Religion in Five Minutes (Second Edition)

Religion in Five Minutes is the lead volume in a series of books focused on the religions of the world. It provides an accessible and lively introduction to the questions about religious beliefs, behaviors, and institutions that interest many of us, whether or not we personally identify with a religion.

This second edition is 25 percent larger and includes all the entries from the first and more, offering readers succinct but insightful answers to one hundred common questions. Much of the new material focuses on issues relevant to religion in the public sphere, from the presence of crucifixes in public government offices in Germany, to controversies around Muslim women's head coverings in France, to the role played by religious education in the UK.

Religion in Five Minutes offers brief essays on a wide range of fascinating questions about religion and its study, such as:

• How did religion start?

• Can people belong to more than one religion?

• What is the difference between religion and philosophy?

• What is the difference between a religion and a cult?

• Is it true that women play lesser roles in many religions?

• Is Europe less religious than North America?

• Is it possible to study religion academically and still be religious?

• Is religion in decline?

Because each chapter can be read in about five minutes, this book is not only an ideal supplementary resource for classes but also an engaging read for those curious about the world around them.