World Religions: A Historical, Comparative and Thematic Approach

A study of world religions takes one on a journey both around the world and into the depths of human consciousness. Each religion proposes that life has meaning and purpose. Religions have indeed often had their problematic dark dimensions which include intolerance, violence, dogmatism, fundamentalism and fanaticism. But they have also served as wellsprings of wisdom, rich sources of moral inspiration and agents of positive transformation. In the history of human enterprise, religions have tended to be both conservators of continuity and agents of change. A study of world religions exposes one to encounter the wisdom of the ages. It helps one to expand one’s view of the world in an encounter with other people’s beliefs and practices; to appreciate and respect others in their difference. This book will be relevant to any curious mind that wonders and seeks to understand more intelligently the experience of the reality of religion.It will serve as a very useful tool to enable individuals, groups, administrators and policy makers meet the cogent need of developing minds of broad spectrum, indispensable to peaceful co-existence in pluralistic society in the global village of the 21st.