The Continuum Dictionary of Religion

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This book approaches its global topic with reverence for all of the world's religious traditions and expressions. General editor Pye has achieved this balance by relying on the guidance of a seven-member international board of editorial advisers and by drawing on 43 contributors from various parts of the world. The 5,000 entries explain theological concepts, religious practices, deities, beliefs, religious articles, schools of theological thought, and religious groups and traditions. The succinct, clear definitions explain what a thing is and its significance to the religion to which it belongs; they also note similarities between the term defined and ideas in other religions and refer the reader to those entries either through embedded cross-references (in the form of a word set in small caps) or through see (really see also) references at the end of an article. The authors of the unsigned articles write with authority and often cite items in the extensive 15-page bibliography, thereby guiding readers to additional sources.

The dictionary's scope is truly international. In addition to thorough coverage of world religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, it covers the religions of Native Americans and other indigenous peoples, ancient religions, and religions past and present of the Third World. In this respect its breadth is greater than that of S. G. F. Brandon's Dictionary of Comparative Religion (Scribner, 1970), Keith Crim's Abingdon Dictionary of Living Religions (Abingdon, 1981), or John Hinnell's Facts On File Dictionary of Religions (Facts On File, 1984). It also differs from these in its preference for specific entries rather than broad topics. Scholarly, yet eminently readable, The Continuum Dictionary will strengthen the religion section of any reference collection.