World Religions   Tags: buddhism, christianity, faith, hinduism, islam, judaism, religion, religions, spirituality  

Alain de Botton, an author and lecturer of philosophy and society, argues that atheists and agnostics should spend less time mocking r eligion and more time trying to understand how it cultivates wisdom, compassion, a sense of community, and reverence for life. Rather than apologizing for religion, de Botton wants to underscore those concepts and practices that religions have invented that are of interest and use to secularists concerned with civil society, justice, and mental and bodily suffering. He focuses on Christianity, and to a lesser extent on Judaism and Buddhism, and Europe dominates his worldly reference.

Religious historian Bowman recounts the Mormon church's origin and development, explains how Mormonism came to be one of the fastest-growing religions in the world by the turn of 21st century, and ably sets the scene for a 2012 presidential election that has the potential to mark a major turning point in the way this "all-American" faith is perceived by the wider American public.

Examines the phenomenon of new faiths and alternative spiritualities which has become a feature of the contemporary world.

Clarifies the founding, history, practices, and beliefs of forty groups. Each chapter puts the group in context and explains how the religion is similar to or different from Christianity. No other book covers such a wide range of topics from Islam, Shamanism, and Mormonism, to atheism, vampirism, and astrology.

Valuable insights and privileged glimpses into all the major religions are offered, with historical background and cultural context provided. Each religions key beliefs and principles, sacred texts, festivals, and holidays are described and explained in vibrant detail.