Providing a comprehensive exploration of the teachings and beliefs of the world’s living faiths, the third edition of this popular book has been revised and updated to reflect the vibrant role religion plays in the twenty-first century. The World Religions Reader: Explores the unique nature of various faiths by introducing their traditions and rituals, ethical dimensions, and modern expressions Combines excerpts from sacred texts with reflections from a range of classic and contemporary thinkers - from the Bhagavad Gita and the Qur'an to Maimonides and Martin Luther King, Jr. Significantly expands material on Christianity, with a greater emphasis on the diversity of the tradition as expressed in Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism Broadens its coverage with new chapters on Emerging Religions, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and Indigenous Religions Considers the profound impact of 9/11 on the major religions and the effect it has had on our perceptions of others, and on interfaith communication Includes numerous reader-friendly features, such as key terms sections, summary reviews of major beliefs and significant events, a glossary, and revision and comparative questions.

Gathers together material on six of the world's most influential faiths, with readings drawn from a broad range of historical and contemporary sources.

This wide-ranging reader combines some of the best and most valuable contemporary perspectives from leading and significant writers, teachers, and thinkers who together address critical challenges and opportunities for the world's religions in a post 9/11 world. Edited by Arvind Sharma and organized by topic, the essays in this reader consider broad questions such as, What influence does religion have on contemporary life? The thematic arrangement of topics includes diverse religious perspectives on: war, terror, peace, human rights, pluralism, diversity, gender, spirituality, the interreligious dialogue, international diplomacy and globalization.

Children's and educational.

Globalization and high-speed communication put twenty-first century people in contact with adherents to a wide variety of world religions, but usually, valuable knowledge of these other traditions is limited at best. On the one hand, religious stereotypes abound, hampering a serious exploration of unfamiliar philosophies and practices. On the other hand, the popular idea that all religions lead to the same God or the same moral life fails to account for the distinctive origins and radically different teachings found across the world’s many religions. Understanding World Religions presents religion as a complex and intriguing matrix of history, philosophy, culture, beliefs, and practices. Hexham believes that a certain degree of objectivity and critique is inherent in the study of religion, and he guides readers in responsible ways of carrying this out. Of particular importance is Hexham’s decision to explore African religions, which have frequently been absent from major religion texts. He surveys these in addition to varieties of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

In this indispensable reference tool for parents, students, and pastors alike, Larson analyzes dozens of world religions and spiritual movements from Islam to UFOs, New Age movements to witchcraft. This volume helps address tough questions from a biblical perspective.

More than ever before, Christians need to explain why they follow Jesus and not the Buddha or Confucius or Krishna or Muhammed. This evangelical theology of religions addresses the problem of truth and revelation, and takes seriously the normative claims of other traditions. McDermott shows readers what Christians can learn from world religions without sacrificing the finality of Christ.

A comprehensive and accessible textbook which explores the traditions and beliefs of the world’s living religions – the fully updated and revised new edition The World Religions Reader is an inclusive, student-friendly examination of the history, teaching, practices, and appeal of the world’s major religions. Covering both the fundamentals and complexities of each religious tradition, this popular textbook brings together significant texts from scriptures and scholars, as well as writings from philosophers and other significant thinkers throughout history. Students are provided with an introduction and overview of the tradition, taken through its primary texts, and presented with a text which seeks to persuade the student of the tradition’s merits. This new edition has been thoroughly updated to be even more accessible for students new to interreligious engagement and to reflect current trends and developments in religions worldwide. Every chapter opens with a substantial overview which orients the new student and then flows into a carefully chosen set of texts - a regular textbook is now combined with a Reader. New content examines areas such as the Rastafarian tradition, while revised chapters cover secular humanism and indigenous and emerging religious traditions. The methodology of the book focuses on an empathetic approach – representing each tradition from the perspective of a conventional adherent – enabling students to develop understanding of each tradition and appreciate similarities and differences in their most typical forms. Invites students to study each tradition from the perspective of a follower, aiming to understand why the tradition is popular and powerful Explores representative passages, world-views, rituals and institutions, ethical expressions and modern outlooks for each religion Features discussions of interfaith perspectives on the role of women in religious traditions and the impact of world events and politics on interfaith communication Encourages students to consider questions of truth, the relation of religion and society, and the changing nature of a tradition in the modern world Includes a complete set of pedagogical tools and instructor resources, including end-of-chapter fact sheets, topic summaries, key term sections, and essay and discussion questions The World Religions Reader, Fourth Edition is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses in religion, especially for liberal arts and non-affiliated colleges, as well as general readers wishing to increase their knowledge of the world’s religious traditions.

World Religions Made Simple examines the history, the founders, the teachings, the worship, and the influence of all the major religions in the world. The religious systems are presented in a concise way with examples from their sacred writings and quotations from their spiritual leaders. This book highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the different religious groups in a concise and simple format. As a result, you will be able to evaluate each religion for yourself. Book jacket.

Grand in its sweep, this survey of the sacred writings of the major religions of the world offers a thoughtful introduction to the ideas and beliefs upon which great faiths are built. Under the expert guidance of John Bowker, a religious scholar and author of international stature, readers explore the key texts of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, Confucian, Daoist, and Shinto traditions. The author discusses some 400 books, among them such well-known sacred texts as the Bible and the Quran, but also spiritual writings by theologians, philosophers, poets, and others. Bowker provides clear and illuminating commentary on each text, describing the content and core tenets of the work and quoting pertinent passages. He also sets the writings in religious and historical contexts, showing how they have influenced—and in many cases continue to influence—artistic, musical, literary, and political traditions. The Message and the Book is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the meaning and the deep significance of primary religious texts of civilizations around the globe.