What are religions? Why is it important to understand them? One answer is that religions and religious believers are extremely bad news: they are deeply involved in conflicts around the globe; they harm people of whom they disapprove; and they often seem irrational. Another answer claims that they are in fact extremely good news: religious beliefs and practices are universal and so fundamental in human nature that they have led us to great discoveries in our explorations of the cosmos and of who we are. The sciences began as part of that religious exploration. John Bowker demonstrates that there is truth in both answers and that we need both to understand what religion is and why it matters. He draws on many disciplines - from physics, genetics and the neurosciences to art, anthropology and the history of religions - to show how they shed entirely new light on religion in the modern world.

Oxford Scholarly Classics is a new series that makes available again great academic works from the archives of Oxford University Press. Reissued in uniform series design, the reissues will enable libraries, scholars, and students to gain fresh access to some of the finest scholarship of the last century.

An essential guide to learning everything you need to know about the history, central practices, and the key teachings of many religions. A compelling and insightful guide for uncovering and understanding a variety of the world's major religions. This book will be the perfect gift for thinkers, borrowers, and students of religious studies and philosophy. Learn new and profound information about a variety of faiths. In this educational guide you'll find: - A chapter devoted to each of the major world religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism and Islam - Lesser-known religions and belief systems are covered, offering a comprehensive overview of faith - Detailed illustrations and annotated works of art, and a timeline of religious history Discover a variety of the world's major religions and other faiths from both the ancient and the modern world through this insightful guide. Explore over 450 classic works of religious and devotional art. With sacred texts, epic imagery, key beliefs, and religious artefacts, this educational guide is perfect for libraries, classrooms, and the bookshelves of those who simply love learning.

This dictionary is part of the Oxford Reference Collection: using sustainable print-on-demand technology to make the acclaimed backlist of the Oxford Reference programme perennially available in hardback format. Abridged from the acclaimed Oxford Dictionary of World Religions this is the most comprehensive dictionary of religion available in paperback. Written by an expert team of contributors, the volume contains over 8,200 entries, an extensive topic index, and an original and in-depth introductory essay. The editor, Professor John Bowker, is an established authority on religious studies and a well-known broadcaster on BBC Radio and the World Service. Containing entries on religions, movements, sects, and cults, texts, individuals, sacred sites, customs, ethics, and themes, this dictionary is both extensive and accessible. Fully cross-referenced for ease of use, it is suitable for anybody interested in finding out more about the religions of the world.

The Targums are interpretative translations of the Hebrew text of the Bible which originated in Synagogue teaching, where an interpretation of the Hebrew text had to be given orally for the benefit of non-Hebrew speaking congregations. Over the centuries, a loose 'Targum Tradition' began to form and the written Aramaic Targums can best be understood as crystallisations of the Targum tradition at different points of time. In the first part of this book Professor Bowker examines the emergence and development of Jewish exegesis and the importance of the Targums. Bearing in mind that Jewish and rabbinic material is being increasingly applied to problems of Christian origins, he provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject (referring to the texts and translations most readily available) with emphasis on recent work and discoveries. The second part of the book gives actual material in translation, showing how Jewish exegesis arrived at its interpretations of Scripture.

A study of the Pharisees, in particular as they appear in the New Testament and in relation to Jesus. The main part of the book brings together the most important Greek and Semitic source material in translation. This facilitates reference, and it makes possible group and seminar discussion of documents which have hitherto been difficult to study in English. As in his book The Targums and Rabbinic Literature Mr Bowker makes available and accessible to students material which tends to be removed from them by language and technicality. In his introduction he explains the many problems and uncertainties which surround this apparently well-known but actually little-understood group. He shows that they were far from constituting a static, uniform sect, and that they had an important history of their own. He finally suggests an approach to understanding Jesus' relations with them, which in turn suggests an understanding of Jesus' conception of his own relation to God, and also of his 'trial'.

A comparative general study of the problems of suffering as treated by Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Marxism, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Who or what is God? How do different religions interpret God's existence? How can we know God? Many people believe in God; not just throughout history but also in the present day. But who or what is it they believe in? Many different and sometimes conflicting answers have been suggested to this question. This Very Short Introduction explores some of the answers provided by philosophers, poets, and theologians, and considers why some people believe in God and others do not. John Bowker explores how the major religions established their own distinctive beliefs about God and how they interpret God's existence, and concludes by looking at how our understanding of God continues to evolve. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

A major contribution to debates about the value of death and its place in Western and Eastern religions is presented by this work's belief that religious and secular attitudes can support and reinforce one another through their attitudes towards death.

A massive collection of pornography inspires a brilliant MIT student to explore the limits of the human mind in "A Question of Storage" by John Bowker, the featured story in the Spring 2013 issue of Big Pulp (cover art by Phil Good). This issue also features more than 25 more great stories and poems from Steven Axelrod, K.C. Ball, Robert Bagnall, Michael Bracken, Alison Downs, Malon Edwards, Milo James Fowler, Lee Hammerschmidt, Tom Larsen, Tim Lieder, Luke Lloyd, Court Merrigan, James A. Newman, Thomas Pluck, Erin Pringle-Toungate, Terrie Leigh Relf, Jason Reynolds, Shane D. Rhinewald, Wayne Scheer, K.C. Shaw, Catherine Batac Walder, Dustin Walker, Changming Yuan, and Lee Zumpe

This book explores the function of buildings for worship, shrines and pilgrimage centers, and the part they play in the lives of individuals and the community, while also recognizing that sacred place is not defined as architectural buildings.

Themes in Religious Studies series>

Addressing important issues of the day, this series examines how each of the eight major religions approaches a particular theme. Constructed to be comparative, the books are both authoritative and accessible. Each chapter is followed by a selected bibliography. Individual books are ideal for students at university and A level. As a set they form a complete reference collection.

Addressing important issues of the day, this series examines how each of the eight major religions approaches a particular theme. Constructed to be comparative, the books are both authoritative and accessible. Each chapter is followed by a selected bibliography. Individual books are ideal for students at university and A level. As a set they form a complete reference collection.

The world contains a bewildering variety of religions, and an equally bewildering variety of practices and beliefs within them. Why did they develop and become so widespread? Why do religions matter so much to so many people? Why do some believe that their faith requires them to terrorise and kill others? Do religions do more harm than good? This is a book for those who ask such questions. Some of the answers we hear today seem totally uncritical of religions while others dismiss religions as inherently toxic and destructive. John Bowker, one of the world's most distinguished scholars of religion, delivers a timely analysis of the issues. He shows how recent research, particularly in the neurosciences, genetics and evolution, throws new light on what religions are and on what part they have played in human life and history. His explanation of why religions have been a force for both good and evil is of vital importance for those trying to understand the politics of the modern world.

What are religions? Why is it important to understand them? One answer is that religions and religious believers are extremely bad news: they are deeply involved in conflicts around the globe; they harm people of whom they disapprove; and they often seem irrational. Another answer claims that they are in fact extremely good news: religious beliefs and practices are universal and so fundamental in human nature that they have led us to great discoveries in our explorations of the cosmos and of who we are. The sciences began as part of that religious exploration. John Bowker demonstrates that there is truth in both answers and that we need both to understand what religion is and why it matters. He draws on many disciplines - from physics, genetics and the neurosciences to art, anthropology and the history of religions - to show how they shed entirely new light on religion in the modern world.

Why do we think that things happen in the way that they do? Why do we think that some things are true, and other things false? Why do we maintain that some things are good, and other things evil? These are questions that have puzzled thinkers for millennia. In the past, they have been answered by separating our emotional from our rational responses. But recent research in the neurosciences suggests that the questions now deserve very different answers. In this fascinating and highly praised book, John Bowker shows that reason and emotion work much more closely together in forming opinions and judgements than has previously been supposed. If faith and belief are rooted in rationality, not separate from it (as thinkers like Richard Dawkins might propose), this discovery has stunning implications for our understanding of human identity, mind and consciousness. Illuminating some of the biggest issues that there are - issues of ethics, religion, aesthetics and truth - "The Sacred Neuron" makes a consistently original and stimulating contribution to key themes in 'science and religion'.

The place of women in the religions, both as expressed in the classical writings and as experienced in life, is carefully considered in this book. It deals with what part women can and/or do play in religious institutions; how relevant religion is to their general role in society; and the significance of cultural influences for attitudes to women within the religious traditions.Addressing important issues of the day, this series examines how each of the eight major religions approaches a particular theme. Constructed to be comparative, the books are both authoritative and accessible. Each chapter is followed by a selected bibliography. This book is ideal for undergraduate students.

Addressing important issues of the day, this series examines how each of the eight major religions approaches a particular theme. Constructed to be comparative, the books are both authoritative and accessible. Each chapter is followed by a selected bibliography. Individual books are ideal for students at university and A level. As a set they form a complete reference collection.

Religious beliefs have shaped the history of the world. Their effect can be seen in culture, philosophy and politics, and they have inspired people to serve others and to create great works of art, architecture and music. Yet differences in belief can cause bloodshed and war. Never before has it been more urgent to understand the great religions if we are to make sense of our 21st century world, its achievements and its conflicts. This new, revised edition of Beliefs That Changed the World tells the story of the major faiths from their earliest beginnings to their present day impact.