Product Description
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.

Customer Reviews (1)

egalitarian overview
A World Religions Reader is a very positive look at the major world beliefs ranging from Atheism and Buddhism to Islam and Judaism.Markham presents all these world views decked up like prom queens.One begins to wonder while reading the book how the world could be such a jacked up place with all these beautiful and enlightened belief systems all around us.
The book is very egalitarian in that each different world view is presented by people who hold fast to them as being absolutely true.Every view gets its fair shot to persuade you. The book makes no attempts to show that one belief system may be more correct than another, that one may be more coherent than another or that one may have more harmful effects than another.It seems that, above all; the editor was trying to be fair and inoffensive to everyone.The book is really a World Religions 101 in that many major views are presented but none in great depth.If the goal of the book was to create a platform for each major belief system to present itself, then I suppose the book was successful in accomplishing its goal.If it was to critically show them "warts and all" then it failed like a bat taking an eye exam.
The book is informative to a point and is therefore worth a read for those approaching interfaith dialogues or for those trying to figure out why in the world someone would actually want to convert to Shintoism.I felt that Judaism was the most beautifully presented.Half way through I felt like joining a synagogue but then thought that they might have some policy against taking Pentecostal missionaries.
Personally I found it very interesting that so many of the writers used Christianity as its point of comparison.Many of the writers would point out that a certain belief or practise in their faith was either like or unlike a belief or practise in Christianity.I also found it a bit odd that so much attention was given to liberal theology in the chapter on Christianity as throughout history and even into the present such groups only tend to make up a small, white quibbling minority which is often viewed as heretical by the rest of the world body. ... Read more

Product Description
Theorists of "secularization" for two centuries have been saying that religion must inevitably decline in the modern world. But much of the world today is as religious as ever. This volume challenges the belief that the modern world is increasingly secular, showing instead that modernization more often strengthens religion. Seven expert social observers examine several regions and several religions--Catholic and Protestant Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam--and explore the resurgence of religion in world affairs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Exceptional
Berger is brilliant, funny and wise - an academic that thinks like a real person. His writing is insightful, flows with ease and engages the reader with mini-revelations. Though he writes only the first chapter, a few others are equally enthralling, especially those on Pope John Paul II's philosophy and that concerning Islam. Unfortunately a few others belong only to sociologists - lists, speculation and esoteric social theories, which often sound as though from an ivory tower on another planet, where social theorists debate whether their world is made all of one thing or all of another. In the John Paul chapter we find the Pope concretely defeating postmodern silliness in its rejection of universality. The chapter on Islam teaches much and provides reasoned, balanced direction toward Islamic change for the better, though some of that is perhaps a bit idyllic when it comes to fundamentalist Islam as one may as well preach peace to a charging grizzly.

Berger's premise is this: To assume we are living in a secular world is wrong. The world today "is as furiously religious as it ever was, and in some places more than ever". Though modernity has secularizing effects it has provoked powerful movements of counter-secularization. Which harkens back to the Brooks Adams 1896 classic, "The Law Of Civilization And Decay". In it Adams notes with no one left to defeat, ideas from round the Empire flooded Rome causing a near universal dis-ease among its population. Their response? Extreme religious eagerness, the sprouting of new mystery religions of which Christianity was but one of hundreds. Our upsurge today is primarily among conservative, traditionalist orthodox movements of Islam and in the Christian world among Pentecostals and other Evangelicals at the expense of Catholicism and mainline Protestantism like Lutheran, Episcopalian and Methodists.

Why has modernity had this affect? Berger is clear, because modernity has removed all the old certainties and most people find it impossible to live with uncertainty. Any movement that "promises to provide or renew certainty has a ready market". Those "dripping with supernaturalism have widely succeeded".

Berger does not note the 60's source of modern Liberal promoters of their paradox that "the truth is there is no truth", but he does say while thin on the ground in numbers they wield excess influence by their control of the media and university (of which he is a member - Boston U). This is the "culture elite" Berger notes that some fraction of the movements resent and battle in America's Culture Wars - and not necessarily for religious reasons. Without mention of lacking higher education among the masses, Berger clarifies the chasm between secular (of comparatively what little there is) and non-secular, "The religious impulse, the quest for meaning that transcends the restricted space of empirical existence in this world, has been a perennial feature of humanity. It would require something close to a mutation of the species to extinguish this impulse for good... The critique of secularity common to all the resurgent movements is that human existence bereft of transcendence is an impoverished and finally untenable condition." Like it or not religion, mysticism, mythology have been and will remain part of humans. Finding a path to balance in the face of warring zealotry - which was of such concern to The Founders - is a subject of concern in this extraordinary book.

Pseudo or Real Desecularization?
Second submittal (revised)
Sociologist Peter L. Berger's 1974 book Pyramids of Sacrifice: Political Ethics and Social Change foresaw what we now call "globalization."His 1983 book with sociologist Brigitte Berger The War Over The Family anticipated what has been dubbed as the "cultural wars."And his 1966 classic The Social Construction of Reality was way ahead of its time with regard to what is currently termed "postmodernism."But Berger admits in The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics (1999) that he was mistaken in some of his other earlier works that modernization inevitably leads to a decline in religion.As Berger states: "To say the least, the relation between religion and modernity is rather complicated."The Desecularization of the World was written two years before 9-11.One can only guess that Berger was not as surprised as most at such a world-changing event, ostensibly motivated by religious fundamentalism, but less apparently orchestrated by failed secular elites from a politically destabilizing Saudi Arabia. As Berger has written elsewhere: "upsurges of religion" in the modern era are, in most cases, politicized movements "that use religion as a convenient legitimation for political agendas based on non-religious interests" in contrast with "movements genuinely inspired by religion." (Berger, National Interest, Winter 1996-97:3).This more certainly was the case in the recent past Balkan Wars in the Yugoslav states (see V. Perica, Balkan Idols, Oxford, 2002).Berger points out that we have been misled to believe that modernization resulted in secularization mainly because the elite cultural carriers of secularization have been a minority of highly visible academics who have myopically led everyone to believe this is the case.
But beyond the headline events, religion, especially "fundamentalist" religion is growing in every modernizing country, with the exception of already-modernized Europe.Berger has assembled some of the most eminent observers to report on this upsurge.

George Weigel, scholar and official biographer of Pope John Paul II, provides a Catholic perspective on the phenomenon.Citing Pope John Paul II, Weigel perhaps presaged 9-11 and the ensuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq with the following question: "Is pre-emptive military action legitimate against rogue regimes threatening the use of weapons of mass destruction? How is the just-war tradition, which was designed to regulate international public life in a world of sovereign states, to address the serious moral problems for world politics posed by non-state actors - ranging from financial institutions to terrorist organizations - today?"

Sociologist David Martin, sociologist emeritus at the London School of Economics, provides a masterful overview of the upsurge of "evangelical" Christian religion mainly in Africa and South America and its political implications.Martin reports that the political stance of evangelical Christians is often erroneously viewed by outsiders with suspicion as similar to radical Islam or some violent cult.Rather, Martin reports that the most potent contribution of evangelical movements is their creation of voluntary associations that tend to foster democracy rather than totalitarianism or attempts at creating a "Christian society."

Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of Britain, observes that history is the tale of vacillating attempts by Jews to define themselves as either a people or a religion. Sacks states that historically Jews defined themselves as the "people of God," but more recently have defined themselves as the "people hated by Gentiles."Many Jews have abandoned their religious roots and embraced secularism to solve their identity conflict and end persecution. But that hasn't diminished the attempts by many neighboring nations to exterminate the nation of Israel.

British sociologist Grace Davie provides a well-written account of how Europe is an exception to these trends, as, unlike the rest of the world, religion has declined precipitously.Perhaps Davie doesn't emphasize enough that this might be the consequence of the sponsorship of Christian religion by many European states. Also, Davie is curiously silent about the influx of Muslims into Europe and the likelihood that Islamic populations may soon dominate some large cities such as Rotterdam, Netherlands.Davie doesn't tell us if the demographic decline of indigenous Europeans is in any way related to secularization.

Tu Weiming, a history professor at Harvard University, reports on the resurgence of Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism following the collapse of worldwide communism.Interestingly, Weiming states that higher education in China has been heavily and positively influenced by Chinese-Christian universities, unlike higher education in the West which is nearly all secularized. Weiming doesn't tell us if China may be motivated by religion to resist modernization or will religion form the impetus to some form of capitalism?

Abdullah An-Na'im, a law professor at Emory University, provides an overview of political Islam and international affairs up to 1999.An-Na'im states that the idea that there is an unfolding"clash of religious civilizations" between the West and Islam is a self-fulfilling prophecy and is not inevitable. But An-Na'im is not a sociologist and doesn't tell us how Muslims can embrace modernization without leaving the "closed circle" of the family and kinship and the "sacred canopy" of the mosque in order to work in the impersonal corporations and bureaucracies of modern societies.

The assumption of most people is that modernization is good and thus religion is backward because it impedes modernization. But, as the world is painfully coming to understand, modernization must also come to recognize and respect socially sacred shelters of meaning.Moreover, those societies that have historically become test cases for pure secularization, such as the former U.S.S.R., Mao's China, and Pol Pot's Cambodia, have made present-day religious conflicts look mild compared to the murdering of millions for the sake of creating a secular rational utopia.For those who want to get a handle on these issues, this is an outstanding overview that neither blindly embraces religion or modernization. Other books I have found of related interest are Steve Bruce, Politics and Religion (2003), Vjekoslav Perica, Balkan Idols: Religion and Nationalism in Yugoslavia (2002) and Douglas Johnston, Faith-Based Diplomacy: Trumping Realpolitik (2003).

A Prophetic Book Prior to 9-11
Sociologist Peter L. Berger's 1974 book Pyramids of Sacrifice: Political Ethics and Social Change foresaw what we now call "globalization."His 1983 book with sociologist Brigitte Berger The War Over The Family anticipated what has been dubbed as the "cultural wars."And his 1966 classic The Social Construction of Reality was way ahead of its time with regard to what is currently termed "postmodernism."But Berger admits in The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics (1999) that he was mistaken in some of his other earlier works that modernization inevitably leads to a decline in religion.As Berger states: "To say the least, the relation between religion and modernity is rather complicated."Nonetheless, The Desecularization of the World was written two years before 9-11.One can only guess that Berger was not as surprised as most at such a world-changing event, ostensibly motivated by religious fundamentalism but less apparently orchestrated by failed secular elites from a politically destabilizing Saudi Arabia. As Berger has written elsewhere: "upsurges of religion" in the modern era are, in most cases, politicized movements "that use religion as a convenient legitimation for political agendas based on non-religious interests" in contrast with "movements genuinely inspired by religion." (Berger, National Interest, Winter 1996-97:3).This more certainly was the case in the recent past Balkan Wars in the Yugoslav states (see V. Perica, Balkan Idols, Oxford, 2002).Berger points out that we have been misled to believe that modernization resulted in secularization mainly because the elite cultural carriers of secularization have been a minority of highly visible academics who have myopically led everyone to believe this was the case. But beyond the headline events, religion, especially "fundamentalist" religion is rapidly growing in every modernizing country, with the exception of already-modernized Europe.Berger has assembled some of the most eminent observers to report on this upsurge.

George Weigel, scholar and official biographer of Pope John Paul II, provides a Catholic perspective on the phenomenon.Citing Pope John Paul II, Weigel perhaps presaged 9-11 and the ensuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq with the following question: "Is pre-emptive military action legitimate against rogue regimes threatening the use of weapons of mass destruction? How is the just-war tradition, which was designed to regulate international public life in a world of sovereign states, to address the serious moral problems for world politics posed by non-state actors - ranging from financial institutions to terrorist organizations - today?"

Sociologist David Martin, sociologist emeritus at the London School of Economics, provides a masterful overview of the upsurge of "evangelical" Christian religion mainly in Africa and South America and its political implications.Martin reports that the political stance of evangelical Christians is often erroneously viewed by outsiders with suspicion as similar to radical Islam or some violent cult.Rather, Martin reports that the most potent contribution of evangelical movements is their creation of voluntary associations that tend to foster democracy rather than totalitarianism or attempts at creating a "Christian society."

Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of Britain, observes that history is the tale of vacillating attempts by Jews to define themselves as either a people or a religion. Sacks states that historically Jews defined themselves as the "people of God," but more recently have defined themselves as the "people hated by Gentiles."Many Jews have abandoned their religious roots and embraced secularism to solve their identity conflict and end persecution. But that hasn't diminished the attempts by many neighboring nations to exterminate the nation of Israel.

British sociologist Grave Davie provides a well-written account of how Europe is an exception to these trends, as, unlike the rest of the world, religion has declined precipitously.Perhaps Davie doesn't emphasize enough that this might be the consequence of the sponsorship of Christian religion by many European states. Also, Davie is curiously silent about the influx of Muslims into Europe and the likelihood that Islamic populations may soon dominate some large cities such as Rotterdam, Netherlands.Davies doesn't tell us if the demographic decline of indigenous Europeans is in any way related to secularization.

Tu Weiming, a history professor at Harvard University, reports on the resurgence of Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism following the collapse of worldwide communism.Interestingly, Weiming states that higher education in China has been heavily and positively influenced by Chinese-Christian universities, unlike higher education in the West which is nearly all secularized. Weiming doesn't tell us if China may be motivated by religion to resist modernization or will religion form the impetus to some form of capitalism?

Abdullah An-Na'im, a law professor at Emory University, provides an overview of political Islam and international affairs up to 1999.An-Na'im states that the idea that there is an unfolding"clash of religious civilizations" between the West and Islam is a self-fulfilling prophecy and is not inevitable. But An-Na'im is not a sociologist and doesn't tell us how Muslims can embrace modernization without leaving the "closed circle" of the family and kinship and the "sacred canopy" of the mosque in order to work in the impersonal and even nihilistic corporations and bureaucracies of modern societies.

The assumption of most people is that modernization is good and thus religion is backward because it impedes modernization. But, as the world is painfully coming to understand, religion must change as well if nations are to modernize.For those who want to get a handle on these issues, this is an outstanding overview that neither blindly embraces or rejects religion or modernization. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Brief, thoughtful and sympathetic
This book is exactly what it claims to be - an introduction to the "big five" religions in the world (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam - though strictly speaking Judaism is not the fifth largest). John Dickson is a christian but he makes it clear from the start that he is not writing a book that pushes the claims of the religion he believes in, but fairly presents the teachings of each religion without comment. I think he succeeds in being fair. He seems to have a genuine interest in the teachings and history of each religion (he is a well-qualified historian) and is able to outline the essence of each one without overwhelming with facts and figures.

Recommended as a good start for anyone who wants to understand these religions. ... Read more

Product Description

The major religions of the world are no longer in faraway places; they are now in our own neighborhoods,workplaces, and schools. It’s vital that we as Christians understand their history, teachings, and traditionsso that we are better equipped to relate to them and communicate the gospel message to them.

A great way to build these bridges to other faiths is through The Popular Encyclopedia of World Religions.This easy–to–read, user–friendly reference work will...

• explain the origins of each major world religion
• provide an overview of their key beliefs and practices
• reveal strategic “contact points” through which we can find ministry opportunities

As a world traveler who has done religious research in 130 different countries, author Richard Wolff is wellqualified to guide readers through the unpredictable and intimidating maze of reaching out to Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews,and others. This resource will give readers the knowledge, confidence, and direction they seek.

Customer Reviews (2)

Informed and informative
"The Popular Encyclopedia Of World Religions" by Richard Wolf provides non-specialist general readers with informed and informative descriptions of all of the world's major faiths. Thoroughly accurate and 'reader friendly', "The Popular Encyclopedia Of World Religions" explains the origins of each major world religion; provides an overview of the key beliefs and practices associated with those religions; and introduces the key leaders and teachers within those religions. Of special note for Christian readers is the provision of strategic 'contact points' to help build bridges with each of the non-Christian faiths -- and between the primary groups comprising contemporary Christianity. Informed and informative, "The Popular Encyclopedia Of World Religions" is very highly recommended for personal, church, seminary, and community library Religion & Spirituality reference collections.

AMust Have!
In the times we live it seems the religions of the world are awakening to a magnitude we have never known before.We find ourselves being witnessed to by some and our very lives threaten by others. Like it or not, a spiritual move is occurring and your best defense is knowledge of who you are and what you stand for, and why, and who those in other religions are, what they stand for, and why.
In this outstanding read by Richard Wolff we are taken into the world of some popular world religions such as, but not limited to, Islam, Judaism, Shintoism and Buddhism, and Christianity. Our author takes us through the door as he explains how these religions began, what their teachings are, and how they feel about the rest of us in this world. Talk about an eye opener and a learning experience! Listen, this work is packed full of needed information reverent to our times and seasons. It is not a book that you will read in one sitting, but one that you will absorb slowly as you are given answers to so many unasked and asked questions about different religions. It is one you will not pass along to others, but will keep within easy access to use as a reference when the need arises, and I'm sure it will. You are also given what the author calls, "contact points," which are areas that you may use during ministry opportunities.
The Popular Encyclopedia of World Religions is a must have, not just for Christians, but for all who have a true need to understand the beliefs of those we share this world with.
Exceptional and very highly recommended.
... Read more

Product Description
This substantially revised and updated edition features maps, charts, and more than two hundred photographs, many in color. An international group of expert scholars sympathetically discuss the worldÂ’s major religious traditions(including Buddhism, BahaÂ’i, and Jainism) and new religious movements.

The contributing editors include Diana L. Eck, Robert Kisala, Nicholas de Lange, Mikael Rothstein, Lamin O. Sanneh, Garry W.Trompf, and Linda Woodhead. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Barely Adequate for Middle School
I do not recommend this textbook for use in college level religions courses. The text is poorly written and organized, with different sections of each chapter written by different scholars with varying levels of intellectual depth. Often, the sub-articles do not flow together with any sort of consistency or logic. The text appears to have been written for competent 8th graders and never approaches any level of conceptual analysis of the terms introduced. For example, in the Hinduism chapter 'Atman' and 'Brahman' are merely briefly mentioned or defined over a few sentences and then barely discussed again in any broader context. Broad swaths of terms are arranged in almost list-like fashion and given (on average) about two sentences of definition, but these terms are never synthesized into a greater narrative structure, nor are they brought into dialogue with other religious traditions. Again, for example, Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism are treated as three entirely separate traditions with little to no discussion about their shared cultural and historical origins, no conceptual discussions about their shared use of terms like 'karma', 'dharma', and 'samsara' and their philosophical differences concerning these terms, and little recognition that these religious traditions were often engaged in explicitly philosophical investigations into the nature of the self and of reality.

The book does try to be comprehensive, which may contribute to its lack of depth and utter lack of coherent organization, but it especially lacks any sort of comparative component that, in my opinion, is essential to any real introduction to religious studies. Ultimately, I find any course that attempts to cover ALL of the main "facts" of the major religions in the world in one semester to be a waste of time for students, and one not conducive to any real understanding. Stick with Huston Smith or John Koller for your religion texts, and break your religion surveys into two separate classes, at the very least.

A Satisfying Read - a good introduction
This is a good book - not flawless - but it does the job well as an introductory text to World Religions.I have used the Mary Pat Fisher "Living Religions" text - and I would say this book compares favorably.There are things Partridge omits, there are things it includes when matched up with the Fisher text.Students will find it mostly accessible, and fairly concise (there are some "jargony" sections, but they do not dominate the book), and teachers will feel that their students are getting a fair overview of religion.Partridge's book is well-illustrated and organized.I would recommend this for use as a World Religions textbook, or perhaps also for the independent reader who is curious about religion.There were a few problems - the chapter on Hinduism erred in having an insignificant discussion of Mohandas Gandhi and omitting the significance of the Congress Party in India.The chapter on Judaism eventually got around to brief descriptions of Abraham and Moses, and on Buddhism the 4 Noble Truths were delayed in their introduction - but all this material appeared in due time.I thought the last few pages on Religion and Politics by Robert Pope were very good.
So yes - I would say Partridge has contributed a scholarly and worthy textbook in a field that is very competitive.

Good Reference Book!
Good reference book with timelines, maps, data and great photos! I'm sure I'll refer to this many times.

Everything you wanted to know about religion
This book will tell you everything you want to know about religion. It is a good book for students at any level. It is a textbook.

Great for beginners
This is a great text book for beginners.It gives you the basics and has a great layout so it's easy to read. ... Read more

Product Description

Recent armed conflicts have drawn fresh attention to age-old questions concerning when war can be justified and what methods and targets are permissible during war. Over more than two millennia, the world's leading religious traditions -- Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam -- have provided guidance in these contested domains. This volume examines how the religions have responded to pressing moral challenges such as offensive and defensive war, the protection of noncombatants, asymmetric tactics, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction.

Written by an international team of distinguished specialists in their respective traditions, World Religions and Norms of War takes the reader on a journey through the evolution of attitudes and teachings related to the ethics of war. It systematically explores the historical roots and interpretations of norms within these traditions, linking them to the challenges of modern warfare. This combination of deep historical analysis and application to contemporary issues provides valuable insight and even prompts us to rethink our understanding of the role and influence of religion in the state and politics.

Product Description
Demonstrating the commonality of the world's religions and our common humanity, this rich and varied anthology of scripture offers a highly useful collection of religious quotations, passages, and excerpts from the holy texts, representing a new, holistic approach to the world's religions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A good book but a little disproportional
First let me say that I highly recommended that you look this book up online before you buy it, simply google the title and you'll find several sites that host it.In general it is a very comprehensive anthology and contains passages from just about any religion that comes to mind.Also it is very well organized by theme which makes it easy to read despite its bulk.With that said let me just say that this book is a little disproportional in its selections.For example Zoroastrian and Taoist traditions represent a very large portion of the text while in reality they constitute a very small religious base.However, this I believe is understandable for those religions have had an extremely vast influence on spiritual philosophy and mysticism throughout a large portion of recorded history.However what is not understandable is that nearly every other topic has a quote from the Unification Church while recent major religions such as Bahai Faith and Mormonism receive very little attention in proportion.I don't know why the editor found it important to include so many passages from such a nugatory and cultish modern movement but the general ambiance it lends to the book is rather negative.Another issue I had is that there is virtually no mention of reincarnation and Hindu and Buddhist quotes that originally explicitly dealt with the topic have been presented in a way that makes them sound almost Judeo-Christian in nature.I personally do not believe in reincarnation but I believe this is a gross misrepresentation of a large spiritual base especially considering that, while esoteric, there are Jewish and Christian traditions that deal with reincarnation.In short while the book is a monumental achievement and an interesting read I felt that it had several strong biases and thus was far from being a universal human scripture as some reviewers have claimed.

a treasure
Great for presentations and sermons to use all of the sacred writtings the world has to offer in a logical manner.

Incredible / Great / Wonderful
So much religious energy is spent emphasizing the differences between schools of thought instead of focusing on the foundation which is the same. This book allows one to see what he/she has in common with others whose religious tradition may be different from their own.

Buy this book!!
This is a theology students dream. It must have taken one many years of serious study and labor to compile scripture references in this way. Passages from the holy books of every major and most minor religions are represented here and grouped side by side by topic for quick comparison. On almost every subject the harmony of thought is staggering! It makes one wonder why religious leaders ever quarrel with one another.It's a great book for study and even better to browse. I started reading it in my doctor's waiting room and got hooked. I found myself actualy looking forward to going to thedoctor! If you'd like to sample divine wisdom from many cultures and ages. Buy this book and you'll refer to and enjoy it for a lifetime!

Fascinating
I received this book as a graduation present from my Unitarian Universalist church and I immediately starting flipping through it. The length is intimidating, but it's all quotes or short text, so there is no pressure to read it all. The beauty of the book is that it contains texts from so many religions that cover every area of life in such philosophical detail. It has answers, but leaves you with questions that you must answer yourself. I found this book especially useful for a Theory of Knowledge class I had last year. This book was constantly at hand and continually provided me with support for my arguments. This book is fascinating and thorough, and I encourage everyone to buy it regardless of your religious background. ... Read more

Product Description
With a total of 3500 entries, The Merriam-Webster encyclopedia is a wide-ranging reference guide to all aspects of the world''s religions past and present. Developed in cooperation with the Encyclopedia Britannica it includes over 400 illustrations' ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Exactly what I was looking for
I was looking for a book that contains a decent overview of many religions, possibly in dictionary form. My husband and I routinely run across religions we don't know much about, and want to learn more about their origins, history and general beliefs. I was pleasantly surprised to find this awesome textbook. Unlike many that I found during my search, it does more than gloss over lesser-known religions, and it's more in-depth than the several thin but colorfully illustrated books that are widely available. I was pleased to find this gently used, hardcover copy - couldn't find any new. It contains tons of information in a dictionary format, which makes it easy to quickly find what you're looking for. I know it'll be on our shelf for years to come.

Interesting and Useful
I bought this encyclopedia several years ago, and have used it fairly frequently. I have invariably found it to lead me deeper and deeper into the book, as the entries are also interlinked very nicely.

The entries are arranged in alphabetical order. Major entries are structured like chapters and are often devoted to a major faith. The book is very well illustrated, and has been printed on excellent paper. The cloth-spine binding itself is superb, and I have not had any problems with it over the last five years.

The entries are not very lengthy, but do give sufficient details for someone who is starting to get interested in understanding about other faiths. The book doesn't have an index, but is well-cross-referenced. There is a table of contents listing the major faiths.

A word about the background of the contributors: Ms.Wendy Doniger, the Consulting Editor, is a scholar who is highly influential and respected in US for her understanding of Hinduism. She is also embroiled in a controversy with Hindus in America over the way she and her school interpret Hinduism. Mr. Jeffrey Kripal is another such scholar - one of his books (Kali's Child) was withdrawn from circulation by the Indian publisher after objections arose in US and India. All the other contributors are from the West, except two from Columbia University, who appear to be of Indian origin.

This naturally gives rise to a charge of bias or lack of understanding on of part of scholars. I also noticed this in some places while reading about Hinduism. However, this does not seem to be deliberate slant, but may be due to the background and cultural differences of the scholars. In fact, I found the treatment of non-Western religions in this encyclopedia to be more accurate and balanced than that in the World Book Encyclopedia, which often reads like a missionary text.

All in all, an excellent buy. However, you should use it for general information only, and stop short of using it as an authentic interpretation of non-Western faiths (or Western faith, for that matter).

There are better ones out there with more accurate info.
This book is biased and mis-representative.

THE BEST BOOK EVER!
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN RELIGION!

A highly recommended, "reader friendly" reference.
Articles pack this important encyclopedia which includes illustrations, maps, and color art. All religions, cultures and regions are included in a reference which will prove essential to both specialty libraries and general public library collections. ... Read more

Product Description
Primary Source Readings in World Religions provides your students with the opportunity to read foundational texts from the major world religions. Throughunderstanding other religions we can create an atmosphere of genuine respect and honest discussion. In doing this we can respond to the invitation Pope Benedict XVI extended to all of us when he said, "I encourage all religious groups in America to persevere in their collaboration and thus enrich public life with the spiritual values that motivate your action in the world" (from Benedict XVI; Meeting with Representatives of Other Religions).

In Primary Source Readings in World Religions you willfind portions of the foundational texts and teachings of a wide variety of world religions, including

Customer Reviews (1)

A solid introduction to understanding the religions of the world
Understanding the faiths of the world is a key to understanding why the world is the way it is today. "Primary Source Readings in World Religions" was created in response to the recent call by Pope Benedict for all religions to work together and embrace one another to make the world a better place. Brodd takes pieces from the sacred texts of several major world religions to explain their nature and values, and how they came to be. "Primary Source Readings in World Religions" is a solid introduction to understanding the religions of the world.
... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

The contributions are mainly historical
Masuzawa describes this book not as a criticism of contemporary religious studies but as an archaeology of texts throughout the 19th century that preceded these studies. The last text discussed is from 1923. The book proceeds like this:

A position is taken in some older texts that Christianity is the only universally true religion, while all other religions are doomed and limited in scope. Masuzawa's thesis is that the early 20th century's pluralistic notion of "world religions" was a continuation of the biases found in the older Christian-centric view, or, to be more exact, not those exact biases, but either their offshoots after they had been transformed to seek after a more general "European hegemony" or possibly independent biases of a similar nature.

The text investigates different movements in religious and cultural studies, where precedents for certain biased behaviors among Europeans are claimed. Again, whether they are intended to be seen as part of one lineage leading up to "world religions" or as independent developments is open.

Only the final chapter addresses the problem of pluralism hosting Eurocentrism in a study of the writing of one author, Ernst Troeltsch (1865-1923), in which Masuzawa claims to spot license for bigotry inside the religious freedom granted in a pluralistic scenario.

One criticism might contrast the "worst-case" pluralism that Masuzawa sees in Troeltsch with how policies like multiculturalism have actually been implemented, which have only devalued European tradition.

Take away the spotty analysis and you have a reasonable contribution to the history of comparative religious studies. Especially useful is the history of the old sense of "world religion," that is, the view that some religions were proper for the whole world to adopt while others were limited. This should have edged the rating up to 3 stars, but it is so frustrating to see Masuzawa brush so close to pertinent points only to seem to feel an immediate need to force the subject matter into a conspiracy by scholars to assert European command. There is so quick of a rush to do this that it limits the analysis and feels intellectually degrading because of its transparency.

Some examples:

-She asserts that because F. Max Mueller categorized religions in terms of "revealed religions" (religions based on inspired teachings, like Christianity or Islam) and "natural religions" (like animism), "to call a religion 'revealed' amounts to claiming it is a true religion coming from above, in contradistinction to others that are 'natural' ... or mundanely and humanly manufactured, hence made up, 'false' religions." Really?

-Masuzawa thinks it is strange for Mueller's 50-volume "Sacred Books of the East" (1879-1910) to contain so many texts from Indo-European source languages (41 out of 50 volumes), and suggests this comes from Indo-European favoritism, but does not address the fact that the sacred texts in Sanskrit of Hinduism and Buddhism comprise an utterly huge corpus, and so logically such texts would be over-represented. But of course it must have been due to some kind of bias...

-Islam's recognition of Hindus as "people of the book" was an "ingenious" breakthrough even though it was done under imperialistic motivation, while the West's embrace of religious pluralism is a scheme to assert European hegemony.

Very interesting
If you are interested in the history of the study of religion, then (and only then) this is an absolutely great text.

First of all, Masuzawa does well what she sets out to do: explore the prehistory of the idea of "world religions" and thus the fascinating background to the activity of "comparative religion." She considers contributions of often neglected scholars, especially in the tradition of Christian apologetics, but even better, in the French academic tradition before Durkheim. That is rarely visited terrain! She also presents familiar figures, especially Max Muller and Ernest Troeltsch, in unusual lights, and makes her case strongly.

If you're looking for that, you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this at all to anyone unfamiliar with comparative religion: you have to start with Huston Smith and other "world religions" texts; and if you begin to suspect that they oversimplify their subjects for unspoken religious purposes, then you are ripe for this book (and others like it).

I even recommend being familiar with the general terrain of the academic study of religion, and if you are not, then I happily recommend Pals' "Seven Theories of Religion" with enthusiasm. More and more fine books in this field appear every year, but that is by far the best introduction that I know of.

If you happen to be a fan of folks like Huston Smith, who specialize in "comparative religion"--in which various texts and rituals are taken as represtantive of a "world religion" or "great tradition" or whatever, and then compared to texts and rituals taken to represent other world religions--then this is a book that might shake you.

Unfortunately the author does not dare to make the strong claim that comparative religion is largely nonsense, since scholars claiming to be objective and secular (that is, "scientific") have no right to proclaim any manifestation of a religion as its essence, nor to decide how various widely divergent traditions ought to be grouped together. She hints that secular scholars have no real basis for elevating some traditions to the status of world religions and relegating others to some lesser status.

She probably believes scholars with those kind of goals should simply admit that they're doing theology; but she's too cautious to take on those issues here. You can find all this being debated openly in religious studies departments everywhere; Masuzawa contents herself merely to give a little historical background, filled (like most academic books) with visciously ironic intimations, but defensively mild theses. If you do want to face the issue straight on, you will find little here to help you. For this, I think the best place to begin may be Jonathan Z. Smith's "Religion, Religions, Religious" in a book titled "Critical Terms for Religious Studies."

Finally, I do not ordinarily find myself sympathetic to self-consciously post-modern books - a trait I evidently share with the other reviewers. However, I did not find the post-modernism here troublesome at all, and I doubt most people would. If you're really strongly dedicated to the old Eliade school of religious studies, it might be a little upsetting, but there's a lot of good history in this book - enough to make worthwhile dealing with its theoretical views.

(I want to sincerely thank the kind stranger who bought this book for me, finding it on my amazon.com wishlist. It was an excellent, much-appreciated gift.)

Necessity is Still the Mother of Invention
Well, this is a good, thought-provoking book in a number of ways, but like so many other "Invention of" academic titles it promises way more than it ends up delivering. In this case, the invention of the category "world religion" is not really discussed and analyzed; rather, the book covers in much interesting detail the category's prehistory, as it were, including prior category conceptualizations and the confused (and confusing) welter of ideas supposedly leading up to the appearance of "world religions" in the early 20th century. Masuzawa acknowledges this in the introduction, but then this still begs the question why not actually tackle the "invention" itself (or change the title)? Also, the weakness of the "discourse analysis" method rears its ugly head here, in that, as she admits herself, she is unable to propose a better conceptual scheme and set of categories in place of "world religions"--this only leads me to suspect that the category is "hegemonic" because it is indeed a sound one that best helps us think about the phenomenon in question.

Unlike many such postmodern books that claim to use critical theory to supposedly debunk hegemonic concepts and ideologies, though, Masuzawa writes in a clear, crisp manner free of the usual barbaric jargon (most of the time). And instead of relying on an intricate cobweb of French critical theorists and other academic writers to patch together a tenuous politically strident sermon, she has certainly done extensive research in the primary sources (some of which are hard to find and obscure now) and bases her argument carefully on what she has dug up, including relevant citations quite to the point. This makes the book compelling and interesting despite its other drawbacks. The chapter on Max Muller is worth its weight in gold because of this, and the chapter on the evolving European awareness of "Buddhism" (yes, sigh, even this term gets a dose of deconstruction in this book) is likewise strong.

A sort of post-colonial political correctness infects the discussion of "Islam" (which doesn't get deconstructed, for that matter), however. European imperialism is always coded as aggressive and negative if in a subtle, understated manner, while the Muslim empire stretching from Spain to Indonesia is described in the most glowing of terms. Religious scholars who doubted Islam's status as a "world religion" because it converted infidels at sword point are taken to task by Masuzawa for prejudicially portraying Islam as virulent, when the violent nature of Islam's spread is well-attested as a historical fact plain and simple. While her analysis of the framework by which they explained this phenomenon is interesting and not without merit, it is weakened by this strained and stubborn refusal to consider the possibility that their characterizations of Buddhism as "peaceful" and Islam as "militant" might be due to more than just imperialist ideology and actually have some basis in empirical reality.

There were a host of other minor things I found either frustrating or fascinating about the book, but in general I can say that, despite my reservations about the author's method, she does lead anyone who studies "world religions" as a subject to consciously question, examine, and ponder their presuppositions and assumptions, and this is always and ever a valuable and necessary exercise. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Grand Theory, Short on Science
This is a fascinating and stimulating book that deserves a careful reading.I was continually amazed with the ease that Griffin summarized centuries of scientific, philosophical, and theological development and then highlighted the connecting and diverging conceptual threads.If only as a history of ideas, Griffin's book deserves a place on your shelf.But he goes further and proposes a worldview that he claims is true to the methods of science (i.e. experience and reason) and serves as a modern day bridge to the religious concepts of naturalistic theism, soul, afterlife, and fully human ethics.In this effort, he relies heavily on the work of Alfred North Whitehead and Charles Harthshorne.

Griffin points out what he calls the insuperable problems of the two most dominant worldviews since the Enlightenment, i.e. dualism and materialism.As for dualism, one is left with two worlds, one of matter and the other of mind (spirit, soul), and no reasonable explanation as to how they could interact (p. 22).One is also left with an omnipotent, benevolent, God and the very real human experience of evil.Historically, these problems lead to a rejection of dualism and the emergence of materialism.This worldview either fully rejects the reality of the mind, or relegates it to a mere epiphenomenona.Unfortunately, materialism leaves one denying the fundamental reality of one's own experiences, a contradiction unacceptable to an open-minded empiricism.Finding both of these worldviews as fatally flawed, Griffin moves to propose his postmodern vision.

The core of this vision lies in an ontology that he admits "boggles" the modern mind. (p. 63).He claims that all individual entities in the universe, be they humans, animals, plants, cells, molecules, or subatomic particles are experiential events (p. 24).This panexperientialism, or postmodern animism, provides all such entities a degree of freedom, self-determination, and creativity.From this foundation he develops his other concepts such as naturalistic theism (a view of God that is part of rather than separate from nature), the human soul, life after death, and ethical priorities.

Unfortunately, Griffin indicates that he "cannot take the time here to provide the evidence and arguments for this post modern starting point..." (p. 63).I wish he had taken the time so that this position could be more fully appreciated and credible.The arguments he does present include: 1) the extension of Heisenberg's principle of indeterminacy from epistemology to ontology; 2) the unavoidable contradictions involved in dualism and materialism; 3) the direct experience of God through prehension; and 4) evidence from parapsychology.Had Griffin developed each of these arguments further, the postmodern worldview he presents may have been more compelling.However, absent further development, these arguments are far from convincing and the conundrums he presents susceptible to alternative solutions or a simple declaration that we are still seeking answers.It is also unclear how the hypothesis of panexperientialism could be tested and thus meet the fundamental requirement of science.

In order to get a better grasp of what modern physics involves, I visited the website of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (www.fnal.gov).This site is full of current information regarding Quantum Mechanics and is written for the educated layman.The picture of modern physics presented at this site is hardly mechanistic or Newtonian.It is full of uncertainty and concepts (e.g. quarks, leptons, photons, fermions, anitfermions, antiparticles, antimatter, dark matter, positrons, hadrons, bosons, neutrinos, and baryons, to name just a few) that also boggle the mind.

Unfortunately, Griffin does not even attempt a preliminary sketch of the Standard Model, i.e. the consensus worldview of modern physics, let alone its more esoteric cousins such as Super String Theory.Without a careful examination of these models, it seems premature to introduce the concepts of experience and creativity to Quantum Mechanics.One might even suggest that such a venture fails to give appropriate intellectual respect and deference to the work of modern scientists.There may be a place for panexperientialism in modern physics, but it may also be unnecessary, unhelpful, distracting, or even misleading.The truth is in the details and Griffin has failed to make his case at this level.

When reading Griffin I was reminded of a comment John Dominick Crossan made regarding the study of the historical Jesus.He said that it "was a safe place for one to do theology and call it history, to do autobiography and call it biography".It the case of this book, I came away with the distinct impression that Griffin was doing philosophy and calling it science, doing theology and calling it physics.Similarly, I was reminded of Marcus Borg's comment that, "In order to make the claim of history, you must do the work of history".What is true for history is equally true for physics, and Griffin has not done the work of physics.

In conclusion, I would love to seen a close collaboration and real dialogue and between physicists and postmodern philosophers/theologians such as Griffin.Absent that, it seems prudent to leave physics with the physicists.If philosophers and theologians intend to ground their worldviews in modern physics, then they need to do it in a more complete, detailed, and comprehensive way.

Creb

More penetrating insight from Griffin...
Yet another well-argued philosophical masterpiece from one of the world'sleading Process Theologians, David Ray Griffin.The other reviewer, AndrewNg, is obviously not familiar with the Philosophy of Alfred North Whiteheadand Charles Hartshorne, nor with the variety of pre-modern, modern andpostmodern theological views.If he were, he would realize that ProcessThought is a practical, amazingly thorough, philosophically and ethicallysound understanding of God and the world, that's based not on some"ideal", fantasyworld, but on the ACTUAL WORLD AS WE EXPERIENCEIT.I've been a "student" of Process Thought for nearly 10 yearsnow, and have yet to find a better, more holistic model of reality.

IHighly recommended this,as well as Griffin's other books, and books by JohnB. Cobb, Jr, Marjorie Suchocki, and Ken Wilber.

More penetrating insight from Griffin...
Yet another well-argued philosophical masterpiece from one of the world'sleading Process Theologians, David Ray Griffin.The other reviewer, AndrewNg, is obviously not familiar with the Philosophy of Alfred North Whiteheadand Charles Hartshorne, nor with the variety of pre-modern, modern andpostmodern theological views.If he were, he would realize that ProcessThought is a practical, amazingly thorough, philosophically and ethicallysound understanding of God and the world, that's based not on some"ideal", fantasyworld, but on the ACTUAL WORLD AS WE EXPERIENCEIT.I've been a "student" of Process Thought for nearly 10 yearsnow, and have yet to find a better, more holistic model of reality.

IHighly recommended this,as well as Griffin's other books, and books by JohnB. Cobb, Jr, Marjorie Suchocki, and Ken Wilber.

Repetitious and Loose Arguments
I read this book hoping to understand the relationship between religion and contemporary worldview a little better, and found myself thoroughly disappointed. The author, despite stating that there is overlapping ofideas between/amongst the chapters, has done little to overcome this -chapters repeat themselves too frequently, and an idea is over-developed tobreaking point that one seems to be reading the same old thing all overagain with each new chapter. The author also tries too hard to marryreligious philosophy and contemporary worldview under his all conclusiveconcept of `creativity', hence reducing everything living to an extensionand expression of creativity. For the author, God is Creativity, whofunctions as a persuader of, and is persuaded by, other life-forms'creativity - persuasion being the `isness' of existence. This is aninteresting concept, but a reader will soon realise that the writer ismerely using a lot of jargon to propose his brand of pseudo-pantheism (or,as he calls it, panentheism). Hence, existence is merely the creative forceof every living entity (which includes atoms and molecules - yes, eventhese are living, experiential entities)to connect with the past and shapethe future - the `God is Nature, Nature is God' idea. But again, evenwithout God, the world would still carry on rather well if we would followthe book's proposition - after all, everything is essentially creative,able to connect with its past and mould its future, and God is justanother, albeit greater, creative being. The author stresses the necessityof God but, unfortunately, reduces God to just one of the many creativeentities. But my greatest quarrel with this book, as mentioned earlier, isits repetitiveness, and by repeating this again, you know how annoying itwould get. ... Read more

Product Description
Have you ever wondered . . .

• what the red dot on an Indian woman's forehead means?
• whether all Buddhist monks practice martial arts?
• if the Emperor of Japan is still considered a god?

Product Description
Forward by Scott Hahn

In Many Religions, One Covenant, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger spans the deep divides in modern Catholic scholarship to present a compelling biblical theology, modern in its concerns yet classical in its breadth. It is his classical mastery, his ressourcement, that enables the Cardinal to build a bridge.

Cardinal Ratzinger seeks to deepen our understanding of the Bible's most fundamental principle. The covenant defines religion for Christians and Jews. We cannot discern God's design or his will if we do not meditate upon his covenant.

The covenant, then, is the principle that unites the New Testament with the Old, the Scriptures with Tradition, and each of the various branches of theology with all the others. The covenant does more than bridge the gaps between these elements; it fills in the gaps, so that biblical scholarship, dogmatic theology, and magesterial authority all stand on common ground - solid ground. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Continuity
It seems that Christian theologians have attempted to find the continuity of the faith with it's ancient Jewish roots since the beginning. This has overflowed into the extremes such as Marcion and others who found little or no continuity and another extreme that attempts to liberalize and distill Christianity and Judaism to their lowest common denominators to the point of them losing their significance altogether. As with his work, Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict XVI once again draws us back to the essentials of our faith in order to provide an honest comparison. He finds the essential link of Old/New Testament and Judaism/Christianity lies in God's revealing himself to man by way of covenant. Therein is the key to understanding the continuity of the two faiths and the common ground for dialog and understanding.

The identification of covenant makes the Foreword by Dr. Scott Hahn, who lectures and writes extensively on covenant theology, all the more appropriate.

A well reasoned, concise, and helpful discussion leading to a deeper understanding of the continuity of faith in Christianity from Judaism. A must have for any Christian or Jewish theologian's library.

Bright Thinking Presented Too Briefly
Cardinal Ratzinger is now Pope Benedict XVI.At the time of this writing he was Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Propogation of the Faith.

This small book is his exploration of ressourcement involvingbut not limited to a very broad sketching of biblical theology, involving "not just a recovery of the Fathers, but a return to the place where the Fathers returned, again and again: the living oracles, the Word of God" (15).

In Part One, "Israel, the Church and the World," Ratzinger considers whether a rapprochement between the Church and Israel is possible after Auschwitz, and if so toward what end.He begins by examining how the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992)highlights the role of Jesus in uniting Jew and Gentile in the worship of the true and Living God.Through His coming, Jesus "brings together the histories of the nations in the community of the the history of Abraham the history of Israel.His mission is unification, reconciliation, as the Letter to the Ephesians (2:18-22) will then present it. The history of Israel should become the history of all" (27).Focusing on how the history and status of the Jews as the chosen people is foundational to the identity and reality of the Church, he establishes the continuing importance of Israel for the Church.The key theme of Jesus' coming is reconciliation, not only of Jew and Gentile to God, but of Jew and Gentile to one another.

Besides reconciliation, Ratzinger explores continuity in the realm of Torah, highlighting the catechism's avowal that Jesus came not to abolish but to fulfill (and thus, validate) the Law.There must also be a continuity between Jesus and Israel, or he is an agent of division rather than reconciliation.Ratzinger tends to collapse the Law into the moral law, and sees Jesus as elevating that moral Law to its highest plane and deepest focus, thus validating rather than replacing it.He sees the Older Testmant as fundamentally Law and Promise, and Christ as the interpreter of the former and the fulfillment of the latter.

In Part Two, "The New Covenant," he explores whether the older andNew Covenants are each a vassal covenant or a grant covenant, andcollapses the covenants plural and lower case into the one Covenant singular and upper case, failing to adequately explain the rationale for and the nature of this shift.I find his theologizing too abstract and self-consciously christocentric, as if all of God's doings collapse into the work of Christ.Part Three is a Homily, "The New Manna," exploring the paradoxical nature of our relationship with God and of His work in the world, forswearing force, accepting weakness and vulnerability, yet inexorably transforming everything.

Part Four, "The Dialogue of The Religions and the Relationship Between Judaism and Christianity," is the most crucial chapter for my work.It involves a bare and careful sketch of a kind of logos theology,in which the truths we know of God are always partial, and the revelation we receive is often a journey in the dark, yet toward the light.

The chapter includes a sletch of the birth and nature of ecumenism, and how Christendom discovered and began to honor the religious imprinting of peoples whom it simply viewed as a target audience.He views discussions of unity and diversity to be crucial, since the geopolitical realities we all live with require of us progress in peace, justice, and preservation of the earth.

He broadly divides world religions into two categories:tribal and universal, and then divides universal religions into theistic ones (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and mystical ones.He opens the question as to whether unity is to be attained either by mystical religions absorbing the theistic ones, or vice versa.To these two options he adds a third, the pragmatic solution, orthoprzxy, by which any religion would be evaluated and disciplined through its practice of the Golden Rule.

He identifies four problems, or four losses, if mystical religion were to absorb theistic religion:loss of a distinction between theistic and mystical religions, loss of the cosmos through all embracing interiority, loss of the relevance and meaning of history, and loss of binding ethics.As for the pragmatic model (orthopraxy) he indicates that religion must inform and structure ethics and morality which are not free-floating self evident categories, and that the goal is not religion as moralism but rather growth in the knowledge and service of God.

As for theistic religion absorbing the mystical, he first considers the unique relationship between Judaism and Christianity, and the question for their peaceful reconciliation (he would probably view coexistence as inadequate).He identifies two key ideas to reduce the tension and increase agreement between the Church and Israel:that through Jesus Israel's God becomes the God of the nations, and that Jesus is the servant of Israel's God for the nations' sake.These two facts can be freely acknowledged by both Jews and Christians.He suggests that two poles anchor the faith of Israel:Torah and the Messianic hope. He sees Christianity as similarly anchored, with Jesus as the Church's Sinai, and the second coming as her messianic hope. These two poles--Torah and hope link past, present and future for Israel as obedience to a received deposit, present living out of God's will, and hope in the Messiah to come.The same is true for the Church, living in the obedience of faith (past/faith), anticipation of the parousia (future/hope), and love in the present.Ratzinger avers that Christ therefore both separates and unites the Church and Israel.

Finally, in configuring the relationship between the Christian faith and mystical religions, Ratzinger says Christianity has room for a God who s always greater than our formulations, and that God's self-revelation simultaneously conceals, as in the kenosis (the self-emptying of Christ in the Incarnation).In structuring and conceiving the dialogue or religions, he says (1) the encounter of thr religions is not possible by renouncing or downplaying truth but only by encountering truth more deeply; (2)We must be prepared to acknowledge and find the truth others have found even when it comes to us in strange and foreign garb; (3) Mission and dialogue go hand in hand, since dialogue aims at finding truth and missionaries must always be learners as well as teachers.Returning to his logos imagery, he closes by indicating that all of us have encountered truth to some degree and we must learn from each other, listening to the Logos.

Clearly, Ratzinger is a first-class thinker. That the book is so brief is both a strength and weakness, as matters are repeatedly sketched instead of drawn.One wants to know more, and yet, appreciates the momentum of the overview.I appreciate the book as a summation of now Pope Benedict XVI's perspective, and have three problems with the treatment.First, I find myself alienated and unconvinced by overly abstract theological arguments:it seems a linguistic game to me (cf. Wittgenstein).Second,to the degree he seeks to speak for Israel, as in the case of what Jews believe, he offends.He would not welcome a Jews defining and characterizing the Holy See. The editors should have had a rabbi on hand to Jewishly validate or invalidate the portrait of the Jewish people Ratzinger constructs. Finally, I find myself far less sanguine about the prospects of absorbing or reaching rapprochement with the world religions.My evangelical conditioning suggests that the voices heard in some religions come from a different kingdom.

Despite these caveats, this is an important book for those seeking an orientation to the current pope's mindset and views on the Jews.

Insightful
This is a surprising book! I was amazed to read of such views taken by the Holy Pontiff. I have a more positive view after reading this short but important book.

A Beginning to Fruitful Reflection
Much of what Cardinal Ratzinger has said here has been said in other works (by him or by others).However, the given text functions as a thoughtful synthesis of these movements of thought.It is not an attempt to completely answer the question of pluralism or of the Christian-Jewish relationship.Instead, this text lays a basic framework for considering Christ's role in fulfilling the Jewish faith, the nature of Covenant as God's self-communication, the nature of the New Covenant, and religious dialogue.

I suggest this text to all but not lightly.While it is not very esoteric, it is weighty enough to require quiet reflection.The fruits of reading it are great and also give one a starting point for further thought on the subject material.I suggest it to all open minds.

Many Religions,One Covenant:Isreal,the Church,and the World
The style is typical Ratzinger. Thoughtful and insightful. Slow reading at times yet this is to be expected when dealing with a devisive issue which as firmented for nearly 1500 years. Definately worth the time to read and digest if for no other reason than to provide the reader with a farmilarization to the author. More professionally known these days as Pope Benedict XVI. ... Read more

Product Description
An indispensable reference tool for parents, students, and pastors alike. Larson analyzes dozens of world religions and spiritual movements--from Islam to UFOs, from the New Age movement to witchcraft--and presents the information in a reliable encyclopedia format. Larson's Book of World Religions and Alternative Spirituality is a ready reference that will help address answers to tough questions from a biblical perspective. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Larson's Book of World Religions & Alternative Spirituality
This book deals with World Religions and Alternative Spirituality like the title tells us.It gives a description of what they believe and the Christian response to them.Because there are so many there is limited space for info on them. There is enough info for you to know what they believe.He also gives sources if you want to do any further studies on a group.I think it is a good book to have.

A conservative evangelical teaching
This is a book that I bought for a seminary class that I was attended. WASTE OF MONEY.
If you think that you can know religions through other eyes, you are wrong.
Do you really want to know what someone else thinks about God? Read what he himself writes about it.
For example, if you want to know who the mormons are and what they think about God, read their publications.
Some people are not prepare to do that, so, if it is your case, look for another introduction.

Larson did no research whatsoever on different religions
Bob Larson is a fake and a phony. Anyone that buys what he is selling diserves to lose their money. He did zero research for this book. This book only fuels the nutters out there and someday will have a hand in some trailer trash pentecostal staking a bank manager because the demons in the ATM machine took his card.

Shawn Patrick Williams, Author of "Warring With The Word"
Bob always displays boldness in dealing with the enemy. His book has a lot of information. I think it is very important to be aware of the traps of Satan. This book gives you insight into the enemies camp. I came out of the occult and know what he is saying is very true. I share very similar stories in my book.

For Those Who Are Not Afraid To Be Like Christ
This book is a straight forward informational on what is involved in the various "religions".For those who have a problem with the fundamentalism of Christianity (by the way Jesus was a fundamentalist, live with it) try to rationalize your politically correct position with Jesus' statement, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.No one comes to the Father but by me."So if that is fact how can any other religion or belief be an alternate way to God?It is time for Christian's to quit being of the world.This book is plain facts, compared to what Jesus says in the bible, and how they cannot co-exist.You must ask yourself, either the whole bible is true, or none of it is true.You can't pick out the parts that are comfortable and say you are a Christian.These are the one's that Jesus will be stating "I don't know you"Thanks Bob for standing your ground, and stating what is fact.You are truly blessed as you are being persecuted for Jesus' sake.And thank you for the informative books you write on how to deal with spiritual warfare, you are helping many of us who believe the whole bible, and not just parts of it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Does women's liberation lie in the same book?
The Christian Bible depicts women as subservient to man, and at times treated as property - but at the same time, does women's liberation lie in the same book? "Violence Against Women In Contemporary World Religion: Roots and Cures" believes so and that it applies to many other world religions as well, be it Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism or others. The large group of scholarly collaborators come together and join up to discuss the issue to find both its cause and its remedy, all while staying true to their faith. "Violence Against Women in Contemporary World Religion: Roots and Cures" is highly recommended to both people with interests of women's studies and religion- and any community library collection catering to either. ... Read more

Product Description
How does the Christian faith relate to other faiths? Do these other faiths have any place in God's plan of salvation? In what sense is Christianity unique? These questions have challenged many thinkers in recent years, including such writers as John Hick and Hans Kung. Norman Anderson examines their writings alongside the biblical evidence and the beliefs of the major non-Christian religions. He probes difficult questions and does not shrink from controversy. His book provides an important analysis of the uniqueness of the Christian revelation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The uniqueness of Christianity
This book, along with Dissonant Voices by Harold A. Netland (which I have also reviewed), is among the best Christian books I have read on the relation of Christianity to the world's other major religions.

The main thrust of this work is the uniqueness of the Gospel. There are three major chapters dealing with the uniqueness question: A unique proclamation? A unique salvation? A unique disclosure?

The two other chapters:No other name?Proclamation, dialogue, or both?

"A unique proclamation?" discusses the idea that the New Testament argues that God-in-manhood (i.e. Jesus Christ) has died in human history and has been physically resurrected as well; these are unique historical events. Anderson contrasts this with major differences found in other religions. The mystery religions of the early Christian era (c. 0-200 A.D.) are myth based whereas Christianity is based on events in a specific place and a specific time. Anderson also notes the mythological basis of Hinduism (he also discusses the Hindu doctrine of avatars which is quite DIFFERANT from the Christian doctrine of the Incarnation). As for religions with a historical basis, he discusses Islam and Judaism (and includes Buddhism under this category, but I don't agree. Buddhism could exist if the historical Buddha was mythological.)

"A unique salvation?" discusses the ultimate goal or purpose of human existence, as understood from Christianity and other religions. For the Christian, this would be Heaven and the forgiveness of sins etc... However, this stands in sharp contrast to other religions, which have, for example, release from reincarnation as their "salvation." Anderson than classifies religions into two categories; those that are "this worldy" and those that are Hereafter oriented. The "this-worldly" religions/ideologies discussed are: Communism, Fascism, Theravada Buddhism, and Zen Buddhism. Then there are the religions where salvation is "primarily in terms of eternity" (e.g. Hinduism, Bhaki Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism etc...). He notes that Christianity is among the very few with the dual emphasis both on eternity and the present world. Then, Anderson looks at the question of how salvation is to be attained in various different religions and the differences that are entailed here.

"A unique disclosure?" contrasts the Christian revelation of the nature and character of God to other religions. Anderson addresses the so-called, "evolutionary theory of religions," which asserts that religions start as animism, then polytheism and lastly monotheism. Anderson presents contrary evidence to this, in that there have been several tribes discovered which are either at the level of monotheism (and this development could not be attributed to outside influences) or henotheism (which is belief in or worship of one God while admitting or not denying the existence of other Gods; i.e. the notion of a "Supreme" God). Anderson looks at the problem of evil, the character of God and some other ideas in the rest of this chapter.

"No other name?" (based on Acts 4:12), is challenging in terms of the ideas presented but I think that Anderson has some good ideas here. He notes that the New Testament records the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as "once for all." One of the great passages in the book, is here:

"Inevitably, then the Christian faith is either itself false or `casts the shadow of falsehood, or at least of imperfect truth, on every other system. This Christian claim' as Stephen Neill insists, ` is naturally offensive to the adherents of every other religious system... But we must not suppose that this claim to universal validity is something that can be quietly removed from the Gospel without changing it into something entirely different from what it is... For the human sickness there is one specific remedy, and this is it. There is no other.'" (page 140).

Anderson then proceeds to examine various different situations such as the pre-Christian era, those today who have never heard the Gospel, the Jews since the advent of Christ. I was very surprised that Anderson did not mention or discuss Hebrews 8:13; such a passage would seem to have decisive to say about the case of Judaism.

The last chapter is about the relation between proclamation and dialogue. Proclamation is the announcement of the Gospel and declaring what God has done in Jesus. Entering into discussion with the adherent of another religion, does not require, giving up one's commitments, embracing relativism etc... both rather committing to respect the dignity and accord the other person the respect the deserve as a person. Anderson takes as a text, the encounter between Cornelius and the Apostle Peter in Acts 10 where both gained something in the meeting. I am not sure what to make of this chapter; the whole issue of what dialogue is (in contrast to evangelism or theological argument) has not been clearly defined in a widely accepted way. There are some informal forms of dialogue with adherents of other religions, which may eventually change into a presentation of the Gospel; this would seem to be the ideal situation.

I would recommend this book, in addition to, "Dissonant Voices: Religious Pluralism and the Question of Truth," by Harold A. Netland, to all Christians who:

a) want to know how to deal with members of other religions

b) want to know how to show the idea "that all religions teach the same thing," is really a distortion of the world's religions

c) are interested in learning about other religions

Good discussion of traditional Christian views vs. pluralism
I thought the book was very good.Anderson's background contributed to that.He is a scholar, having taught Islamic law in England for many years, but he also takes an evangelical approach, which is helpful forChristians with traditional backgrounds. He also refutes many of the betterknown pluralists (Hicks, Cantwell, etc.), and helps the average personbetter understand the whole issue. This issue is extremely important to thechurch.Anderson discusses such questions as: Is Christianity unique?Canone be saved by any other name but Jesus? and so forth.This is a goodbook to read about this important subject and while meaty it is not toohard for most lay people to read and get something out of it. ... Read more

Product Description
Religious faith takes many forms. Throughout the centuries and around the globe, the human response to the divine has given rise to a large number of important religions. The "Britannica's Encyclopedia of World Religions" provides an authoritative and comprehensive guide to the religions of the world and to the concepts, movements, people, and events that have shaped them. In addition to more than 3,500 detailed entries, discover 30 in-depth articles documenting the attitudes and ideals of major religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism, as well as many other key religious topics. It includes features such as: more than 3,500 entries on religious movements and concepts, historical and legendary figures, divinities, religious sites and ceremonies; more than 600 images that show sacred places, vestments, rituals, objects, and texts; 32 pages of full-colour artwork and maps; easy-to-use A-Z format; information on the pronunciation and origins of religious terms; and, thousands of cross-references for research and browsing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Best 1-volume reference on religion
Religion is my field, so I have several references, including the great 2nd edition of the Encyclopedia of Religion, 15 Volume Set. Unfortunately it has a huge price tag.

Among the single-volume references, this is by far the best. It has the most entries, and they are thorough, well-written, and betray no obvious agenda. The illustrations are very well chosen, though there could certainly be more. Its expense is justified, but if you want a cheaper one you should consider the The HarperCollins Dictionary of Religion, which I haven't read but expect its articles (but not its illustrations) to be roughly as good as the Brittanica, or The HarperCollins Concise Guide to World Religion: The A-to-Z Encyclopedia of All the Major Religious Traditions, which is excellent for what it is (especially considering its price), but it doesn't have many entries, and they aren't long enough, and it has no illustrations.

If you want the kind of guide to religion that you can read straight through, your best option may be The Cambridge Illustrated History of Religions (Cambridge Illustrated Histories), which is ok although it only deals with the major traditions. More famous is Huston Smith's The Illustrated World's Religions: A Guide to Our Wisdom Traditions; though I disagree with his "essentialist" approach to religion even more than his gently restrained traditionalist agenda, he is always both respectful and academically plausible. The kind of good information that you can find in those two books is much more plentiful in the Brittanica (the book I'm reviewing now), but if it makes a difference, both of these books are more lavishly illustrated.

(Let me just throw this out, in case anyone considers it: the worst is Religion: A Cross-Cultural Dictionary (Oxford Paperback Reference).)

Evidently the real paper edition is preferable to the Kindle version, which the other reviewer meant to review.

Beware: No look-up function!
This large reference work (1200 pages in the print edition) is useless on the Kindle.I've just bought it and am about to ask for my money back.There's no look-up function!The only way to look up a term is to do a search.I wanted to see the article on "Jesus".By searching on that, I got a list of 685 occurrences of the name, taking up 137 Kindle pages.If you want to flip through all those to decide which is the actual Entry, then buy this book.
Amazon is really not doing any quality control of what they're offering for sale as Kindle-compatible books, and this will come back to bite them quickly if they don't get someone who cares about their customers in charge of the Kindle Books section.It should be obvious that an encyclopedia, like a dictionary, needs a look-up function that only searches the Entry (key) words.An encyclopedia that doesn't incorporate that shouldn't be offered until it's fixed, because it will frustrate every user who buys it.Incidentally, while the book has what looks like a Contents page, it's not linked to anything.
Save your money.
Paul ... Read more

Product Description
Virtually every contemporary Western leader has expressed the view that Islam is a peaceful religion and that those who commit violence in its name are fanatics who misinterpret its tenets. This widely circulated claim is false.

Relying primarily on Islam's own sources, Religion of Peace? Islam's War Against the World demonstrates that Islam is a violent, expansionary ideology that seeks the subjugation and destruction of other faiths, cultures, and systems of government. Further, it shows that the jihadis that Westerners have been indoctrinated to believe are extremists, are actually in the mainstream.

"A fascinating thesis." - William F. Buckley Jr. Founder, National Review

"A valuable, well-argued contribution to the public understanding of Islam...it manages to convey in a short space what the West needs to know about Islam: that its violent aspects are not the result of deviance but of orthodoxy"' - Robert Spencer, The Politically IncorrectGuide to Islam (and The Crusades)

"A very important work at a very important time. Anyone interested in understanding the growing violence on the world scene today must read this book. Its message for America and the West is, `Wake up before it's too late.'" - Gary Bauer, President, American Values

"This book provides a timely reality check to those still inclined to believe in the dichotomy between a "real" Islam and its allegedly aberrant violent fringe. That delusion costs lives and threatens the very existence of those affected by it. The refusal of the elite class to open its eyes to reality and protect Western nations from the threat is the biggest betrayal in history. It reflects a problem of cultural and spiritual decay that is the synthesis of all others." - Serge Trifkovic,The Sword of the Prophet and Defeating Jihad ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

High price for not being the 'final version' of the book!!
I'm currently reading the Kindle version and find it will written and interesting.However when the Table of Contents concludes with this parenthetical statement:
"(PLEASE NOTE:The final book will have appendices, a glossary, and an index.)"
Then why does this publisher, World Ahead Publishing, allow this?Furthermore, when do they plan on publishing and printing the final version since the copyright is 2006?This is true for both the hardcover and the Kindle versions.
Fortunately there at least is a modicum of Notes in the rear of the book.However do not let this keep you from purchasing it, since the author (at this point in my reading) seems knowledgeable and anticipates the questions that arise from my mind playing devil's advocate.I hope it continues to be as good to the end.Please note:my final review will have an appendix to verify my opinions stated at the moment.

An important read
Dr. Davis' book is a very important read.I've never believed that Islam is a religion of peace, now I have facts and analysis to back up my suspicions.

Must educate yourself
It's funny how information totally changes your perspective.

What struck me was the idea that Islam should not receive equal protection under the law because it is more than a religion. It is a political system and a religion, and you cannot separate the two. And the idea that one shouldn't tolerate something that is intolerant struck a nerve.

I have done my fair of research to try to get the most unbiased information I can about the religion of Islam. I have even taken the time to read the Koran. I continue to find ways to believe that Islam is a peaceful religion, but the research just does not support that claim.

What's even more frustrating that none of my friends want to do the research and spend the time to study the topic. They are so sold on the politically correct ideas of Islam, so apologetic, so sensitive to stepping on the toes of everyone that they won't even spend the time and energy to look into it.

Ignorance goes both ways. People have convinced themselves that speaking ill of any religion is ignorant WITHOUT having done the research about the religion themselves. Somehow, you are automatically considered not ignorant if you are tolerant and apologetic.

The Outcome of Pretending to Know the Unknowable
It is simply time for us to wake up and hold religious views accountable for their claims of authority to rule over others. As Andrew Newberg said, Maintaining religious belief systems that cause hate and anger will cause brain damage. I think it's important for anyone to deeply consider this statement made by a neuroscientist.
Rahasya Poe, [...]

An Important Question With a Simple Answer
For some time, especially during the years after 9/11, a popular myth has been promulgated by Muslim community leaders, Islamic apologists, politicians, academics and media figures. Namely, that Islam is a religion of peace. George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Karen Armstrong, John Esposito, Christiane Amanpour and many others have repeated the assertion that Islam is essentially peaceful in nature. Gregory M. Davis proceeds to dismantle this notion in this slender but pithy volume.

For virtually the entirety of its fourteen centuries of existence, Islam has been anything but a "religion of peace". Davis illustrates this first by providing quotes from the Qur'an which dictate hostility towards non-Muslims. Passages such as: Sura 8 Verse 39; Sura 9 Verse 5; and Sura 9 Verse 29. Davis also discusses the concept of abrogation, whereby earlier Qur'anic verses are repealed by later ones(see Sura 2 Verse 106). Alas, the peaceful and tolerant verses occur in the earleir chronological record, while Muhammad was still merely a "warner and a messenger", whereas the belligerent verses occur later, after Muhammad secured a position of authority and influence.

Davis also discusses the hadith literature, which is perhaps more confrontational in tone than the Qur'an. The hadiths, together with the sira, or early biographies of Muhammad, discuss in detail the sayings and deeds of the Prophet. For example, we learn of the fate of the Jewish Banu Quraiza tribe, whose adult male members were put to the sword, right down to the last man, whereas the women and children were pressed into slavery. We also learn of the assasinations of intellectual opponents of Muhammad, such as Asma bint Marwan, a young mother, and Kab ibn Ashraf, an elderly man. This provided the basis for the fatwas against Salman Rushdie, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Taslima Nasrin and others. Islam legitimizes slavery, mass murder, assasination, lying, robbery, theft and child rape via the example of Muhammad through the hadith and the sira.

This volume also examines the concept of Jihad. Davis makes it abundantly clear that Jihad means more than personal struggle or moral improvement. Throughout the centuries, Jihad has meant armed struggle and conquest. Davis provides examples of Jihad conquest such as the conquests of Persia and Byzantium. Also examined is the concept of Dhimmitude, in which non-Muslims residing in a Muslim land are afforded an inferior status, as per Islamic Shari'a law. Throughout Islamic history, the peoples of the lands conquered by Islam were presented with a choice between conversion, death or acceptance of an inferior status known as dhimma. The dhimmi peoples faced with many burdens. They were excessively taxed (i.e. the Jizya); they were forced to were distinctive clothing and markers, such as yellow stars; they were forbidden from bearing arms or riding horses; they were often forbidden from constructing new churches and synagogues, or from renovating old ones; they were forbidden from prostletyzing, or from practicing their faiths in public; and they were forbidden from protecting themselves from abuive behavior from Muslims, such as slapping and kicking. We can see the results of this mentality from the sufferings of the Christians of Sudan and Pakistan.

Davis then discusses how the belligerent nature of the Qur'an and hadith relates to events in the modern era. Usama bin Laden and his kind are not hijackers of a great faith; they are in fact putting Jihad and the Qur'an into practice. Events over the past few decades have provided ample evidence that terrorism is a logical product of the Jihad mentality. From the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran, to the bombing of PanAm Flight 103, to the bombings in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, to 9/11, to the events in Beslan, to provide a paltry few examples, militant Muslims have been waging a global war in accordance with the sources of their religious tradition.

In my opinion, the only major flaw of this book is the chapter titled "What Is To Be Done?". When reading the chapter, I expected the author to provide some ideas, some concrete steps, to combat the spread of militant Islam in the West. Such ideas are not offerred, so the name of the chaper is a bit of a misnomer.

Other than that, Gregory M. Davis has succeeded in his mission. He has answered the question of whether Islam is a peaceful religion, and the answer is a stern and resounding NO. The Arabic word islaam does not mean peace, but submission, and the two are very different things.
... Read more

Product Description
This accessible supplementary text examines how worshipers within the context of the world's dominant religions pursue personal transformation. Spirituality and World Religions consists of eight chapters that pursue insight into spirituality generally, as well as the respective spiritualities of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Spirituality Without Jargon
Dr.Saint-Laurent covers an enormous territory in remarkably few words (less than 300 pages).He accomplishes this not by reduction but with intelligent economy of language: this is a jargon-free book.Saint-Laurentcrosses major religous boundries without stepping on toes, and reveals inclear language the theme and variations of human spirituality. Spirituality and World Religions functions as an enjoyable read,a collegetext,an outline,a reference,and a source of enlightenment.This book is atrue example of the fact that the intellect and the soul are highlycompatible.

Comparing spiritualities
George Saint-Laurent has written a poneering study on the inner meaning of the world's major religions.The author explores how beievers may find in each of them a guide to enhance their lives, so long as they are totallycommitted to the tenets of their faith.There is a great deal ofinformation in these chapters that will enable a reader in one community tocome into contact with less familiar traditions of other religions. Thebook is at its best when it presents insights into the relationship betweenGod and humans, which the great religious traditions promote in theirseveral ways. ... Read more

Product Description
The world has always been a melting pot of beliefs, but now more than ever, your neighbor may be part of a differing world religion.The truths of Christianity are compared in key life beliefs to Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and tribal religion.A most helpful tool in answering questions you or seekers have about other religious beliefs.And a handy overview for sharing your faith with others.Formerly titled The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error II. ... Read more