Chapter 1. Understanding Religion

What Is Religion? Patterns Among Religions Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Religion Key Critical Issues Why Study the Major Religions of the World? The Pilgrimage

Chapter 2. Indigenous Religions

Discovering Indigenous Religions Studying Indigenous Religions: Learning from Patterns Sacred Practices in Indigenous Religions Indigenous Religions Today

Chapter 3. Hinduism

The Origins of Hinduism The Upanishads and the Axis Age Living Spiritually in the Everyday World Devotional Hinduism Hinduism and the Arts Hinduism: Modern Challenges

Chapter 4. Buddhism

The Beginnings of Buddhism: The Life of the Buddha The Basic Teachings of Buddhism The Influence of Indian Thought on Early Buddhist Teachings The Early Development of Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism: The "Big Vehicle" Vajrayana Buddhism: The "Diamond Vehicle" Buddhism and the Modern World

Chapter 5. Jainism and Sikhism

Shared Origins Jainism Background Mahavira and the Origins of Jainism Worldview Jain Ethics The Development of Jainism and Its Branches Jain Practices Jain Scriptures Jain Art and Architecture Sikhism Background Nanak and the Origins of Sikhism The Worldview and Teachings of Nanak The Development of Sikhism Sikh Scriptures Sikhism and the Modern World

Chapter 6. Daoism and Confucianism

Basic Elements of Traditional Chinese Beliefs Daoism The Origins of Daoism The Basic Early Teachings Daoism and the Quest for Longevity The Development of Daoism Daoism and the Arts Daoism and the Modern World Confucianism The Dao in Confucianism The Life of Confucius Living According to Confucian Values Confucian Literature The Development of Confucianism Confucianism and the Arts Confucianism and the Modern World

Chapter 7. Shinto

The Origins of Shinto The Historical Development of Shinto Essentials of Shinto Belief Shinto Religious Practice Shinto and the Arts Shinto Offshoots: The New Religions Shinto and the Modern World

Chapter 8. Judaism

An Overview of Jewish History The Hebrew Bible Biblical History Cultural Conflict during the Second Temple Era The Development of Rabbinical Judaism Questioning and Reform Judaism and the Modern World Jewish Belief Religious Practice Divisions within Contemporary Judaism Jewish Identity and the Future of Judaism

Chapter 9. Christianity

The Life and Teachings of Jesus Early Christian Beliefs and History The Early Spread of Christianity Influences on Christianity at the End of the Roman Empire The Eastern Orthodox Church Christianity in the Middle Ages The Protestant Reformation The Development of Christianity Following the Protestant Reformation Christian Practice Christianity and the Arts Christianity Faces the Modern World

Chapter 10. Islam

The Life and Teachings of Muhammad Essentials of Islam The Historical Development of Islam Sufism: Islamic Mysticism Islamic Law and Philosophy Islam and the Arts Islam and the Modern World

Chapter 11. Alternative Paths

Origins of New Religions Contemporary Paganism: Wicca and Druidism Religions of the Yoruba Tradition: Santería, Voodoo, Candomblé Theosophy Scientology Falun Gong Cao Dai Rastafarianism Baha'i New Religious Movements: A Special Role

Chapter 12. The Modern Search

Modern Influences on the Future of Religion The Recurring Challenge of Change Environmentalism: A Religious Phenomenon? Eclectic Spirituality Notes Credits Index

In each chapter:

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