The World's Religions

* Gives an account of the history, the theological basis, the practice and the current state of the study of religion and religions throughout the world * Combines a clear and non-technical style of presentation with a structure and range of contributions which reflect the richness and complexity of religion itself, of the religions of the world and the study of religions * Comprehensive index, bibliographies and suggestions for further reading `Intriguing philosophical questions are raised about the nature of religion and the qualities needed for studying it.' - Times Higher Education Supplement `Excellent book ... remarkably successful, impressive as much for the sheer scale of the undertaking as for its consistent standard of analysis. It is a fine achievement which will serve both as a very suitable textbook for students and a reliable guide to the state of scholarship in the History and Study of Religions.' - Heythrop Journal

Table of Contents:
General Introduction, Part 1: Religion and the Study o f Religions 1. Religion and the Religions 2. The Study of Religion and Religions 3. Religion and Ideology 4. Atheism and Agnosticism Part 2: Judaism and Christianity 5. Introduction 6. Israel Before Christianity 7. The First-Century Crisis: Christian Origins 8. Judaism 9. Christianity in the First Five Centuries 10. Eastern Christianity since 451 11. Christianity in the West to the Reformation 12. Christianity in Europe: Reformation to Today 13. Christianity in Africa from 1450 to Today 14. Christianity in North America from the Sixteenth Century 15. Christianity in Latin America from the Sixteenth Century 16. Christianity in India from the Sixteenth Century 17. Christianity in China from the Sixteenth Century 18. Christianity Today Part 3: Islam 19. Introduction 20. Early Islam 21. Islam in North Africa 22. Islam in Iran 23. Islam in the Indian Sub-Continent 24. The Turks and Islam 25. China’s Muslims 26. Islam in Indonesia 27. Islam in the Middle East28. Islam in Tropical Africa to c. 1900 29. Islam in Tropical Africa in the 20th Century 30. Islam in Contemporary Europe 31. Islam in North America Part 4: The Religions of Asia 32. Introduction33. Philosophical and Religious Taoism 34. Mazdaism (‘Zoroastrianism’) 35. The Classical Religions of India, General Remarks on the Religious History of India, Vedic Religion, The Renouncer Traditions, Epic and Puranic Religion, Mahay ana Buddhism and Buddhist Philosophy Hindu Philosophies and Theologies Later Jainism The Esoteric Traditions and Antinomian Movements 36. Saivism and the Tantric Traditions 37. Modern Hinduism 38. Sikhism 39. Theravada Buddhism in South-East Asia 40. Buddhism and Hinduism in the Nepal Valley 41. Buddhism in China 42. Buddhism in Japan 43. The Religions of Tibet 44. Buddhism in Mongolia Part 5: Traditional Religions 45. Introduction 46. Shamanism 47. Australian Aboriginal Religion 48. Melanesian Religions 49. Maori Religion 50. African Traditional Religion 51. North American Traditional Religion 52. Latin American Traditional Religion: Three Orders of Service Part 6: New Religious Movements 53. Introduction 54. North America 55. Western Europe: Self-Religions 56. Japan 57. Africa 58. ‘Secularisation’: Religion in the Modern World