ABSTRACT

Many Peoples, Many Faiths places the world’s religions in historical context, illustrating the complex dynamic of each religion over time, while also presenting current beliefs, practices, and group formations. This unique textbook includes engaging sections on women in religion, religion and governance, and religion in America throughout. Thoroughly revised and updated for its eleventh edition, Many Peoples, Many Faiths covers the following topics:

  • Understanding the World’s Religious Heritage
  • Indigenous Peoples and Religion
  • The Spiritual Paths of India
  • The Journey of Buddhism
  • Religions of East Asia
  • The Family of the Three Great Monotheistic Religions and Zoroastrianism
  • The Unique Perspective of Judaism
  • The Growth of Christianity
  • Building the House of Islam
  • New Religious Movements
  • Religion and Violence, Non-violence, and Peacemaking

This edition reflects new scholarship and general interest and, where appropriate, addresses rapidly developing and shifting areas, taking account of the dynamic, changing quality of religion. New and expanded material on indigenous peoples and religions, discussions of colonization, and the new chapter on religion and violence, non-violence, and peacemaking also distinguish this edition. Images, maps, and timelines add to the sense of the richness of the world religions.

This is an ideal resource for anyone wanting an accessible and yet comprehensive introduction to the world religions.

chapter Chapter 1|22 pages

Understanding the World's Religious Heritage

chapter Chapter 2|51 pages

The Sacred in Nature and Community

Indigenous Peoples and Religion

chapter Chapter 3|71 pages

Life Against Time

The Spiritual Paths of India

chapter Chapter 4|48 pages

Wisdom Embarked for the Farther Shore

The Journey of Buddhism

chapter Chapter 5|64 pages

Dragon and Sun

Religions of East Asia

chapter Chapter 6|10 pages

One God, Many Words and Wonders

The Family of the Three Great Monotheistic Religions and Zoroastrianism

chapter Chapter 7|31 pages

Keeping Covenant with God in History

The Unique Perspective of Judaism

chapter Chapter 8|72 pages

Spreading the Word of God in the World

The Growth of Christianity

chapter Chapter 9|48 pages

Submitting to the Will of God

Building the House of Islam

chapter Chapter 10|16 pages

Spirits Rising

New Religious Movements

chapter Chapter 11|14 pages

Redeeming the World

Religion and Violence, Non-violence, and Peacemaking

chapter Chapter 12|2 pages

A Final Word