Invitation to World Religions

Jeffrey Brodd is Professor of Humanities and Religious Studies at California State University, Sacramento. Layne Little is Lecturer of Religious Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Bradley Nystrom is Professor of Humanities and Religious Studies at California State University, Sacramento. Robert Platzner is Professor of Humanities and Religious Studies at California State University, Sacramento. Richard Shek is Professor of Humanities and Religious Studies at California State University, Sacramento. Erin Stiles is Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Nevada, Reno.

This textbook provides a very comprehensive and concise overview of the study of religion as is." - Christopher Hoklotubbe, Cornell College

• Preface Chapter 1. An Invitation to the Study of World Religions1.1 Approaching the Study of World Religions 1.2 Defining "Religion"1.3 What Religions Do 1.4 Religions in the Modern World Methods for Studying the World's Religions 1.5 Methods for Studying the World's Religions Chapter 2. Indigenous Religions of North America2.1 The Teachings of Indigenous Religious of North America: Core Precept 2.2 The Teachings of Indigenous Religions of North America: Humanity and the Environment 2.3 The History of Indigenous Religions of North America: Origins 2.4 The History of Indigenous Religions of North America: Conquest and Colonization2.5 The History of Indigenous Religions of North America: The Modern Age2.6 Indigenous Religions of North America as a Way of Life: Observance 2.7 Indigenous Religions of North America as a Way of Life: Life-Cycle Events2.8 Indigenous Religions of North America as a Way of Life: Engaging with the World Chapter 3. Indigenous Religions of Africa3.1 The Teachings of Indigenous Religions of Africa: Sacred Narratives3.2 The Teachings of Indigenous Religions of Africa: Humanity 3.3 The History of Indigenous Religions of Africa: Religion in Early Civilizations and States 3.4 The History of Indigenous Religions of Africa: The Spread of Islam and Christianity 3.5 The History of Indigenous Religions of Africa: The Transatlantic Slave Trade and African Religions in the Americas 3.6 The History of Indigenous Religions of Africa: Reform and Resistance3.7 Indigenous Religions Of Africa as A Way of Life: Observance3.8 Indigenous Religions Of Africa as A Way of Life: Engaging with the World Chapter 4. Hinduism4.1 The Teachings of Hinduism: Beliefs about Divine Reality 4.2 The Teachings of Hinduism: The Individual and the Quest for Liberation4.3 The Teachings of Hinduism: The Individual and Society 4.4 The Teachings of Hinduism: Sacred Texts4.5 The Teachings of Hinduism: Varieties 4.6 The Teachings of Hinduism: Origins 4.7 The History of Hinduism: Development 4.8 The History of Hinduism: The Modern Age4.9 Hinduism as a Way of Life: Rituals and Observances 4.10 Hinduism as a Way of Life: Engaging with the World Chapter 5. Buddhism5.1 The Teachings of Buddhism: The Life and Teachings of the Buddha 5.2 The Teachings of Buddhism: Theravada Buddhism 5.3 The Teachings of Buddhism: Mahayana Buddhism 5.4 The Teachings of Buddhism: Five Mahayana Schools 5.5 The History of Buddhism: Asia 5.6 The History of Buddhism: The West 5.7 Buddhism as a Way of Life: Practices 5.8 Buddhism as a Way of Life: Engaging with the World Chapter 6. Jainism6.1 The Teachings of Jainism: Mahavira and the Tirthankaras 6.2 The Teachings of Jainism: Central Precepts 6.3 The History of Jainism6.4 Jainism as a Way of Life: Varieties6.5 Jainism as a Way of Life: Practices and Observances6.6 Jainism as a Way of Life: Engaging with the World Chapter 7. Sikhism7.1 The Teachings of Sikhism: The Life of Guru Nanak7.2 The Teachings of Sikhism: Sacred Texts 7.3 The Teachings of Sikhism: Core Precepts 7.4 The History of Sikhism: Development 7.5 The History of Sikhism: The Modern Age 7.6 Sikhism as a Way of Life: Devotional Practices 7.7 Sikhism as a Way of Life: The Life Cycle 7.8 Sikhism as a Way of Life: Engaging with the World Chapter 8. Chinese Religions: Confucianism and Daoism8.1 The Teachings of Chinese Religions: Before Confucianism and Daoism8.2 The Teachings of Chinese Religions: Confucianism8.3 The Teachings of Chinese Religions: Daoism 8.4 The History of Chinese Religions: Confucianism8.5 The History of Chinese Religions: Daoism 8.6 Chinese Religions as a Way of Life: Rituals and Observances 8.7 Chinese Religions as a Way of Life: Engaging with the World Chapter 9. Shinto9.1 The Teachings of Shinto 9.2 The History of Shinto 9.3 Shinto as a Way of Life: Rituals and Observances 9.4 Shinto as a Way of Life: Engaging with the World Chapter 10. Zoroastrianism10.1 The Teachings of Zoroastrianism: Central Precepts 10.2 The Teachings of Zoroastrianism: Sacred Texts 10.3 The History of Zoroastrianism: Origins10.4 The History of Zoroastrianism: From Ancient Times to the Present 10.5 Zoroastrianism as a Way of Life: Rituals, Holy Days, and Rites of Passage 10.6 Zoroastrianism as a Way of Life: Engaging with the World Chapter 11. Judaism11.1 The Teachings of Judaism: God, Torah Covenant 11.2 The Teachings of Judaism: The Messiah, the Afterlife, and Mysticism11.3 The History of Judaism: The Ancient, Medieval and Premodern Eras 11.4 The History of Judaism: The Modern Era 11.5 Judaism as a Way of Life: Festivals, the Sabbath, and Life-Cycle Events 11.6 Judaism as a Way of Life: Other Sacred Practices11.7 Judaism as a Way of Life: Engaging with the World Chapter 12. Christianity12.1 The Teachings of Christianity: Foundations 12.2 The Teachings of Christianity: Core Precepts 12.3 The History of Christianity: The Church in the Ancient Roman World 12.4 The History of Christianity: The Middle Ages 12.5 The History of Christianity: The Modern Era 12.6 Christianity as a Way of Life: Devotional Practices12.7 Christianity as a Way of Life: Engaging with the World Chapter 13. Islam13. 1 The Teachings of Islam: Sacred Texts 13.2 The Teachings of Islam: Core Precepts 13.3 The History of Islam: Origins 13.4 The History of Islam: Development13.5 The History of Islam: The Modern Age 13.6 The History of Islam: Different Ways of Being Muslim 13.7 Islam as a Way of Life: Observances 13.8 Islam as a Way of Life: The Islamic Year and Holidays 13.9 Islam as a Way of Life: Family and Community 13.10 Islam as a Way of Life: Engaging with the World Chapter 14. New Religious Movements14.1 What is "New" About New Religious Movements?14.2 Alternative Christianities and their Offshoots 14.3 Reinterpretations of Asian Religious Thought 14.4 The Revival of Esoteric and Neo-Pagan Thought 14.5 Universalist Religious Thought 14.6 The New Atheism 14.7 New Religious Movements: Engaging with the World NotesGlossaryCreditsIndex