A Little History of Religion

by Richard Holloway

Overview

“For readers in search of a thoughtful, thorough, and approachable survey of the history of religion, this book is an excellent place to start.”—Booklist
 
Written for those with faith and for those without—and especially for younger readers—A Little History of Religion sweeps us through the story of religion in our world, from the dawn of religious belief to the present.
 
An emphathetic yet discerning guide to the enduring importance of faith, Richard Holloway introduces us to the history and beliefs of the major world religions—Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism. He also explores where religious belief comes from; the search for meaning through the ages; how differences in belief sometimes lead to hostility and violence; what is a sect and what is a cult; and much more. Throughout, Holloway encourages curiosity and tolerance, accentuates nuance and mystery, and calmly restores a sense of the value of faith.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300208832
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	09/27/2016
Series:	Little Histories
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Richard Holloway, former Bishop of Edinburgh and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, is an internationally popular writer and broadcaster. His more than twenty books include the best-selling Leaving Alexandria: A Memoir of Faith and Doubt. He lives in Edinburgh, UK.

Table of Contents

1 Is Anybody There? 1

2 The Doors 7

3 The Wheel 12

4 One into Many 18

5 Prince to Buddha 24

6 Do No Harm 30

7 The Wanderer 36

8 In the Bulrushes 42

9 The Ten Commandments 48

10 Prophets 53

11 The End 59

12 Heretoc 65

13 The Last Battle 71

14 Worldly Religion 78

15 The Way to Go 83

16 Stirring up the Mud 89

17 Religion Gets Personal 95

18 The Convert 101

19 The Messiah 107

20 Jesus Comes to Rome 113

21 The Church Takes Charge 119

22 The Last Prophet 125

23 Submission 131

24 Struggle 137

25 Hell 143

26 Vicar of Christ 149

27 Protest 155

28 The Big Split 161

29 Nanak's Reformation 167

30 The Middle Way 173

31 Beheading the Beast 179

32 Friends 185

33 Made in America 191

34 Born in the USA 197

35 The Great Disappointment 203

36 Mystics and Movie Stars 209

37 Opening Doors 215

38 Angry Religion 221

39 Holy Wars 227

40 The End of Religion? 232

Index 239

Interviews

What made you want to write this book?
 
I have been wrestling with the meaning of religion for most of my life. Writing the book was an opportunity to survey the whole field, not just the little corner I was familiar with.
 
How do you think your own background informed the book?
 
For most of my life I was what you might call a religious professional, but it was never an easy relationship. It was like being in a turbulent marriage: deep affection combined with endless argument and disagreement.
 
The difficulty is that religion, which is best understood as the human search for meaning, changes character when it becomes organized into a system that makes claims for itself, usually claims to superiority over other systems. Much the way political parties do. So religion ceases to be an exploration and becomes something more defensive. It’s like the difference between a wanderer and a settler. In religion, it’s important to recognize that some things will never be settled and to live with that uncertainty.
 
What role should religion play in our lives?
 
Whatever role we choose for ourselves—including none at all—as long as there is no compulsion about it and as long as it makes us kinder not more cruel. The fascinating thing about religion is that it can prompt us to extremes of either love or hatred. Choose love.

Editorial Reviews

“[Holloway] deftly makes his knowledge accessible to the public . . . A great service for students of religion. This is no dry textbook: With its conversational prose and density of information, it is a pleasure to read.”—The Weekly Standard

The Weekly Standard

“For clarity and accessibility, in the minefield of tomes dealing with the fervours and fevers of “accepted” religions, I recommend, with pleasure, Richard Holloway’s A Little History of Religion”—Hayden Murphy, The Glasgow Herald
 

The Glasgow Herald - Hayden Murphy

“Retells the entire history of religion with deepest respect and keen commitment to accuracy… An empathetic yet discerning guide to the enduring significance and power of faith.”—Edinburgh Life

Edinburgh Life

“As an informed reflection on the state of faith in the western world in the 21st century, written by someone who has plenty of experience, it is insightful and intelligent.”—Tim Whitmarsh, The Guardian

The Guardian - Tim Whitmarsh

“For readers in search of a thoughtful, thorough, and approachable survey of the history of religion, this book is an excellent place to start.”—Booklist

Booklist

"Holloway’s account is brimful of arresting facts."—Ian Thomson, Financial Times

Financial Times - Ian Thomson

“This is a well-written book, from which most of us will come away knowing more about the religions of the world than we knew before… In its own way this engaging book might be seen as a period piece.”—John Charmley, The Times

John Charmley - The Times

“Thank God – if I can use that phrase in a neutral way – for Richard Holloway and his carefully weighted, beautifully written and strangely compelling brief history of world religions… There can be no better place to learn about [religion] than in the pages of this enlightening book.”—Peter Stanford, The Observer

The Observer - Peter Stanford

09/01/2016
Covering all of the major religions, Holloway (former bishop of Edinburgh & primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church; Leaving Alexandria) offers a balanced introduction of the subject in general, including some faiths that have had an influence beyond their significant numbers. The author gives simple explanations, without being simplistic, while also acknowledging the evil that has been done in the name of religion. Holloway's treatment is generally sympathetic (though he comes across as somewhat critical of Scientology and the Unification Church), and he stresses what most religions have in common. In an age of religious tension, this is an important contribution to understanding different beliefs. Readers looking for a more in-depth study will find value in Huston Smith's The World's Religions, although Holloway considers more of the minor sects and contemporary movements. VERDICT A straightforward, well-written introduction to religion and its various manifestations, this work successfully defends the subject against ignorant critiques so often heard today.—Augustine J. Curley, Newark Abbey, NJ

Library Journal

"This is a well-written book, from which most of us will come away knowing more about the religions of the world than we knew before. . . . In its own way this engaging book might be seen as a period piece."—John Charmley, Times

"Holloway’s account is brimful of arresting facts."—Ian Thomson, Financial Times

"As an informed reflection on the state of faith in the western world in the 21st century, written by someone who has plenty of experience, it is insightful and intelligent."—Tim Whitmarsh, The Guardian

“Holloway’s narrative is made up of many different threads and details carefully woven together to make a satisfying read. The pace is leisurely despite the amount of ground covered, and he manages to include memorable details.”—Carol Palfrey, Sofia
 

"In an age of religious tension, this is an important contribution to understanding different beliefs. . . . A straightforward, well-written introduction to religion and its various manifestations."—Library Journal

"For readers in search of a thoughtful, thorough, and approachable survey of the history of religion, this book is an excellent place to start."—Booklist

"[Holloway] deftly makes his knowledge accessible to the public. . . . A great service for students of religion. This is no dry textbook: With its conversational prose and density of information, it is a pleasure to read."—The Weekly Standard

“A Little History of Religion both delights readers and tackles a subject historically and emotionally wide-ranging. . . . Holloway repeatedly links religious movements to political action, perhaps cautionary tales for our times, and how to seek accurate religious history—a surprisingly superior handbook.”—Katharine C. Black, Anglican and Episcopal History

"It is difficult to name anyone more qualified to write on this topic than Richard Holloway. His own journey of faith has encompassed so many experiences that he writes with an admirable combination of detachment, knowledge and affectionate engagement."—Diarmaid MacCulloch, author of A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years

From the Publisher