Encyclopedia of Religious Practices

Azahari Hassim

The Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices is a multi-volume reference work that provides comprehensive overviews of religious traditions and practices from around the world. Here’s a summary:

Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices

• Publisher: Thomson Gale (now part of Gale, a Cengage company)

• First Published: 2002

• Volumes: Originally published in 3 volumes; later editions and updates have expanded coverage.

Content and Structure:

The encyclopedia is organized by country or region and offers detailed entries on the religious practices within each location. Each entry typically includes:

• Major religions practiced in the region or country

• Historical background of religious development

• Beliefs and doctrines

• Rituals and worship practices

• Sacred texts

• Places of worship

• Religious leadership and organization

• Role of religion in society (e.g., festivals, law, education, politics)

Purpose and Usefulness:

This encyclopedia is widely used in:

• Academic settings (religious studies, anthropology, sociology)

• Interfaith dialogues and comparative religion studies