Introduction to Religious Studies

Filling the need for a clear, solid overview to introduction to religious studies courses, this text is neither too broad nor too narrow. Chapters explore what religion is and how it is formed and studied; religious experience; truth claims; ethics and moral theology; violence and religion; social involvement; religion and the environment; asceticism and mysticism; religion, technology, and science; religions and their words, stories, writings, and books; and more. The text respects cultural considerations and the contemporary global climate in showing religious studies in action and exploring questions of theory, method, and research. The contributing authors are in tune with college students' interests and are well suited to address the issues and methods of religious studies.

Designed for college students taking their first course in the study of religion, such as introduction to religious studies and world religions.

Examining such fundamental questions as what is religion, how is it studied, and how is it formed, Introduction to Religious Studies opens the door to the vast and fascinating world of religious studies. Scholars from a range of specialties and interests contributed chapters that explore religion from a variety of emphases, including origin stories, sacred words, "truth" claims, aesthetics, morality and ethics, violence, social activism, the environment, asceticism and mysticism, technology, science, and ritual.