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Comparative Religion
Get a solid working knowledge of the spiritual beliefs that unite and divide us - as well as the perspective from the other side of these divisions. These 24 lectures offer you an opportunity to gain a solid grasp of the key ideas of religion itself - the issues that repeatedly surface when you look at any faith's beliefs, practices, and organization. Using five major religions - Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism - as illustrations of how religions can address the same core issues in parallel and different ways, Professor Kimball leads you on an exploration of religion's complex and multidimensional nature. It's an exploration that can strengthen the interpersonal understanding that underlies your daily relationships, enhance your perception of events in a diverse world, and deepen your appreciation of your own beliefs and the traditions followed by others.
Using the basics of these five major religions as a starting point - and explaining those basics so that no prior knowledge is needed - Professor Kimball plunges deeply into each to reveal and clarify the essential structural components shared by all faiths. Among the aspects of faith you compare and contrast are creation myths and sacred stories, concepts of the divine, sacred texts and spaces, and religion's ultimate goals - the reasons its adherents give them such importance.
After completing these lectures, you'll be able to "see with a native eye", as Professor Kimball puts it, when you wonder why followers of a given religion believe or act as they do.
Using the basics of these five major religions as a starting point - and explaining those basics so that no prior knowledge is needed - Professor Kimball plunges deeply into each to reveal and clarify the essential structural components shared by all faiths. Among the aspects of faith you compare and contrast are creation myths and sacred stories, concepts of the divine, sacred texts and spaces, and religion's ultimate goals - the reasons its adherents give them such importance.
After completing these lectures, you'll be able to "see with a native eye", as Professor Kimball puts it, when you wonder why followers of a given religion believe or act as they do.
24 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 2008
10 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Charles Kimball
24 books12 followersDr. Charles Kimball is professor of comparative religion in the Department of Religion and the Divinity School at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. During the 2006 fall term, he was the Rita and William Bell Visiting Professor at The University of Tulsa. Dr. Kimball is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and holds the M.Div. degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. An ordained Baptist minister, he received his Th.D. from Harvard University in the comparative religion with specialization in Islamic studies.
Dr. Kimball's courses at Wake Forest include "Introduction to Religion," "Religions of the World," "Conceptions of the Afterlife," and "Islam." He is a frequent lecturer in universities and church-related settings as well as an expert analyst on issues related to the Middle East, Islam, Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations, and the intersection of religion and politics in the United States.
Before joining the Wake Forest faculty in 1996, Dr. Kimball taught for six years at Furman University where he also served as the Director for International Education. From 1983-1990 he was the Director of the Middle East Office at the National Council of Churches, based in New York. He has made more than 35 visits to the Middle East and worked closely with Congress, the White House and the State Department during the past 20 years.
His articles have appeared in a number of publications, including Sojourners, The Christian Century, The Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Boston Globe. He is the author of four books, including When Religion Becomes Evil (HarperSanFrancisco, 2002). When Religion Becomes Evil was named one of the "Top 15 Books on Religion for 2002" by Publishers Weekly and one of the top ten books of the year by the Association of Parish Clergy. It has been published in Swedish, Indonesian, Korean and Danish translations. His three other books are: Striving Together: A Way Forward in Christian-Muslim Relations (Orbis Books), Religion, Politics and Oil: The Volatile Mix in the Middle East (Abingdon Press), and Angle of Vision: Christians and the Middle East (Friendship Press).
Since the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Dr. Kimball has been interviewed by more than 500 TV and radio stations as well as major newspapers and broadcast outlets throughout the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Australia and South Africa.
Dr. Kimball's courses at Wake Forest include "Introduction to Religion," "Religions of the World," "Conceptions of the Afterlife," and "Islam." He is a frequent lecturer in universities and church-related settings as well as an expert analyst on issues related to the Middle East, Islam, Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations, and the intersection of religion and politics in the United States.
Before joining the Wake Forest faculty in 1996, Dr. Kimball taught for six years at Furman University where he also served as the Director for International Education. From 1983-1990 he was the Director of the Middle East Office at the National Council of Churches, based in New York. He has made more than 35 visits to the Middle East and worked closely with Congress, the White House and the State Department during the past 20 years.
His articles have appeared in a number of publications, including Sojourners, The Christian Century, The Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Boston Globe. He is the author of four books, including When Religion Becomes Evil (HarperSanFrancisco, 2002). When Religion Becomes Evil was named one of the "Top 15 Books on Religion for 2002" by Publishers Weekly and one of the top ten books of the year by the Association of Parish Clergy. It has been published in Swedish, Indonesian, Korean and Danish translations. His three other books are: Striving Together: A Way Forward in Christian-Muslim Relations (Orbis Books), Religion, Politics and Oil: The Volatile Mix in the Middle East (Abingdon Press), and Angle of Vision: Christians and the Middle East (Friendship Press).
Since the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Dr. Kimball has been interviewed by more than 500 TV and radio stations as well as major newspapers and broadcast outlets throughout the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Australia and South Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 31, 2025
Kimball gives 24 lectures about the 5 major religions of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Why I started this book: When you place a lot of books on hold at the same time you are gambling that they will arrive spaced out... lost that bet, so I will happily plow thru them immediately.
Why I finished it: I took a comparative religions class in college that introduced the different religions, their beliefs and variations/sects. This was not that class. Kimball assumes that the listener already knows that and jumps into discussing sacrifice, sacred text, daily rituals and calendar rituals are at surprisingly broad level. He did emphasize why one should study religions at the comparative level... and I was left wishing for more study and less generalizations and personal experience in Kimball's lectures.
Why I started this book: When you place a lot of books on hold at the same time you are gambling that they will arrive spaced out... lost that bet, so I will happily plow thru them immediately.
Why I finished it: I took a comparative religions class in college that introduced the different religions, their beliefs and variations/sects. This was not that class. Kimball assumes that the listener already knows that and jumps into discussing sacrifice, sacred text, daily rituals and calendar rituals are at surprisingly broad level. He did emphasize why one should study religions at the comparative level... and I was left wishing for more study and less generalizations and personal experience in Kimball's lectures.
June 22, 2017
Good, solid lecture series on the top 5 religions of the world. The professor is well spoken and extremely knowledgeable in various aspects of religious beliefs, customs and practices. Contrary to some other reviewers, I did not find that the discussions were particularly bent towards Christianity over either of the other belief systems. The professor spent almost as much time discussing Islam and used many examples of his personal experiences with all of the religions.
This was an interesting topic and I would recommend it to anyone who is a life-long learner.
This was an interesting topic and I would recommend it to anyone who is a life-long learner.
November 13, 2018
Good lectures overall. They are more heavily focused on Christianity and Islam with some emphasis on Judaism and to a lesser degree Buddhism and Hinduism. The focus on two religions makes sense given the author’s expertise on both of them.
July 31, 2025
Dense, in a good way. The lectures were well-organized and not repetitive. The course was advanced enough that I was learning new info but not so advanced that I was confused. I could feel Dr. Kimball’s love of the subject and that made it more fun. Towards the end, I got a little bored, but I’m glad I finished it.
July 23, 2025
Fantastic overview of the five major religions--I listened to these lectures as I prepared to teach World Religions to freshmen.
Notes for myself:
** From first lecture:
Five reasons why the study of comparative religions is important today, from James Livingston identifies the urgency and value of comparative religions in textbook Anatomy of the Sacred:
1. To understand better the human capacity for self-transcendence. The overwhelming majority of humans in all societies have affirmed some sort of religious orientation. Religion provides a framework for figuring out what matters most.
2. In order to overcome our ignorance about beliefs and practices of others. Why and how to Jews celebrate the Passover seder? When, why and how are Muslims expected to pray five times a day in the direction of Mecca?
3. Can help us understand our own culture with its deep roots in Judaism and Christianity and Islam. Western civ has been shaped by all three Abrahamic religions, and in the 21st century has been influenced by the diversity we encounter in our neighborhoods. (PLURALISM PROJECT - Diana Eck) US is now the most religiously diverse country in the world.
4. Can help us achieve a global perspective--this is vital but often missing component in our increasingly interconnected world community. It is not a luxury but an imperative that we know more about the religious values and world views informing those with whom we share what we now know to be a quite fragile planet.
5. Can offer us hope: Can help individuals formulate individual beliefs and philosophy of life. None of us is static; we are all continuously learning and growing and changing and unlearning things we we think we know and believe. Religion can help us figure out what matters most in life.
** Lecture 2: Exploring Similarities & Differences
Abraham - 15th to 16th BCE - links Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Kingdom of Israel forms, which coincides with the prophets who speak out against the religious and political leaders of the day. Destruction of the temple in 586 BCE.
Neils Neilson in his textbook Religions of the World; 12 common characteristics found in most religions. Most religions...
1. Include some kind of belief in the supernatural--spirit, Gods, God--ultimate reality beyond yet connected to human experience and existence.
2. Distinguish between the sacred and the profane through ordinary times, objects, places, and people. (I.e. Mecca v Milwaukee) Maybe better way to say this is "All religions hold certain times, objects, places, and people sacred."
3. Strongly encourage or prescribe ritual activities both for individuals and communities of faith. Not only rituals centered on the human life cycle (birth to death) but also calendar rituals (focus on daily, weekly, annual basis). Repetitive ritual processes have meaning for individuals in all religions.
4. Commonly promote a moral code or ethical principle that guide individuals and communities (ie 10 Commandments, Shari'a, vows of poverty and chastity)
5. Engages common emotional intuitive feelings such as a sense of wonder at the mystery of existence. Religion elicits joy, guilt, and a bond that is experienced in community.
6. Both encourage and provide ways to communicate with the divine. Imagine and envision both individual and corporate prayers that are observable. Various kinds of worship, meditative techniques -- ways to make the divine accessible even if that's from within.
7. Sacred stories provide followers a coherent framework or worldview. Ultimately there has to be coherence; this comes together as the meaning of creation or the ultimate goal of creation have to somehow fit into a logical pattern to show how to get from where humans are to where they should be.
8. Organize life for individuals according to various dress codes, personal sacrifice, appropriate occupations and all of this is done in the respective worldview. (ie Buddhist monk is a symbol of simplicity with head shaven, wearing saffron robe; Muslim women have various attire depending on where they live--hijab or veil--and that will define expectations in various cultural settings.
9. Promote social organizations or institutional forms as is necessary to carry out the functions of worship and leadership (ie Pope in Roman Catholicism; imams in Islam)
10. Promise inner peace and harmony despite the vicissitudes of life. The experiences of people everywhere are common; everyone knows about disease, infant mortality, natural disasters, wars, and innumerable injustices--things that make life tough. Every religion illuminates the purpose of existences that transcends the physical. Every religion offers hope and meaning.
11. Typically offer a future and tangible hope (when things will be better than they are now), linked often with the coming of a new age, possibly with a figure that ushers in the new age. Sometimes the hope is primarily focused on the afterlife. Most religions anticipate the coming of a gifted person--Judaism the second Messiah, Christians the second coming of Christ, one more incarnation of Vishnu for Hindus, Savior figure for Islam during the afterlife.
12. Profligate themselves...there are two primary ways to do this: 1) recruiting new members (missionary activities; three of these religions are missionary in orientation...Christianity, Islam, Buddhism). "Take the good news out to others" is part of these religions. 2) Hindu and Jewish tradition (and other three as well of course): procreation...marrying and having children within the faith.
What we do in this world DOES MATTER.
** Lecture 5
Three prominent types of sacred people: prophets, sages, and saviors. In each case, we will consider examples from two different religions identifying functional similarities and some notable differences to understand how individuals are understood by people within their respective communities of faith.
PROPHETS: These people who are understood as conveying God's words/messages to their communities. Not peering far into the future and making predictions; their messages are very much focused on a particular time and place and community. Can include warnings for future consequences. Prophet Mohammed as an example, Moses is another.
SAGES: One who finds the truth within himself, and guides others on the path of Enlightenment as well. Unlike prophets, whose authority derives from divine source, sages discover their messages within themselves. "Sage" suggests one who is wise, insightful. Sacred person found in Buddhist and Hindu religions more than others. Buddha is an example of a sage--his quest for truth.
SAVIORS: Prophets in some ways, too. But much more than prophets. One who speaks and acts with great authority--these people do miraculous healings and acts, Jesus as primary example. Also Krishna in Hinduism--most popular deity.
Cyclical pattern of birth and rebirth...sets Hinduism and Buddhism apart from Abrahamic religions.
** Lesson 17: The Problems of Sin and Forgetfulness
For Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the human predicament is set in the context of a linear view of history. This is a different approach to creation and history than H and B, which fashion an understanding in terms of cyclical terms of grandiose cycles of existence and re-existence of creation and dissolution and creation that lasts billions of years. In J, C, and I understanding, creation and history are viewed in a linear way. At a particular point in time, God created. Various events happened along the way. Timeline moved through history and ultimately will be culminated at the end of history with a cataclysmic event with a judgement towards eternity not to be repeated--one time event.
For Jews, sin is the primary impediment separating humans from God.
There's nothing more important than living our life in an accountable way. How can we remember that in our selfish state? The answer comes in the five pillars of Islam, ritual devotion of duties, are designed at adeep level to help us constantly remember who we are and who God is and how we stay in touch with that. It's all about the human predicament around forgetfulness and selfishness. The Sufi Vic = the remembrance of God. Salaat = five daily prayers (first comes right before sunrise) is all about this. In the prayer you're reciting words from the Koran and putting them into yourself.
** Lecture 18
Buddhism and the sense of being present in the moment...The call to be in the present: the past is behind you, there's nothing you can do about it. The future is not promised to anyone...the only thing that you really have is this moment. The moment you are alive and living right now. So be in that instant. So many live for tomorrow, look for something that will put you in a better position for yourself for the future, yet neglect to savor the beauty and joy of the moment that's happening right now.
** Lecture 21
Behavior in this physical world to one's future status in a world beyond. This is a common theme and a clear point of convergence with all religions: What we do in this world DOES MATTER. What we do in this lifetime has real consequences in what happens next. In Buddhism, there is karma with a sense of justice; cyclical pattern allows for more time to pass in order to "get it."
Zoroastrian thought: the world is populated by both good and demonic forces. How you respond to those particular forces during the course of your lifetime relates to a coming judgement.
** Lecture 23
Four of the five religions have identifiable founder figures: Moses (Judaism), Buddha (Buddhism), Jesus (Christianity), Muhammed (Islam). Each leader is uniquely qualified to convey the information necessary for their respective communities of faith. The role of Krishna does follow this pattern for many Hindus, but as Hinduism has 300 gods, Krishna is certainly different than Jesus, Moses, Buddha, and Muhammed.
** Lecture 24
New Religious America (Diana Eck - PLURALISM PROJECT) - challenges arise from pluralism. What does it mean to say "we the people" when the people have so many different religions? Most people tend to think of religions promulgating exclusive truth claims - "we're right; everyone else is going to Hell." In truth, there is a good deal more openness to religious diversity than most people would imagine. Questions about particularity, diversity, and pluralism are addressed in each of the major religions.
We need to think about the similarities and differences among religions. Studying this powerful and pervasive phenomena called religion may help us embrace our neighbors on our block, in our town, in our nation, in our world as we all seek new and better ways to live together in our increasingly interdependent world community.
Wilford Cantwell Smith anticipated these times. "Comparative Religion: Whither and Why" (1959)
"The traditional form of Western scholarship in the study of other men's religion was that of an impersonal presentation of an IT. The first great innovation in recent times has been the personalization of the faiths observed so that one finds a discussion of a THEY. Presently, the observer becomes personally involved so that the situation is one of a WE talking about a THEY. The next step is a dialogue is when WE talk to YOU. If there is listening and mutuality this may become that WE talk WITH you. The culmination of the process is when we all are talking with each other about US."
Notes for myself:
** From first lecture:
Five reasons why the study of comparative religions is important today, from James Livingston identifies the urgency and value of comparative religions in textbook Anatomy of the Sacred:
1. To understand better the human capacity for self-transcendence. The overwhelming majority of humans in all societies have affirmed some sort of religious orientation. Religion provides a framework for figuring out what matters most.
2. In order to overcome our ignorance about beliefs and practices of others. Why and how to Jews celebrate the Passover seder? When, why and how are Muslims expected to pray five times a day in the direction of Mecca?
3. Can help us understand our own culture with its deep roots in Judaism and Christianity and Islam. Western civ has been shaped by all three Abrahamic religions, and in the 21st century has been influenced by the diversity we encounter in our neighborhoods. (PLURALISM PROJECT - Diana Eck) US is now the most religiously diverse country in the world.
4. Can help us achieve a global perspective--this is vital but often missing component in our increasingly interconnected world community. It is not a luxury but an imperative that we know more about the religious values and world views informing those with whom we share what we now know to be a quite fragile planet.
5. Can offer us hope: Can help individuals formulate individual beliefs and philosophy of life. None of us is static; we are all continuously learning and growing and changing and unlearning things we we think we know and believe. Religion can help us figure out what matters most in life.
** Lecture 2: Exploring Similarities & Differences
Abraham - 15th to 16th BCE - links Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Kingdom of Israel forms, which coincides with the prophets who speak out against the religious and political leaders of the day. Destruction of the temple in 586 BCE.
Neils Neilson in his textbook Religions of the World; 12 common characteristics found in most religions. Most religions...
1. Include some kind of belief in the supernatural--spirit, Gods, God--ultimate reality beyond yet connected to human experience and existence.
2. Distinguish between the sacred and the profane through ordinary times, objects, places, and people. (I.e. Mecca v Milwaukee) Maybe better way to say this is "All religions hold certain times, objects, places, and people sacred."
3. Strongly encourage or prescribe ritual activities both for individuals and communities of faith. Not only rituals centered on the human life cycle (birth to death) but also calendar rituals (focus on daily, weekly, annual basis). Repetitive ritual processes have meaning for individuals in all religions.
4. Commonly promote a moral code or ethical principle that guide individuals and communities (ie 10 Commandments, Shari'a, vows of poverty and chastity)
5. Engages common emotional intuitive feelings such as a sense of wonder at the mystery of existence. Religion elicits joy, guilt, and a bond that is experienced in community.
6. Both encourage and provide ways to communicate with the divine. Imagine and envision both individual and corporate prayers that are observable. Various kinds of worship, meditative techniques -- ways to make the divine accessible even if that's from within.
7. Sacred stories provide followers a coherent framework or worldview. Ultimately there has to be coherence; this comes together as the meaning of creation or the ultimate goal of creation have to somehow fit into a logical pattern to show how to get from where humans are to where they should be.
8. Organize life for individuals according to various dress codes, personal sacrifice, appropriate occupations and all of this is done in the respective worldview. (ie Buddhist monk is a symbol of simplicity with head shaven, wearing saffron robe; Muslim women have various attire depending on where they live--hijab or veil--and that will define expectations in various cultural settings.
9. Promote social organizations or institutional forms as is necessary to carry out the functions of worship and leadership (ie Pope in Roman Catholicism; imams in Islam)
10. Promise inner peace and harmony despite the vicissitudes of life. The experiences of people everywhere are common; everyone knows about disease, infant mortality, natural disasters, wars, and innumerable injustices--things that make life tough. Every religion illuminates the purpose of existences that transcends the physical. Every religion offers hope and meaning.
11. Typically offer a future and tangible hope (when things will be better than they are now), linked often with the coming of a new age, possibly with a figure that ushers in the new age. Sometimes the hope is primarily focused on the afterlife. Most religions anticipate the coming of a gifted person--Judaism the second Messiah, Christians the second coming of Christ, one more incarnation of Vishnu for Hindus, Savior figure for Islam during the afterlife.
12. Profligate themselves...there are two primary ways to do this: 1) recruiting new members (missionary activities; three of these religions are missionary in orientation...Christianity, Islam, Buddhism). "Take the good news out to others" is part of these religions. 2) Hindu and Jewish tradition (and other three as well of course): procreation...marrying and having children within the faith.
What we do in this world DOES MATTER.
** Lecture 5
Three prominent types of sacred people: prophets, sages, and saviors. In each case, we will consider examples from two different religions identifying functional similarities and some notable differences to understand how individuals are understood by people within their respective communities of faith.
PROPHETS: These people who are understood as conveying God's words/messages to their communities. Not peering far into the future and making predictions; their messages are very much focused on a particular time and place and community. Can include warnings for future consequences. Prophet Mohammed as an example, Moses is another.
SAGES: One who finds the truth within himself, and guides others on the path of Enlightenment as well. Unlike prophets, whose authority derives from divine source, sages discover their messages within themselves. "Sage" suggests one who is wise, insightful. Sacred person found in Buddhist and Hindu religions more than others. Buddha is an example of a sage--his quest for truth.
SAVIORS: Prophets in some ways, too. But much more than prophets. One who speaks and acts with great authority--these people do miraculous healings and acts, Jesus as primary example. Also Krishna in Hinduism--most popular deity.
Cyclical pattern of birth and rebirth...sets Hinduism and Buddhism apart from Abrahamic religions.
** Lesson 17: The Problems of Sin and Forgetfulness
For Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the human predicament is set in the context of a linear view of history. This is a different approach to creation and history than H and B, which fashion an understanding in terms of cyclical terms of grandiose cycles of existence and re-existence of creation and dissolution and creation that lasts billions of years. In J, C, and I understanding, creation and history are viewed in a linear way. At a particular point in time, God created. Various events happened along the way. Timeline moved through history and ultimately will be culminated at the end of history with a cataclysmic event with a judgement towards eternity not to be repeated--one time event.
For Jews, sin is the primary impediment separating humans from God.
There's nothing more important than living our life in an accountable way. How can we remember that in our selfish state? The answer comes in the five pillars of Islam, ritual devotion of duties, are designed at adeep level to help us constantly remember who we are and who God is and how we stay in touch with that. It's all about the human predicament around forgetfulness and selfishness. The Sufi Vic = the remembrance of God. Salaat = five daily prayers (first comes right before sunrise) is all about this. In the prayer you're reciting words from the Koran and putting them into yourself.
** Lecture 18
Buddhism and the sense of being present in the moment...The call to be in the present: the past is behind you, there's nothing you can do about it. The future is not promised to anyone...the only thing that you really have is this moment. The moment you are alive and living right now. So be in that instant. So many live for tomorrow, look for something that will put you in a better position for yourself for the future, yet neglect to savor the beauty and joy of the moment that's happening right now.
** Lecture 21
Behavior in this physical world to one's future status in a world beyond. This is a common theme and a clear point of convergence with all religions: What we do in this world DOES MATTER. What we do in this lifetime has real consequences in what happens next. In Buddhism, there is karma with a sense of justice; cyclical pattern allows for more time to pass in order to "get it."
Zoroastrian thought: the world is populated by both good and demonic forces. How you respond to those particular forces during the course of your lifetime relates to a coming judgement.
** Lecture 23
Four of the five religions have identifiable founder figures: Moses (Judaism), Buddha (Buddhism), Jesus (Christianity), Muhammed (Islam). Each leader is uniquely qualified to convey the information necessary for their respective communities of faith. The role of Krishna does follow this pattern for many Hindus, but as Hinduism has 300 gods, Krishna is certainly different than Jesus, Moses, Buddha, and Muhammed.
** Lecture 24
New Religious America (Diana Eck - PLURALISM PROJECT) - challenges arise from pluralism. What does it mean to say "we the people" when the people have so many different religions? Most people tend to think of religions promulgating exclusive truth claims - "we're right; everyone else is going to Hell." In truth, there is a good deal more openness to religious diversity than most people would imagine. Questions about particularity, diversity, and pluralism are addressed in each of the major religions.
We need to think about the similarities and differences among religions. Studying this powerful and pervasive phenomena called religion may help us embrace our neighbors on our block, in our town, in our nation, in our world as we all seek new and better ways to live together in our increasingly interdependent world community.
Wilford Cantwell Smith anticipated these times. "Comparative Religion: Whither and Why" (1959)
"The traditional form of Western scholarship in the study of other men's religion was that of an impersonal presentation of an IT. The first great innovation in recent times has been the personalization of the faiths observed so that one finds a discussion of a THEY. Presently, the observer becomes personally involved so that the situation is one of a WE talking about a THEY. The next step is a dialogue is when WE talk to YOU. If there is listening and mutuality this may become that WE talk WITH you. The culmination of the process is when we all are talking with each other about US."
October 19, 2019
Good but not a lot of new insights. Perhaps I know more about religions than I thought.
June 25, 2022
Loved it! Great overview of comparative religion of the world’s 5 main religions. Engaging, informative, and fascinating.
November 25, 2020
As someone who has grown up in a Christian household, and served for many years in the Christian church, I have found myself recently desiring an understanding of religious beliefs outside of the scope of Christianity.
Having never taken any 'world religion' courses before in secondary or post-secondary academia, I thought this would be a great place to start with my pursuit for knowledge in comparative religion.
Dr. Kimball touches on basic principles of 5 of the major world religions - Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, & Buddhism - often interwoven with stories of personal experience or relation to catalyze the absorption of new and possibly foreign material.
This course is - as he admits himself - merely an introduction to ones journey into discovering the beliefs and practices of other religions, and I believe it is effective in accomplishing this task. Dr. Kimball has a calm, collected presence, which makes him easy to follow along with and listen to. He speaks slowly and articulately, and deliberately repeats many key points throughout the lecture series, which aids in making new concepts stick.
Contrary to what some have said, this series is indeed based in Christianity and attempts to compare other religions TO Christianity. Out of his own words while discussing the 5 main points of this course: "In addition to learning more about the Western Christian roots of our culture, we can now see various ways other religions contribute substantially to Western civilization..."
As someone who is versed in Christian doctrine, I will attest that there was an overwhelming amount of content related to Christianity in this course - which I found off-putting at first because I felt that since this course is being produced in a historically Christian nation, it ought to presume the student would have - at minimum - a modicum of knowledge of Christianity, and thus spend more time on the religions that fall outside of Christianity.
Regardless of the course's overemphasis on Christianity (my opinion), it was a very good lecture series and I would recommend it to anyone who does not have much, if any, understanding of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Judaism. It is a great starting point, with mention of many highly regarded texts for further pursuit.
Having never taken any 'world religion' courses before in secondary or post-secondary academia, I thought this would be a great place to start with my pursuit for knowledge in comparative religion.
Dr. Kimball touches on basic principles of 5 of the major world religions - Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, & Buddhism - often interwoven with stories of personal experience or relation to catalyze the absorption of new and possibly foreign material.
This course is - as he admits himself - merely an introduction to ones journey into discovering the beliefs and practices of other religions, and I believe it is effective in accomplishing this task. Dr. Kimball has a calm, collected presence, which makes him easy to follow along with and listen to. He speaks slowly and articulately, and deliberately repeats many key points throughout the lecture series, which aids in making new concepts stick.
Contrary to what some have said, this series is indeed based in Christianity and attempts to compare other religions TO Christianity. Out of his own words while discussing the 5 main points of this course: "In addition to learning more about the Western Christian roots of our culture, we can now see various ways other religions contribute substantially to Western civilization..."
As someone who is versed in Christian doctrine, I will attest that there was an overwhelming amount of content related to Christianity in this course - which I found off-putting at first because I felt that since this course is being produced in a historically Christian nation, it ought to presume the student would have - at minimum - a modicum of knowledge of Christianity, and thus spend more time on the religions that fall outside of Christianity.
Regardless of the course's overemphasis on Christianity (my opinion), it was a very good lecture series and I would recommend it to anyone who does not have much, if any, understanding of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Judaism. It is a great starting point, with mention of many highly regarded texts for further pursuit.
March 27, 2022
Honestly didn’t finish. Although all religions were talked about I really felt like there was a bias to Christianity. It felt more like preaching less like the college class it was meant to be. Also the organization of information wasn’t my favorite.
August 23, 2016
Informative. Easy to follow while walking, weight training and rowing. Professor Kimball has a pleasant voice.
March 14, 2020
This was a very informative, if broad, general survey of five major religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The author/instructor was very knowledgeable and covered each religion pretty evenly. His approach was to review religion through the following perspectives: sacred time, space and objects; sacred people; sacred signs, stories and myths; theologies and doctrines; sacred writings; sacred rituals; morals, ethics and sin in daily life; pathways to a better life; mystical inspiration; and institutional preservation.
February 20, 2019
This was a great course and one that I think I could go through again in order to get more out of it one day. There's a ton of information in here and I really like the way that the Professor chose to divide up and parse the content about the various religions. Definitely worth listening to when you have a chance if you're interested in any of the main religions such as Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, or Judaism.
February 17, 2023
Very informational and educational course. I did wish it went a little bit deeper into more religions. For the most part it stayed pretty broad as it compared and contrasted the various religions with occasional dives into specific religions. (Eg: Judaism equals the broader group, while within that broad group there are Orthodox, Modern Orthodox, Reformed, etc. And within these groups things can be broken down even further eg: Hasidic Jews are a group within the Orthodox Jew group.)
July 9, 2022
This is a subject I usually find to be really fascinating. I’m not sure if the reason I didn’t here was the very general and lack of new insight here compared to other books or if the professor’s delivery was dry. With nothing else to compare it to, this is probably a decent introduction to the topic, but there are other books that do it better.
March 31, 2020
I've always been curious of other religions, the origins, why people choose what religion etc.
I found this series awesome as it really showed the inner workings of the 5 religions and how they are somewhat alike it more ways than people know or sometimes want to admit!
I found this series awesome as it really showed the inner workings of the 5 religions and how they are somewhat alike it more ways than people know or sometimes want to admit!
December 7, 2020
An illuminating discussion of the majr monoteistic religions that put into context the ways in which these religons differ from one another and how they have influenced the development of the cultures where they evolved.
September 26, 2019
A collection of 24 lectures on comparative religion. I learned some new insights but was surprised at the degree which the professor personalized the subject matter, and inserted his own opinions.
February 26, 2020
A lot of interesting insights offered in this series of lectures--particularly, the comparison and contrast between Muslim and Christian faiths.
December 15, 2020
I definitely learned a lot! A great introductory course to the five major world religions: Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.
September 28, 2021
I really liked what I heard, but one of the discs from the library skipped, so I can't say I heard the whole thing.
April 1, 2023
Compare/contrast aspects of the major world religions
May 15, 2023
Great lecture series
October 17, 2023
Long, comprehensive.
October 19, 2022
This is a series of lectures on the subject of religion. This is not a book of theology, but anthropology- the systematized study of ALL religions. For example, it discussed commonalities in ritual, shared history, clergy, mysticism and the like. If you are thinking of going to school to either a)become a priest or b)study ALL religions, I'd say give this lecture series a go. The lecturer spoke using mainly Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism as examples.
As a series of lectures, it was good. The lecturer knew what he was talking about. My personal favorite topic of his was his discussion on the many forms of ritual, sacrifice and mysticism worldwide.
There were some areas of improvement I wanted from this lecture series. I wanted the lecturer to discuss the topic of religion as it acts as a form of transmission for culture, to talk more about other worldwide religions (like folk religions, indigenous religions, and extinct religions), and atheism. Don't get me wrong, this series of lectures was good. However the topic of 'religion' is so great that some important topics as religions just got left out.
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STARS: 3 OUT OF 5 STARS (5 stars=perfect, 4 Stars=Great, 3 Stars=Good, 2 Stars=Fun but Flawed, 1 Star=Not Recommended)
GRADE: This is a very good book, but I don't think it's for everyone. If you have an interest in the sociology of religion, check it out. I intend to listen to it again.
Overall Rating: Recommended with Reservations
As a series of lectures, it was good. The lecturer knew what he was talking about. My personal favorite topic of his was his discussion on the many forms of ritual, sacrifice and mysticism worldwide.
There were some areas of improvement I wanted from this lecture series. I wanted the lecturer to discuss the topic of religion as it acts as a form of transmission for culture, to talk more about other worldwide religions (like folk religions, indigenous religions, and extinct religions), and atheism. Don't get me wrong, this series of lectures was good. However the topic of 'religion' is so great that some important topics as religions just got left out.
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STARS: 3 OUT OF 5 STARS (5 stars=perfect, 4 Stars=Great, 3 Stars=Good, 2 Stars=Fun but Flawed, 1 Star=Not Recommended)
GRADE: This is a very good book, but I don't think it's for everyone. If you have an interest in the sociology of religion, check it out. I intend to listen to it again.
Overall Rating: Recommended with Reservations
December 12, 2014
Comparative religion
I thoroughly enjoyed the series of 24 lectures. Each lecture gives a brief overview of 5 major religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism) for specific themes such as rituals, important figures, man's destiny, development, sacred text etc. It includes a quote that will remain with me, something like "If you only know one religion, you don't know any".
Highly recommended.
I thoroughly enjoyed the series of 24 lectures. Each lecture gives a brief overview of 5 major religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism) for specific themes such as rituals, important figures, man's destiny, development, sacred text etc. It includes a quote that will remain with me, something like "If you only know one religion, you don't know any".
Highly recommended.
May 18, 2013
This series of 24 lectures is thorough and thoughtful. I especially appreciated Kimball's organization of the material. He covered several deep topics, using a judicious balance between the most common four religions throughout. This was my first introduction to comparative religion and I'd recommend it to anyone for the same purpose.
October 21, 2011
I couldn't tolerate the speaker's redundancy. "One time rituals are those that occur only one time in your life." He continually uses terms to define those same terms.
February 4, 2016
A very broad survey
April 26, 2021
I enjoyed the later discs more than then earlier ones. But altogether, I certainly enjoyed the lectures.
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