An introduction to the World's major religions from a Catholic Perspective.

The question of religion, its contemporary and future significance and its role in society and state is currently perceived as an urgent one by many and is widely discussed within the public sphere. But it has also long been one of the core topics of the historically oriented social sciences. The immense stock of knowledge furnished by the history of religion and religious studies, theology, sociology and history has to be introduced into the public conscience today. This can promote greater awareness of the contemporary global religious situation and its links with politics and economics and counter rash syntheses such as the “clash of civilizations”. This volume is concerned with the connections between religions and the social world and with the extent, limits, and future of secularization. The first part deals with major religious traditions and their explicit or implicit ideas about the individual, social and political order. The second part gives an overview of the religious situation in important geographical areas. Additional contributions analyze the legal organization of the relationship between state and religion in a global perspective and the role of the natural sciences in the process of secularization. The contributors are internationally renowned scholars like Winfried Brugger, José Casanova, Friedrich Wilhelm Graf, Hans Joas, Hans G. Kippenberg, Gudrun Krämer, David Martin, Eckart Otto and Rudolf Wagner.

This encyclopedia provides numerous entries covering world religions including gods and other holy figures, concepts, historical figures, places, rites, and festivals. Entries cover major and less prominent religions around the world, describing their histories, tenets, customs, and world views. Readers will view entries that describe the lives of fifty significant figures in the histories of various religions. Also presented are excerpts from eighteen religious writings, speeches, and sacred texts.

A growing chorus of voices has suggested that the world’s religions may become critical actors as the climate crisis unfolds, particularly in light of international paralysis on the issue. In recent years, many faiths have begun to address climate change and its consequences for human societies, especially the world’s poor. This is the first volume to use social science to examine how religions are helping to address one of the most significant and far-reaching challenges of our time. While there is a growing literature in theology and ethics about climate change and religion, little research has been previously published about the ways in which religious institutions, groups and individuals are responding to the problem of climate change. Seventeen research-driven chapters are written by sociologists, anthropologists, geographers and other social scientists. This book explores what effects religions are having, what barriers they are running into or creating, and what this means for the global struggle to address climate change.

Price examines religions across the world, offering an insight into each tradition's views of the world, through their scriptural texts and spiritual practices.

This work proposes a theological investigation of the community of the Church as outlined by liberation theology and a possible conversation with liberation from suffering in Tibetan Buddhism. What unites both is the human process of sublimation for others, whereby liberation theologians as well as enlightened lamas give the best of themselves for the liberation of others. At this stage of discussions between inclusivists and exclusivists this work proposes that dialogue with world religions and therefore with Buddhism is not about finding possible dogmatic similarities but a common place, a common purpose through a common humanity.

Studying world religions is an intellectual challenge coupled with an emotional endeavor to grow in sensitivity to the mystery of human nature. Teaching world religions requires an openness to new languages, cultures and beliefs. By exploring the history of dialogue, students can begin to appreciate the unique contributions of each tradition without forgoing their own. Primary Source Readings in World Religions introduces your students to foundational texts of many of the world's main religions. This leader's guide brings you the expertise of a veteran world religions teacher who not only provides helpful insight into the readings but also lends the wisdom gained from years of guiding young people in deepening their understanding of different faith traditions. The leader's guideprovides you with continuity and variety. Each chapter includes these elements: summaries of the primary source readings from the student book an activity to help you guide students through each of the readings additional activities to further explore the issues suggestions for prayer related to the chapter topic action ideas related to the chapter topic

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

Religion is any cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, world views, texts, sanctified places, ethics, or organizations, that relate humanity to the supernatural or transcendental. Religions relate humanity to what anthropologist Clifford Geertz has referred to as a cosmic "e;order of existence"e;. However, there is no scholarly consensus over what precisely constitutes a religion. World Religions examines the often conflicting theories and interpretations of spiritual and historical matters and provides a basic understanding of the world's religious diversity. This book is a commendable endeavour to present the essence of all the major religions of the world under one cover in a simple and lucid form. An ideal work for a general reader who wants to have firsthand knowledge about world religions. The book Introduction to World Religions promotes a better understanding of the religions of the world, their similarities and history of amicable co-existence. It emphasizes better understanding and amicable co-existence of all religions.

In this the third edition of Jacob Neusner's basic, accessible, and proven guide to the world's religions as they are practiced in America, new chapters explore the Church of Scientology, Nature Religions, and the Baha'i faith. In addition, the chapter on Islam in America has been expanded. Each chapter includes study questions, essay topics, and suggestions for further reading.