Includes bibliographical references.

Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems 1 -- Acknowledgment v -- The Author v -- Preface vi -- Introduction 1 -- Origin of Religion 1 -- Definition of Religions 2 -- Types of Religion 4 -- Elements of Religion 5 -- Functions of Religion 8 -- Forms of Belief in God 11 -- Distinction between Religiosity and Spirituality 11 -- Difference Between Religion, Sect and Cult 12 -- Salvation as the End of Religion 13 -- Religious Freedom 14 -- Questions and Exercises 16 -- Judaism 21 -- The Beginning of Judaism 22 -- Israel: God's Chosen People 24 -- The Ten Commandments 26 -- The Prophets 30 -- Jewish Holidays or Festivals 30 -- Jewish Customs 33 -- Three Major Divisions in Judaism 36 -- Christianity 40 -- The Origins of Christianity 41 -- Practicing Christian Faith 44 -- Christian Religions 46 -- Christian Idea of Salvation 49 -- Islam 65 -- The Origin of Islam Religion 66 -- The God of Islam 68 -- Basic Beliefs in Islam 70 -- Oneness of Mankind 71 -- The Islamic Shariah (Laws of Islam) 75 -- The Lawful and Unlawful in Islam 75 -- Hinduism 81 -- The Beginning of Hinduism 82 -- Manifestations of God 83 -- Buddhism 91 -- The Beginning of Buddhism 92 -- Buddhist Way of Life 94 -- The Four Noble Truths 95 -- Shintoism 103 -- Popular Oriental Philosophies 111 -- Origin of Taoism 112 -- Lao Tzu 112 -- Tao Te Ching and Book of Chuang Tze 113 -- Doctrines 114 -- Superstitious Practices 115 -- Confucianism 116 -- The Confucian Literature 117 -- Rituals and Customs u118 -- Origin of Taoism 119 -- Lao Tzu 119 -- Tao Te Ching and Book of Chuang Tze 120 -- Doctrines 121 -- Superstitious Practices 123 -- References 129 -- About the Author 131

This book, Introduction to World Religions and Beliefs Systems, helps the students learn and appreciate the beliefs, values and practices of world religions, to provide an understanding how religions affect people's lives, and to develop an awareness of the significance for the adherents of each of the faiths studied.