Religion and Film

Religion and Film For a long time, studies linking religion and films have focused on describing the fidelity of films to religious texts, or their worth as tools in religious ministries and missions. In reality, films have been used to either portray religion as it was in the past, is currently or is expected to be in the future. Additionally, religious entities have used films to further their belief while some entities use films to criticize religion. Either way, the link is undeniable.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on Religion and Film specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In Ostwalt (1998), the author notes how watching the Seventh seal opened him to the idea of suing films as an extension in teaching religion. This basically affirms the existence of a factual link between religion and films worth using in expounding on religious issues to learners. The author highlights a number of benefits in using films can be used in teaching religion within classroom settings. These include student empowerment, instructiveness and motivation. He further notes that there quite a significant number of films which treat religion in a manner which elicits debate and as such open an avenue for evaluation of religion in depth (Ostwalt, 1998). For instance, he cites the Last Temptation of Christ, Jesus of Montreal, as well as the Scarlet Letter, among others (Ostwalt, 1998). Even then, there is no love lost between films and religion; some implicitly advance the role of religion in social well-being. It’s not only Ostwalt who acknowledges the link between religion and films, Lindvall (2004) provides a more detailed coverage of the relationship between religion and films. In the research, Lindvall, a lecturer at Duke Divinity School highlights how religion has been treated in films and vice-versa. From the satirical portrayals of the biblical stories in films, the use of films to represent contemporary religions, the re presentation of Roman Catholics and the Legion of Decency in films, as well as use of films to criticize some religious practices considered oppressive in the ancient and modern times (Lindvall, 2004). In the article, the author notes how film scholars have come to terms with the importance of religion in engineering the religious landscape that dots films. The author sites the films that take viewers through the past century exhibitions and the role that religion played in the same. Religious extremism, religious sadists, and use of religion as tool for power are among the most commonly highlighted themes in the films. The author further highlights the undeniable and predominant perception of religion in films from a negative and hostile point of view (Lindvall, 2004). It is noted that religion as a subject has received harsh treatment in various films which at times fail to portrayal religion as it rather opting to create a dinosaur out of cat just to meet its entertainment thresh olds.Advertising Looking for book review on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The hard reality though, is the fact that they ultimately elicit lots of discussion with respect to its portrayal of religion. It is the aftermath of such movies, he cites, that has seen some religions like Islam throwing in strong sentiments at any movie that attempts to puts spots to its credibility (Lindvall, 2004). However, Christian and contemporary religions have remained open to thrashing, ridicule and in some cases furtherance within a number of films. In conclusion, it’s important to note that both authors converge to one point, various films are intertwined to religion and impact on the fundamentals of the religion they address. The role of religion in film creation and the role of films in religion are worth studying in addition to providing an avenue for debates and discussion of religion. As Ostwalt (19 98) puts, films elicit hot debates that help students and the general public delve deeper into understanding religion. References Lindvall, T. (2004). Religion and Film. Part I: History and Criticism. Communication Research Trends, 23 (4-7), pp. 2-44. Ostwalt, C. (1998). Religion and Popular Movies. Journal of Religion and Film, 2(3)

The Amhara of Ethiopia essays

The Amhara of Ethiopia essays The Amhara are the most politically and culturally dominant group in the Ethiopia. They are the most populous group, representing a fourth of the population of the ethic group Ethiopia. They are located in the central highland plateau of Ethiopia. The Amhara have wondered this land for more than two thousand years and have been isolated from influences of the rest The Amhara haven't changed their way of life much over the past hundreds years, they continue to practice a form of agriculture that involves ox drown plows, simples irrigations systems and simples tools for harvesting crops. Some crops that they harvest are barley, hops beans, wheat, and a grain called teff. The Ahamara were able to grow such crops on these cool temperature highland plateaus because the fertile was blessed with volcanic soil and ample rainfall to make three full harvests per year. Amharic is the language of this culture. It shows its Semitic origin both in its alphabet and words shared with Hebrew and Arabic. The origins derive from a Sabean language spoken by merchants and traders who migrated in Ethiopia from Yemen region of South Arabia about 3000 thousand years ago. Amharic is the language of culture and education, spoken by millions of other Ethiopians and Eritreans as a second language. The Amhara people are Coptic Monophysite Christians. Ancient Amhara culture had a writing system that preserved the ancient teachings of Christianity in a language that is not spoken by people today but remains the language of the church. The language is Geez. Geez is used only in the context of Amhara Christianity; its function is similar to Latin in the Roman Catholic Church. Amhara Christianity is very different than our Christianity; Ethiopian Christianity is loaded with Old Testament religion and folklore as well as elements of a so called "pagan" religion. The Amhara consists of four separate religious belie...

Understanding Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Understanding Religion - Essay Example Religion largely concerns an individual’s faith; whether he or she is a believer or not. Faith is the key pillar of all religions, and it is evident in all religions of the world. Without faith, in the existence of a supreme being or a higher mode of living, there would be no religions to talk about (Van, 2007). Religions all over the world strive to encourage a state of better coexistence between individuals and their environment. The earliest known religions have similarities with today’s religion because they still preach the same principles of living a pure life without sin. However, there exists a difference in how sin is defined, in the different religions of the world. Different religions have different teachings and ideas that are deemed necessary to be able to attain the set goal of religion, which varies depending on the type of an individual’s religious background (Van, 2007). Religion is seen as the greatest unifier for all mankind, and it forges a ve ry strong bond between believers. Traditions of a given community have contributed to the type of religion that develops around them, and the influence it has on their daily lives (Van, 2007). For instance, Asian countries have different religious practices from those of the Western world as evidenced by predominant Buddhism, in Asia, and Christianity, in Western countries. Their religions were entrenched early at the beginning of their cultures and traditions. This made it easier for their type of religious beliefs to be accepted earlier, in the life of each individual as the normal way of life and existence (Van, 2007). Religious scriptures have played a key role in shaping and spreading different religions around the globe. Scriptures are written documents like the Bible or the Quran that the believers of these religions believe contain sacred messages.

History Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

History - Assignment Example 1. Totalitarian State: Totalitarian state is the government which holds a strict control over the citizens of the state and monitors all aspects of their life giving them very less freedom. In such a form of government people possess less freedom to act by themselves and they put them in a condition of suffering and suffocation. 2. Mein Kampf & Lebensraum :Mein Kampf is the book written By Adolph Hitler in which he describes about the German’s need for Lebensraum .Lebensraum Means habitat or space for living and the raw materials needed for life. 3. Shutzstaffel/the S.S. : S.S or Shutzstaffel was a group of people who was formed to protect the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, and in other terms it was a unit of personal guards to secure him from danger. This Unit was found in 1925 under the leadership of Heinrich Himmler and this guards were infamous for their atrocities as they work for the worst dictator the world have ever seen called Adolf Hitler. 4. Battle of Midway & â€Å"island hopping† : Battle of Midway was a significant naval battle occurred during the World War II in June 1942.This battle took place in Central Pacific Island in Midway in which Japanese wanted to capture Midway region to attack US. While Island Hopping is the strategy used by US to move closer to Japan by hopping islands which was useful to them for war

Polsky's "Presidency at War" Essay

Polsky's "Presidency at War" - Essay Example Through case studies of inhabitants of the White House, Polsky confirms that no result of a war has satisfied a wartime presidents ambitions. Another important point that Polsky puts across is that the constitution is unclear concerning such clauses as Article IV, which does not specify which branch is responsible to repel invasions. In lieu to this, the constitution fails to provide a coherent definition of concepts such as ‘invasion’, and hence one cannot know whether it means armed conflict and a formal state of war (Polsky 559). Polsky evidences President Abraham Lincoln’s Civil War era who famously asserted that events controlled his actions, rather than his actions controlling events. In addition, he exemplifies Barrack Obama, George W. Bush, Richard Nixon, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson and their overestimation of power as commander-in-chief. Polsky points out that presidential leadership during times of war requires guidance from varied policymakers, failure of which they put Americans at risk of the associated disadvantages of war. This calls for a change in strategy and an integration of congressional, judicial, and public opinion in

World History of the 18-19th century Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

World History of the 18-19th century - Essay Example Gandhi’s view on the meaning of civilization was particularly shaped by the socio-economic events of the 19th century. Some of the events included the period of Enlightenment, American Revolution, and Industrial revolution and Western imperialism. Having undergone his education in London, Gandhi understood the western culture and consequently his views tended to compare between the Western civilization and the Indian civilization (Hardiman, 45). Throughout the book, Gandhi argues that the stability and development of a civilization, it should be free from any state of isolation. Unlike other Asian scholars of the time, Gandhi was opposed to the perception that Western civilization was superior to other civilizations and argued that it is a process that every culture must gradually go through. He also believed that civilization destroys morality and religion and came to the conclusion that â€Å"Immorality may sometime be taught in the name of morality†. Generally, the n arrative best captures the general perceptions of the events such as the Industrial revolution during the 19th century.As evidenced in the changes in English economic and social life after the industrial revolution, the revolution was more of a causatory factor than a co-relative factor for the changes witnessed in the 19th century. The transition after the industrial revolution caused a number of changes in the British society. For example as production becomes mechanized, many people migrated to the urban centers leading to increased urbanization. On the other hand, the quick urbanization in turn caused a number of social problems such as increased crime rates and poor sanitation. Generally the industrial revolution that was first witnessed in Britain significantly resulted in the conversion of the socioeconomic order of the time and some of the changes that took place eventually led the way for the industrialization in other parts of Europe and North America. Consequently industr ialization was not a co-relative factor but was a major causatory factor for most of the socio-economic changes witnessed in the 19th century.  

Three Day Diet Analysis Essay Example for Free

Three Day Diet Analysis Essay There will be two term exams, a final exam and one written assignment for this course. In addition to the three written exams, you will be required to carry out a 3 day diet analysis of you own diet. Details of this are provided below, but briefly, you will be required to record everything you eat for three days. Your nutrient intake will then be determined using a computer program â€Å"Diet Analysis + 8† which will be available on computers in Science SN 3000 for all students. If you bought a new copy of the text this year, you can access a web version of the software (access information is provided with the text). You will then be required to write an evaluation of your diet, discussing its strengths and weaknesses and what you might do to improve it.. Both the computer analysis and the evaluation must be turned in. This diet analysis will count for 10% of your course mark. The analysis is due on Friday March 9 in class. Analyses not turned in when due will have their mark reduced by one-half. That is, they will count for only a maximum of 5% of the course mark. Assignments not turned in by the last class of the semester will receive a mark of 0 (zero). Summary of Evaluation: Due DateValue Term Exam 1Fri Feb 820% Term Exam 2Fri Mar 1520% Final ExamDuring Final Exam Period50% Diet Analysis (10%)Fri, Mar 810% Total100% Policy on missed exams: Marks from missed exams, regardless of reason, will be applied to the final exam. This applies to all students. All students have the option of not writing one or both of the term exams. If you miss one term exam, the final exam will be worth 70%, if you miss both term exams the final exam will be worth 90%. Supplementary Exam: A student who has clear or conditional standing may write a supplementary examination in Biochemistry/Kinesiology 2600 if the course grade obtained is 45-49 F and if his or her term mark is at least 50%. Students who wish to write a supplementary exam must apply in writing to the Biochemistry Department within one week of release of grades. Diet Analysis You are to record all the food you eat for three consecutive days, one of which must be a weekend day. That is you must record what you eat for Thursday, Friday and Saturday or Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Be sure to record portion sizes as well as what you ate. You will need to have a labnet account in order to print out your analysis. If you do not have one be sure to set it up before starting your data entry. Using the diet analysis+ software you are to analyze your intake for the three days. You can access this software in the Biochemistry Department Computer Lab, SN 3000 OR if you bought a new copy of the text this year, you can access a web version of the software (access information is provided with the text). You can also purchase access to the online version of the software. See the textbook information files on the D2L site. When you use the diet analysis software, you should store your data on the H drive or on a memory stick. If you do not, if you return to the computer you used, your data will not be there and you will have to start the data entry process again. By saving to the H drive or a memory stick, you can enter your data in pieces rather that all at once and you can easily go back to edit any mistakes. To do this, insert the memory stick in the computer before starting the program. It is important that you enter your personal profile information BEFORE you enter foods. If you do not you will have to re-enter the foods after you create your personal profile. Then you must evaluate your diet based on your intake relative to recommended intakes for all nutrients for which you believe your intake is high enough or low enough relative to the RDA that you need to do something about it. Note that your intakes may be more than recommended, equal to the recommended or less than the recommended. Your evaluation must include your evaluation of the adequacy of your diet. Once you have evaluated your diet, you should suggest what, specifically, you would do to correct any problems with your diet, that is what foods need to be replaced and with what. Note that your evaluation should be based on your average intake for the three days, not based on any one day’s intake. When you turn in your assignment it must include: 1. the list of foods and amounts eaten for each day from the printout, 3 lists, one for each day 2. The computer evaluation of your diet. That is the printouts that show the percentage of recommended intakes for the 3 day average intake, not for each individual day’s intake. 3. The printout of recommended intakes for your age, sex and activity level. 4. The printout of the pyramid or MY PLATE which will provide you with guidance for how you might change your diet 5. Your written evaluation of your diet. 6. Your suggestions for improvement / changes if any is needed. You can print all this information by choosing print 3 day analysis in the software after you have entered all your intake information. Undergraduate Access Hoursto SN 3000, Biochemistry Computer Lab are posted on the door of the lab and will be available on the course D2L site once they have been determined.