The Complete Idiot's Guide to the World's Religions [Paperback]

Brandon Toropov (Author), Luke Buckles (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 271 pages
• Publisher: Alpha Books (1997)
• ISBN-10: 0028617304
• ISBN-13: 978-0028617305
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,280,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

139 of 142 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The World's Religions for The World's Idiots, April 2, 2000

By 

Ann Johnson ""outside of a dog"" (Edgewater, Maryland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the World's Religions (Paperback)

I sought out this book as a reference source for a "Coming of Age" class for the 9th graders at our Unitarian church. The purpose of the class is to examine issues such as gender roles, ethical behavior, sexuality, purpose of life (etc!) and how they are approached by the worlds' religions. I wanted a concise resource, but one that did not simplify or omit too much information. This book, was extremely helpful. It examines the following mainstream religions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confuciansim, Taoism, and Shintoism. There are also brief discussions of lesser known religions, such as Baha'i, Neopaganism, and Native American traditions. For each religion, the book focuses on these aspects: 1) a brief history of the development and roots of the religion, 2) the major tenets and beliefs, 3) important holidays and rituals, and 4) common misbeliefs (and potential areas for faux pas) about the religion. For my purposes, the book was extremely helpful since it addressed how each religion dealt with major life issues in fairly simple yet accurate terms. It was excellent for my group of 9th graders as the format is informal, breezy, and fun, without any hint of ridicule (particularly to those religions that may be less familiar to American teenagers). I wish it would have addressed a few more issues, in particular, the role of gender in religions. I found very little on how different religions proscribe the roles of men and women, in the clergy, and in lay life. I would also have enjoyed more discussion on how religions deal with environmental issues, and the question of the ethical treatment of animals, since these are hot topics to my group of kids. But, all in all, this is a valuable book for a concise, yet not overly simple, review of the world's religions, and it makes a good starter for those just beginning to research this topic.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A quick look, July 27, 2001

By 

JRGil "mmmcheese" (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the World's Religions (Paperback)

A great thumbnail sketch of each of the listed religions. Great for starting off on a more extensive study - gives major ideas and definitions as well as brief histories. It's just what you expect it will be as far as the "Idiot" series goes.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for what it is, but you need to dig a lot deeper, April 3, 2004

By 

Traveler (New England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the World's Religions (Paperback)

If you're looking for a light overview of the major religions this book will be very helpful.

But still, despite its obvious positive qualities, I also have problems with what is left out that should have been mentioned.

For example, I could find no where within the book a mention of "Sabbath" or a specific day of worship. I found this odd because it is one of the first things that comes to mind when you meet someone from another faith. What day, if any, is THE day of worship? For Jews and Christian Seventh Day Adventists, for example, it's sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. Seems like this should have been mentioned. Given that it's one of the Ten Commandments it should have been at least mentioned under both Judaism and Christianity. (And any author wanting to tell the truth would acknowledge the fact that the Pope actually did change the official Sabbath day from Saturday to Sunday many many centuries ago.)

LIke every "Idiot's Guide" this one doesn't take sides. Or rather, what it approaches it always sounds good. In fact, it bends over backwards to be open to all religions.

I've looked at the guides of Judaism, Christianity and Islam and found all to be wanting because they fail to be critical in any way. Everything is always kept "positive." And that's what you get here as well. But still, of all the guides to be non-opinionated, I would say this would be the best choice to follow that path,

With that said, I would urge anyone who really wants to understand the various religions to dig deeper. This is a good place to start, to get your feet wet, but if you stop researching you'll find yourself ill prepared to have a mature debate about religion, the Middle East or the various cultural problems we deal with today.