{"product_id":"the-religion-toolkit-isbn-9781405182478","title":"The Religion Toolkit","description":"This complete overview of religious studies provides students with the essential knowledge and tools they need to explore and understand the nature of religion.  \u003cul type=\"disc\"\u003e \u003cli\u003eCovers the early development of religion, with overviews of major and minor religions from Islam to Scientology\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eConsiders recent developments including secularization; the relationship between religion and science; and scientific studies on religion, health, and mystical experience\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eUses humor throughout, allowing students to remain open-minded to the subject\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eExplains what it means to study religion academically, and considers the impact of the study of religion on religion itself\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eContains numerous student-friendly features including photos, maps, time lines, side bars, historical profiles, and population distribution figures\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eProvides classroom users with a lively website,www.wiley.com\/go\/religiontoolkit,  including questions, quizzes, extra material, and helpful primary and secondary sources\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eList of Figures and Maps xiii\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTimeline xvi\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcknowledgments xxii\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCredits xxiii\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1 Introduction: Prepare to Be Surprised \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e2\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart I \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Tools 15\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2 An Overview of Religion: Making Sense of Life \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e16\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExplaining Suffering and Evil 18\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExplaining Death 22\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGhosts 23\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eResurrection 24\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSouls 25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReincarnation 26\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Importance of Order 26\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrder Out of Chaos 27\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrder and Predictability: Eschatology, Prophecy, Divination 27\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial Order 30\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGroup Identity 31\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEthics\/Morality and Law 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAuthority and Power 37\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Role of Ritual 39\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3 The Early Development of Religious Studies \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e44\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhilosophy, Theology, and Religious Studies 47\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Relationship between Philosophy and Theology 48\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTwo Kinds of Christian Theology 50\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScriptural (Biblical) Studies and the Impact of the Printing Press 52\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBaruch Spinoza (d. 1677): The Beginnings of Source Criticism 53\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWilliam Robertson Smith (d. 1894): Historical Criticism 54\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Rise of Modernity and New Academic Disciplines: Oriental Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, and Psychology 55\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMax Müller (d. 1900): Oriental Studies and Religion 57\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEdward Burnett Tylor (d. 1917): Anthropology and Religion 58\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJames Frazer (d. 1941): Evolution and Religion 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNegative Views of Religion 65\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKarl Marx (d. 1883): Religion as the Opiate of the Masses 65\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSigmund Freud (d. 1939): Religion as Neurosis 68\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSociology of Religion 71\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmile Durkheim (d. 1917): Modernization Theory 71\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMax Weber (d. 1920): The Protestant Ethic and the Secularization Thesis 72\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion 74\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e4 Religious Studies in the 20th Century \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e76\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBack to Philosophy 80\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnalytic Philosophy: Antony Flew (d. 2010) 81\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhenomenology and Religious Studies 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRudolf Otto (d. 1937) 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMircea Eliade (d. 1986) 83\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhilosophy of Religion 85\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJohn Hick (b. 1922) 85\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWilliam Lane Craig (b. 1949) 87\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnthropology of Religion 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClifford Geertz (d. 2006) 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMary Douglas (d. 2007) 91\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSociology of Religion 94\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeter L. Berger (b. 1929) 94\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRobert N. Bellah (b. 1927) 95\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePsychology of Religion 96\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWilliam James (d. 1910) 96\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarl Jung (d. 1961) 98\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion: Theories and Methods 99\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhilosophical Theories 99\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenetic\/Historical Theories 100\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFunctionalist Theories 100\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart II \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eUsing the Tools: Surveying World Religions 103\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5 Early Traditions \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e104\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrehistoric Religions? 107\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnimism and Anthropomorphism 108\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeath Rituals 112\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFertility Goddesses 113\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHunting Rituals 114\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShamans 114\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAncient Traditions, Oral Traditions, and Religion 115\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Neolithic Revolution and the Rise of Historic Religions 118\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion 121\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e6 The Family of Western Monotheisms: Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Traditions \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e124\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnit I Judaism 126\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Torah, the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament 127\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe History and Teachings of Judaism 135\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe First Five Centuries 135\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Middle Ages (500–1500 CE) 137\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Modern Period (1750 to the present) 141\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Enlightenment 141\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Development of Reform Judaism 142\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConservative Judaism 148\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReconstructionist Judaism 148\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Rituals of Judaism 149\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJudaism Today 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnit II Christianity 151\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe History and Teachings of Christianity 151\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigins 151\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Development of Christian Doctrine 154\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Institutionalization and Politicization of Christianity 157\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEastern and Western Christians 159\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Western\/Roman Church 160\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Eastern Orthodox Churches 163\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Protestant Reformation 164\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChristian Rituals 166\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChristianity Today 166\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnit III Islam 167\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe History and Teachings of Islam 167\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCore Teachings 167\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEarly History: The Life of Muhammad and the Rashidun Caliphs 174\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Dynastic Caliphates 176\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Modern Period: Reform and Recovery 179\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIslamic Rituals 180\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMajor Divisions Today 182\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnit IV The Impact of Religious Studies on the Western Monotheisms 183\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiblical Studies 184\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRudolf Bultmann (d. 1976): “Demythologizing” Scripture 185\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJohn Dominic Crossan (b. 1934): The Historicity of Scripture 186\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTheology 192\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLiberation Theology 192\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGustavo Gutierrez (b. 1928) 192\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFarid Esack (b. 1959) 194\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeminist Theology 196\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJudith Plaskow (b. 1947) 198\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRosemary Radford Ruether (b. 1936) 199\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmina Wadud (b. 1952) 201\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion 203\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e7 330 Million Gods – or None: Two Traditions from India \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e206\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHinduism and Buddhism 208\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHinduism 209\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings of Hinduism 211\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndus Valley Civilization (3000–1500 BCE) 211\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Aryans and the Vedas (1500–600 BCE) 211\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Mystical Worldview of the Upanishads 213\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClassical Hinduism (3rd century BCE–7\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century CE) 216\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Ramayana 216\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Mahabharata 217\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Puranas 221\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Laws of Manu 223\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHinduism Today 226\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRituals 226\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuddhism 229\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings of Buddhism 230\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding the Four Noble Truths 233\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Ethics of “Awakening” 235\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Core of All Buddhist Traditions 235\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Development of the Three Main Traditions 237\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTheravada (Hinayana) 238\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMahayana 238\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVajrayana 240\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuddhism Today 242\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRituals 243\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion: Religious Studies and Indian Traditions 244\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8 Balancing and Blending: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism in China \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e246\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Tao, Yin and Yang 248\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe History of Chinese Religious Thought 251\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Shang Period (18th–11\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e centuries BCE) 251\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Zhou Period (11th–3rd centuries BCE) 253\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConfucius (551–479 BCE) 255\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaoism 258\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuddhism in China 260\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePure Land Buddhism 262\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChan (Zen) Buddhism 262\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChinese Folk Traditions 265\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRituals in Chinese Traditions 266\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeddings 267\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFunerals 267\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChinese Traditions Today 269\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion: Religious Studies and the Traditions of China 271\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e9 Zoroastrianism, Shinto, Baha’i, Scientology, Wicca, and Seneca Traditions: What Makes a “World Religion”? \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e274\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat Makes a “World Religion”? 276\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eZoroastrianism 278\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings of Zoroastrianism 278\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eZoroastrian Rituals 281\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShinto 283\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings of Shinto 283\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShinto Rituals 285\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBaha’i 287\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings of Baha’i 287\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBaha’i Rituals 289\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScientology 291\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings of Scientology 291\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScientology Practices 292\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScientology Rituals 293\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWicca 294\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings of Wicca 294\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWiccan Rituals 296\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Traditions of the Seneca 298\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory and Teachings of the Seneca 298\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeneca Rituals 302\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion: To Be or Not to Be a Religion? 304\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e10 Closing Questions \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e308\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCan We Define Religion? 310\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSecularization? 311\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContemporary Atheist Views 311\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContemporary Opposition to Secularization Theory 313\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eResurgent Islam 313\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eResurgent Religion in the U.S.? 315\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSecularization in Europe 318\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReligion Revisited 319\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOther Issues 322\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Range of Research Areas in the American Academy of Religion 322\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedical Science and Religion 326\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReligion and Physical Health 327\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReligion and Mental Health 329\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDoes Prayer Work? 330\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBrain Science and Mystical Experience: Neurotheology 330\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion: Another Surprise? 335\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossary 338\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 344\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cb\u003eJohn Morreall\u003c\/b\u003e is Professor of Religious Studies at the College of William and Mary. He has published widely in the philosophy of religion, and on the comic dimensions of world religions. His book \u003ci\u003eComedy, Tragedy, and Religion\u003c\/i\u003e (1999) won the Choice Outstanding Academic Book 2000. He is also the author of \u003ci\u003eComic Relief: A Comprehensive Philosophy of Humor\u003c\/i\u003e (2009), published by Wiley-Blackwell.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e   \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTamara Sonn\u003c\/b\u003e is the Wm. R. Kenan Distinguished Professor of Humanities in the Department of Religious Studies at the College of William and Mary. Her books include \u003ci\u003eComparing Religions through Law: Judaism and Islam\u003c\/i\u003e (with J. Neusner, 1999) and \u003ci\u003eIslam: A Brief History, 2nd edition\u003c\/i\u003e (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). She was senior editor of the \u003ci\u003eOxford Dictionary of Islam\u003c\/i\u003e (2003), and associate editor of \u003ci\u003eThe Islamic World Past and Present\u003c\/i\u003e (2004). She is currently an editor of \u003ci\u003eOxford Islamic Studies Online\u003c\/i\u003e, and of \u003ci\u003eEncyclopedia of the Islamic World\u003c\/i\u003e (2009). In addition, Sonn is editor-in-chief of \u003ci\u003eOxford Bibliographies Online: Islamic Studies\u003c\/i\u003e, and co-editor-in-chief of Wiley-Blackwell's \u003ci\u003eReligion Compass\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  This unique introductory textbook is a complete overview of Religious Studies, providing students with the essential knowledge and tools they need to explore and understand the nature of religion.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e   \u003cp\u003eIn a lively and engaging way, the authors draw together the main elements of Religious Studies, allowing the reader to develop an integrated understanding of religion. The book provides:\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul type=\"disc\"\u003e \u003cli\u003ean overview of the roles of religion in society; an account of the historic development of Religious Studies, and an introduction to some of the major theories and methods - the tools - used in the study of religion;\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ean exploration of the diversity of world religions through overviews of some of the early religions; the family of Western monotheisms (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam); Indian traditions (Hinduism and Buddhism); Chinese traditions (Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist); and less familiar religions such as Zoroastrianism, Shinto, and Native American religion;\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ethe impact of Religious Studies and the natural sciences on religion, exploring issues such as developments in scriptural studies, feminist and liberation theology, evolutionism vs. creationism, and ongoing debates about the future of religion in modern society.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e The attractive design, lively text, numerous illustrations, sidebars, text boxes, questions, and activities all make \u003ci\u003eThe Religion Toolkit\u003c\/i\u003e an exciting and thought-provoking book to use.\u003c\/p\u003e  \"\u003ci\u003eThe Religion Toolkit: A Complete Guide to Religious Studies\u003c\/i\u003e is a unique one-stop resource. Although religion continues to be a powerful source of personal faith and a significant factor in domestic and international politics, astonishingly studies show that most people are religiously illiterate. Morreall and Sonn's tool kit will prove essential for all (students, media, policymakers and the general public) who want to understand religions and their impact today.\"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—John L. Esposito\u003c\/b\u003e, Georgetown University  \u003cp\u003e\"A decade after 9\/11, the world still seems to be torn between competing religious and political ideas. John Morreall and Tamara Sonn provide us a road-map based on objective analysis and scholarly research that offers us a method of understanding the nature of our world. Most important, they give us hope. Anyone interested in making sense of our times should be reading this book.\"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Ambassador Akbar Ahmed\u003c\/b\u003e, American University\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"An invaluable guide for students of religion! The overview of Religious Studies theory is one of the clearest I have read.\"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Ravi M. Gupta\u003c\/b\u003e, College of William and Mary\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"This is a highly intelligent, accessible and thoughtful contribution to religious studies by two of the most respected and accomplished scholars of religion working in the field today.\"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Mumtaz Ahmad\u003c\/b\u003e, International Islamic University, Islamabad\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wiley-Blackwell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47990328492261,"sku":"NP9781405182478","price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781405182478.jpg?v=1761787376","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-religion-toolkit-isbn-9781405182478","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}