Religion - Further Reading

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Religion

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Buddhism

Buddha: Life and Work of the Forerunner in India. Grail Foundation, 1996. A comprehensive chronicle of Siddhartha's life in India.

Aitken, Molly Emma, ed. Meeting the Buddha: On Pilgrimage in Buddhist India. Riverhead, 1995. A collection of travel narratives on individual pilgrimages to eight Buddhist sites in India.

Armstrong, Karen. Buddha. Viking Penguin, 2001. A rich and original portrait of Buddha as both icon and man.

Baroni, Helen Josephine. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Zen Buddhism. Rosen, 2002. Solid reference with over 1700 entries.

Hagen, Steve. Buddhism Plain and Simple. Tuttle, 1997, Broadway, 1998. A concise guide to Buddhist teachings.

Landaw, Jonathan. Prince Siddhartha: The Story of Buddha. Wisdom, 1996. A book for younger readers that outlines the life and significance of the Buddha.

Rahula, Walpola. What the Buddha Taught. Grove, 1974. Explains the four noble truths and the eightfold path.

Seager, Richard Hughes. Buddhism in America. Columbia University Press, 2000. An award-winning study of Buddhism's development in America.

Christianity

Barrett, David B., ed. World Christian Encyclopedia. Oxford University Press, 1995. Guide to contemporary Christianity, with information on various churches and sects.

Chesterton, G. K. Orthodoxy: The Romance of Faith. John Lane, Reprint, Doubleday, 1908. 1991. Classic explanation of the essentials of the Christian faith, with an account of Chesterton's personal journey to belief.

Chidester, David. Christianity: A Global History. HarperSanFrancisco, 2000. By a professor of comparative religion, for those seeking a broad view.

Childress, James F., and John MacQuarrie, eds. The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Ethics. Westminster, 1967, 1995. One of the most complete and expansive volumes on Christian ethical concerns and Christian ethical traditions.

Fahlbusch, Erwin, ed. The Encyclopedia of Christianity. Vol. 1. Eerdmanns, 1999. Provides global, ecumenical, and sociocultural context.

Hastings, Adrian, ed. A World History of Christianity. Eerdmanns, 1999. A skillful assembly of facts, figures, and analyses of the spreading of the Christian faith.

Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. Macmillan, Reprint, Simon & Schuster, 1952. 1997. Classic discussions of the Christian faith, originally broadcast by the BBC as part of Lewis's series of informal talks.

McManners, John, ed. The Oxford History of Christianity. Oxford University Press, 1994. Comprehensive volume for general readers.

Pelikan, Jaroslav. The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine. University of Chicago Press, 1975-1991. One of the most thorough histories of Christianity.

Russell, Bertrand. Why I Am Not a Christian and Other Essays on Religion and Related Subjects. Simon & Schuster Trade, 1957, 1976. In essays written between 1899 to 1954, Russell expounds on the some of the great questions of humankind and advances positions that differ from those customarily offered by religion.

Stark, Rodney. The Rise of Christianity: A Sociologist Reconsiders History. Princeton University Press, 1996. Argues that Christianity gained its adherents rapidly because it offered its initiates a better faith and better treatment, both physically and spiritually, than was offered by competing religions.

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Confucianism

Confucius. Trans. Simon Leys. The Analects of Confucius. Norton, 1997. The central canonical text that has defined Chinese culture.

Hoobler, Thomas, and Dorothy Hoobler. Confucianism. Facts on File, 1993. Describes how the teachings of Confucius evolved from a social order to a religion.

Oldstone-Moore, Jennifer. Confucianism. Oxford University Press, 2002. Lavishly illustrated volume explores one of the major canons of Chinese civilization.

Rozman, Gilbert, ed. The East Asian Region: Confucian Heritage and Its Modern Adaptation. Princeton University Press, 1991. Focuses on the long-term effect of Confucianism on Asian peoples and society.

Yao, Xinzhong. An Introduction to Confucianism. Cambridge University Press, 2000. For students, teachers, and general readers, a look at Confucianism's past and present.

For younger readers

Balmer, Randall. Religion in Twentieth-Century America. Oxford University Press, 2001. Volume 17 of the Religion in America series, for readers in grades 6 to 12.

Barnes, Trevor. The Kingfisher Book of Religions: Festivals, Ceremonies, and Beliefs from Around the World. Larousse Kingfisher Chambers, 1999. A survey of the world's major religions; for middle school to high school readers.

Gellman, Marc, and Thomas Hartman. How Do You Spell God? Answers to the Big Questions from Around the World. Morrow, 1995. For readers in grades 5 to 8.

Langley, Myrtle. Religion. Knopf, 1996. For readers in grades 4 to 7.

Maestro, Betsy. The Story of Religion. Clarion, 1996. For readers in grades 4 to 7.

Osborne, Mary Pope. One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship. Knopf, 1996. For readers in grades 4 to 7.

Sturges, Philemon. Sacred Places. Putnam, 2000. A look at places of worship; for readers in grades 4 to 6.

Hinduism

Arnold, Sir Edwin, trans. Bhagavadgita. Dover, 1993. Poetic translation of one of the ancient Hindu scriptures.

Bhaskarananda, Swami. The Essentials of Hinduism: A Comprehensive Overview of the World's Oldest Religion. 2nd. ed. Viveka, 2002. A concise introduction to the Hindu religion.

Gibson, Lynne. Hinduism. Raintree, 2003. For younger readers, in grades 5 to 8.

Huyler, Stephen P. Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Devotion. Yale University Press, 2002. Descriptions of the devotional rituals of Hindus, illustrated with photographs.

Johnson, Linda. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism. Alpha, 2001. An easy-to-understand introduction to the religion.

Kinsley, David R. Hinduism: A Cultural Perspective. Prentice Hall, 1997. Overview of Hindu religious and cultural traditions.

Klostermaier, Klaus K. Hinduism: A Short History. Oneworld, 2000. Explores the various strands that make up the religion.

Viswanathan, Edward. Am I a Hindu? The Hinduism Primer. Halo, 1992. Answers to frequently asked questions about this major world religion.

Islam

Armstrong, Karen. Islam: A Short History. Modern Library, 2000. A concise overview that attempts to clear up Western misunderstandings of the faith.

Cleary, Thomas, trans. The Essential Koran: The Heart of Islam. HarperCollins, 1993, 1994. An annotated translation of the core spiritual wisdom of the Qur'an (Koran).

Dawood, N. J., trans. The Koran. Penguin, 1990. A revised, updated translation of the Qur'an (Koran), the holiest Muslim text.

Hunter, Shireen T. The Future of Islam and the West. Praeger, 1998. A pragmatic analysis of relations between Islam and the Western world.

Jones-Bey, Hassaun Ali. Better Than a Thousand Months: An American Muslim Family Celebration. Ibn Musa, 1997. The culture and celebrations of the Islamic world; for younger readers.

Lawrence, Bruce B. Shattering the Myth: Islam Beyond Violence. Princeton University Press, 1998. Argues that Islam cannot be reduced to stereotypes such as the hostile religious fanatics battling unbelievers.

Schimmel, Annemarie. Islam : An Introduction. State University of New York Press, 1992. Clear, concise introduction to Islam.

Viorst, Milton. In the Shadow of the Prophet: The Struggle for the Soul of Islam. Anchor, 1998. Investigates the Middle Eastern struggle to reconcile Islamic law and beliefs with political power in the modern world.

Jainism

That Which Is. Saga, 1994. A classic Jain manual for understanding the true nature of reality.

Babb, Lawrence A. Absent Lord: Ascetics and Kings in a Jain Ritual Culture. University of California Press, 1996. Provides some of the basic tenets for the uninitiated.

Jain, Duli Chandra, ed. Studies in Jainism: Primer. Jain Study Circle, 1997. An introduction to Jainism.

Sahoo, Ananda Chandra. Jaina Religion and Art. South Asia, 1994.

Shah, Natubhai. Jainism: The World of Conquerors. Sussex Academic, 1998. A comprehensive and current survey of Jainism, written by a practicing Jain.

Judaism

Talmud: The Soncino Talmud. Soncino, Bloch, 1935-1948. 1961. An edition of the fundamental text of Jewish law and tradition.

Tanakh: A New Translation of the Holy Scriptures According to the Hebrew Text. Jewish Publication Society, 1985.

Ariel, David S. Spiritual Judaism: Restoring Heart and Soul to Jewish Life. Hyperion, 1998. Applies Jewish spiritual principles to daily life.

Ariel, David S. What Do Jews Believe? The Spiritual Foundations of Judaism. Schocken, 1996. A guide to Jewish philosophical literacy.

Davis, Avram, ed. Meditation from the Heart of Judaism: Today's Teachers Share Their Practices, Techniques, and Faith. Jewish Lights, 1997. Provides instruction in the practice of Jewish meditation.

Halbertal, Moshe. People of the Book: Canon, Meaning, and Authority. Harvard University Press, 1997. Introduction to Jewish hermeneutics.

Ravitzky, Aviezer. Trans. Michael Swirsky and Jonathan Chipinan. Messianism, Zionism, and Jewish Religious Radicalism. University of Chicago Press, 1996. An examination of the theologically hard-right sects within Judaism.

Sarna, Jonathan D. American Judaism: A History. Yale University Press, 2004. Published to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the settlement of Jews in New Amsterdam.

Unterman, Alan. Dictionary of Jewish Lore and Legend. Thames & Hudson, 1991. Biblical figures, rabbis, and mystics are identified in this volume along with information on Jewish folklore and traditions.

Native American religions

Bonvillain, Nancy. Native American Religion. Chelsea House, 1996. An introduction to Native American religious beliefs and practices; appropriate for students.

Carmody, Denise, and John Carmody. Native American Religions: An Introduction. Paulist, 1993. Comprehensive work on Native American spirituality and religion.

Hausman, Gerald. Turtle Island Alphabet: A Lexicon of Native American Symbols and Culture. St. Martin's, 1992. This dictionary of Native American mythology and folklore includes terms, artifacts, and objects.

Lyon, William. Encyclopedia of Native American Healing. ABC-CLIO, 1996. An overview of Native American cultures, customs, and rituals of shamanic healing.

Rutledge, Don, and Rita Robinson. Center of the World: Native American Spirituality. Newcastle, 1992. Examines the foundations of Native American religious belief.

Protestantism

Balmer, Randall Herbert. Grant Us Courage: Travels Along the Mainline of American Protestantism. Oxford University Press, 1995. An intimate look at mainline Protestantism at the close of the 20th century.

Carroll, Jackson W., and Wade Clark Roof, eds. Beyond Establishment: Protestant Identity in a Post-Protestant Age. Westminster, 1993. Focuses on each major denomination's beliefs, values, symbols, and other distinctives, with commentary by authors, historians, scholars, educators, anthropologists, and liturgists.

Dillenberger, John. Protestant Christianity Interpreted Through Its Development. Macmillan, Reprint, Prentice-Hall, 1988. 1997. History of Protestantism from the Reformation on.

Hutchison, William R. The Modernist Impulse in American Protestantism. Duke University Press, 1992. Surveys liberal thought in American Protestantism from the later 19th century to the early decades of the 20th century.

Jacobsen, Douglas, and William Vance Trollinger Jr., eds. Re-Forming the Center: American Protestantism, 1900 to the Present. Eerdmans, 1998. A reassessment of fundamentalist and mainstream Protestantism.

Marty, Martin E. Protestantism in the United States. Macmillan, 1998. History of American Protestantism.

Roman Catholic church

Attridge, Harold W.; Theodore M. Hesburgh; and Richard P. McBrien, eds. The Encyclopedia of Catholicism. HarperCollins, 1995. More than 4,200 entries by 280 contributors, with tables of the liturgical calendar, ecumenical councils, and the popes.

Bokenkotter, Thomas S. A Concise History of the Catholic Church. Doubleday, 1990. A critically acclaimed reference source; covers events across two millennia.

Broderick, Robert C. The Catholic Encyclopedia. Thomas Nelson, 1990. Reference work on Catholicism.

Deedy, John, ed. The Catholic Church in the Twentieth Century: Renewing and Reimaging the City of God. Liturgical Press, 2000. A reflective look at the Catholic Church and its place in the 20th century.

Gillis, Chester. Roman Catholicism in America. Columbia University Press, 2000. A broad survey of American Catholicism and the persistent tension with Rome.

Glazier, Michael, and Thomas J. Shelley. The Encyclopedia of American Catholic History. Liturgical Press, 1998.

Morris, Charles. American Catholic: The Saints and Sinners Who Built America's Most Powerful Church. Vintage, 1998. Recounts the rise of the Catholic Church in the United States, detailing its transformation from an Irish enclave into a dominant nationwide presence.

Sikhism

Cole, W. Owen. Sikhism. Teach Yourself, 1995. An accessable and informative guide to all aspects of the Sikh faith, community, and way of life.

Dhanjal, Beryl. What Do We Know about Sikhism? Peter Bedrick, 1996. An illustrated guide to the origins, history, practices, and beliefs of Sikhism.

Dogra, Ramesh Chander, and Gobind Singh Mansukhani. Encyclopaedia of Sikh Religion and Culture. Vikas, 1995. An invaluable reference source to the subject.

Grewal, J. S. The Sikhs of the Punjab. Cambridge University Press, 1998. Examines chronologically the entire span of Sikh history from prehistoric times to the present.

Mann, Gurinder Singh. The Goindval Pothis: The Earliest Extant Source of the Sikh Canon. Harvard University Press, 1997. Explores the earliest available version of the Sikh canon.

McLeod, W. H. Sikhism. Penguin, 1998. Explores the beliefs of the Sikh religion and its various branches; includes illustrations.

Zoroastrianism

Boyce, Mary. Zoroastrians. Routledge & Kegan, Methuent, 1979. 1986. “Their Religious Beliefs and Practices” (title page).

Duchesne-Guillemin, J. The Hymns of Zarathustra. Beacon, 1963. Translation of the oldest sections of the Zoroastrian scriptures, the Zend-Avesta.

Monna, Maria C. The Gathas of Zarathustra. Humanities, 1978. A reconstruction of the “psalms” through which Zoroaster presented his doctrines.

Moulton, J. H. Treasure of the Magi: A Study of Modern Zoroastrianism. Gordon, 1973. Insight into the 20th-century application of ancient teachings.

Zaehner, R. C. The Dawn and Twilight of Zoroastrianism. Putnam, 1961. Covers prophet Zoroaster's message to the ancient Persian empire and the religion's subsequent history.

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