Watch Arvind Sharma discuss his new book, The World's Religions

This wide-ranging reader combines some of the best and most valuable contemporary perspectives from leading and significant writers, teachers, and thinkers who together address critical challenges and opportunities for the world's religions in a post 9/11 world. Edited by Arvind Sharma and organized by topic, the essays in this reader consider broad questions such as, What influence does religion have on contemporary life? Can religion destroy or preserve us? Could the world's religions join together as a force for good? The thematic arrangement of topics includes diverse religious perspectives on: pluralism, human rights, war, peace, globalization, science, spirituality and other topics. A special foreword by John Hick speaks to the value of this reader in broadening our needed understanding of religion.