have been killed due to abortion."(available on-line)3."

Tags:abortion, right, life, choice, canada, pregnancy, moral, children, religion, terminate, birth, control