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Understanding World Religions is an academic website devoted to the study of religion and religions. It is designed to help students understand and appreciate historic religious traditions as well as new religious movements. The aim is to encourage the study of the great religions traditions. These include Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and various Indian traditions such as those of the Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. African religions, which are almost totally ignored by most religious studies textbooks, and courses are included as one of the great religious traditions of the world.
Other features include a section on secularism and rationalist traditions as well as one on what many scholars identify as “political religions.” New religions and new religious movements, which are often called “sects,” or “cults,” such as the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Unification Church, are also included.
Since the academic study of religion originated in the universities of Europe and North America where Christianity provided the background to the discussion of what was originally called “comparative religion,” the author makes no apology for paying particular attention to Christianity and the way Christians relate, and have related historically, to the challenge of religious pluralism.
On this site you will find various resources and links to other websites that we hope you find helpful. The website is a work in progress and will continue to add new sections and materials as time allows. Understanding World Religions is the creation of Irving Hexham, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Calgary in Canada. He owes his inspiration to Ninian Smart, Edward Conze, and the excellent religious studies program at the University of Lancaster.
On this site you will find various resources and links to other websites that we hope you find helpful. The website is a work in progress and will continue to add new sections and materials as time allows. Understanding World Religions is the creation of Irving Hexham, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Calgary in Canada. He owes his inspiration to Ninian Smart, Edward Conze, and the excellent religious studies program at the University of Lancaster
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Irving Hexham's Website
