Introducing Religion Religious Studies for the Twenty-First Century

Introducing Religion, 4/e explores the different ways of looking at religion in the twenty-first century. A broad overview to religious studies as a discipline introduces students to the various subjects of religion. Introducing Religion teaches readers how to think in academic religious studies and its main areas, including: sociology of religion, psychology of religion, history of religion, religion and art, ethics, and more. The fourth edition has been expanded with new chapters exploring topics of contemporary interest: myth, spiritual paths, religion and popular culture, religion in the computer age, religion and war. Contemporary topics engage today’s students, relating the topics to the changing world around them.

Chapter 1. How to Study Religion Chapter 2. History of Religion on Planet Earth Chapter 3. Myth: Our Lives, and the World's, Are StoriesChapter 4. Magic Doorways: Symbol, Rite, and Religion Chapter 5. Oases of the Mind: The Psychology of Religion Chapter 6. Inner Adventure: The Spiritual Path, the Way of FaithChapter 7. Why Evil?Chapter 8. Faith through Form: Religion and Art Chapter 9. Ghost Marriages and Country Music: Popular ReligionChapter 10. Cyberaltars: Religion in the Computer AgeChapter 11. Traveling Together: The Sociology of Religion Chapter 12. Truth Messages: The Conceptual Expression of Religion Chapter 13. Worlds to Come: Religious Eschatology and the AfterlifeChapter 14. How Shall We Live? Religion and Ethics Chapter 15. Horror and Glory: Religion Confronting War

A native of Illinois, Robert Ellwood received his B.A. from the University of Colorado and an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School. After serving as an Episcopal priest and Navy chaplain, he obtained a Ph.D. in the History of Religion from the University of Chicago Divinity School in 1967. He then taught religious studies at the University of Southern California for thirty years, and since retirement has lived in Ojai, California. He has published books on Japanese religion, American religion, mythology, and religious studies.