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The Five Pillars and the Qur'an, 2008.
An analysis of the composition of the Qur'an and the five pillars of Islam.
1,909 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 15 sources, MLA, $ 60.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the composition process and the final book of the Qur'an. It describes the history of the text and how it was catalogued and brought together. The paper then discusses the five pillars that are central to the ritual of the practice of Islam and discusses the understanding of these rituals according to the Qur'an and Islamic law.
From the Paper
"All Muslims are brothers (Durant, 182). A critical part of the modern politicization of Islam is that the political movement seeks to impose on Islamic societies as a whole. This is a distinct development from traditional Islam, which is a religion, and one which has offer "reassuring, familiar, and functional" faith to millions for centuries (Fuller, 16-17). The distinctive emergence of a political Islam means that there are strong forces within Islam which reject the concept of an inclusive religion in which all Muslims are seen as brothers, and attempting to impose on all of Islam something of a nationalistic movement (Fuller, 17, 21; Schwartz, 17)."
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Split between Roman and Byzantine, Western and Eastern Churches, 2008.
A discussion of whether Rome wanted to unite with the Eastern churches, or simply require submission from them.
3,437 words (approx. 13.7 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 97.95
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Abstract
This paper argues that although Rome genuinely desired reunification with the Eastern churches, this was premised upon the expectation that it would submit to the authority of the Pope. The paper explains that this was not achieved, because a key reason for the schism was the Eastern church's refusal to acknowledge the authority of the bishop of Rome. The paper then looks at how the Western church's desire for reunification would have required submission, it is argued that the Western church really sought nothing less than the submission of the Eastern church. The paper suggest that it was not looking for partnership, it was looking for domination. The writer believes that this, coupled with the fact that the schism was so very far reaching and profound, meant that unification was simply not possible.
From the Paper
"The other major reason for the schism relates directly to the issue of power and dominance. The Eastern Church and the Western Church had for a long time been growing increasingly estranged due to disputes over papal authority. As summarized by Congar, the "Oriental schism came about by a progressive estrangement." This came to a head when Pope Leo IX proclaimed his authority over the four Eastern patriarchs. This authority was firmly repudiated by the Eastern Church, and continues to be repudiated to this day."
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Symmetry in Islamic Art, 2008.
This paper explains how geometric concepts can be taught based on the symmetry found in Islamic art.
2,537 words (approx. 10.1 pages), 13 sources, MLA, $ 76.95
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Abstract
The paper looks at the extensive use of geometric and symmetrical patterns in Islamic art. The paper provides a definition of geometry and looks at translations, rotations and reflections in Islamic art. The paper then examines the mathematics of symmetry and how symmetry, as manifested in Islamic art, can be utilized to teach geometry in the contemporary classroom.
Outline:
Introduction
Symmetry in Islamic art, Part I
Symmetry in Islamic Art, Part II
Symmetry in Islamic Art, Part III
From the Paper
"Many civilizations have long used artistic designs for a variety of purposes. For instance, some civilizations have used artistic designs for emblematic purposes, while some have used artistic designs for ornamental and/or architectural purposes; still others, perhaps unsurprisingly, have used artistic designs for spiritual symbolism. Another thing that is not at all a surprise is that artistic designs almost invariably utilize mathematical concepts. Specifically, within the Islamic art tradition, there has long been the extensive use of geometric and symmetrical patterns - so much so that it may be put forward that one of the defining features of Islamic art is its ability to incorporate mathematical concepts and ideas in ways that are rich, vibrant and aesthetically pleasing."
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The Church and Gay Ordination, 2008.
Presents an argument as to why the the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America should not ordain homosexuals.
2,645 words (approx. 10.6 pages), 15 sources, MLA, $ 79.95
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Abstract
In this paper, the writer argues that those in favor of ordaining homosexual pastors within the Evangelical Church in America (ELCA) have failed to make convincing arguments for changing the long standing position of denying ordination to homosexuals engaged in a sexual relationship. The writer maintains that the reason these arguments fail is chiefly because the ordination of homosexuals flies in the face of the virtue of identity theory. More specifically, the paper asserts that the ordination of homosexuals who choose to be sexually active is an affront to the basic values of the Lutheran Church and, therefore, it should hardly be surprising that the Church wishes to see to it that the aforementioned values are protected - mostly because Church elders understand that demanding the Church retreat from its basic principles and traditions is akin to demanding that it become something else entirely.
From the Paper
"More than simply being the means by which an organization identifies itself from others, practices and traditions lie at the heart of an organization's "character". That is to say, MacIntyre is fundamentally of the view that moral conclusions are made "firm" by being situated in a tradition of thought and action which has, in addition to an organic culture, a continuous history. More than that, "practitioners" are needed who, by virtue of their professional acumen and personal character, guide novices towards a better understanding of what behavior will lead to Good ends."
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Hildegard and Sex Complementarity, 2008.
A discussion of equality of the sexes in Sister Prudence Allen's article "Hildegard of Bingen".
1,920 words (approx. 7.7 pages), 8 sources, APA, $ 61.95
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Abstract
This paper takes a close look at Sister Prudence Allen's article on Hildegard of Bingen, entitled "Hildegard of Bingen" (1985). The paper maintains that the article's main point is that Hildegard was the very first person to articulate the theory of the complementarity of the sexes. The article claims that this complementarity theory was original to Hildegard; thus Hildegard made a significant contribution to the history of the concept of woman in relation to man. The paper agrees with the article, concluding that Hildegard did indeed succeed in vindicating the equality of woman with man by presenting a cogent, comprehensive and multifaceted argument for the complementarity of man and woman.
From the Paper
"However, the important point is that Hildegard balanced this notion with a defence of the quality of woman and man, based on a metaphysical framework of sex complementarity in heaven and in the world. For example, in procreation, while man deposits the cold seed, it is woman's warmth that must grow the seed. Similarly, in heaven male saints are equal to but different from female saints; while on earth woman and man have equal access to both the private and public spheres of activity (Allen, 1985)."
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Bible Literacy at School, 2008.
This paper discusses the importance of Bible literacy and looks at the advantages of Bible courses in public schools.
750 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 26.95
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Abstract
In this essay the writer employs logic to assert that Bible literacy should be integrated into public schools for the purposes of ethical and moral instruction. The writer maintains that such courses would expose young people to the Judeo-Christian tradition upon which the nation of America was founded. Finally, the writer maintains that Bible literacy allows for some meaningful discussion about religion and its applicability to different life experiences within a safe and predictable structure. In the final analysis, the writer notes that Bible study classes can open up new vistas of understanding and offer children the sort of moral instruction they might not receive elsewhere.
From the Paper
"To begin with, moral instruction for America's young people is vitally important; without it, the future becomes a bleak landscape, indeed, and the country's vitality and march forward into progress on a host of social and political issues are both compromised. An ancient article first appearing near the turn of the last century pointed out that the Bible can capably serve as a foundation for moral guidance and instruction - albeit the understandable desire not to give offense to non-Christians, or even Christians who adhere to specific branches of one of the world's great religions has always made the introduction of the "Good Book" into a classroom an extremely controversial matter. Still, with so many of today's children coming from homes wherein one or even both parents are often temporally or emotionally unavailable, having a strict delineation of moral imperatives articulated to them in the relative calm and safety of the "typical" classroom is quite important. Furthermore, it should be added that basic elements such as selflessness, looking after others, living one's life in accordance with high moral virtues, and assiduously avoiding things like sloth, avarice, or lasciviousness are precepts which can be readily adopted by most anyone - regardless of whether one is Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or affiliated with some other religion."
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Buddhism and Confucianism, 2008.
This paper describes and compares two world religions, Buddhism and Confucianism.
2,265 words (approx. 9.1 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 70.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Buddhism and Confucianism are quite different. The author points out that Buddhism believes in reincarnation while Confucianism does not. The paper relates that Buddhism is absorbed with metaphysical things to an extent that Confucianism is not. The author states that, while it does seem engrossed in metaphysical matters, Buddhism is more prescriptive than Confucianism in the sense that it lays down very specific moral precepts as opposed to Confucianism's broad doctrinal principles. The paper further asserts that, while there are some general similarities, there certainly appear to be many more dissimilarities - and there is no question that Buddhism is inward-looking and fixated upon impractical matters in a way that Confucianism is not.
From the Paper
"Ashby's online article also introduces a number of other interesting details that hint at how the intellectual, philosophical and moral training of a Confucian will differ from the training granted a Buddhist. Chiefly, Confucians throughout time have been motivated by social and/or political concerns, and have immersed themselves in the difficult task of governance. Implicit in all of this, of course, is that young people raised as Confucians have been trained in the cognitive skills needed to assume leadership positions in public life."
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Women and Ordination into the Priesthood, 2008.
An analysis of the arguments for and against the ordination of women as clergy in the church.
1,391 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 13 sources, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the debate over the ordination of women, especially into the Catholic priesthood. It looks at the women's movement and how it relates to the church and how the church interprets the Bible. The paper provides examples of the arguments used both for and against female ordination and female clergy within the church.
From the Paper
"Much of the defense of an exclusively male priesthood goes back to the example of Christ. Here again, one must consider how Christ is to be viewed. If Jesus Christ was merely a good teacher, conveying sound ethical doctrine which warrants consideration and emulation, then there is a reasonable argument that some of his decisions would merely be reflections of the cultural norms then popular in the Holy Land some 2,000 years ago. However, even this argument falters because Jesus did not adhere to the cultural norms of his time. At that time, virtually all religions had priestesses, so that this, rather than an exclusively male priesthood would have been completely normal. Further, Christ certainly had around him many women eager to serve him, by every measure excellent candidates for such positions, including his own mother, Mary, to Mary Magdalene, or the women of Bethany, to name only a few. (Bogle)"
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Quranic Ideas of Women and Benighted Men, 2008.
This paper discusses the Qur'anic ideas of the relationship between women and men as opposed to the fundamentalist Muslim restraint of women.
1,070 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 37.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that the tendency to view Islam as intrinsically constraining women owes a great deal to fundamentalist movements that rest on interpretations of the Qur'an that do not hold up to scrutiny. The author points out that these fundamentalist overlook the Islamic project of building the Ummah, which the Prophet meant for women and their status vis-a-vis men. The paper relates that the Qur'an states what men must do to support and protect women and to give them liberty. The author stresses that effort must be devoted to encouraging re-education of Muslim males to understand that their attitudes and practices expecting female subservience and confinement to the domestic sphere are not signs of Muslim adherence and respectability. The paper states that the same poles of mysticism versus fundamentalism in the treatment of women may be said for fundamentalist Christianity in Western countries.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Islam, Women and Environment
The Qur'an
Strengthening Men's Obligations
Concluding Remarks
From the Paper
"Again and again, one sees efforts to clarify what the Qur'an does say concerning the sexes and women's status. Fundamentalist Muslim males do violate what was intended. For instance, Allah is said to hold women in the same position of men, rules working both for and against them, according to conduct. (2:228) Women are not to be passed from one household to another against their will, are not to be treated harshly and deserve kindness and equity. (4:19) Both men and women are to display their obedience to Allah, the righteous woman one who makes this adherence plain, as does the righteous man. (4:34) The Qur'an stresses how Allah created men and women to live in a complementary peace and tranquility. (30:21)"
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The Reforms of Abdullah Cevdet and Malkum Khan, 2008.
Examines the approaches of two reformers, Abdullah Cevdet in the Ottoman Empire and Malkum Khan in the Persian Empire, to the problem of modernization and the need to retain the integrity of the Islamic religion.
1,760 words (approx. 7.0 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 56.95
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Abstract
This paper explores the similarity in the conditions that prevailed in both the Ottoman and Persian empires at the end of the nineteenth century and the challenges posed to those empires by their involvement with and exposure to European commerce, science and ideas. The author argues that both Cevdet and Khan took similar rhetorical approaches in arriving at a conceptualization of reform that was both modern and democratic yet rooted in the Islamic tradition. The paper stresses that Cevdet and Khan were situated within intellectual and religious trajectories of the time, which were seeking alternatives to the prevailing interpretations of Islam through Baha'ism and Pan-Islamism.
From the Paper
"Having spent a lot of time in Switzerland, Cevdet was acquainted with European ideas of the time, such as French and German scientific materialism, social Darwinism and positivism. He saw the decline of the Ottoman Empire as the product of it not being European, and felt that it was the responsibility of the intellectuals to change this condition. For Cevdet, the Islamic religion in its traditional incarnation, was an obstacle to the changes required to contemporize Ottoman society and politics and he therefore felt that it was necessary to modify the Islamic religion."
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