The Religion Book: Places, Prophets, Saints, and Seers

by Jim Willis

Overview

For anyone curious about matters religious, this sweeping volume is chock full of information.

Its handy size and comprehensive content make The Religion Book: Places, Prophets, Saints, and Seers a must-have reference for the introductory study of religion and a beacon for every reader who seeks his or her own holy grail. Five hundred-plus pages explore 300 key religious figures, prophets, deities, places, and scriptures that play important roles in the major religions of the world. Author Jim Willis respectfully explains terms and concepts as they relate to their respective belief systems, whether mainstream, pagan, or cultish.

The Religion Book expertly explains the similarities, differences, original ideologies of believers, and skeptics from around the world while examining the big questions such as Are Nirvana and Heaven the same? Who are the Raelians, and why are they cloning people? What’s the difference between Christian Scientists and Jehovah’s Witnesses? What do dogma, karma, and feng shui mean? Devils, ghosts, the afterlife—do they really exist? If killing’s a sin, why are there jihads? With 100 photographs, a list of additional resources, and a helpful index, it is the go-to resource for all ages seeking easy-to-understand answers to the most asked-about religious topics. The Religion Book is perfect for students, believers, and skeptics alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781578591510
Publisher:	Visible Ink Press
Publication date:	09/01/2003
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	7.24(w) x 9.22(h) x 1.27(d)

About the Author

Jim Willis, a minister with the United Church of Christ, serves as adjunct professor of comparative religion and cross-cultural studies at Mt. Wachusett Community College.

Editorial Reviews

...this is a fascinating book...the book's appeal lies in its lively writing and thoughtful, personal approach...” – School Library Journal

“...in a world of religious war and murderous rhetoric, [The Religion Book] is that rare thing – a spiritual labor of patience and fairness.” – Nashville Tennessean

“This concise and accessible encyclopedia contains nearly 300 entries on the world's major religions, as well as important articles on important holy places...prophets and historical figures...and spiritual practices and religions that predate organized religion...” – Library Journal

From the Publisher

This concise and accessible encyclopedia contains nearly 300 entries on the world's major religions, as well as articles on important holy places (e.g., Jerusalem, Mecca), prophets and historical figures (e.g., Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi), and spiritual practices and religions that predate organized religion (e.g., Native North American spirituality). Willis, a minister with the United Church of Christ, focuses primarily on the history and current practice of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism but does not overlook the importance of ancient religions, including Mithraism, the Orphic Gods, and the Red Paint People. There is also coverage of lesser-known contemporary religions, such as Rastafarianism and different New Age movements. Varying in length from half a page to four pages and often accompanied by black-and-white photos, the entries provide one to three reference sources for additional information as well as excerpts and quotations from religious texts. Bottom Line While not as comprehensive as the one-volume Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions (1999), which provides significantly more text for about the same price, this volume serves as a useful (and more current) introductory text on religion for students and informed general readers.-Michele McGraw, Hennepin Cty. Lib., Edina, MN Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-What distinguishes Willis's work from the many other guides to world religions? In a word, personality. Alphabetically arranged encyclopedic entries note sources (not pronunciation), and provide cross-references. The volume's wide scope includes Norse myth, Mithraism, ley lines, Kwanzaa, and Merlin; Santeria, Hasidism, and Sufis are mentioned but not indexed. American orientation makes Mormonism's entry five times that of Jainism, Dwight Moody's longer than Mahatma Gandhi's, and John Eliot's longer than both. B.C.E. replaces B.C., but the Western Wall appears as "Wailing Wall," and Judaism's view of the Fall is missing. There is an entry for abortion but none for homosexuality, and spotty coverage of ethno- or primal religions (but sympathetic entries on Gaia, Ghost Dance, and Feminist Theology). Entries on the Benedictines and Ten Commandments are misleading, and the Archbishop of Canterbury should not be called "Reverend Williams." Nevertheless, this is a fascinating book because it is suffused with an individual mind. Entries are intellectually expanded by unexpected quotations and connections challenging readers to think or to smile. Many questions are raised and left open-ended. Willis has a distinctive voice, and a lucid and engagingly immediate style. He is especially enlightening on Buddhism and Hinduism. The occasional black-and-white photos and engravings are adequate, but the book's appeal lies in its lively writing and thoughtful, personal approach.-Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal