Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In an era plagued by religious conflict, the Second Edition of Gods in the Global Village directly responds to issues of social problems prevalent in the world today. Using an engaging, though-provoking style, author Lester R. Kurtz focuses on the relationship among the major faith traditions that inform the thinking and ethical standards of most people in the emerging global social order. Key Features: Explores religious life in today's world: This book introduces students to the fundamentals of each of the major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and considers the various global interconnections among beliefs and believers, as well as among those who oppose them. The author offers a comparative study of the world's religions, including personal reflection upon the time he spent living in India and China that further shaped his own beliefs. Challenges students to overcome biases: This book assumes that all knowledge is shaped by the social context of the knower; therefore, both religious traditions and our studies of them are shaped by the context in which we construct them. The question that faces us as a human community is not Which religious tradition is true? but How can we enable the various religious and secular traditions to coexist peacefully? Reexamines conventional understandings about the role of religion: The sociology of religion provides invaluable insight into the most pressing social problems. This book does not suggest sociologists should lead the way in solving these problems, rather it encourages them to assess the role of religion in the global community and become involved in the lively debates about the future of humanity.
Intended Audience: This book is designed for undergraduate and graduate students studying the Sociology of Religion. Due to the high level of interest in religion and religious conflict, it is also an excellent textbook for a variety of courses such as Introductory Sociology, Social Movements, and Social Problems.A current user of Gods in The Global Village said, the bottom line is this is a terrific book, the best I've found for this course in twenty years of teaching. It reflects solid scholarship, but is written in an accessible style, and addresses what I believe are the most important issues in our world today. It offers what I want my students to learn I look forward to the revised edition, which I will certainly use in my class.
Synopsis
In an era plagued by religious conflict, the Second Edition of Gods in the Global Village directly responds to issues of social problems prevalent in the world today. Using an engaging, though-provoking style, author Lester R. Kurtz focuses on the relationship among the major faith traditions that inform the thinking and ethical standards of most people in the emerging global social order.