A Doubter's Guide to World Religions

Are their beliefs and practices simply cultural expressions of the same spiritual longings? Written by historian and theologian John Dickson in his characteristically engaging style, this book presents each of the world's five major systems of faith, carefully outlining the history, doctrines, beliefs, and spiritual practices of: - Hinduism ("The Way of Release") - Buddhism ("The Way of Enlightenment") - Judaism ("The Way of the Torah") - Christianity ("The Way of the Christ") - Islam ("The Way of Submission") In his own words, Dickson acts as an art curator in a gallery, presenting each of these "works of art" in their best light and letting each have their say. Along the way, he demonstrates the importance of religion in general—to society and to individual believers—and addresses many of the universal questions that all of these serious and ancient religions ask: - Who are we? - What is our worth? - How should we live? - Are we alone? At the end of each section is a bibliography of helpful books and websites for those who are interested in learning even more.