Good books on comparative religion?

[Flaxbee]

I wasn't raised with any particular religion and had absolutely no introduction to any religious teachings at all. I'm fine with it, never felt anything was lacking, but I am very curious about the "major" religions and philosophies and would like to learn much more for a variety of reasons, but in a more academic, historical and philosophical and even political treatment rather than strictly spiritual. I realize the spiritual can't be excluded; I hope I've been able to explain what I'm looking for. I include Buddhism along with Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and all others I might have forgotten but should know about.

Can anyone recommend some good books? I hope I haven't offended by asking this in the Christian Liberals Group. If so, I sincerely apologize. I just want to know more, but don't want to be waylaid by the psuedo-spiritiual guides that seem to have exploded all over bookstores lately.


edited for spelling.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. Not offended

My introduction to comparative religion was, of all things, a Time-Life coffeetable book from the 1950s called The World's Great Religions.

Of course, the pictures they showed are all terribly out of date now, but each section contained selections from that religion's scriptures.

Karen Armstrong's books, especially A History of God, are a good source for the "big three" monotheistic religions. I had to learn about Buddhism for Japanese studies, and I was surprsied to learn that there's as much variety to Buddhism as there is to Christianity. I don't know of a single source that covers that vast range of Buddhist practice from Tibetan to Southeast Asian to Chinese and Japanese.

Otherwise, just go to the Religion section of your bookstore or library and start browsing.

[Telly Savalas]

2. Until someone who knows what they're talking about comes along...

you might try poking around Wikipedia. I bet it'd give you a pretty good overview of each religion.

Edited to add: I'm not trying to suggest that Lydia Leftcoast doesn't know what she's talking about. When I started to write this her response wasn't there.

[kwassa]

3. The World's Religions by Huston Smith

is very good and very readable book for a macro view of religions around the world.

I also like "The History of God" which is strictly about the monotheistic religions of the West.

I saw Karen Armstrong speak on her new book "Buddha" at National Cathedral a few months ago.

[hvn_nbr_2]

4. Huston Smith is the one

When I was studying comparative religion as an undergraduate at a conservative church-related college in rural Pennsylvania in 1966, "The World's Religions" (then titled "The Religions of Man" or something like that) was the text. When I was in grad school at a New Agey university in California in the 1990s, that was the textbook. It gives a good intro to all the major religions.

[RevCheesehead]

5. World Religion for Dummies.

The series of orange "for dummies" books. I found this one when browsing at Border's, and used parts of it for my confirmation class. If you're looking for simple, basic explanations, this one is great.