Customer Reviews

World Religions Made Easy: An Easy to Understand Pocket Reference Guide

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I bought this book because I was preparing to teach a course on World Religions to a group people from different countries. I wanted to be able to give them away. I appreciate this little volume because it is distinctly Christian in its content. In a world that is growing increasingly intolerant of the Christian faith and religiously pluralistic it is refreshing to have a solid (small and colorful) readable text. If you are a Christian you will like this book.

Having already studied various religions somewhat I read this book hopeing to learn a few more facts. Instead I was horrified to find it saturated with statements like, "The stated goal of Islam is world domination," and "Hindusim isn't really a religion." The author cleary despises any system of belief other than a handful of protestant sects, the only religions to escape his scathing rhetoric. I'd like to say that the author is merely biased, but unfortunately he strays far from the realm of opinion and presents outright lies as facts. Worse, the nature of the information -- that it could be obtained withing fifteen minutes of research at a county library -- suggests that he isn't simply mistaken but intentionally misleading and (often) inflammatory.

The day after I recieved this book as a gift, it found its way straight to the trash. Written by a Protestant Christian author, the book is extremely bias. Supporting insult with scriptural verses, Water mischievously downplays all other religions besides his own. Catholicism and Christian sects are not even safe from his blows. Besides for this, the actual information is shaky in many instances. Definately not a book for anyone wanting fact, not opinion.

"World religions made easy" is not an introduction to the major religions as much as a description of their "heresies." From a Protestant perspective, Mark Water explains how each religion (Protestant denominations and Eastern Orthodoxy ecscape his condemnations, Catholicism does not) fails by rejecting Jesus and by relying on its own traditions. Bible quotes pepper the text -- sometimes in argument against specific doctrines, sometimes serving only to insult. (For instance, "Their zeal is not based on knowledge" illustrates the section on Mormonism.)

The author does provide basic information, such as core beliefs and number of adherents, on each relgion he discusses, but all of this is available elsewhere. There is simply too little real content and too much Protestant ferver to warrant purchase.

World Religions Made Easy is intentionally biased. Written from one Christian perspective, it promotes division and misunderstanding, denounces established Christian religions and others holding differing viewpoints, uses Biblical passages taken out of context to justify or chastize, and generally provides inaccurate and misleading information about other religions. It certainly should not be relied upon for accurate information. For an accurate and fair picture of beliefs and practices, researchers should refer to materials provided directly by each faith group. In an age where greater tolerance and understanding is needed, this book is an inappropriate resource for those seeking truth.