Abstract
In this article, the writer looks first at Judaism, an official religion and studies its historical beginnings. The writer outlines its fundamental beliefs, rites and rituals and scriptures. The writer then takes a look at Rastafarianism, a non-official religion, and examines its beginnings, beliefs, rites and rituals and sacred writings. In addition, the main areas of the world where these religions were developed and are mainly practiced today are highlighted. In the end, the differences between these two religions are understood. The writer concludes that the parallels found between official and non-official religions prove that they have more in common than they appear.

From the Paper
"After a long journey, which crossed the Red Sea, the Jews arrived in the area of Mount Sinai. Yahweh appeared again to Moses, and was given the Ten Commandments, or laws that the Jews must obey in order for the covenant to be fulfilled. In return for their obedience and sole worship of Yahweh, the Jews were promised land and a blessing. This event shaped Judaism forever. The idea of covenant is central to the Jewish belief system, and the laws given in the Commandments are still observed throughout the world by Jews today. This brief history of the Jewish faith, from its beginnings with Abraham through to the Exodus with Moses is important to understand before studying the beliefs, rites and rituals and the holy text of the Jews.
"The Jews believe in one God, meaning that they are monotheistic. Jews throughout the world believe in strong obedience in God as a means for eternal blessing and salvation. Jews worship in their holy house, the Synagogue and study their holy scripture, the Torah. "

Tags:Jews, God, Torah, Marcus, Garvey

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to introduce and discuss the book "Reservation Blues," by Sherman Alexie. Specifically, it looks at the musical poem at the beginning of the chapter "My God Has Dark Skin," and how it relates to the beliefs and religion of the characters throughout the book.

From the Paper
"These words tell the story of how the Native American's had to give up their beliefs, and their religion for the white man's religion, in the name of "modernity" and "Christianity." The numerous Native American tribes each had a complex religious system, made up of folk tales, and a wide variety of gods and goddesses. Yet, when the white men came and took over the Indian lands, they tried to convert them to the "true" religion of Christianity, while they gave up their old ways and beliefs."

Tags:Indian, god, christianity, modernity, native, american, white, men

Abstract
This paper examines the roots of monotheistic and polytheistic religions, and the different gods worshipped over time. The author uses such examples as the gods of ancient Greece, the Code of Hammurabi, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and the Bible.

From the Paper:

"There is no doubt that having belief in a supernatural being or beings is healthy for the human soul. Whether it be one God or a family of gods and goddesses, religion allows the human essence to have something to help cope with emotions, give blame for the unjust, and rejoice in a celebrate life. Truth, indeed, is finite, and the roads that lead to it are numberless.?

Tags:monotheism, polytheism, iliad, greek, homer, scripture, epic, hammurabi, code, aphrodite, ishtar, gilgamesh

Abstract
Life of Nicholas Black Elk, a religious elder, as told to the author. History of the Plains Indians of the late 19th Century. Describes the tribe's belief system. Black Elk's relating how the spirit voices came to him. Sanctioning of his vision. Need to bring his message of the unity of the planet to the world.

From the Paper
" Black Elk Speaks (2000) is more than a history of the plains Indians of the latter 19th century. Black Elk was a religious elder of a people that has historically relied on the oral tradition. So this recounting of his life and his vision can be seen as a sacred text that has been preserved on paper instead of committed to memory. As Black Elk begins to relate his life and his vision to John Neihardt, he calls upon the Spirit of the World to keep him true (2), and then he reaffirms the authority of his vision, his tribe's belief system, and his belief that somehow, this vision can still be fulfilled.


When Black Elk was five years old he heard the spirit voices and saw the two messengers who flew down from the sky (14-15). He knew that this was not a dream, but a vision that came from the One Spirit. From that time he would occasionally hear the..."

Abstract
This paper looks at three major North American cults and how they were founded, led and maintained. Their beliefs, leaders, members, roots and practises are outlined. The three cults are the Branch Davidians, Peoples Temple and the Solar Temple.

Outline
Introduction
I. The Branch Davidians
A. History
1. Victor Houteff.
2. Florence Houteff
3. Before Howell
B. David Koresh
1. David Koresh (Vernon Howell)
2. Koresh's Beliefs
C. The Branch Davidian Religion
1. Beliefs
2. Practises
3. The End
II. The People's Temple
A. Jim Jones and his Dream
1. Jim Jones
2. The People's Temple
B. The People's Temple as a Religion
1. Theories and Beliefs
2. Practises
C. Negative Aspects
1. Manipulation
2. Jonestown
III. The Order of the Solar Temple
A. The Founders
1.Joseph DiMambro
2.Luc Jouret
B. Religious Structure and History
C. The Solar Temple as a Religion
1. The 7 Rules
2. Beliefs
3. The Solar Temple's Demise
Conclusion
Appendix A. Additional Pictures
Appendix B Interview with Prof. Rabinovitch
Bibliography

From the Paper
"In the beginning, the People's Temple was based on Christian values and beliefs, over time Jones theories were what the People's Temple were based upon. The Bible was used less frequently, while Jones had several theories, which could be dismissed as insane. Jones believed he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, Buddha, Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Jones also theorized that fascists were going to take over America. He believed that the People's Temple would be singled out, because vandals and racists harassed the Church while it was based in Indianapolis. (The Devil's Party, 67) In addition, Jones proposed Revolutionary suicide, which means his followers would die in the name of himself."

Tags:false, issues, messiahs, psychology, societal

Abstract
This paper covers the founding principles of the Shaker society in the late 1700s and how they were influenced by other religious sects, Ann Lee's personal experiences, persecution and religious revivalism during the Great Awakening. It argues that these factors contributed to the formation of the sect and the practices that were adopted until the mid-1850s. It includes quotes from many Shaker texts and was written based on primary sources from the period. Annotated bibliography.

From the Paper
"The Shakers were just one of many utopian sects that appeared in late eighteenth century America. These groups were unique because their members believed that the essential nature of God's Kingdom had been revealed to them, and that it was their responsibility to establish this Kingdom on earth. Utopian sects have an ambiguous relationship with the external society; since they perceive the world as an environment suited to corrupting individuals and alienating them from God, they sought to isolate themselves from its influence, but also regarded themselves as "divinely commissioned" to spread their perfection . Shakers are in particular a reformist sect, because their early opinions of the world were transformed into a quest to influence the world while still maintaining distance from the surrounding society. In this way, the common Shaker was eventually isolated from the world during the age of the first American leaders, but this process was directly affected by the opening period of Shaker history. In 1787, under the original English elders, Ann Lee, William Lee and James Whittaker, the Shakers' religious ideas, social relations and worship were unorganized and informal. Early Shakers were united by their admiration for Ann Lee and their repugnance of sexuality, and expected the imminent apocalyptic beginning of celibacy throughout the world. When this did not transpire as planned, the hardships and isolation suffered by the group led to a more gradualistic interpretation of the sect's mission. Along with focusing on spreading the gospel, Shakers also sought union and order in the formative period, and by 1826, the sect had been transformed from scattered followers spread across New England and New York into an organized society with unity of doctrines and rituals. Organizing into communities was a gradual process, occurring from the time when Ann Lee's small colony at Niskeyuna first attracted attention in 1780 to the erection of the New Lebanon meetinghouse in 1785."

Tags:america, ann, doctrine, england, god, history, lee, new, persecution, religion, religious, revivalism, sect, shaker, shakers, socialism, utopia, utopianism

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
This paper explores the history and role of religion in the Roman empire. The paper explains that Roman gods were considered patron deities of the Roman Republic, always looking out for its interests by helping out with agriculture when asked, or by advising legislature and battles. The paper concludes that the Roman religion started declining in the late third century BCE and eventually ceased to exist because of corruption within the religious leadership, and because the religion was used to further political means.

From the Paper
"Religion was apparent in all aspects of Roman public life, especially in areas concerning politics, where ritual and omens was seen as a faction of typical political procedure. Roman gods were considered patron deities of the Republic, always looking out for its interests by helping out with agriculture when bribed to, or by advising legislature and battles. Because it was shamelessly used as a political means, Roman religion was on the decline during the late third century BCE more so than a typical gradual shift. This apparent deterioration served to foreshadow the eventual decline of the Republic and then of the empire to come."

Tags:BCE, paganism, flamen, dialis

Abstract
This essay examines the continued existence of female genital mutilation and the arguments presented in favor of discontinuing the practice and for enforcing legislation against it.

From the Paper
"There are two things that female genital mutilation (FGM) is not. It is neither an African problem, nor is it a third world problem. This infringement of women's rights has occurred all over the world, including here in Canada. Female genital mutilation is therefore a global problem, which can no longer be ignored, postponed, or buried in the international community's agenda. Secondly, it is not a debate on morality. Instead the debate should be posed as a question of a woman's individual right to be free of circumcision versus the tribal groups' right to maintain its tribal identity through the practice of female circumcision, without state interference. Debating the morality of another culture is an unfair judgment due to the difficulty of shedding ones western values and taking on another. Analyzing cultural values of people through different cultural filters creates misinterpretations and inaccurate assumptions that take away from the seriousness of the issue. With two million girls between the age of eight days and young adulthood at risk of having to endure this practice in primarily unsanitary conditions with no anesthetic, or antibiotics, this topic could not be more severe (Dorkenoo 294). These practicing cultures have the potential to change this tradition, as the Chinese chose to do with their custom of foot-binding (Mackie). Not only does this practice go against all international conventions put into place to protect women and children, but also there is no enforcement by the respective states. Also proponents of FGM point to arguments such as religion and tradition to support the continuation of this custom, it is obvious that those defenses are no longer sufficient to combat global human rights grievances."

Tags:eastern, human, perspective, religion, rights, tradition, western, women

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