Slavery Through Christianity :: Religion Love Essays

When Virgil wrote about Aeneus and Dido’s passionate affair, he showed how the unfortunate mixture of lust, love, and divine intervention could result in tormented hearts. The word â€Å"Love† in the context of the above quote refers to the desire the couple felt for each other, an erotic, impulsive force that consumed their lives and made them forget their responsibilities as leaders. Dido’s suicide further shows how this force drove her heart to the extreme. However, I believe that Love in the purest, unselfish sense can drive the heart to the irrational extreme and hence can be applied to the quote as well. Love untainted by sex or base, unruly passions is not typically thought to cause the same results as lust and desire, but this role makes an appearance in Christianity. Just as man becomes a slave to his lusts and passions, Pauline Christians become slaves in their religion because of the Love they have for their God. In order to understand how Christian Love can possibly be compared to lust and desire, this Love must first be defined. The very foundation of Christianity is sacrifice: God sacrificed Jesus and Jesus sacrificed his life. In Romans, Paul said that God sacrificed his only son so that humans could be saved from sin: â€Å"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us† (Rom. 5:8). The whole doctrine of this religion is based on a god sacrificing something dear to him for someone else as proof of his love for them, not because he expects anything in return. In this way, the concept of the sacrifice is very important in Pauline Christianity. It is not surprising that the sacrifice repeatedly appears in the texts of the New Testament. In Mark, Jesus urges the people to renounce their worldly possessions and family ties (Mark 10:25-30). In Matthew, Jesus commands a disciple to not bury his dead father but to â€Å" Foll ow me, and let the dead bury their own dead,† indicating the lower priority family should have (Matt. 8:22). Additionally, Pauline Christianity says that salvation comes from accepting Christ into the body and dying as he did: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

Religion Universality

Introduction: Universality or Universalism is a life philosophy not a religion. Universality is grounded on science and tries to fill in the missing spiritual blanks. Universality is about connecting with something bigger outside yourself purely on your own terms as opposed to being told what to believe as in a religion. It’s also about leading a good life and doing good to others because you know it’s the right thing to do not because someone is telling you to. There are many people that find a purely scientific view to be too empty. All religions on the other hand, have great spiritual insight but with many unfounded beliefs thrown in. These beliefs are either the product of the primitive thinking of ancient peoples or attempts to simplify or window-dress the message to attract common people. The goal of Universality is not to replace science and religion but to complement them. Universality is completely dependent on good science. Universality is for those who are let down with their religion or spiritually stymied with their religion. It is also for those of a scientific bent that feel something fundamentally missing from their lives. Universalism, in its primary sense, refers to religious, theological, and philosophical concepts with universal application or applicability. Religion in this context is defined as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. The path that leads to peace will be, no doubt, long and arduous, but we cannot even begin the journey until we pass through the gate. Above the gate is the required universal affirmation: â€Å"†On the path that leads to peace we are all members of one human family, brothers and sisters one of another†Ã¢â‚¬ .. The need for a universal religion: Religion, is a matter of inner conviction and an outer way of life is a mere consequence of it. People, as long as they are humans ,have a right to differ from one another in their convictions and are bound to have different ways of life. Religion is a means to end the soul searching desire to seek freedom from mundane activities. There are numerous religions in the world that have differences because they are all the outcome of different traditions and backgrounds. Yet , religion has become, somehow the reason for a variety of conflicts, mass killings, huge protests and sometimes even fruitless wars resulting in bloodshed. The importance of the ‘Universal Religion’ system lies in the fact that it is a moral principle that needs no imposing or instruction. People need not sacrifice or renounce their religion†¦ rather follow a basic set of rules in their day-to-day life which will help them run their lives smoothly. This concept needs no preaching.. for, it is based on the HUMAN BEING.. and the inner sense-conscience. The sixth sense-rational mind helps us distinguish the right from wrong. Yet we find many, killing their own conscience for brutal reasons. It is when such activities take place .. the need for a new way of life, a new well-constructed path, arises. DISADVANTAGES OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM: As we all know, the present system of religion has created many a division among people ,though science and technology are rapidly growing. Some of the major disadvantages of the existing system are listed below. ?Religions don’t match upto feelings. ?Beliefs don’t match reality. ?Sometimes, strict adherence to principles can stand in the way of common sense. ?Religions separate. Just as religions are able to bring people together, it can create a huge gap between them too- of different religions. For they all ‘believe', but they still see only the differences, and not the similarities. Sometimes, depending on the formal teachings and practices of some religions, there is a tendency to restrict free and open inquiry on a variety of subjects that include philosophy, politics, culture, medicine and the sciences in general. In place of open inquiry some religions teach that there is material (like the Bible and other writings considered sacred) that covers all that is important, for example, regarding the formation of the universe or the beginnings of humankind. Inquiry into these questions that follows a line contrary to the religion's teaching is considered not only futile but inherently bad. This disadvantage in no way applies to all religions everywhere. The rules for the new system: In order that the above mentioned disadvantages are solved,a new set of rules have been compiled. The speciality lies in the fact that ,this is not a religion yet a life philosophy. Every new religion was started to address the above issues. Yet, the basic aim is to remove the divide termed ‘religion’. The various simple rules to be followed are: ?Treat others as you would like to be treated. ?Help yourself enough so that you may best help others. ?Right thought Right speech ?Right action ?You are the planet’s keeper. ?Tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth ?Keep your agreements. ?Respect one and all. ?Never go against your own conscience. ?Never kill. Conclusion: The above system will ,in all ways prove to be an advantage. We hope that the above mentioned rules will help mankind to lead a life rich in kindness and moral values. Hoping that the above mentioned ru les address the present chaotic religious scenario , we conclude that we are not here to preach,but to patron practice. ***********************

Analysis of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Essay - 3051 Words

Introduction Reason for choosing the theme Literature plays an important part in our life. Readers through literature can gain pleasure, or develops taste and perception. Each nation has its own literature because literature reflects its own national history, cultural tradition, customs, languages and ways of living. So do English and American. Being a student of English, it is useful for me to study English and American literature. Through the literature words I can know more about history, tradition, customs and people of these countries. Especially, my knowledge of language will be also improved. American literature is very young, though, it is independent from British literature and in fact, it has established its own†¦show more content†¦I hope my small study on analyzing the character in the literature work will be helpful for me in enjoying and perceiving literature. In my writing, I only have the wish to talk about the character Tom Sawyer and his characteristic through The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Chapter I. Literary theory I.1. What is literature? There are different definitions of literature depending on how we enjoy it. But the most popular is literature is humanity of M.Gorki. Why is this definition widely-known like that? Literature, in the other words, is a great mirror that reflects life. There are all matters of life. So literature is regarded to be a twin of the real world, built up from materials from real life and it, in turn, makes attribution to the decoration of life. Literature makes man more humane. Time can destroy everything but literature. A long with time, literature work becomes more and more valuable and closer to life. It not only helps us value our life but also gives us a bunker, more sympathetic insight into the people and lives in the past as well as the future. Life is fresh, so is literature. In short, life is the source of literature and literature is the most beautiful of littering jewel to life. Literature is noble, as much as all of those who create it such as writers, poets...They are, to som e extent, skillful, talented workers, who try their best to make our best literary worksShow MoreRelatedCritical Analysis Of The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer904 Words   |  4 PagesThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer Critical Analysis â€Å"Sometimes problems don’t require a solution to solve them, instead they require maturity to outgrow them.† (1). Eventually in life we will have to grow up and face our problems maturely, and it’s a large price to pay. In The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tom faces a challenge of maturity. The question is, did Tom mature socially or morally more? My thesis is Tom matured morally over socially in the book, due to how much he doesn’t learn to obey thoseRead MoreAnalysis Of Mark Twain s Adventures Of Tom Sawyer1273 Words   |  6 PagesMark Twain’s Adventures of Tom Sawyer addresses the fear of the citizens of the newly reborn nation after the war between the states and what changes await for them, in correlation to the children as the fearful citizens and their exposure to society or the adult world as the reborn nation. Children fear of what lies ahead in the adult world as the citizens of the reborn nation fear what exists in a united nation. Twa in’s sepulchral imagery conjures up the spine-chilling mood of a child when facedRead MoreAnalysis Of Mark Twain s The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer As Well1350 Words   |  6 Pagessense of humor to criticize the 19th society in America’s and propagate his ideal world through The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. 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TheRead MoreTom Sawyer Analysis Essay828 Words   |  4 PagesHonors 5 January 2012 Character Analysis of Tom Sawyer (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer) Tom Sawyer is a complex character that represents the journey from childhood to adulthood that we all have experienced. The character development that Tom goes through during The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is long and sometimes inconsistent due to the episodic nature of the novel, but his character traits remain along with the overall message. Throughout the story, Tom Sawyers main characteristics/traitsRead MoreLiterary Analysis Term Paper for Tom Sawyer : a Classic Novel771 Words   |  4 PagesLiterary Analysis Term Paper for Tom Sawyer: A Classic Novel Mark Twain’s book is a novel that follows the juvenile life of a small boy. You will see how much fun the main character, Tom, and his friends have by skipping school, fishing, swimming, and using with their imaginations to have a good time. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a classic novel for many reasons. The plot gives us an idea about how people lived in the era the book takes place in. Readers enjoy the book because they can relateRead MoreThe Adventures Of Tom Sawyer . __________________. A Book1061 Words   |  5 PagesTHE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER __________________ A Book Review Presented to Mr. Parsons and Mrs. Amy Lack Woodville High School __________________ U.S. History I and English 10 __________________ by Arian Campbell April 19, 2017 The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain is a 271-page novel. Tom is a boy, and merely and exactly an ordinary boy on the moral side. What makes him delightful to the reader is that on the imaginative side he is very much more, andRead MoreMark Twain s Adventures Of Tom Sawyer1586 Words   |  7 Pagessetting, characters, and plot of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer are closely related to Mark Twain’s own life experiences. The fictional town of St. Petersburg very closely resembles Twain’s childhood home in a small town in Missouri, because of the Mississippi River (Stanley 1). He remembers both the ups and downs of his childhood and conveys these in the novel (Higgins). Many of his memories of living by the Mississippi river are displayed in this novel as Tom has several encounters with rivers (â€Å"MarkRead MoreAnalysis Of The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn 1679 Words   |  7 Pages1. Analysis of an Important Character Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a story about growing up, facing the world, and fighting for what’s right. Huckleberry Finn matures greatly throughout the book, and Tom Sawyer plays an important role in showing this change. His character allows the reader to see Huck’s increase in maturity throughout the story. Tom is the constant, his immaturity not changing from the beginning to the end of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, while Huck is the changing variableRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn 1332 Words   |  6 PagesMicaela Soriano AP Lit Period 2 Mr. Etheridge Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Cheat Sheet Title: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Author: Mark Twain Publication: December 10, 1884 Setting and Time period: The setting throughout the story mainly takes place along areas by the Mississippi River, and as stated in the book, â€Å"Forty to Fifty Years ago†. Characters: Huckleberry Finn - The protagonist and narrator of the novel. Huck is the thirteen-year-old son of the local drunk of St. Petersburg, Missouri