{"product_id":"the-religion-toolkit-isbn-9781394183920","title":"The Religion Toolkit","description":"\u003cb\u003eTHE RELIGION TOOLKIT\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eA comprehensive survey of the study of religion worldwide, from ancient indigenous traditions to today’s religious nationalism.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“This is an excellent book that is a good, comprehensive overview of the history of religions and the ways of studying religion within Religious Studies… it really brings religions to life for the reader.”\u003cbr\u003e —Gavin Flood, Professor of Hindu Studies and Comparative Religion, Oxford University \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The authors provide a clear, first-rate introduction to the study of religions, origins, leading scholars and their theories and beliefs…. This is by far the best introductory volume I am aware of both in terms of substance, clarity, and insights.”\u003cbr\u003e — John L. Esposito, Distinguished University Professor, Georgetown University, and Past President of the American Academy of Religion \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Religion Toolkit: Understanding Religion in the World Today \u003c\/i\u003eis a clear and comprehensive introduction to the academic study of religions, providing readers an introduction to the history and theories of Religious Studies, a survey of global religious traditions, and an overview of religion in the public sphere today.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscusses theory and methodology in religion, including the disciplines of anthropology, psychology, philosophy, biblical studies, and theology\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDescribes the early development of religion, with overviews of traditions around the world, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Baha’i, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCovers traditions not commonly addressed in introductory textbooks, such as Santeria, Vodou, Tengrism, and indigenous traditions of the Americas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExamines recent developments and contemporary issues such as secularization, bioethics, and the rise of religious nationalism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes access to a companion website with discussion questions, additional material, and helpful primary and secondary sources\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eProviding the knowledge and tools required to explore and understand the nature and roles of religion, \u003ci\u003eThe Religion Toolkit: Understanding Religion in the World Today, Second Edition \u003c\/i\u003eis an excellent introductory textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses in Religious Studies, History of Religion, Religions of the World, and Theory and Method in the Study of Religion, as well as a valuable resource for general readers interested in the role of religion in the world today. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eList of Figures and Maps x\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcknowledgments xiii\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCredits xiv\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbout the Companion Website xvi\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart I Introducing Religious Studies 1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1 Introduction: Religious Studies: Overview and Terminology 2\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReligious Studies: Prepare to Be Surprised 3\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverview of Religion 12\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentity 13\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Importance of Order 16\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrder Out of Chaos 16\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrder and Predictability: Eschatology and Divination 17\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial Order 20\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEthics\/Morality and Law 20\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAuthority and Power 22\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExplaining Evil, Suffering, and Death 24\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTheodicy 24\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExplaining Death 27\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGhosts 28\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eResurrection 29\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSouls 30\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReincarnation 31\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRitual and Prayer 32\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion 33\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscussion Questions 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurther Reading 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2 Theory and Method in Religious Studies 36\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhilosophy, Theology, and Religious Studies 37\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Relationship Between Philosophy and Theology 38\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTwo Kinds of Christian Theology 39\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScriptural (Biblical) Studies and the Impact of the Printing Press 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBaruch Spinoza (d. 1677): The Beginnings of Source Criticism 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWilliam Robertson Smith (d. 1894): Historical Criticism 43\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Rise of Modernity and Its Impact on the Study of Religion 44\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhilosophy and the Study of Religion 45\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKarl Marx (d. 1883) 46\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEdmund Husserl (d. 1938) 48\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRudolf Otto (d. 1937) 49\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMircea Eliade (d. 1986) 50\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOriental Studies and Religion 51\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMax Müller (d. 1900) 51\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnthropology and Religion 53\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEdward Burnett Tylor (d. 1917) 53\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJames Frazer (d. 1941) 56\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClifford Geertz (d. 2006) 59\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMary Douglas (d. 2007) 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePsychology of Religion 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWilliam James (d. 1910) 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSigmund Freud (d. 1939) 65\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarl Gustav Jung (d. 1961) 67\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSociology of Religion 68\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmile Durkheim (d. 1917) 68\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMax Weber (d. 1920) 69\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeter L. Berger (d. 2017) 71\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRobert N. Bellah (d. 2013) 72\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscussion Questions 74\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 74\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurther Reading 75\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart II Survey of Global Religious Traditions 77\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroduction to Part II 77\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 80\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurther Reading 80\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3 Prehistoric Religiosity? 82\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnimism and Anthropomorphism 84\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeath Rituals 88\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFertility Goddesses 88\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHunting Rituals 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShamans 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAncient Traditions, Oral Traditions, and Religion 90\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Neolithic Revolution and the Rise of Historic Religions 92\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion 95\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscussion Questions 96\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 96\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurther Reading 96\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e4 The Prophetic Traditions: Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and Baha’i 98\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroduction 99\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eZoroastrianism 100\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings 100\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eZoroastrian Rituals 102\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJudaism 104\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Torah, the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament 104\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings 111\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe First Five Centuries 111\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Middle Ages (500–1500 CE) 113\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Modern Period (1750 to the Present) 116\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Development of Reform Judaism 116\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConservative Judaism 121\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReconstructionist Judaism 122\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRituals 122\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJudaism Today 124\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChristianity 125\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings 125\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigins 125\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Development of Christian Doctrine 128\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Institutionalization and Politicization of Christianity 131\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEastern and Western Christians 133\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEastern Christianity 133\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWestern Christianity 135\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Protestant Reformation 137\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChristian Rituals 139\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChristianity Today 139\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIslam 141\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings 141\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCore Teachings 141\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEarly History: The Life of Muhammad and the Rashidun Caliphs 147\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Dynastic Caliphates 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Modern Period: Reform and Recovery 153\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIslamic Rituals 154\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMajor Divisions Today 156\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBaha’i 156\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings 156\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBaha’i Rituals 159\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscussion Questions 160\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 161\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurther Reading 161\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5 The Dharmic Traditions of India: Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh 162\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHindus 164\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings 164\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndus Valley Civilization (3000–1500 BCE) 165\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Aryans and the Vedas (1500–600 BCE) 165\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Mystical Worldview of the Upanishads 167\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClassical Hinduism (3rd century BCE–7th century CE) 170\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Ramayana 170\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Mahabharata 170\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Puranas 174\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Laws of Manu 175\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHinduism Today 177\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRituals 177\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJains 181\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigins and Early History 182\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCore Teachings and Practice 182\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJain Scripture 184\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistorical Development 185\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJainism Today 186\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuddhists 188\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings 189\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding the Four Noble Truths 191\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Ethics of “Awakening” 193\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Core of All Buddhist Traditions 193\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Development of the Three Main Traditions 195\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTheravada (Hinayana) 195\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMahayana 196\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVajrayana 198\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuddhism Today 199\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRituals 200\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSikhs 201\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigins and Core Teachings 201\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScriptures 202\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistorical Development 202\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRituals and Celebrations 206\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSikhs Today 207\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion 207\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscussion Questions 208\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 208\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurther Reading 208\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e6 The Three Teachings and Traditions of China: Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist, and Folk 210\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistorical Development 213\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConfucius (551–479 BCE) 214\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDaoism 217\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuddhism in China 220\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTiantai (Tendai) Buddhism 222\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePure Land Buddhism 222\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHuayan (Kegon) Buddhism 223\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChan (Zen) Buddhism 223\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChinese Folk Traditions 226\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRituals in Chinese Traditions 227\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeddings 228\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFunerals 229\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChinese Traditions Today 230\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscussion Questions 233\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 233\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurther Reading 234\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e7 Ancient Indigenous Traditions Today 236\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShinto 238\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings 238\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRituals 241\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Seneca Longhouse Religion 242\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings 242\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRituals 246\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfrican Traditional Religion in Diaspora 249\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHaitian Vodou 249\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSanteria 251\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTengrism 254\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory of Central Asian Tengrism 255\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeliefs and Practices of Tengrism 258\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContemporary Central Asian Tengrism 260\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYanomami Traditions 261\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistorical Background 261\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYanomami Worldview 263\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscussion Questions 265\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 265\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurther Reading 266\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8 New Religious Movements 268\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWicca 270\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings 270\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRituals 272\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScientology 276\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings 276\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePractices 279\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIs Scientology a Religion? 281\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscussion Questions 281\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 282\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurther Reading 282\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart III Religion in The Public Sphere 283\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroduction to Part III 283\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 287\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e9 Religion and Bioethics 288\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEuthanasia 289\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChristianity 290\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJudaism 293\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIslam 294\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHinduism 295\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuddhism 296\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbortion 296\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClarifying Terminology 296\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJudaism 297\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChristianity 298\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIslam 299\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Vitro Fertilization, Embryonic Stem-cell Research and Therapy 300\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChristianity 301\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJudaism 303\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIslam 303\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscussion Questions 303\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 304\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurther Reading 305\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e10 Scripture, History, and Science 306\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOral Style in Scripture 308\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScriptural Literalism in Christian Fundamentalism 309\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Roman Catholic Church and the Galileo Affair 312\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScriptural Literalism and Ethics 314\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReligious Approaches to Environmental Stewardship 315\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscussion Questions 318\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 318\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurther Reading 318\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e11 Religion, Identity, and Politics 320\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNotes on Terminology 322\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReligious Nationalism in the United States 325\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Development of Religious Nationalism in the United States 326\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUS Religious Nationalism Today 328\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Dangers of Religious Nationalism 332\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReligious Nationalism Around the World 333\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBrazil 334\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEurope 336\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndia 338\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIsrael 339\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChina 341\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMyanmar 342\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinal Observations 344\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscussion Questions 345\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 345\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurther Reading 347\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossary 349\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 357\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJohn Morreall \u003c\/b\u003e is Emeritus Professor at the College of William \u0026amp; Mary. A Professor of Religious Studies and Philosophy for four decades, Morreall has taught dozens of courses in world religions, theories of religion, philosophy of religion, and ethics. As the preeminent expert in the philosophy of humor, he specializes in the value of humor in both religion and life generally. He has given more than 600 lectures and seminars for academic, medical, and professional groups in North America, Europe, Africa, Japan, and China. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTamara Sonn \u003c\/b\u003e is Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor Emerita in the History of Islam at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Author of numerous books on Islamic history, she has lectured in Canada, Britain, South Africa, Turkey, Pakistan, and across the United States. She was Senior Editor of the \u003ci\u003eOxford Dictionary of Islam\u003c\/i\u003e, Associate Editor of \u003ci\u003eThe Islamic World Past and Present\u003c\/i\u003e, and founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal \u003ci\u003eReligion Compass\u003c\/i\u003e.   \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eA comprehensive survey of the study of religion worldwide, from ancient indigenous traditions to today’s religious nationalism.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“This is an excellent book that is a good, comprehensive overview of the history of religions and the ways of studying religion within Religious Studies… it really brings religions to life for the reader.”\u003cbr\u003e —Gavin Flood, Professor of Hindu Studies and Comparative Religion, Oxford University \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The authors provide a clear, first-rate introduction to the study of religions, origins, leading scholars and their theories and beliefs…. This is by far the best introductory volume I am aware of both in terms of substance, clarity, and insights.”\u003cbr\u003e — John L. Esposito, Distinguished University Professor, Georgetown University, and Past President of the American Academy of Religion \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Religion Toolkit: Understanding Religion in the World Today \u003c\/i\u003eis a clear and comprehensive introduction to the academic study of religions, providing readers an introduction to the history and theories of Religious Studies, a survey of global religious traditions, and an overview of religion in the public sphere today.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscusses theory and methodology in religion, including the disciplines of anthropology, psychology, philosophy, biblical studies, and theology\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDescribes the early development of religion, with overviews of traditions around the world, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Baha’i, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCovers traditions not commonly addressed in introductory textbooks, such as Santeria, Vodou, Tengrism, and indigenous traditions of the Americas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExamines recent developments and contemporary issues such as secularization, bioethics, and the rise of religious nationalism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes access to a companion website with discussion questions, additional material, and helpful primary and secondary sources\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eProviding the knowledge and tools required to explore and understand the nature and roles of religion, \u003ci\u003eThe Religion Toolkit: Understanding Religion in the World Today, Second Edition \u003c\/i\u003eis an excellent introductory textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses in Religious Studies, History of Religion, Religions of the World, and Theory and Method in the Study of Religion, as well as a valuable resource for general readers interested in the role of religion in the world today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wiley-Blackwell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47990328688869,"sku":"NP9781394183920","price":46.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781394183920.jpg?v=1761787376","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-religion-toolkit-isbn-9781394183920","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}