Essays and Research Papers on Theology

A 21 page discussion of Islamic religion and ideology. Defines Islamic ideology as a changing phenomena which reflects societal needs and aspirations. Provides and extensive discussion of contemporary Islamic culture, traditional culture, and Western misperceptions regarding that culture. Bibliography lists 14 sources.

The role of the woman in Christianity is explored in this 4 page essay that uses Barbara J. MacHaffie's book Her Story: Women in Christian Tradition. MacHaffie looks at the role of women in different sects of Christianity, with a primary focus on the United States. The subject is looked at historically, but much data ...

A 7 page paper that responds to several questions: What is religion; how religion shapes identity; the influence of religion on culture; and a brief comparison of the first four religions with the Baptist religion. Incorporated into the paper is the definition of religion, some of the basic beliefs of each religion and if ...

This 5 page report discusses what determines whether or not a text is “sacred” and the commonalities that exist between sacred texts of very different religions and belief systems. The concept of “sacred” does not have to be determined in relationship to religion. Religion is just one of many possible ways for a person to have an experience of the sacred. ...

A 5 page research paper/essay that specifically looks at how one Western religion, Catholicism, and one Eastern religion, Hinduism, and how each of these religions address the problem of evil and the seemingly explicable reality that evil, i.e., "bad things," which occur in a fashion that is frequently difficult to understand in terms ...

The controversial issue is explored in this 6 page paper. Three countries, Japan, Italy and the United States are considered along with three religions of Buddhism, Catholicism and Protestantism. The thesis maintains that the influence of religion concerning abortion exists throughout the world among various religions and has served to ironically increase abortion by ...

A 5 page paper discussing the book 'Catholicism' by Richard McBrien. It is an extremely long and thorough examination of this particular religion. It is a religion that has been around for centuries and is one of the leading religions of the world. McBrien illustrates every conceivable, and inconceivable, aspect of this religion. The edition ...

This 8 page paper considers how religion has made the world a predominately patriarchal society which has facilitated the abuse of women many forms. The paper considers physical abuse, mental abuse and abuse through the withholding of basic human rights. Religions discussed include Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The bibliography cites 20 sources.

A 5 page book review of F.H. Hilliard's The Buddha, The Prophet and The Christ. This book offers a comparison between three of the world's principal religions -- Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Hilliard makes the point in his introduction that the differences between these religions are often misunderstood, and they are frequently misrepresented (7). While ...

6 pages in length. The extent to which organized religion is nothing more than a crutch for those who are without the intestinal fortitude to stand on their own two spiritual feet is both grand and far-reaching; that Deism restores one's sense of reason, nature and self-ability beyond the puppeteering inherent to organized religion ...

This 8 page paper begins with the number of members of the three religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The first section discusses sharing Christianity with Jews with a comment that first, one must understand that Judaism is the only religion that is also an ethnicity. Can a Christian evangelize to Jews and/or Muslims? The major ...

In three pages this paper examines the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution in terms of its reference to religion, considers the marginalization of religion from public and civic spheres, assesses whether or not the notion of a separation of church and state is at odds with the vision of America’s founding fathers, and discusses ...

There are many monotheistic religions in the world today and there are a few polytheistic religions. This 7 page paper compares Christianity and Scandinavian polytheism (Goddess worship) in light of issues relevant to modern times (gender roles). Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 3 page paper. This essay describes the basic beliefs of each of these religions. The writer comments on the impact of each religion. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

All religions develop in line with social changes. This 3 page paper outlines some of the more recent trends or fashions in the Hindu religion. These include changes in attitude towards pride, increasing influence on the west, the development of gender equality, the creation of diverse communities and trends towards restitution. The bibliography cites 1 ...

This 19 page paper provides an overview of this book that looks at religion, what it is, and the beliefs and customs of different religions from the major ones like Christianity, Judaism and Islam to the less known ones like Jainism. The book is written from a Christian perspective. The paper critically ...

8 pages. After World War II and Europe became more economically affluent it was then that religion came into play in a bigger way. The European Union suddenly embraced religion, as they never had before. This paper will look into why this seemed to happen and what the status of Christianity in ...

This 5 page paper contends that Vedic sacrifice can in fact be substituted with a renunciation of the fruit of action. The Hindu religion, as well as Krishna's role, is discussed. Parallels to other religions are provided. Arjuna's crisis is used as an example. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

An 11 page research paper that examines Hinduism, the oldest of the world's great religions. The writer examines the basic beliefs of this religion and its fundamental principles; summaries of its sacred texts; the significance of yoga; and the place of Hinduism in the Western world. Bibliography lists 12 sources.

A 14 page research paper that explores the nature and characteristics of traditional African religions, discussing these characteristics before and after the coming of outside influences and stressing the role of African religion in maintaining African identity and cultural values. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 5 page paper provides an overview of how religion is incorporated in society. Various points of view are presented. The ideas of Freud, Nietzsche, and Russell are used as a springboard for discussion but the views of those aligned with mainstream religion such as Martin Luther King are also included. Bibliography lists ...

A five page paper which looks at the works of Durkheim, Marx and Weber, their assessment of the way that religious belief systems develop and the function of religion within social cultures, and the way in which religion influences social and political aspects of American culture in the present day. Bibliography lists 2 sources

A 3 page paper discussing the origins of Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Each of these religions originated with some individual's discontent with conditions as they were at the time the individual lived. None set out to create a religion with himself as the central figure. Rather, each sought to answer questions that ...

An 11 page overview of the many precepts of Buddhism. Emphasizes that Buddhism is just one more of the world’s many religions and that to understand it one must understand the basic premises of most of these religions. Highlights the importance of the four noble truths, mindful mediation, the eightfold path of Buddhism, and ...

A 9 page essay on theories on religion and the relationship of Hinduism to those theories. The specific theory addressed is that postulated by Francis Clark and the search for meaning. The writer discusses Clark's theory, provides a basic history of the evolution of Hinduism and posits that this adaptable religion ...