Understanding the Religions of the World: An Introduction

by Will Deming (Editor)

Overview

A comprehensive, visually rich introduction to the world's major religious traditions

Now in its second edition, Understanding the Religions of the World: An Introduction provides an essential framework for analyzing and understanding the world's major religions. Rather than simply presenting a series of facts, this innovative textbook provides an insightful lens through which students examine how and why religions appeal to their followers. Contributions from leading scholars who have conducted fieldwork in the traditions they discuss focus on the contemporary beliefs and practices of Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Chinese Religion, and others.

Each chapter contains detailed analysis, up-to-date scholarship, review and discussion questions, and multiple informational boxes that discuss topics in greater depth across five analytical categories. More than 150 carefully curated images, diagrams, and maps that enhance student comprehension and retention are integrated throughout. This edition features two entirely new chapters on the development of the study of religion and indigenous religions of the Americas.

Helping students appreciate the complex systems of belief that shape human experience, Understanding the Religions of the World:

• Provides a current and relevant perspective on religion across the globe
• Analyzes how religions operate as systems for achieving human aspirations
• Helps students strengthen critical thinking skills and cultural awareness
• Draws on the latest research and academic insights in the area of Religious Studies
• Covers traditions not typically addressed in introductory texts, such as indigenous religions of Africa and Oceania

Supplying the tools necessary for exploring global faith traditions, Understanding the Religions of the World: An Introduction, Second Edition is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and elite high school honors courses on religious studies, anthropology, comparative religion, and theology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781119887478
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	03/17/2025
Pages:	624
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

WILL DEMING, PhD, is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Theology at the University of Portland, where he taught introductory courses in Religious Studies to undergraduates for 25 years. He specializes in Pauline Studies with primary academic interests in New Testament, early Christian literature, Second Temple Judaism, and Greco-Roman culture. His major publications include Rethinking Religion: A Concise Introduction, and Paul on Marriage and Celibacy: The Hellenistic Background of 1 Corinthians 7, Second Edition.

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Table of Contents

Authors and Major Contributors vii

Preface to the Second Edition ix

Preface for Teachers x

Chapter Features xiii

Introduction 1

1 Hinduism 9

2 Buddhism 60

3 Chinese Religion 114

4 Japan’s Lived Religion 164

5 African Religions 204

6 Religions of Oceania 240

7 Indigenous Religions in the Americas 271

8 Judaism 337

9 Christianity 390

10 Islam 452

11 Change in Religions and New Religions 512

12 The Study of Religions 542

Glossary of Key Terms 577

Index 594

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The headlines in our daily news make it all too clear that our world is in tragic need of greater understanding of the diversity of religions in history and today. The approach and the resources in Understanding the Religions of the World are valuable aids for teachers and students in their efforts to meet the challenges of understanding religions from the inside out."
—Charles Hallisey, Harvard University

"Religion is an important topic in today’s world. To know the basics of the world's religions is to gain access to some of the greatest thinkers of all time about some of the most significant matters to all people everywhere. To learn the history of the great faith traditions is to become acquainted with the history of the human race and to see where it has come from. And by becoming familiar with the beliefs of these faith traditions, one can become a citizen of the world and see where we, as a race, might someday be. But where can one find an adequate guide to this important subject? The answer is now clear. In this book!"
—Erik W. Larson, Florida International University​

"Recent trends in religious studies tend to analyze religions with attention to historical change and consciousness. Understanding the Religions of the World pulls off the huge accomplishment in this respect and distinguishes itself among its competitors by exhibiting an awareness to these dual perspectives throughout the textbook. Each chapter is presented by experts, filled with unusual insights and the editor Will Deming has produced a piece of work that is easily readable yet thought-provoking, but, more importantly, one that articulates big conceptual ideas of each religion in a practical way which make it highly recommendable to all first year undergraduate students."
—Mehmet Karabela, Queen's University, Canada

"Understanding the Religions of the World, is not only an insightful and engaging text in the study of religion as a human, cultural, social and sacred phenomenon, it is also an in depth survey of a wide variety of religious traditions across many regions of the globe. With clear and readable discussions of several topics and themes central to understanding how these traditions are lived and experienced in diverse cultures and societies, this unique volume serves as an excellent text for introducing students to the nuances and complexity of how religion works in many places and how religions serves as the most pivotal phenomenon that defines a people's identity and life situations. What is unique about it is that the volume successfully combines a deep knowledge of the various traditions with methods and approaches for studying and understanding them. The text faithfully presents how the devotees understand and view their traditions and how the traditions have creatively responded to modernity and change. Moreover, the volume deploys important tools and resources for interpreting the traditions. Its interdisciplinary reach will make the book an essential reading for students of religion, anthropology, sociology and cultural studies."
—Jacob K. Olupona​, Harvard University

"The author has achieved a difficult task in tackling the world's religions in one succinct volume that is accessible to undergraduates. What makes it distinct and unique is its inclusion of African and Oceanic religious traditions alongside the more predictable 'world' religions, giving it a valuable comparative edge. The writing is clear and engaging, and the visual aids - such as maps, photographs, and graphs - add to the attractiveness of the volume. I look forward to using it in introductory courses on religions.
—Frank J. Korom, Boston University