Sourcebook of the World's Religions:
An Interfaith Guide to Religion and Spirituality

Joel Beversluis (editor)

452 pages, paperback

New World Library, 2000
ISBN: 0-9637897-1-6

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Now in its third edition, this is the one of the most comprehensive works available on the variety of paths available to today's spiritual seekers. More than a reference work, it explores how religions can collaborate to help the world. Essays explore interfaith community and spiritual practices such as theosophy, wicca, and indigenous religions. Portraits of all the major religious traditions are also included. This revised text offers an unparalleled look at where spirituality is headed in the coming millennium.

TThis up-to-date edition of the Sourcebook includes:

• Portraits of more than twenty religious traditions and spiritual paths
• Why and how to build community among religions
• Articles, prayers, sacred texts, and quotes by hundreds of inspiring contributors
• New material on the 1999 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Cape Town
• Documents such as the Global Ethic, the Earth Charter, Code of Ethics Among Religions, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Reports on numerous established and new interfaith organizations
• Explorations of spirituality and mysticism, sacred cosmology, and seeking peace.
• An inspiring Directory of nearly 700 faith-based and interfaith organizations, most of which offer needed services or advocacy.
• Links to and descriptions for more than one hundred religious and interfaith web sites.

And much more.

This anthology of interfaith articles, essays, and resources has a multifold mission: First off, it is a well-presented primer, introducing readers to 20 of the world's religions and spiritual beliefs — Hinduism, Christianity, African Traditional Religion, Taoism, Wicca, and Nature Spirituality among them. Second, this carefully edited collection offers suggestions for becoming a more unified community, one that tolerates and respects the diversity of spiritual beliefs on the planet. Finally, it addresses the common ground amid all this diversity, such as respect for human rights, environmental responsibility, and creating a culture of peace. Although the material is heady (e.g., discussions on "Scared Community at the Dawn of the Second Axial Age" and "Objectives of the 1893 World Parliament of Religions"), the essays are mostly written by accessible writers, such as Wayne Teasdale and Thomas Keating. Also, the editor, Joel Beversluis, offers excellent introductions to each submission, grounding readers in plenty of background, context, and insider's information.

Gail Hudson, Amazon.com

. . . a valuable collection of writings across the spectrum of religious traditions. . .

Professor Diana Eck, Harvard University

. . . a working tool for religious practitioners, scientists, poets, activists, philosophers, educators, and political leaders.

Utne Reader

For all those who want our planet held together by a Global Ethic, this Sourcebook is of extreme importance and a sign of hope.

Dr. Hans Kung, Tubingen Ecumenical Institute

This Sourcebook is a major resource for continuing what happened so fruitfully at the Parliament of the World’s Religions — to deepen our understanding of each other and to encourage dialogue and cooperation.

Dr. David Ramage, Jr.
1993 Chair of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions

This effective working tool is highly recommended for both reference and circulating collections in any library.

Library Journal

. . . essays, documents, quotations, and prayers from a variety of traditions, with an emphasis on interfaith cooperation.

New Age Journal

. . . for those who share its outlook, a sign of hope.

Christian Century

. . . a myriad of sources, expressing . . . diverse opinion and viewpoint.

Hinduism Today

. . . a grand example of interreligious cooperation and understanding.

Values & Visions

. . . the first edition offered a substantial building block for the spiritual awakening we so desperately need. . . This expanded and updated work is an even stronger contribution.

Dr. Robert Muller, former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations

Joel Beversluis is proprietor of CoNexus Multifaith Media in Ada, Michigan, where he distributes books and other media on the interfaith movements, inter-religious understanding, and spiritually-informed responses to global issues. He has worked in various aspects of book publishing for over thirty years, as well as with peace, environmental, and interfaith organizations. CoNexus resources have been published in conjunction with organizations such as the Parliament of the World’s Religions, the United Religions Initiative, the Millennium Institute, Global Education Associates, and the International Interfaith Centre. Beversluis is also editor of the newsletter and web site of the North American Interfaith Network.

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