Understanding the Religions of the World offers a new approach to the study of religion which moves away from the purely descriptive and instead helps students understand how religions work and what they mean to their adherents.

"Each chapter is presented by experts and filled with unusual insights. Editor Will Deming has produced a piece of work that is easily readable yet thought-provoking, but, more importantly, one that articulates big conceptual ideas of each religion in a practical way, which make it highly recommendable to all first year undergraduate students."
—Mehmet Karabela, Queen's University, Canada

"The headlines in our daily news make it all too clear that our world is in tragic need of greater understanding of the diversity of religions in history and today. The approach and the resources in Understanding the Religions of the World are valuable aids for teachers and students in their efforts to meet the challenges of understanding religions from the inside out."
—Charles Hallisey, Harvard University

Understanding the Religions of the World is an innovative and engaging introduction to the study of religion and religions. In addition to providing exceptionally clear and readable discussions of a wide range of religious traditions, it helps students understand how each religion "works," and how religious beliefs and practices create worlds of meaning.

The comprehensive coverage explores the major religious traditions including African religions and the religion of Oceania, which are rarely treated in introductory texts. Each chapter is written by or in conjunction with an area expert, includes a discussion of the religion's historical development, and then focuses on contemporary beliefs and practices. Understanding the Religions of the World also includes a chapter on change in religion and new religions. The text is enhanced throughout with numerous images and maps, special interest boxes that develop ideas and provide more depth, study questions, a glossary, and a website offering helpful links, student materials, images, and other resources available on
publication at www.wiley.com/go/deming.

Understanding the Religions of the World offers a new approach to the study of religion which moves away from the purely descriptive and instead helps students understand how religions actually 'work'. Covering all the main faith traditions, it combines historical context, contemporary beliefs and practices, and original theory, with numerous study features and valuable overviews.

• A major new student-focused textbook concentrating on contemporary practices and beliefs of world religions
• Brings together a team of experts to provide a uniquely comprehensive coverage of religious traditions, including African religions and the religions of Oceania, which are rarely covered in detail
• Integrates original theory by arguing that each religion operates according to its own logic and order, and that they fulfill our need for a point of orientation
• Incorporates extensive student features including chapter introductions, 'did you know?' sections, boxed examples/material, numerous images and maps, conclusions, study questions and teaching plans, available on publication at www.wiley.com/go/deming