ABSTRACT

* Gives an account of the history, the theological basis, the practice and the current state of the study of religion and religions throughout the world
* Combines a clear and non-technical style of presentation with a structure and range of contributions which reflect the richness and complexity of religion itself, of the religions of the world and the study of religions
* Comprehensive index, bibliographies and suggestions for further reading

`Intriguing philosophical questions are raised about the nature of religion and the qualities needed for studying it.' - Times Higher Education Supplement
`Excellent book ... remarkably successful, impressive as much for the sheer scale of the undertaking as for its consistent standard of analysis. It is a fine achievement which will serve both as a very suitable textbook for students and a reliable guide to the state of scholarship in the History and Study of Religions.' - Heythrop Journal

part 1|60 pages

Religion and the Study of Religions

chapter 1|26 pages

Religion and the Religions

chapter 3|11 pages

Religion and Ideology

chapter 4|9 pages

Atheism and Agnosticism

part 2|244 pages

Judaism and Christianity

chapter 5|5 pages

Introduction

chapter 6|23 pages

Israel Before Christianity

chapter 8|31 pages

Judaism

chapter 10|26 pages

Eastern Christianity since 451

chapter 18|18 pages

Christianity Today

part 3|225 pages

Islam

chapter 19|6 pages

Introduction

chapter 20|16 pages

Early Islam

chapter 21|25 pages

Islam in North Africa

chapter 22|14 pages

Islam in Iran

chapter 23|22 pages

Islam in the Indian Sub-Continent

chapter 24|18 pages

The Turks and Islam

chapter 25|17 pages

China's Muslims

chapter 26|31 pages

Islam in Indonesia

chapter 27|14 pages

Islam in the Middle East

chapter 28|16 pages

Islam in Tropical Africa to c. 1900

chapter 30|22 pages

Islam in Contemporary Europe

chapter 31|10 pages

Islam in North America

part 4|287 pages

The Religions of Asia

chapter 32|9 pages

Introduction

chapter 33|10 pages

Philosophical and Religious Taoism

chapter 34|17 pages

Mazdaism (‘Zoroastrianism')

chapter 35|2 pages

The Classical Religions of India

chapter 37|9 pages

Modern Hinduism

chapter 38|12 pages

Sikhism

chapter 41|12 pages

Buddhism in China

chapter 42|11 pages

Buddhism in Japan

chapter 43|32 pages

The Religions of Tibet

chapter 44|7 pages

Buddhism in Mongolia

part 5|86 pages

Traditional Religions

chapter 45|4 pages

Introduction

chapter 46|11 pages

Shamanism

chapter 47|7 pages

Australian Aboriginal Religion

chapter 48|11 pages

Melanesian Religions

chapter 49|10 pages

Maori Religion

chapter 50|9 pages

African Traditional Religion

chapter 51|10 pages

North American Traditional Religion

chapter 52|22 pages

Latin American Traditional Religion:

Three Orders of Service

part 6|62 pages

New Religious Movements

chapter 53|5 pages

Introduction

chapter 54|13 pages

North America

chapter 55|7 pages

Western Europe: Self-Religions

chapter 56|13 pages

Japan

chapter 57|8 pages

Africa