How important was the foundation of the Spanish Inquisition?

This document was downloaded from Coursework.Info - The UK's Coursework Database - http://www.coursework.info/ How important was the foundation of the Spanish Inquisition? There had been an Inquisition in Spain before in 13th Century Aragon, and was used for the detection, trial and punishment of heresy, but it had become redundant. So it wasn’t really founded during Isabella and Ferdinand’s reign, only reintroduced. However, this reintroduction was very important as it paved the way for a lot of changes within their Spain. The main reason for the reintroduction was because of the perceived growing threat of conversos. Because of some wealthy conversos, it meant they were in powerful positions. Pious Isabella also swore that there was a plot by them, and was convinced that they had no loyalty and were capable of treachery, and this led to a concern over the number of conversions that were taking place. It was introduced in Castile in 1478 and Aragon in 1484, and was under the monarchs’ control. It took a hard line and the Inquisition gained itself a reputation as something to be feared, and rightly so because between 1483 and 1495, burned around 2000 conversos as heretics. This happened at auto de fe’s whose purpose was to act as ‘burning festivals’, “ since the fire is lit it will burn until… not one of those who judaized is left”. The Inquisition used

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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The Banana Farmer of Billingshurst

The Banana Farmer of Billingshurst Once upon a time in a magical faraway land there lived a poor banana farmer in a log cabin in the woods of Billingshurst. There had been a poor banana harvest and Mr Banana Farmer was down on his luck. He decided that the banana farming wasn't working out and so the banana farmer decided to become an accountant and sell his banana farm to an evil multinational corporation that would surely turn it into a sewage plant and kill everything nearby. But he didn't care as he was going to live in Birmingham and start 'Mr banana's accountants' where he would live a dull life. He didn't seem to care about the innocent banana-blood that would be spilled should he let evil industries inc. take over. That night as he began to drift into sleep, a magical banana-fairy (called Frank) visited Mr Banana farmer and told him the error of his ways, Mr B.f. decided that It was rightfully his duty to take on evil, faceless corporations that threatened to wipes out small Banana-farming. Operations like his own! He immediately used his super powers to fly to America, home of many of the companies that were trying to get rid of competitive banana farming for good, he looked in disgust at the greed that surrounded him and used his banana-psychic powers to summon the nearby bananas, they were pale and weak because of the neglect they received from the corporation, Mr

  • Word count: 502
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Explain the reasons why some religious people believe in life after death.

(a) Explain the reasons why some religious people believe in life after death. There are a variety of reasons why religious people believe in life after death. For example, in the context of Hinduism, our life after death can explain the purpose of our current life. The law of karma teaches that our actions in our current life will affect the nature of our future lives. Good karma will allow us to break free of moksha- the cycle of birth, death and re-birth, and follow the Path of the Sun, where they will be re-united with God. Therefore, Hindus may believe in life after death because it will motivate them to perform good actions, as they know that they will be rewarded for it. Similar to Hindus, Christians also believe in life after death because it gives a purpose to their current life- living a good life can aid them in being accepted into Heaven, and living a bad life will mean that their soul will be tortured in Hell. Their belief is confirmed through the fact that the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ was resurrected after his crucifixion, which means that it is possible to survive after death. (b) Explain how belief in life after death might influence the way religious people live their lives? The belief in life after death will encourage religious people to examine the way they live their lives because they know that they will be examined by God once they die.

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Grievances in the Olympic Games

Grievances in the Olympic Games Grievances occur everywhere in sport but especially in the Olympic Games. I will mention four grievances where by locations of the Olympic Games have been awarded to countries which should not have got it. China 2008 Beijing has promised to build eight spanking new sports stadiums. But in China this spring, authorities have been using older stadiums to stage mass sentencing rallies that publicly condemn prisoners to death. From April to June this year, turnstiles across the country spun faster than ever in a killing spree denounced by Amnesty International as an "execution frenzy" and "huge waste of human life." During the past three months, China has executed at least 1,751 persons -- 30 more than the rest of the world managed over the past three years. The human rights watchdog counted the executions from 2,960 death sentences handed down during the ongoing "Strike Hard" campaign against crime. While the death toll threatens to break even China's bloody records, Amnesty believes the real figure could be much higher, for national statistics on the death penalty are guarded as state secrets. On their final morning, condemned prisoners are displayed at sports stadiums or public squares, held in leg irons with their heads forced low in shame. Several years ago, the potential Olympic football venue, Beijing's Workers Stadium, hosted such

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Our aim of for both questions is to explore the guilty conduct required of each defendant before s/he can be convicted of a criminal offence.

In order to address the two problems set out in this assignment, it is necessary firstly to identify the key issues that arise from the questions. Our aim of for both questions is to explore the guilty conduct required of each defendant before s/he can be convicted of a criminal offence. The accused must be proved to have brought about a prohibited situation (through an act or omission) and must be proved to have done so in a manner indicating guilt or blameworthiness. Under the law of England and Wales, there must be a coincidence of AR and MR in a point of law and time1. These two elements of a criminal offence are conventionally labelled Actus Reus and Mens Rea. When discussing below, the liability of the each defendant, I will only be considering the actus reus (AR) of the crime. The elements of the crime may not be easily identified because there are several contributory causes of a result. The chain of causation can be broken by an intervening act, which must be in the nature of a voluntary act, but the chain cannot be broken by further actions or by an omission. Furthermore, the abnormality of the victim does not break the chain of causation despite the fact that his reactions were not foreseeable. I shall be addressing these issues in detail when considering the liability of each defendant, looking in terms of both the prosecution and defense. * * * * * * * * * * *

  • Word count: 2411
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Derek Bentley's Last Thoughts.

Derek Bentley's Last Thoughts I don't believe this is happening to me! I have only one hour of my life left before my death sentence is carried out! None of this would have happened if I had not got involved with Chris Craig, and formed a friendship with him and his mates. They were a very bad influence on me. If I'd never met Chris, what would I be doing now? I'm outraged that I have received a much more serious, fatal sentence than Chris, who is serving only ten years in prison! Ten years only for murdering someone! It wasn't me who killed the cop, it was Chris! I never pulled the trigger! I'm completely innocent of murder! As a result of my friendship with Chris, I'm going to die in less than an hour's time. It's all because of him! I mean, I didn't even try to run off when I had the chance. For goodness sake, it was I in fact that helped the cops catch Chris. I never meant 'shoot the cop Chris!' when I said 'let him have it Chris!' I meant 'let the cop have the gun Chris!' Those stupid cops took the wrong meaning, and so now I'm stuck here in here ready to die! I didn't like that judge either; I reckon he was biased. He'll find out sooner or later that he sentenced me for no reason, and so will others. I was treated very unfairly in that courtroom. Some people will pay for this! Oh yes, they will get hurt, just like they've hurt me! Where did it all start? When did I

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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The albatross is described to be "a Christian soul" and it was acclaimed at great lengths: "We hailed it in God's name." The mariner and the crew are extremely delighted to see something alive amidst the escalating ice

Crime and Punishment The albatross "At length did cross an Albatross." Against the darkening grey fog, the bird glided across in pure white. It stood out in contrast. It was made to be something celestial. Destined to come, it was able to proceed through fog that would have usually delayed the travels of any creature. Despite unideal conditions it proceeded through an unclear phase of mist. The bird was a "Christian soul" as they "hailed it in God's name." It was a messenger of God, a disciple and follower of Christianity. Being an omen of good luck, it heightened our spirits and eradicateed all our doubts. The majesty of the albatross is seen during day as it flies and follows. While at night it shimmers a white glow, a genuine coat of radiance. Despite its grandeur and beauty, its time was certain to come. Just as it had been destined to come, it had been destined to go. With one random, unmotivated action, the bolt of a cross-bow whizzed into the albatross sending it into eternal sleep. It was no other than the mariner himself who had shot the albatross. What about this description would make its killing akin to murder? To sacrilege. The albatross is described to be "a Christian soul" and it was acclaimed at great lengths: "We hailed it in God's name." The mariner and the crew are extremely delighted to see something alive amidst the escalating ice that

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne - summary and analysis

The Scarlet Letter Assignment: Critics debate who committed the greater sin, Hester, Chillingworth or Dimmesdale. Based on your understanding of the novel, explain your choice of the person who committed the greatest sin to someone who disagrees. Support your position with specific proof. "The Scarlet Letter" written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and first published in 1850, tells the story of a young woman who committed the sin of adultery. The two other main characters in this book are Reverend Minister Dimmesdale, the father of Hester child and Roger Chillingworth her husband. All 3 of them committed a sin, even when the definition of sin and the punishment changed during the years, but who committed the greatest sin? Hester, because she had an affair with Dimmesdale even when she was married? Dimmesdale, because he doesn't confess that he is Pearl's father? Or is it Roger Chillingworth, because he finds satisfaction in torturing Dimmesdale and tries to punish him by himself for his sin? The arguments in the book and the story indicates, that Roger Chillingworth is probably the biggest sinner of them all, even when he didn't commit a real sin against the law. Hester committed the sin of adultery, which was in the strong religious Puritan society one of the worst sins. But even though, I don't think she was the biggest sinner in this novel. First you can say, that she didn't

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Explain the Differences and Similarities between "10 Rillington Place" and "Let Him Have It".

Explain the Differences and Similarities between "10 Rillington Place" and "Let Him Have It". There are a number of similarities and differences between the two crime cases of John Christie/Timothy Evans and Derek Bentley/Christopher Craig, on which the two films, "10 Rillington Place" and "Let Him Have It" were based on. To begin with, I will state the similarities. The most obvious similarity between the two cases is the fact that the use of ambiguity led both Derek Bentley and Timothy Evans to a fatal death sentence, even though they did not commit murder. They both were completely innocent of murder, but were sentenced to death by hanging, whilst the actual murderers still escaped the death sentence (Christie at first got away, but as he confessed his murders later, he too was too hung.) The second similarity is that in the end, both John Christie and Chris Craig confessed their murders. Another similarity is that Timothy Evans' name was cleared after he died (13 years later), just as did Derek Bentley's (Bentley's name was cleared only just a few years ago). The two killers both had a criminal 'track' record and a history of crime had also run in both their families. Bentley and Evans both had no criminal records and their families were also totally clear of any criminal activity. Derek was an epileptic (a disorder of nervous system); John Christie also had some

  • Word count: 753
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Capital Punishment. Should it be re-introduced into Britain?

Capital Punishment. Should it be re-introduced into Britain? Since early man, capital punishment has been accepted as part of life. Their view was that if some one took another's life, then they should pay for it with their own, "Like punishment or like crime." Though during the reigns of King Canute and William the Conqueror, it is known, that not one case of capital punishment was ever enforced. That was no mean achievement for William the Conqueror, with rebellious up-risings being commonplace, especially in Northumbria. Although admittedly the results of interrogation and torture were often fatal. The earliest recording of capital punishment is in the "Code of Hammurabi" (written around 1750 BC) as well as this The Bible dictates capital punishment for some 30 crimes, including murder (Exodus 21:12) to fornication (Deuteronomy 22:13). "The Draconian Code" of ancient Greece went to the extreme imposing death as the penalty for every offence. But does this mean it has a place in the modern world, and more exactly, in Britain? Well the fact that not one case of capital punishment was enforced during the reigns of King Canute and William the Conqueror would seem to suggest that it acts as a very effective deterrent. But to be sure we would have to have the crime figures during reigns, and the figures would have to mention how many murders there were and the like. Only then

  • Word count: 1429
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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