Scared Texts.; Popol Vuh the Bible and the Understanding of Spirituality
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This 5 page paper considers the way in which the stories of sacred texts may help individuals answer questions of spirituality and how there are parallels made between these two different texts. The bibliography cites 2 sources.
Filename: TEpopolv.rtf

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