Religious Studies

Foreword1 The Development of Religion Religious Beliefs and Rituals Huaca or Mona and Taboo Fetishes Shamans Totems Animism Sacred Objects Fertility Charms and Beliefs Voodoo Creation Myths Ritual Practices concerning the Dead Ancestor Worship The Cult of the Skulls Early Burial Rites Early Egyptian Texts The Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic Gods and Goddesses Sacrifices in Primitive Societies Questions Further Reading2 Judaism: Historical Roots The Early Traditions and History The Call of Abraham The Call of Moses The Exodus from Egypt The Covenant on Mount Sinai The Development of a Nation The Settlement in Canaan Tribal Life and the Judges The Growth of the Nation Seers and Ecstatic Prophets The Role Played by Samuel The Early Kings Elijah and Elisha The Eighth Century Prophets Amos Hosea Isaiah Micah Religious Reform and the 'Major' Writing Prophets The Deuteronomic Reform Jeremiah Ezekiel Life in Exile Deutero-Isaiah The Return to Jerusalem The Work of Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi and Trito-Isaiah The Achievements of Nehemiah and Ezra Persecution and Resistance from 336 to 4 BC Hellenic Rule Antiochus IV and the Maccabean Revolt The Old Testament and its Canon The Law, the Prophets and the Writings The Apocrypha and the Pseudepigrapha Judaism in the Time of Christ The Roman Occupation of Palestine Religious and Patriotic Sects The Dead Sea Scrolls The Jewish Dispersion, or Diaspora Messianism Hasidism Emancipation The Enlightenment Nationalism Questions Further Reading3 Judaism: Beliefs, Teachings and Practices Jewish Beliefs The Ten Commandments, or the Decalogue The Thirteen Principles of Maimonides Jewish Writings The Jewish Bible: the Old Testament The Talmud The Midrash The Jewish Prayer Book The Sabbath The Synagogue Ritual Objects The Tefillin, or Phylacteries The Mezuzah Family Life and Ritual Dietary Laws Circumcision Bar and Bat Mitzvah Marriage Divorce Funerals and Mourning The Jewish Year and Jewish Festivals The Jewish Year Jewish Festivals Other Major Festivals Minor Festivals Major Denominations of Judaism Orthodox Jews Reform Judaism Liberal Judaism Conservative Judaism Reconstructionist Movement Questions Further Reading4 Christianity: an Examination of Biblical Evidence The Life of Christ The Boyhood of Jesus John the Baptist The Baptism of Jesus and his Temptations The Beginning of Jesus' Ministry The Miracles of Jesus The Teaching of Jesus Caesarea Philippi The Transfiguration Jesus in Jerusalem The institution of the Last Supper Jesus' Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion The Work of the Apostles and Their Letters The Acts of the Apostles Saul's Conversion Christianity and Gentiles The Conference at Jerusalem Paul Continues his Missionary Work Paul's Trial and Journey to Rome The Development of the Church The New Testament Writings and Canon Source, Form and Redaction Criticism Translations and Versions of the Bible Questions Further Reading5 The Development of the Christian Faith The Early Church The Organization of the Early Church Early Christian Martyrs and Apologists Heresies and Councils The Middle Ages The Church in the Reformation Period The Origins of the Reformation The Counter Reformation The Reformation in England Developments within the Church in England The Reformed Churches American Religious Movements The Church since 1800 Missionary Movements Developments within the Roman Catholic Church The Ecumenical Movements Questions Further Reading6 Christian Thinking The Existence and Nature of God Science and Religion The Use of Language in Religion Christian and Non-Christian Approaches to Life Existentialism Private and Social Aspects of Religion Mysticism Problems for the Christian The Incarnation and the Trinity Evil and Suffering Religion and Morality Death and Immortality Questions Further Reading7 The Christian Approach to Current Issues The Christian's Personal Responsibilities The Christian's Family Responsibilities The Christian's Responsibilities in Society Medical Developments and the Christian Discrimination and the Christian The Christian Attitude to War Questions Further Reading8 Islam Pre-Islamic Religion in Arabia Muhammad the Prophet His Life and Work Islam after the Death of Muhammad The Qur'an The Hadith Islamic Beliefs The Five Pillars of Islam The Mosque Muslim Festivals Social Customs and Practices Islamic Law Muslim Sects Sufism and the Muslim Mystics Famous Muslims The Influence of Islam Today Questions Further Reading9 Hinduism Origins and Writings Hindu Beliefs Hindu Worship, or Puju Hindu Pilgrimages and Festivals Family Life Historical Developments in Hinduism Modern Hindu Movements The Brahmo Samaj and Ram Mohun Roy The Arya Samaj and Dayananda Sarasvati Sri Ramakrishna and Vivekananda Hinduism Today Questions Further Reading10 Sikhism Origins Sikh Beliefs Sikh Worship Sikh Festivals and Anniversaries Sikh Ceremonies Questions Further Reading11 Zoroastrianism Origins Zoroastrian Beliefs Zoroastrian Writings Religious Practices Naojote, the Initiation Ceremony The Duties of the Priests and Zoroastrian Worship Morality Dakhmas, or Towers of Silence for the Dead Zoroastrianism Today Questions Further Reading12 Buddhism Origins Beliefs Religious Practices The Sangha Initiation Worship and Meditation Buddhist Festivals Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism Buddhist Sects Questions Further Reading13 Jainism Origins Jain Beliefs and Practices Jain Worship Jain Writings Developments within Jainism Questions Further Reading14 Taoism Lao-tzu and the Tao-Te-Ching Questions Further Reading15 Confucianism Origins The Teaching of Confucius The Confucian Canon The Development of Confucianism Questions Further Reading16 Shinto Origins and Teachings Shinto Writings Shinto Worship Shinto Today Questions Further ReadingAppendixIndex