Religion Books

[xer0s]

I want to start reading books on the various religions of our world. I'd like to read one book per religion, so it needs to be a book that isn't for or against the religion, but rather states the facts about their beliefs and culture. I know we have some religion buffs in here, so I'm assuming some of you can recommend some books. Here are the religions that I'd like to start off with:

Christianity
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism
Judaism
Confucianism
Scientology
Mormonism

I'd be open to read up on any others of course. But would like to start with those...

[Dark Metal]

May God have mercy on your face.

[Dark Metal]

And by 'mercy', I mean 'a coiled up dump of steaming shit'.

[GONNAFISTYA]

And by 'a coiled up dump' you mean 'a dump that coils up six times'.

[4days]

theology's a weird thing to take up as a hobby - why not pick a few of your favourite serial killers or tv personalities and read up on their fantasies instead?

if you have to stick with religion then check out ninian smart's 'the world's religions' - it's available in a softcover, large print edition that makes for easy toilet reading.

[GONNAFISTYA]

I think the easiest way to learn about the different religions - and why they should be laughed at - is to just watch Southpark.

[Ryoki]

I suggest reading a book about mass psychology instead, you might actually learn something that way.

[mjrpes]

I wouldn't buy a big fat book on a single religion because there is so much dull shit in the details that you will be bored to tears in no time.

For a brief summary of all the major religions, I do recommend Huston Smith...

http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Religions- ... 062508113/

[EtUL]

You need not be a scholar in leprechaunology to disbelieve in leprechauns.

[xer0s]

I wouldn't buy a big fat book on a single religion because there is so much dull shit in the details that you will be bored to tears in no time.

For a brief summary of all the major religions, I do recommend Huston Smith...

http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Religions- ... 062508113/

Yeah, you're probably right. Thanks for the link...

[scared?]

I want to start reading books on the various religions of our world. I'd like to read one book per religion, so it needs to be a book that isn't for or against the religion, but rather states the facts about their beliefs and culture. I know we have some religion buffs in here, so I'm assuming some of you can recommend some books. Here are the religions that I'd like to start off with:

Christianity
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism
Judaism
Confucianism
Scientology
Mormonism

I'd be open to read up on any others of course. But would like to start with those...

lol moron...

[Fender]

You need not be a scholar in leprechaunology to not have a belief in leprechauns.

FTFY

[plained]

i would suggest to not bother

[Grudge]

lol, scientology

[Grudge]

lol, scientology

[Adi052]

I suggest reading a book about ols tores book u can get more information

[Eraser]

I'd like to read one book per religion

Because a single book is 100% guaranteed to give you an unbiased view of the religion.

[Pext]

I think the easiest way to learn about the different religions - and why they should be laughed at - is to just watch Southpark.

[Pext]

I suggest reading a book about mass psychology instead, you might actually learn something that way.

and memetics

[Mogul]

lol, scientology

[xer0s]

I'd like to read one book per religion

Because a single book is 100% guaranteed to give you an unbiased view of the religion.

Well, I did ask for unbiased books. I do realize its hard to understand Religion (or anything for that matter), by reading one book.

Thank you for contributing to a three year old thread...

[Κracus]

I've really been meaning to read The Celstine Prophecy. Not so much about a particular religion but moreso about spirituality, I think.

As for religion my advice to you isn't to read random books on the subject. Instead, approach it like an investigation and try to come up with facts or information on your own.

For example I did a lot of research on Christianity and propose a theory that a scholar named Eusebius came up with modern day christianity based on buddhist mythology/history. He believed it was better to tell a lie to stop violent people from doing violent things than to tell the truth.

He got the information from another historian named Titus Flavius Josephus who exaggerated tales to stay alive I suspect. He was dead I believe by the time Eusebius was around but Josephus left behind a book with all this information, I've read it myself it's pretty interesting. If you were looking for a book to read on Christianity I'd start with that. It's called the Antiquities of the Jews. (I'm dead serious btw)

I shit you not, Eusebius came up with modern day christianity based on a few offhand comments about Jesus in that book.

edit: Jesus, 3 year old thread alert.

[0psys]

I want to start reading books on the various religions of our world. I'd like to read one book per religion, so it needs to be a book that isn't for or against the religion, but rather states the facts about their beliefs and culture. I know we have some religion buffs in here, so I'm assuming some of you can recommend some books. Here are the religions that I'd like to start off with:

Christianity
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism
Judaism
Confucianism
Scientology
Mormonism

I'd be open to read up on any others of course. But would like to start with those...

Don't bother with the Qu'ran, you won't make it all the way through without a lot of effort. If you do read it, make sure you read the Old Testament first. In fact, start with the Old Testament, full stop, and try not to read it as a sceptic, because you won't make it past Exodus. Try to read it as a story, or early attempt at philosophy, and then you'll be able to read it without getting angry. It's a very frustrating book to read if you can't shake the fact that people take it seriously/literally.

Stay with Judaism/Christianity for as long as possible, because the offshoot polemics/critiques written about them are an amazing insight the incompatibility between Asian and European morality. C. S. Lewis, the author, was a Christian who wrote possibly the most insightful semi-polemics against his own beliefs of any person before him. They're well worth a read.

Mark Twain also wrote brilliant essays on the subject of religion and it's inherent lack of morals. Thoughts Of God is probably my favourite from him: http://www.ratbags.com/rsoles/comment/twain02.htm

[0psys]

For example I did a lot of research on Christianity and propose a theory that a scholar named Eusebius came up with modern day christianity based on buddhist mythology/history. He believed it was better to tell a lie to stop violent people from doing violent things than to tell the truth.

You "propose a theory"? What the hell are you taling about? Eusebius has been known as the father of Christian history for centuries. His role in text and gospel selection is well documented.

Fucking acting like you jumped on the net and came up with a 1500 year old theory yourself lol

[GONNAFISTYA]

It's Kracus...he thinks any random thought that comes to him in a haze of bong smoke is the first time humans contemplated it.

Then he makes a thread presenting his "theory" and then everyone laughs at him.