Living Religions (5th Edition)
"Religion is not a museum piece. As the twenty-first century begins, religion is a vibrant force in the lives of many people around the world, and many religions are presently experiencing a renaissance."— Mary Pat Fisher, Preface toLiving ReligionsLiving Religions,in its revised and updated fifth edition, presents a highly readable and stimulating survey of the modern religious world. Exploring the historical development and teachings of traditional faiths, indigenous religions, and new religious movements, this book considers how each of these traditions has evolved into contemporary beliefs and practices. This edition also explores in more detail the changing nature of each religion, the spread of religious .pluralism and the movement toward interfaith dialogue.With the help of a team of specialist consultants in each faith, and drawing on a wealth of scholarly research and firsthand source material, Mary Pat Fisher has revisedLiving Religionsto give a fresh and challenging insight into how believers of today's faiths perceive their religion and its role in the changing world in which they live.NEW TO THIS EDITIONNew and revised color feature boxes on religious figures in public life, religion in practice, and interviews with practitioners of living religions.Six color timelines and eleven color maps providing the historical and geographical context for each religion.Enhanced coverage of the socio-political context of the contemporary practice of religion.Increased coverage of the contributions and concerns of women in each tradition.Extended coverage of both African and African-American religious experience.Additional suggestions for extra reading to accompany each chapter.Revised and extended Glossary.Over 120 new color and black and white illustrations.