World Religions : A Historical Approach

by S. A. Nigosian

• ISBN13: 9780312152680
• ISBN10: 031215268X
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1999-11-01
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's

Summary

A concise, balanced, and reasonably priced introductory text,World Religions(the revision ofWorld Faiths, Second Edition) 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.

Author Biography

Solomon Alexander Nigosian is Research Associate at the University of Toronto, Victoria College, where he teaches World Religions and Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Dr. Nigosian received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Preface	ix
Maps and Timelines	xvii
About the Author	xix
Understanding Religion	1	(10)
An Intellectual Inquiry	1	(1)
The Study of Religion	2	(2)
The Origin of Religion	4	(1)
Definitions of Religion	5	(2)
Approaches and Goals	7	(2)
Study Questions	9	(1)
Suggested Reading	9	(1)
Notes	10	(1)
Prehistoric Religion	11	(9)
Human Skulls	11	(1)
Bear Skulls	12	(2)
Corpses	14	(1)
Works of Art	15	(2)
Stone Structures	17	(2)
Study Questions	19	(1)
Suggested Reading	19	(1)
Hinduism	20	(38)
Origins	20	(2)
Hindu Social Structure	22	(5)
Hindu Sacred Texts	27	(2)
Hindu Teachings	29	(17)
Hindu Reform Movements	46	(3)
Popular Hinduism	49	(2)
Hindu Observances	51	(4)
Study Questions	55	(1)
Suggested Reading	56	(1)
Notes	57	(1)
Jainism	58	(10)
Mahavira	58	(3)
The Twelve Vows of Jainism	61	(1)
Jain Groups	62	(1)
Jain Sacred Texts	63	(1)
Jain Teachings	64	(2)
Jain Observances	66	(1)
Study Questions	67	(1)
Suggested Reading	67	(1)
Notes	67	(1)
Buddhism	68	(34)
The Buddha	68	(6)
The Spread of Buddhism	74	(6)
Buddhist Sacred Texts	80	(1)
Buddhist Teachings	80	(6)
Buddhist Groups	86	(6)
Buddhist Observances	92	(7)
Study Questions	99	(1)
Suggested Reading	100	(1)
Notes	101	(1)
Taoism and Confucianism	102	(35)
Early Chinese Religion	104	(8)
Taoism	112	(7)
Confucianism	119	(12)
Chinese Observances	131	(3)
Study Questions	134	(1)
Suggested Reading	135	(1)
Note	136	(1)
Shinto	137	(26)
Defining Shinto	137	(3)
Ancient Records	140	(1)
The Development of Shinto	141	(17)
Shinto Observances	158	(3)
Study Questions	161	(1)
Suggested Reading	161	(1)
Note	162	(1)
Egyptian Religion	163	(14)
Egyptian Civilization	163	(1)
Egyptian Religious Thought	164	(7)
Egyptian Mythology	171	(1)
Egyptian Observances	172	(2)
Study Questions	174	(1)
Suggested Reading	175	(1)
Notes	175	(2)
Mesopotamian Religion	177	(9)
Mesopotamian Civilization	177	(3)
Mesopotamian Religious Thought	180	(1)
Mesopotamian Mythology	181	(1)
Mesopotamian Observances	182	(3)
Study Questions	185	(1)
Suggested Reading	185	(1)
Notes	185	(1)
Greek Religion	186	(16)
Early Greek Religion	187	(3)
Intellectual Views	190	(2)
Popular Religion	192	(3)
Mystery Religions	195	(2)
Festivals	197	(2)
Hellenistic Syncretism	199	(1)
Study Questions	199	(1)
Suggested Reading	200	(1)
Notes	201	(1)
Roman Religion	202	(14)
Roman Religion	203	(4)
Foreign Accretions	207	(6)
Festivals	213	(1)
Study Questions	214	(1)
Suggested Reading	214	(2)
Zoroastrianism	216	(19)
Zoroaster	216	(4)
The Spread of Zoroastrianism	220	(1)
Zoroastrian Sacred Texts	221	(1)
Zoroastrian Teachings	222	(6)
Zoroastrian Observances	228	(5)
Study Questions	233	(1)
Suggested Reading	234	(1)
Judaism	235	(35)
Biblical Tradition	237	(6)
The Rise and Development of Judaism	243	(6)
Jews under Christian and Muslim Rule	249	(3)
Jewish Groups in the Middle Ages	252	(1)
Modern Jewish Groups	253	(1)
The Bible	254	(3)
The Talmud and the Midrash	257	(1)
Jewish Teachings	258	(4)
Jewish Observances	262	(5)
Study Questions	267	(1)
Suggested Reading	268	(1)
Note	269	(1)
Christianity	270	(40)
The Roman Empire	270	(2)
Jesus Christ	272	(3)
Teachings Attributed to Jesus	275	(4)
Paul	279	(2)
Early Christianity	281	(7)
Christianity in the Middle Ages	288	(5)
Christianity in Modern Times	293	(5)
The Bible	298	(2)
Christian Teachings	300	(3)
Christian Observances	303	(4)
Study Questions	307	(1)
Suggested Reading	308	(1)
Notes	309	(1)
Islam	310	(34)
Understanding Islam	310	(1)
Muhammad, Messenger of God	311	(4)
Islamic Empires	315	(7)
Islam in Modern Times	322	(3)
Islamic Groups	325	(2)
The Qur'an	327	(3)
Islamic Law and Jurisprudence	330	(3)
Articles of Faith	333	(3)
The Pillars of Islam	336	(3)
Holy War (Jihad)	339	(1)
Islamic Observances	340	(1)
Study Questions	341	(1)
Suggested Reading	342	(2)
Sikhism	344	(12)
Guru Nanak	345	(2)
The Development of Sikhism	347	(2)
Sikh Sacred Text	349	(1)
Sikh Teachings	350	(2)
Sikh Groups	352	(1)
Sikh Observances	353	(2)
Study Questions	355	(1)
Suggested Reading	355	(1)
Notes	355	(1)
African Traditions	356	(22)
Historical Overview of Africa	356	(6)
African Traditional Religions	362	(4)
Basic Common Views	366	(5)
Religious Activities	371	(4)
Study Questions	375	(1)
Suggested Reading	376	(1)
Note	377	(1)
American Indian Traditions	378	(21)
Ancient Civilizations	378	(8)
Modern American Indians	386	(1)
Basic Common Views	387	(6)
Ceremonials	393	(3)
Study Questions	396	(1)
Suggested Reading	397	(1)
Notes	398	(1)
Baha'i	399	(12)
The Origin and Development of Baha'i	399	(4)
Sacred Writings	403	(1)
Baha'i Teachings	403	(4)
Baha'i Observances	407	(2)
Study Questions	409	(1)
Suggested Reading	410	(1)
Notes	410	(1)
Religions: A Comparison	411	(12)
Unity or Diversity	413	(1)
Comparison of Paths	414	(2)
Comparison of Goals	416	(1)
East-West Comparison	417	(2)
Study Questions	419	(1)
Suggested Reading	419	(1)
Notes	420	(3)
Glossary	423	(10)
Index	433