Religion Commons^™

A New Taxonomy Of Altruism In Terms Of Prosocial Behaviors, Kristin Kaiser

Dialogue & Nexus

The definition of altruism has been studied, explained, and even confused by many scholars in various fields. The term itself has been inappropriately used to describe prosocial behaviors that do not fall within the definition of altruism. An evaluation of Grant Ramsey’s taxonomy of altruism, which includes biological altruism, psychological altruism, and helping altruism, proves that it is not adequate in categorizing organism’s behaviors. A new taxonomy, with the branches of kin selection, reciprocity, and aesthetic altruism, is presented and explained to clarify the definition of altruism and alleviate confusion about how to describe prosocial behaviors. Both naming systems are …

The Evolutionary Theodicy Problem, Houston Schoonmaker

Dialogue & Nexus

Evolutionary theodicies attempt to explain how innocent suffering, death, and extinction seen throughout the evolutionary process of evolution can coincide with believing in a loving God. Since Darwin, scholars have questioned the importance of studying natural selection at such an intricate level. With the knowledge of natural selection, the fact that great suffering is witnessed across nature permits doubts in discussions regarding a benevolent God that created the universe. In this paper, I begin with background information about evolution, theodicy, and how they are related. I look at two major perspectives: the belief that evolution ameliorates the theodicy problem or …

Neuroscience, Materialism, And The Soul: Limit Questions, Jeremy M. Aymard

Dialogue & Nexus

In light of recent discoveries in neuroscience linking the mind to physical processes, Christian philosophers have resorted to a more materialistic view of the human person, using neuroscience as support for their view that an immaterial soul does not exist. In this essay, I will point out a major flaw in the logic for defending a materialistic view, argue that either a bipartite or tripartite view of the human person is more aligned with Scripture, and hopefully point towards a more reliable means for attaining truth regarding human nature and the soul.

Intelligent Design: Should We Teach It?, Sarah-Kate Oliver

Dialogue & Nexus

Belief about the origins of the universe and mankind is an important aspect of most world religions. While many ‘progressive’ Christians view the Genesis accounts of creation as mythical or allegorical, some ‘fundamentalist’ Christians claim it is a literal and historical account of the origins of life. The scientific community, on the other hand, views Darwin’s Theory of Evolution as the definitive explanation of the origin of all species on Earth including humans. As science has continued to line up behind evolution, it has been integrated into the public school curriculum. The question examined by this paper is: should the …

The Pervasive Power Of Leaven, Josh Bootsma

Student Work

"Even from the most humble, weak, and small beginnings, God can accomplish his purposes. In fact, he promises that he will."

Posting about ­­­­­­­­God's power through our weakness from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation.

http://inallthings.org/the-pervasive-power-of-leaven/

The Continuing Relevance Of “Queer” Theology For The Rest Of The Field, Colby Dickinson, Meghan Toomey

Theology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

What does it mean to queer theology? How is this task of queering theology relevant to and engaged with mainstream academic theological discourse? What is already queer about theology? What direction should queering theology take in the future? This special issue examines these key questions, among others, which are at the heart of the overall project that has been referred to as “queer theology”. In this introduction to the volume, we outline common strands of thought, and key issues and questions that undergird and interlace the essays in this volume. We also provide a brief history of queer theology, highlighting …

Research As Inquiry, Social Justice, And The Particularist Challenges Of Religious Traditions In An Age Of Terror And Hate, Desirae Zingarelli-Sweet

LMU Librarian Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Epistemology Of Esoteric Culture: Spiritual Claim-Making Within The American Neopagan Community, Marty Laubach

Marty Laubach

Non-institutionalised religious communities within western esotericism, such as New Age or Neopagan subcultures, are dynamic marketplaces for knowledge construction that may appear to be chaotic and governed only by the rule of caveat emptor. However, a close examination reveals authorization processes developing along similar lines as those followed by scientific empiricism during the seventeenth century. Claims of esoteric knowledge are developed from psychism experiences, and are authenticated by examining the claimant’s social standing, the narrative structure of the claim and the interests of the claimant and the judge. Such claims are authorized by incorporation into collective action, publications, workshops and …

Research As Inquiry, Social Justice, And The Particularist Challenges Of Religious Traditions In An Age Of Terror And Hate (Pdf)

Desirae Zingarelli-Sweet

No abstract provided.

Research As Inquiry, Social Justice, And The Particularist Challenges Of Religious Traditions In An Age Of Terror And Hate

Desirae Zingarelli-Sweet

Oral History: Thaddeus Stachura

Zycie w Ameryce: A Collection of Polish-American Oral Histories

This conversation is an oral history interview with a former pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa parish, the center of Worcester’s Polish American community. This interview discusses much of the history of the community from its beginnings and delves into the life of a parish priest, while also touching on topics such as immigration, Church corruption, community life and difficulties, and local festivals.

Interview keywords: immigrants, Saint Casimir’s, difficulties, seminary, Bojanowski, Moneta, vocation, dompolski, immoral, Polish priest, Solidarity, redlining, violence, festival, PNI, citizenship.

Current Trends In Cancer Support Within The Religious Community, Ched E. Spellman, Luke M. Tse, Andrew W. Wonders, Karen Wonders, Brittany Stout

Biblical and Theological Studies Faculty Publications

Living with cancer is associated with significant psychological strain. The prevalence and severity of this distress varies according to the time, type, and stage of cancer, as well as other variables including treatment regimen, side effects, and prognosis. More often than not, these struggles are neglected as part of the traditional cancer care plan. Yet, if left unaddressed, emotional strain can add to the suffering caused by cancer by negatively affecting treatment compliance. Faith communities, such as churches, provide an ideal atmosphere to serve and support individuals battling cancer. However, research indicates that spiritual care is often a neglected component …

Practicing Prayerful Communication, Gwen R. Marra

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"When I come to God in prayer, more often than not, I am changed."

Posting about bringing our worries to God­­­­­­­­ from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation.

http://inallthings.org/practicing-prayerful-communication/

Tolkien’S Sub-Creation And Secondary Worlds: Implications For A Robust Moral Psychology, Nathan S. Lefler

Journal of Tolkien Research

In his work, “On Fairy Stories,” J. R. R. Tolkien offers a detailed account of what he calls Sub-creation, along with the corresponding notions of Primary and Secondary Worlds. In this paper, I suggest that Tolkien’s concept of Sub-creation can be creatively appropriated in the realm of moral psychology and there applied to the fundamental relationship between self and other – or in Judeo-Christian terms, “I” and my neighbor. Through appeal to Tolkien’s thought and to the wider Christian theological tradition, and in constructive tension with the contemporary psychoanalytic attention to “intersubjectivity,” I attempt to elucidate the power and appropriate …

2017-06-19; Pamphlets; The Memorial Service For Frances Hesson, Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church

Pamphlets and Commemoration Material

No abstract provided.

The Problem Of Evil.Pdf, Charles Sabo

Charles Sabo

Propers 6 (Pentecost 2) Series A 2017, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

No abstract provided.

Trinity 1 One Year Series 2017, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

No abstract provided.

The Idol Of Tradition, Eric Forseth

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"Bonhoeffer cautioned in his writings about the cost of obedient discipleship and guarding against reducing our religious practices to human tradition."

Posting about honoring God from In All Things - an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation.

http://inallthings.org/the-idol-of-tradition/

The Salt March Today: Gandhian Lessons For Social Media Activism, Mclane Sellars, Kristόf Oltvai

Denison Journal of Religion

No abstract provided.