An accessible, illustrated guide to religious beliefs in the 21st century, this reference covers a vital area of knowledge in any multi-faith society. It should be particularly useful to students of Religious Studies and to anyone involved in education, health, social services or politics. The guide is organized into six extensive sections on the major religions of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, together with coverage of lesser-known religious traditions and a comparative overview of religious themes and structures. The authors explore the principal religious teachings and texts and examine their social implications. The guide deals with issues in a balanced, accessible and authoritative manner. It studies religious customs and ceremonies and examines the role and function of women in religions - from the issue of women priests to the hijab (veil) in Islam. There are detailed biographies of all the major religious figures and features on major aspects of faith such as transubstantiation and karma. At the end of the book is a comprehensive fact file of tables, providing instant access to information on subjects such as religious leaders and dates, and locations of major religious events.