Books like The complete idiot's guide to Hinduism by Linda Johnsen

Gandhi's autobiography is a profound exploration of his non-violent resistance to racism and colonialism, as well as his efforts to seek purity and truth through simple living and spiritual devotion.

An updated, comprehensive guide to the world’s major faiths—including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism—and the native spiritual traditions of the Americas, Australia, Africa, and Oceania, emphasizing their core teachings and inner dimensions.

A captivating exploration of Christianity's growth and spread across the Roman Empire through quantitative data and groundbreaking insights from prominent historian Rodney Stark.

As conflicts over religious extremism dominate our front pages, the bestselling author of The Harlot by the Side of the Road presents a work of history that could not be more timely: a surprising look back at the origins of religious intolerance during the tumultuous fourth century.This is the epic story of how classical paganism, with its tolerance for many deities and beliefs, lost a centuries-long struggle with monotheism and its chauvinistic insistence on belief in one God. With his trademark blend of wit and scholarship, Kirsch traces the war of God against the gods from its roots in Ancient Egypt to its climax during the last stand of paganism the tumultuous fourth century, when two passionate, charismatic, and revolutionary Roman emperors, the Christian Constantine and the pagan Julian, changed the course of history and shaped the world we live in today.

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.

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.

From one of the worlds foremost scholars on Hinduism, a vivid reinterpretation of its historyAn engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth that offers a new way of understanding one of the worlds oldest major religions, The Hindus elucidates the relationship between recorded history and imaginary worlds.Hinduism does not lend itself easily to a strictly chronological account: many of its central texts cannot be reliably dated even within a century; its central tenetskarma, dharma, to name just twoarise at particular moments in Indian history and differ in each era, between genders, and caste to caste; and what is shared among Hindus is overwhelmingly outnumbered by the things that are unique to one group or another. Yet the greatness of Hinduismits vitality, its earthiness, its vividnesslies precisely in many of those idiosyncratic qualities that continue to inspire debate today.Wendy Doniger is one of the foremost scholars of Hinduism in the world. With her inimitable insight and expertise Doniger illuminates those moments within the tradition that resist forces that would standardize or establish a canon. Without reversing or misrepresenting the historical hierarchies, she reveals how Sanskrit and vernacular sources are rich in knowledge of and compassion toward women and lower castes; how they debate tensions surrounding religion, violence, and tolerance; and how animals are the key to important shifts in attitudes toward different social classes.The Hindus brings a fascinating multiplicity of actors and stories to the stage to show how brilliant and creative thinkersmany of them far removed from Brahmin authors of Sanskrit textshave kept Hinduism alive in ways that other scholars have not fully explored. In this unique and authoritative account, debates about Hindu traditions become platforms from which to consider the ironies, and overlooked epiphanies, of history.

In *Life After Death*, Deepak Chopra blends scientific insights with ancient wisdom to explore what happens when we die, arguing that our afterlife experience reflects our current beliefs and awareness.

A sweeping history of the Inquisition, from its medieval roots to its modern-day iterations, revealing the dangerous legacy of absolute power gone awry.

Exploring the origins and spread of world religions from the Stone Age to the Axial Age.

A revealing biography of King David, focusing on his fallibility and humanity rather than the idealized portrayal in popular culture.

Discover the fundamentals of Paganism, including shamanism, druidism, Wicca, and nature‑based practices, with practical guidance for connecting to the divine, meditation, magic, divination, and modern rituals.

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.