The Penguin Handbook of the World's Living Religions


Book Description

Comprehensive, informative and authoritative, The Penguin Handbook of the World's Living Religions is compiled by a team of leading international scholars, and is the definitive guide to the religious belief systems and practices of the world today. This in-depth survey of active religions has now been fully updated to include modern developments and the most recent scholarship. It explains the sources and history of the world's religions, includes material on the phenomenon of Black African and Asian diaspora religions around the world and explores the role of gender in modern religion.




Handbook of Living Religions


Book Description

Comprehensive and informative, The New Penguin Handbook of Living Religionshas been completely revised, with all chapters updated to include discussion of modern developments and recent scholarship. Compiled by a team of leading international scholars, it is an authoritative guide to understanding the religious beliefs and practices of the world today. * Explains the sources and history of the world's religions * Describes the doctrines, practices and teachings of different religions * Explores the role of gender in modern religion







A New Handbook of Living Religions


Book Description

Discusses the history, beliefs, practices, and festivals of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and the other major world religions




Religion: The Basics


Book Description

Is religion the same as culture? How does it fit with life in the modern world? Do you have to 'believe' to be part of one? From televangelism in the American South to the wearing of hijab in Britain and Egypt; from the rise of paganism to the aftermath of September 11th, this accessible guide looks at the ways in which religion interacts with the everyday world in which we live. A comprehensive introduction to the world of religion, it includes: * religion and culture * how power operates in religion * gender issues * the role of belief, rituals, and religious texts * religion in the contemporary world Religion: The Basics offers an invaluable and up-to-date overview for anyone wanting to find out more about this fascinating subject.




Film & Religion


Book Description

How major-release films use religion to tell stories and convey messages Focusing on American major-release films since World War II, the authors show how films use religious imagery, characters, and symbolism from primarily Christian, but also, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, and Islamic traditions. Ideal for classroom use, each chapter analyzes significant contextual issues through the lens of select films. The authors post their ongoing ideas in their blog at http://filmandreligion.blogspot.com.




The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion


Book Description

The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion is a major resource for courses in Religious Studies. It begins by explaining the most important methodological approaches to religion, including psychology, philosophy, anthropology and comparative study, before moving on to explore a wide variety of critical issues, such as gender, science, fundamentalism, ritual, and new religious movements. Written by renowned international specialists, this new edition: includes eight new chapters, including post-structuralism, religion and economics, religion and the environment, religion and popular culture, and sacred space surveys the history of religious studies and the key disciplinary approaches explains why the study of religion is relevant in today’s world highlights contemporary issues such as globalization, diaspora and politics includes annotated reading lists, a glossary and summaries of key points to assist student learning.




World Religions 101, 2nd Edition


Book Description

Many people search for spiritual meaning, hope, comfort, and inner peace in their personal lives. The most common path to spirituality around the world is through religion. Although the variety of religions may seem endless, many similarities exist among the major religions of the world, including the belief in one or more gods and the honoring of rituals, stories, ceremonies, codes of conduct, and doctrines, or sets of teachings. In this well-balanced report, respected authors Margaret O. Hyde and Emily G. Hyde take an honest look at religion in the lives of young people. This book explores the many different religions around the world, from the ten most common religions—Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Baha’ism, Confucianism, Jainism, and Shintoism—to modern expressions of spirituality and more. It also offers fascinating information on a field of research known as neurotheology, the study of the neurobiology of the brain and religion. Scientists are learning more about where in the brain religious thoughts take place and what it means to be human.




Essays to a Degree


Book Description

A compendium of academic essays written by a part-time, distance-learning student in pursuit of an Honours Degree in Theology at the University of Aberdeen, 2002-09




The No-Nonsense Guide to Religion


Book Description

Religion is a term which is often used in the media and public life without any clarification. However, it is a word that encompasses hundreds of different beliefs. It is also a loaded word that has a different meaning for each person. Religion can be seen as a source of war and peace, love and hate, dialogue and narrow-mindedness. Today, thanks to the globalisation of communications, more people than ever before belong to a different religious community than their parents. This No-Nonsense Guide considers how religion has shaped culture.