Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Religion

The Age of Realism and Precision

The main characteristics of the Restoration period—Realism and Precision—were carried to further perfection. They are found in their excellent form in the poetry of Pope, and in the prose of Addison, who developed it into a clear, precise, and elegant form of expression. The Whigs and the Tories—members of two important political parties which were constantly contending to control the government of the country—used and rewarded writers for satirizing their enemies and undermining their reputations. A satire is concerned mainly with finding fault with opponents and is destructive in its intention.

Development of the Novel

Several conditions and factors contributed to the development of the novel:

• Growing

Q. Why, according to the writer, does the advice she gave to Saheb seem hollow?

Ans The author's suggestion for Saheb to go to school didn't make sense because there wasn't a school nearby where he lived. Building a new school in his poor neighborhood wasn't realistic because of the lack of resources and attention from authorities.

Q. What explanation does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?

Ans The author elucidates that the children go barefoot because they're accustomed to the rough streets and their families can't afford shoes. This lack of footwear becomes a symbol of their poverty and the harsh realities they face daily.

Q. Was Saheb happy with his job at the tea stall?

Ans Saheb isn't really happy working at the tea stall... Continue reading "Lost Spring: Stories of Stolen Childhood - A Study Guide" »

The Rise of Cities and the Economy

Major epidemics disappeared, leading to population growth and increased demand for land cultivation. This agricultural surplus, coupled with improvements in shipping, fueled trade, manufacturing, and the growth of cities and ports. Economic power shifted towards activities like trade, manufacturing, and banking, leading to the emergence of the first capitalist companies.

Strengthening of Monarchy

During the 15th century, monarchs began to reclaim power from the feudal nobility, who had amassed significant influence during the Middle Ages.

Humanism: A Cultural Revolution

Humanism emerged as a cultural revolution, placing human beings at the center of creation. It emphasized:

• Humans as free beings capable of rational

Judith Jarvis Thomson's Defense of Abortion

Judith Jarvis Thomson, in her seminal essay "A Defense of Abortion," begins by granting, for the sake of argument, the premise that a human embryo is a person.

She then challenges the notion that one can effectively argue from this premise to the conclusion that all abortion is morally impermissible.

Thomson asserts that the Basic Argument (a term used by the author of this summary, not Thomson herself) fails to justify the idea that all abortion is morally impermissible.

Thomson's Philosophical Project

The Basic Argument Against Abortion

• The fetus is a person, and every person has a right to life.
• Therefore, the fetus has a right to life.
• The mother has a right to decide what happens in and to her body.
• But

Unit 8 Test: Samuel and Kings Review

Test covers material from:

• 1 Samuel 1-2 (Samuel), 7-10, 12-14 (Saul), 17 (David/Goliath)
• 2 Samuel 11 (David/Bathsheba)
• Textbook pages 103-105
• 1 Kings 3 (Solomon)

Samuel

• Samuel's mother is Hannah (she is barren).
• Samuel's father is Elkanah.
• Hannah promises her son will be a Nazirite (vow taken by Samson).
• They travel to the temple at Shiloh for prayer.
• The high priest at Shiloh is Eli.
• Eli has 2 sons (Phineas and Hophni – they are evil sons):
  • 1) Steal temple sacrifices
  • 2) Sleep with the prostitutes outside the meeting tent
• Elkanah's second wife is Peninnah; she jeers at Hannah for having no children.
• Hannah's prayer of praise reminds us of Mary's hymn of praise in the NT.
• Once Samuel is weaned, he is brought to Eli to live

First, the definition of a human person as the church sees it is that they see men and women as the living image of God himself, the image of his plan, they have received a part of God's dignity. The church invites all people to recognize in everyone a brother or sister 'for whom Christ died'. 'Human society is therefore the object of the social teaching of church since this is neither outside or nor over and above socially united men, but exists exclusively in them and for them.' The human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something but someone. He is capable of self-knowledge, self-possession and of freely giving himself and entering into communication with other persons. He is called by grace to offer his creator... Continue reading "The Church's View on Human Dignity and Freedom" »

The Crusades

The Crusades were a series of religious conflicts between Muslims and Christians between the 11th and 13th centuries for control of the Holy Land, especially the city of Jerusalem, which was sacred to both religions. The official cause of the Crusades was the conquest of the Holy Land by the Turks, who practiced a stricter interpretation of Islam, which forbade the pilgrimage of Christians to the Holy Land. However, the real cause lay in the economic and demographic expansion that Christendom experienced after the 10th century. To avoid conflicts between Christians and accommodate the growing population, religious leaders decided to direct that expansion against the Muslims.

The First Crusade and the Rise of the Crusader States

The... Continue reading "The Crusades: A History of Religious Conflict and Cultural Exchange" »

Andrew the Apostle: Life and Biblical Significance

The name "Andrew" (Greek: manly, brave, from ἀνδρεία, Andreia, "manhood, valour"), like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews, Christians, and other Hellenized people of Judea. No Hebrew or Aramaic name is recorded for him.

Early Life and Background

Andrew the Apostle was born between AD 5 and AD 10^[5] in Bethsaida, in Galilee.^[6] The New Testament states that Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter,^[7] and likewise a son of John, or Jonah. He was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. "The first striking characteristic of Andrew is his name: it is not Hebrew, as might have been expected, but Greek, indicative of a certain cultural openness in his... Continue reading "Andrew the Apostle: Life, Significance, and Biblical Accounts" »

Robert Bolt's Man for All Seasons (1960)

This is a fragment of the play “A Man for All Seasons”, written by Robert Bolt in 1960. It deals with events from the 16th century, specifically concerning **Thomas More**.

Bolt was a socialist and agnostic playwright who considered More a hero because he was a man of conscience, who defended his principles under every circumstance; that is what the title of the book means.

Historical Context: Henry VIII and the Schism

When the scene happens, **Henry VIII**, of the House of Tudor, is the King of England. He ruled England from 1509 to 1547. He made a very controversial move by marrying Princess Catherine of Aragon, the widow of his brother Arthur, despite the disapproval of the Church, since the Bible... Continue reading "Robert Bolt's Man for All Seasons: Thomas More's Stand" »