World Religions

As a classroom teacher, I'm always looking for resources to help me make my classroom more inclusive of and responsive to students and families from cultures other than my own--and religious differences are not often addressed as a component of a school community's diversity. The clear and concise answers to the 'Burning Questions' and the 'On the Calendar' feature are particularly useful for educators committed to creating culturally-sustaining classrooms. --Courtney Rath, high school teacher and PhD educator Jill Carroll has written a very informative beginner's guide to seven of the world's major religions. Each faith is given roughly 20 pages to discuss its history, origins, major beliefs, primary thinkers/founders, important divisions, symbols, and how the religion relates to other religions. Each faith is presented in a nonjudgmental manner, and aspects of the faith are examined via a series of questions that cover topics previously noted. If you desire a grounding in the basic understanding of each faith, as a tool to start a larger study, this is an excellent beginning. And the book's nonjudgmental manner makes it good for use in the classroom. --Kevin Fontenot, educator Jill Carroll's contribution to introducing world religions is the product of a top-rate scholar and a seasoned teacher. Her direct and approachable style is well-organized and refreshingly jargon-free but doesn't overlook the complexity of religions. Reading this book will not only help you understand these religions more deeply but also will help you see the similarities between religions. In a time when people can feel more isolated, I cannot think of a book more important to help build bridges. --Greg Han, scholar and interfaith activist