This paper will examine the perspectives of both sides; outsider and insider, and will critically analyze their material on the subject of Scientology. By utilizing both perspectives there is a hope to achieve a broad understanding
Scientology: Insider versus Outsider Perspective Religion 265: Cults, Sects and New Religious Movements For: Dr. Grant Martin By: Julie Brown November 5th, 2005 In the latter half of the twentieth century the Church of Scientology has emerged as one of the largest and most extensive new religious movements of modern time. The Church has also been subject to ongoing controversy in terms of new religions and their cult-like practices. The teachings of founder L. Ron Hubbard were initially successful in the 1950's with the emergence of Dianetics, but have since been subject to heavy international criticism. Many countries have banned not only Dianetics and the auditing process but the teachings of the Church and its founder. Despite media and public criticism, however, Scientology has grown into a large international, ecclesiastical body with centers in almost half the countries of the world1. It has developed a mature theology and thousands of people report that the Church has given them a spiritual and optimistic perspective on life. If one wishes to truly understand Scientology as a new religious movement the question emerges as to whether you should examine the critical research conducted by the professional "outsider", or turn to the "insider"; members of the religion who are familiar with its teachings. This paper will examine the perspectives of both sides; outsider
Source and Form Criticism of the Bible. Both types of criticisms are helpful by trying to understand the biblical content of the Bible and where it originated. By raising questions such as, are the stories that are told in the bible just parables or did
Words: 2431 Methodology: Source and Form Criticism The bible is perceived as a historical text; however there is no historical evidence that proves biblical events ever occurred. This is why critical analysis of the bible is essential in the understanding of the events that occurred in the bible. As form criticism plans out the "life setting" of the text, it helps to develop an understanding of where the text came from. Whereas source criticism helps to decipher fact from fiction in the events that occurred, by viewing two different sources of the same text and deciding which one is true and which isn't. Both types of criticisms are helpful by trying to understand the biblical content of the Bible and where it originated. By raising questions such as, are the stories that are told in the bible just parables or did they actually happen? Come the understanding of biblical studies. Form criticism is a translation of the word Formgeschichte, which literally means "history of form." Gunkel noticed that many stories in the bible were often causation and why things are the way they are. For example, in there Genesis 35 Jacob meets God at Bethel in a dream, and this story explained why the later Israelites made there pilgrimage to the cult centre at there site of Bethel. Gunkel recognised that each type of genre had its introductory formula. This is where the Sitz im Leben or
Jesus appointed only men to succeed him therefore women should be excluded from priesthood'.
a) Using Luke's Gospel, describe Jesus' response to women and why many First Century Jews would have disapproved. Women in first century Palestine were not supposed to participate in public life. It was a husband's right and duty to divorce his wife if she left the house without a headdress and her face hidden, not only this, but the husband was under no obligation to pay the money which the wife had a right to receive in the case of divorce. In public women were not meant to be seen and it went against all policies of etiquette to speak to a woman in the street or exchange greetings and in fact even to look at a married woman was considered scandalous. Jewish women in first century Palestine had very limited legal and economic rights, particularly in the economically related areas. When a girl was in the household of her father, any work she did and wages she earned would go directly to her father. Once she was married a woman's wages and products that she made would go into the possession of her husband. While in her father's house, however, a girl's education consisted of learning domestic arts such as weaving and needlework, she would also carry other responsibilities such as looking after any brothers and sisters. A girl's duty to her father was the same as was that of her brother, but she possessed none of her brother's rights. All inheritance would pass to the son
Exegesis on Job 42:1-17 In the passage of Job 42:1-6 there appears to be an interpretation of a divine speech to be supported by Jobs response.
Exegesis on Job 42:1-17 In the passage of Job 42:1-6 there appears to be an interpretation of a divine speech to be supported by Job's response. There also occurs to be a conclusion about Job's debate with God as Job acts humbly in acknowledging his presumption about God. God, however, acts displeased by Job and his friends because of Job's friends presumptions about God as they didn't speak about God in the "right" way. When Job gets confronted by God, he surrenders, yet acts without sorrow. One may question the response that Job had towards God in verses 1-6 as he acted in a peculiar unexpected manner. In most reactions towards God there comes a reaction of fear; however Job seemed calm with his reactions towards God. Job doesn't have a proper response to God in verse 4 he says that "I will question you, and you will declare me." In the form criticism of the text the verses 1-6 are being presented as a form of prayer to the Lord. Job never says that he was wrong to question God's justice. Job feigns submission and accepts that he will never get a straight answer from God. Source criticism is being used as the verses in three and four, Job quotes the Lord's words which were also used previously in Job 38:2-3 and uses them to make his surrender appear to be in defence to God's power. Job's true attitude however is revealed in verse six "therefore I despise myself, and repent
'Few Historians think no progress is being made towards truth, but even history's keenest devotees know objectivity is unattainable' (Lowenthal) Discuss.
'Few Historians think no progress is being made towards truth, but even history's keenest devotee's know objectivity is unattainable' (Lowenthal) Discuss. Alex Eisenberg V11101 Learning History Dr Karen Adler School of History 'Few Historians think no progress is being made towards truth, but even history's keenest devotees know objectivity is unattainable' (Lowenthal) Discuss. The ultimate conclusion for an historian is to conclude that he or she has found the truth. This however is an unattainable goal. No historian will ever be able to find what was the real truth because we cannot know the reality of the past. Two reasons help us explain this, firstly, because the past has gone we are unable verify any claim that we make, therefore we cannot be sure what the 'truth' is. Secondly, whatever evidence the historian cannot be using is not objective. It has been created by other humans who are subject to the same fallibility that the modern day historian is also subject to. Lowenthal's statement recognises these two ideas but also present is the idea that the historian is 'progressing' towards the truth. The idea of 'progress' simply suggests that historians are moving towards 'truth'. In order to understand this we have to realise that 'history is less than the past because only a tiny fraction of events have been noted...'1, so to know the truth we, at the very least,
The ethics of abortion.
Helen Evans The ethics of abortion Before discussing the issue of abortion, a definition of what is actually meant by the term 'abortion' must first be decided upon. For the purpose of this essay, Mary Anne Warren's definition will be referred to. She describes abortion as 'the act a woman performs in deliberately terminating her pregnancy before it comes to term, or in allowing another person to terminate it' (Warren, M A, 1997, p.72). The ethical issues surrounded by the issue of abortion have been debated for many years, with society seemingly split into those who advocate pro life, those who advocate pro choice and those who are undecided. Pro-life campaigners claim that abortion is immoral, except in a few cases, as they believe the fetus is a human being from conception. On the other hand, pro choice campaigners claim that women must have the right to choose what happens to their body, and can choose to have an abortion if they decide that it is the best option for them. Those people who believe abortion is morally acceptable usually base their argument around the fact that a woman should be free to choose what happens to her own body. Freedom of choice is considered by many people as a basic human right and nobody should have this right denied. One philosopher who believes that abortion is morally permissible is Mary Anne Warren. She argues that prohibiting
Philosophical Taoism
Philosophical Taoism A series of weak emperors in China from 500 to 600 BCE left the previously powerful empire in state of war and chaos. The Chinese people were desperate for an escape from the pandemonium. One solution came in the form of a new religion: Taoism. Popular belief amongst followers is that Taoism was founded by a man named Lau Tzu, which translates to "old man". It is said that he lived during the time of Confucianism, which was another religion that sprout up in response to the conditions in China at the time. Lau Tzu was actually a librarian who lived a simple life in accordance with nature. He was discouraged by the non naturalistic attitudes of the people around him and therefore decided to ride away on a water buffalo toward Tibet. According to the story, he was stopped at one point by a man who tried to persuade him to stay. When Lau Tzu refused he asked him to at least leave the people with a record of his ideas. He agreed to this request and the Tao Te Ching was produced (Smith). The lifestyle and attitude that has evolved from the philosophy of this text are extraordinarily interesting and admirable. Tao Te Ching translates into English as "The Way and It's Power". It is a compilation of "poetry, philosophical reflection and mystical speculation" (Zhao). Taoists follow this text as "a testament to humanity's at-home-ness in the universe" (Smith).
Abortion: A Woman's Choice.
Abortion: A Woman's Choice Some of these circumstances are happy for all concerned: both parents wish to have a child at that time and the child will grow up happy and healthy. But the circumstances surrounding conception are not always so happy. The parents are unprepared for the responsibilities, the mother could be the victim of rape, or for that matter the father could be her father. The fetus might have a severe mental defect which would make its life ant that of the mother and father unrelieved misery. Pregnancy can occur in tragic circumstances, in which we would say that it would have been better if it had not happened. Of the many actual points of view, it is widely held - especially in the media, which rarely have the time or the inclination to make fine distinctions - that there are only two: "pro-choice" and "pro-life." This is what the two principal warring camps like to call themselves, and that's what I'll call them here. Up until recent times (within that last century and a half) there were no prohibitions against abortion, and it was common in ancient Greece and Rome. In our own country, from colonial times to the nineteenth century, the choice was the woman's until "quickening." An abortion in the first or even second trimester was at worst a misdemeanor. Convictions were rarely sought and almost impossible to obtain, because they depended entirely on the
What conclusions does More want his 16th century readers to draw about the Christian beliefs and practices in Europe
What conclusions does More want his sixteenth-century readers to draw about the Christian beliefs and practices in Europe? In past examinations of More's Utopia, questions have often been raised as to the aim of the presentation of religion on the island. The inhabitants of Utopia are essentially heathen, in contrast to the Christianity of Europe. However, this raises two points - firstly, that the Utopians may have been heathen, but they were virtuous heathen as opposed to the "wicked professed Christian" of sixteenth century Europe. Thus is More presenting the view that virtuous living should be chosen over the possibly corrupt nature of Christianity? Also, this suggests to that virtuous living can be achieved independently of Christianity or indeed any other religion. The second point which is raised is the question of how much of the historical context in which Utopia was written has crept into the work. Though Utopia was published before the major religious upheaval in England began, the reformation commenced really with the advent of Luther on the continent and his ninety-five theses on indulgences in 1517. Thus it would have been nigh on impossible for More to have written such a work with its many subtle attacks on the structure of society and its pointed references to religion without having been somewhat influenced by the contextual situation. It has been
Describe several heuristics that you might use when deciding whether you should a) Study especially hard for an exam OR b) ask someone for (or accept) a date.Under what circumstances are these heuristics likely to contribute to poor decision making?
Describe several heuristics that you might use when deciding whether you should a)Study especially hard for an exam OR b)ask someone for (or accept) a date. Under what circumstances are these heuristics likely to contribute to poor decision making? Every day throughout our lives a decision will have to be made. The magnitude of this decision will quite obviously vary from choice to choice, but the principle remains. Whether we are deciding to walk a certain direction, or turn off the light, or even if we are deciding to attempt world domination a choice has to be made. With these choices comes indecision. There is no formula to work out how people are going to react to certain situations, so essentially any choice is a stab in the dark. These choices may be well informed, but as Benjamin Franklin said in 1789; "nothing in life is sure except death and taxes." Heuristics are a trial-and-error type method of helping to decide which decision to make. Human decision making often portrays a theory of bounded rationality. This means that human thinking may seem rational, but isn't, for a number of reasons. There are too many variables to calculate. Often, also, we are provided with information which is not complete. A rational decision needs symmetric information in order to be truly rational, by analysing all inputs, and as a result possible outcomes. This is where