Book Description

Ideal for courses in Western religions and world religions, Religions of the West Today covers the same material as the parallel chapters of the authors' longer textbook, World Religions Today, Third Edition. Revealing the significance of religion in contemporary life, it explores major religious traditions--Judaism, Christianity, Islam, indigenous religions, and new religions--as dynamic, ongoing forces in the lives of individuals and in the collective experience of modern societies. This unique volume accomplishes two goals; it connects today's religions to their classical beliefs and practices while also focusing on how these religions have responded to and been transformed by the modern world. The authors combine thorough coverage of the historical background of each religion with up-to-the-minute discussions of its current practices. Each chapter includes an "Encounter with Modernity" section that illustrates the tension between premodern views and modernity. The text is enhanced by numerous pedagogical aids--timelines, maps, illustrations, discussion questions, and a comprehensive glossary of key terms--and more than 100 illustrations and photographs. It also incorporates "Tales of Spiritual Transformation" boxes--which relate the stories of people whose lives have been changed by religious faith--and "Teachings of Religious Wisdom" boxes, which introduce primary source material. Religions of the West Today emphasizes the interconnectedness of faith, culture, politics, and society, providing a peerless examination of the diverse ways in which contemporary human beings are religious. An Instructor's Manual and a Companion Website at www.oup.com/us/esposito provide resources for both students and instructors. Also available to suit your course needs: World Religions Today, Third Edition (978-0-19-536563-4) Religions of Asia Today (978-0-19-537360-8)