Kenneth Cragg was one of the West's most gifted interpreters of Islam and one of the most well-known figures of the Middle Eastern Church. During his 45 years in the Middle East, Cragg was an assistant Bishop of Jerusalem and scholar, he focussed on the Christian understanding of other faiths, particularly Islam. A major figure in Christian-Muslim conversations he was a prolific writer whose books became a forum of intellectual debate about Islam and Christian-Muslim relations. This set re-issues two of his lesser-known but no less important books, which illustrate his deep knowledge of the Qur'an and his lifelong interest in Islamic and Christian theology.

Armenia is the oldest Christian country in the world and there are few countries which have made, for their size, such an outstanding contribution to civilization as Armenia has, while yet remaining virtually unknown to the Western world. The volumes in this set, written and translated by an acknowledged authority on history and religion in the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Georgia, as well as Russia itself: Examine the role played by an 18th Century Russian Radical in Tsarist Russia and his subsequent political legacy. Provide a translation of a legend important for theologians and scholars of comparative religion because through this legend the life of the Buddha and the ascetic ideal he exemplified significantly influenced the Christian West. Discuss the cultural, philosophic, religious and scientific contribution Armenia has made to the world. Provide a geographic and ethnic survey of Armenia and its people.

The stories of the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece are sprawling, dramatic and wonderfully strange; their lives intertwine with mortals and their behaviours fluctuate wildly from benevolent to violent, from didactic to fickle, from loving to enraged. Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. Jean Menzies captures the magic of Greek myths by drawing on a wide variety of vivid retellings from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, which bring to life the stories of Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, Hermes, Pandora and many more. Coupled with her own entertaining commentary, this is the perfect book for learning about the world of the Greek deities and a treat for all fans of Greek mythology

This revised introduction to Jewish beliefs and practices demonstrates that Judaism is a living religion which retains the vitality apparent in the Biblical corpus, but which has gone on to develop institutions, modes of behaviour and patterns of thought which together constitute the singularity of Jewish expression.;The study offers, for the non-Jew and the uninformed Jew, an insight into the great legal, mystical, theological, ethical and ritual traditions which have preserved the identity of the exiled and often outcast Jew, and enabled him to carry the message of the Hebrew Bible into the modern world. Alan Unterman is the author of "The Wisdom of the Jewish Mystics" and "Dictionary of Jewish Lore and Legend".

This introduction to Buddhism begins by asking, "What is Buddhism?", and recognizes an immense diversity and richness woven into its many strands. Assuming no previous knowledge, the book introduces the reader to the life and teachings of the Buddha, and to the major beliefs and practices which are encompassed in the Theravada, the sole surviving school from early Buddhism. It also examines the schools of the Mahayana, which have blossomed from early beginnings, and today find expression in rich and multifarious forms. Contents include:
-- Introduction: What is Buddhism? The world of the Buddha: the Indian background; the Indian mind and its concerns.
-- The life of the Buddha: the early years; the four signs; enlightenment; death of the Buddha. The Sangha and the development of Buddhism; the Buddha's first sermon; the beginnings of the Sangh; the First Council 483 BCE; the Second Council 383 BCE; the emergence of the Mahayana; the Third Council; the decline of Buddhism in India and its development elsewhere.
-- The Buddha's teaching: the Buddha's unique methodology; the Four Noble Truths; the Noble Eightfold Path; the Pancha Sila; dependent origination; the three marks.
-- Theravada Buddhism: the nature of the Buddha; arahants; monks; scriptures; ceremonies; festivals.
-- Mahayana Buddhism: the nature of the Buddha; bodhisattvas; scriptures; ceremonies; festivals. Schools of the Mahayana: Pure Land, Zen, Tibetan, Nichiren, Tantra.
-- Puja in the temple/home; meditation.

How can we be happy? How should we treat others? How should we spend our time? Discover the path to peaceful living with this beginner's guide to the ancient practice of Zen Zen is a philosophy for living in a state of kindness, gratitude and awareness, teaching us to be present and to experience the world as it truly is. This book will guide you through the concepts of Zen, revealing how you can apply its principles to your daily life and how you can reap the benefits to gain a greater sense of peace and calm. Through simple tips, guided meditations and thought exercises, you can learn to cultivate Zen, whether you're new to the practice or have been familiar with it for years. Are you ready to discover the secrets of Zen? Within these pages you'll find: The history of the Zen school of thought, and how it has shaped the world we live in today An introduction to Zen practices and beliefs, including the Six Virtues and the Five Precepts, and to Zen ceremonies, holidays and rituals Tips for cultivating and perfecting your practice, and developing your own sense of "Zen" Step-by-step instructions for trying various meditations and exercises for yourself Ideas to make your daily life and home more Zen Exercises in Zen arts, such as calligraphy, painting, gardening and flower arranging Wise words from the world's most enlightened thinkers Thought-provoking Zen teachings to help you see things in a new light

At the turn of the millennium, Middle Eastern and Muslim Germans had rather unexpectedly become central to the country's Holocaust memory culture-not as welcome participants, but as targets for re-education and reform. Since then, Turkish- and Arab-Germans have been considered as the prime obstacles to German national reconciliation with its Nazi past, a status shared to a lesser degree by Germans from the formerly socialist East Germany. It is for this reason that the German government, German NGOs, and Muslim minority groups have begun to design Holocaust education and anti-Semitism prevention programs specifically tailored for Muslim immigrants and refugees, so that they, too, can learn the lessons of the Holocaust and embrace Germany's most important postwar democratic political values. Based on ethnographic research conducted over a decade, Subcontractors of Guilt explores when, how, and why Muslim Germans have moved to the center of Holocaust memory discussions. Esra OEzyurek argues that German society "subcontracts" guilt of the Holocaust to new minority immigrant arrivals, with the false promise of this process leading to inclusion into the German social contract and equality with other members of postwar German society. By focusing on the recently formed but already sizable sector of Muslim-only anti-Semitism and Holocaust education programs, this book explores the paradoxes of postwar German national identity.

Despite the undeniable importance of anti-evolutionism in American cultural history, and the plethora of publications since the 1980s, few libraries have collected more than the occasional book or pamphlet on creationism and early creationist periodicals are almost impossible to find. This collection makes available works on creationism by such stalwarts as Arthur I. Brown, William Bell Riley, Harry Rimmer, Byron C. Nelson, George McCready Price, Harold W. Clark and Frank Lewis Marsh. It also reprints three of the earliest and rarest creationist journals in America: the Creationist, the Bulletin of Deluge Geology and the Forum for the Correlation of Science and the Bible. The collection as a whole plays an important part in the continuing debate in America over science and religion. There is a new preface to all volumes by the series editor Ronald L. Numbers.

The search for effective ways to enable different religious systems to co-exist peacefully in mutual complementarity has emerged as a necessary condition for economic development, social progress, human prosperity and even survival. The combination of diversity and interdependence in the religious world calls for comparative studies of religion. This book details the inherent problems of such studies.;The underlying idea presented is that there are similarities, as well as differences between Confucianism as humanistic tradition and Christianity as a theocentric religion, and that these similarities and differences are mutually involved and delicately related with each other: while agape can be translated in English as "love", it is in fact more than love, in that it defines the relationship between Christians and their God, and between Christians and their neighbours; while jen in Chinese is not the translation of "love", it is in fact essentially love, both ethical and religious, in that it defines the relationship between Confucians and their transcendantal pursuit, between Confucians and their ideal, and between Confucians and their fellow human beings.

Finally sort out who's who in Greek mythology-from gods, goddesses, heroes, monsters, and everyone in between! Greek mythology continues to appear in popular movies and books today but have you ever wondered about where these characters started out? Discover the origins of your favorite characters from Greek mythology with this collection of profiles to tell you who's who in classical lore! In Greek Mythology, you will discover the backstories of the heroes, villains, gods, and goddesses that enjoy popularity in today's shows and films. With comprehensive entries that outline each character's name, roles, related symbols, and foundational myths, you can get to know the roots of these personas and better understand the stories they inspire today. With this character-focused, handy reference, you will never be confused about Ancient Greece!

Turn Aside from Evil and Do Good was written by Zevi Hirsch Eichenstein (1763-1831), a hasidic master and renowned adept in Lurianic kabbalah. He wrote it with the intention of providing a guide to would-be hasidic kabbalists on how to live a holy life. Eichenstein was unusual in the hasidic world in that as well as being a kabbalist he was a competent talmudist and was also acquainted both with the science of his day and with medieval Jewish philosophy. His views differ from those of other hasidic masters, principally in the importance he attributes to studying the kabbalah, which he considers an important antidote to unbelief, and in his more positive attitude to the enjoyment of sexual activity and to business activity; he is concerned to show how both can be integrated in a holy life. This lively translation by Louis Jacobs of the second edition (1850), which includes the notes of R. Zevi Elimelekh of Dynow, gives the reader an insight into a highly unconventional hasidic master and the basic ideas of Lurianic kabbalah as he perceived them. Through hundreds of scholarly annotations, printed at the foot of each page for ease of reference, Louis Jacobs helps the reader to understand the kabbalistic ideas and imagery and other opaque terms, and clarifies the sources to which the author alludes. Turn Aside from Evil and Do Good conveys the full flavour of an original hasidic approach to kabbalism. Immensely readable, it will be of interest to anyone interested in hasidism and Jewish mysticism or the religious way and its social history. Louis Jacobs has added a very accessible introduction to explain the Lurianic system of kabbalah; he also provides biographical details of Eichenstein and his school, and a full bibliography.

Awaken your heart and engage your mind with Buddhist Wisdom: Daily Reflections, a simple but powerful collection of Buddhist sayings and extracts that offer an easy way to incorporate the Buddha's most significant teachings into your everyday life. Use it daily or at random to find help facing a particular issue or problem. Illustrated with photographs of traditional Buddhist people, sacred places and monuments, the book provokes contemplation and more profound understanding for all individuals, regardless of religious persuasion. Buddhist Wisdom also offers a brief overview of the life of the Buddha, Buddhist teachings and the spread of Buddhism around the world; includes a Buddhist calendar of celebration days and festivals.

Drawn from his masterful presentation of Islam in the bestselling book The World's Religions (over two million copies sold), Huston Smith offers a revealing look into the heart of a tradition with more than one billion adherents worldwide. Dispelling narrow and distorted notions about the nature of Islam and featuring a new introduction by the author, this book compellingly conveys the profound appeal of Islam, while addressing such timely issues as the true meaning of jihad, the role of women in Islamic societies, and the remarkable growth of Islam in America.

This magisterial Norton Anthology, edited by world-renowned scholars, offers a portable library of more than 1,000 primary texts from the world's major religions. To help readers encounter strikingly unfamiliar texts with pleasure; accessible introductions, headnotes, annotations, pronouncing glossaries, maps, illustrations and chronologies are provided. For readers of any religion or none, The Norton Anthology of World Religions opens new worlds that, as Miles writes, invite us "to see others with a measure of openness, empathy, and good will..." Unprecedented in scope and approach, The Norton Anthology of World Religions: Judaism brings together over 300 texts from pre-Israelite Mesopotamia to post-Holocaust Israel and America. The volume features Jack Miles's illuminating General Introduction-"How the West Learned to Compare Religions"-as well as David Biale's "Israel among the Nations," a lively primer on Jewish history and the core teachings of Judaism.