| Title | : | World Religions Today |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0195176995 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780195176995 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 592 |
| Publication | : | First published November 29, 2001 |
Edition, explores eight major religious traditions as dynamic, ongoing forces in the lives of individuals and in the collective experience of modern societies. Covering historical details more succinctly than the previous edition, this volume features revised chapters on Judaism, Christianity,
Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and East Asian Religions and adds two new chapters, "Primal Religions," and " From New to New Age Religions." It also integrates material on Osama bin Laden, global terrorism, and the Iraq War. Moving beyond many books in the field--which focus on the
historical origins and ancient development of the classical traditions of each religion-- World Religions Today , Second Edition, takes a fresh approach. The book uses historical coverage of the religious traditions as a framework to help students understand how faiths have evolved to the present day
and continue to have an impact on belief, politics, and society. It connects today's religions to their classical beliefs and practices but also shows how these religions have responded to and been transformed by the modern world. To help students grasp what might be "new" about the emerging era of
religious life in the twenty-first century, the authors open each discussion with a contemporary scenario of religious experience that illustrates the tension between premodern views and modernity.
World Religions Today , Second Edition, incorporates many pedagogical aids--timelines, maps, illustrations, discussion questions, and a glossary of key terms--and also features approximately 200 photographs and two new eight-page full-color inserts. A Companion Website contains student
resources including chapter summaries, self-quizzes, and links to additional sources. An Instructor's Manual offers chapter summaries, pedagogical suggestions, and exam questions and answers. Ideal for undergraduate courses in world religions and comparative religion, World Religions Today , Second
Edition, emphasizes the interconnectedness of faith, culture, politics, and society, providing a peerless examination of the diverse ways in which contemporary human beings are religious.
World Religions Today Reviews
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In studying the landscape of religions that make up the world we live in this book covers all of them. Starting from indigenous religions, travelling through the Abrahamic persuasions, and blazing a trail into the depths of the eastern and new age religions; this book offers insight into all facets of the world's religions.
Especially noteworthy in this text is the format design. Starting with the founding of the religion, the authors trace the growth, turning points, and key events through history. Not only are you provided with a historical account of the foundations of each religion, you are also provided with the way the religion has evolved within the context of society. World Religions Today helps the reader place the various religious traditions in the world of today and at the same time, allows a glimpse as to where that religion is headed in the age of globalization.
The writing, for the most part, is done in a style that is not beset by ambiguity. Additionally, the tone of the writing is sophisticated enough to be an appropriate read for both pleasure and study.
Of special interest, there are many highlighted sections of the book where an important idea or marker of history is able to be expounded upon by visual (photo or otherwise) representation along with a key point. This offsetting from the text helps the reader understand the key concepts better, and brings a possible deeper appreciation for the art as well as the language of world religions.
The study of the world religions is arguably as relevant today as it was throughout history. In order to understand the interplay of political and spiritual forces present on the global scene today, this study can point towards a deeper understanding of the reasons why certain action are taken, and why people believe the way they do.
Even if you are not a student of religious studies, this book can easily be used to trace important philosophical, historical, sociological, political, and psychological roots of the beliefs that make up the diverse world community. -
I can legitimately say this is one of the best World Religion text books I've ever had the pleasure of reading in its entirety. I loved how the chapters were organized and how each one contained up-to-date information on each of the religions covered in that section. This is a great book for anyone looking to have a good time while learning.
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This is a mandatory textbook for my World Religions class. It seems pretty fair, objective, and accurate but i'm only on the third chapter so far and there's a whole long ways to go. But if the authors keep it up at this pace, I think it will deserve a 4 or 5 star rating. :-)
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Just finished reading the most recent version of this textbook (the sixth edition - 2018) for a World Religions course. Excellent text that offers a living perspective on the diversity of our world's many religious faiths and practices from their early roots to their evolution in our ever more connected world. Highly recommend.
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Verbose.
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Objective analysis of major organized religions, their cultural and historic motivations, and how they've adapted in modern society.
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i dont know
