Scientology: Cult or Religion?
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A 5 page denouncement of the so-called religion of Scientology. This paper exposes the basic premises of the cult as being based more on science-fiction than theology. Despite its high-profile membership which makes the sect appear glamorous and appealing a more objective investigation of its teachings reveal many discrepancies, shortcomings, and outright fallacies. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: PPrlgSci.rtf

Similarities in Genesis, Gilgamesh and Ovid;
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This 5 page paper considers the different stories told in these three works, looking specifically at the creation and the flood stories. The paper then goes on to discuss the 'documentary hypothesis' which states that Genesis was not the work of a single author, and the paper finishes with consideration of the roles of envy greed and pride in these stories. The bibliography cites 4 sources.
Filename: TEgilgam.wps

St. Thomas Aquinas On Autonomy And Freedom
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A 6 page paper that discusses whether or not Aquinas successfully argued for the existence of man's autonomy and freedom. The essay discusses mostly Proof Three, Questions 3, 14 and 19. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: PGaqfrd.RTF

Stigmata: Psychological and Spiritual Effects
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10 pages. Stigmata: are they real or a hoax? Are these signs really from God, and what about the non-Catholic stigmata? In this paper we examine stigmata regarding St. Francis of Assisi, Padre Pio and non-Catholic stigmata. The question that is brought up is whether these are manifested by the mind or by God. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Filename: JGAstigm.rtf

The 9-11 Attack on America and the Justice of Ancient Greece
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This 5 page report discusses how the classical philosophers of Greece could no more comprehend the nightmare of the 9-11 attack than could 21st century Americans. And yet, the harshness of the reality of ancient Greece was also painfully evident in everyday life. The model that such philosophers labored over to frame the concept of justice has valuable insight and implications for this modern world. This paper briefly considers the ides of justice as seen by Hesiod, Sophocles, and Homer. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: BWjus911.wps

The Church Of Scientology – Cult Or Religion?
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A 45 page paper that discusses the issue of whether Scientology is a cult or a religion. The paper begins by defining the two words, then provides an overview of the growth of cults and religions in the 20th century. An historical overview of the beginning and expansion of the Church of Scientology is provided next, beginning with the publication of Dianetics: the Modern Science of Mental Health in 1950. Hubbard went on the lecture circuit almost immediately, opened a research foundation, opened the first Scientology church in 1954 and continued writing a great deal while he also began developing different techniques like auditing. Hubbard did not declare Scientology a religion until 1962 and even vacillated on the label after that. This essay reports the major principles of Scientology, the criticisms and lawsuits, and the tactics used by the church against those who criticize it. The essay then reviews the characteristics of a cult and those of a religion and draws a conclusion as to whether Scientology is a cult or a religion and why. Bibliography lists 40 sources.
Filename: PGscntl.rtf

The Egyptian Book of the Dead
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This 5 page paper discusses the sacred text known as the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: HVBkDead.rtf

The Gnostics.
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(7 pp) Knowledge has always fascinated Man, his curious nature prods him to seek it, often only to find out that he lacks the virtue to use it. In a very true sense, knowledge is in fact, power; this seems to be an unalterable constant whether in the ancient world or today. What we are about to investigate in this article is the "Gnostic" religion. Their appeal is a simple one. In a turbulent and unpredictable ancient world, at a time when Man felt that he was but a puppet in the hands of fortune, the Gnostics proclaimed aloud: "Come to us and we will enlighten you with Knowledge that will give you the power to be in charge of your destiny!" Bibliography lists 9 sources.
Filename: BBgnstcR.doc

The Goddess, Women’s Roles, and the Patriarchy
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This 5 page report discusses the fact that stories and legends of the Goddess abound in virtually every culture throughout the world. Archaeological findings throughout the world have revealed an amazing degree of repetition in terms of symbolic associations between the female form, ritualistic objects, apparent practices, and how all of life is related to and dependent on that which creates and sustains life. Eventually invasions from north to south and changes in male perceptions about procreation, caused the mother-goddess to be replaced by gods of war and the patriarchal system. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: BWgoddes.wps

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS BY RICHARD VALANTASIS
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This 5 page paper discusses the discovered text of Thomas. Ricahrd Valantasis discusses and analyzes the content of this work. Focus of this paper is on saying #77, its interpretation and application. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Filename: MBgoth.rtf

THE NATURE OF DEITIES IN GILGAMESH AND BOOK OF JOB
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This 4 page paper contrasts and compares the concept of deity in the characters of Job of the Bible and Gilgamesh. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: MBgiljob.rtf

The Origins of Christmas and Santa Clause
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This well written and interesting 10 page paper looks at the origins of Christmas as mid winter festival, from the Mesopotamian and the Babylonians though the Greeks and Romans to the way in which was adopted by the Christian church. The second part of the paper then goes on to look at the origins of 'Santa Clause' or 'Father Christmas'. The development of the current icon is traced looking at the religious aspects from the old gods to the life of Saint Nicolas and it the subsequent evolution of the saints public image this also considers the commercialisation of the character. The bibliography cites 7 sources.
Filename: TEsantac.wps

The Orisha and the Yoruba Religion
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This 6 page paper considers the role of these spirits and the way in which they effect the lives of the followers. Examples of the divine spirits are given and the way in which justice can be seen is also demonstrated. The bibliography cites 8 sources.
Filename: TEyoruba.wps

The Passion of the Western Mind: Understanding the Transformation of The Classical Era
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This 5 page paper provides an overview of the central points presented in Richard Tarnas' book The Passion of the Western Mind: Understanding the Ideas That Have Shaped Our World View. This paper integrates a view of the rise of Christianity and the radical transformation of life that was experienced and understood by those in the Classical world. Specifically, this paper discusses what was rejected and why the Church found Classical philosophy, culture, and art incompatible with the Christian perspective. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: MHReliWW.rtf

The Process of Mummification: A Critical Component of Ancient Egyptian Culture
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An 18 page discussion of the religious beliefs of ancient Egyptian's belief. These beliefs revolved around the concept of an afterlife, an afterlife which in order for the soul to recognize the body required mummification of the mortal remains so that they were discernibly human. Provides an overview of Egyptian belief, preparation for the afterlife, rituals instructing the dead, the tombs, and ceremonies as well as details on the process of mummification itself. Quotes contemporary scholars as well as the writings of Diodorus and Herodotus who provide two separate descriptions of the mummification process. Bibliography lists 11 sources.
Filename: PPegyMum.wps

The Progression of the Feminist Wiccan Tradition
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This 7 page paper provides an overview of progression of the feminist Wiccan tradition from the height of the Women's Liberation Movement to the modern time. This paper asserts that the progression of the "new age" tradition has led to an insurgence of Wiccan participation. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: MHWicca2.wps

The Role of Divination and Augury in Roman Religious Life:
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This 5 page paper examines the role that divination and augury played in Roman religious life. This paper explores these elements of religion and the impact they had upon the Romans and their religious pursuits. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: GSRomere.rtf