Books like The World's Religions by Huston Smith

Explore Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and other faiths through their histories, beliefs, customs, and global impact—complete with reference charts and a glossary of religious terms.

A comprehensive guide to the beliefs, traditions, and observance of Judaism, suitable for those new to the religion or those seeking to deepen their understanding.

Each chapter comprises an overview of the central tenets of each religion, key quotations from its core beliefs, and a historical depiction of each faith, from its earliest beginnings to its latest incarnations and impact on the modern world. Contains 50 inspirational illustrations which shows the key figures and icons for each faith.

Stephen Mitchell's Bhagavad Gita is a definitive translation of the revered Hindu text, bringing the ancient wisdom of the Gita into the modern age.

This attractively illustrated volume is the first comprehensive work for general readers on the origins of humankind's religious nature. By examining the footprints along the course of humanity's religious journey, Julien Ries is able to effectively counter attempts to root the origins of religion in evolutionary, ethnological, and sociological causes. His study uncovers the presence of a religious sense in humankind from our very first appearance on earth and shows that an inner religious structure is in fact an essential characteristic of our being human: homo religiosus. The Origins of Religions opens with a look at prehistoric man's first steps on the planet, then moves on to examine the cultic rituals, artistic expression, and expanding mythology that developed throughout the Paleolithic and Neolithic epochs. In these simple yet immensely meaningful religious practices we find the precursors to the development of systematic religion in the cultures of Sumero-Babylonia, pharaonic Egypt, China, Indo-Europe, and India, which in turn culminates in the birth of the three great monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Huston Smith urges that the modern human spirit is crushed by a materialistic worldview and argues for a society where religion and spirituality are again valued as vital sources of wisdom.

Huston Smith offers a concise, authoritative overview of Buddhism’s history, teachings, and practices, drawing on his extensive scholarship in religion and spirituality.

You're no idiot, of course. you know that the earth has a colorful and diverse history among its many cultures--full of people who practice many different ways of recognizing a higher power or spiritual presence. You can understand--even if you don't practices--what others preach. The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Religions, Third Edition, points out the differences--and similarities --of spiritual worship around the world. In this newly updated and revised Complete Idiot's Guide, you get information on: How each major religion views such controversial issues as war and peace, euthanasia, suicide, and abortion. Rituals and holidays as celebrated through Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other spiritual beliefs. Sacred texts written in such books as the Bible, Torah, Qur'an, Bhagavad Gita, and other doctrines. Religious extremism in the post-9/11 world--and the responses of the major religious scriptures to those who pursue terror and hate in the name of God.

"Surveying the world's religions, from Buddhism to Zoroastrianism, and providing succinct yet thought-provoking insight into the philosophy and practices of each, The Religions Book is ideal for anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of the world's religions. With intriguing artwork, flow charts, and diagrams, complex world religions are made accessible in this comprehensive guide"--