Religions of the World

This accessible and comprehensive introduction to world religions is ideal for readers with no previous exposure to the subject. It offers accurate and comparative descriptions of a broad range of religions. In addition to background material on religious theory and study, this book explores living religions in terms of the historical and cultural factors that produced them, the lives of their founders, their basic teachings, and their historical development and current status in the world. Primary source readings with specific representative samples are provided in each chapter. Other coverage includes Native American, African, and Chinese religions; Hinduism; Jainism; Buddhism; Sikhism; Shinto; Zoroastrianism; Christianity; Islam; Baha'I; the role of women; current trends in both the practice and study of religion; basic vocabulary of the field, theories on the origin of religion; and descriptions and explanations of all major holy days-unique to each world religion. For anyone trying to understand the diversity of world religions being practiced everyday, by real people in real life.