Religion, Comparative Subject Guide
Encyclopedias
12 resources available
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- Open Access
Encyclopedia of Religion, 2nd ed., 2005
"The second edition of this highly regarded encyclopedia, intended to reflect both changes in academia and in the world since 1987, includes almost all of the 2,750 original entries -- many heavily updated -- as well as approximately 600 entirely new articles. Preserving the best of the first edition's cross-cultural approach, while emphasizing religion's role within everyday life and as a unique experience from culture to culture, this new edition is the definitive work in the field for the 21st century" (Publisher's e-book description)
New Catholic Encyclopedia, 2d ed., 2003
Excellent online access to well-known resource on all aspects of Catholicism.
New Catholic Encyclopedia, 2nd ed., 15 vols.
BX 841 .N44 2003 (Ref)
An essential addition to any university library, this excellent resource is also available online. The 15th print volume is a superb index to the set.
Oxford Reference Online Contains over 200 dictionaries, encyclopedias, language reference and subject reference works published by Oxford University Press. In addition to text, some of these sources include maps, illustrations, and carefully selected weblinks. Users can search one resource, a group of selected resources, or all of them at once. Sources are regularly updated. This subscription is limited to five simultaneous users. Please logout when finished.
Librarian's Comment: The following encyclopedias and dictionaries of religion are available in this comprehensive resource:
Concise Companion to the Jewish Religion
Concise Oxford Dictionary of the
Christian Church
Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions
Dictionary of Buddhism
Dictionary of the Bible
Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages
Oxford Companion to the Bible
Oxford Companion to World Mythology
Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium
Oxford Dictionary of Islam
Oxford Encyclopedia of the Reformation
Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics
BL 31 .E4 (Ref) A comprehensive work covering all religions, ethical systems and related ideas. Now largely updated by The Encyclopedia of Religion but still sometimes useful for its older perspective. Full bibliographies at the end of articles. More info
New Catholic Encyclopedia
BX 841 .N44 (Ref) 1967-89.
Eighteen volumes revising the Catholic Encyclopedia, 1907, BX 841 .C25, but also a new work in its own right. Contains 17,000 articles emphasizing the Catholic Church in the United States and English-speaking world. Also includes considerable information on secular subjects as perceived by the official Catholic Church. Addressed to non- Catholic as well as Catholic readers. Biographies of living people excluded. Many illustrations, maps, and bibliographies, as well as a separate index volume and supplementary volumes.
The Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent)
A second, but also authoritative, major source of information not only about Roman Catholic doctrine but also of non-theological subjects likely to be of interest to Catholics.
Encyclopedia of Religion and Society
BL 60 .E53 1998 (Ref)
One volume devoted to bringing together a variety of social science perspectives on religion: anthropology, sociology, and psychology are especially prominent. Worldwide, but with most focus on North America.
Encyclopaedia Judaica
DS 102.8 .E496 (Ref)
Scholarly but still accessible English-language encyclopedia of Jewish religion and life. The index is the first, not the last volume of the set. Addressed to the non-Jewish as well as the Jewish reader. Many illustrations, selective bibliographies, and capsule entries on outstanding Jews in many subjects. More info
Encyclopaedia of Islam
DS 37 .E523 (Ref) The most important English-language encyclopedia on Islam. Very scholarly, with signed articles, bibliographies, and coverage of biography, history, geography, religious beliefs, manners, customs, science, etc. Continues to be published in various volumes. Until this new edition is finished, the first edition, DS 35.53 .E53 1987 (Ref), is also essential. More info
Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy
A widely acclaimed, authoritative, and comprehensive online English-language reference to the fields of philosophy and religion that is useful to philosophers, scholars, and students. The online version is updated regularly with new and revised entries, has reviewed Web links, and includes extensive cross references and critical bibliographies.
Encyclopedia of Women and World Religion
BL 458 .E53 1999 (Ref)
Topical articles, not a biographical encyclopedia, on women and religion worldwide. Most emphasis is on major religions. More info
Librarian's Comment: The "authoritative" 2005 electronic version of the 1987 classic work is both a valuable update and continuation of the scholarly substance of the original. The original printed 16 volume set is found at BL 31 .E46 1987 Ref. See also the Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics (BL 31 .E4 Ref) for historical coverage. Both old and new editions of the Encyclopedia of Religion provide a scholarly, historical approach to the study of religions and religious beliefs worldwide.