Comparing Religions

Comparing Religions is a next generation textbook that teaches the art and practice of comparison as a vital skill in our modern globalizing world. Using a three–part, ‘initiatory’ structure, the book provides the reader with a map and effective process through which to understand and practice comparative religion. The unique structure leads readers through: • An historical outline of comparative practices both in world history and the modern West, demonstrating that comparative forms of understanding religion are ancient and global • Six chapters focusing on classic comparative themes, exploring and modelling the nature of responsible comparative practice • The exploration of a number of key strategies through which to understand, analyze and re–read religion, providing a sense of accomplishment and closure The result is a fascinating, wide–ranging, and genuinely exciting book that will inspire and as well as guide readers who wish to think seriously about religious pluralism in the modern world. By embracing the last three decades of both comparative work and critical theory, the book strikes a new balance and offers a positive vision of the field’s future. Throughout, the impact of comparative practices on individuals is acknowledged and worked with, and the book contains numerous features to help students, professionals and interested readers understand this challenging but extraordinarily rewarding area. The supporting website features numerous additional resources, including information on individual religious traditions, images, a glossary, discussion questions, links to other sites, and an interview with the author. These resources are available at www.wiley.com/go/kripal .

Jeffrey J. Kripal is Professor of Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University. His most recent publications include Mutants and Mystics: Science Fiction, Superhero Comics, and the Paranormal (2011); Authors of the Impossible: The Paranormal and the Sacred (2010); Esalen: America and the Religion of No Religion (2007); and The Serpent’s Gift: Gnostic Reflections on the Study of Religion (2007).