Living Religions

by Mary Pat Fisher

Living Religions presents a highly readable and stimulating survey of the modern religious world. Exploring the historical development and teachings of traditional faiths, indigenous religions, and new religious movements, this book considers how each of these traditions has evolved into contemporary beliefs and practices. This book explores in detail the changing nature of each religion, the spread of religious pluralism, the rise in violence in the name of religion, and the movement toward interfaith dialogue. Author Mary Pat Fisher offers fresh and challenging insight into how believers of today's faiths perceive their religion and its role in the changing world in which they live.

Accompanying CD-ROM has title: The Sacred world: encounters with the world's religions.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Reference, Philosophy, History, School

548 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1990

About the author

Mary Pat Fisher is an author, her books include the inspirational book Heart of Gold: The Light Within Life and Living religions : an encyclopedia of the world's faiths. Fisher lives in the Gobind Sadan a interfaith community in India, founded by Baba Virsa Singh.

Reviews

[Shélah]

Any book on religion that starts by telling the reader that the entire world was united by the events of September 11th is a failure from the get go, and the height of American arrogance.

[Chris]

Long-winded.

[Meena Salih]

This book was so good. As I was growing up religion and just the topic of religion and how to deal with religion and dealing with a secular society, this book helped navigate EVERYTHING about religion but there is something in the book that said “Syrian Christians” when it was actually Kurdish Christians and Cyrus the Great being persian when he had some Kurdish blood in him, we’re forever getting culturally appropriating because Turkey and Iran are censoring us. I know this has nothing to do with religion but the author needs to educate herself before she culturally appropriates us too😩

[Julio R. Ra]

This is a very comprehensive look at world religions. It may be feel like a long read, but it offers a good view of different beliefs. It also introduces terminology that is current and appropriate. Unfortunately, it is not possible to encompass all religions. At least this book dedicates a chapter to Indigenous religions that includes Continental American religions, but again, not enough. As a book largely used in the USA, it should focus more on the religions of the American continent.

[Libscigrl]

Read for a religions class. it was very informative and helpful in understanding the world's biggest religions.

Fact: Judaism, Christianity and Islam all believe in the SAME. THING and originated from the same stories.

[Desiree]

We used this in a World Religions course for my homeschooling 9th grader. I thought it was very informative and balanced. Obviously, you can only fit so much into a single book (and an 18 week course) but it covered quite a bit.

[Christie]

Good for a textbook

It was a textbook so not exactly a page-turner, but it was interesting and I learned a lot. I wish there was more discussion on contradictions in religious beliefs vs. actual practice

[Maichal]

I received Living Religions as a textbook for my World Religions college course. This book is a good introduction to world religions. It made me want to pursue a minor in Religious Studies.

[Angela Suber]

This was a text book I had for a college class. It was actually a very well written and informative book. One of the only text books that I can say I enjoyed reading.

[Rhonda Browning]

This is a good primer for various world religions, though further research into many of these, particularly the so-called "New Age" religions is cursory, at best. Still, it provides a good beginning for additional research. Zoroastrianism, which is considered the foundation for many religions, including Christiantiy, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and others, is hardly touched upon, which I found disappointing. Religions discussed in the most detail were Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

I would have enjoyed this text more if it contained an apples-to-apples comparison of each religion discussed herein.

[Brett Marko]

I found the book to be simplistic and written to the lowest common denominator of student. It reminded me of a high school level textbook. It did fairly treat most of the world religions but was a bit suspect with Judaism, Islam and Christianity. It's a survey book and in that purpose was fair in quality in its attempt to introduce world religions. I didn't care for it as an introduction to world religions in a masters level seminary class.

[Matthew Jackson]

There's obviously a lot of info in this book, which I used as the required (by the university) text for a class on World Religions. It's terribly written, poorly organized, choppy, contained blatant errors, and was a very difficult book to use because of the very sub par quality. I would not recommend it at all.

[Danielle]

This book offers brief introductions to many world religions, but covers them in a broad manner. It is a good book if you want a general idea of what certain religions are, but it doesn't offer an in-depth look.

[Dan Glover]

Deals with the world's major religions but not from a Christian perspective. Her treatment of Christianity makes one realize that her estimate of world religions is as an outsider to them and not as one who truly grasps their teachings with any depth. Still, it was informative.

[Tricia]

I was assigned parts of this book for a religious studies course in college. I enjoyed the assigned chapters so much, I went ahead and read the rest of the book. It provides a very informative and unbiased view of world religions.

[Katie Daniels]

Pretty much my favorite textbook of all time. Beautifully written, respectful of all faiths, and provides a balanced overview of the history surrounding religious controversy. I love this book so much more than the course it's assigned to. Legitimately useful reading all on its own.

[+vashti]

hello my name is ministerswaby
i would like to now what you talk a abouth
is all money

[Daniel Bates]

A overview of most of the world's religions, obviously can't do them all since that would be a tens of volumes.

[Whitney]

really enjoyed this textbook each and every chapter helped me learn so much about other religions and religions as a whole.

[Samantha]

Very interesting textbook to read, I've always found the "differences" between the religions interesting.

[Kristen Beck]

This textbook provides a great overview of the main world religions. It's knowledge worth knowing!

[Ling Xuan]

A fabulous anthology of major religions I read for my "World Religions" class! Pretty epic in breath and depth!

[Chris Jenson]

A solid textbook on the World's religion. Mary Pat Fisher brings her unique experience of having traveled all over the world gaining first-hand knowledge of the religious traditions she writes about.

[Eve James]

Great overview of the history and major elements of the religions around the world. I liked the simplicity of explanations, wish more religions were covered.

[Lourdes Cambridge]

DITTO.

[Lourdes Cambridge]

CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNTS.

[Gabe]

Text book. Sooo yeah. Very informative

[Belle Meade School]

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