This slim debut volume offers brief, easy-to-digest summaries of major religious belief systems.
Guiteau asserts that one question has perplexed humans since the dawn of time: “[W]hy are we here, who put us here and what happens next?” In short but sweeping chapters, he outlines the basic worldviews of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. Guiteau’s prose is clear and simple, and his book assumes no knowledge of the subjects, as if it were a primer offering students their first glimpses into the study of world religions. “God appeared to a man named Abram,” he writes in the chapter on Judaism, going on to explain how Abram’s descendants spent many years in the “Promised Land,” but were later enslaved in Egypt before God intervened. In his chapter on Christianity, Guiteau focuses on Jesus’ adult ministry, and how he emphasized love and compassion. The author focuses on the religions’ commonalities, noting, for instance, that Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, like Jesus, had few followers at the beginning of his ministry and suffered ridicule. Of Hinduism, Guiteau notes that the Swami Vivekananda quoted from the New Testament’s book of Matthew: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Although it’s admirable that the author is determined to present such a concise view of world religions, this strategy occasionally provides challenges, as when he writes vaguely of Taoism: “Dao (the way) is difficult to explain in words. It is beyond human comprehension.” The book is largely objective in tone, although a chapter on Islam cautions readers against painting all Muslims as terrorists in the wake of 9/11—a warning that such an evenhanded work doesn’t really need. Overall, however, Guiteau succeeds in hitting the highlights of the major faiths, and his book is a good starting point for those wanting to learn more about what unites and separates them.
An accessible introduction to the study of world religions.
Religion and Man: Our Story by Leif Guiteau is a book which examines various religions. The beginning of the book starts with various maps and references which are great to relate to when the author is referring to people and countries. I especially liked the different tribes which were readily identified as this gave one another sense of reality. The interesting thing about this book was the balance that it possessed. It was not overly religious and diverting between the different faiths was a brilliant idea as it kept the context light and refreshing.
Leif Guiteau delivers a wonderful book entitled Religion and Man: Our Story. I must admit that I was a little skeptical at first, thinking this maybe somewhat regimented, but it was like a breath of fresh air. I found it very interesting and I loved all of the history that it held. I was amazed at all the new facts that I never knew. My faith is Catholic, but I definately found similarities to my beliefs as with several other faiths. My theory is that whatever your religion, we are all praying to a higher God and it is that similarity that links us all together. I was also fascinated by the Hindu faith and their belief in transgression after life. I had never looked at things from that perspective yet I liked the notion of the idea to transgress to a different hierocracy until one becomes human again. The author does bring into question the authenticity of some of the documented scriptures which I belive is questionable no matter what faith you have. Overall, I really enjoyed this book as it had the correct balance of religion and fact. A wonderful and refreshing read indeed.
