World Religions - (Second Edition)

Author: [UK] Smart
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: The author exceptionally clearly elucidates various themes, such as elf worship to Zen Buddhism, in a concise and precise manner, describing highly complex material as a wonderful and highly readable introductory book to understand the diverse variety of world religions, unmatched by any other book. It is both an academic monograph on the study of world religions and a best-selling book. The book is set against the backdrop of world history. It examines the world's religions from seven levels: ethics, rituals, narratives or myths, experience, institutions, doctrines, and art. The book partly traces the process by which religions emerged and developed from the traditions of the ancient world. The second part examines the transformation of faith and culture after the Renaissance, as well as Western conquest and the Age of Discovery.