<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br><b>An engaging question-and-answer guide to the world's major religions.</b> <p> Why do conflicts in the name of God persist--even though religious scholars agree that all great religions are based on love, not carnage? What do different faiths have to say about God? About the afterlife? <p> The spiritual world we live in today is a diverse and sometimes highly individualized mixture of religious practices and beliefs. The physical world is a much smaller place, often secular in appearance but still very much fueled by religious beliefs and conflict in the name of God. <b><i>The Handy Religion Answer Book</b></i> is an easy-to-use comparative guide for anyone seeking a greater understanding of the world's religious beliefs, customs, and practices. It provides solid descriptions of major beliefs and rituals worldwide, affording the reader an understanding of contemporary religion. <p> This book contains detailed descriptions of the history, beliefs, symbols, rituals, observations, customs, membership, leaders, and organization of the world's eight major religious traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto. <p> Clearly and eloquently written by a scholar with over 40 years of study and teaching experience, <i><b>The Handy Religion Answer Book</i></b> is an engaging guide for anyone seeking basic religious literacy and intellectual history. <p> This handy primer contains a wealth of information and answers more than 1,000 questions, such as ...<i> <li>What is the significance of the Star of David? <li>How did so many different Christian churches come into being? <li>What is the importance of the month of Ramadan? <li>What is an ayatollah? <li>Do Taoists believe in heaven and hell? <li>What are the main Islamic notions of the afterlife? <li>Who is the Dalai Lama and why is he important to so many Buddhists?</i> <p> Plus, it includes questions concerning religion and violence and suborganizations that claim affiliation with the major faith communities. A glossary of religious terminology and maps of the general coverage areas for each religion are also included. <p> Enlightening and educational, <i><b>The Handy Religion Answer Book</i></b> clears up misinformation and misconceptions, and helps explain cultural and historical differences, providing the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the world's great religions.<p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br>"Understanding religion...is an important key to understanding human culture and history.... [T]he average reader...should benefit greatly from this resource."-- <i>About.com</i> <p/>"Renard (theological studies, St. Louis U.) offers a reference work on religion arranged in chapters on 8 different faiths. The material proceeds through almost 800 questions and one or two paragraph general answers."-- <i>Book News</i> <p/>"When done well, [frequently asked questions] provide quick access to informative answers to specific questions. The Handy Religion Answer Book successfully ... introduce(s) some of the world's major religious traditions. This well-priced volume is highly recommended."-- <i>Booklist</i> <p/>"packs a great deal of helpful information into a usable format.... provide(s) clear and succinct explanations.... Recommended."-- <i>Choice</i> <p/>"Anyone - student, news junkie or bet-settler - who needs quick access to information about a major religion would do well to have this...book nearby."-- <i>New York Daily News</i> <p/>"Concise and accessible, this is an outstanding resource for those with a general interest in major religions of the modern world."-- <i>School Library Journal</i> <p/>"Renard...has produced a book that is inviting to sit down and read through chapter by chapter."-- <i>St. Louis Post - Dispatch</i><br><p/><br></br><p><b> About the Author </b></p></br></br>John Renard, PhD, is a professor in the department of theological studies at Saint Louis University. He is the author of several books, including "Friends of God: Islamic Images of Piety, Commitment, and Servanthood"; "Islam and Christianity: Theological Themes in Comparative Perspective"; and "Tales of God's Friends: Islamic Hagiography in Translation." He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.
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