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Striving to be the most student-friendly textbook in this field, WAYS TO THE CENTER: AN INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS, Seventh Edition, weaves together rich historical, cultural, and theological detail into structural and philosophical sections that analyze each of the world's major religions in terms of its views on nature, society, self, and ultimate reality. The readily accessible text is designed for today's students and places a premium on the development of critical thinking. Combining both historical and systematic analyses, the book takes as its focus the theme of personal centeredness--a primary goal of each featured religion.
List of contents
Preface.
1. WHAT IS RELIGION?
Definition of Religion. Religion Versus Science? Religion Versus Other Values. Components of Religion. God or Gods? Religion Versus Government. Sacred Writings. Religious Roles. Scholarly Approaches.
2. TRIBAL RELIGIONS.
Earliest Religion. Common Themes in Tribal Religion. Australian Aborigines. Inuits (Eskimo). Native Americans. Africans. Southeast Asians and Melanesians. Polynesians. Ainu. Teutons. Celts.
3. RELIGIONS OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS.
Religious Themes. Mesopotamia. Egypt. Iran & Zoroastrianism. New World Civilizations.
4. HINDUISM.
History. Worldview. Summary: The Hindu Center.
5. JUDAISM.
History. Worldview. Summary: The Jewish Center.
6. CHINA AND JAPAN.
History of China. The Chinese Worldview. Summary: The Chinese Center. The History of Japan. Japanese Worldview. Summary: The Japanese Center.
7. GREEK AND HELLENISTIC RELIGION.
History. Worldview. Summary: The Greek and Hellenistic Center.
8. BUDDHISM.
History. Worldview. Summary: The Buddhist Center.
9. CHRISTIANITY.
History. Worldview. Summary: The Christian Center.
10. ISLAM.
History. Worldview. Summary: The Muslim Center.
11. MODERN TIMES.
Worldview. Summary: The Humanistic Center. Responses to Secularism. Unity and Diversity.
Annotated Bibliography.
Index and Glossary.
About the author
Denise Carmody received a Ph.D. in the philosophy of religion from Boston College and is presently provost and a professor of religious studies at Santa Clara University. An accomplished scholar and theologian, Dr. Carmody has published more than 60 books, both alone and with her late husband, John Tully Carmody. She is also the author of more than two dozen articles in both academic and popular journals. Her scholarship ranges across many areas from world religions to Christian theology, from spirituality to mysticism, and from comparative religion to systematic theology.
Summary
Striving to be the most student-friendly textbook in this field, WAYS TO THE CENTER: AN INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS, Seventh Edition, weaves together rich historical, cultural, and theological detail into structural and philosophical sections that analyze each of the world's major religions in terms of its views on nature, society, self, and ultimate reality. The readily accessible text is designed for today's students and places a premium on the development of critical thinking. Combining both historical and systematic analyses, the book takes as its focus the theme of personal centeredness--a primary goal of each featured religion.
