Beyond the Threshold: Afterlife Beliefs and Experiences in World Religions

by Christopher M. Moreman

Overview

Beyond the Threshold introduces readers to afterlife beliefs and experiences in world religions. The second edition has been revised and updated throughout, including a new chapter on afterlife beliefs and practices in selected African traditions, new research on the afterlife and near-death experiences, the addition of key words and definitions to each chapter, and more.

Christopher M. Moreman offers an introduction to afterlife beliefs in ancient cultures, which are essential to understanding the roots of many modern ideas about death. He examines the folklore and doctrines of major world religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese religions, and several African traditions. He also discusses psychic phenomena across traditions, such as mediums, near-death and out-of-body experiences, and past-life memories.

While ultimately the afterlife remains unknowable, the second edition of this unique, in-depth exploration of both beliefs and experiences can help readers reach their own understanding of the afterlife and how to live.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442274952
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/13/2017
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	350
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Christopher M. Moreman, PhD, is associate professor in the department of philosophy at California State University, East Bay. He holds a doctorate in religious studies from the University of Wales, Lampeter (now the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David).

Table of Contents

Part One: An Overview of Beliefs in an Afterlife from Major World Religions
Chapter 1: Ancient Conceptions
Chapter 2: Judaism
Chapter 3: Christianity
Chapter 4: Islam
Chapter 5: Hinduism
Chapter 6: Buddhism
Chapter 7: Chinese Religions
Chapter 8: African Religions
Part Two: An Overview of the Research into Experiences of an Afterlife
Chapter 9: Mediumship
Chapter 10: Apparitions and Hauntings
Chapter 11: Near-Death and Out-of-Body Experiences
Chapter 12: Past-Life Memories
Part Three: Beliefs and Experiences: An Attempt at a Synthesis
Chapter 13: Comparison of Beliefs
Chapter 14: Comparison of Phenomena
Epilogue: Speculations on Mysticism and the Afterlife

What People are Saying About This

Gary Laderman

Christopher M. Moreman has written a useful, wide-ranging book on death and dying that should be a valuable resource in courses or for general readers. It is comprehensive, covering both perspectives in the world religions and investigations in contemporary research on experiences of the afterlife, and insightful in its comparative emphasis on beliefs and phenomena. This text makes an important contribution to the literature on religion, death, and dying.

Lucy Bregman

Beyond the Threshold presents valuable summaries of two distinct and important bodies of material: an overview of how major world religions view the afterlife, and modern empirical research on paranormal experiences that might be seen to confirm or disprove the afterlife beliefs found in religion. Christopher M. Moreman analyzes this unique pairing of material in a balanced and respectful manner, opening up space for discussion about the intriguing interplay between traditional views of the afterlife and paranormal experiences.

Editorial Reviews

Moreman (philosophy and religious studies, California State Univ., East Bay), editor of Routledge Companion to Death and Dying (2018), provides an accessible overview of different spiritual traditions' beliefs about the state of the human body and soul after death. The book covers the major world religions—Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism—but Moreman expands this second edition (the first edition appeared in 2008) to include African traditions. In addition, he includes the beliefs and practices of individuals such as mediums and those who have had near-death experiences, looking at how they have shaped cultural views of the afterlife. What is most helpful about this book is that it presents these traditions in a fair, informative, and balanced way without getting lost in more technical debates or theological questions that might be of more concern to specialists. Moreman's inclusiveness makes the book relevant for those interested in cultural studies as well as those studying religion and dying. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates; general readers; professionals.” —Choice Reviews

“There are only a few academic books in the new millennium dealing with afterlife beliefs. Christopher Moreman’s second edition of his book, Beyond the Threshold: Afterlife Beliefs and Experiences in World Religions, is most welcome in this context. . . Moreman is to be commended for expanding the usually narrow focus on the afterlife in the religious studies field. . . Moreman is also to be commended for bravely bringing subjects such as spiritualism, mediumship, ghosts, near death experience (NDE), out of body experience (OBE), and past life memories into the academic arena. . . . All afterlife beliefs stem from a basic human religious experience, and despite many differences of interpretation, most human cultures agree that some sort of mysterious survival exists beyond death. Moreman’s book is a good starting point for any scholar interested in this subject.” —Reading Religion

“The revised edition of Beyond the Threshold tackles one of the most enduring human questions related to the universal experience of death: Is there an afterlife, and if so, how do humans experience it? The 2017 edition expands upon the 2008 version, with updates for classroom use,
including a new key terms list at the end of each chapter and an added 50+ pages of content. . . . this edition should have broad appeal outside of the thanatology audience, including upper level sociology, religion, anthropology and comparative university courses designed to delve more deeply into the included subjects.” —Mortality

“This is a revised and expanded edition of Christopher Moreman’s book on afterlife beliefs. It is based on wide ranging research into a topic of key importance to the religions of the world. It is both accessible and scholarly. Moreman’s discussion of controversial issues is fair, balanced, and well informed. The book makes a major contribution to academic understanding and establishes Moreman as a leading authority in this area.” —Paul Badham, emeritus, University of Wales

“Beyond the Threshold is the one textbook I know of that not only introduces beliefs about the afterlife, but also examines reported experiences of the afterlife. Students love the chapters on ghosts, séances, and near-death experiences. But they benefit from the engaging discussions of the major religious views as well. The updates and new glossaries make a great book even better.” —Rebecca Moore, emerita, San Diego State University

“This excellent, even-handed and open-minded discussion of afterlife beliefs covers the major world religious traditions, as well as research from non-traditional sources. While the information on afterlife teachings in the religions may be familiar, the ideas and claims about afterlife from mediums, psychic researchers, and near-death experiencers are more novel. Moreman presents them with unusual clarity and philosophical sophistication. I recommend this book highly for those seeking to move beyond conventional believer-versus-atheist debates and learn about the topic in depth.” —Lucy Bregman, Temple University

“This thought-provoking book provides two lenses through which to perceive the afterlife: the teachings of world religions and anomalous experiences. Each is treated historically and critically, with similarities and differences noted. Clear and comprehensive, the result is unique: a highly informative compendium and an adventurous attempt at synthesis.” —Tony Walter, Centre for Death and Society, University of Bath

“Beliefs about an afterlife are what Carl Jung called objective interpretations of our continuing bonds with those who have died. Neither religious claims about how people live on nor the experiences by which we continue our bonds, however, fit easily into the logical positivism that dominates the contemporary Western mindset. In this excellent book Christopher Moreman takes on the question of afterlife directly. First he examines the beliefs of many of the world’s religious traditions. Then he examines the studies of mediums, apparitions and hauntings, near death experiences, and past life memories. He is respectful of his sources and at the same time he gives readers the benefit of his fine critical mind.” —Dennis Klass, emeritus, Webster University

From the Publisher

This is a revised and expanded edition of Christopher Moreman’s book on afterlife beliefs. It is based on wide ranging research into a topic of key importance to the religions of the world. It is both accessible and scholarly. Moreman’s discussion of controversial issues is fair, balanced, and well informed. The book makes a major contribution to academic understanding and establishes Moreman as a leading authority in this area.

Paul Badham

Moreman (philosophy and religious studies, California State Univ., East Bay), editor of Routledge Companion to Death and Dying (2018), provides an accessible overview of different spiritual traditions' beliefs about the state of the human body and soul after death. The book covers the major world religions—Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism—but Moreman expands this second edition (the first edition appeared in 2008) to include African traditions. In addition, he includes the beliefs and practices of individuals such as mediums and those who have had near-death experiences, looking at how they have shaped cultural views of the afterlife. What is most helpful about this book is that it presents these traditions in a fair, informative, and balanced way without getting lost in more technical debates or theological questions that might be of more concern to specialists. Moreman's inclusiveness makes the book relevant for those interested in cultural studies as well as those studying religion and dying. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates; general readers; professionals.

Choice Reviews

Beliefs about an afterlife are what Carl Jung called objective interpretations of our continuing bonds with those who have died. Neither religious claims about how people live on nor the experiences by which we continue our bonds, however, fit easily into the logical positivism that dominates the contemporary Western mindset. In this excellent book Christopher Moreman takes on the question of afterlife directly. First he examines the beliefs of many of the world’s religious traditions. Then he examines the studies of mediums, apparitions and hauntings, near death experiences, and past life memories. He is respectful of his sources and at the same time he gives readers the benefit of his fine critical mind.

Dennis Klass

Moreman (philosophy and religious studies, California State Univ., East Bay), editor of Routledge Companion to Death and Dying (2018), provides an accessible overview of different spiritual traditions' beliefs about the state of the human body and soul after death. The book covers the major world religions—Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism—but Moreman expands this second edition (the first edition appeared in 2008) to include African traditions. In addition, he includes the beliefs and practices of individuals such as mediums and those who have had near-death experiences, looking at how they have shaped cultural views of the afterlife. What is most helpful about this book is that it presents these traditions in a fair, informative, and balanced way without getting lost in more technical debates or theological questions that might be of more concern to specialists. Moreman's inclusiveness makes the book relevant for those interested in cultural studies as well as those studying religion and dying. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates; general readers; professionals.

Choice

Moreman (philosophy and religious studies, California State Univ., East Bay), editor of Routledge Companion to Death and Dying (2018), provides an accessible overview of different spiritual traditions' beliefs about the state of the human body and soul after death. The book covers the major world religions—Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism—but Moreman expands this second edition (the first edition appeared in 2008) to include African traditions. In addition, he includes the beliefs and practices of individuals such as mediums and those who have had near-death experiences, looking at how they have shaped cultural views of the afterlife. What is most helpful about this book is that it presents these traditions in a fair, informative, and balanced way without getting lost in more technical debates or theological questions that might be of more concern to specialists. Moreman's inclusiveness makes the book relevant for those interested in cultural studies as well as those studying religion and dying. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates; general readers; professionals.

CHOICE

The revised edition of Beyond the Threshold tackles one of the most enduring human questions
related to the universal experience of death: Is there an afterlife, and if so, how do humans experience it? The 2017 edition expands upon the 2008 version, with updates for classroom use,
including a new key terms list at the end of each chapter and an added 50+ pages of content.. .. this edition should have broad appeal outside of the thanatology audience, including upper level sociology, religion, anthropology and comparative university courses designed to delve more
deeply into the included subjects.

Mortality

There are only a few academic books in the new millennium dealing with afterlife beliefs. Christopher Moreman’s second edition of his book, Beyond the Threshold: Afterlife Beliefs and Experiences in World Religions, is most welcome in this context.. . Moreman is to be commended for expanding the usually narrow focus on the afterlife in the religious studies field.. . Moreman is also to be commended for bravely bringing subjects such as spiritualism, mediumship, ghosts, near death experience (NDE), out of body experience (OBE), and past life memories into the academic arena.. .. All afterlife beliefs stem from a basic human religious experience, and despite many differences of interpretation, most human cultures agree that some sort of mysterious survival exists beyond death. Moreman’s book is a good starting point for any scholar interested in this subject.

Reading Religion

This thought-provoking book provides two lenses through which to perceive the afterlife: the teachings of world religions and anomalous experiences. Each is treated historically and critically, with similarities and differences noted. Clear and comprehensive, the result is unique: a highly informative compendium and an adventurous attempt at synthesis.

Tony Walter

Beyond the Threshold is the one textbook I know of that not only introduces beliefs about the afterlife, but also examines reported experiences of the afterlife. Students love the chapters on ghosts, séances, and near-death experiences. But they benefit from the engaging discussions of the major religious views as well. The updates and new glossaries make a great book even better.

Rebecca Moore

This excellent, even-handed and open-minded discussion of afterlife beliefs covers the major world religious traditions, as well as research from non-traditional sources. While the information on afterlife teachings in the religions may be familiar, the ideas and claims about afterlife from mediums, psychic researchers, and near-death experiencers are more novel. Moreman presents them with unusual clarity and philosophical sophistication. I recommend this book highly for those seeking to move beyond conventional believer-versus-atheist debates and learn about the topic in depth.

Lucy Bregman

A valuable book....As an introductory text it is excellent, and even for those well versed in the subject there is much to surprise and interest....This book is both timely and important.

Journal of the Society for Psychical Research

Christopher M. Moreman has written a useful, wide-ranging book on death and dying that should be a valuable resource in courses or for general readers. It is comprehensive, covering both perspectives in the world religions and investigations in contemporary research on experiences of the afterlife, and insightful in its comparative emphasis on beliefs and phenomena. This text makes an important contribution to the literature on religion, death, and dying.

Gary Laderman

A valuable book....As an introductory text it is excellent, and even for those well versed in the subject there is much to surprise and interest....This book is both timely and important.

Journal Of The Society For Psychical Research