The complete idiot's guide to world religions
By: by Brandon Toropov and Luke Buckles
Contributors: Buckles, Luke
Edition: 4th ed.
Publisher: Alpha
Published: 2011
Place of publication: New York, N.Y
Language: eng
Number of pages: 413
ISBN-13: 9781615640690
Subjects: Religions
Other titles: Complete idiot's guide; World religions
Description: Presents an overview of the world's major religions, and answers questions about the history, rituals, celebrations, structure, holy documents, and deities of major and lesser-known religions.
Notes: "A revealing comparison of the faiths that shape the lives of millions"--Cover.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [363]-367) and index.
Table of contents: title: Opening up to other traditions. Why learn about other faiths? ; Lots of different names, some familiar ideas ; Speaking softly and dropping the stick; title: Judaism. The roots of Judaism ; Modern Jewish experience ; Jewish ritual and celebration ; Breaking down barriers to Judaism; title: Christianity. Christian beginnings ; The many Christian denominations ; Christian celebration ; Breaking down barriers to Christianity; title: Islam. The early history of Islam ; After Muhammad ; Ramadan and other observances ; Breaking down barriers to Islam; title: Hinduism. That old time religion ; God's many faces ; Respect for life and personal growth ; Breaking down barriers to Hinduism; title: Buddhism. Buddhist origins and doctrine ; Buddhism after Buddha ; Zen and other Buddhist schools popular in the West ; Breaking down barriers to Buddhism; title: Other influential traditions. Confucianism : human relations 101 ; Taoism : the effortless path ; Shinto : harmony and clarity ; Sikhism : pursuing the path of god; title: Old paths, new paths. Ancient creeds ; Nonscriptural nature religions ; Mystic voices ; New religious movements; title: A matter of life and death. The afterlife ; Other big questions ; Religious extremism in the Twenty-first century ; All down in black and white; title: Appendixes. A, Fellow travelers ; B, Scriptures to keep you company ; C, Timelines of major world religions ; D, The names of God.