What do you believe : religion and faith in the world today

Religion, morality, science, and the afterlife are complex and often misunderstood subjects. What Do You Believe? is a dynamic and clear text that brings together a variety of ideas of on religion. They are clearly presented for children to understand in a clear, unbiased text, and key concepts are broken down into manageable chunks of information with keywords that are simply explained. What Do You Believe? looks at basic teachings, practices of world faiths, philosophy, and more, and delves into the meaning and purpose of life. This book promotes understanding, tolerance, and respect for people whatever they believe. Contents 4......Page 6 Why believe? 8......Page 10 In earlier times 10......Page 12 On to India 12......Page 14 Meanwhile, in the Middle East 14......Page 16 To Enlightenment and beyond 16......Page 18 What is a religion? 20......Page 22 Religion round-up 22......Page 24 When, where, who, what? 24......Page 26 What is Judaism about? 26......Page 28 What is Christianity about? 28......Page 30 What is Islam about? 30......Page 32 What is Hinduism about? 32......Page 34 What is Buddhism about? 34......Page 36 What is Sikhism about? 36......Page 38 Native religions 38......Page 40 East Asian religions 40......Page 42 New religious movements 42......Page 44 Modern spirituality 44......Page 46 What is atheism about? 46......Page 48 The good books 50......Page 52 What’s the point of prayer? 52......Page 54 What goes on in there? 54......Page 56 Just do it! 56......Page 58 Festivals, feasts, and fasts 58......Page 60 Rites of passage 60......Page 62 Why do you wear that? 62......Page 64 Hair do’s and don’ts 64......Page 66 What are you eating? 66......Page 68 Give it up! 68......Page 70 Introducing philosophy of religion 72......Page 74 What’s it all about? 74......Page 76 What is God? 76......Page 78 They can’t all be right! (Can they?) 78......Page 80 If religions preach peace, why is everyone fighting? 80......Page 82 Why do bad things happen to good people? 82......Page 84 Religion and science 84......Page 86 The moral maze 86......Page 88 Is religion redundant? 88......Page 90 Who’s who? 90......Page 92 Glossary 94......Page 96 Index 96 ......Page 98 What do you believe? Do you know why you believe the way that you do? What Do You Believe? will introduce readers to the many religions of the world and its equally numerous philosophies, from some of the more widely known, such Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism, to lesser known religions, and from great ancient philosophers such as Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato, to the more modern Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Kant, and Sartre. The next in this series based on exploring and developing your own inquisitiveness, What Do You Believe? challenges the what, the how, and the why of some of the world's oldest institutions of thought and belief. What do you believe? Do you know why you believe what you do? What Do You Believe? introduces readers to the many religions of the world and its equally numerous philosophies, from global religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism, to lesser-known faiths, and from ancient philosophers such as Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato, to modern thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Kant, and Sartre. Examines the beliefs and histories of the major world religions and offers explanations about certain religious practices and doctrines