Surveys the treatment of gods, goddesses, the heavens, creation, death, and evil as expressed in various mythologies around the world. Here is an intriguing and captivating introduction to the culturally diverse world of mythology. Photographs of masks, jewelry, and sculptures offer a unique view of mythology and its gods, heroes, and monsters.

Presents an overview of the world's major religions, and answers questions about the history, rituals, celebrations, structure, holy documents, and deities of major and lesser-known religions.

Religion has influenced human culture since prehistory, shaping everything from the politics of war and peace to notions of morality and issues of sex, reproduction, and family. On an individual level, it has also offered people a sense of meaning, purpose, and comfort, and even today, when science appears to offer answers to many of the worlds's conundrums, faith persists and many religions--including Christianity and Islam--are still growing. The...

At the dawn of the twenty-first century, scientific and technological advancements, interconnected globalized economies, and even the so-called New Atheists have done nothing to change one thing: our world remains furiously religious. For good and for evil, religion is the single greatest influence in the world. We accept as self-evident that competing economic systems (capitalist or communist) or clashing political parties (Republican or Democratic)...

An essential guide to learning everything you need to know about the history, central practices, and the key teachings of many religions. A compelling and insightful guide for uncovering and understanding a variety of the world's major religions. This book will be the perfect gift for thinkers, borrowers, and students of religious studies and philosophy. Learn new and profound information about a variety of faiths. In this educational guide you'll...

No country, no culture, no person today is untouched by what happens in the rest of the world. Technological innovation, environmental degradation, economic gain & loss, nuclear weapons, instant communication have all created unprecedented familiarity among the world's many cultures. While previous conflicts over religious differences may have been significant and regrettable, they did not threaten the very survival of humanity--now, a single spark...