Living Religions (4th Edition) [Paperback]

Mary Pat Fisher (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130119946 | ISBN-13: 978-0130119940 | Publication Date: August 2, 1999 | Edition: 4

Living Religions, 7/e  presents a highly readable and stimulating survey of the modern religious world. Exploring the historical development and teachings of traditional faiths, indigenous religions, and new religious movements, this book considers how each of these traditions has evolved into contemporary beliefs and practices. This book explores in detail the changing nature of each religion, the spread of religious pluralism, the rise in violence in the name of religion, and the movement toward interfaith dialogue. Author Mary Pat Fisher offers fresh and challenging insight into how believers of today's faiths perceive their religion and its role in the changing world in which they live.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mary Pat Fisher's Living Religions is the best introduction to world religions for students without any prior knowledge of the subject. This book is well researched and written, with broad coverage of historical, phenomenological and doctrinal aspects of each world religions, as well as many captivating color photos/illustrations. In short, this book is a student-friendly text that also maintains a high standard of content and discussion." -- Jonathan Tan, Xavier University

 

"[Living Religions] is very well done. It serves as a clear and comprehensive introduction that is not only appropriate for college-level religion courses but is also helpful for scholars who are not expert in all religious traditions. It accomplishes what few texts have been able to do: balance the scholarly concern to 'complicate' and 'nuance' extraordinarily complex religious traditions with the student need to simplify at least long enough to learn effectively. It also insists, with its many pictures, stories, and examples from life, that religions are not mere scholarly constructs, but they are alive and real and fascinating." -- Samuel Thomas, California Lutheran University

 

"[Living Religions] is a scholarly, up-to-date, objective, and inclusive (broadly-covered) introduction to the major world religious traditions in the world today. Included in/with the text are helpful items such as glossaries of terms, review questions, maps and illustrations, pictures, personal stories, teaching stories, and CD and Internet resources." -- Clifford Cain, Franklin College

 

"[Living Religions] is a terrific resource for students interested in learning about the history, beliefs, and trends of the various world religions. It reflects a dedication to solid research." -- Daniel Rieger, Broward College

 

"It is a beautiful book. The text contains a good overview of the major world religions; it is comprehensive and very readable." -- Santos Roman, Riverside Community College

 

"Beautifully illustrated with incredibly inclusive discussions of each religion." -- Mary Thurlkill, University of Mississippi

 

"An excellent overview of the world's leading religions." -- Sam Hughes, Mt. San Jacinto College

 

"Highly readable and engaging. Takes a fresh approach compared to many other texts." -- Garry Morgan, Northwestern College

 

"I was impressed with the variety of materials available, and the manner in which they were keyed to sections of the book. I was pleased with [what] was offered." -- Wayne Brouwer, Hope College

  

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

This exceptionally readable survey of the modern religious world explores the development, doctrines, and practices of today's major faiths -- both traditional faiths and new religious movements. Throughout, it emphasizes the personal consciousness of believers and their own account of themselves, their religion, and reality at large. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 485 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 4 edition (August 2, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130119946
• ISBN-13: 978-0130119940
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,016,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best I've Seen, February 17, 2000

By 

Patricia Y. Mumme (OSU Mansfield, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Religions (4th Edition) (Paperback)

I teach world religions and have used many different textbooks. This book has always been among the best, and the fourth edition is definitely the best--has made a lot of substantial improvements over earlier editions. Fisher is sympathetic, engaging, accessible and yet scholarly, up-to-date, thorough, and accurate. Many great pictures and side box interviews really help students understand the material, and so does the website with on-line tests and web links associated with the book chapters. If you saw an earlier edition and weren't terribly impressed, you need to take a new look at the 4th edition! Finally, a world religion survey to please both students and professors! Hard to improve on.

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for religion survey courses, June 13, 2002

By 

Jeffrey Leeper "kem2070" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Living Religions (4th Edition) (Paperback)

This textbook not only looks at the history of different religions, but it also shows you the contemporary version/manifestation of each religion. As an instructor, I found this very easy for my students to understand and relate to.

One of the strongest points of this text is the interviews with different contemporary people to explain religious belief. An example of this would be an interview with Ann-Ping Chin on Confucianism in today's society. This is much easier for students to relate to than using discussions of ancient religious leaders only.

Each chapter has a list of suggested readings, which I found very useful in preparing discussions. The publisher also has a web-site with exercises and links for each chapter to assist students in studying the different religions.

I would recommend this book.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Living Religions w/CD (6th Edition), March 21, 2006

By 

L. Heldt (Omaha, Nebraska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Religions w/CD (6th Edition) (Paperback)

I found Living Religions to be very interesting and informative. Before reading this book, I knew very litte about religions other than my own. After reading this text, I discovered the beauty in each religion presented and was able to erase the stereotypes and stigmas that I once held. I recommend this book to anyone who has little understanding of world religions and would like to become educated or for someone who may just need a reminder. It is an easy read, with the exception of some of the vocabulary associated with the different religions.