Comparative Religion For Dummies

by Lazarus, William P.; Sullivan, Mark

• ISBN13: 9780470230657
• ISBN10: 0470230657
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-04-28
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Understand the beliefs, customs, and rituals of each faithThe fun and easy way to know the common elements of these widespread religionsWant to know more about the faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam? This plain-English guide traces their evolution from their commonorigin - Abraham - and explains their different, yet linked, beliefs.You'll see how each religion developed, endured setbacks, and became a fixture in modern society - and you'll learn how members havedeveloped similar approaches to worship.Discover: How the belief in one God originated The roots of Abraham's family tree The sacred texts of each faith Major similarities and differences How these religions influenced the world

Author Biography

A native of Maine who grew up in northeast Ohio, William Paul Lazarus began studying religious history as a child and has never stopped. By age 13, he was teaching Sunday school. After moving to Florida in 1986, he branched out by teaching at various institutions, including Daytona Beach Community College and Stetson University. A professional writer and high school English teacher, he regularly speaks at churches and synagogues around Florida, and had a successful radio show on 1340-AM, WROD, in Daytona Beach. This is his ninth book on various aspects of religious history. He and his wife live in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Mark Sullivan was born in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, and grew up in a traveling, academic family, something like a fantastic traveling circus. He returned to NYC for college, at Columbia University, where he studied Comparative Literature and European Languages. He later attended the Juilliard School of Music for studies in composition.

Table of Contents

Introduction

History Is a Happening Thing

One God, Three Faiths

Following Abraham's Path

The Development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Judaism: Oy Vey, What a History!

Judaism Finds God in Everything

Jesus and the Origins of Christianity

Christian Beliefs and Practices

The Birth of Islam: The Prophet Submits to Allah

Islam: Submission of the Faithful

Shared Aspects of the Faiths

Reading the Holy Words

Houses of Prayer

Religious Leaders: Keeping the Faith

Sacred Sites

Thy Kingdom Come: The Messiah Concept

Holy Catastrophe: End of the World

Shared Ideas Among the Faiths

Dealing with Sin

Good Heavens: Life after Death

Hell in a Nutshell

War and Peace: Why Can't We All Get Along?

The Part of Tens

Ten Misconceptions about Jews, Christians, and Muslims

Ten Films Drawn from Biblical Accounts

Ten-Plus Ways Religion Influences the World

Appendixes

Timelines for Religions

Genealogies

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.