Here are some fascinating reads looking into various religions including their practicality and impact on modern culture. Studying these has made me see how interconnected they all are and made me more mindful.
African Religions: Zulu Zion
STREAMING VIDEO KANOPY
The Zulu Independent Churches in South Africa. When Christian missionaries took the Gospel to Africa they also tried to suppress African religion and subvert African culture with their own. But since World War I, and with increasing vigor in the last 20 years, Africans have been rediscovering their lost religious identity and have been forming independent churches with their own festivals, prophets and rituals and greater or lesser devotion to Christ.
Russian myths
Warner, Elizabeth, 1940-
299.17 /Warner
The pagan gods The elements: water, fire, earth and air Demons and spirits of place The dead and the other world Sorcerers Dragons and Baba-Yaga.
I found a lot of information in this one. I was both saddened and intrigued to find extensive erasure by Orthodox Christianity on early Russian religion. The tales and interpretations left by scholars may be debatable but they are still wonderful.
- Mykle
The essence of Shinto : Japan's spiritual heart
Yamakage, Motohisa, 1925-
299.561 /Yamakage
Shinto for the new millennium What is Shinto? What is jinja? The idea of misogi (purification) The idea of harai Koshinto: theory of one spirit, four souls (ichirei shikon) Koshinto: view of the "other world" The systematic training method of chinkon.
An informative book about the basics of one of my favorite religions. The ideas of mindfulness, and respect for ancestors and nature, have profound effects on modern Japan.
- Mykle
American Indian myths and legends
Erdoes, Richard.
299.7 Erdoes
More than 160 tales from eighty tribal groups present a rich and lively panorama of the Native American mythic heritage. From across the continent comes tales of creation and love; heroes and war; animals, tricksters, and the end of the world. - taken from Amazon
A wonderful collection of tales from creation to the reason coyotes are grey. This book has it all.
- Mykle
Gods and goddesses in Greek mythology
Nardo, Don, 1947- author.
292.13 /Nardo
Discover the exploits of all-powerful Zeus, leader of the Olympians, the mightiest of all the gods. Relive the excitement of the Titanomachy, the colossal War of the Titans. See what motivated the gods and goddesses, and encounter the ultimate winners and losers in Greek mythology s incredible battles. --Amazon.
A quick read on the most prominent members of Greek mythology.
- Mykle
Greek mythology
Pinsent, John, 1922-
292.13 /Pinsent
The Greek myths are among the best known of the world. Yet their origins were extremely diverse. In this book John Pinsent tells familiar and unfamiliar stories of the Greek gods and heroes and traces the development of particular myths from their most primitive forms to their most sophisticated versions. He explains Greek mythology as the dynamic product of Greek history, Greek society and Greek religion. -- from Goodreads
A more detailed look into Greek myths and the attitudes that created them.
- Mykle
Islam
McAuliffe, Jane Dammen, author.
297.122 /McAuliffe
Unprecedented in scope and approach, The Norton Anthology of World Religions: Islam is the most comprehensive gathering of primary texts available. Organized chronologically, with thematic groupings within sections, the anthology brings together over 100 texts from the Qur'an in the seventh century to feminist and pluralist readings of the Qur'an in the twenty-first century. The volume features Jack Miles?s illuminating General Introduction--"How the West Learned to Compare Religions"--as well as Jane Dammen McAuliffe?s "Submission to God as the Wellspring of a Civilization," a lively primer on the history and core tenets of Islam. The sections are supported by the meticulously prepared apparatus--introductions, annotations, pronouncing glossaries, bibliographies, maps, etc.
This is a really deep dive into Islam. From the critical texts that make up the Quran to modern interpretations, this book is full of enlightenment.
- Mykle
Ancient Egyptian myths and legends
Spence, Lewis, 1874-1955.
299.31 /Spence
In this classic study, a noted mythologist made perhaps the first serious attempt to review the religious history of ancient Egypt in the light of the science of modern mythology. Spence offers an immensely erudite in-depth survey of the broad spectrum of Egyptian gods and goddesses, cults, and beliefs, as well as a concise review of Egyptian history, manners, customs, and archaeology. Animism, totemism, fetishism, creation myths, and other aspects of early religious beliefs are explored in an introductory chapter. The author then goes on to discuss the Egyptian priesthood, mysteries and temples, the cult of Osiris; Ra the Sun-God, Anubis, Horus, Thoth, and numerous other deities; the Book of the Dead, the birth of Hatshepsut, sacred trees, alchemy, the festival of Bast, Egyptian art, magic, and amulets, legends; and a host of other topics. Enhanced with over 50 photographs and illustrations, this book belongs in the library of any student of ancient Egypt or of early man's attempts, through mythology and legend, to give order, meaning, and purpose to his world. - taken from Amazon
Though religions become myths, they were once part of every aspect of their society. This book looks at how they came to be, what that meant for them, and what we can learn from all of it.
- Mykle
Norse myths : tales of Odin, Thor, and Loki
Crossley-Holland, Kevin, author.
293 /Crossley-Holland
Long-recognized master of Norse mythology Kevin Crossley-Holland pairs with award-winning artist Jeffrey Alan Love for an exceptional look at the Viking gods.
A very good and comprehensive look at Norse mythology/religion/legends. A great narrative with compelling illustrations that will keep you engaged while learning.
- Mykle
Understanding Buddhism
Nardo, Don, 1947- author.
294.3 /Nardo
To truly understand the world's major religions one needs to understand what people within each faith believe, how they practice their faith and what rules they live by. Understanding Buddhism explores these important aspects of Buddhism as well as the origin of Buddhism and some of the challenges faced in the modern age.
Don Nardo does it again. An informative take on my other favorite religion.
- Mykle
Why Buddhism is true : the science and philosophy of meditation and enlightenment
Wright, Robert, 1957- author.
294.342 /Wright
Author Robert Wright shows how Buddhist meditative practice can loosen the grip of anxiety, regret, and hatred, and deepen your appreciation of beauty and other people. -- Adapted from book jacket.
While this isn't so much about Buddhism, I will push this book every chance that I get. Wright looks at the practical effects of mindfulness meditation and how modern science supports it. He does this in a real way that will relate to people that can't fully commit to meditating most of their day.
- Mykle
Inner witch : a modern guide to the ancient craft
Herstik, Gabriela, author.
133.43 /Herstik
The ultimate guide to witchcraft for every woman craving a connection to something bigger, using the tools of tarot, astrology, and crystals to discover her best self.
A good guide to magick but also informative to anyone just looking to learn what it's all about.
Also available as an ebook!
- Mykle
Many religions have found themselves subject to Christian erasure. African indigenous religions have been some of the most recent. Vodou is one of my favorites and I wish we had more material on them at ICPL
- Mykle