Comparing Religions: The Study of Us That Changes Us

Comparing Religions: The Study of Us that Changes Us is a comprehensive textbook that explores the art and practice of comparison in the globalizing world, covering the fundamental tenets of the world's religions, discussing the benefits and problems of comparative inquiry, and examining how the practice can impact a person's worldview and values. It features diverse case studies, vivid illustrations, chapter outlines, summaries, toolkits, discussion questions, and learning features, and is substantially updated with new and revised material. The second edition draws from both comparative work and critical theory to present a well-balanced introduction to contemporary practice, explains classic comparative themes, provides a historical outline of comparative practices, and offers key strategies for understanding, analyzing, and re-reading religion. It embraces the transcendent nature of the religious experience in all its forms, including in popular culture, film, and television, and contains a classroom-proven, three-part structure with easy-to-digest, thematically organized chapters. It also features a companion website with information on individual religious traditions, additional images, a glossary, discussion questions, and links to supplementary material.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 528 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2024
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Comparing Religions: The Study of Us that Changes Us is a groundbreaking,engaging,and thought-provoking exploration of the comparative study of religion in the 21st century. This innovative textbook is the first of its kind to focus on the extraordinary or "paranormal" aspects of religious experience, providing a comprehensive review of the fundamental tenets of the world's religions, discussing the benefits and problems of comparative inquiry, and exploring how the practice can impact a person's worldview and values. The authors assert that religions have always engaged in comparing one another, and the book offers insights into the history, trends, debates, and questions of explicit comparativism in the modern world. Easily accessible chapters examine the challenges of studying religion using a comparative approach rather than focusing on religious identity, inspiring students to think seriously about religious pluralism as they engage in comparative practice. Throughout the text, a wealth of diverse case studies and vivid illustrations are complemented by chapter outlines, summaries, toolkits, discussion questions, and other learning features. Substantially updated with new and revised material, the second edition of Comparing Religions: The Study of Us that Changes Us draws from both comparative work and critical theory to present a well-balanced introduction to contemporary practice. It explains classic comparative themes, provides a historical outline of comparative practices, and offers key strategies for understanding, analyzing, and re-reading religion. Drawing on a wide range of religious traditions, the book illustrates the complexity and efficacy of comparative practice.

Weight: 1202g
Dimension: 252 x 201 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781119653936
Edition number: 2 ed