The World’s Religions by William A. There are traditions and ways of living that are defined by religion. Over many centuries, the origin story has undergone countless transformations. This book is essential; it is currently on its sixth edition. Which comes first, morality or religion? Paperback. Not all are meditation books but they are his “old favorites.”. The Bible is not always an easy read—nor is it always obvious how or where to start reading it. This anthology has a unique perspective on religion that others should analyze, and discuss, more often. The book starts with God’s Word as the absolute authority. We ask experts to recommend the five best books in their subject and explain their selection in an interview. In this edition, Matthews analyzes various religions and the similar themes they share. We only use the commissions earned through these affiliate links to support the site, so we can continue to provide helpful book reviews and guides. World Religions by Warren Matthews is a go-to textbook for religion courses, particularly those that focus on all religions. Reviews of The Best Books on Every Subject. CULTS: Christianity is divided into three main sects: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant. Facebook Twitter. Tripitakas consist of the basket of Buddhist teaching. The Books of the Bible. There are well over 4,000 different religions in the world today. It’s difficult enough to comprehend the beliefs of the … His Confessions can seem unfashionably self-hating, and the drama that’s being played out, the way he makes a first-person address towards this God figure, feels a bit artificial and it can put people off. Choose from used and new textbooks or get instant access with eTextbooks and digital materials. Kids will learn a lot from this book. 4.5 out of 5 stars 256. He picks the best books on Christianity. Hinduism may not be a unified religion per se, or organized into a distinctive belief system, but Hindus (as they have been identifying themselves for centuries, the result of opposition with other religions) roughly follow the same central traditions, understandable to all the religion’s multifarious adherents.The first and foremost of these is a belief in the Vedas – four texts compiled between the … And what happens when religious dogma clashes with the morality it purports to uphold? Young discusses this and more in this book. The information is this book is based on facts and history. That Puritans tried to outlaw Christmas? Biology professor—and Catholic—Kenneth Miller tells us what we should read to understand the battle being fought between scientists and creationists. The problem with this, says the author and broadcaster, is that it diminishes what it means to be human. But this book does more than present the history and spirit of the major religions as you might expect from the title and some of the reviews. The Pulitzer Prize-winner and Harvard professor Stephen Greenblatt chooses five books that explore the history of Adam and Eve, and tells us why the world isn’t ready to leave the narrative of Eden behind. Paperback. Ruth Wisse, Martin Peretz Professor of Yiddish Literature and Comparative Literature This is a great introduction to world religion. The book discusses people of major religions, their dimensions, and the principles of those religions. Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries Rodney Stark. Religious people can be of all different races, they can be from different places, and they can be different ages. Who were Adam and Eve, really? They vary by geographical spread, number of adherents, language, hierarchy and, of course, beliefs. Coronavirus News U.S. News World News Business Environment Health Social Justice. It is easy to view the world of religion through the narrow view of one’s own beliefs. It should be discussed more, and taught more. This book helps readers navigate all kinds of religions, and what they believe in. It is not biased, but it engages readers through real-life religious experiences. The chapters focus on a number of topics regarding important events and changes in America’s religious history, how America’s religious community came to be so diverse, and statistics and information on religion. DK discusses the philosophy and practice of religions. This is a wonderful guide for teaching students about the religions of the world. Experiencing the World’s Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change by Michael Molloy analyzes every aspect of religion. We publish at least two new interviews per week. Historian Simon Yarrow recommends the best books to understand the saints, from their widespread appearance in late antiquity to their continuing influence in modern America. Chisungu - A Girl’s Initiation Ceremony Among the Bemba of Zambia. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Vienna had a vibrant intellectual and cultural life, embraced and at times led by key figures in its large Jewish community. By believing in something, people take their life to a heightened level. Invitation to World Religions by Jeffrey Brodd, Layne Little, Bradley Nystrom, Robert Platzner, Richard Shek, and Erin Stiles is the perfect book for teaching and learning about the religions of the world. Initially, Christians had a simple dichotomy … The popular and distinguished Oxford historian, Diarmaid MacCulloch, recommends books that will help you make a start. This doesn’t so much explain religion, as it does explain how religion is constantly changing with the world. By reading this book, they’ll gain a better outlook on the rest of the world, and who all is out there. Wilson, recommends books that have helped him understand what Christianity means and to truly believe. The book is a straight-foward guide to understanding many religions of the world. But if you work out what’s going on, what his motivation is, and what the context is, what he’s making is an incredibly modern, intimate, psychological diagnosis of the human condition.”, “I think that the most important contributions, the best books, in the philosophy of religion are these two little books that David Hume writes”, “The book is about the struggle between the ideals of a religion and its actuality.”, “I would say that this is the outstanding biography of the 20th century…Augustine is the giant thinker and writer of the Latin Christian world. In Indian culture, different religious philosophies were traditionally respected as academic differences in pursuit of the same truth.In Islam, the Quran mentions three different categories: Muslims, the People of the Book, and idol worshipers.. Christian categorizations. A monotheistic religion, the most prominent movement Rabbian Judaism follows is the written and oral Torah. The philosopher and author of Atheism: A Very Short Introduction chooses his top five. Top Eight Religions of the World. In addition to discussing religion, this book also discusses science and its impact on religion. This is an important topic that should be discussed in more religious books. The former bishop of Oxford tells us about books that explore what it means to be a Christian – from St Augustine and medieval mysticism to grappling with Dostoyevsky and more modern dilemmas. Religious Affiliation by Country. Without religion, no one knows what happens after death. This is a great book for understanding the major religions in a non-biased way. However, bear in mind that this does not in any way affect the quality and reliability of the information we share on the site, and it does not in any way affect the price you will pay for any book. Unlike most books on world religions, this title dives into the secular humanistic religions. In world cultures, there have traditionally been many different groupings of religious belief. Currently Christianity is at the top practiced religion in the world The Chinese Communist Party tolerates a variety of religions but continues to grapple with the potential challenge they pose to its authority. PHOTO GALLERY. Humanistic religions are all around us and we need to be able to spot their tenets and oppose them instead of allowing them to subtly infiltrate our Christianity and undermine us from within; It provides no judgement for or against any of the religions. I can understand why, because reading him can be a bit of a hard slog to begin with. Hinduism (1 billion followers) - The Vedas 4. Boyett explains why certain religions have negative connotations. Buddhist scholar Donald Lopez picks the best books on Buddhism. Behind every religion are experiences and stories, both bad and good. Because this is such a wide topic, it has to constantly be updated. It’s such a respected book that it’s often used as a university textbook in World Religion classes. From Aristotle through Aquinas to the present, philosopher Edward Feser gives an in-depth look at arguments for the existence of God. This is a comprehensive text based on its information and organization. It is easy to appropriate a religion, or spread misinformation. The World's Religions book. The essential features of many religions are discussed in this book. She chooses the best books on atheism. Why has anti-Semitism been such a problem down the ages, and why does it persist today? Everyone should have a basic understanding of the religions in the world. Jesus was a 1st century Jew from Galilee who had a ministry of teaching and healing. Learn about religious traditions, access deep spirituality, work with practical philosophy, complete interactive exercises, and take a personal journey into mind, body, and spirit to transform your life. Top 10 Peaceful Religions of the World. In conventional caricature, he is feared as a figure of excessive authoritarianism, who held dark views of human nature, who invented the idea of original sin. This September (2020) our philosophy editor, Nigel Warburton, asked Brian about some of the latest Nietzsche books, notable works that have come out in the decade since we first spoke to him. By Team The WisdomPost & Sophia in Peace. This book takes religion to a whole new level by analyzing how religious movements shape the world. He selects the best books on scepticism for Five Books. The purpose of the book is to get Christians to recognize their religious neighbors, and understand what they are going through. He explains what each religion believes in, traditions they have, and how to teach religion. this video about Top 10 Religious holy books in the World. This is a wonderful introduction to religion that isn’t difficult to understand. Prize-winning journalist Ian Johnson introduces the best books on the complex topic of religion in China. The major faiths covered in this book are: Judaism, Christianity, Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism, and Janisim. Some of the factors discussed are: modernism, pluralism, secularism, science, the science of women, sectarian, and factional conflicts. This is a textbook, but it doesn’t read like one. 7. The book delves into different elements of religion. 1. How does one achieve it? By reading this book, students will improve their critical thinking, and understand just how religion makes an impact on every element of the world. But a strong tradition has continued in the centuries since, explains Professor Peter Adamson, as he selects five of the best books on the subject. Judaism is also covered extensively, with interviews covering Jewish history, Zionism and anti-Zionism, Israel and Jerusalem. The book discusses the traditions religions have, and they affect their community. That being said, it is still worth the read. The book is factual, yes, but not boring. He uses diagrams, flow charts, illustrations, and artwork to help readers get to know religion in a more succinct way. The British writer, A.N. Make your passion into the dream … Here he chooses some of the books that inspired him, from Japanese poetry to Tibetan philosophy. Mainline Christianity is reportedly “on the decline,” and the number of Americans who declare “no religious … Each chapter discusses the origins of a religion, its basic beliefs, and it has charts on those religions. This is an easy-to-read book because of its organization and examples. Here are some of the best books on world religions that you can consider to expand your knowledge on the subject: There is a lot to learn about every religion in the world– and there are over 4,000 of them. A Concise Introduction to World Religions by Willard G. Oxtoby, Roy C. Amore, Amir Hussain, and Alan F. Segal is a book that makes a considerate effort to approach religion thoughtfully and truthfully. 12 Major World Religions: The Beliefs, Rituals, and Traditions of Humanity’s Most Influential Faiths by Jason Boyett names the 12 major religions, and what they believe in. The World's Religions Huston Smith Excellent book discussing the origins and philosophies of the major world religions with one chapter devoted to each religion. The intersectionality of the major religions, like Christianity and Mormonism, is analyzed in this book. Religions of the world. Two decades ago Andy Puddicombe was ordained as a Buddhist monk. China is a religious country with all kinds of faiths being practised across its vast territories—despite Mao’s attempts to eradicate them. Exploring the Religions of Our World by Nancy Clemmons is a great book for high schoolers wanting to learn about religion. This book tackles information regarding the religions in the world in a non-biased way. $14.29 #27. Muism (which is also known as Sinism, Shingyo, or Korean shamanism) is a religion closely tied to traditional Korean culture and history. Dialogues and Natural History of Religion, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ, Tante Jolesch or the Decline of the West in Anecdotes, Jesus the Jew: a Historian’s Reading of the Gospels, The Misunderstood Jew: the Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus, Seeing the Word: Refocusing New Testament Study, The Best Books on the History of Christianity, An Ecclesiastical History of the English People, The Culture of Protestantism in Early Modern Scotland, Introduction to the History of Indian Buddhism, The Miracle of Theism: Arguments For and Against the Existence of God, Testament: Memoir of the Thoughts and Sentiments of Jean Meslier, In Gods We Trust: The Evolutionary Landscape of Religion, Aquinas's Way to God: The Proof in De Ente et Essentia, The Reality of God and the Problem of Evil, The Missionary's Curse and Other Tales from a Chinese Catholic Village, Democracy’s Dharma: Religious Renaissance and Political Development in Taiwan, Land, Labor and the Origins of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, 1882-1914, Mengzi: With Selections from Traditional Commentaries, Maimonides in His World: Portrait of a Mediterranean Thinker, The Teleological Ethics of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, The Five Books of Moses: A Translation with Commentary, The Cult of the Saints Its Rise and Function in Latin Christianity, Mother of God: A History of the Virgin Mary, Mohawk Saint: Catherine Tekakwitha and the Jesuits, Between Heaven and Earth: The Religious Worlds People Make and the Scholars Who Study Them, The Divine Comedy: Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, Sayyid Qutb and the Origins of Radical Islamism, Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon. : A Critique of Religious Reason, A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom, Our Church: A Personal History of the Church of England, Tevye the Dairyman and The Railroad Stories, Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious, Religious and Social History in the Ancient World, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, The Viking Way: Magic and Mind in Late Iron Age Scandinavia, Soul Hunters: Hunting, Animism, and Personhood among the Siberian Yukaghirs, Books about Travelling in the Muslim World, The Jewish Study Bible (TANAKH Translation), The Wine of Angels (A Merrily Watkins Mystery), High School Teachers Recommend Books by Subject, “St Augustine is, in some ways, misunderstood and misappropriated in modern scholarship and popular perception. It is easy to comprehend, is unbiased, and has lots of great information. There is a lot to learn about every religion in the world– and there are over 4,000 of them. Continue reading Top 10 Biggest Religions in the World 2020. This means we earn a commission each time you click through an Amazon link on this site and go ahead to make a purchase on Amazon.com. What is the Buddhist equivalent of the Bible? In recent years, Muism has experienced a resurgence within South Korea. When reading this book, it feels like Molloy is actually discussing the topic with the reader. The best books on Religious and Social History in the Ancient World recommended by Robin Lane Fox. Which are the best books on atheism? There are many religions in the world, and various ways to practice them. Beyond that, we have interviews on meditation, premonitions, yoga, being sceptical, faith in politics, multiculturalism, magic, Adam and Eve and religion in China. Experiencing the World’s Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change by Michael Molloy is on its second edition. The philosopher and former executive editor of The Economist, Anthony Gottlieb, discusses religion and suggests that belief in God only truly declines in a society when economic development brings existential security. 13 offers from $3.50. The authors say that these religions have “radically changed the world.” They explain how they did that through a number of examples: timeliness, maps, illustrations, text boxes, questions and answers, a glossary, and photographs. It has lots of diversity in the form of race, culture, and religion. Top World Religion: The Religiously Unaffiliated. Some of the major festivals and holidays of … This edition discusses what religious traditions mean, and the challenges communities face because of them. Paperback. Find Survey of World Religions Textbooks at up to 90% off. Smith wants to know what that is. Educators of high school level students can gain a lot from assigning this book. The world's faithful account for 83% of the global population; the great majority of these fall under twelve classical religions—Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shinto, … Smith digs underneath the rituals, theology, and cold historical facts to capture why some of these major religious traditions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity, are so deeply and meaningfully profound to billions and billions of people. This an introduction to a number of religions from various experts and professors. The book analyzes major religious traditions from a number of religions: Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and more. Another biologist, Jerry Coyne, talks about the incompatibility of religion and science. Embracing a scientific worldview excludes the possibility of also believing in God, says evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne. Molloy doesn’t just want readers to understand religion; he wants them to experience them. This book explains religion in a personal, thoughtful way. Turning to fundamental questions of belief, Edward Feser, associate professor of philosophy at Pasadena City College, chooses his best books on the arguments for the existence of God. Sacred Myths: Stories of World Religions by Marilyn McFarlane. They discuss religions, religious tradtions, the contoversies religions face, and so much more. World Religions: A Voyage of Discovery by Jeffrey Brod is a great religious text for younger audiences, like teens. What is the best argument against there being a God? How people view and trust their religion is the main premise of the book, and one that should not be taken lightly. Tortured by the sins of your past? The Nobody Bible will take you on a fun and exciting journey through the wisdom of world religion. He gathered disciples around him, but was eventually arrested and executed by the Roman governor of Judaea from 26 to 36CE, Pontius Pilate. The authors of this book argue that religion is important, and necessary, in the world today. Unsubscribe at any time. Author Kenan Malik looks at morality without God and Kenneth Miller, a biologist at Brown, chooses his best books on the arguments against creationism. Wikimedia list article Main category: Religious demographics Size of Major Religious Groups, 2020 Religion Percent Christianity 31.11% Islam 24.9% Unaffiliated 15.58% Hinduism 15.16% Buddhism 6.62% Folk Religions 5.61% Other Religions 0.79% This is a list of religious populations by number of adherents and countries. Islam began in Mecca in the seventh century. He picks five non-accommodationist books. How can one get to grips with a subject as huge as the history of Christianity, a 2000 year-old religion with adherents in every corner of the globe? For centuries, the witch has been an index not only of what we fear most in others, but also what we cannot cope with—the powerfully abnormal, strange and often irrational elements—in ourselves. Readers and students will gain a deeper understanding on a number of religions, and what makes a religion, from this book. Read 477 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. After reading this, readers will have gained a better understanding and knowledge on common and uncommon religious traditions, and how they affect the world and religious communities. The book is an easy guide and introduction to some of the other popular religions of the world. Of these 4000 religions, there are 12 major ones. Think again. World Religions Today by John L. Esposito, Darrell J. Fasching, and Todd T. Lewis explores how religion affects the world today. And a Happy Christmas from your editors at Five Books. His, best books on the arguments for the existence of God, best books on the atheist philosophy of religion, the incompatibility of religion and science. Author and Arabist Tim Mackintosh-Smith tells us about the rich tradition in Islam of travelling to gain knowledge, and directs us towards some of those, both Western and Arab, who’ve inspired with their tales of life on the road. The emeritus director of the Anti-Defamation League, Abraham Foxman, recommends the best books to better understand anti-Semitism. Jason Burke, journalist and author of an acclaimed book on Al-Qaeda, tells us what he learnt about militants when he was caught in a firefight in Iraq—and suggests five books we should read to understand their motivations. He chooses the best books on (or by) David Hume. Offering accurate, comparative descriptions of a broad range of religions, it gives background material on religious theory and study, while exploring living religions in terms of the historical and cultural factors that produced them. This book discusses the history of various religious places of worship, gods and major festivals, and the major religious leaders of these religions. It is traditionally known as Jain … Molloy draws readers in with his simple, easy to read, writing style. Even within the totalitarian regime of North Korea, it has been estimated that some 16 % of the population continue to subscribe to the Muism belief system. Or Tiny Tim was originally Little Fred? Huston Smith's "The World's Religions" is one of the most significant books I've ever read. Median Age of Religious Adherents. FOUNDER :: Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus Christ, “the Anointed One”, “The Messiah”. Contents 1 Adherents in 2020 1.1 Notes 2 By proportion 2.1 … This is not a first-hand guide to religion. religious texts. 12 Major World Religions: The Beliefs, Rituals, and Traditions of Humanity's Most Influential Faiths. Jainism. In doing so, God becomes our guide to refute false religions. Gautama Buddha. The best books on Philosophy in the Islamic World, recommended by Peter Adamson Arabic philosophy was hugely influential during the Islamic Golden Age; at one point, the Persian polymath Avicenna’s influence outstripped that of Aristotle. Author of several chemistry textbooks as well as many popular science books, he recommends books that track the evolution of our understanding about the world around us, starting with an anthology of sacred texts and ending with Shakespeare. But, there are religions that have the sole purpose of not believing in anything: atheism.