My considerable research shows it being a book that was put together by some arab. It consists of lessons and teaching that shows moral life, ethics governing the social and religious life of. World religions gives insights into the world s main religions and offers a deeper appreciation for the belief you have chosen as your own. The religious world, in other words, not only is found in books but is also a living reality all around us. Jerusalem is a holy city for judaism, christianity, and islam, whose adherents comprise 50% of the worlds population. My husband and i recently bought this book after having seen it at the bookstore. Some people consider the bible the oldest book, as it was written in a time shortly, according to christianity and other religions, after the world was created. Bible is the holy book which consists of old and new testaments.
Accessible and farreaching, world religions will engage the whole family as much as the serious student. In an environment where students increasingly turn to the internet as their resource of first choice we think it makes sense to place the learning medium itself in a digital format from the outset, creating for the first time a seamless web of knowledge between the text book and other learning resources. Corduan focuses his primary attention on 12 major world religions, but he also sketches in the beliefs of 16 new religions. Experts believe it is also the earliest example of book binding still attached. It consists of lessons and teaching that shows moral life, ethics governing the social and religious life of muslims.
See major holidays for listings of religious holidays the worlds faithful account for 83% of the global population. Turley examine the value of religion for interpreting the human experience in the past and present. So i am trying to determine the origin of religion, or oldest religion in the world known to man. The world s religions, originally titled the religions of man, is a book written by religious studies scholar huston smith. Koran or alquran holy book of islam was written in 650 ad. Is the bible the oldest religious book in the world. This book was intended to be a brief survey without an indepth analysis.
A comparative anthology of sacred texts andrew wilson demonstrating the commonality of the world s religions and our common humanity, this rich and varied anthology of scripture offers a highly useful collection of religious quotations, passages, and excerpts from the holy texts, representing a new, holistic approach to the world s religions. Monierwilliams, monier 1974, brahmanism and hinduism. A buddhist holy text, the diamond sutra is considered to be the oldest surviving dated printed book in the world. World religions is a category used in the study of religion to demarcate the fiveand in some cases sixlargest and most internationally widespread religious movements. I was inclined to believe that the rig veda was the oldest. Pocket guide to world religions 9780830827053 by winfried corduan. Franklin henry little 18781917, an organizer for the western federation of miners and the industrial workers of the world iww, fought in some of the early twentieth centurys most contentious labor and freespeech struggles. As i said before this book tells about the different religions over the world, as i read i saw that smith not only talked about the meaning of the religions, but he also talked about some cases huston smith was the one that wrote this book.
In about 600 entrieswith 115 new to this editionthis revised edition covers all the major and minor religions of the world, including the religions of the ancient world. Now i am eager to think that the beautiful text the epic of gilgamesh 3rd millennium b. May 01, 2008 the britannica encyclopedia of world religions gets to the heart of the matter by providing a deeper understanding of the religions that shape our world. Our great wisdom traditions was originally published in 1958. The bible is sacred book in judaism or christianity. A page from the garima gospels the world s oldest christian book found in a remote monastery in ethiopia. So as far as text is concerned, meaning words written down in a book, the ot does not come close to being the oldest religious text. It is a wonderful book that explains the basic ideologies and beliefs of the different religions of the world. Hinduism, buddhism, confucianism, taoism, islam, judaism, and christianity. Amongst its outstanding attributes is 1 its intensely visual and easily accessible introduction to world religion, 2 the diversity of cultural elements that it describes in each religion, and finally 3 its academic depth, uncovering some terms and ideas not found in all introductory texts. In indian culture, different religious philosophies were traditionally respected as academic differences in pursuit of the same truth. The epic of gilgamesh from sumer, although only considered by some scholars as a religious text, has origins as early as 2150 bce, and stands as one of the earliest literary works that includes various mythological figures and themes. The years 10 most intriguing religion books the washington.
The old religion in a new world, noll reports, is a revision, expansion, and update of a volume he published a few years ago in germany as an introduction to the subject for readers in that country. Aug 26, 2009 so as far as text is concerned, meaning words written down in a book, the ot does not come close to being the oldest religious text. Jul 20, 2007 the oldest religious book in the world hasnt yet been discovered by archaeologists. However, the layperson might not know much about the beliefs and traditions held by religious people worldwide. The worlds religions by huston smith, paperback barnes. Religious texts in particular have gotten the gargantuan book treatment, where often the spectacular labor of creating the tome is a spiritual act. It consists of 114 suras or chapters which shows the impassioned appeals for belief in god. Zoroastrianism 10th 5th century bce judaism 9th 5th century bce jainism 8th 2nd century bce confucianism. Selected worldwide religious sites religion in the united states.
Religion in world history individuals and groups have long found identity and meaning through religion and its collective expression. These eventually gave way to what we now know as the book of the dead. List of world religions and founders, religious books, place. Religion in the ancient world ancient history encyclopedia. This is a good book, but not the best introduction to world religion. In world cultures, there have traditionally been many different groupings of religious belief. Apr 10, 2017 one of the most beloved stories of all time can now be enjoyed by even more readers. This impressive volume on the world s religions attempts to be simple, interesting, and not partial to the point of view of one religious tradition or another. Here is the list of top 10 must read holyreligious books in the world. It was first written at bc through 500 bc and the words were given by god to its writers.
The oldest of the texts date to between 24002300 bce. The religion is believed to have influenced many of other world religions, including christianity. The oldest religious book in the world hasnt yet been discovered by archaeologists. Christianity, islam, judaism, hinduism, and buddhism are always included in the list, being known as the big five. Since the arrival of religious minorities in the colonial era, religion has played an important role in the history and daily life of the united states. The worlds religions, by beloved author and pioneering professor huston smith tales of wonder, is the definitive classic for introducing the essential elements and teachings of the worlds predominant faiths, including hinduism, buddhism, confucianism, taoism, judaism, christianity, islam, as well as regional native traditions. Dec 23, 20 jesus, paul, food, charity, and prayer were just some of the areas examined in this years crop of books under the broad heading of religion. Which holy book is the oldest, the bible, the gita, or the. Christians worship in churches and their spiritual leaders are called priests. Most of the religious western world north america, europe, and oceania follows this monotheistic religion based on the bible.
Religion is dominating todays headlines like no other time in modern history. Of the three religious texts of the three great world religions, the holy bible is the oldest. Five of the worlds largest religious manuscripts, from. Apr 27, 20 which is the best religious book on this world. Jul 12, 2005 greetings katthehottie, of the two you mention, hinduism has the older texts approx. Hinduism is the oldest of the major world religions. Now i am eager to think that the beautiful text the epic of gilgamesh 3rd. The books superb reproduction allows the symbolism and meaning in religious imagery and iconography to be revealed in great detail. Discover the historical importance of religion in the worlds cultures closely edited for clarity and readability, and conceived for students with little or no background in the academic study of religions, religions of the world offers the most uptodate and historically accurate coverage of the worlds major religions.
The chinese diamond sutra, the oldest known dated printed book in the world, printed in the 9th year of xiantong era of the tang dynasty, or 868 ce. This book provides young adults with reliable, unbiased, and easytouse information on the worlds religions, from ancient times to the present day. The incredible relic has been kept ever since in the garima monastery near adwa in the north of the country, which is in the tigray region at 7,000 feet. Jesus, paul, food, charity, and prayer were just some of the areas examined in this years crop of books under the broad heading of religion. The bhagavad gita was written at some point between 400 bc and 200 ad. The worlds faithful account for 83% of the global population. Five of the worlds largest religious manuscripts, from devil. Since hinduism predates the abrahamic religions, it could be said to be one of the oldest, the first ever or not, i cant be sure. Its a little hilarious to see the answers here about this question almost every person is trying to prove their scriptures are the best just like any other religious question.
Discover the historical importance of religion in the world s cultures closely edited for clarity and readability, and conceived for students with little or no background in the academic study of religions, religions of the world offers the most uptodate and historically accurate coverage of the world s major religions. It is often described as a way of life and is widely practiced in india and other parts of the indian subcontinent as well as parts of southeast asia. Elibron classics, adamant media corporation werner, karel 1994, hinduism, in hinnells, john ed. Zoroastrian texts depict one of the world s oldest monotheistic religions practiced in iran around 600bc650ce. Hinduism is believed to have the oldest roots among all religions. Here are some of the oldest surviving books in the world. Although often viewed as a polytheistic faith, hinduism is actually henotheistic. Some people consider the bible the oldest book, as it was written in a time shortly, according to christianity and other religions, after the. As i said before this book tells about the different religions over the world, as i read i saw that smith not only talked about the meaning of the religions, but he also talked about some cases huston smith was. The oldest religious texts are egyptian from approx. For example, the story of creating the world in seven days is told in avesta one of the texts that predate the bible.
They believe in a supernatural or metaphysical allknowing and all controlling god. What does the red dot on an indian womans forehead mean. Or, religious thought and life in india, as based on the veda and other sacred books of the hindus. The major faiths concise table major religious holidays. We have all heard the statistics about how an increasing number of americans profess no specific religious affiliation, even if they may still identify as spiritual. Muslims, the people of the book, and idol worshipers christian categorizations. The 12 most popular world religions and sects in images. That said, the oldest religious texts we have found are egyptian, and they are extremely old. Christianity is a religion which has been around for a long time. A comparative anthology of sacred texts andrew wilson demonstrating the commonality of the worlds religions and our common humanity, this rich and varied anthology of scripture offers a highly useful collection of religious quotations, passages, and excerpts from the holy texts, representing a new, holistic approach to the worlds religions. Muslims, the people of the book, and idol worshipers.
In islam, the quran mentions three different categories. Jan 19, 2017 how old are the religions who founded them their holy book religion is a cultural system of behaviors and practices, world views, sacred texts, holy places, ethics, and societal organisation. It seems from searching that hinduism is the oldest religion still being practiced, but i am curious if anyone knows if there was a religion, or group of religions, that preceded it that may no longer be practiced, but did exist. One of the most important books out of this collection of texts is the book of two ways, which is the. The worlds religions by huston smith is considered a classic in the genre by many. The books unique approach helps the reader grasp the many and complex ways that religion acts upon and reacts to broader global processes. Yet biblical scholars know many of the stories were set down centuries after the events they record happened.
The dead sea scrolls have been dated to between 150 bce and 70 ce. Its such a respected book that its often used as a university textbook in world religion classes. Whether the issue is sectarian violence, stem cell research, or political elections, religion plays a critical role. Revised edition provides young adults with reliable, unbiased information on the worlds religions, from ancient times to the present day. But this book does more than present the history and spirit of the major religions as you. Encyclopedia of world religions encyclopaedia britannica. World religions ebooks published by jbe online books. This revised and updated edition provides sympathetic. Here you will came to know about different religious books. Want to know which ancient religious books have been spared by the centuries, and where you can hope to see them. Feb 20, 2006 this richly illustrated book shows the world s most important religions with detailed annotation of sacred texts, paintings, epic imagery, symbolism, iconography, key beliefs, architecture and artifacts. Hinduism known to adherents as sanatan dharma, eternal order, thought to have been founded as early as 5500 bce but certainly by c.
Do you want to gain knowledge about top 10 best epic religious books then you are at right place. The britannica encyclopedia of world religions gets to the heart of the matter by providing a deeper understanding of the religions that shape our world. There are some religions that are more prominent than others and here are a few major religions in the world which have been listed below. The relative authority of religious texts develops over time and is derived from the ratification. The little prince is now the mosttranslated book in the. Mar 23, 2018 this principle of order is also paramount in the world s oldest religion still being practiced today. Greetings katthehottie, of the two you mention, hinduism has the older texts approx. The little prince is now the mosttranslated book in the world, excluding religious works. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of ancient sumer, a set of inscribed clay tablets which scholars typically date around 2600 bce. In the united states today, people of almost all backgrounds are accessible because temples of nearly all the worlds religions can be found in most large cities. What is the oldest known book of religion, that has proof of it being. Many illustrations and artfully photographed pictures are included to show religious relics as.
One of its principal aims is to highlight aspects of north american christianity that distinguish it from christianity in europe. Ethiopian bible is oldest and most complete on earth. Discover the 10 oldest religious texts in the world here. On 5 january the church of kopimism was formally recognised as a religion by the swedish. Isak gerson is spiritual leader of the worlds newest religion, kopimism, devoted to filesharing. List of world religions and founders, religious books, place of worship teachings and beliefs of world religions.
They differ from literary texts by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual practices, commandments or laws, ethical conduct, spiritual aspirations, and for creating or fostering a religious community. Top 10 must read holy religious books in the world omg top. The worlds religions, originally titled the religions of man, is a book written by religious studies scholar huston smith. Early hinduism was founded over 5,000 years ago in the indus river valley in india.
Above, christian pilgrims carry wooden crosses along the via dolorosa during the good friday procession on april 22, 2011, in jerusalem, israel. Christianity is the worlds biggest religion, with about 2. One of the most beloved stories of all time can now be enjoyed by even more readers. It describes a broad sweep of religions such as those practiced by the australian aborigines, by the native american indians of north and south america and the religions of the. The encyclopedia of world religions book, 2007 worldcat. Of all the ancient writings, most scholars agree that the old testament of the bible is the oldest of religious books. It is based on the teachings of jesus christ who lived on the holy land 2000 years ago.
Jan 06, 2012 isak gerson is spiritual leader of the world s newest religion, kopimism, devoted to filesharing. The authors of christian apocalyptic fiction have a strong and definite religious viewpoint, but again, so do. Religious belief refers to a faith about the supernatural, sacred, or divine. Its exact author is unknown but some believe it to be a man named vyasa who may or may not have existed. List of world religions and founders, religious books. The book was first published in 1958 and has been translated into twelve languages.