Judaism

by Martha Morrison and Stephen F Brown

Published 1 October 2002
Completely revised, updated, and expanded, ""Judaism, Third Edition"" presents the basic beliefs of the Jewish religious heritage and highlights the different manners in which those traditions can be upheld. Both Orthodox Judaism and the religious practices and movements within Reformed Judaism (including Reform Judaism, Conservative Judaism, and Reconstructionist Judaism) are explored in this volume. All information has been updated to reflect the most current information available. Its coverage includes: introduction to the modern Jewish world; early history of the Jews and Judaism; the restoration to the present; the Hebrew Bible; the branches of Judaism and their basic beliefs; rites of passage; the impact of Judaism; and, Judaism facing the future.

Protestantism

by Stephen F Brown

Published 1 January 2002
Protestantism, Second Edition explores the origins, customs, and history of Protestantism, from its beginnings in the Middle Ages to its role in today's world. Current issues, such as the development of new religious denominations, abortion, gay and woman priesthood, and the relationship between religion and politics, are explored within the framework of the fundamental moral tenets of the faith. This volume also examines the political diversity among people of the Protestant faith. All material has been updated, revised, and expanded to reflect the most current information on this religion, including new photographs and rewritten chapters. Its coverage includes: introduction to the Protestant world; the origins of Protestantism; the history of Protestantism; branches of Protestantism and their basic beliefs; rites of passage; the impact of Protestantism; and, Protestantism facing new challenges.

Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity, Third Edition traces Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity from their roots in early Christian churches to the way these religions are observed today. Recounted here is the historical passage of the Catholic and Orthodox faiths, from the original teachings of Jesus Christ to the early separation of the Eastern and Western Churches to recent attempts at reconciliation. The central doctrines of Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity are explored as background to such current issues as the child abuse scandals of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States and the many tensions over abortion and gay marriage that exist in American society. The philosophy of Pope Benedict XVI, ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, and the role of lay communities are also highlighted. Coverage includes: the origins, history, beliefs, and practices of Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity Doctrinal disagreements between the Catholic and Orthodox Christian churches and the dialogue between the two churches; Catholic and Orthodox communities in the United States; challenges facing Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity, including ecumenism and interreligious dialogue; lay movements; poverty and social activism; issues surrounding the churches' views on homosexuality and abortion; the declining number of priests; and abuse scandals; and Pope Benedict XVI.