The Religion Book [Paperback]

Jim Willis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003

This concise and accessible encyclopedia contains nearly 300 entries on the world's major religions, as well as important articles on important holy places...prophets and historical figures...and spiritual practices and religions that predate organized religion... – Library Journal. From Aaron (the first high priest of Israel) to Zoroastrianism (once the dominant religion in Persia), The Religion Book provides an encyclopedic look at the practices of yesterday and today. Christians, Buddhists, Wiccans and the rest may have questions about others’ belief or even their own, and The Religion Book expertly explains the similarities, differences, and original ideologies of believers and skeptics around the world. Are Nirvana and Heaven the same? Who are the Raelians, and why are they cloning people? What’s the difference between Christian Scientists and Jehovah’s Witnesses? Dogma? Karma? Feng Shui? What do they all mean? Devils, ghosts, the afterlife—do they really exist? If killing’s a sin, why are there jihads? From the prominence of Catholics to the head scratching of the Red Paint People, The Religion Book is the go-to resource for all ages—and it doesn’t require dressing in go-to-meeting clothes. The Religion Book: Places, Prophets, Saints, and Seers is a reader’s convenient parchment pulpit of easy understanding to some of the most asked-about religious topics. Five hundred–plus pages explore 300 key religious figures, prophets, deities, places, and scriptures that play important roles in the major religions of the world. Willis respectfully explains terms and concepts as they relate to their respective belief systems, whether mainstream, pagan, or cultish.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up–What distinguishes Willis's work from the many other guides to world religions? In a word, personality. Alphabetically arranged encyclopedic entries note sources (not pronunciation), and provide cross-references. The volume's wide scope includes Norse myth, Mithraism, ley lines, Kwanzaa, and Merlin; Santeria, Hasidism, and Sufis are mentioned but not indexed. American orientation makes Mormonism's entry five times that of Jainism, Dwight Moody's longer than Mahatma Gandhi's, and John Eliot's longer than both. B.C.E. replaces B.C., but the Western Wall appears as "Wailing Wall," and Judaism's view of the Fall is missing. There is an entry for abortion but none for homosexuality, and spotty coverage of ethno- or primal religions (but sympathetic entries on Gaia, Ghost Dance, and Feminist Theology). Entries on the Benedictines and Ten Commandments are misleading, and the Archbishop of Canterbury should not be called "Reverend Williams." Nevertheless, this is a fascinating book because it is suffused with an individual mind. Entries are intellectually expanded by unexpected quotations and connections challenging readers to think or to smile. Many questions are raised and left open-ended. Willis has a distinctive voice, and a lucid and engagingly immediate style. He is especially enlightening on Buddhism and Hinduism. The occasional black-and-white photos and engravings are adequate, but the book's appeal lies in its lively writing and thoughtful, personal approach.–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Jim Willis, a minister with the United Church of Christ, serves as adjunct professor of comparative religion and cross-cultural studies at Mt. Wachusett Community College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Visible Ink Press (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578591511
• ISBN-13: 978-1578591510
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,616,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nearly 300 entries gather facts to help students, June 6, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Religion Book: Places, Prophets, Saints, and Seers (The Seeker Series) (Hardcover)

If it's a comprehensive, encyclopedic view of key religious figures, prophets, deities and places which is needed, Jim Willis' The Religion Book is the book for you. Nearly 300 entries gather facts to help students and readers understand common religious topics, from Celtic Druids and Native American spirituality to Greek gods, Judaism, and India religions. The Religion Book is recommended as an essential overall library reference.

5.0 out of 5 stars A well balanced summary of religions and rites., April 12, 2010

By 

Gary Judge (Yokohama, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Religion Book (Paperback)

Although I said above that it's a well balanced summary, this book does have a heavy leaning towards Christianity. Jim Willis was, in fact, a Christian preacher for a period and he certainly knows the Bible. But he is not coming from a biased, dogmatic point of view. He is quite willing to point out shortcomings in Christian thinking - such as some of the anti-feminist practices, while still filling in the reader on what has gone down through the centuries and what we have now.

Additionally, Willis has presented a thorough explanation of pretty much every religious practice in the world, from Zen Buddhism to Druidism, Exorcism to Spiritualism, none of which the reader would tend to think was coming from a Christian, in that almost every subject is treated fairly, giving valid praise when fitting.

Although a proper study of any one of the topics covered in this encyclopedia would need a separate text book, with 490 pages, The Religion Book is an excellent general coverage of many separate religious subjects, and sits well on any bookshelf as a religious reference book.

Gary Judge, author of The Timeline History of the English Language

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one, June 3, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Religion Book (Paperback)

If you want to know what in the world is going on with the religions of the world today, this is the book you need to have. It covers all the "biggies," plus some fascinating little-known stuff about just about every religion you would ever want to explore. It's a big book. But it's an easy read without insulting your intelligence. This guy knows his stuff!