The History Of World Religions

A History of the World's Religions bridges the interval between the founding of religions and their present state, and gives students an accurate look at the religions of the world by including descriptive and interpretive details from the original source materials. Refined by over forty years of dialogue and correspondence with religious experts and practitioners around the world, A History of the World's Religions is widely regarded as the hallmark of scholarship, fairness, and accuracy in its field. It is also the most thorough yet manageable history of world religion available in a single volume, treating many subjects largely neglected in other texts.

Presented in a time line format, the book offers a survey of world religions. It examines global perspectives on the history of faith in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania, Africa and the Middle East.

Looks at the history and beliefs of ancient and modern religions, including Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

For curious readers young and old, a rich and colorful history of religion from humanity’s earliest days to our own contentious times In an era of hardening religious attitudes and explosive religious violence, this book offers a welcome antidote. Richard Holloway retells the entire history of religion—from the dawn of religious belief to the twenty-first century—with deepest respect and a keen commitment to accuracy. Writing for those with faith and those without, and especially for young readers, he encourages curiosity and tolerance, accentuates nuance and mystery, and calmly restores a sense of the value of faith. Ranging far beyond the major world religions of Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism, Holloway also examines where religious belief comes from, the search for meaning throughout history, today’s fascinations with Scientology and creationism, religiously motivated violence, hostilities between religious people and secularists, and more. Holloway proves an empathic yet discerning guide to the enduring significance of faith and its power from ancient times to our own.

An essential and concise introduction to eight of the world's major religions. For the Christian, there's value in learning about different religions and unfamiliar expressions of belief. First of all, it gives us a greater understanding of the world we live in. But a study of other faiths can also deepen our own while making us more effective witnesses to those who don't share a belief in Christ. In World Religions, Gerald R. McDermott explains what you need to understand about major world religions so that you can be equipped to engage people of other faiths. McDermott offers an overview of the central beliefs of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto. Features include: Insights from members of each religious community. Discussions of each religion's major traditions, rituals, and leaders. A glossary of important terms.

The Evolution of Major Faiths World Religions looks at the beliefs and practices of many different religions, from the ancient Egyptians to Zoroastrianism -- the oldest "living" religion -- and the great faiths practiced today. Each of the major faiths -- Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Islam -- is examined in detail through its sacred texts, epic imagery, key beliefs, and religious artifacts. The distinctive identities of different faiths are explored in World Religions by studying the main principles and thinking of each religion. The book's superb reproduction allows the symbolism and meaning in religious imagery and iconography to be revealed in great detail. Accessible and far-reaching, World Religions will engage the whole family as much as the serious student. Book jacket.

Traces development of religions, from earliest forms of nature worship, through beliefs of Egyptians and Greeks, to birth and history of main religions of world today.

World Religions looks at the history of the world's great faiths, from those that emerged thousands of years ago to those that have established themselves in more recent times. It is divided into the following chapters: Hinduism and Sikhism; Zoroastrianism; Judaism; Buddhism; Christianity; Islam; Religions of the Far East; and Other Religions. The book looks at the context in which these religions emerged and as migrations and military expansionism helped them to become established in certain regions of the world. World Religions explains the characteristics of each faith, but also demonstrates the common history that many of them share. The book also contains maps and plans showing many significant religious sites around the world, as well as data on how widespread the various faiths are today. With over 150 maps covering a wide range of religions over thousands of years, World Religions is a fascinating account of the diverse range of faiths that have helped shape the history of mankind. -- from dust jacket.