Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Minarets Of Kazan, Francisco Plata

Verbum

No abstract provided.

Preliminary Pages, No Author

Verbum

No abstract provided.

The Davidic And Sinaitic Covenants, Katie Kreutter

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"Although the books contained in the Old Testament are extensive and diverse, it remains difficult to argue that the covenants created between God and Moses and God and David are central pieces upon which the subsequent writings in their entirety are based. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church defines the term covenant as ―[a] bond entered into voluntarily by two parties by which each pledges himself to do something for the other."¹ This basic definition did not derive theological connotations until it was utilized by Old Testament …

Mid-Autumn Reverences, Michael Czarnecki

Verbum

No abstract provided.

“Coexistence”, Sule Yilmaz

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"I had a dream a couple of weeks ago, where I was at the mosque that I usually attend; it seemed enormous and filled with spiritual light, which we refer to as ―Noor‖. I could feel the profundity in the atmosphere as I wondered around. Then I found myself baffled by the fact there were Christian congregations as well as Jewish, along with Muslims, each group gathered around their religious leaders and praying and singing. However, to my astonishment they all were singing the same religious song. As I …

Rosary Beads, Dee (Geraldine) Hogan

Verbum

No abstract provided.

Leap Of Love, Zac Barry

Verbum

No abstract provided.

"Love Without Limits", Sarah Guarnere

Verbum

No abstract provided.

The Immoral Sati Ritual, Andy Skyprek

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"On September 4^th of 1987, Roop Kanwar died in the flames of her husband‘s funeralpyre. She, like other Hindu women before her, made this self sacrifice in the customary act of sati to prove her devotion to her husband, and to honor his life. Sati is a controversial topic. It is prohibited by the Indian government for its inhumanity, but there are people who find it critical to the Hindu faith."

An Investigation Of Feral Children And Original Sin, Christina Regelsberger

Verbum

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"The subject of feral children has often been explored from a variety of viewpoints and angles. Frequently, such topics as education, language acquisition, emotional stability, mental stability and behavioral patterns are reviewed. However, the motive of actions or the inherent tendency of feral children to behave one way or another is often overlooked. The question remains whether feral children (prior to their integration into society), are in possession of original sin. Many maintain that all humans are born with an inherent desire to do evil. However, is it the …

The Alchemist In My Life, Rebecca Finch

Verbum

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"A wise former professor of mine recently recommended I read Paulo Coelho‘s The Alchemist. When I came across the above section of the story, I was floored. Coelho‘s description was exactly what I felt the day I met my future husband. It‘s a strange feeling that I couldn‘t quite put my finger on at the time, but in retrospect, Coelho‘s words are a perfect description of the odd (but wonderful) feeling I had that day in 2000.

"If Only They Could Know", Thomas J. Jewel

Verbum

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"Teenager. Like most of the developmental stages of our young – the stage of ―teenager‖ can be described but never really understood until one travels that stretch of road for oneself with their teen. During a recent trip down a particularly tumultuous part of that path I recall wishing, yet again, ―If only they could understand and know the depth of the love we have for them – one they can so apparently not see at this point in their lives." A reflection that leads only to deeper thoughts …

Mixed Martial Arts As A Way To God?, Emily Dane

Verbum

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"Jay Coakely, a prominent sport sociologist, has explored the links between religion and sport. Many avid sports fans insist that sport participation or viewing is their religion, and Coakley explores how this concept may not be far from the truth. Both have places for communal gatherings – religions have churches, temples, and mosques, sports have stadiums, ball fields, and arenas. Both have rituals before, during, and after events – religions have baptisms, opening hymns, and processions, sports have national anthems, initiations, and tailgating. The use of organizing structures, the …

Good And Evil: What's The Problem?, Jeremy P. Backal

Verbum

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"In the world as we know it, God gave people free will. So He could create a free universe where man has to live for himself. In this and in this only, can God create a world where people are like God, because He has free will, He can do whatever He pleases and in His effort to create man in His likeness, He was forced to give free will to man. In doing so, God gave man the choice to be evil. ―The problem of evil‖ suggests that …

Num3ers, Vincent J. Amuso

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"Both Dianne and I are engineers. I guess you could say we like numbers. So here we go. 46: The number of years we have been alive. 1964: Both born in Utica, New York. 2: The number of parents we are each blessed to still have with us. My parents are of Italian descent. Dianne’s are of Polish heritage. Both sets of parents are very proud of their ancestry. 5: The number of siblings I have plus 3, the number of siblings I have in heaven. 1: The number …

Evolution And Faith: Clarified Terminology And Reasonable Debate, Donald J. Lococo

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"In recent years the news media have characterized the theory of evolution as contentious and that science and religion are incompatible. The so-called debate is fomented self-labeled scientist/believers who claim that the theory of evolution is scientifically ambiguous at best, contending that intelligent design is a viable alternative ―scientific‖ theory. What follows below is an attempt to illustrate how the contentiousness of the issue follows from a misuse of language the ignorance of which falsely enables the so-called debate to continue. At issue is the ambiguous meaning of the …

Pekaresque Adventures: Aesthetics And Identity In "American Splendor", Tim Madigan

Verbum

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"When considering the ontological status of the comic book, it was once natural to think of superheroes battling all-powerful villains, Archie and Jughead battling wits with Principal Weatherbee, or Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig battling Elmer J. Fudd in the forest. In short, the assumption was that comic books were kids‘ stuff, and not to be taken seriously by world-weary adults. Much has changed in the last 20 or so years, with the rise of the so-called graphic novel, but many of these – including such seminal works as …

A Reminder From The Past, Elise Roy

Verbum

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"Nearly forty-six years ago to the day, Martin Luther King Jr. accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in trying to eradicate African American discrimination by using non-violence. Dr. King accepted this prize whilst racial injustice was still prominent in the United States. He did this with the hope that someday people would find a way to live along side each other in peace. “If this [peace] is to be achieved, man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation …

Full Issue, No Author

Verbum

This is the full issue of Volume 8, Issue 1 of Verbum, published in Fall 2010 by the REST Club at St. John Fisher College. Articles from this issue are available as separate PDFs at http://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/verbum/vol8/iss1/

Religion, Matt Ryan

Verbum

No abstract provided.

King Ahab And Queen Jezbel: Evil Or Scapegoats?, Frederick J. Flo

Verbum

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"King Ahab and Queen Jezebel are two of the most notorious characters within the Hebrew Scriptures. In fact, the book of Kings records more stories about King Ahab than any other monarch of Israel. Throughout the entire text, Ahab and Jezebel are vilified. However, there is room for debate about the interpretation of the text. This paper will identify the characters of Ahab and Jezebel in a historical perspective as well as in a narrative one. Was Ahab truly evil as depicted or was he influenced by his vindictive …

6:03:43 Am E.S.T., Thomas J. Jewel

Verbum

No abstract provided.

Virtue, The Way Of God, Sule Yilmaz

Verbum

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"God has created mankind in so many various forms. He has placed us all under one universe, this must be a sign. If He willed He could have created one form of man, this must be a sign indeed for those who are seeking. He has embraced all regardless of race, religion, physical or psychological attributes, and He has set us an example to do the same. Those that do are certainly the virtuous of all. He has created us equal, yes, He has granted some more than others …

Greener Pastures, Samuel Brock

Verbum

No abstract provided.

Who Is Jesus? Reflections On S. Endo's "A Life Of Jesus", Aisha Arshad

Verbum

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"Shusaku Endo was a Japanese author born in Tokyo in 1923. He was raised by his single mother who became a fervent believer in Christianity. With her influence, Endo himself was baptized by the age of twelve. Having grown up in Japan, Endo was obviously very knowledgeable about Japanese religion and customs and most especially Japanese ideals. He claimed that “the Japanese have a traditional saying to the effect that the four most dreadful things on the earth are fire, earthquakes, thunderbolts, and fathers” (4). Obviously, as this quote …

"The Life And Miracles Of Fisher Alumnus Peter Santandreu", Peter Santandreu

Verbum

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"What can one say about life with a degree in Religious Studies from St. John Fisher College?

Well, it's almost been a year since graduation and I can say that things are definitely different but ever the same. I am now at the Faculty of Theology at the University of St. Michael‟s College (USMC) in Toronto, Ontario. When people ask me what I am doing with my life now, I do sometimes answer using the acronym. Of course, to an American, it is first heard as the branch of …

Baby Brendan, Nicole Hough Velazquez

Verbum

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"On December 2, 2009, Baby Brendan entered my life. He was perfect; 10 fingers, 10 toes and a smile to melt the cold winter days. Everybody he came into contact with instantly fell in love with him. He is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen; maybe I‟m biased because he is my son."

"But, Father Wheeland, The Bible Lies!", Stephanie Woodward

Verbum

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“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For thou art with me…” We sit and recite these words that we know by heart, which seem to mean absolutely nothing to us right now. I look to my sister on my left; she looks back at me for reassurance. I give her a strong, stern look: We can do this. As the psalm, which does no justice in representing the reason we are here, is ending, my sister and I …

The Uniqueness Of "The Thunder: The Perfect Mind", Katie Kreutter

Verbum

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"Although it is included in The Nag Hammadi Library, a complete collection of Gnostic Scriptures, The Thunder: The Perfect Mind is unique in its style and composition and some scholars even debate its classification as Gnostic. Regardless of its philosophical influences, this distinctive work contains both timeless principles and culturally defined statements that legitimize its analysis and consideration as a worthwhile piece of literature."

Justice Sotomayor Hits The High Court-What About Empathy?, Rick Dejesus-Rueff

Verbum

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph.

"The US Supreme Court return to work this week, Justice Sonia Sotomayor begins her first term, and the highly charged debate over "empathy" is, for the moment, dormant."