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World Religions Today
Revealing the significance of religion in contemporary life, World Religions Today, Third Edition, explores eight major religious traditions--Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, East Asian Religions, indigenous religions, and new religions--as dynamic, ongoing forces in the lives
of individuals and in the collective experience of modern societies. This unique volume accomplishes two goals; it connects today's religions to their classical beliefs and practices while also focusing on how these religions have responded to and been transformed by the modern world. The authors
combine thorough coverage of the historical background of each religion with up-to-the-minute discussions of its current practices. Each discussion opens with a contemporary scenario of religious experience that illustrates the tension between premodern views and modernity. The volume is enhanced by
numerous pedagogical aids--timelines, maps, illustrations, discussion questions, a comprehensive glossary of key terms--and more than 200 photographs. An Instructor's Manual and a Companion Website featuring resources for both students and instructors supplement the text.
NEW TO THE THIRD EDITION
* Vivid four-color interior design that brings the material to life
* Updates that cover more aspects of the current international situation and developments in religious life around the globe
* "Tales of Spiritual Transformation" boxes that relate the stories of people whose lives have been changed by religious faith
* "Teachings of Spiritual Wisdom" boxes that introduce primary source material
Ideal for undergraduate courses in world religions and comparative religion, World Religions Today, Third Edition, emphasizes the interconnectedness of faith, culture, politics, and society, providing a peerless examination of the diverse ways in which contemporary human beings are religious.
World Religions Todayis also available as two separate volumes: Religious of Asia Today (978-0-19-537360-8) and Religions of the West Today (978-0-19-537361-5).
of individuals and in the collective experience of modern societies. This unique volume accomplishes two goals; it connects today's religions to their classical beliefs and practices while also focusing on how these religions have responded to and been transformed by the modern world. The authors
combine thorough coverage of the historical background of each religion with up-to-the-minute discussions of its current practices. Each discussion opens with a contemporary scenario of religious experience that illustrates the tension between premodern views and modernity. The volume is enhanced by
numerous pedagogical aids--timelines, maps, illustrations, discussion questions, a comprehensive glossary of key terms--and more than 200 photographs. An Instructor's Manual and a Companion Website featuring resources for both students and instructors supplement the text.
NEW TO THE THIRD EDITION
* Vivid four-color interior design that brings the material to life
* Updates that cover more aspects of the current international situation and developments in religious life around the globe
* "Tales of Spiritual Transformation" boxes that relate the stories of people whose lives have been changed by religious faith
* "Teachings of Spiritual Wisdom" boxes that introduce primary source material
Ideal for undergraduate courses in world religions and comparative religion, World Religions Today, Third Edition, emphasizes the interconnectedness of faith, culture, politics, and society, providing a peerless examination of the diverse ways in which contemporary human beings are religious.
World Religions Todayis also available as two separate volumes: Religious of Asia Today (978-0-19-537360-8) and Religions of the West Today (978-0-19-537361-5).
656 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2001
About the author
John L. Esposito
84 books156 followersHe is a professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. He is also the director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal center for Muslim-Christian understanding at Georgetown University.
Esposito was raised a Roman Catholic in an Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City, and spent a decade in a Catholic monastery. After taking his first degree he worked as a management consultant and high-school teacher. He then studied and received a masters in theology at St. John's University. He earned a PhD at Temple University, Pennsylvania in 1974, studying Islam and held post doc appointments at Harvard and Oxford. He is well-known as a promoter of strong ties between Muslims and Christians and has challenged the Vatican to make greater efforts to encourage such ties.
A specialist in Islam, political Islam, and the impact of Islamic movements from North Africa to Southeast Asia, Dr. Esposito serves as a consultant to the Department of State as well as multinational corporations, governments, universities, and the media worldwide. In 2005, Professor Esposito won the American Academy of Religion's prestigious Martin E. Marty Award for the Public Understanding of Religion. This award honors a scholar who has been exemplary in promoting the public understanding of religion. A prolific writer, Professor Esposito is the author of over 25 books, including What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam, The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality?, and Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World, The Oxford History of Islam, and The Oxford Dictionary of Islam.
Esposito was raised a Roman Catholic in an Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City, and spent a decade in a Catholic monastery. After taking his first degree he worked as a management consultant and high-school teacher. He then studied and received a masters in theology at St. John's University. He earned a PhD at Temple University, Pennsylvania in 1974, studying Islam and held post doc appointments at Harvard and Oxford. He is well-known as a promoter of strong ties between Muslims and Christians and has challenged the Vatican to make greater efforts to encourage such ties.
A specialist in Islam, political Islam, and the impact of Islamic movements from North Africa to Southeast Asia, Dr. Esposito serves as a consultant to the Department of State as well as multinational corporations, governments, universities, and the media worldwide. In 2005, Professor Esposito won the American Academy of Religion's prestigious Martin E. Marty Award for the Public Understanding of Religion. This award honors a scholar who has been exemplary in promoting the public understanding of religion. A prolific writer, Professor Esposito is the author of over 25 books, including What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam, The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality?, and Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World, The Oxford History of Islam, and The Oxford Dictionary of Islam.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 20, 2015
In studying the landscape of religions that make up the world we live in this book covers all of them. Starting from indigenous religions, travelling through the Abrahamic persuasions, and blazing a trail into the depths of the eastern and new age religions; this book offers insight into all facets of the world's religions.
Especially noteworthy in this text is the format design. Starting with the founding of the religion, the authors trace the growth, turning points, and key events through history. Not only are you provided with a historical account of the foundations of each religion, you are also provided with the way the religion has evolved within the context of society. World Religions Today helps the reader place the various religious traditions in the world of today and at the same time, allows a glimpse as to where that religion is headed in the age of globalization.
The writing, for the most part, is done in a style that is not beset by ambiguity. Additionally, the tone of the writing is sophisticated enough to be an appropriate read for both pleasure and study.
Of special interest, there are many highlighted sections of the book where an important idea or marker of history is able to be expounded upon by visual (photo or otherwise) representation along with a key point. This offsetting from the text helps the reader understand the key concepts better, and brings a possible deeper appreciation for the art as well as the language of world religions.
The study of the world religions is arguably as relevant today as it was throughout history. In order to understand the interplay of political and spiritual forces present on the global scene today, this study can point towards a deeper understanding of the reasons why certain action are taken, and why people believe the way they do.
Even if you are not a student of religious studies, this book can easily be used to trace important philosophical, historical, sociological, political, and psychological roots of the beliefs that make up the diverse world community.
Especially noteworthy in this text is the format design. Starting with the founding of the religion, the authors trace the growth, turning points, and key events through history. Not only are you provided with a historical account of the foundations of each religion, you are also provided with the way the religion has evolved within the context of society. World Religions Today helps the reader place the various religious traditions in the world of today and at the same time, allows a glimpse as to where that religion is headed in the age of globalization.
The writing, for the most part, is done in a style that is not beset by ambiguity. Additionally, the tone of the writing is sophisticated enough to be an appropriate read for both pleasure and study.
Of special interest, there are many highlighted sections of the book where an important idea or marker of history is able to be expounded upon by visual (photo or otherwise) representation along with a key point. This offsetting from the text helps the reader understand the key concepts better, and brings a possible deeper appreciation for the art as well as the language of world religions.
The study of the world religions is arguably as relevant today as it was throughout history. In order to understand the interplay of political and spiritual forces present on the global scene today, this study can point towards a deeper understanding of the reasons why certain action are taken, and why people believe the way they do.
Even if you are not a student of religious studies, this book can easily be used to trace important philosophical, historical, sociological, political, and psychological roots of the beliefs that make up the diverse world community.
September 8, 2012
I can legitimately say this is one of the best World Religion text books I've ever had the pleasure of reading in its entirety. I loved how the chapters were organized and how each one contained up-to-date information on each of the religions covered in that section. This is a great book for anyone looking to have a good time while learning.
January 21, 2012
This is a mandatory textbook for my World Religions class. It seems pretty fair, objective, and accurate but i'm only on the third chapter so far and there's a whole long ways to go. But if the authors keep it up at this pace, I think it will deserve a 4 or 5 star rating. :-)
May 10, 2019
Just finished reading the most recent version of this textbook (the sixth edition - 2018) for a World Religions course. Excellent text that offers a living perspective on the diversity of our world's many religious faiths and practices from their early roots to their evolution in our ever more connected world. Highly recommend.
October 30, 2025
53
Almost too detailed and not very interesting.
Almost too detailed and not very interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2011
Assigned reading for Geography of Religion class. Small print but great read and resource.
September 4, 2014
Verbose.
April 19, 2015
Objective analysis of major organized religions, their cultural and historic motivations, and how they've adapted in modern society.
May 5, 2016
I read the required chapters for the class I'm taking on Eastern Religions. I found the book pretty good, only a few dry areas.
February 21, 2019
i dont know
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews