A New Dictionary of Religions - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0631181393 ISBN 13: 9780631181392

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 1995

Synopsis

This dictionary is a thoroughly revised and expanded edition of the book published in 1984 as the Penguin Dictionary of Religions. It has undergone substantial change and considerable expansion, doubling the number of contributors from all parts of the world.

About this title

About the Author

John R. Hinnells is Professor of Comparative Religion at London University and head of the Department for the Study of Religions at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

In the study of religions, substantial changes have occurred in the last decade, and these are reflected in the book, with new sections on Afro-Caribbean religious movements, changes in North America, traditional religions in Latin America and new movements in Japan. The dictionary also addresses broad thematic issues: migration and diaspora, gender and sexuality, mysticism and pilgrimage. Recent advances in scholarship are included, and notable revisions or new commissions cover Hindus, Buddhism, Early Christianity, Jains, Gnostics and New Religious movements in the West.

Established in its previous edition as the standard reference work for students and teachers of the world's religions, this newly revised and expanded edition is an essential reference source. It has a full bibliography, index and synoptic index, as well as numerous maps and diagrams.

In the study of religions, substantial changes have occurred in the last decade, and these are reflected in the book, with new sections on Afro-Caribbean religious movements, changes in North America, traditional religions in Latin America and new movements in Japan. The dictionary also addresses broad thematic issues: migration and diaspora, gender and sexuality, mysticism and pilgrimage. Recent advances in scholarship are included, and notable revisions or new commissions cover Hindus, Buddhism, Early Christianity, Jains, Gnostics and New Religious movements in the West.

Established in its previous edition as the standard reference work for students and teachers of the world's religions, this newly revised and expanded edition is an essential reference source. It has a full bibliography, index and synoptic index, as well as numerous maps and diagrams.

Reviews

This is a major expansion of the Penguin Dictionary of Religions, first published in 1984. Some 1400 articles offer cogent definitions often augmented by clear doctrinal or historical discussions. Two particularly useful features are the many cross references and the excellent bibliography, categorized by subject area, which runs to nearly 100 pages. Most of the 64 contributors are British. Consequently, there is a bias toward British interests. Black American religion is only minimally discussed, and the 350-year-long American "cult" experience is scanted. This criticism is relatively minor, however, for not everything can be fully treated in such a work. A more serious point: there are numerous articles on Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Islam, but no contributors from those faith traditions. Thus we view them through a Judaeo-Christian lens. The dictionary provides summary information and points toward fuller research. Recommended for both public and academic libraries.?James F. DeRoche, Alexandria, Va.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0631181393
• ISBN 13: 9780631181392
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 760
• Editor: Hinnells John R.