(NOTE: Each chapter concludes with a Chapter Summary, Questions for Discussion and Reflection, and Sources and Suggestions for Further Study sections.)

I. INTRODUCTION.

1. An Introduction to Religion and the Study of Religion.

II. THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS—BASIC HISTORIES AND WORLD VIEWS.

2. Indigenous Religions—Quest for Harmony.
3. Hinduism—Many Paths to the Summit.
4. Theravada Buddhism—The Middle Way.
5. Jainism—The Way of Non Injury.
6. Daoism—The Way of Nature.
7. Confucianism—The Way of Virtue.
8. Mahayana Buddhism—The Great Vehicle.
9. Shinto—The Way of the Kami.
10. Judaism—The Way of Torah.
11. Christianity—The Way of Jesus Christ.
12. Islam—The Way of Submission to Allah.
13. Sikhism—The Way of the Guru.
14. The New Religious Movements—Renewal and Innovation.

III. THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS AND CONTEMPORARY ETHICAL ISSUES.

15. The Ecological and Economic Crises—Humans and Resources.
16. War and Capital Punishment—Society and Violence.
17. Abortion and Euthanasia—Life and Death.
18. Gender and Sexual Orientation—Roles and Identity.

VI. CONCLUSION.

19. The Future of the World's Religions.
Glossary.
Photo Credits.
Index.

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This descriptive introduction to the world's religions provides an orientation to the study of religion, surveys the history of each of the major world religions, and discusses the ways these religions respond to contemporary ethical issues. It reflects the future of religions in the 21st century; its distinctive "framework for understanding" religious world views allows students to compare and contrast the teachings of religions objectively.

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"The entire focus on contemporary issues is unique, as far as I have found. In addition, Young has the best chapter on Indigenous Religions I have found. And his first chapters on definitions of religion are quite excellent and much easier for students to follow than in many similar textbooks .... This book is far preferred by students." — Pamela Jean Owens, University of Nebraska, Omaha "The author has the student in mind ....Students with little background can comprehend it and find it interesting ....This is the only text I use, and it covers everything well for me." — Mark Putnam, University of Northwestern Iowa

Table of Contents

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