essay contest
Two Essay Contests - Total of $36,000 in Prizes
Aldus Books is sponsoring two Essay Contests: one for high school students and one for college students. We believe that we can stimulate intelligent discussion among young people in the United States through discussion of the important arguments raised in R.D. Gold’s timely new book, Bondage of the Mind: How Old Testament Fundamentalism Shackles the Mind and Enslaves the Spirit.
PRIZES
High School Essay Contest From all the entries, the judges will select five Regional Winners. Each Regional Winner will receive a prize of $1,000. From these five Regional Winners, the judges will select a Grand Prize Winner, who will receive a prize of $5,000 in lieu of $1,000.
College Essay Contest This contest works exactly the same way. From all the entries, the judges will select five Regional Winners. Each Regional Winner will receive a prize of $1,000. From these five Regional Winners, the judges will select a Grand Prize Winner, who will receive a prize of $5,000 in lieu of $1,000.
MATCHING GRANTS
For every prize awarded, Aldus Books will make a matching grant to the high school or college, place of worship, or non-profit organization designated by the winning students. This means a matching grant of $1,000 for each Regional Winner and of $5,000 for each Grand Prize Winner.
HOW TO ENTER THE ESSAY CONTESTS
1.Read the Essay Contest Rules
2.Read Aldus Book's Privacy Policy Statement
4. The Entry Form must be complete, consistent with the Essay Contest Rules, and appropriately signed to be considered.
5. Submit the completed and signed entry form, together with your essay, to Aldus Books between April 1 and November 30, 2008.
THE ESSAY QUESTION
In his new book, Bondage of the Mind: How Old Testament Fundamentalism Shackles the Mind and Enslaves the Spirit, R.D. Gold takes the following position:
The doctrines of Orthodox Judaism - and, by extension, the doctrines of all religious fundamentalism - are false. Therefore, it makes no sense for an individual to exchange much of his or her personal freedom for the straightjacket of enforced obedience to a strict religious law based on demonstrably false dogma.
Explain, in 1,500 to 2,000 words, why you agree or disagree with this thesis.
Tips to Entrants:
Your essay should be well-organized and written in clear, engaging prose. However, essays will be judged not only on the strength of your arguments and the quality of your writing, but also on how directly you deal with the specific evidence and lines of reasoning R.D. Gold presents in Bondage of the Mind.
You can pick up a copy of Bondage of the Mind at Amazon.com, your local bookstore, or your local public library.
Open to all high school
and college students.
4 Regional Prizes of $1,000
2 Grand Prizes of $5,000!
Matching grants for the schools.
click here for details
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