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Any Suggestions?

ArcNinja

Member
I'm interested in learning about new religions and such, so can someone recommend me a few really good books that explain these for beginners? I'm mostly interested in Buddhism for now, and I'm going to check into some Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens stuff. What books of theirs would you recommend?

Thanks!
 

BSM1

What? Me worry?
Try Buddhism For Dummies. Seriously, it give a good overall understanding of the history and philosophy of Buddhism. It will also give you ideas of where to look for what you want to know.
 

The Sum of Awe

Brought to you by the moment that spacetime began.
Try Buddhism For Dummies. Seriously, it give a good overall understanding of the history and philosophy of Buddhism. It will also give you ideas of where to look for what you want to know.

Really? Hmm, I passed that book so many times. I guess I have a problem with judging a book by its cover.
 

Treks

Well-Known Member
Hello

Sacred Texts can be an interesting place to read about different religions. A lot of the texts are a bit older but nevertheless I've spent lots of time reading there. A lot of the material is quite old though.

Like Lady Guidance, I do most of my reading online. But if you like books, try your local library, sometimes the most enjoyable books are what you find on the shelf by chance while browsing the 100-299s :)
 
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Me Myself

Back to my username
Try Buddhism For Dummies. Seriously, it give a good overall understanding of the history and philosophy of Buddhism. It will also give you ideas of where to look for what you want to know.

I liked that book :)
 

Alceste

Vagabond
I'm interested in learning about new religions and such, so can someone recommend me a few really good books that explain these for beginners? I'm mostly interested in Buddhism for now, and I'm going to check into some Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens stuff. What books of theirs would you recommend?

Thanks!

I don't recommend either of those writers for learning about dharmic religions. Mostly because it's completely obvious they know absolutely nothing about them. They are both preoccupied with occidental religion, and only mention oriental religion when they feel they cab cherry pick a factoid that affirms whatever points they are making about the pitfalls of occidental religion.

I admit I have not done as much reading on Buddhism as I should have, but I can poach a few of my husband's recommendations. I've read some, but not all, of these.

Zen and the Brain
What Makes You Not a Buddhist
Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind (I read this - fantastic!)

The latter two are light, the first is heavy. The first and third deal with the science relating to meditation. The second is more philosophical.
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
It didn't kill me in a good way!
Maybe I'll check it out. I'm interested in the science behind meditation. Normally, I don't read books about religions--I just go directly to the scriptures. (Thich Nhat Hanh is an exception I make in this regard.) However, a science book--sure!
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
Hello

Sacred Texts can be an interesting place to read about different religions. A lot of the texts are a bit older but nevertheless I've spent lots of time reading there. A lot of the material is quite old though.

I like it. It's an excellent way to browse through the basics of a boatload of religions and belief systems.
 

Secret Chief

nirvana is samsara
Maybe I'll check it out. I'm interested in the science behind meditation. Normally, I don't read books about religions--I just go directly to the scriptures. (Thich Nhat Hanh is an exception I make in this regard.) However, a science book--sure!

Don't know if it has been updated, otherwise it won't be too current. Shame mine went to a charity shop!
 

ArcNinja

Member
Thank you all!

I don't recommend either of those writers for learning about dharmic religions. Mostly because it's completely obvious they know absolutely nothing about them. They are both preoccupied with occidental religion, and only mention oriental religion when they feel they cab cherry pick a factoid that affirms whatever points they are making about the pitfalls of occidental religion.

I admit I have not done as much reading on Buddhism as I should have, but I can poach a few of my husband's recommendations. I've read some, but not all, of these.

Zen and the Brain
What Makes You Not a Buddhist
Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind (I read this - fantastic!)

The latter two are light, the first is heavy. The first and third deal with the science relating to meditation. The second is more philosophical.

I'll probably pick up the last two, since I'm not one for heavy reading, especially during the school year. I recently started reading The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh and love it so far.
 

Alceste

Vagabond
Thank you all!



I'll probably pick up the last two, since I'm not one for heavy reading, especially during the school year. I recently started reading The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh and love it so far.

Yes! That's the other guy I was going to recommend but I forgot his name.

Of course anything by the Dalai lama, too.
 

StarryNightshade

Spiritually confused Jew
Premium Member
Here are some books I personally recommend.

1.) There is a God: How the worlds most notorious atheist changed his mind. by Anthony Flew

2.) Mind and Cosmos by Thomas Nigel

3.) Dynamics of Faith by Paul Tillich

4.) Why Christianity Must Change or Die by John Shelby Spong. Or anything by this man, to be honest.

5.) Any of the sutras.
 

Domenic

Active Member
I'm interested in learning about new religions and such, so can someone recommend me a few really good books that explain these for beginners? I'm mostly interested in Buddhism for now, and I'm going to check into some Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens stuff. What books of theirs would you recommend?

Thanks!

By some of the stuff I've read on this forum, why don't you just write your own?
 

DawudTalut

Peace be upon you.
I'm interested in learning about new religions and such, so can someone recommend me a few really good books that explain these for beginners? I'm mostly interested in Buddhism for now, and I'm going to check into some Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens stuff. What books of theirs would you recommend?

Thanks!

Peace be on you.
1))) Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth

.....All major issues which intrigue the modern mind are attempted to be incorporated in this fascinatingly comprehensive statute. Whatever the intellectual or educational background of the reader, this book is bound to offer him something of his interest. It examines a very diverse and wide range of subjects including the concept of revelation in different religions, history of philosophy, cosmology, extraterrestrial life, the future of life on earth, natural selection and its role in evolution. It also elaborately discusses the advent of the Messiah, or other......

....The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins is also answered.....

https://www.alislam.org/library/books/revelation/part_5_section_13.html


2))) A BOOK OF RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE
https://www.alislam.org/books/religiousknowledge/toc.html
 
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