Essays and Research Papers on Religion & Political Issues

The separation of church and state is guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States as a means to preserving religious freedom. This 10 page paper explores the reasons why the Church should not be allowed to enter into politics. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 6 page discussion of the manner in which Puritan belief shaped Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Scarlet Letter”. The author of this paper asserts that the Puritans have been instrumental throughout history in shaping many aspects of our society. This influence is reflected extensively in both the fictional and historical literature. Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The ...

A 6 page overview of the accomplishments of Joseph II, emperor of Hapsburg. Joseph II’s reforms were targeted at overcoming ecclesiastic privilege and the privilege allowed as a matter of birthright. He envisioned a central state served by loyal citizens rather than administered by those of royal blood. He was a faithful ...

This is a 7 page tutorial language paper on the moral, legal and ethical issues involved in pre-marital sex. Original church rules regarding pre-marital sex were made in the first century when societies were vastly different. In today’s society people are choosing to have pre-marital sex but still feel that couples should be emotionally mature ...

This 5 page paper discusses the steps involved in making a person a saint within the Church. Also, this paper discusses how these events influence the view of believer's that God is indeed Divine. Bibliography lists 1 source.

10 pages in length. Development of the human race has been responsible for myriad controversies throughout such an immense and ongoing process of defining mankind. One of the most important, if not necessary issues that has emerged from this ever-progressing metamorphosis is that of the separation between church and state. The wall ...

This 6 page paper discusses the difference between a terrorist group and a National Liberation Orgnaization. This paper uses 5 specific terrorist organizations as examples. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 6 page discussion of the growing world pressure for Christians to acknowledge and even to accept the Prophet Muhammad and Islam. This paper notes the misperceptions and ignorance surround Islam which characterizes Christian understanding of the religion and to clarify those misunderstandings. At the same time, however, the author stands firm in ...

This 6 page report discusses the issues related to same sex “marriages” in the context of the United Methodist Church and offers both biblical reference and Methodist doctrine to support its point of view in which prohibitions against same-sex unions and gay ordination are upheld. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This paper discusses the politicalization of Hinduism, particularly in India, where Hinduism is considered the "state's" religion. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 6 page paper which analyzes why, in Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” the angels followed Satan despite the fact they knew they would be cast out of heaven. Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

This 9 page paper discusses the Amish culture from their beginings to their lifestyle. This paper examines a wide range of Amish traditions such as courtship and marraige, education, work, etc. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

7 pages in length. News coverage of how the Roman Catholic Church is addressing its association with pedophilia is both informational and diverse; while some publications strive to provide point-by-point coverage through personal interviews, others enlighten readers with scathing personal editorials that focus upon raw emotion. Examining articles from The New York Times, ...

A five page paper which considers SJ Gould's perception of true science, creation science and religion, as exemplified in his work Bully for Brontosaurus. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 21 page paper addresses two issues: the sequence in which these sacraments should be administered and the age at which a person should be able to receive them. These two issues have been debated for centuries, more so the issue of age than sequence. There are historical precedents for each of the debaters but ...

This is a 5 page paper summarizing Harold Kushner’s “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” (1981). Harold Kushner’s “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” (1981) tells of Kushner’s own emotional and spiritual journey back to the belief of God after the death of his three year old son. Kushner, a Rabbi, tried to ...

A paper which considers Proudfoot's definition of religious reductionism, especially with reference to the difference between explanatory and descriptive reduction, and the reasons why the latter is not appropriate to an analysis of religious experience. Bibliography lists 3 sources

A 6 page bibliographic essay that evaluates the various interpretations offered by contemporary historical writers on the subject. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

18 pages in length. John P. Newport was a quintessential examiner; not only did he base his entire life upon finding out the truth of any given topic, delving deeply into its often soft and malleable center in doing so, but he also sought to bring this truth to the people by way of ...

A 5 page discussion of the four criteria of saintliness as enumerated by the early twentieth century philosopher William James in his book “The Varieties of Religious Experience”. The author explores each of these criteria then applies them to Rumi as he is revealed in Annemarie Schimmel’s “Rumi’s World” (a book originally published in ...

A paper which considers the differences and similarities between the ideas of truth as expressed in Swift's Gulliver's Travels and St Augustine's Confessions.

This 5 page paper discusses this book and determines what lessons can be applied from the book to real-life sermon writing and preaching. This book deals with effectively communicating to multicultural audiences. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 8 page paper briefly explains the theory of creation and the theory of evolution. The writer then argues there are numerous fallacies in the theory of evolution that evolutionists cannot explain. The invalidity of the theory of evolution is indicated by using scientific theories. For instance, the Theory of Causality says that 'whatever begins ...

A 5 page paper. When Charlemagne died in 814, he left an empire that had no legal or administrative structure. What little stability existing during his time was shattered with the invasion of the Vikings. The Christian Crusades began shortly, a noble goal that soon turned to a crusade for wealth rather than its original ...

6 pages in length. The adherents of Zionism have argued that the creation of a Jewish state is the only real solution to the 'Jewish Question.' In agreeing with this statement, it is important to also consider how Zionism, as Haim Hazaz protagonist argued, marks the end of Jewish history, as well as ...