Understanding the Religions of the World offers a new approach to the study of religion which moves away from the purely descriptive and instead helps students understand how religions work and what they mean to their adherents. "Each chapter is presented by experts and filled with unusual insights. Editor Will Deming has produced a piece of work that is easily readable yet thought-provoking, but, more importantly, one that articulates big conceptual ideas of each religion in a practical way, which make it highly recommendable to all first year undergraduate students." Mehmet Karabela, Queen's University, Canada "The headlines in our daily news make it all too clear that our world is in tragic need of greater understanding of the diversity of religions in history and today. The approach and the resources in Understanding the Religions of the World are valuable aids for teachers and students in their efforts to meet the challenges of understanding religions from the inside out." Charles Hallisey, Harvard University Understanding the Religions of the World is an innovative and engaging introduction to the study of religion and religions. In addition to providing exceptionally clear and readable discussions of a wide range of religious traditions, it helps students understand how each religion "works," and how religious beliefs and practices create worlds of meaning. The comprehensive coverage explores the major religious traditions including African religions and the religion of Oceania, which are rarely treated in introductory texts. Each chapter is written by or in conjunction with an area expert, includes a discussion of the religion's historical development, and then focuses on contemporary beliefs and practices. Understanding the Religions of the World also includes a chapter on change in religion and new religions. The text is enhanced throughout with numerous images and maps, special interest boxes that develop ideas and provide more depth, study questions, a glossary, and a website offering helpful links, student materials, images, and other resources available on publication at www.wiley.com/go/deming.