OK, I've never really learned much about various religions, but I am curious about their basic tenets and how they are all related and such. Does anyone know of a site (or book) that covers the core of the various religions and how they are similar/different? Primarily, this interest comes from the idea that Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all seem to share the same basic God and such (Hinduism and Buddism are obviously quite different from these three). I'm just curious what the differences are and what causes the tension and all that. Your reward for helping me out is one free post added to your post count! (well, it's the one you use to respond to this thread.)
Well, I can't help you out any better than Mrs. JB (thanks for the link), but I can say that your topic is one that has recently intrigued me too. Can I ask that whatever you learn on this endeavor you share a little bit with us on here so I may leech knowledge? Good luck with it.
Ask and ye shall receive... I would suggest really reading known literature from different religions. I could be wrong, but to me an "overview" book seems detached from the real taste of a religion. The experience is the substance. But comparative religious study has a lot to offer. When you can compare and contrast different religions, (even "tribal" ones) and then break them down to find what they all have in common, it can be very enlightening. I reccomend Joseph Campbell: The Power of Myth http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385418868/102-8293158-3975342?v=glance Have Fun!
FANTASTIC book. It should answer many of your questions about faith, religion and modern spirituality. Good luck!
Just to elaborate on my miserably brief answer last night (I was really tired -- posting a link was all I could manage ) : Houston Smith, who is now in his eighties, has spent more than 50 years studying the major religions of the world, often immersing himself in one for years at a time to fully appreciate it. I first found out about him through a five-part Bill Moyers special that ran on PBS a few years back called "The Wisdom of Faith with Huston Smith." In it, Smith discusses six major world religions -- their histories, beliefs, beauty and dark sides. It was some of the most fascinating stuff I've seen on television. Here's a link to the videos http://www.shoppbs.org/product/inde...5759&keywords=faith&y=0&x=0&parentPage=search I have the set, and if you were in Houston, I'd be happy to let you borrow them. Good luck on your informational search. I find religion to be an endlessly fascinating topic -- probably because I was raised in a completely non-religious home. I guess I just wanted to know what the heck all my friends were doing on Sunday mornings.
i was going to mention houston smith too. ive read some of his stuff but off the top of my head there is one simply called "the worlds religions" that is an easy read, but very thorough. he covers the 3 major western and 2 major eastern religions (history, philosophy, teachings, ect). they even talk about zoroastrianism (in case you were curious about fire-worship).
