<p>The eighth century A.D. Indian thinker, Śaṅkara, was the greatest exponent of the Advaita Vedānta school (the non-dualistic school of vedānta). Śaṅkara's philosophical speculations are to be found in his commentaries on the prasthānas (the three scriptural sources of the vedānta darśana, namely the Brahmasūtras, the upanisads and the Bhagavad-Gītā). Śankara is not a systematic thinker and his thought proceeds only by means of the reasoned exegesis of scripture. Śaṅkara advocates, by means of this exegesis, an uncompromised non-dualism. Reality is Brahman, the one without a second, that which is, sat (being). This presents Śaṅkara with the problem of attempting to account for the plurality of the ship of Brahman experienced world, that is, the relationship of Brahman to the world.</p> <p>The aim of this study is to clearly describe this relationship of this unity (Brahman) to the world of diversity. Śaṅkara utilizes two concepts, those of adhyāsa and nāmarūpa, as explanatory terms of this relationship. In this thesis these two concepts will be analysed in order to attempt to explain the relationship of Brahman of the world. Adhyāsa (superimposition) presupposes nāmarūpa (name and form), which is dependent upon vāc (speech). The operation of both these principles as explanations of this relationship are dependent upon Śaṅkara's understanding of the nature and funtion of vāc.</p> <p>The question of the relationship of Brahman to the world of diversity is co-extensive with Śaṅkara's philosophical enterprise and metaphysical quest.</p> <p>Both traditional and contemporary scholarship have largely neglected Śaṅkara's concern with vāc (speech, language), failing to appreciate, what I consider to be, the vital importance of vāc in his Advaita.</p> <p>In terms of methodology, I have attempted to place the whole study within the context of Śaṅkara's own methodological distinctions, rather than apply Śaṅkara's categories to problems outside of his concerns or apply external methodological categories to Śaṅkara's thought.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)

The practice of Santeria ritual sacrificial practices among devotees in Miami was investigated, using an ethnographic method with an interview of devotees. Pierre Bourdieu Habitus, James Scott’s weapon of the weak, Richard Schechner and Victor Turner Performance theory were used for this study. These theories helped in the analysis of the data collected. The research explores the significance of sacrifice in the religious tradition of Santeria in Miami. The study critically examined the goals for animal sacrifices and experiences of devotees in Miami. The study explored how the socio-cultural, economic and political space of Miami has hindered the sacrificial practice of Santeria and how it has equally sustained its survival. The spiritual effectiveness of sacrifice, its meaningfulness and how devotees understand the sacrifices to orishas in Santeria religious tradition are properly examined in this research. The research concludes that the offering of sacrifices to orishas enhances solution to devotee’s problems, it guarantees their spiritual security, better future and sustains their physical and spiritual well-being. Devotees in Miami attested to these benefits as the motivation for their offering of sacrifices to the orisha in the religious practice of Santeria.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Syracuse University, 2009. / "Publication number: AAT 3385858."

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University, 1944. / Published also without thesis note. Vita. Bibliography: p. [138]-146.

Thesis (Th. B.)--Genève.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Syracuse University, 2005. / "Publication number AAT 3194025."

Most historical accounts of women in Baptist life describe women's roles as both restricted by the conservative orientation of the denomination yet slowly expanding and progressing. Baptist women in ministry have found creative ways to work within Southern Baptist denominational boundaries while still negotiating leadership roles and positions. After fundamentalists took over the denomination in 1979, women have been forced to redefine both their personal identities and their relationships with the denomination. The 15 years following the fundamentalist takeover were a time of chaos, confusion, and uncertainty for women. Some abandoned the denomination, but the majority anticipated that their situation would improve. Because fundamentally aligned leaders have held complete control of denominational boards and agencies since 1995, more and more women have decided that working in connection with the Southern Baptist Convention is no longer an option. Contemporary histories narrating the experience of moderate Baptist women in ministry need to take into account the complete ways women have responded to their ambiguous status within Baptist life and culture. In the current moment, Baptist women are seeking new institutional models while still adhering to a private Baptist identity. Recent writings by Baptist women in ministry explain their status and identity through reconstructing Baptist heritage. The analysis of moderate Baptists histories and specific publications that address women in ministry, such as the Baptist women in Ministry's newsletter Folio and collected narratives from forty-plus women, reveal that amongst the voices a general theme emerges which illustrates shared, characteristic patterns of contradiction. For instance, women generally have stayed connected to Baptist principles, such as local church autonomy and the priesthood of believers and have fashioned an identity from the influence of Baptist missions educational programs and mentors. The dynamics of individual beliefs and practices often belie denominational boundaries and a southern evangelical status quo. Nevertheless, because Baptist women have worked within these contradictory dynamics for decades, they constantly negotiate their positions and trap themselves in a culture shaped by incongruity. Despite impediments, women in ministry still have hope that they will be accepted and supported within Baptist life. They tell stories of a glorious past, of times of trial, and of hope that their individual narratives will be a source of change for other women. These women have not refused to recognize to recognize the past, but they have failed to concede that their heritage has been unkind to them and that Baptist history has never demonstrated collective change. Baptist women in ministry continue to hope for the advancement of women within the context of Baptist life. The myth of progress becomes a substantial part of their identity. In a culture and heritage where women remain in an obscure position, women in ministry attempt to create a usable past relevant to contemporary women in Baptist life, while sometimes misreading their history as progressive. This study explores the key dynamics of their identity as shaped by patterns of contradiction that contribute to a mythologized Baptist heritage and ensnare women in a consistent narrative of incongruity. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Religion in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. / Degree Awarded: Fall Semester, 2003. / Date of Defense: September 10, 2003. / Women in Baptist Life, Baptist Identity, Baptist Women / Includes bibliographical references. / John Corrigan, Professor Directing Thesis; Amanda Porterfield, Committee Member; Amy Koehlinger, Committee Member.

The question behind the thesis is whether Michael Polanyi's cognitional theory helps in formulating the relationship between between human knowing and religious faith. The main outline of his theory, as this writer understands it, is presented relying heavily upon Personal Knowledge but using his other publications to elaborate the descriptive foundation of his theory. The adequacy of Polanyi's description in covering the whole structure of knowing is questioned. An evaluation is made of the theory as an explanation of the knowing process described; the basic commitments which group the theory and Polanyi's affirmation of the continuity in all realms of knowledge are examined. A link is thus established with which to open the question from which the thesis began. / Master of Arts (MA)

<p>This thesis explores the affect that Canadian Security Intelligence Services (CSIS) has on Muslim Canadians. Drawing on concepts of religious and national identity, I explore the ways these identities are shaped and constructed after individuals are approached by CSIS agents. This study presents a qualitative study of the lives of 8 Muslim Canadians and their experiences in both their religious and national communities after being interviewed by CSIS officials.</p> <p>This thesis explores how religious identity is expressed through religious community involvement and how boundaries of community are formed. In particular it examines how interviews with CSIS agents influence individuals to become more or less involved in their religious communities. Further, I discuss some of the implications that interviews with CSIS can have on the community as a whole.</p> <p>National identity presents a more complex and challenging exploration of defining citizenship, nationhood and the role of government. For all of these individuals, their sentiments towards citizenship and their perceived place within Canadian had shifted after being approached by CSIS officials.</p> <p>These changing identities are placed into a larger framework that examines the problems associated with defining Muslim Canadians, Islamophobia, Canada's approach to multiculturalism and Canada's response to terrorism and security. Thus, this thesis examines some of the critical issues that Muslim Canadians face and how these particular topics, in addition to an interview with CSIS agents, have influenced the lives of the individuals in this study.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)

<p>This thesis contributes to the debate about the cultural construction of ethnicity and its relationship to religion in Canada by examining the multifaceted identities of Mennonite women and men who attend an Anglican church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Based on ethnographic research conducted in the St. Margaret's church community, I contend that this rare denominational shift from Anabaptism to Anglicanism complicates the construction and maintenance of these parishioners' ethnic identities, and provides a privileged opportunity for an exploration of the possibility of disconnection between the intimately related categories of Mennonite religion and ethnicity. Pertinent to my study is an analysis of the factors influencing and sustaining my informants' denominational change. However, my informants' knowledge of St. Margaret's through discourse in the Mennonite community, and the feelings of comfort expressed with regard to the Mennonite community at St. Margaret's, as well as their maintenance of many Mennonite religious and cultural traditions, despite the fact that they have become Anglican, indicates that many Mennonite features remain central in the lives of these people. My research draws attention, therefore, to the complex ways Mennonite members of St. Margaret's understand and discuss their transition into an Anglican church. I explore these discussions of identity within the framework of widespread debate about Mennonite ethnicity in North America, and in the context of recent scholarship which finds the categories of religion and ethnicity in Canada to be at once intimately related, increasingly fluid, subject to individuality, and affected by social change. I also situate my research in the context of predictive theories of secularization in Canada and in the context of debate about types of changes occurring in Canadian church communities.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)