A World Religions Reader
Description
The World Religions Reader is an inclusive, student-friendly examination of the history, teaching, practices, and appeal of the world's major religions. Covering both the fundamentals and complexities of each religious tradition, this popular textbook brings together significant texts from scriptures and scholars, as well as writings from philosophers and other significant thinkers throughout history. Students are provided with an introduction and overview of the tradition, taken through its primary texts, and presented with a text which seeks to persuade the student of the tradition's merits.
This new edition has been thoroughly updated to be even more accessible for students new to interreligious engagement and to reflect current trends and developments in religions worldwide. Every chapter opens with a substantial overview which orients the new student and then flows into a carefully chosen set of texts - a regular textbook is now combined with a Reader. New content examines areas such as the Rastafarian tradition, while revised chapters cover secular humanism and indigenous and emerging religious traditions. The methodology of the book focuses on an empathetic approach - representing each tradition from the perspective of a conventional adherent - enabling students to develop understanding of each tradition and appreciate similarities and differences in their most typical forms.
* Invites students to study each tradition from the perspective of a follower, aiming to understand why the tradition is popular and powerful
* Explores representative passages, world-views, rituals and institutions, ethical expressions and modern outlooks for each religion
* Features discussions of interfaith perspectives on the role of women in religious traditions and the impact of world events and politics on interfaith communication
* Encourages students to consider questions of truth, the relation of religion and society, and the changing nature of a tradition in the modern world
* Includes a complete set of pedagogical tools and instructor resources, including end-of-chapter fact sheets, topic summaries, key term sections, and essay and discussion questions
The World Religions Reader, Fourth Edition is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses in religion, especially for liberal arts and non-affiliated colleges, as well as general readers wishing to increase their knowledge of the world's religious traditions.
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Persons
IAN S. MARKHAM is Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and Professor of Theology and Ethics. He has written extensively in the areas of interreligious dialogue and social ethics. His work includes Understanding Christian Doctrine and Do Morals Matter?
CHRISTY LOHR SAPP is Pastor of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC the "College Church" of Lenoir-Rhyne University. She has held various staff and leadership positions in international interfaith organizations and local ecumenical networks.
Content
List of Maps xiii
Preface to the Fourth Edition xv
Acknowledgments xvii
1 Purpose and Method 1
The Purpose 2
Defining Religion 3
Competing Methodologies 5
Defending This Approach 9
Use in the Classroom 10
2 Secular Humanism 13
Survey 14
Readings in Secular Humanism 15
The Secular Mind 15
Worldviews 16
Ethical Expression 24
Modern Expression 34
Fact Sheets 42
3 Indigenous Religions 45
Survey 46
Readings in Indigenous Religions 48
The Indigenous Mind 48
Worldviews 49
Institutions and Rituals 51
Ethical Expression 55
Modern Expression 58
Fact Sheets 63
4 Hinduism 65
Survey 66
Readings in Hinduism 71
The Hindu Mind 71
Worldviews 71
Institutions and Rituals 87
Ethical Expression 88
Modern Expression 97
Fact Sheets 102
5 Jainism 105
Survey 106
Readings in Jainism 107
The Jain Mind 107
Worldviews 108
Institutions and Rituals 109
Ethical Expression 110
Modern Expression 111
Fact Sheets 112
6 Buddhism 115
Survey 116
Readings in Buddhism 119
The Buddhist Mind 119
Worldviews 119
Institutions and Rituals 133
Ethical Expression 137
Modern Expression 140
Fact Sheets 143
7 Chinese Religion 147
Survey 148
Readings in Chinese Religion 151
The Chinese Mind 151
Worldviews 152
Institutions and Rituals 159
Ethical Expression 162
Modern Expression 168
Fact Sheets 175
8 Shintoism 179
Survey 180
Readings in Shintoism 182
The Shinto Mind 182
Worldviews 182
Institutions and Rituals 185
Ethical Expression 189
Modern Expression 197
Fact Sheets 202
9 Zoroastrianism 205
Survey 206
Readings in Zoroastrianism 207
The Zoroastrian Mind 207
Zoroastrian Worldview 207
Institutions and Rituals 210
Ethical Expression 211
Modern Expression 212
Fact Sheets 213
10 Judaism 217
Survey 218
Readings in Judaism 220
The Jewish Mind 220
Worldviews 221
Institutions and Rituals 224
Ethical Expression 227
Modern Expression 237
Fact Sheets 243
11 Christianity 247
Survey 248
Readings in Christianity 250
The Christian Mind 250
Worldviews 250
Institutions and Rituals 254
Ethical Expression 257
Modern Expression 260
Fact Sheets 266
12 Islam 271
Survey 272
Readings in Islam 275
The Muslim Mind 275
Worldviews 275
Institutions and Rituals 282
Ethical Expression 284
Modern Expression 286
Fact Sheets 295
13 Sikhism 299
Survey 300
Readings in Sikhism 302
The Sikh Mind 302
Worldviews 312
Institutions and Rituals 313
Ethical Expression 316
Modern Expression 320
Fact Sheets 325
14 Emerging Religions 329
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 331
Survey 331
Readings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 333
Mormon Mind 333
Worldview 333
Institutions and Rituals 335
Modern Expression 336
Baha'i Faith 337
Survey 337
Readings in the Baha'i Faith 338
The Baha'i Mind 338
Worldview 338
Institutions and Rituals 339
Ethical Expression 340
Rastafarianism 341
Survey 341
Readings in Rastafarianism 342
Rasta Mind 342
Worldviews 344
Institutions and Rituals 346
Modern Expression 347
Fact Sheets 349
Worldwide Adherents of All Religions by Six Continental Areas, Mid-2010 353
Annotated Bibliography 357
Credits 367
Index 379
