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The Orthodox Church
15,00 ₾Since its first publication thirty years ago, Timothy Ware’s book has become established throughout the English-speaking world as the standard introduction to the Orthodox Church. Orthodoxy continues to be a subject of enormous interest among Western Christians, and the author believes that an understanding of its standpoint is necessary before the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches can be reunited. He explains the Orthodox views on such widely ranging matters as ecumenical councils, sacraments, free will, purgatory, the papacy and the relation between the different Orthodox churches.
The Varieties of Religious Experience
65,00 ₾Is life worth living? Yes, a thousand times yes when the world still holds such spirits as Professor James.’ – Gertrude Stein
A classic of American thought, William James’ The Varieties of Religious Experience is an extraordinary study of human spirituality in all its forms and one of the most profound works of Psychology ever written. When the book was published in 1902 the study of the human mind was a thrillingly new field of scientific enquiry: James was one of the first to seriously examine the psychology of religious faith and where he led, both Jung and Freud would follow. Yet for all its historical significance, this is a book full of humanity, wit and some deeply personal stories of revelation, religious devotion and mystical experience.
The Routledge Classics edition of The Varieties of Religious Experience makes available in paperback for the first time the Centenary Edition published by Routledge in 2002 with new introductions on the historical and contemporary significance of James’ work and a foreword by the author’s grandson, Micky James.
Waiting for God
56,00 ₾You cannot get far in these essays without sensing yourself in the presence of a writer of immense intellectual power and fierce independence of mind.’ – Janet Soskice, from the Introduction to the Routledge Classics edition
Simone Weil (1909–1943) is one of the most brilliant and unorthodox religious and philosophical thinkers of the twentieth century. She was also a political activist who worked in the Renault car factory in France in the 1930s and fought briefly as an anarchist in the Spanish Civil War. Hailed by Albert Camus as ‘the only great spirit of our times,’ her work spans an astonishing variety of subjects, from ancient Greek philosophy and Christianity to oppression, political freedom and French national identity.
Waiting for God is one of her most remarkable books, full of piercing spiritual and moral insight. The first part comprises letters she wrote in 1942 to Jean-Marie Perrin, a Dominican priest, and demonstrate the intense inner conflict Weil experienced as she wrestled with the demands of Christian belief and commitment. She then explores the ‘just balance’ of the world, arguing that we should regard God as providing two forms of guidance: our ability as human beings to think for ourselves; and our need for both physical and emotional ‘matter.’ She also argues for the concept of a ‘sacred longing’; that humanity’s search for beauty, both in the world and within each other, is driven by our underlying desire for a tangible god.
Eloquent and inspiring, Waiting for God asks profound questions about the nature of faith, doubt and morality that continue to resonate today.
This Routledge Classics edition includes a new Introduction by Janet Soskice and retains the Foreword to the 1979 edition by Malcolm Muggeridge.
A General Theory of Magic
65,00 ₾First written by Marcel Mauss and Henri Humbert in 1902, A General Theory of Magic gained a wide new readership when republished by Mauss in 1950. As a study of magic in ‘primitive’ societies and its survival today in our thoughts and social actions, it represents what Claude Lévi-Strauss called, in an introduction to that edition, the astonishing modernity of the mind of one of the century’s greatest thinkers. The book offers a fascinating snapshot of magic throughout various cultures as well as deep sociological and religious insights still very much relevant today. At a period when art, magic and science appear to be crossing paths once again, A General Theory of Magic presents itself as a classic for our times.
The Bible: The Basics
72,00 ₾The Bible: The Basics is an accessible and engaging introduction to the Bible as both a sacred text. central to the faith of millions. and a classic work of Western literature. containing a tapestry of genres. voices. perspectives. and images. This guide skilfully addresses both aspects of the Bible’s character by exploring:
the rich variety of literary forms. from poetry to prophecy and epistles to apocalypses;
the historical. geographic. and social context of the Bible;
contemporary attitudes to the Bible held by believers and non-believers;
the status of biblical interpretation today.
The second edition has been updated throughout and includes maps and detailed suggestions for further reading. This is an ideal starting point for people of any faith. or none. who are studying the Bible in any setting or who simply want to know more about the best-selling book of all time.
Secularism: The Basics
68,00 ₾Secularism: The Basics is a concise and engaging introduction to confusing and contradictory public discussions of secularism across the globe.
“Secularism” must be the most confused and convoluted term in the entire global political lexicon. From New York to Paris. to Istanbul. to Addis Ababa. to New Delhi. to Montevideo. there are countless examples of politicians. religious leaders and journalists. invoking the S-word in heated debates about public education. gender. sex. national symbols. and artistic freedom. In this lively and lucid book. Jacques Berlinerblau addresses why secularism is defined in so many ways and why it so ignites people’s passions. In so doing. he explores the following important questions: What does secularism mean? Why should we care about this idea? What are the different types of secularism and what are their histories? What are the basic principles of political secularisms? Why are secularism and Atheism often confused? What is the relationship between secularism and LGBTQ rights? What opposition are secularisms up against? What does the future hold for a concept millennia in the making. but only really operationalized in the twentieth century?
With a glossary of key terms. case studies. informative tables. and suggestions for further reading throughout. the book considers key philosophical. religious. anti-religious. post-modern and post-colonial arguments around secularism. This book is an ideal starting point for anyone seeking a readable introduction to the often-conflicting interpretations of one of our era’s most complex and controversial ideas.
Religion: The Basics
72,00 ₾From the local to the global level. religion is – more than ever – an important and hotly debated part of modern life in the twenty-first century.
From silver rings to ringtones and from clubs to headscarves. we often find the cultural role and discussion of religion in unexpected ways.
Now in its second edition. Religion: The Basics remains the best introduction to religion and contemporary culture available. The new edition has been fully revised and updated. and includes new discussions of:
the study of religion and culture in the twenty-first century
texts. films and rituals
cognitive approaches to religion
globalization and multiculturalism
spirituality in the West
popular religion.
With new case studies. linking cultural theory to real world religious experience and practice. and guides to further reading. Religion: The Basics is an essential buy for students wanting to get to grips with this hotly debated topic.
Religion and Science: The Basics
72,00 ₾Religion and science are arguably the two most powerful social forces in the world today. But where religion and science were once held to be compatible. many people now perceive them to be in conflict. This unique book provides the best available introduction to the burning debates in this controversial field. Examining the defining questions and controversies. renowned expert Philip Clayton presents the arguments from both sides. asking readers to decide for themselves where they stand:
• science or religion. or science and religion?
• history and philosophy of science
• the role of scientific and religious ethics – modifying genes. extending life. and experimenting with human subjects
• religion and the environmental crisis
• the future of science vs. the future of religion.
Thoroughly updated throughout. this second edition explores religious traditions from around the world and provides insights from across the sciences. making this book essential reading for all those wishing to come to their own understanding of some of the most important debates of our day.
Philosophy of Religion: The Basics
72,00 ₾This book introduces students and other interested readers to the philosophy of religion―a vibrant and growing field of academic philosophy. Readers will be guided through an exploration of classic and contemporary arguments for and against theism. In addition to this crucial. but standard fare. this book looks to probe deeper into the nature and value (or dis-value) of religion itself. Philosophy of religion is becoming more diverse. both in terms of the religious traditions it examines. and the issues that it addresses. This book reflects that fact. engaging with religious traditions from Quakerism to Jainism. Questions and topics covered include:
What is religion?
What philosophical problems arise for the practices of prayer. worship. and meditation?
How might multiple religions co-exist in peace?
If there’s a God. would it be the sort of thing that language could describe?
When and how might it be rational to wager that a particular religion is true?
With a glossary of key terms and suggestions for further reading. Philosophy of Religion: The Basics is an ideal starting point for anyone seeking a lively and accessible foray into the study of religion or philosophy.
Magic: The Basics
72,00 ₾Magic: The Basics is a concise and engaging introduction to magic in world history and contemporary societies. Presenting magic as a global phenomenon which has manifested in all human cultures. this book takes a thematic approach which explores the historical. social. and cultural aspects of magic.
Key features include:
attempts to define magic either in universal or more particular terms. and to contrast it with other broad and potentially fluid categories such as religion and science;
an examination of different forms of magical practice and the purposes for which magic has been used;
debates about magic’s effectiveness. its reality. and its morality;
an exploration of magic’s association with certain social factors. such as gender. ethnicity and education. among others.
Offering a global perspective of magic from antiquity through to the modern era and including a glossary of key terms. suggestions for further reading and case studies throughout. Magic: The Basics is essential reading for anyone seeking to learn more about the academic study of magic.
Judaism: The Basics
69,00 ₾The oldest of the world’s major faiths. Judaism as practiced today represents a tradition that goes back nearly 6.000 years. Accessible and wide-ranging. Judaism: The Basics is a must-have resource covering the stories. beliefs and expressions of that tradition.
Key topics covered include:
the Torah
Israel – the state and its people
Passover
Reform Judaism. Orthodox Judaism and Zionism
the impact of the Holocaust.
With a glossary of terms and extensive suggestions for further reading. Judaism: The Basics is an essential guide through the rich intricacies of the Jewish faith and people.
Islamic Psychology
62,00 ₾Islamic Psychology: The Basics is a jargon-free and accessible introduction that explores psychology from an Islāmic perspective. and provides a foundation level overview of the fundamental principles and practices of Islāmic psychology. The book introduces concepts. models. approaches. themes. and theories you need to know to study the mind. soul. and behaviour based on Islāmic scripture.
Offering an overview of Islāmic psychology and what Islāmic psychologists do. chapters address key topics including the history of the evolution of the science of the soul. and the psychology of human behaviour and experiences. Rassool examines the concepts of the Fitrah. the Nafs (Self). the Aql (Intellect). the Rūḥ (Soul) the Qalb (Heart). and the concept of Islāmic healing and spiritual interventions. Other themes include the Qur’an and psychology. models and approaches in Islāmic psychology. interpreting Islāmic psychology for modern times. and the contemporary scope of the practice of Islāmic psychology.
Outlining the challenges and solutions of the development of Islāmic psychology and potential future trends. and including features to aid learning. this is the ideal introductory book for students in Psychology. Islāmic Psychology. and Islāmic Studies. as well as professionals including counsellors and therapists. and anyone interested in psychology from an Islāmic perspective.
Islam: The Basics
72,00 ₾Now in its second edition. Islam: The Basics provides an introduction to the Islamic faith. examining the doctrines of the religion. the practises of Muslims and the history and significance of Islam in modern contexts. Key topics covered include:
the Qur’an and its teachings
the life of the Prophet Muhammad
gender. women and Islam
Sufism and Shi’ism
Islam and the western world
non-Muslim approaches to Islam.
With updated further reading. illustrative maps and an expanded chronology of turning points in the Islamic world. this book is essential reading for students of religious studies and all those new to the subject of Islam.
Hinduism: The Basics
55,00 ₾Hinduism: The Basics introduces readers to the third largest. and arguably the oldest. living religious tradition. It opens a vista into the rich and dynamic ethos of the Hindu religious tradition in India and other parts of the world. The book explores the variety of philosophical schools. priestly rituals. and popular practices common in the Hindu faith. presenting the layered diversity of its traditions and how they function in everyday life.
Chapters unpack key concepts from the tradition and discussions about its various aspects. including:
The historical development of Hinduism
Religious practices such as pilgrimage. meditation. and life cycle rituals
The organisation of Hindu society into castes and related social justice issues
The spread of Hinduism around the world. the rise of Hindu nationalism. and other challenges of modernity
The continuum between sacred texts in both elite Sanskrit and in South Asian vernacular languages
Hindu worldviews including karma. reincarnation. and ethics
The vitality of indigenous cultures in every form of Hinduism
Featuring glossaries. timelines. suggestions for further reading. and a list of key deities as well as practices. this is an ideal introduction to Hindu beliefs and traditions for undergraduates and others new to the study of Hinduism.
Death and Religion: The Basics
62,00 ₾Death and Religion: The Basics provides a thorough and accessible introduction to dying. death. grief. and conceptions of the afterlife in world religions.
It leads readers through considerations of how we understand meanings of death and after-death. and the theories and practices attached to these states of being. with recourse to various religious worldviews: Judaism. Islam. Christianity. Hinduism. Sikhism. Buddhism. Chinese Religions. and Native American belief systems. This inter-religious approach provides a rich. dynamic survey of varying and evolving cultural attitudes to death. Topics covered include:
Religious perspectives of “the good death”
Grief. bereavement. and mourning
Stages and definitions of death
Burial. cremation. and disposition
Remembrance rituals
Religious theories of the afterlife
Death and technology
Featuring a glossary. suggestions for further reading in each chapter and key terms. this is the ideal text for students approaching the intersection of death and religion for the first time. and those in the fields of religious studies. thanatology. anthropology. philosophy. and sociology.
Christianity: The Basics
72,00 ₾Christianity: The Basics is a compelling introduction to both the central pillars of the Christian faith and the rich and varied history of this most global of global religions. This book traces the development of Christianity through an exploration of some of the key beliefs. practices and emotions which have been recurrent symbols through the centuries:
Christ. the kingdom of heaven and sin
Baptism. Eucharist and prayer
Joy. divine union and self denial
Encompassing the major epochs of Christian history and examining the unity and divisions created by these symbols. Christianity: The Basics is both a concise and comprehensive introduction to the Christian tradition.
Buddhism: The Basics
69,00 ₾Buddhism: The Basics provides a thorough and accessible introduction to a fascinating religion. Examining the historical development of Buddhism and its presence today. this guide covers:
principal traditions
practices and beliefs
ethical guidelines and philosophy
religious texts
community
With helpful features including a detailed map of the Buddhist world. glossary of terms and tips for further study. this is an ideal text for students and interested readers wanting to familiarise themselves with the Buddhist faith.
Cathy Cantwell is an academic researcher at the Oriental Institute. University of Oxford. She specialises in Tibetan Buddhism. and has worked on eleventh century manuscripts. an eighteenth century scriptural collection. and contemporary Buddhist ritual manuals and practice. She has taught widely in UK Higher Education and is joint author of Early Tibetan Documents on Phur pa from Dunhuang.
Baha’i Faith: The Basics
69,00 ₾Bahá’í Faith: The Basics provides a thorough and accessible introduction to a fascinating. independent world religion. Examining its historical development. current “community-building” efforts and the social contributions of the Bahá’í Faith in the world today. this introduction covers:
Beliefs: Bahá’í spiritual teachings
Principles: Bahá’í social teachings
History: Bahá’u’lláh and his covenant.
Scripture: Bahá’í sacred texts and inspired guidance
Institutions: The Bahá’í Administrative Order
Building community: What Bahá’ís do
Social action: Bahá’í social and economic development projects
Public discourse: The Bahá’í International Community
Vision: Foundations for a future golden age
With features including a glossary of terms. and references to the Bahá’í writings throughout. this is the ideal text for students and interested readers wanting to familiarize themselves with the Bahá’í Faith.
Atheism: The Basics
72,00 ₾Atheism: The Basics is a concise and engaging introduction to belief in the non-existence of deities. Atheism has long fascinated people but debate around this controversial position may seem daunting. In this lively and lucid book. Graham Oppy addresses the following important questions:
• What does it mean to be an atheist?
• What is the difference between atheism. agnosticism. theism and innocence?
• How has atheism been distributed over time and place?
• What does science tell us about atheism?
• Are there good reasons to be an atheist?
• Are there good reasons not to be an atheist?
• What do we mean by ‘new atheism’?
With a glossary of key terms and suggestions for further reading throughout. the book considers key philosophical arguments around atheism. making this an ideal starting point for anyone seeking a full introduction to the arguments between those who hold atheistic beliefs and those who do not.
Chinese Alchemy
29,00 ₾Here in one slender volume is a basic introduction to Chinese alchemy–a tradition that dates back 5,000 years. Chinese alchemy, largely associated with Taoism, has a recorded history of more than 2,000 years, but traditionally it goes back even further to nearly 3000 BC and the time of the Yellow Emperor. While Western alchemy was concerned with the search for spiritual and material gold, classic Taoist alchemy was a mystical quest for immortality with its aim being union with the Absolute. Jean Cooper describes the history and development of Taoist alchemy, compares it to similar traditions in India and Turkistan, and gives it context by contrasting it with the rationale of the Western hermetic tradition. As she writes in her concluding The whole work of alchemy is summed up in the phrase “To make of the body a spirit and of the spirit a body”. . . . The goal of the Taoist alchemist-mystic was transformation, or perhaps more correctly, transfiguration, of the whole body until it ceases to “be” and is absorbed into and becomes the Tao. This is an essential guide for anyone interested in Chinese legend and lore, Chinese magic and medicine, and Taoism.
