Introduction to Religion: A Sourcebook

Section One: What is Religion?

A Global, Diverse, and Changing Phenomenon

Section Two: An Example of a North American Animistic Religion

The Kwakiutl Tribe of the Pacific North West

Section Three: The Ancient Near East and First Temple Judaism

From Polytheism to Henotheism to Monolatry to Monotheism

Section Four: The Emergence of the Concept of an Afterlife in Second Temple Judaism and Its Further Development in Christianity

From Sheol to the Divine Comedy

Section Five: Division and Further Division

The Split between Judaism and Christianity and the Church’s Three-Way Split

Section Six: Islam

Descendants of Abraham’s Eldest Son, Ishmael

Section Seven: Hinduism

An Umbrella Term for a Rich Diversity of Beliefs

Section Eight: Buddhism

Born in Northern India/Nepal but Rapidly Spreading into Asia

Glossary/Introduction to Religion