World Religions: A Historical Approach PDF
Preview World Religions: A Historical Approach
SSss 1 Property of Monterey Peninsula College TRIO Student Support Services d Ivd I1Sa IHddn 1 D S I1f uUDIIO CTYO wsiHaane ASANIHO SNOI OpLuNeI HWS A ateMy OLVaIy SNOAOT SHL A WVIS!| (11h) WSINGNIH ESS] WsivaHnil E Y HSLI G Ea Ea [=] LS = apspea upiupvuIyzI 0Q NOJLOL N ALINVILSIMHO Ansow uewoy ayoureD Apsqouwei saio1g Apso, waisey XOpOUNO ] _ _ _ [ [a e a Y I I D U I g D 9 1 f 1 I uvI2IOQ World Religions A Historical Approach | Fourth Edition S. A. Nigosian University of Toronto, Victoria College Bedford/St. Martin’s Boston « New York For Bedford/St. Martin’s Developmental Editor: Jane Smith Editorial Assistant: Robin Butterhof Production Supervisor: Andrew Ensor Marketing Manager: Karita dos Santos Marketing Associate: Zoe Kazmierski Text Design: Books By Design, Inc. Project Management: DeMasi Design and Publishing Service Cover Design: Donna L. Dennison Cover Art: Ocean and Sky. Jupiter Images, IT StockFree. Composition: LinMark Design Printing and Binding: RR Donnelley & Sons, Inc. President: Joan E. Feinberg Editorial Director: Denise B. Wydra Director of Marketing: Karen Melton Soeltz Director of Editing, Design, and Production: Marcia Cohen Manager, Publishing Services: Emily Berleth Library of Congress Control Number: 2006940457 Copyright © 2008 by Bedford/St. Martin’s All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, except as may be expressly permitted by the applicable copyright statutes or in writing by the Publisher. Manufactured in the United States of America. Zi OO 8 7 i © @ CG lb a For information, write: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 75 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116 (617-399-4000) ISBN-10: 0-312-44237-8 ISBN-13: 978-0-312-44237-8 Distributed outside the United States by Palgrave Macmillan. This volume is dedicated to my wife Henaz, with gratitude and affection. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2022 with funding from Kahle/Austin Foundation https://archive.org/details/worldreligionshi0000nigo_u3v2 Preface This fourth edition of World Religions: A Historical Approach continues to be a general introduction to the academic study of world religions, both living and extinct. It provides a clear, straightforward account of the de- velopment, doctrines, scriptures, and practices of the more influential religions of the world. This means that each chapter includes the origin of a religion, followed by its historical development, division of groups, sacred writings, principal teachings, and major observances and festi- vals. Traditional viewpoints as well as scholarly opinions are presented in a balanced and accurate manner. Additional features in each chapter include study aids such as maps, timelines, photographs, study questions, and a list of suggested read- ings. The maps illustrate the distribution of religions as well as provide a sense of geographical reality to the historical discussions presented in the text. The timelines recapitulate the historical development of each religious tradition. The captions accompanying the photographs offer an insight into the characteristics of each tradition. Study questions fo- cus on the central themes of the chapter, providing natural springboards for class discussion. A list of suggested reading is placed at the end of every chapter for further study and research. As in previous editions, there is a glossary at the end of the book (greatly expanded for this edi- tion), which provides brief explanations of technical terms. Terms are also boldfaced in the text so students are aware that a term is defined. The only departures from this pattern are the first and last chapters: “Study of World Religions” and “Religions: AComparison.” The former describes learning strategies appropriate to the academic study of world religions, including definitions of religion, and the history of scholarly methods and goals. The latter offers a conceptual framework for comparing the central categories of religious thought in an emerging global culture with its scientific and technological achievements. NEW TO THIS EDITION Extensively revised chapters on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. While the text has been updated with the latest scholarship throughout, these three chapters have been extensively revised. In particular, the rewritten Islam chapter provides students with a fuller understanding of the evo- lution of the religion and how it impacts the world today New chapter on modern alternative religions. Ten emerging religious move- ments, including Global Awareness, Theosophy, Self-Realization Fel- lowship, Soka Gakkai International, Subud, Church of Scientology, Unification Church (Moonies), Church of All Worlds, International Society Vv vi Preface for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), The Healthy-Happy-Holy Organi- zation (3HO) and others, are examined from a historical perspective. More original source materials and support for students. The number of primary source readings has been increased at the request of reviewers. The readings continue to be interspersed throughout the chapters, which gives them a richer context than having them contained in a sep- arate section at the end of a chapter. Geographic organization. A part-based structure groups together reli- gions with a shared geographic point of origin. Seen AI At The Instructor’s Manual for the fourth edition is bound into the back of the Instructor’s Edition and includes suggestions for tests and essays: synopsis, terms, assignments, quotations, and multiple choice and true/ false questions for each chapter. ASOM ENg No project of this magnitude can be accomplished without the help of others. A word of thanks is therefore in order. I want to acknowledge my debt of gratitude to all those who were involved with the success of the first three editions. Next, i want to offer special thanks to all those who were directly concerned with this fourth edition: Kenneth Atkinson, University of Northern Iowa; Tim Davis, Columbus State Community College; Diana Dimitrova, Michigan State University; Gregory Elder, Riverside Community College; Patricia Healey, Dutchess Community College; Raymond Hundley, Manatee Community College; Garrett Kenney, Eastern Washington State University; Matthew Daude Lau- rents, Austin Community College; Aloysius Lugira, Boston College; and Eve Mullen, Mississippi State University. Thanks also to the dedicated staff at Bedford/St. Martin’s, and particularly to Jane Smith for devot- ing extra time and effort by reading the entire manuscript, for proposing numerous helpful suggestions, and for her enthusiastic support in see- ing this edition into production. Once again it is a pleasure to record my sincere appreciation to the faculty and staff at Victoria College, University of Toronto, for their un- derstanding and constant support. A special vote of thanks goes to the Chief Librarian Dr. Robert Brandeis and to the rest of the support staff for giving me unrestricted access to the collections; to Bradley Holstead, Reader Services, Victoria University Library; to Steve Jaunzems, Com- puter Services, University of Toronto at Mississauga, for preparing digi- tal photos; and to various individuals and institutions for providing photos and illustrations. Iam deeply indebted to Debbie van Eeken for her invaluable help in technical and editorial skills, and in other ways as well. Finally, I want to express my sincere thanks to my family, who have always supported my academic endeavours. S. A. Nigosian Contents Preface Maps and Time Lines About the Author World Religions: A Chronology 1 Study of World Religions Proper Point of View Definitions of Religion Critical Studies of Religion Classification of Religions Approach of This Text Study Questions Suggested Reading Notes PART ONE RELIGIONS OF THE PAST 2 Prehistoric Religion Early Human Life Archeological Discoveries Works of Art Tombs and Monuments Study Questions Suggested Reading 3 Egyptian Religion Egyptian Civilization Basic Beliefs vii viii Contents Important Practices Study Questions Suggested Reading Notes 4 Mesopotamian Religion Mesopotamian Civilization Basic Beliefs Important Practices Study Questions Suggested Reading Notes 5 Greek Religion Greek Civilization Basic Beliefs Philosophers Dramatists Popular Religion Mystery Religions Mythology Festivals Study Questions Suggested Reading Notes 6 Roman Religion Roman Civilization Basic Beliefs Greek Accretions Middle Eastern Mystery Cults Important Practices Study Questions Suggested Reading 7 Mayan and Aztec Religions Mayan Civilization Sources of Mayan Information
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