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I.B. Tauris Introductions to Religion

In recent years there has been a surge of interest in religion and in the motivations behind religious belief and commitment. Avoiding oversimplification, jargon or unhelpful stereotypes, I.B.Tauris Introductions to Religion embraces the opportunity to explore religious tradition in a sensitive, objective and nuanced manner. A specially commissioned series for undergraduate students, it offers concise, clearly written overviews, by leading experts in the field, of the world’s major religious faiths, and of the challenges posed to all the religions by progress, globalization and diaspora. Covering the fundamentals of history, theology, ritual and worship, these books place an emphasis above all on the modern world, and on the lived faiths of contemporary believers. They explore, in a way that will engage followers and non-believers alike, the fascinating and sometimes difficult contradictions of reconciling ancient tradition with headlong cultural and technological change.

I.B.Tauris' recent An Introduction series to the major world religions and belief systems are among the most useful and well written for students up to undergraduate level.
– The Bookseller

More than the usual kind of humdrum introduction... Strongly recommended
– Robert A Segal, Professor of Religious Studies, University of Aberdeen

Just what busy teachers and students need: a batch of high-quality, highly accessible books by leading scholars that are thoroughly geared towards pedagogical needs
– Christopher Partridge, Professor of Religious Studies, Lancaster University

Whether we have a faith commitment or not, it is more important than ever that we try to understand the nature of religious belief, and how this belief impacts on the world in which we live. I.B.Tauris Introductions to Religion is a series that offers students of religion something fresh, intelligent and accessible. Without dumbing down the issues, or making complex matters seem more simple than they need to be, the series manages to be both conceptually challenging while also providing beginning undergraduates with the complete portfolio of books that they need to grasp the fundamentals of each tradition. To be religious is in the end to be human. The I.B.Tauris series looks to be an ideal starting point for anyone interested in this vital and often elusive component of all our societies and cultures.
– John M Hull, Emeritus Professor of Religious Education, University of Birmingham

Buddhism An Introduction Cover

Buddhism is often characterised as one of the most complex and enigmatic of all the world's religions. This work shows that the story of Buddhism as a global system of belief begins with the life of the Buddha in northern India in the fifth century BCE.

Christianity: An Introduction cover

Christianity began with the words and deeds of an obscure village carpenter's son who died a shameful criminal's death at the hands of the Roman occupiers of his country. This book shows that the history of the religion, while often glorious, is not one of unimpeded progress, but something still more remarkable, flawed and human.

Confucianism

In this new, comprehensive introduction, author argues rather that Confucianism is profoundly spiritual, and must be treated as such. He offers full coverage of the tradition's sometimes neglected metaphysics, as well as its varied manifestations in education, art, literature and culture.

Daoism An Introduction Cover

Discusses the central facets of Daoism, a tradition which can sometimes seem as elusive as the slippery notion of 'Dao' itself. This book shows that fundamental to Daoism is the notion of 'Wu-wei', or non-action: a paradoxical idea emphasizing alignment of the self with the harmony of the universe, a universe in continual flux and change.

Hinduism An Introduction Cover

This nuanced and carefully structured introductory text helps unravel the complex strands of one of the world's remarkable systems of belief, identifying the chief ingredients of Hinduism's rich and distinctive flavour.

Islam An Introduction Cover

Assessing Islam as a truly global phenomenon, this title explains the significance of the revelation of the Prophet Muhammad and the origins of the different Sunni and Shi'a groups within Islam, giving comprehensive coverage to Muslim ritual life and Islamic ethics.

Jainism An Introduction Cover

Traces the history of the Jain community from founding sage Mahavira to the present day. This book explores asceticism, worship, the life of the Jain layperson, relations between Jainism and other Indic traditions, the Jain philosophy of relativity, and the implications of Jain ideals for the contemporary world.

Judaism An Introduction Cover

Discusses the origins of the Jewish Bible. This work recounts the history of the Jewish people from the era of Patriarchs and Prophets through the Middle Ages up to the contemporary era. It outlines the Jewish liturgical calendar and its major rites and modes of worship. It considers the great variety of Jewish literatures, art, food and culture.

Mormonism An Introduction Cover

Mormonism was the first and most successful new religion to appear in the New World where, despite the biblical language of its narrative, it created a novel and dynamic theology that was vitally different from the Protestant Christianity from which it originated.

Sikhism An Introduction Cover

The book attractively combines the warm empathy of a Sikh with the objective insights and acute perspectives of a prominent scholar of religion.

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