This complete overview of religious studies provides students withthe essential knowledge and tools they need to explore andunderstand the nature of religion.
* Covers the early development of religion, with overviews ofmajor and minor religions from Islam to Scientology
* Considers recent developments including secularization; therelationship between religion and science; and scientific studieson religion, health, and mystical experience
* Uses humor throughout, allowing students to remain open-mindedto the subject
* Explains what it means to study religion academically, andconsiders the impact of the study of religion on religionitself
* Contains numerous student-friendly features including photos,maps, time lines, side bars, historical profiles, and populationdistribution figures
* Provides classroom users with a livelywebsite,www.wiley.com/go/religiontoolkit, includingquestions, quizzes, extra material, and helpful primary andsecondary sources

List of Figures and Maps xiii
Timeline xvi
Acknowledgments xxii
Credits xxiii
1 Introduction: Prepare to Be Surprised 2
Part I the Tools 15
2 An Overview of Religion: Making Sense of Life 16
3 The Early Development of Religious Studies 44
4 Religious Studies in the 20th Century 76
Part II Using the Tools: Surveying World Religions 103
5 Early Traditions 104
6 The Family of Western Monotheisms: Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Traditions 124
Unit I Judaism 126
Unit II Christianity 151
Unit III Islam 167
Unit IV The Impact of Religious Studies on the Western Monotheisms 183
7 330 Million Gods - or None: Two Traditions from India 206
8 Balancing and Blending: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism in China 246
9 Zoroastrianism, Shinto, Baha'i, Scientology, Wicca, and Seneca Traditions: What Makes a "World Religion"? 274
10 Closing Questions 308
Glossary 338
Index 344