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    Read more about World Religions: the Spirit Searching

    World Religions: the Spirit Searching

    (10 reviews)

    Jody Ondich, Lake Superior College

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    Publisher: Jody Ondich

    Language: English

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    CC BY-NC-SA

    Reviews

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    Reviewed by Kristin Riordon, Adjunct Instructor, Mount Wachusett Community College on 6/4/24

    This textbook provides a broad survey of world religions. I use it as the main text in my Comparative Religion course, supplemented by other OER materials and media. read more

    Reviewed by Helena Reddington, Assistant Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 3/23/24

    This textbook provides an introductory survey of world religions. While the content is not exhaustive, it can be supplemented with additional materials. read more

    Reviewed by Hong Qu, Community faculty, Metropolitan State University on 2/15/24

    This text wows me with its simple, easy, and vernacular English language and writing. It’s very readable to introduce world religions from a narrative approach. The author uses “origins” to divide the contents into parts/sections. Unique and... read more

    Reviewed by Jennell Riddick, Adjunct Professor, Paul D. Camp Community College on 11/11/23

    The textbook is comprehensive and certainly sufficient for a semester-long course. Several key terms are clearly defined throughout to provide a better overall understanding. read more

    Reviewed by Max Thornton, Visiting Assistant Professor, Drake University on 12/15/22

    As others have noted, the omission of Shinto is notable in a text that otherwise covers all the traditions you would expect to find in a World Religions intro class. However, the material included would certainly be enough for a semester. The... read more

    Reviewed by Suzanne Bessenger, Associate Professor, Randolph College on 9/17/22

    The book is sufficiently broad, covering the not only those traditions usually included in the "world religions" paradigm, but also what it calls "tribal traditions", non-Christian European traditions, and what it calls "Syncretic Traditions". ... read more

    Reviewed by Mike Robinson, Assistant Professor, College of Western Idaho on 8/2/22

    World Religions: The Spirit Searching provides a comprehensive analysis of the major religions throughout the world. The book covers the traditional belief systems (Daoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Judaism, Christianity,... read more

    Reviewed by Laura Madison, adjunct, Tidewater Community College on 6/24/22

    The book covers many, but not all of the main religions and provides introductions for the religions in an matter that is easily understood. read more

    Reviewed by jay sakashita, professor, Leeward Community College on 3/10/22

    World Religions: The Spirit Searching covers the usual religious traditions of an introductory textbook, though there is one noticeable omission: Shinto. It seems odd not include a section on this religion. Shinto is an important religion in its... read more

    Reviewed by Ruth Chadd, Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies, Linn-Benton Community College on 3/8/22

    This text provides both a comprehensive survey as well as in-depth resources with modern references for today's world religions learners. I was very impressed by the breadth of traditions that were included that even some of the current religious... read more

    Table of Contents

    • I. About Religion
    • II. Asian Origins
    • III. Indian Sub-Continent Origins
    • IV. Middle Eastern Origins
    • V. Tribal Traditions: Africa, Australia and the Americas
    • VI. European Origins: Paganism, Nordic, Wicca
    • VII. Syncretic traditions

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    About the Book

    Humans across the globe and throughout millennia have searched for answers to questions like, "why are we here?" or "what am I supposed to do with my life?" And the answers people have found, or created, or chosen, have varied as widely as the cultures and people themselves.  Some people focus on rules.  Some focus on afterlives.  Some look to become whole.  Some seek adventure and learning. So this text, while full of various ways that people have searched and discovered and created, is only touching a few of the bigger traditions in our world.  Hopefully each chapter will introduce the reader to some ideas from that specific tradition that enlighten them as to how a specific group of people think, believe, and live. This text is set up to be an ebook.  The various videos, links and resources will only really work if the user keeps to the digital format.  Read this book on a device--it will be a much more rewarding experience!

    About the Contributors

    Author

    Jody Ondich, Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

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