Review (PDF) World Religions: The Great Faiths Explored & Explained
Taking a refreshing new approach toward understanding different faiths, World Religions looks at the beliefs and practices of many different religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Islam. Explained through detailed annotation of sacred texts, religious artifacts, paintings, and architecture, this book will engage the whole family.
Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: DK; Reprint edition (February 20, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0756617723
ISBN-13: 978-0756617721
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 10.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (116 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #25,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #12 in Books > Reference > Encyclopedias & Subject Guides > Religion #27 in Books > History > World > Religious > General #37 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > History
First, this book is the most accessible, well-written and even-handed single-volume overview of current world religion I've ever found in English. I'd recommend this to anyone seeking to get at least a baseline grasp of what our neighbors believe. I will likely buy a copy for each of my nieces and nephews (with a few words of warning about the objectionable parts). At first the image-saturated, magazine-style format made me a little worried the book would be too lightweight, but the appealing and accessible format is well-used to convey a genuinely well-chosen selection of information. Author John Bowker has perfect credentials, as the author of The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions and editor of the The Cambridge Illustrated History of Religions. The last section, which draws attention to the hopeful & empathetic common message seemingly at the heart of all major faiths, is particularly welcome.Author John Bowker makes a few odd choices I wouldn't agree with -- like translating the title of the Tao te Ching (Book of the Virtuous Path) as 'The Way of Power,' but generally these are only quibbles. The only element of this book that makes me slightly uneasy is when the author allows some religious bigotry against non-Christians to sneak into an otherwise excellent book.
This richly illustrated book shows the world's most important religions with detailed annotation of sacred texts, paintings, epic imagery, symbolism, iconography, key beliefs, architecture and artifacts. World Religions gives insights into the world's main religions and offers a deeper appreciation for the belief you have chosen as your own.Through the pages, the author looks at the beliefs and practices of many different religions from the ancient Egyptians to the faiths practiced today.I have so enjoyed John Bowker's books and he has given me so insights into the religions of the world. He was the dean of Trinity College, Cambridge from 1984 to 1991. He is the author of many books, including The Meanings of Death and The Complete Bible Handbook.With the knowledge presented, you can learn about the central leaders and their teachings, examine the similarities and differences and discover the main beliefs behind each faith.The chapters include:What is Religion? - An explanation of what it means to be religious.Ancient Religions - Why have most cultures had a religion?HinduismJainismBuddhismSikhismChinese ReligionsJapanese ReligionsJudaismChristianityIslamNative ReligionsThe Golden Rule - How this rule exists in all religions in some form or the other.Religious Timeline and Maps - Six pages, one with a very helpful timeline that shows when the religion came to be and how it evolved over time.Further Reading - A page of books organized according to the religion they explain."What you do not want done to you, do not do to others." -Confucius, is found in every religion in some form or the other!
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