The World's Religion: Worldviews and Contemporary Issues » (3rd Edition)

William Young is Professor of Religious Studies at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. In addition to The World’s Religions: Worldviews and Contemporary Ethical Issues (3^rd edition, 2009) he is co-author (with Christian Hauer) of the widely-adopted textbook An Introduction to the Bible: A Journey into Three Worlds (Prentice Hall, 7^th edition, 2008) and author of Quest for Harmony: Native American Spiritual Traditions (Hackett Press, 2006). During a thirty-five year teaching career, he has introduced generations of students to the world’s religions and taught a wide variety of special topic courses ranging from Religion and Politics to Spiritual Ecology: Religion and Nature.

For courses in World Religions or Comparative Religions.

This introduction to the world's religions provides an orientation to the study of religion; surveys the stages of development, worldviews, and current situations of the major world religions; and discusses the ways these religions respond to contemporary ethical issues. It also presents a sampling of new religious movements and looks to the possible ways the world's religions may interact in the 21st century. Its distinctive “framework for understanding” religious worldviews allows students to compare and contrast the teachings of religions objectively.

Preface xi

Section I Introduction 1

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Religion and the Study of Religion 2

What Is Religion? 2

The Problem of Defining Religion 2

Adopting a Working Definition of Religion 3

Secular Religions? 5

Why Are People Religious? 6

Why So Many Religions? 7

Why Is the Study of Religion So Important in the Twenty-First Century? 7

What Is the Relationship Between Science and Religion? 9

How Might Religion Be Studied? 10

Evaluative Methods of Studying Religion 10

Descriptive Methods of Studying Religion 11

How Will We Study the World's Religions? 12

A Framework for Understanding and Comparing Religious Worldviews 12

Symbols, Myths, and Rituals 14

Looking Ahead: An overview of the Rest of the Text 17

Chapter Summary 19

Important Terms and Phrases 20

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 20

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 21

Section II The World's Religions-Histories and Worldviews 23

Chapter 2 Indigenous Religions-Quest for Harmony 24

An Orientation to Indigenous Peoples and Their Religions 24

Problems in Studying Indigenous Religions 24

The Traditional Worldview of Indigenous Peoples 26

The Yoruba of West Africa 31

Introduction 31

Yoruba Religion: Harmony with the Orisa 32

The Oglala Lakota (Sioux) of the Great Plains of North America 37

Introduction 37

A Brief History of the Oglala Lakota 38

Oglala Lakota Religion: The Way of the Sacred Pipe 39

The Continuing Impact of Indigenous Religions in the Twenty-First Century 48

Chapter Summary 48

Important Terms and Phrases 49

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 49

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 49

Chapter 3Hinduism-Many Paths to the Summit 53

Introduction 53

An Orientation to South and Southeast Asia 54

Lands and Peoples 54

A Brief History of India 54

The Traditional South Asian Worldview 56

Stages of Development and Sacred Texts 59

The Problem with the Name "Hinduism" 59

Religion of the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization 59

The Religion of the Vedas: The Rig-Veda and the Upanishads 60

Hindu Society: The Laws of Manu 62

The Epics: Ramayana and Mahabharata 64

Devotional Literature and Movements: The Puranas 66

Philosophical Literature and Movements: The Yoga School and Advaita Vedanta 70

Hindu Reform Movements and Reformers in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries 71

Independent India 73

The Hindu Worldview 74

Humanity: An Eternal Soul (Atman) 74

Problem: Trapped by Karma 74

Cause: Desire and Ignorance 74

End: Liberation (Moksha) from the Cycle of Rebirth 74

Means: The Paths of Action, Devotion, and Knowledge 75

Reality: Penetrating the Veil of Maya 79

Sacred: Many Gods and Beyond the Gods 79

Hinduism in the Twenty-First Century 79

Hinduism as a Global Religion 79

Hindu Nationalism in India 80

Chapter Summary 81

Important Terms and Phrases 82

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 82

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 83

Chapter 4 Theravada Buddhism-The Middle Way 84

Introduction 84

Stages of Development and Sacred Texts 84

Founder: Siddartha Gautama 84

Formation of the Order of Buddhist Monks and Nuns (Sangha) 87

The Spread of Buddhism Beyond India 88

The Pali Canon 88

The Three Major Branches of Buddhism 88

The Theravada Buddhist Worldview 89

Humanity: No Permanent Identity (Anatta) and Dependent Origination 89

Problem: The First Noble Truth-Life Is Suffering (Dukkha) 90

Cause: The Second Noble Truth-Suffering Is Caused by Craving (Tanha) 91

End: The Third Noble Truth-The Extinction of Craving (Nirvana) 92

Means: The Fourth Noble Truth-The Eightfold Path of the Middle Way 94

Reality: Impermanence (Anicca) 97

Sacred: Spiritual Atheism 97

Theravada Buddhism in the Twenty-First Century 97

Chapter Summary 98

Important Terms and Phrases 99

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 99

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 99

Chapter 5 Jainism-The Way of Noninjury 101

Introduction 101

Stages of Development and Sacred Texts 101

Founder: Mahavira and the Tirthankaras 101

The Jain Community 103

Jain Texts: The Agamas 103

The Jain Worldview 104

Humanity: Eternal, Infinite Souls (Fivas) 104

Problem: Souls "Weighed Down" by Actions (Karma) 104

Cause: Activity 104

End: Becoming a Conqueror (Fina) and Well-Being 105

Means: Self-Denial and Noninjury (Abimsa) 105

Reality: A Dualism of Matter (Ajiva) and Spirit (Fiva) 109

Sacred: Spiritual Atheism 110

Jainism in the Twenty-First Century 110

Chapter Summary 110

Important Terms and Phrases 111

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 111

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 111

Chapter 6 Daoism-The Way of Nature 113

Introduction 113

An Orientation to East Asia 113

Lands and Peoples 113

A Brief History of China 114

The East Asian Worldview and Indigenous Religions 115

Daoism: The Way of Nature 119

Stages of Development and Sacred Texts 120

The Worldview of Daoist Philosophy 124

Daoism in the Twenty-First Century 126

Chapter Summary 127

Important Terms and Phrases 127

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 127

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 128

Chapter 7 Confucianism-The Way of Virtue 129

Introduction 129

Stages of Development and Sacred Texts 130

Founder: Master Kong (Confucius) 130

The Analects and Other Texts 131

Formation of the Confucian School, and Confucianism as State Teaching 131

Neo-Confucianism 132

Is Confucianism a Religion? 133

The Decline of Confucianism 133

The Confucian Worldview 133

Humanity: Social Relationships and Microcosm 133

Problem: Social Chaos 134

Cause: A Breakdown of Virtue 134

End: Leaders of Character (Fun-zi) and the Harmonious Society 134

Means: The Virtuous Life 134

Reality: Life-Giving, Relational, Harmonious 137

Sacred: Making the Dao Great 137

Confucianism and Other Religions in the People's Republic of China 137

Chapter Summary 139

Important Terms and Phrases 139

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 139

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 140

Chapter 8 Mahayana Buddhism (The Great Vehicle) and Vajrayana Buddhism (The Thunderbolt Vehicle) 141

Introduction 141

A Brief History of Korea and Japan 141

Korea 141

Japan 142

Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism in East Asia 143

The Spread of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism into East Asia 143

Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist Texts of India 144

Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Theravada Buddhism Contrasted 145

The "Three Bodies" of the Buddha 145

Bodhisattvas 145

Sunyata ("Emptiness") 146

Major Mahayana Schools in East Asia 147

Pure Land: The Devotional School 147

Zen: The Meditation School 149

Nichiren: The Political School 152

Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet 154

Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism in the Twenty-First Century 157

Chapter Summary 158

Important Terms and Phrases 158

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 158

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 158

Chapter 9 Shinto-The Way of the Kami 160

Introduction 160

Stages of Development and Sacred Texts 160

The Origin and Meaning of "Shinto" 160

The Shinto Myth: Japan as the Land of the Kami 161

Popular Japanese Religion 162

Medieval Shinto: Theoretical Amalgamation with Buddhism 162

The Revival of Shinto 163

The Shinto Worldview 165

Humanity: The People of the Kami 165

Problem: Pollution 165

Cause: Lack of Reverence for the Kami 166

End: Purity and Harmony 166

Means: Shrines, Rituals, and Self-Cultivation 166

Reality: The Land of the Kami 169

Sacred: The Kami 170

Religion in Twenty-First-Century Japan and Korea 170

Japan 170

Korea 171

Chapter Summary 171

Important Terms and Phrases 171

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 172

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 172

Chapter 10 Judaism-The Way of Torah 173

Introduction 173

An Orientation to the Middle East 174

Lands and Peoples 174

A Brief History 174

The Traditional Worldview 175

Judaism: The Way of Torah 180

What Is Judaism? 180

Stages of Development and Sacred Texts 180

The Jewish Worldview 189

Judaism in the Twenty-First Century 197

Chapter Summary 198

Important Terms and Phrases 198

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 199

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 199

Chapter 11 Christianity-The Way of Jesus Christ 201

Introduction 201

Stages of Development and Sacred Texts 201

Founder: Jesus of Nazareth 201

The New Testament and the Birth of Christianity 203

The Institutionalization and Spread of Christianity 205

Reform Movements in Christianity 207

Major Christian Movements 208

Other Developments 212

The Christian Worldview 213

Humanity: One in Christ 213

Problem: Separation from God 213

Cause: Original Sin 214

End: The Kingdom of God in Heaven and on Earth 214

Means: Grace, Faith, and the Sacraments 215

Reality: Creation and the Cosmic Christ 217

Sacred: One God, Three "Persons" 218

Christianity in the Twenty-First Century 219

Chapter Summary 222

Important Terms and Phrases 222

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 222

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 223

Chapter 12 Islam-The Way of Submission to Allah 225

Introduction 225

Stages of Development and Sacred Texts 226

Arabia in the Seventh Century C.E. 226

The Prophet Muhammad 226

The Holy Qur'an 228

The Spread of Islam and the Rise of Islamic Civilization 228

The Branches of Islam 231

Sufi: The Mystical Movement 234

The Revival of Islam 236

The Islamic Worldview 241

Humanity: From a Single Soul 241

Problem: Rejecting Allah's Guidance 242

Cause: Distraction 242

End: Paradise and the "House of Islam" 242

Means: A Life of Submission 243

Reality: The Signs of Allah 247

Sacred: There Is No God but Allah 247

Islam in the Twenty-First Century 248

Chapter Summary 249

Important Terms and Phrases 249

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 249

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 250

Chapter 13 Sikhism-The Way of the Guru 252

Introduction 252

Stages of Development and Sacred Texts 252

Founder: Nanak 252

The Gurus After Nanak 253

Guru Adi Granth (The Granth Sahib) 254

The Resurgence of Sikhism in Modern India 255

The Sikh Worldview 256

Humanity: A Pearl in an Oyster 256

Problem: Living Apart from God 256

Cause: Egoism 257

End: Absorption in God 257

Means: Praise and Compassion 257

Reality: Penetrating the "Wall of Falsehood" 259

Sacred: The True Name 259

Sikhism in the Twenty-First Century 260

Chapter Summary 260

Important Terms and Phrases 261

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 261

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 261

Chapter 14 The New Religious Movements-Renewal and Innovation 262

Introduction 262

The Rapid Growth of New Religious Movements 262

Problems in Studying New Religious Movements 263

Preparing for the End: Apocalyptic New Religious Movements 265

Seventh-Day Adventism: Living in the Final Days 265

Branch Davidians: Unlocking the Seven Seals 266

Aum Shinrikyo: Teaching the Supreme Truth 267

Faith and Spirit: New Religious Movements of Healing and Awareness 268

Christian Science: Recovering Lost Healing 268

International Raelian Religion: Preparing for the Elohim 270

Jediism: Star Wars Religion 270

Reviving the Church: Christian New Religious Movements of Renewal 272

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons): Christ's Kingdom in America 272

The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (the Unification Church): Restoration of Original Harmony 274

Nature and Spirit: Earth-Based and Ecological New Religious Movements 276

Wicca: Renewing European Witchcraft 276

Deep Ecology: Ecological Egalitarianism 277

Liberation and Enlightenment: New Religious Movements with Asian Roots 279

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness: The Hare Krishnas 279

Falun Dafa (Falun Gong): Cultivating the Universal Life Energy 281

Soka Gakkai: The Society for Value Creation 282

African-American and Afro-Caribbean New Religious Movements 282

The Nation of Islam: The "Black Muslims" 283

The Ras Tafari Movement: The Black Messiah 284

Native American New Religious Movements 285

The Native American Church: Peyote Religion 285

Focusing on the Human and the Natural: Secular New Religious Movements 286

Secular Humanism: Humanity as Ultimate 286

Marxism: Toward a Classless Society 287

Satanism: Indulging Self 288

The Quest for Unity: Universalist New Religious Movements 289

The Baha'i Faith: Toward World Unity 290

Unitarian Universalist Association: The Unity of God 291

Chapter Summary 292

Important Terms and Phrases 292

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 293

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 293

Section III The World's Religions and Contemporary Ethical Issues 295

Chapter 15 The Ecological and Economic Crises-Humans and Resources 297

The Ecological Crisis: Is the Balance of Life on Planet Earth in Jeopardy? 297

The Nature of the Issue and the Role of Religion 297

Religious Responses 298

The Economic Crisis: Why Hunger and Abject Poverty in a World of Plenty? 310

The Nature of the Issue and the Role of Religion 310

Religious Responses 311

Chapter Summary 321

Important Terms and Phrases 322

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 322

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 322

Chapter 16 War and Capital Punishment-Society and Violence 331

War: When, If Ever, Is War Justified? 331

The Nature of the Issue and the Role of Religion 331

Religious Responses 332

Capital Punishment: When May the State Take a Criminal's Life? 339

The Nature of the Issue and the Role of Religion 339

Religious Responses 340

Chapter Summary 343

Important Terms and Phrases 343

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 344

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 344

Chapter 17 Abortion and Euthanasia-Life and Death 348

Abortion: Right to Life or Right to Choose? 348

The Nature of the Issue and the Role of Religion 348

Religious Responses 349

Euthanasia: A "Good Death" or "Playing God"? 357

The Nature of the Issue and the Role of Religion 357

Religious Responses 358

Chapter Summary 363

Important Terms and Phrases 363

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 363

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 364

Chapter 18 Gender and Sexual Orientation-Roles and Identity 368

The Changing Roles of Women: Liberation or Confusion? 368

The Nature of the Issue and the Role of Religion 368

Religious Responses 369

Homosexuality: Orientation, Preference, or Perversion? 385

The Nature of the Issue and the Role of Religion 385

Religious Responses 386

Chapter Summary 396

Important Terms and Phrases 397

Questions for Discussion and Reflection 397

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 397

Section IV Conclusion 407

Chapter 19 The Future of the World's Religions 408

How the World's Religions Will Relate to One Another: Three Possible Futures 408

Exclusivism 408

Inclusivism 410

Pluralism 410

The Search for Common Ground: The Ecological Crisis 413

The World's Religions after September 11, 2001 416

Important Terms and Phrases 416

Sources and Suggestions for Further Study 417

Glossary 419

Index 427