Stunningly Brief Introduction to World Religions

Original copyright 1996, James G. Lochtefeld, Professor of Religion, Carthage College

Revised and updated in 2021.

This introduction gives a brief introduction to some major world religions. Needless to say, much is missing.

My object here is not to provide a comprehensive history, but to give enough information about the history and ethos of each to enable readers to make some informed and intelligent connections.

This introduction may be freely downloaded or reproduced for any educational or non-commercial use, provided the source is acknowledged.

Contents

1. The "Children of Abraham:" Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

2. Religions from India: Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs

3. East Asian Religion: Confucians, Daoists, and the Japanese

The members WITHIN each of these groups share certain key religious assumptions and orientations (assumptions which differ profoundly BETWEEN the three groups). Each section begins with an overview to characterize that group's underlying religious assumptions, and then gives a more particular description for each of its members.

Occasional links to primary and secondary sources to help provide more context. I'm aware that some of the links are not working; please be patient!

Copyright James G. Lochtefeld.

Last modified 31 December, 2021

May next year be a good year!