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Summary: great guy
Review: I personally met Huston when he came to talk with my class this March. He was one of the nicest and most intelligent people I've ever met. His book is phenomenal and is definitely worth spending a lot of time with.
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Summary: Great book for Global Studies
Review: We were learning about the different religions in Global Studies, and I decided to pick this up for extra cedit. I loved it! Houston Smith's "The World's Religions includes the main religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity as well as a list of philosophies. The information is massive and very interesting to read. I have a few complaints though. Some of the religions were merely mentioned briefly and left me frustrated. Another problem is the fact that it doesn't really give specific detail to the differences of each religion. However, other than that, it's an awesome book. I got some good information off of it and got a few extra points added to my grade by doing a report on it.
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Summary: Best book on all the religions out there
Review: People pretty much summed this one up already. I was pessimistic about western religions before this book. This book revealed the hidden truths and showed the beauty in all the religions. By all means strengthen your own faith (as one reviewer so put it), but don't choose to be ignorant to all the world's different faiths. I Personally would rather search all the opinions before making my own. And don't let FEAR of not being saved stop you. The whole point of us being here is to search.
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Summary: People should open their hearts !
Review: This book breifly touches on many of the Worlds established religions. It illustrates that most are quite similar and based upon the same 'universal truths'. It is interesting to look at the common threads between peoples belief systems. It is also interesting to note that pure religous ideas that promote good are later corrupted and changed as the religious movement develops and the power base shifts from the people/believers to the establishment/church. The focus then becomes wealth and market share - as opposed to the search for truth and respect for your fellow man. My view is read this book take the best from each and discard the rest.
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Summary: The "fun" way to look at the colorful world of religion
Review: The world of religion brought together in one book. Brought together so well it actually seems as if we were all in harmony with our different beliefs. Religion or different religions that makes up our system or lively hood should be taken as what it is. Think back on all the wars we've had,..then look at the hidden force behind most of them. In some case it wasn't hidden but i like to use hidden because religion is somewhat a scape goat for serpents who chooses to remain in the dark or behind the scene. See just how serious Religion really is ,..then calculate the lives that different beliefs has brought to an end. In most cases it happens to be innocent lives of those with the same beliefs. This book is a good book but in no way do I admire the beliefs of others simply because its outlined as to what our beliefs SHOULD be,..and that alone is constoversial subjects. Instead of finding out the other beliefs of the world,..strengthen your own faith in what you believe, because what this world is about to witness is gonna either break your FAITH,...or preserve you alive because of your FAITH. In other words strengthen your own conviction, because not all will be saved.
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Summary: Outstanding survey book
Review: This book was my textbook for my high school world religions class years ago, and I still have it, despite the fact that my copy is falling apart. It remains the best introduction to the major religions of the world that I've come across. Admittedly, the book is mostly high level theology and not day-to-day religious practice information, but as a first book on the underlying tenets of Hinduism, Buddism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and more, it just can't be beat. If anyone ever asked me for a book about various theologies, this would be the first book I'd recommend.
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Summary: A Really Great Book 0n Religion
Review: What is absolutely remarkable in Mr. Smith's book is the capacity he shows to introduce each different religion he examines as if he were a devotee of that religion. Saying that his explanations are unbiased is little to say about the depth of his non-sectarianism. A really great book on religion!
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Summary: An Excellent Survey of the Religions of the World
Review: I read this book not as part of an educational requirement but for spiritual enlightenment and for personal enjoyment. I found both of these in Smith's work. This composite provides an overview of the various different religions of the world from the perspective of how to approach life and how to view one's self. Although the historical aspects of the various religions are not considered in depth, Smith does a strong job of explaining the psychological outlooks of the philosophies in an unbiased manner. He also provides a useful reference list for each chapter so that one might continue to pursue knowledge about religions of interest. The only improvements that I could see would be to include more information on the social views, historical development, and perceptions of the supernatural within each religion.
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Summary: Good Textbook
Review: I have used this book as a textbook for my community college classes since 1989. (It used to be entitled The Religions of Man.) Many of my students are unfamiliar with religions other than their own and find this book a good introduction to the beliefs of others. I think it is well written and covers a lot of ground. I also like the personal tone of the writing. I do supplement my lectures with material from other sources because Smith does not give as much information on history as I would like. He explains why in the introduction. I recommend this book often.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good
Review: I actually enjoyed reading this book, even though it was required. I learned the origin and basics of the world's dominant faiths. I think I was converted with each chapter.
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