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A Doubter's Guide to World Religions: A Fair and Friendly Introduction to the History, Beliefs, and Practices of the Big Five
For believers and skeptics alike, A Doubter's Guide to World Religions introduces the five major world religions so that you can explore their similarities and differences in a fair and engaging way. The world is a very religious place. Wherever you look, people are worshipping, praying, believing, following, even dying for their faith. But what does it mean to be religious? Are all religions the same? Do they all call on the same God simply using different names? Are their beliefs and practices simply cultural expressions of the same spiritual longings? Written by historian and theologian John Dickson in his characteristically engaging style, this book presents each of the world's five major systems of faith, carefully outlining the history, doctrines, beliefs, and spiritual practices In his own words, Dickson acts as an art curator in a gallery, presenting each of these "works of art" in their best light and letting each have their say. Along the way, he demonstrates the importance of religion in general—to society and to individual believers—and addresses many of the universal questions that all of these serious and ancient religions At the end of each section is a bibliography of helpful books and websites for those who are interested in learning even more.
- GenresNonfictionReligion
336 pages, Paperback
Published March 15, 2022
45 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
John Dickson
96 books134 followersJohn focuses on the big ideas that have shaped our world.
His journey is an eclectic one. Starting out as a singer-songwriter, he now works as a writer, speaker, historian of religion (focusing on early Christianity and Judaism), media presenter, Anglican minister, and director of a multi-media think tank.
With an honours degree in theology from Moore Theological College Sydney, and a PhD in history from Macquarie University, John is also an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Ancient History (Macquarie), and teaches a course on the Historical Jesus at the University of Sydney (Department of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies) .
John is a founding director of the Centre for Public Christianity(CPX), an independent research and media company promoting informed discussion about social, ethical and religious issues in modern life.
His book “The Christ Files: How Historians Know what they Know about Jesus” was made into a four-part documentary which aired nationally on Channel 7 in 2008. Now a best-selling DVD, it also won the 2008 Pilgrim Media award (see www.thechristfiles.com.au). His more recent Life of Jesus also aired on Channel 7 in 2009 (see www.lifeofjesus.tv).
His journey is an eclectic one. Starting out as a singer-songwriter, he now works as a writer, speaker, historian of religion (focusing on early Christianity and Judaism), media presenter, Anglican minister, and director of a multi-media think tank.
With an honours degree in theology from Moore Theological College Sydney, and a PhD in history from Macquarie University, John is also an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Ancient History (Macquarie), and teaches a course on the Historical Jesus at the University of Sydney (Department of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies) .
John is a founding director of the Centre for Public Christianity(CPX), an independent research and media company promoting informed discussion about social, ethical and religious issues in modern life.
His book “The Christ Files: How Historians Know what they Know about Jesus” was made into a four-part documentary which aired nationally on Channel 7 in 2008. Now a best-selling DVD, it also won the 2008 Pilgrim Media award (see www.thechristfiles.com.au). His more recent Life of Jesus also aired on Channel 7 in 2009 (see www.lifeofjesus.tv).
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 19, 2022
We have a fraught relationship, religion and I.
On one hand, I don't like religion. I don't like how it stunts progress and oppresses women and spurs war and discrimination. I don't like how I was indoctrinated as a child to think that if I don't have blind faith in Catholicism then God will send me to hell to be tortured for all eternity-- childhood indoctrination that has left a lingering residue which will never cease to haunt me no matter how much it is debunked.
However, on the other hand, I think religion is very interesting. Though I don't subscribe to one myself, I love to read about it and how it has influenced culture and history. I like to learn about different life philosophies and moral codes different religions have created, and how these things are intertwined with human psychology. I have friends of many different religious backgrounds, and I like to learn about their cultures.
So I enjoyed reading this book. It is a brief overview of five major world religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism, and talks about all of their histories, beliefs, and practices. I learned a lot of things, and I appreciated how the author put effort into making the book as unbiased as possible. I'd definitely recommend this if you'd like a quick guide to the major religious faiths.
On one hand, I don't like religion. I don't like how it stunts progress and oppresses women and spurs war and discrimination. I don't like how I was indoctrinated as a child to think that if I don't have blind faith in Catholicism then God will send me to hell to be tortured for all eternity-- childhood indoctrination that has left a lingering residue which will never cease to haunt me no matter how much it is debunked.
However, on the other hand, I think religion is very interesting. Though I don't subscribe to one myself, I love to read about it and how it has influenced culture and history. I like to learn about different life philosophies and moral codes different religions have created, and how these things are intertwined with human psychology. I have friends of many different religious backgrounds, and I like to learn about their cultures.
So I enjoyed reading this book. It is a brief overview of five major world religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism, and talks about all of their histories, beliefs, and practices. I learned a lot of things, and I appreciated how the author put effort into making the book as unbiased as possible. I'd definitely recommend this if you'd like a quick guide to the major religious faiths.
June 27, 2022
This is another in John Dickson's series of "A Doubter's Guide to..." Almost all of John Dickson's books are informative and easy to comprehend. He writes in a style that is engaging and draws the reader in; you want to go where he is leading. This book is no exception.
He covers the largest religions in the world today (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism), he concisely lays out the differences (most of which people don't know), and he answers many helpful questions along the way. If you wanted to learn certain things about these world religions I would recommend this book wholeheartedly.
So you are probably wondering (or not) why did I only give it 4 stars. Well, I did debate it in my head (4 or 5 stars), but in the end, when he talks about Christianity (which he is a Christian), I don't think he laid out WHY Christianity was so compelling; why he HIMSELF trusted in Christ. I don't think he gave enough page space as to what makes Christianity unique...the Gospel (the good news) of what Jesus did in history to restore a lost people into the grace of God. This is ONLY my opinion, you can disagree and we can still be friends...Dickson may disagree, but it is my one little gripe.
He covers the largest religions in the world today (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism), he concisely lays out the differences (most of which people don't know), and he answers many helpful questions along the way. If you wanted to learn certain things about these world religions I would recommend this book wholeheartedly.
So you are probably wondering (or not) why did I only give it 4 stars. Well, I did debate it in my head (4 or 5 stars), but in the end, when he talks about Christianity (which he is a Christian), I don't think he laid out WHY Christianity was so compelling; why he HIMSELF trusted in Christ. I don't think he gave enough page space as to what makes Christianity unique...the Gospel (the good news) of what Jesus did in history to restore a lost people into the grace of God. This is ONLY my opinion, you can disagree and we can still be friends...Dickson may disagree, but it is my one little gripe.
August 30, 2023
A great read that’s easy to digest (as much as it can be) about the major world religions. Dickson is very thoughtful and sensitive with his portrayal of faiths not of his own, without compromising his own convictions. Recommended to anyone who wants a balanced preview of the religions that shape our world.
December 12, 2024
Helpful overviews for all of the 5 major world religions. Goes into just enough detail to get the main points, but an easy read that isn’t too overwhelming or theological. Appreciated that the author (who is a Christian) included a section about what all the other world religions see is wrong with Christianity as opposed to writing about what Christianity sees wrong in all the other religious systems.
March 6, 2025
Pretty good! This was a little more light touch than I would have liked - i had hoped for more depth - but overall, it's an interesting perspective.
Author comes across as quite level headed. Does he have an agenda? Yes. Is it egregious? No.
He's a Christian and I think it's a reasonable expectation that anyone writing a book on religion likely subscribes to a regilion themselves. Acknowledging that assumption, I think the author's take here is reasonable.
Author comes across as quite level headed. Does he have an agenda? Yes. Is it egregious? No.
He's a Christian and I think it's a reasonable expectation that anyone writing a book on religion likely subscribes to a regilion themselves. Acknowledging that assumption, I think the author's take here is reasonable.
October 16, 2023
Does a great job of teaching what the main religions of the world believe with this as its guide:
Don't look through your own religious lens but try to learn what each religion is on its own grounds. I found that helpful. The author is a Christian but does not attempt to argue for Christianity but instead teach what all major religions believe from their own perspectives. A great read. I learned a lot.
Don't look through your own religious lens but try to learn what each religion is on its own grounds. I found that helpful. The author is a Christian but does not attempt to argue for Christianity but instead teach what all major religions believe from their own perspectives. A great read. I learned a lot.
July 15, 2024
Very accessible. Very respectful. A good place to start when searching for answers as to how the major world religions work out the best / only ways to walk through life and ultimately, our purpose in it. I appreciate Dickson so much, both in his writing and in his audio podcast!
November 17, 2024
Basic introduction to five of the world religions.
Why I started this book: Needed a friendly nonfiction title.
Why I finished it: Good introduction and a reminder to take religions seriously without trying to gloss over their differences to create one transendent whole.
Why I started this book: Needed a friendly nonfiction title.
Why I finished it: Good introduction and a reminder to take religions seriously without trying to gloss over their differences to create one transendent whole.
June 22, 2025
Great introduction to world religions and critique of an unhelpful pluralism. His posture throughout the book is very helpful to comprehension, especially the Eastern religions that are more difficult to understand for this westerner.
August 8, 2022
love this
Great work that respectively compares world religions and explains that acting like they’re all the same is arrogant and lazy 😀
I love the author’s work
Great work that respectively compares world religions and explains that acting like they’re all the same is arrogant and lazy 😀
I love the author’s work
February 8, 2023
Exactly what it said in the book's title. Couldn't ask for any more or less.
February 17, 2023
A good primer on the various religion's history, what they belief and their actions.
February 20, 2025
Very thought full dialogue about the top five most influential religions. Gave me some good objective insight into these other religions.
November 22, 2023
Well-researched scholarly account of looking at who Jesus was from varying lenses both in terms of the Bible and what extra-Biblical historical sources stated. This book is not looking to make any categorical statements about whether Jesus actually rose from the dead or not. Rather, Dickson seeks to look at all the historical evidence for the life, teaching and crucifixion of Christ. It was insightful to see how John Dickson took the time to isolate each of these views of a teacher, healer, ext... and the implications of each both by themselves and together as a whole on who Jesus. He certainly looks at the claim that Jesus also rose, but his focus is more on the reality that this has been part of Christian history from the beginning, not just a constantinian addition.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews