This text provides a thematic and comparative approach to the study of religion. The focus of individual chapters gives equal weight to both theoretical issues and to practices as they are reflected in the major religions of the world. It examines the main ideas that characterize all religious thought and practice, focusing on such fundamental topics as ritual, sacred language, ethics, salvation, and the problem of evil.
This was for a religion class I was taking. The best part of the book was the length (very short for a school book). I'm usually able to stay engaged with text book reading, not so with this one. It was to vague and overly accepting. Nothing that really drew me in, except a few places where I spotted contradictions. Would not recommend this one for a fun read, unless you are stranded somewhere with this book, and this book only. Having said this, I can't be too upset with it based again on its refreshingly short length.