Religions of the World : The Illustrated Guide to Origins, Beliefs, Traditions and Festivals

by Breuilly, Elizabeth; O'Brien, Joanne; Marty, Martin E.; Palmer, Martin

• ISBN13: 9780816037230
• ISBN10: 081603723X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-09-01
• Publisher: Facts on File

Summary

Filled with detailed, full-color photographs, this unique and accessible survey exposes readers to every major and minor world religion practiced today, including its history and origins, myths and stories, beliefs and customs.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION	5	(18)
World Religions - Making Sense of Diversity	6	(2)
Majority Religions by Country	8	(2)
The Variety of Faiths and Beliefs	10	(2)
Living Religion: Beyond the Here and Now	12	(2)
Religion in the Modern World	14	(2)
Prehistoric Religion	16	(2)
Early Historic Religions	18	(2)
Indigenous Traditions Today	20	(3)
THE ABRAHAMIC FAITHS	23	(62)
Judaism	24	(18)
Origins of the Jews as God's Chosen People	26	(2)
The Torah, the Prophets and the Writings	28	(2)
Meeting, Study and Worship in the Synagogue	30	(2)
Rituals, Beliefs, Customs and Symbols	32	(2)
Celebrations, Rememberance and Symbolic Events	34	(2)
Jewish Traditions, Lifestyle and Identity	36	(2)
The Diaspora: Spread all Over the World	38	(2)
A Stable or Precarious Future?	40	(2)
Christianity	42	(24)
Early Roots: The Life of Jesus of Nazareth	44	(2)
The Bible and Other Christian Writings	46	(2)
The Christian Declaration of Belief	48	(2)
Christian Divisions and Denominations	50	(2)
Worldwide Spread and Diversification	52	(2)
Community, Prayer, Celebration and Worship	54	(2)
Rites and Sacraments: The Stages of Life	56	(2)
Celebrations: The Birth of Jesus to the Birth of the Church	58	(2)
To Be a Christian: The Body of Christ	60	(2)
Modern Developments in Christianity	62	(2)
Movements Arising Out of Christianity	64	(2)
Islam	66	(19)
Origins, Developments and Divisions	68	(2)
Foundations of the Faith	70	(2)
The Holy City of Makkah	72	(2)
Prayer and Community in the Mosque	74	(2)
Rites of Passage and Prayers	76	(2)
Celebrations and Festivals of Islam	78	(2)
To Be a Muslim: A Total Way of Life	80	(2)
Modern Developments in Islam	82	(3)
THE VEDIC FAITHS	85	(41)
The Cyclical Nature of Existence	86	(3)
Hinduism	89	(17)
Hindu Roots and Beliefs	90	(2)
Hindu Deities: The Manifestations of God	92	(2)
Hindu Sacred Literature	94	(2)
A Hindu Temple--Worship and Ritual	96	(2)
Rites of Passage: Birth, Marriage and Death	98	(2)
Major Festivals in the Hindu Calendar	100	(2)
To Be a Hindu: The Paths and Stages of Life	102	(2)
The Influence of Hinduism Today	104	(2)
Buddhism	106	(16)
Early Roots and Basic Beliefs	108	(2)
Buddhist Scriptures: Sermons, Commentaries and Poems	110	(2)
Following Buddhist Teachings: Devotion and Meditation	112	(2)
Buddhist Rites, Rituals and Pilgrimage	114	(2)
Buddhist Festivals and Celebrations	116	(2)
Practicing the Path: Mindfulness and Compassion	118	(2)
The Spread of Buddhism and Modern Developments	120	(2)
Jainism: Origins and Development	122	(4)
Jain Life: Beliefs and Practices	124	(2)
OTHER MAJOR TRADITIONS	126	(29)
Shinto: Beliefs, History and Development	128	(4)
Worship, Rituals and Ceremonies	130	(2)
Taoism: The Tao--The Way of Heaven	132	(6)
Taoist Traditions, Beliefs and Practices	134	(2)
Taoist Rituals--Honoring the Ancestors	136	(2)
Sikhism	138	(12)
Origins, Spread and Development	140	(2)
Basic Beliefs and the Eleven Gurus	142	(2)
Worship and Life around the Gurdwara	144	(2)
The Khalsa and the Five K's	146	(2)
Being a Sikh: Sikhism Today	148	(2)
Baha'i: Development of the Baha'i Faith	150	(5)
Basic Beliefs, Calendar and Festivals	152	(2)
Faith in the Future	154	(1)
Glossary of Religious Terms	155	(2)
Selected Bibliography	157	(1)
Index	158