The Religions Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained (DK Big Ideas) Paperback – Illustrated, November 13, 2018

This is already my fourth, after Philosphy, Politics and Economics. And I hope, not the last. Mathematics is already waiting, whatever still... The DK-concept, manner, genre of straightforward presenting of big ideas in ordinary language greatly pleases me. The secret weapon is the huge amount, myriad, thousands of links, with which the contents of the book is tied together to a tight and compact bundle of knowledge in a way completely inimaginable in a paperbook. This is a true revolution in textbooks. As an old text book author, my fingers are itching for transforming one or why not all of my several text book texts to this format, particularly as none of them has been published as ebook, yet.In this book all the big religions Buddhism, Hindjism, Christianism, Islam are thoroughly presented as well as essentially perhaps hundred smaller variants, all in a matter of fact spirit without praising or mitigating any higher or less than others. Valuation is left to reader. I really made a list of my three top favorites and one disfavorite, one of them not known to me at all before reading this book. Very, very many aspects are considered, moral, practical, historical, social and others. It is astonishing how small details may be decisive in the essence of a religion. On the other hand, some keep a watertight, airtight hardcore of doctrine, some are dynamic and as such a chain of deliberate changes of doctrines and practice. Think about the Christianity from war-fighting past to the peaceful present. Or about the relationship of the religion to human scientific knowledge. The history is full of abrupt or gradual upsidedowns. Interesting pilgrimages, largely descripted in this book.No question of other than full five stars.

It’s a broad overview of the development and impact of religion on various cultures. My husband and I don’t practice religion, but I wanted my son to have an understanding of the different religions he may encounter. It does have elements related to rituals and sacrifices, so be aware. My son is nine. He’s a strong reader, but I read it with him so we can discuss aspects of the cultures he might not fully grasp— like why people sacrificed other people for their beliefs. I don’t understand myself, honestly.

Great introduction to many different religions. It goes through 1-4 page summaries on a few dozen ancient religions, 5 long sections on 5 major religions , and then more quick summaries on modern religions. I learned a lot. From what I know it was pretty fair and high level. Focused on the religion history, main teachings, development of religion, and the differing sects of the religion. Did not focus on the culture surrounding the religion. I would recommend this to anyone looking to learn about other religions.

Book has multiple religions, separated in the sections.It gives some clarity on differences and similarities.You won’t find all religions in this book and Holidays are not well highlighted, I guess that was not in the mind of the author but was in my when I read title.Other than that, book is conversation starter, good for a families to expend their knowledge and overall understanding, this is where you would like to start, for sure.Quality of the book is on the point too.

This is a collection of the world’s most common and historical religions. Reading the encyclopedic text shows us that from the beginning of humankind there has been a belief in the spiritual and supernatural. By analyzing different cultures and geographic regions a picture that when compartmentalized appears conflicting; but, when put on display all at once shows how similar the spiritual beliefs are to one another. Religions fit like different puzzle pieces to the same puzzle or different sides of the same dice. Most lead to the divine (usually a Creator) and include beliefs in a continuance of life after death; whether eternal life or reincarnation. The path of leading a moral (one of self improvement) is similar in the differing religions: to practice peace, to love one another despite differences, to help the unfortunate, and to play a role in creating a compassionate society seems to be the collective goal. By living simply, fairly, and in awareness that there is more meaning to life than individualism and materialism, as secular culture leads many to believe, shows us that there is truly one path that arises above all.As a Christ follower I share the following passage despite an evil agenda to divide brother from brother, despite ideological or theological differences; the day will come when we face death. A day that no matter belief is scientific recognition. So live a life of betterment.A favorite passage is found in Matthew 25:(I believe that by accepting this way of life a moral way is without prejudice despite differences that whether known in words but through actions God will judge and not by religious belief. “Blessed are the peacemakers)32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”