Phenomenon of Religion

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 640 pages
• Published by: Oneworld Publications August 25, 1998
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1851681612
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1851681617
• Book Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Weighs: 2.1 pounds

From Library Journal
"Religion," says Momen (Introduction to Shi'i Islam), "is a phenomenon that has proven difficult to define." Momen's perspectiveAthat religion can only be grasped as a fluid, multifaceted manifestationArequires a broad grasp of many disciplines and a comprehensive appreciation of the methods and complexities that contribute to the plethora of world faith traditions. To his credit, Momen does this and more. He steers clear of a strictly Western vision, utilizing Baha'i and Asian traditions as well as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to exemplify and contrast the conceptual, social, and experiential aspects of religion. Running over 600 pages (including index and glossary), his book covers a awesome amount of territory, including the arts, gender, archetype and myth, and theories of religion. Comprehensiveness gives way to a certain level of reductionism, but the book's strength is its breadth. Recommended for general religion and seminary collections.ASandra Collins, Univ. of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
This is an innovative, thematic presentation of the role of religion in human society, from traditional cultures to the modern world. This comprehensive account covers all the major traditions, features nearly 400 illustrations, and is accompanied by maps, timelines, a glossary, full explanatory notes, and an extensive bibliography.

Reader Reviews
It is difficult nowadays to get an objective, nuanced opinion on religion, neither flattering nor biased against it. If I were to recommend a way to try and achieve that, I would suggest to read several good books on the matter, including this among them, for in my opinion this is a masterful work that can be savoured by the professional scholar and the educated layperson alike. In "The Phenomenon of Religion: A Thematic Approach," Moojan Momen has undertaken a sweeping survey of religious phenomena and experience across the globe and throughout history. He analyzes various aspects of religion including chapters on "The Concept of Religion," "Pathways to Religious Experience," "Suffering, Sacrifice and Salvation," and "Fundamentalism and Liberalism." He examines what six major independent world religions - the Bahá'í Faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism - have to say about each theme, and/or what their followers have come to understand or experience. As a resource on comparative religious studies, it an outstanding reference for anyone concerned with religion. All that (and much much much more that I do not mention in this summary) is exhaustively developed in some 500 pages (626 pages with notes and index). Therefore, my rate is between 5 (content) and 5 (pleasure, sometimes falling to 4). Please see in any event the excellent review available in http://www.onecountry.org/e132/e13216as_Review_Phenonenon.htm which encouraged me to buy this book. Other books I would recommend to read are the following: "Vampires, Burial, and Death : Folklore and Reality" by Paul Barber; "Ecstasies: Deciphering the witches' Sabbath", by Carlo Ginzburg; "Shamans, Sorcerers, and Saints: A Prehistory of Religion" by Brian Hayden; and "Islam. History, present, future" by Hans Küng (also a masterpiece).