Each major religious tradition, from African and American Indian, through Christianity and Islam, to Shinto and Zoroastrianism is presented. Nigosian considers each religious tradition's basic belief patterns, its history and development, and its contemporary conditions. This new and updated edition has a separate chapter devoted to each religion so that students can gain insight into how beliefs and rituals develop within a cultural context. It also includes a focus on the daily life, role and status of women. New features of this edition are additional excerpts from sacred texts, study questions, and updated maps and timelines