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World Religions
A Historical ApproachFourth Edition| ©2008 Solomon A. Nigosian
A concise, balanced, and reasonably priced introductory text, World Religions takes a historical approach to the ideological and cultural aspects of several religions. More than just a collection of facts about beliefs and mores, this unique text offers students a complex portrait of each rel...
A concise, balanced, and reasonably priced introductory text, World Religions takes a historical approach to the ideological and cultural aspects of several religions. More than just a collection of facts about beliefs and mores, this unique text offers students a complex portrait of each religion, with scholarly viewpoints interspersed throughout.
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A concise, balanced, and reasonably priced introductory text, World Religions takes a historical approach to the ideological and cultural aspects of several religions. More than just a collection of facts about beliefs and mores, this unique text offers students a complex portrait of each religion, with scholarly viewpoints interspersed throughout.
Features
A descriptive style and approach. Every chapter offers students a cohesive and engaging narrative of a particular religion. As in previous editions, Nigosian presents the historical and cultural context in which beliefs and rituals developed to create a complete and absorbing portrait of each religions development.
Traditional viewpoints and scholarly commentary. The views of leading scholars in the field provide a counterweight to the historical narrative, enabling students to see how others perceive each religion.
Coverage of religion in everyday life. Looking beyond the religious doctrine of holy leaders, the text shows students how religious belief influences all segments of society in every aspect of daily life, with a particular focus on gender roles.
Scriptural excerpts. Woven extensively throughout the text, excerpts from the sacred writings of the religions provide original source material and excellent springboards for class discussion or writing assignments.
Concise and reasonably priced. The economical price allows instructors the flexibility of supplementing the course with novels and primary source materials.
An Instructor’s Edition, which includes the instructor’s manual bound into the back of the student edition including test items, is available to adopters.
Traditional viewpoints and scholarly commentary. The views of leading scholars in the field provide a counterweight to the historical narrative, enabling students to see how others perceive each religion.
Coverage of religion in everyday life. Looking beyond the religious doctrine of holy leaders, the text shows students how religious belief influences all segments of society in every aspect of daily life, with a particular focus on gender roles.
Scriptural excerpts. Woven extensively throughout the text, excerpts from the sacred writings of the religions provide original source material and excellent springboards for class discussion or writing assignments.
Concise and reasonably priced. The economical price allows instructors the flexibility of supplementing the course with novels and primary source materials.
An Instructor’s Edition, which includes the instructor’s manual bound into the back of the student edition including test items, is available to adopters.
New to This Edition
Extensively revised chapters on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Nigosian’s latest scholarship on the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and Islam brings compelling insights to each chapter. In particular, the rewritten Islam chapter provides students with a fuller understanding of the evolution of the religion and how it impacts the world today
New chapter on modern alternative religions. From the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to the Church of Scientology, Nigosian examines ten emerging religious movements from a historical perspective.
More original source materials and support for students. Students will now encounter twice as much primary source material for discussion and debate. To help students with this new material, the glossary has doubled in size.
Geographic organization. A part-based structure groups together religions with a shared geographic point of origin.
New chapter on modern alternative religions. From the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to the Church of Scientology, Nigosian examines ten emerging religious movements from a historical perspective.
More original source materials and support for students. Students will now encounter twice as much primary source material for discussion and debate. To help students with this new material, the glossary has doubled in size.
Geographic organization. A part-based structure groups together religions with a shared geographic point of origin.
World Religions
Fourth Edition| ©2008
Solomon A. Nigosian
Digital Options
World Religions
Fourth Edition| 2008
Solomon A. Nigosian
Table of Contents
Preface
Maps and Time Lines
About the Author
World Religions: A Chronology
1 Study of World Religions
Proper Point of View
Definitions of Religion
Critical Studies of Religion
Classification of Religions
Approach of This Text
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
PART ONE RELIGIONS OF THE PAST
2 Prehistoric Religion
Early Human Life
Archeological Discoveries
Works of Art
Tombs and Monuments
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
3 Egyptian Religion
Egyptian Civilization
Basic Beliefs
Important Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
4 Mesopotamian Religion
Mesopotamian Civilization
Basic Beliefs
Important Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
5 Greek Religion
Greek Civilization
Basic Beliefs
Philosophers
Dramatists
Popular Religion
Mystery Religions
Mythology
Festivals
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
6 Roman Religion
Roman Civilization
Basic Beliefs
Greek Accretions
Middle Eastern Mystery Cults
Important Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
7 Mayan and Aztec Religions
Mayan Civilization
Sources of Mayan Information
Mayan Beliefs and Practices
Aztec Civilization
Sources of Aztec Information
Aztec Beliefs and Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
PART TWO RELIGIONS OF ORAL PEOPLE
8 African Religions
Archeological Discoveries
Traditional Religions
Dinka Religion
Yoruba Religion
Basic Common Beliefs
Important Practices
Transformation of Traditions
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
9 American Indian Religions
Origins of American Indians
Sources of Information
Basic Common Beliefs
Important Practices
Transformation of Traditions
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
PART THREE RELIGIONS OF INDIA
10 Hinduism
Archeological Discoveries
Hindu Characteristics
Hindu Social Structure
Hindu Sacred Texts
Hindu Teachings
Developments in Hinduism
Hindu Observances and Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
11 Buddhism
Buddhist Characteristics
The Buddha
Buddhist Groups
Buddhist Sacred Texts
Buddhist Teachings
Buddhist Observances and Practices
Buddhist Worldwide Expansion
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
12 Jainism
Origins of Jainism
Mahavira
Jain Groups
Jain Sacred Texts
Jain Teachings
Jain Observances and Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
13 Sikhism
Origins of Sikhism
Guru Nanak
Succession of Sikh Gurus
Sikh Groups
Sikh Sacred Text
Sikh Teachings
Sikh Observances and Practices
Modern Sikhism
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
PART FOUR RELIGIONS OF THE FAR EAST
14 Taoism and Confucianism
Archeological Discoveries
Chinese Characteristics
Basic Early Beliefs
Chinese Sacred Texts
Period of Intellectual Activity
Taoism (Daoism)
Lao Tzu (Laozi)
Taoist Groups
Taoist Sacred Texts
Taoist Teachings
Confucianism
Confucius
Confucian Sacred Texts
Confucian Teachings
Spread of Confucianism
Proscription of Religions
Chinese Observances and Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
15 Shinto
Shinto Characteristics
Shinto Sacred Texts
Shinto Mythology
Shinto Teachings
Syncretistic Character of Shinto
Shinto As National Religion
Shinto Observances and Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
PART FIVE RELIGIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
16 Zoroastrianism
Zoroaster
Zoroastrian Sacred Texts
Zoroastrian Teachings
Zoroastrian Observances and Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
17 Judaism
Characteristics of Judaism
Abraham
Moses
Judaism through the Centuries
Jewish Groups
Jewish Scripture
The Talmud and the Midrash
Judaic Teachings
Jewish Observances and Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
18 Christianity
Christian Origins
Jesus Christ
Christian Scriptures
Christian Teachings
Christian Groups
History of Early Christianity
Christianity in the Middle Ages
Recent Developments in Christianity
Christian Observances and Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
19 Islam
Origins of Islam
Muhammad, Messenger of God
Islam through the Ages
Muslim Groups
Muslim Scripture
The Hadith (Tradition)
Muslim Teachings
Muslim Religious Duties
Muslim Observances and Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
20 Baha’i
Baha’i Origins
Baha’i Sacred Texts
Baha’i Teachings
Baha’i Observances and Practices
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
PART SIX MODERN ALTERNATIVE RELIGIONS
21 New Syncretistic Groups
Global Awareness
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
(Mormon Church)
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Christian Science
Theosophy Society
Self-Realization Fellowship
Soka Gakkai International
Subud
Church of Scientology
Unification Church (Moonies)
Transcendental Meditation (TM)
Church of All Worlds
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
(ISKCON)
The Healthy-Happy-Holy Organization (3HO) 498
Falun Gong (Falun Dafa)
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
22 Religions: A Comparison
Role of Religion
Traditional Faiths Questioned
Unity or Diversity?
Comparison of Paths
Comparison of Goals
East-West Comparison
Study Questions
Suggested Reading
Notes
Glossary
Index
Authors
Solomon A. Nigosian
S. A. Nigosian, a research associate at Victoria College of the University of Toronto, has been teaching in the Religion Department for over twenty-five years. His most recent publications include Islam: Its History, Teaching, and Practices (2004); From Ancient Writings to Sacred Texts: The Old Testament and Apocrypha (2004); and The Zoroastrian Faith: Tradition and Modern Research (1993). His articles on Near Eastern Religions and the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament are published frequently in professional journals such as Studies in Religion, Journal of Asian and African Studies, Theological Review, Vetus Testamentum, Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses, and Biblica.
World Religions
Fourth Edition| 2008
Solomon A. Nigosian
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