pgtr

NEED BOOK RECOMMENDATION: Overview of World's Major Religions

I'm looking for a book written from an academic, objective or
non-judgmental stance on the world's major religions. I'd like to be
better informed as to each including: basic history in a nutshell
(where they've been and how did they get where they are), significant
beliefs, values etc. Major religions such as: Judaism, Islam,
Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc...?

I'm looking for something that is 'somewhat' indepth and intelligent but
not to the point of academic tedium so as to be a bore or turn-off.

If you have any recommendations... I'm looking for ONE(1) - not a whole bookshelf that takes more time than I'll ever have to read.

Thanks!

ManM

"The World's Religions" by Huston Smith would fit the bill.

Biff the unclean

Joseph Campbell wrote a series called The Masks of God You can find just about everything you need in the Occidental Mythology and Oriental Mythology volumes. The first half (which is the most interesting half) of Occidental deals with the pre-Christian European religions so you could skip over that for the time being.

mike_decock

It's not a book, but the Religious Tolerance website has essays covering the history, beliefs, values and statistics of many world religions. You can go fairly in depth on some religions and the essays are very well-written, balanced and interesting, IMO.

-Mike...