Religion For Dummies

by Rabbi Marc Gellman, Monsignor Thomas Hartman

Why are we here?
How should we live?
What happens after we die?
Why does evil exist? Religion For Dummies explains how the world’s great religions answer questions that persist through generations. Authors Rabbi Marc Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman are trusted religious advisors known as the God Squad. With wonderful wit and incredible wisdom, they host a daily talk show which reaches nearly 4 million homes in the New York area, and have appeared on numerous TV and radio shows. This book is not a scholarly theological treatise; it’s a lively, practical, hands-on resource that will help you better understand your own religion and others. You’ll explore: Religion for Dummies touches on lesser-known religions (such as, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Sikhism). It explores how people of various faiths pray, celebrate life and death, and view moral issues. The book does not tell you what to believe, but rather encourages you to live as you believe and let your religion infuse every aspect of your life. It doesn’t give simple answers to haunting, complex questions; it helps you find your own answers and pursue your own spiritual path!

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Reference

432 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 2002

Reviews

[Min · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be better titled Comparative Catholicism, and Judaism with a Smattering of Others.
Written by the "God Squad", an active Catholic priest, and an active Rabbi, they are very well versed in their own fields, however, I felt the book extremely lacking whenever they discussed anything from the East; there was far too much generalization.

The beginning focuses about tackling the ideas contained in Religion; in this case, happens to be Western and monotheistic in nature. There is an attempt made to share the concepts in other belief systems, yet, there was no clear connection within those other traditions, and practices. It is as if they found an ecumenically focused book that had these quotes available to demonstrate the universality of all faiths. That is without acknowledging that there is a great variety within these other beliefs, nor that the "religious works cited" may only apply to a specific group, or practitioners.

For an introduction to religious concepts from a Western Monotheistic perspective, it is a decent enough book. I wouldn't recommend it as a means to understand other religions of the world. Thankfully, the For Dummies series, has those books published.

[Doris Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite an enterprise. Rabbi Marc and Monsignor Hartman did an amazing job. I have always been interested in different religions. This book meant all my expectations and more. I especially enjoyed reading about the eastern religions such as the Sikh and the Baha'i. The authors sectioned off the Abrahamic religions--those with ancestors of Abraham, the patriarch. They included Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Hinduism and Buddhism were closely lumped together in India since Buddhism arose from Hinduism. But Buddhism extended as far as Japan with its beliefs. The American Indians' religions were also included in this book.

[Janine Samz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reference book.

[Belle Meade School]

200

[Riley Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to various religions. I only took a star off because of some inaccurate information regarding certain Christian sects.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why are we here?
How should we live?
What happens after we die?
Why does evil exist?""Religion For Dummies" explains how the world's great religions answer questions that persist through generations. Authors Rabbi Marc Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman are trusted religious advisors known as the God Squad. With wonderful wit and incredible wisdom, they host a daily talk show which reaches nearly 4 million homes in the New York area, and have appeared on numerous TV and radio shows.

This book is not a scholarly theological treatise; it's a lively, practical, hands-on resource that will help you better understand your own religion and others. You'll explore: Religion's role in the family and in the workplaceThe beliefs and practices of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and other religionsReligion's impact during major passages in life such as birth, death, and marriageHow to join a religion and how to prayHow religion can help you deal with issues in every day life such as conflict, adversity, marriage, divorce, and moreReligious rituals and ethics

"Religion for Dummies" touches on lesser-known religions (such as, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Sikhism). It explores how people of various faiths pray, celebrate life and death, and view moral issues. The book does not tell you what to believe, but rather encourages you to live as you believe and let your religion infuse every aspect of your life. It doesn't give simple answers to haunting, complex questions; it helps you find your own answers and pursue your own spiritual path

[Hom Sack]

What a delightful book on the subject. This is a better overview of the major religions of the world than, say, Houston Smith's The Religions of Man (later revised and renamed The World's Religions). The explanations are clear and concise. The book is full of interesting information. For example, I always wondered what the little black cube that Jews wear on their foreheads. Now I know it is a phylactery ( page 308; Tefillin: a pair of small, black, leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah, worn by observant orthodox Jews during weekday morning prayers.)

[Susan Liston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plus side: I learned and relearned quiet a lot from this book. Minus side: It was written by a rabbi and a priest, sometimes that was a little too obvious. Also my edition is from 2002, let's hope newer additions softened up the homophobe vibe a little...

[Steph AK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview. Lots of information. I tried to read this straight through, but really you need to use it as more of a reference book.

[Juicy_Groot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad and a quick good read.