The Handy Religion Answer Book - (Handy Answer Books) 2nd Edition by John Renard (Paperback)
About this item
Highlights
- An engaging question-and-answer guide to the world's major religions.
- About the Author: John Renard, PhD, is a professor in the department of theological studies at Saint Louis University.
- 544 Pages
- Religion + Beliefs, Comparative Religion
- Series Name: Handy Answer Books
Description
Book Synopsis
An engaging question-and-answer guide to the world's major religions.Why do conflicts in the name of God persist--even though religious scholars agree that all great religions are based on love, not carnage? What do different faiths have to say about God? About the afterlife?
The spiritual world we live in today is a diverse and sometimes highly individualized mixture of religious practices and beliefs. The physical world is a much smaller place, often secular in appearance but still very much fueled by religious beliefs and conflict in the name of God. The Handy Religion Answer Book is an easy-to-use comparative guide for anyone seeking a greater understanding of the world's religious beliefs, customs, and practices. It provides solid descriptions of major beliefs and rituals worldwide, affording the reader an understanding of contemporary religion.
This book contains detailed descriptions of the history, beliefs, symbols, rituals, observations, customs, membership, leaders, and organization of the world's eight major religious traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto.
Clearly and eloquently written by a scholar with over 40 years of study and teaching experience, The Handy Religion Answer Book is an engaging guide for anyone seeking basic religious literacy and intellectual history.
This handy primer contains a wealth of information and answers more than 1,000 questions, such as ...
Plus, it includes questions concerning religion and violence and suborganizations that claim affiliation with the major faith communities. A glossary of religious terminology and maps of the general coverage areas for each religion are also included.
Enlightening and educational, The Handy Religion Answer Book clears up misinformation and misconceptions, and helps explain cultural and historical differences, providing the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the world's great religions.
Review Quotes
"Understanding religion...is an important key to understanding human culture and history.... [T]he average reader...should benefit greatly from this resource."-- About.com "Renard (theological studies, St. Louis U.) offers a reference work on religion arranged in chapters on 8 different faiths. The material proceeds through almost 800 questions and one or two paragraph general answers."-- Book News "When done well, [frequently asked questions] provide quick access to informative answers to specific questions. The Handy Religion Answer Book successfully ... introduce(s) some of the world's major religious traditions. This well-priced volume is highly recommended."-- Booklist "packs a great deal of helpful information into a usable format.... provide(s) clear and succinct explanations.... Recommended."-- Choice "Anyone - student, news junkie or bet-settler - who needs quick access to information about a major religion would do well to have this...book nearby."-- New York Daily News "Concise and accessible, this is an outstanding resource for those with a general interest in major religions of the modern world."-- School Library Journal "Renard...has produced a book that is inviting to sit down and read through chapter by chapter."-- St. Louis Post - Dispatch
About the Author
John Renard, PhD, is a professor in the department of theological studies at Saint Louis University. He is the author of several books, including "Friends of God: Islamic Images of Piety, Commitment, and Servanthood"; "Islam and Christianity: Theological Themes in Comparative Perspective"; and "Tales of God's Friends: Islamic Hagiography in Translation." He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.Shipping details
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