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Preface | |
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Maps and Time Lines | |
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About the Author | |
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World Religions: A Chronology | |
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Study of World Religions | |
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Proper Point of View | |
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Definitions of Religion | |
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Critical Studies of Religion | |
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Classification of Religions | |
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Approach of This Text | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Religions of the Past | |
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Prehistoric Religion | |
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Early Human Life | |
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Archeological Discoveries | |
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Works of Art | |
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Tombs and Monuments | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Egyptian Religion | |
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Egyptian Civilization | |
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Basic Beliefs | |
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Important Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Mesopotamian Religion | |
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Mesopotamian Civilization | |
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Basic Beliefs | |
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Important Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Greek Religion | |
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Greek Civilization | |
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Basic Beliefs | |
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Philosophers | |
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Dramatists | |
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Popular Religion | |
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Mystery Religions | |
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Mythology | |
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Festivals | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Roman Religion | |
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Roman Civilization | |
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Basic Beliefs | |
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Greek Accretions | |
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Middle Eastern Mystery Cults | |
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Important Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Mayan and Aztec Religions | |
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Mayan Civilization | |
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Sources of Mayan Information | |
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Mayan Beliefs and Practices | |
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Aztec Civilization | |
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Sources of Aztec Information | |
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Aztec Beliefs and Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Religions of Oral People | |
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African Religions | |
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Archeological Discoveries | |
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Traditional Religions | |
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Dinka Religion | |
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Yoruba Religion | |
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Basic Common Beliefs | |
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Important Practices | |
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Transformation of Traditions | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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American Indian Religions | |
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Origins of American Indians | |
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Sources of Information | |
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Basic Common Beliefs | |
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Important Practices | |
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Transformation of Traditions | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Religions of India | |
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Hinduism | |
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Archeological Discoveries | |
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Hindu Characteristics | |
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Hindu Social Structure | |
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Hindu Sacred Texts | |
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Hindu Teachings | |
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Developments in Hinduism | |
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Hindu Observances and Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Buddhism | |
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Buddhist Characteristics | |
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The Buddha | |
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Buddhist Groups | |
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Buddhist Sacred Texts | |
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Buddhist Teachings | |
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Buddhist Observances and Practices | |
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Buddhist Worldwide Expansion | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Jainism | |
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Origins of Jainism | |
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Mahavira | |
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Jain Groups | |
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Jain Sacred Texts | |
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Jain Teachings | |
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Jain Observances and Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Sikhism | |
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Origins of Sikhism | |
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Guru Nanak | |
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Succession of Sikh Gurus | |
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Sikh Groups | |
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Sikh Sacred Text | |
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Sikh Teachings | |
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Sikh Observances and Practices | |
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Modern Sikhism | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Religions of the Far East | |
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Taoism and Confucianism | |
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Archeological Discoveries | |
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Chinese Characteristics | |
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Basic Early Beliefs | |
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Chinese Sacred Texts | |
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Period of Intellectual Activity | |
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Taoism (Daoism) | |
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Lao Tzu (Laozi) | |
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Taoist Groups | |
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Taoist Sacred Texts | |
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Taoist Teachings | |
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Confucianism | |
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Confucius | |
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Confucian Sacred Texts | |
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Confucian Teachings | |
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Spread of Confucianism | |
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Proscription of Religions | |
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Chinese Observances and Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Shinto | |
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Shinto Characteristics | |
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Shinto Sacred Texts | |
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Shinto Mythology | |
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Shinto Teachings | |
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Syncretistic Character of Shinto | |
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Shinto As National Religion | |
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Shinto Observances and Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Religions of the Middle East | |
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Zoroastrianism | |
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Zoroaster | |
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Zoroastrian Sacred Texts | |
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Zoroastrian Teachings | |
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Zoroastrian Observances and Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Judaism | |
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Characteristics of Judaism | |
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Abraham | |
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Moses | |
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Judaism through the Centuries | |
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Jewish Groups | |
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Jewish Scripture | |
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The Talmud and the Midrash | |
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Judaic Teachings | |
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Jewish Observances and Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Christianity | |
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Christian Origins | |
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Jesus Christ | |
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Christian Scriptures | |
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Christian Teachings | |
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Christian Groups | |
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History of Early Christianity | |
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Christianity in the Middle Ages | |
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Recent Developments in Christianity | |
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Christian Observances and Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Islam | |
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Origins of Islam | |
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Muhammad, Messenger of God | |
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Islam through the Ages | |
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Muslim Groups | |
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Muslim Scripture | |
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The Hadith (Tradition) | |
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Muslim Teachings | |
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Muslim Religious Duties | |
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Muslim Observances and Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Baha'i | |
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Baha'i Origins | |
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Baha'i Sacred Texts | |
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Baha'i Teachings | |
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Baha'i Observances and Practices | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Modern Alternative Religions | |
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New Syncretistic Groups | |
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Global Awareness | |
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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon Church) | |
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Jehovah's Witnesses | |
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Christian Science | |
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Theosophy Society | |
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Self-Realization Fellowship | |
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Soka Gakkai International | |
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Subud | |
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Church of Scientology | |
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Unification Church (Moonies) | |
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Transcendental Meditation (TM) | |
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Church of All Worlds | |
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International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) | |
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The Healthy-Happy-Holy Organization (3HO) 498 | |
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Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Religions: A Comparison | |
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Role of Religion | |
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Traditional Faiths Questioned | |
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Unity or Diversity? | |
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Comparison of Paths | |
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Comparison of Goals | |
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East-West Comparison | |
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Study Questions | |
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Suggested Reading | |
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Notes | |
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Glossary | |
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Index | |