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World Religions Today
The twenty-first century is witnessing a resurgence and globalization of religion. Around the world, religion has become an increasingly more important and pervasive force in personal and public life. Revealing the significance of religion in contemporary life, World Religions Today , Second
Edition, explores eight major religious traditions as dynamic, ongoing forces in the lives of individuals and in the collective experience of modern societies. Covering historical details more succinctly than the previous edition, this volume features revised chapters on Judaism, Christianity,
Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and East Asian Religions and adds two new chapters, "Primal Religions," and " From New to New Age Religions." It also integrates material on Osama bin Laden, global terrorism, and the Iraq War. Moving beyond many books in the field--which focus on the
historical origins and ancient development of the classical traditions of each religion-- World Religions Today , Second Edition, takes a fresh approach. The book uses historical coverage of the religious traditions as a framework to help students understand how faiths have evolved to the present day
and continue to have an impact on belief, politics, and society. It connects today's religions to their classical beliefs and practices but also shows how these religions have responded to and been transformed by the modern world. To help students grasp what might be "new" about the emerging era of
religious life in the twenty-first century, the authors open each discussion with a contemporary scenario of religious experience that illustrates the tension between premodern views and modernity.
World Religions Today , Second Edition, incorporates many pedagogical aids--timelines, maps, illustrations, discussion questions, and a glossary of key terms--and also features approximately 200 photographs and two new eight-page full-color inserts. A Companion Website contains student
resources including chapter summaries, self-quizzes, and links to additional sources. An Instructor's Manual offers chapter summaries, pedagogical suggestions, and exam questions and answers. Ideal for undergraduate courses in world religions and comparative religion, World Religions Today , Second
Edition, emphasizes the interconnectedness of faith, culture, politics, and society, providing a peerless examination of the diverse ways in which contemporary human beings are religious.
Edition, explores eight major religious traditions as dynamic, ongoing forces in the lives of individuals and in the collective experience of modern societies. Covering historical details more succinctly than the previous edition, this volume features revised chapters on Judaism, Christianity,
Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and East Asian Religions and adds two new chapters, "Primal Religions," and " From New to New Age Religions." It also integrates material on Osama bin Laden, global terrorism, and the Iraq War. Moving beyond many books in the field--which focus on the
historical origins and ancient development of the classical traditions of each religion-- World Religions Today , Second Edition, takes a fresh approach. The book uses historical coverage of the religious traditions as a framework to help students understand how faiths have evolved to the present day
and continue to have an impact on belief, politics, and society. It connects today's religions to their classical beliefs and practices but also shows how these religions have responded to and been transformed by the modern world. To help students grasp what might be "new" about the emerging era of
religious life in the twenty-first century, the authors open each discussion with a contemporary scenario of religious experience that illustrates the tension between premodern views and modernity.
World Religions Today , Second Edition, incorporates many pedagogical aids--timelines, maps, illustrations, discussion questions, and a glossary of key terms--and also features approximately 200 photographs and two new eight-page full-color inserts. A Companion Website contains student
resources including chapter summaries, self-quizzes, and links to additional sources. An Instructor's Manual offers chapter summaries, pedagogical suggestions, and exam questions and answers. Ideal for undergraduate courses in world religions and comparative religion, World Religions Today , Second
Edition, emphasizes the interconnectedness of faith, culture, politics, and society, providing a peerless examination of the diverse ways in which contemporary human beings are religious.
592 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2001
8 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
John L. Esposito
102 books151 followersHe is a professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. He is also the director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal center for Muslim-Christian understanding at Georgetown University.
Esposito was raised a Roman Catholic in an Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City, and spent a decade in a Catholic monastery. After taking his first degree he worked as a management consultant and high-school teacher. He then studied and received a masters in theology at St. John's University. He earned a PhD at Temple University, Pennsylvania in 1974, studying Islam and held post doc appointments at Harvard and Oxford. He is well-known as a promoter of strong ties between Muslims and Christians and has challenged the Vatican to make greater efforts to encourage such ties.
A specialist in Islam, political Islam, and the impact of Islamic movements from North Africa to Southeast Asia, Dr. Esposito serves as a consultant to the Department of State as well as multinational corporations, governments, universities, and the media worldwide. In 2005, Professor Esposito won the American Academy of Religion's prestigious Martin E. Marty Award for the Public Understanding of Religion. This award honors a scholar who has been exemplary in promoting the public understanding of religion. A prolific writer, Professor Esposito is the author of over 25 books, including What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam, The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality?, and Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World, The Oxford History of Islam, and The Oxford Dictionary of Islam.
Esposito was raised a Roman Catholic in an Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City, and spent a decade in a Catholic monastery. After taking his first degree he worked as a management consultant and high-school teacher. He then studied and received a masters in theology at St. John's University. He earned a PhD at Temple University, Pennsylvania in 1974, studying Islam and held post doc appointments at Harvard and Oxford. He is well-known as a promoter of strong ties between Muslims and Christians and has challenged the Vatican to make greater efforts to encourage such ties.
A specialist in Islam, political Islam, and the impact of Islamic movements from North Africa to Southeast Asia, Dr. Esposito serves as a consultant to the Department of State as well as multinational corporations, governments, universities, and the media worldwide. In 2005, Professor Esposito won the American Academy of Religion's prestigious Martin E. Marty Award for the Public Understanding of Religion. This award honors a scholar who has been exemplary in promoting the public understanding of religion. A prolific writer, Professor Esposito is the author of over 25 books, including What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam, The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality?, and Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World, The Oxford History of Islam, and The Oxford Dictionary of Islam.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 20, 2015
In studying the landscape of religions that make up the world we live in this book covers all of them. Starting from indigenous religions, travelling through the Abrahamic persuasions, and blazing a trail into the depths of the eastern and new age religions; this book offers insight into all facets of the world's religions.
Especially noteworthy in this text is the format design. Starting with the founding of the religion, the authors trace the growth, turning points, and key events through history. Not only are you provided with a historical account of the foundations of each religion, you are also provided with the way the religion has evolved within the context of society. World Religions Today helps the reader place the various religious traditions in the world of today and at the same time, allows a glimpse as to where that religion is headed in the age of globalization.
The writing, for the most part, is done in a style that is not beset by ambiguity. Additionally, the tone of the writing is sophisticated enough to be an appropriate read for both pleasure and study.
Of special interest, there are many highlighted sections of the book where an important idea or marker of history is able to be expounded upon by visual (photo or otherwise) representation along with a key point. This offsetting from the text helps the reader understand the key concepts better, and brings a possible deeper appreciation for the art as well as the language of world religions.
The study of the world religions is arguably as relevant today as it was throughout history. In order to understand the interplay of political and spiritual forces present on the global scene today, this study can point towards a deeper understanding of the reasons why certain action are taken, and why people believe the way they do.
Even if you are not a student of religious studies, this book can easily be used to trace important philosophical, historical, sociological, political, and psychological roots of the beliefs that make up the diverse world community.
Especially noteworthy in this text is the format design. Starting with the founding of the religion, the authors trace the growth, turning points, and key events through history. Not only are you provided with a historical account of the foundations of each religion, you are also provided with the way the religion has evolved within the context of society. World Religions Today helps the reader place the various religious traditions in the world of today and at the same time, allows a glimpse as to where that religion is headed in the age of globalization.
The writing, for the most part, is done in a style that is not beset by ambiguity. Additionally, the tone of the writing is sophisticated enough to be an appropriate read for both pleasure and study.
Of special interest, there are many highlighted sections of the book where an important idea or marker of history is able to be expounded upon by visual (photo or otherwise) representation along with a key point. This offsetting from the text helps the reader understand the key concepts better, and brings a possible deeper appreciation for the art as well as the language of world religions.
The study of the world religions is arguably as relevant today as it was throughout history. In order to understand the interplay of political and spiritual forces present on the global scene today, this study can point towards a deeper understanding of the reasons why certain action are taken, and why people believe the way they do.
Even if you are not a student of religious studies, this book can easily be used to trace important philosophical, historical, sociological, political, and psychological roots of the beliefs that make up the diverse world community.
October 9, 2017
I can legitimately say this is one of the best World Religion text books I've ever had the pleasure of reading in its entirety. I loved how the chapters were organized and how each one contained up-to-date information on each of the religions covered in that section. This is a great book for anyone looking to have a good time while learning.
July 13, 2012
This is a mandatory textbook for my World Religions class. It seems pretty fair, objective, and accurate but i'm only on the third chapter so far and there's a whole long ways to go. But if the authors keep it up at this pace, I think it will deserve a 4 or 5 star rating. :-)
May 10, 2019
Just finished reading the most recent version of this textbook (the sixth edition - 2018) for a World Religions course. Excellent text that offers a living perspective on the diversity of our world's many religious faiths and practices from their early roots to their evolution in our ever more connected world. Highly recommend.
October 30, 2025
53
Almost too detailed and not very interesting.
Almost too detailed and not very interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2015
Assigned reading for Geography of Religion class. Small print but great read and resource.
December 6, 2014
Verbose.
April 19, 2015
Objective analysis of major organized religions, their cultural and historic motivations, and how they've adapted in modern society.
May 28, 2016
I read the required chapters for the class I'm taking on Eastern Religions. I found the book pretty good, only a few dry areas.
February 21, 2019
i dont know
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews