With an emphaisis on communities of faith, this accessible book will introduce students to the classic texts, important events, key figures, defining rituals, essential creeds and symbols of world religions. Contents: Introduction byWilliam Scott Green Judaism A. Judaism: Beginnings: Religion of Ancient Israel byBaruch A. Levine B. Judaism: The Formation byJacob Neusner C. Judaism in Modern Times: Reform, Orthodox, and Conservative Judaism, ZionismbyJacob Neusner 2. Christianity A. Christianity: Beginnings by Bruce Chilton B. Christianity: Roman Catholicism byLawrence S. Cunningham C. Orthodox Christianity byJ. A. McGuckin D. Christianity: Protestantismby Martin E. Marty 3. Islam A. Islam: Beginnings by Th. Emil Homerin B. Islam: The Shiite Tradition byLiyakat Takim C. Islam: The Sunni Tradition byTh. Emil Homerin 4. Hinduism byDouglas Brooks 5. Buddhism A. Buddhism: Beginnings byMario Poceski B. Buddhism: The Theravada Tradition by Kristen Scheible C. Buddhism: The Mahayana Tradition byMark L. Blum 6. Daoism byMark Meulenbled 7. ConfucianismbyMark A. Csikszentmihalyi 8. ShintobyJames L. Ford 9. Indigenous Religions A. Indigenous Religious Tradition byJualynne E. Dodson and Soyna Maria Johnson B. African Indigenous Religions byJacob Olupona 10. New 19th Century American Religions byDanny L. Jorgensen 11. New 20th Century American Religions by Dell deChant