This complete overview of religious studies provides students with the essential knowledge and tools they need to explore and understand the nature of religion. Covers the early development of religion, with overviews of major and minor religions from Islam to Scientology Considers recent developments including secularization; the relationship between religion and science; and scientific studies on religion, health, and mystical experience Uses humor throughout, allowing students to remain open-minded to the subject Explains what it means to study religion academically, and considers the impact of the study of religion on religion itself Contains numerous student-friendly features including photos, maps, time lines, side bars, historical profiles, and population distribution figures Provides classroom users with a lively website,www.wiley.com/go/religiontoolkit, including questions, quizzes, extra material, and helpful primary and secondary 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