Religion Explained

Religion Explained
Author: Pascal Boyer
Publisher: Basic Books
Total Pages: 406
Release: 2007-03-21
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 046500461X

Many of our questions about religion, says the internationally renowned anthropologist Pascal Boyer, were once mysteries, but they no longer are: we are beginning to know how to answer questions such as "Why do people have religion?" and "Why is religion the way it is?" Using findings from anthropology, cognitive science, linguistics, and evolutionary biology, Boyer shows how one of the most fascinating aspects of human consciousness is increasingly admissible to coherent, naturalistic explanation. And Man Creates God tells readers, for the first time, what religious feeling is really about, what it consists of, and how it originates. It is a beautifully written, very accessible book by an anthropologist who is highly respected on both sides of the Atlantic. As a scientific explanation for religious feeling, it is sure to arouse controversy.

World Religions

World Religions
Author: John Bowker
Publisher: DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley)
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2003
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780789496768

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.

Islam in the Modern World

Islam in the Modern World
Author: Jeffrey T. Kenney
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 481
Release: 2013-08-15
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1135007950

This comprehensive introduction explores the landscape of contemporary Islam. Written by a distinguished team of scholars, it: provides broad overviews of the developments, events, people and movements that have defined Islam in the three majority-Muslim regions traces the connections between traditional Islamic institutions and concerns, and their modern manifestations and transformations. How are medieval ideas, policies and practices refashioned to address modern circumstances investigates new themes and trends that are shaping the modern Muslim experience such as gender, fundamentalism, the media and secularisation offers case studies of Muslims and Islam in dynamic interaction with different societies. Islam in the Modern World includes illustrations, summaries, discussion points and suggestions for further reading that will aid understanding and revision. Additional resources are provided via a companion website.

Demystifying Islam

Demystifying Islam
Author: Harris Zafar
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 219
Release: 2023-06-14
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1442223286

“A welcome correction to the politically tortured conceptions of Islam so prevalent today . . . An important, original new examination of Islam.” —Kirkus Reviews Despite heightened interest in the study of the Muslim faith, for many people Islam remains shrouded in mystery and confusion. What really is Shariah law? How is a Muslim to understand Jihad? Does Islam oppose Western values such as free speech or freedom of religion? What place do women have according to Islam? Understanding that this confusion has as much to do with the behavior and words of Muslims as it does with allegations made by anti-Islam activists, Demystifying Islam offers refreshingly bold answers to provocative questions about Islam today. Author Harris Zafar—lecturer, writer, teacher and national spokesperson for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA—is forthright about issues where Muslims disagree, and he digs into history through vast research and scholarship to track the origins of differing beliefs. From the burqa to the role of Jesus in Islam, Demystifying Islam is an essential resource and concise guide to understanding the fastest growing religion in the world. “This book is less of a spiritual introduction than it is a cultural one, and an excellent starting point for people navigating interfaith relationships or working to improve understanding and representation in organizations and public discussion.” —Publishers Weekly “A significant contribution to the global conversation on peace, freedom, and justice in a world mystified and threatened by geopolitical and religious tensions.” —Paul Louis Metzger, author of Connecting Christ

World Religions DeMYSTiFieD

World Religions DeMYSTiFieD
Author: Ebrahim E. I. Moosa
Publisher: McGraw Hill Professional
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2014-05-23
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0071770232

Navigate the world's belief systems with this faith-filled resource! Want to learn more about Judaism? Confused about Confucianism? This book is the answer to your prayers! World Religions DeMYSTiFieD is filled with the knowledge you need to ace a religion exam or satisfy your own curiosity. Written by a professor of religion, World Religions DeMYSTiFieD gives you a tour of belief systems found around the globe. You will learn about the world's major religions--Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Islam--as well as Earth-based religions and native traditions of Australia, Africa, and the Americas. After reading this book, you will have a healthy understanding of these faiths without being overwhelmed by mystifying jargon or concepts. This fast and easy guide features: Step-by-step guidance through the fundamentals of world religions Major rituals, celebrations, traditions, sacred texts, and art from each faith Self-tests at the end of each chapter with complete answer explanations A comprehensive test at the end of the book to check your knowledge Perfect for religion majors and the just-curious alike, World Religions DeMYSTiFieD is your path to enlightenment on this subject.

World Religions

World Religions
Author: Jeffrey Brodd
Publisher: Saint Mary's Press
Total Pages: 138
Release: 2003
Genre: Religions
ISBN: 0884897257

The major religions of the world are a mystery to many high school teens. Now you can help them unlock the doors of these traditions with our new text, World Religions: A Voyage of Discovery. The book is an introductory survey that helps eleventh and twelfth graders understand the people, dimensions, and religious principles of the world's major religions. The textbook includes a chapter on each of eleven major world religions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and others. The text offers the Catholic perspective on interreligious dialogue, an overview of basic questions that religions address, and Ninian Smart's seven dimensions of religion. A glossary and word pronunciations in each chapter help students learn unfamiliar terms. In addition, the second edition of this text incorporates the following new features: a new chapter on modern trends in religion; new, more detailed maps; a new section on the Aztec religion of Mesoamerica; a sidebar in each chapter offering examples of the seven dimensions of religion; and review questions at the end of each chapter.

Islam Demystified

Islam Demystified
Author: Lee A. Larry
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2010-08-27
Genre: Islam
ISBN: 9781453690277

Islam Demystified is a contemporary textbook that gives a modern context to the study of one of the world's most controversal and talked-about religion. A truly remarkable textbook, from a wholly unexpected source. Islam Demystified will change the way you and your students think about this religion.

The Religions Book

The Religions Book
Author: Dorling Kindersley Publishing Staff
Publisher: DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley)
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2013
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9781409324911

An innovative and accessible guide to the world's religions, 'The Religions Book' clearly explains the key concepts behind the earliest religious beliefs right up to the world's newest faiths, getting to the heart of what it means to believe. Principles of the five main world religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - as well as ancient and primal belief systems are explored in this informative tome. All the big ideas are simply explained with jargon-free descriptions, step-by-step diagrams, and witty illustrations that encapsulate every aspect of religious thinking.