Publisher's Synopsis
Revealing the significance of religion in contemporary life, World Religions Today, Third Edition, explores eight major religious traditions--Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, East Asian Religions, indigenous religions, and new religions--as dynamic, ongoing forces in the lives of individuals and in the collective experience of modern societies. This unique volume accomplishes two goals; it connects today's religions to their classical beliefs and practices while also focusing on how these religions have responded to and been transformed by the modern world. The authors combine thorough coverage of the historical background of each religion with up-to-the-minute discussions of its current practices. Each discussion opens with a contemporary scenario of religious experience that illustrates the tension between premodern views and modernity. The volume is enhanced by numerous pedagogical aids--timelines, maps, illustrations, discussion questions, a comprehensive glossary of key terms--and more than 200 photographs. An Instructor's Manual and a Companion Website featuring resources for both students and instructors supplement the text. NEW TO THE THIRD EDITION * Vivid four-color interior design that brings the material to life * Updates that cover more aspects of the current international situation and developments in religious life around the globe * "Tales of Spiritual Transformation" boxes that relate the stories of people whose lives have been changed by religious faith * "Teachings of Spiritual Wisdom" boxes that introduce primary source material Ideal for undergraduate courses in world religions and comparative religion, World Religions Today, Third Edition, emphasizes the interconnectedness of faith, culture, politics, and society, providing a peerless examination of the diverse ways in which contemporary human beings are religious. World Religions Todayis also available as two separate volumes: Religious of Asia Today (978-0-19-537360-8) and Religions of the West Today (978-0-19-537361-5).
