Author Description

Now in a second edition, this highly successful text offers a comprehensive and engaging introduction to Western religious traditions. It provides in-depth coverage of Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam. It also includes a chapter on the ancient world, which covers the religions of Greece and Rome, the ancient near East, and pre-Christian Europe. A chapter on "new horizons" examines past and current African religious traditions, Native traditions in the Americas, the Baha'i faith, and "New Age" religions. The concluding chapter on "traditions in contact" looks at such issues as bearing witness, missionary movements, and the role of religion in a pluralistic society.World Religions: Western Traditions, 2/e combines a historically descriptive perspective with timelines, key terms, maps, text boxes, study questions, and annotated suggestions for further reading. This new edition includes a more lucid introduction; a second color and more maps; new study questions; and a new annotated bibliography. Ideal for undergraduate courses in Western religions, World Religions: Western Traditions, 2/e can also be used with its companion volume, World Religions: Eastern Traditions, 2/e in a general course on world religions.