Sacred Paths, The: Understanding the Religions of the World

Theodore M. Ludwig

ISBN 10: 0023721758 / ISBN 13: 9780023721755

Published by Prentice Hall College Div (edition 2), 1995

About this Item

It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.

Seller Inventory # 0023721758-11-1

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Sacred Paths, The: Understanding the Religions of the World
• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div (edition 2)
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0023721758
• ISBN 13: 9780023721755
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 2.
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

This fascinating volume goes beyond historical information and puts readers in the place of the people who live by each religion, viewing their unique world through sacred stories, worldviews, rituals and ethical values, and notions of quality of life. To accomplish this, author Theodore M. Ludwig combines discussion of historical matters with a thematic approach based on general questions that arise out of human experience such as personal identity, human existence, wholeness, and the right way to live. Thoroughly revised and updated, The Sacred Paths, Second Edition, incorporates additional material on artistic expressions in the different religions; features an increased awareness of women's experiences and leadership roles as they pertain to the various religious traditions; includes a chapter-length treatment devoted to the rise of new religious movement; and provides definitions of key terms with the discussion of each religion. Maps, timelines, discussion questions, and suggestions for further readings are just a few of the study features included in this volume to help students understand the highly complex nature of the various religions under discussion.

From the Back Cover

Key Benefit: By combining a historical-descriptive presentation of individual religions with a comparative-thematic approach, this book accomplishes two important goals. First, it allows readers to examine each of the world's major religions as a unique system of meaning. At the same time, it gets them to explore the inner nature of sacred experience by comparing basic themes and issues common to all religions and pertinent to their own personal lives. Key Topics: An introductory chapter discusses the basic human questions and concerns behind religion, such as origin and identity, ultimate reality, human nature, and the good life. These essential concepts are then used to help describe the beliefs, practices, and historical development of each religion. This new edition has been streamlined in several key areas, while including more material on sacred art and the role of women in religion. As the work of a single scholar--much of it based on original research--this book offers a consistency and depth missing in many of the books in this field.