Ч. 1. - 36 с.

The Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying is a contribution to the understanding of life. Scientists and poets have long recognized that life and death are so intimately entwined that knowledge of one requires knowledge of the other. The Old Testament observes that "all flesh is as grass." Religions have addressed the question of how one should live with the awareness of inevitable death. Often the answer has been based upon the vision of a life beyond death. Societies have developed systems of belief and practice to help their people cope with the prospect of death and the sorrow of grief. Children are often puzzled by the curious fact that flowers fade and animals stop moving. This incipient realization of mortality eventually becomes a significant part of the adult's world-view in which hope contests with fear, and faith with doubt.

Religious intolerance, so terrible and deadly in its recent manifestations, is nothing new. In fact, until after the eighteenth century, Christianity was perhaps the most intolerant of all the great world religions. How Christian Europe and the West went from this extreme to their present universal belief in religious toleration is the momentous story fully told for the first time in this timely and important book by a leading historian of early modern Europe. Perez Zagorin takes readers to a time when both the Catholic Church and the main new Protestant denominations embraced a policy of endorsing religious persecution, coercing unity, and, with the state's help, mercilessly crushing dissent and heresy. This position had its roots in certain intellectual and religious traditions, which Zagorin traces before showing how out of the same traditions came the beginnings of pluralism in the West. Here we see how sixteenth- and seventeenth-century thinkers--writing from religious, theological, and philosophical perspectives--contributed far more than did political expediency or the growth of religious skepticism to advance the cause of toleration. Reading these thinkers--from Erasmus and Sir Thomas More to John Milton and John Locke, among others--Zagorin brings to light a common, if unexpected, thread: concern for the spiritual welfare of religion itself weighed more in the defense of toleration than did any secular or pragmatic arguments. His book--which ranges from England through the Netherlands, the post-1685 Huguenot Diaspora, and the American Colonies--also exposes a close connection between toleration and religious freedom. A far-reaching and incisive discussion of the major writers, thinkers, and controversies responsible for the emergence of religious tolerance in Western society--from the Enlightenment through the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights--this original and richly nuanced work constitutes an essential chapter in the intellectual history of the modern world.

The book's cover displays a chilling photograph of the eyes of Mohammed Atta, one of the Islamic terrorist hijackers involved in the September 11 2001 atrocities. A fitting lead into this study of Islam and the underlying hatred behind these and other acts of terrorism. The writer has been a student of Islam for some 20 years and tries to explain without bias, what he personally declares as some of the misconceptions surrounding Islam. Whilst I might not agree with everything that the book contains, it is very well written and an extremely useful reference for those wishing to study these issues. The book states at the outset that most Westerners know very little about Islam and had little or no idea of the depth of hatred and hostility facing the West prior to September 11. The writer proceeds to declare that whilst the very many innocent Moslems should not be held guilty by association following these terrorist attacks, the likes of Osama bin Laden and co. actually meant precisely what they said & far from being extremists or perverters of Islam, they actually interpret Islam's tenets correctly. The book addresses how for many decades, endless incidents of violence, murder & terrorism have been publicly declared as `having nothing to do with Islam'. Claims still being echoed by senior Western politicians who blindly insist that Islam is a `peaceful religion' ignoring Islamic calls for worldwide domination and the destruction of the West and Israel. The book stating that to bracket Islam and peace is just wishful thinking with reference to the Islamic fighting against it's neighbours along the perimeter of the Islamic world, citing the violence against Hindus in India, Communists & Buddhists, Chinese, Jews and some `Christian' entities. Islamic `tolerance' of other religions is also studied with reference to the Quranic statement that `anyone who converts from Islam to Christianity deserves to die'. Numerous incidents are mentioned where those refusing to convert to Islam have been instantly executed on the spot.

Islam vs. Islamism/i introduces the Islamic world's diversity, conflicts, and dilemmas—its origins, extraordinary creativity, and current crisis, the result of its unhappy encounter with Western modernity. Particular attention is given to Islamism, IslaM&Apos;s radically antimodern and often violent revision that is causing turmoil in the Middle East and beyond. Islam vs. Islamism/i introduces the reader to the Islamic world, to its diversity and conflicts, and to possible solutions to those conflicts. Steering clear of either Islamophilia or Muslim-bashing, yet avoiding blandness, Demant explains the origins of Islam, its history, and its position in today's world. After a period of extraordinary expansion and creativity, and a long sequel of decline, the Islamic world is now in deep crisis, caused by IslaM&Apos;s unhappy encounter with the West and its modernity. Islamic societies have tried a variety of approaches to escape from their predicament, but the result has only been to deepen Muslim powerlessness and Muslims' feelings of frustration. Then came Islamism (Islamic fundamentalism) with its revolutionary but antimodern proposal to refashion Muslim society after the Prophet's original model. Islamism has had unsettling results, first in IslaM&Apos;s heartlands, then along its multiple frontiers, and finally in confrontation with the West itself. Among the outcomes has been an ascending wave of terrorism. But violence is not the whole story. Extremism represents no more than a minority within Islam. Although co-existence with violent fundamentalists is a hopeless task, the questions Islamists raise are serious and evoke echoes in the hearts of many more Muslims. To prevent a war of civilizations, dialogue with the moderate majority of Muslims is more urgent than ever. This book is one step on that long road.

A magia relacionada às religiões afro-brasileiras é uma das mais ricas tradições do Brasil. Ela combina elementos europeus, africanos e indígenas, no que se refere tanto aos rituais praticados quanto aos materiais utilizados. Como usualmente ocorre com os elementos da cultura popular, essa magia vem sendo transmitida oralmente, de mestre para aprendiz, ao longo dos séculos de existência do Brasil.Existem, no mercado, muitos livros com receitas de feitiços para as mais diversas finalidades. A qualidade fundamental da alma humana, que é a busca de esperança e cura no mundo espiritual, é o que faz com que essas obras sejam tão procuradas e tenham uma clientela tão fiel. Mas faltava dar mais um passo: faltava acrescentar, à descrição dos procedimentos mágicos, uma explicação sobre os materiais utilizados, as técnicas empregadas e os fundamentos da arte da magia. Por que isso é necessário? Porque findou o tempo em que as pessoas aceitavam passivamente ordens e instruções: estamos na era da informação e do conhecimento. Saber e poder, e este é o alicerce da magia.Não podemos deixar que esse rico acervo de sabedoria popular corra o risco de perder-se. Esta é a justificativa para a elaboração de uma obra que oferece uma moldura de informações para as receitas mágicas apresentadas. Para começar, o livro discute a arte da magia, suas leis e suas práticas, ressaltando as originárias da cultura africana. A seguir, estende-se na Matéria Mágica, que é um repertório de produtos vegetais, animais e minerais, além de comidas e objetos, que são aqui sumariamente descritos em suas características e modos de uso mágico. Finalmente, chega-se à descrição das práticas mágicas: os banhos, as defumações, os feitiços, os patuás, os pós, as orações. Amor, prosperidade, saúde, proteção: esses são os temas dominantes, as preocupações recorrentes que os encantamentos pretendem atender. Sempre explicações detalhadas e organizadas. Nada deixado em segredo, nada deixado sem razão de ser. Este é o grande diferencial desta obra, que tanto pode ser o livro de cabeceira do fiel, quanto a fonte de informações do pesquisador.

An anthropologist and leading authority on Santeria, the syncretism of the Yoruba religion and Catholicism, Gonzalez-Wippler has written numerous books on the subject (e.g., Santeria , African Magic in Latin America , LJ 12/1/73; The Santeria Experience , LJ 2/15/82). Notorious for their secrecy, the Santeros initially misled Gonzalez-Wippler to protect their faith, but in time they recognized her genuine respect for the religion and began relaying accurate information. The book focuses on the Yoruba pantheon of orishas (Goddesses and Gods), the ten or more levels of Santeria hierarchy, the priesthood, the concept of Divine power known as ashe , initiations, Spirit possession, spells and herbs, and the controversial practice of animal sacrifice. A well-researched, fascinating look at a growing, dynamic religion with more than five million practitioners in this country alone.

Black gospel music grew from obscure nineteenth-century beginnings to become the leading style of sacred music in black American communities after World War II. Jerma A. Jackson traces the music's unique history, profiling the careers of several singers--particularly Sister Rosetta Tharpe--and demonstrating the important role women played in popularizing gospel. Female gospel singers initially developed their musical abilities in churches where gospel prevailed as a mode of worship. Few, however, stayed exclusively in the religious realm. As recordings and sheet music pushed gospel into the commercial arena, gospel began to develop a life beyond the church, spreading first among a broad spectrum of African Americans and then to white middle-class audiences. Retail outlets, recording companies, and booking agencies turned gospel into big business, and local church singers emerged as national and international celebrities. Amid these changes, the music acquired increasing significance as a source of black identity. These successes, however, generated fierce controversy. As gospel gained public visibility and broad commercial appeal, debates broke out over the meaning of the music and its message, raising questions about the virtues of commercialism and material values, the contours of racial identity, and the nature of the sacred. Jackson engages these debates to explore how race, faith, and identity became central questions in twentieth-century African American life.

Т. 1. - 309 с.

Ця праця належить перу українського літературознавця і письменника, перекладача Івана Стешенка і присвячена історії українського театру. Матеріал поділений на 5 розділів. Перший розглядає загальні теоретичні питання (зародження театру, трансформація давніх культів у вистави), другий — народні романо-германські, слов'янські обряди, їх зміст. У третьому розділі розповідається про використання драми у цілях пропаганди християнства. Останні дві частини книги містять відомості про розвиток драми у різних слов'янських народів, аналіз творів Феофана Прокоповича.

Видана Іваном Тиктором (український редактор, видавець) публікація є ґрунтовним дослідженням української духовної та матеріальної культури періоду XVI - XIX ст. Вона поділена на три частини: “Княжа доба”, “Доба перемін”, “На світанку нових часів”. В цих частинах розглядається як побут (а саме помешкання, сільське господарство, сімейний устрій) так і освіта (різноманітні освітні заклади), духовне життя українців (свята, обряди, звичаї). Окрема увага приділяється мистецтву (здебільшого літературі).

В книзі висвітлюються витоки традиційного українського костюма та його багатовікова історія. Представлене широке розмаїття народного вбрання відповідно до історико-етнографічних регіонів України, детально розглядаються його численні компоненти та прийоми оздоблення. Костюм – частка народної душі. Велике історичне і художньо значення українського народного костюма безумовне. Від глибокої давнини і протягом усього існування він задовольняв не лише матеріальні, а й духовні потреби людини, виконуючи необхідні побутові, соціальні, обрядові функції. Його високий мистецький рівень, емоційна насиченість яскраво відбивають світогляд, естетичні уподобання, саму психологію українського народу. Це самобутнє явище посідає визначне місце не тільки в національній, а й у європейській та загалом світовій культурі.

Эдвард Лейн создал широчайшую панораму жизни и нравов стран Ближнего Востока от Средних веков до начала XIX века . В книге рассказывается о религии, богатствах арабской литературы и искусства, особенностях повседневной жизни и праздников, магических обрядах мусульман. Отдельные главы посвящены арабским женщинам и вопросам воспитания в средневековом исламском обществе . Труд основан на личных воспоминаниях автора, редких рукописях средневековых арабских писателей и историков Ибн аль-Джаузи, аль-Казвини и ас-Суюти, а также сказках и народных поверьях арабов, персов и египтян времен "Тысячи и одной ночи".

Автор предлагаемой книги - Александр Сергеевич Фаминцын (1841-1896) - не был профессиональным этнографом или религиоведом, он был одним из самых известных в России историков музыки. Именно интерес Фаминцына к истокам русского и славянского песенного фольклора заставил его обратиться к изучению славянского язычества и его следов в народных песнях, заговорах, заклинаниях и других обрядовых текстах. Ссылки на «Божества древних славян» и другие его работы можно было встретить во многих сочинениях как российских, так и западных историков и этнографов, это сочинение внесло немалый вклад в развитие славяноведения.