The Worlds Religions: Our Great
Wisdom Traditions by Huston Smith
Enjoyable, Educational Overview Of The World's Religions
The Worlds Religions, by Huston Smith, has been a standard introduction
to its eponymous subject since its first publication in 1958. Smith writes
humbly, forswearing judgment on the validity of world religions. His
introduction asks, How does it all sound from above? Like bedlam, or do
the strains blend in strange, ethereal harmony? ... We cannot know. All we
can do is try to listen carefully and with full attention to each voice in turn
as it addresses the divine. Such listening defines the purpose of this
book. His criteria for inclusion and analysis of religions in this book are
relevance to the modern mind and universality, and his interest in each
religion is more concerned with its principles than its context. Therefore,
he avoids cataloging the horrors and crimes of which religions have been
accused, and he attempts to show each at their best. Yet The Worlds
Religions is no pollyannaish romp: It is about religion alive, Huston writes.
It calls the soul to the highest adventure it can undertake, a proposed
journey across the jungles, peaks, and deserts of the human spirit. The

call is to confront reality. And by translating the voices of Hinduism,
Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, Christianity, and Judaism, among others,
Smith has amplified the divine call for generations of readers. --Michael
Joseph Gross
Personal Review: The Worlds Religions: Our Great Wisdom
Traditions by Huston Smith
"The World's Religions" explores the origins and inspirations of the many
faces of faith in our diverse world. This is one of my favorite reads.
Originally published in 1958, it is still a strong favorite of those interested in
the historical and spiritual origins of the world's great traditional religions.
Do NOT buy this book if you want:
-a thorough, detailed account of the historical origins of the world's major
religions
-a balanced, erudite chronicling of historical fact and modern scholarship
-a book of comparative religion: pros and cons, facts and fantasies
-an encyclopedic treatise of religious creeds, dogma, and ritual for
reference and study
DO buy this book if you want:
-a sense of how cultural beliefs and historical factors inspired different
populations to find and define god
-a visual image of the struggles of ancient societies reaching for meaning
and value in an often hostile and unforgiving world
-a broad knowledge of the spiritual wisdoms and beauty found within major
religions
-a feel for how beliefs evolve and change along with the spread and
maturation of civilizations
-a starting point to developed a deeper empathy with the spiritual traditions
and beliefs of others
The World's Religions is less a history book as it is Smith's story of the
spiritual journeys of humankind that led to the great traditional religions of
past and present. There is no other book that I know of that gives you a
better introduction to humanity's spiritual diversity and growth across the
ages. The book is well flavored with Smith's perspectives, but they rarely
interfere with the magnitude of the story.
For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:
The Worlds Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions by Huston Smith 5 Star Customer
Reviews and Lowest Price!