Why are there so many religions in the world? Why do they differ? What do they have in common? And how have they all come into being? Are they all, in fact, aspects of the same belief system? FAITHS AND RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD sets out to answer these fundamental questions.
Religion lies at the heart of all civilizations. Even today, beneath the surface of the West's comparatively secular lifestyles lies a bedrock of ethical values, attitudes to life and death, the concept of work and the value of effort, the role of women and children - all moulded and formed by our religious past. This book provides a graphic panorama and explanation of the religions of the world, from earliest times to the present. It begins with a spectacular gatefold chart, enabling the reader to compare aspects of some hundred religions, their churches and offshoots - their origins, geography, history, beliefs, methods of worship and much more.
Accompanying this chart is The Geography of Belief, two large full-colour world maps showing the origins, spread and histories of the religions, as well as the distribution of belief systems throughout the globe today. Sections include Comparing the World's Religions, an Inter-Faith Glossary and the spectacular Timeline of the World's Religions, set in the context of secular history, showing the development of beliefs, the great thinkers and scholars, and the major events in the history of each faith. The sequence of events is set out chronologically, with horizontal flowlines, enabling the reader to compare historical relationships, causes, and effects. This method of display graphically provides the reader with unique contextual insight. The belief systems are then examined in detail, with a concise guide to each.