More Than One

Religion is at the very heart of most human societies. It is hard to overstate religion's role in organizing and inspiring human societies. Whether in the realm of politics, culture, social organization, or individual expression, religion's impact is unmistakable, and often misunderstood. More than One is a new text with beautiful photos throughout that encourage readers to experience the powerful diversity of the world's religions. After surveying indigenous religious communities and ancient cultures, the book provides full treatment on the religions of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Shintoism, and Zoroastrianism. Turning to the monotheistic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the book elucidates what has led to these religions' vast and global rise across world civilizations. The concluding chapter delineates the emergence of new alternative religions, the rise of irreligion, and issues around secularization in the modern world. Readers seeking to understand the cultural practices and key beliefs of other people will appreciate this balanced, informed, and richly illustrated text. Key vocabulary terms are highlighted to identify important concepts, places, and people.