Understanding World Religions: A Road Map for Justice and Peace

(Hardback, Second Edition)

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Description

Understanding World Religions introduces students to major worldviewsincluding Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Native American, and Marxistthrough the lens of justice and peace. The second edition has been updated and revised throughout. After an introduction to key themes in studying world religion, chapters help students explore major traditions today. Each chapter takes a similar approach, examining several dimensions of each traditionexperiential and emotional, social and institutional, narrative or mythic, doctrinal and philosophical, practical and ritual, and ethical and legal. Chapters feature profiles of major peacemakers or groups to bring the traditions to life. Profiles range from Gandhi and Martin Luther King to Thich Nhat Hanh and Dorothy Day. Further chapters explore liberation theologies, active nonviolence, and just war theory. The second edition features a broader framework than the first edition and includes new material on non-religious ethical norms, Islamophobia, colonial evangelization, religion in China, and an updated examination of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Understanding World Religions remains a powerful introduction to major worldviews with an emphasis on practical connections to peace and justice.

Reviews

Finally a book on worldviews that provides an honest and comprehensive discussion of issues that are most critical to the very survival of religion and civilization. The books focus on justice and peace as its guiding themes has greatly enhanced the value of studying world religions. -- Irfan A. Omar, Marquette University
This second edition is an excellent book and a must-read for students interested in a full-scope overview of the competing worldviewsboth religious and secularthat compete with one another in the current marketplace of ideas and ideologies. The book is beautifully written, expertly researched, and replete with helpful diagrams, lists of terms, and bibliography. Written from a humane and ethically nuanced perspective, the book demonstrates why a thoroughgoing and critical understanding of the animating worldviews that shape our era are crucial for a well-informed and engaged citizenry. Original and highly recommended -- Mark Wallace, Swarthmore College; author of Finding God In The Singing River: Christianity, Spirit, Nature
Unquestionably, we are teaching children/young adults who have grown up fearing and misunderstanding our Muslim sisters and brothers in the wake of 9/11. Understanding World Religions is a readable text that goes a little deeper with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. I, also, appreciate their goal of working toward justice, peace and understanding. In a sense, why else do we study the worlds religions if not to grow respect for the "dignity of difference." -- Christine Billups, Lewis University

Author Bio

David Whitten Smith is the founding director of the Justice and Peace Studies program at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Elizabeth Geraldine Burr teaches in the Ethnic and Religious Studies Department at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota.