Description
Book SynopsisThis timely book brings together distinguished scholars who reflect on the fascination and fear that humans inevitably experience when confronted with diverse religious beliefs and practices. Contributors argue that fear of the stranger and his or her religion can only be overcome through education, and they suggest ways in which we can better understand one another and the world in which we live.
The first part of the collection, entitled Talking with Strangers, explores avenues for finding common ground between religious strangers. In this set of essays Stephen Prothero examines the American reception of Hinduism, John de Gruchy analyzes the relationship between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam in South Africa, and Bhikhu Parekh imagines a dialogue between Osama bin Laden and Mahatma Gandhi. The second set of essays addresses the theme of understanding difference, with a particular focus on methodological approaches within philosophy of religion. Wendy Doniger argues for an
Trade Review
"As discrete lectures aimed at a broad audience, [these essays] succeed in revealing various approaches to the comparative study of religion as well as tensions endemic to the field. Even readers already familiar with religious studies will find a number of the case histories and narratives, as well as the restatements of familiar problems, of some interest." —Journal of Church and State
“. . . a very readable collection. . .” —Contact
