11th Edition
Many Peoples, Many Faiths Women and Men in the World Religions
Many Peoples, Many Faiths places the world’s religions in historical context, illustrating the complex dynamic of each religion over time, while also presenting current beliefs, practices, and group formations. This unique textbook includes engaging sections on women in religion, religion and governance, and religion in America throughout. Thoroughly revised and updated for its eleventh edition, Many Peoples, Many Faiths covers the following topics:
- Understanding the World’s Religious Heritage
- Indigenous Peoples and Religion
- The Spiritual Paths of India
- The Journey of Buddhism
- Religions of East Asia
- The Family of the Three Great Monotheistic Religions and Zoroastrianism
- The Unique Perspective of Judaism
- The Growth of Christianity
- Building the House of Islam
- New Religious Movements
- Religion and Violence, Non-violence, and Peacemaking
This edition reflects new scholarship and general interest and, where appropriate, addresses rapidly developing and shifting areas, taking account of the dynamic, changing quality of religion. New and expanded material on indigenous peoples and religions, discussions of colonization, and the new chapter on religion and violence, non-violence, and peacemaking also distinguish this edition. Images, maps, and timelines add to the sense of the richness of the world religions.
This is an ideal resource for anyone wanting an accessible and yet comprehensive introduction to the world religions.
1. Understanding the World’s Religious Heritage
2. The Sacred in Nature and Community: Indigenous Peoples and Religion
3. Life Against Time: The Spiritual Paths of India
4. Wisdom Embarked for the Farther Shore: The Journey of Buddhism
5. Dragon and Sun: Religions of East Asia
6. One God, May Words and Wonders: The Family of the Three Great Monotheistic Religions and Zoroastrianism
7. Keeping Covenant with God In History: The Unique Perspective of Judaism
8. Spreading the Word of God in the World: The Growth of Christianity
9. Submitting to the Will of God: Building the House of Islam
10. Spirits Rising: New Religious Movements
11. Redeeming the World: Religion and Violence, Non-violence, and Peacemaking
12. A Final Word
Biography
Robert S. Ellwood is Emeritus Professor of Religion at the University of Southern California, USA. Generous in sharing with other scholars, whether young or old, his clear understanding of the deeper goals of education and scholarship, his breadth of knowledge and insight have resulted in numerous impressive works. Through religion’s material expression in art, architecture, rite, and practices, he has sought to understand its inner meaning for adherents. Professor Ellwood has a legacy with a long trajectory—Many Peoples, Many Faiths being one of his many significant contributions over five decades.
Barbara A. McGraw is Professor of Social Ethics, Law, and Public Life and Founding Director of the Center for Engaged Religious Pluralism at Saint Mary’s College of California, USA. She has been coauthor of Many Peoples, Many Faiths since the sixth edition (1999). In addition to her academic writing involving many books and articles, she is an internationally known scholar-advocate for religious pluralism as a political and moral value, interfaith engagement, and religious minorities’ religious rights, particularly in governmental institutions in the United States.
Praise for previous editions:
'A very good book, best on the market.' - Helena Gourko, Merrimack College, USA
'There is no competition for this book. It is a nearly perfect introductory textbook in my considered estimation.' - Dell deChant, University of South Florida, USA
'The author’s approach is purely descriptive, which allows me to provide my own interpretation of the material during lecture. I like the historical approach of the text. That provides the text with an orderly structure of the material.' - Curtis Smith, Pennsylvania State University, USA
