The global world debates secularism, freedom of belief, faith-based norms, the state's arbitration of religious conflicts, and the place of the sacred in the public sphere. In facing these issues, Britain, India, and South Africa stand out as unique laboratories. They have greatly influenced the rest of the world. As single countries and together as a whole, the three have moved from the colonial clash of antagonistic religions (of your gods) to an era when it has become impossible to dissociate your god from my god. Today both belong to the same blurred reality of our gods. Through a narrative account of British, South African, and Indian court cases from 1857 to 2009, the author draws an unconventional history of the process leading from the encounter with the gods of the other to the forging of a postmodern, common, and global religion. Across ages, borders, faiths, and laws, the three countries have experienced the ambivalent interaction of society, politics, and beliefs. Hence the lesson the world might learn from them: our gods promise an idealized purity, but they can only become real in the everyday creation of mixed identities, hybrid deities, and shared fears and hopes.

Christians desperately need to name and expose the modern-day false gods of prosperity, nationalism, and self-interest. Combining a biblical study of idolatry with practical discipleship, Old Testament scholar Christopher J. H. Wright calls readers to fight the temptation of idolatry as we consider connections between Old Testament patterns and today's culture.

Inspiration and Guidance for Life Scripture is deeply rooted in the Church’s worship and is for expanded use in your own personal study. Allow God’s inspired Word to provide guidance in your daily life. The highly anticipated revised edition of the New American Bible (NABRE) is the culmination of years of work by hundreds of scholars, theologians, and bishops. The completely revised translation showcases the latest biblical scholarship, archaeological discoveries, and updated language for readability and accuracy of the original text. Features: The text of the New American Bible (NAB), the only translation approved for use at Mass in the Roman Catholic dioceses of the United States Up-to-date revisions by scholars covering the latest findings in archeology and biblical studies Introductions and outlines provide literary, historical, and cultural background for each book of the Bible Thousands of in-text study notes explain what you are reading 16 pages of full color maps Presentation pages for gift-giving