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The Rise Of The Nones: Religion, Leaners, And Their Connection With Partisanship In America., Kevin C. Orr May 2021

The Rise Of The Nones: Religion, Leaners, And Their Connection With Partisanship In America., Kevin C. Orr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is based on the rise of the so-called “nones” in America - those who do not identify as religious - which has been a rapidly increasingly subgroup in the country. Along with the increase of the nones, religious belief and religious behavior have also been decreasing, showing a larger trend across the nation of a society detaching from religion. Nonetheless, religion in politics is still very visible. Additionally, another subgroup of America, the “leaners” - those who identify as Independents who lean towards Democrat or Republican - are a similar type of group to the nones in their …


Invocation., Shae Taylor Goodlett May 2020

Invocation., Shae Taylor Goodlett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research of this thesis is concerned with the investigation of various approaches to religious theory; specifically, the observable analysis of performed ritualistic procedures and their theoretical anticipated effects. Through the examination of the illusory characteristics of the interaction of color and light I am able to draw analogous correlations between art making and ritualistic action. By enacting optical illusion as metaphor for ritual presence, I compare rational and empirical methods of observation. This analysis examines the discrepancy of physical fact and physic effect in that illusion employs physically observable means to render an intangible (non-material) physic effect. Such observances …


Religious Coping Measurement In The Context Of Long-Term Care., Nathaniel David Andrew Aug 2019

Religious Coping Measurement In The Context Of Long-Term Care., Nathaniel David Andrew

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the reliability and validity of religious coping measures in long-term care settings. The paper begins with a discussion of general coping and religious coping theory, coping measurement, and a review of religious coping in elderly long-term care residents. Next, a modified model of coping and resilience in older adults is introduced. The latter part of the paper describes a study that examines the reliability and validity of two specific religious coping measures in nursing home, assisted living, and personal care residents. The study utilizes a cross-sectional design by interviewing a convenience sample of nursing home, assisted living, …


The Emperor's New Clothes: How The New Atheists Are Reminding The Humanities Of Their Place And Purpose In Society., David Ira Buckner Dec 2018

The Emperor's New Clothes: How The New Atheists Are Reminding The Humanities Of Their Place And Purpose In Society., David Ira Buckner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation will examine the social and intellectual impact of the so-called “New Atheism” as evidenced by the writings and public careers of its four principal protagonists: evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, philosopher Daniel Dennett, journalist Christopher Hitchens, and neuroscientist Sam Harris. I will argue that the New Atheists together provide an account of reality philosophically superior to that of theism, including those superficially sophisticated variations espoused in the writings of scholars William Lane Craig, John Lennox, Allister McGrath, Alvin Plantinga, etc. Yet, even if this were not so, I would still contend that the accessible, informative, and provocative style of …


Trinity Part One : Food Of The Gods., Thomas Edward Olges Dec 2017

Trinity Part One : Food Of The Gods., Thomas Edward Olges

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A novel of supernatural horror, Trinity begins in the wake of a catastrophe. A young woman, divinely pregnant, has lost both her life and her son in the process of delivery. Three people dear to her—her fiancé, her brother, and a close friend—have found themselves irreparably altered by the experience. Their bodies changed and reality warping around them, the three set off across the country in an attempt to prevent other incursions of the miraculous into our reality. This thesis includes the novel’s introductory scene and its first principle section, “Food of the Gods.”


The Supreme Court, The Establishment Clause, And The First Amendment., William Lorigan 1976- Dec 2013

The Supreme Court, The Establishment Clause, And The First Amendment., William Lorigan 1976-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the faiths of select Founding Fathers, the religious context of their time, and six Supreme Court decisions concerning religion, to highlight the inconsistencies found within the Supreme Court's jurisprudence covering cases concerning religion. Through an examination of the religious practices of the Founding Fathers, it became evident that their views on religion, and how religion should be observed, were as diverse as they were. An examination of the Supreme Court's jurisprudence concerning religion reflects a very confusing and inconsistent application of the First Amendment, including the Court's inability to formulate a test that can be consistently applied …


The Feeling Of Faith : A Thomistic Account Of Religious Emotions., John K. Dryden 1976- May 2013

The Feeling Of Faith : A Thomistic Account Of Religious Emotions., John K. Dryden 1976-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a philosophical analysis of religious emotions. It draws upon Thomas Aquinas’s theory of the passions to build and apply a framework for thinking about religious emotions and their role in the spiritual life. The first two chapters are dedicated to building the theoretical framework. Chapter one outlines Aquinas’s theory of emotions in a very general way and compares this account to recent versions of cognitivism. By placing Aquinas in conversation with contemporary accounts, I show that his theory is able to capture the central insights of this mainstream philosophical view. According to the Thomistic account that emerges …


George Meredith's Ideas Of Religion., Mary Ellis Duncan May 1921

George Meredith's Ideas Of Religion., Mary Ellis Duncan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Every man is to a greater or less degree a product of the influences surrounding his life. The more commonplace minds of the race, no doubt, are chiefly affected; and occasionally we find a man or woman of so keen an intellect, so striking an individuality, that it is difficult to trace the influence of his age upon him. Rather he becomes a power in forming the opinions of the next generation, stands in advance of his own period. Of this individualistic type if George Meredith, one of the greatest of the nineteenth century writers, if not foremost among them.


History Of The Churches Of Louisville With Special Reference To Slavery., Homer E. Wickenden May 1921

History Of The Churches Of Louisville With Special Reference To Slavery., Homer E. Wickenden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the one hundred and forty years of Louisville's existence, it has grown from a log cabin settlement with no churches to a city with 269 churches and church property valued at over $30,000,000. It is impossible to measure the moral and religious force that they have exerted on the city. It can best be appreciated when one thinks of what the city would be without them. Few of us would care to live in such a city. In the field of education, Louisville churches have contributed much. Some of the first schools in the city were conducted by ministers, …


The Religious Element In The Popular Ballads., Elizabeth Phillips Mcconathy Jun 1913

The Religious Element In The Popular Ballads., Elizabeth Phillips Mcconathy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study of the religious element in the popular ballads is based largely on Mr. George L. Kittredge's edition of Mr. Francis J. Child's collection of English and Scottish popular ballads, the completeness of which, up to this time, has not been disputed.* Mr. Kittredge has printed in his volume one or more versions of every ballad which Mr. Child has given as an authentic folk ballad (omitting Nos. 33, 279, 281, 290 and 291), besides including a few of somewhat doubtful origin. It has not been judged necessary for the purposes of this article to discuss more than …