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There are many books on the world’s
religions and, more specifically, on individual religions. Those listed here are
just a starting place. They should be readily available in local libraries and
book stores (and on-line through Amazon.com).
You can check the shelves yourself for other books that you might find of
interest.
Encyclopedic resources on the world’s religions:
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A Handbook of Living Religions,
John R. Hinnells, ed. |
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Religions of the World: An Illustrated
Guide to Origins, Beliefs, Traditions and Festivals
by Elizabeth Breuilly, Joanne O’Brien and
Martin Palmer |
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Encyclopedia
of World Faiths: An Illustrated Survey of the World’s Living Religions
Peter Bishop and Michael Darton, eds. |
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Eerdman’s Handbook to the World’s
Religions
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The Rise of Major Religions
(The Human Story series), by Michael Welply and Georgia Makhlouf |
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An Illustrated Encyclopedia of World
Religions, Chris Richards, ed. |
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The World’s Religions: Understanding the
Living Faiths (a Reader’s Digest book), Dr. Peter
B. Clarke, ed. |
Other books on the world’s religions:
Books for more advanced readers & thinkers:
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Religions
of Star Trek by Ross S. Kraemer, William Cassidy, Susan
L. Schwartz: explore classic themes, common to many religions, as addressed
through the familiar story lines of the Star Trek series and movies.
(ideal for the science fiction fan - the above link takes you to a page
of questions to think about as you read through each chapter)
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A
History of God by Karen Armstrong: explores the development of
Western understanding of God over the past 4000 years, considers early
Mesopotamian, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, philosophical, mystical, and
contemporary ideas. (15% with journaling and review).
There is also a documentary
video (or DVD)
from A&E based on this book that you might care to watch (see
"video reviews" for details)
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The
Battle for God by Karen Armstrong: explores the historical
origins and development of religious fundamentalism found today in
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Argues that fundamentalism is a
uniquely modern development, "not a throwback to some ancient form
of religion but rather a response to the spiritual crisis of the modern
world." (15% with journaling and review)
Supplement (optional): an interview with Karen
Armstrong (from NPR) How an ex-nun became a scholar of religion
and how that relates to her personal life (33 min/RealPlayer)
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The
Great Transformation by Karen Armstrong: explores the changes in
human thinking and culture during the "Axial Age" (900 - 200
BCE) that led to the beginning of the great religious traditions:
Confucianism and Daoism in China, Hinduism and Buddhism in India,
Judaism in Israel, philosophical rationalism in Greece.
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Ornament
of the World by María Rosa Menocal: How Muslims, Jews and
Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain.
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Abraham:
A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths by Bruce Feiler (10% with
journaling and review)
Additional online resources on this book: (additional 5% for discussing
your use of such resources in your journaling for this book)
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BruceFeiler.com
provides text and audio excerpts, an interview with the author, and
other resources. The "Reader's
Guide" provides some good, thought provoking questions you
might consider addressing in your journaling of this book.
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Explore the Legacy
of Abraham from the Time Magazine Website.
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From
NPR/WAMU radio: (audio) A discussion with the author and several
clergy regarding the legacy of Abraham as the common heritage of Jews,
Christians, and Muslims. (uses RealPlayer).
Some Sacred Texts: (available in
many editions)
(Hinduism)
Tao Te Ching & Chuang Tzu
(Taoism)
I Ching (Chinese divination - The I-Ching
Workbook is one good version among others)
Dhammapada, Lotus Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Heart Sutra
(among others) (Buddhism)
Tibetan Book of Death and Dying (Bardo
Thodol) (Tibetan Buddhism)
Bible (Judaism & Christianity)
Book of Mormon ("Latter Day
Saints" Christianity)
Zohar (Jewish Mysticism -
Translation by Daniel Chanan Matt is well done, including interpretative notes)
Koran (Islam)
Media:
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