The purpose of this guide is to lead the beginning researcher to the most important and useful sources in the Reference Collection for the study of religion. The list of sources is not exhaustive; please consult with a Reference Librarian for additional suggestions.

Xreferplus: Religion
 (Internet site: http://www.xreferplus.com/topic.jsp?sub=40)
An online collection of twelve reference books, including: Atlas of the Bible; Bloomsbury Dictionary of Myth; Book of Bible Quotations; Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend; Dictionary of Jewish Lore and Legend; Macmillan Dictionary of the Bible and The Qur'an.

ENCYCLOPEDIAS:

Companion Encyclopedia of Theology. Eds. Peter Byrne and Leslie Houlden. New York: Routledge, 1995.
 (REF BR118 .C66 1995)
This collection focuses on Christian Theology and covers a wide territory: philosophy; spirituality; practical theology (including ethics, violence, warfare and peace, etc.). The index helps locate references to AIDS, abortion, business, environmentalism, ethics, feminism, fundamentalism, love, oppression, science, sexuality, and more. The articles are signed and include references.

Encyclopedia of Gods: Over 2,500 Deities of the World. Michael Jordon. New York: Facts on File, 1993.
 (REF BL473 .J67 1993)
This alphabetical listing of gods includes brief information about each god and their country of origin. There are civilization and subject indexes.

The Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Mircea Eliade. New York: Macmillan, 1993.
 (REF BL31 .E46 1993)
Signed essays in this eight volume set provide solid information on "important ideas, practices, and persons in the religious experience of humankind" and include brief bibliographies for further reading.

Encyclopedia of Religion, Communication, and Media. Ed. Daniel A. Stout. New York: Routledge, 2006.
 (REF P94 .E48 2006)
Articles in this encyclopedia address religious and communication issues between individuals and deity, between individuals, mediated communication to larger groups, concepts, "denominations which exhibit different communication practice and the various media used in religious worship." Entries include music, Hinduism, angels, newspapers, priests, sermons, and more. Each entry includes a further reading list.

DICTIONARIES:

Dictionary of All Scriptures and Myths. George Arthur Gaskell. New York, Julian Press, 1960.
 (REF BL603 .G3)
This dictionary "claims to give the true solution of the age-long problem of the origin, nature and meaning of the Scriptures and Myths which are attached to the various religions of the world." Entries have a brief definition, quotations from the holy work where it appears and analyses of the quotes by the author.

Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion: Eastern and Western Thought. William L. Reese. Amherst, NY: Humanity Books, 1999.
 (REF B41 .R43 1999)
This dictionary has explicative entries for terms in religion and philosophy, as well analyses of major philosophers and religious leaders. Entries are cross-referenced.

The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. Ed. John Bowker. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.
 (REF BL31 .O84 1997)
This one volume resource provides brief entries on people, events, concepts, and practices related to both Eastern and Western religions. There is a handy topic index in the back. Under "ethics" find references to general headings such as abortion, capital punishment, environment, as well as to headings relating to specific religions.

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Dictionary of Comparative Religion. Ed. S. G. F. Brandon. New York: Scribner, 1970.
 (REF BL31 .D54)
In this dictionary you will find entries on Prehistoric, Ancient Near Eastern, Classical Religions, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and religions of China and the Far East.

The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen. Ingrid Fischer-Schreiber. Boston: Shambhala, 1989.
 (REF BL1005 .L4813 1989)
Detailed entries on the basic terminology and ideology of Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Zen are provided. Several bibliographies with primary and secondary sources are included. This encyclopedia was originally published in German.

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Religion in America

Contemporary American Religion. Ed. Wade Clark Roof. New York: Macmillan Reference, 2000.
 (REF BL2525 .C65 2000)
This encyclopedia "is intended as a lexicon of popular religious culture, pulling together beliefs, practices, ideas, symbols, traditions, movements, trends, organizations, discourses, and major leaders making up the incredibly diverse religious climate in the United States." Entries are cross-referenced and include a bibliography.

Encyclopedia of American Religious History. New York: Facts on File, 1996.
 (REF BL2525 .Q44 1996)
The people, religions and themes that have made up America's religious history are covered in this encyclopedia. Many entries include a bibliography.

New Historical Atlas of Religion in America. Eds. Edwin Scott Gaustad and Philip L. Barlow. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
 (REF G1201 .E4 N4 2001)
Maps, charts, and essays provide a largely visual display of the development of religion in America. The atlas is broken into five sections: Institutional and Ethnic Religions before 1800, Institutional and Ethnic Religion after 1800, Three Case Studies (Lutherans, Mormons, and Roman Catholics), Broader Perspectives and Geography of American Religion.

Religion and American Cultures: An Encyclopedia of Traditions, Diversity, and Popular Expressions. Eds. Gary Laderman & Luis León. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2003.
 (REF BL2525 .R448 2003)
Once you are grounded in the particular religion of interest (the first volume), the most interesting portion of this text is in the second volume where issues surrounding the body (clothing, pain, piercing, etc.), death, material and popular culture, public theologies (civil rights, conservatism, feminism, fundamentalism, etc.), sacred space, sacred time, science, sexuality and violence are all addressed. The third volume contains speeches and writings of people from all backgrounds, including Thomas Jefferson, Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King, Shirley MacLaine and Pat Robertson. An index will help you navigate through the volumes.

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Christianity

The Anchor Bible Dictionary. Ed. David Noel Freedman. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
 (REF BS440 .A54 1992)
In six volumes, words and concepts found in and related to the Bible are described and in some cases illustrated. While most entries are brief, the articles on "Art and Architecture" cover 60 pages. Short bibliographies are included.

The Complete Bible Handbook: An Illustrated Companion. John Westerdale Bowker. New York: DK Pub., 1998.
 (REF BS475.2 .B69 1998)
This book provides short discussions of origin, authorship, and significance of each book in the Bible as well as retelling the "principle stories" of the Bible. There is also information about the Bible's wider cultural and historical background.

The Crusades: An Encyclopedia. Ed. Alan V. Murray. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2006.
 (REF D155 .C78 2006)
"This encyclopedia covers the crusading movement, in its widest sense, from the late eleventh century to the early modern period, as well as the different states and settlements established in the course of the crusades in the eastern Mediterranean region, Greece, and the Baltic countries. The entries are divided into five subject areas: individual persons; families and dynasties; anonymous historiographical and literary works; places and countries and subjects. Principal narrative and legal sources, plans of castles, a collection of texts and documents, and a general bibliography are also included."

Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation. Ed. John Hayes. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1999.
 (REF BS500 .D5 1999)
This two volume set "is intended as an aid and guide to the lengthy and complex history of biblical interpretation." Find articles on the history of the interpretation of the books of the Bible, on people who have interpreted the Bible and on "methods and movements that have influenced the reading and study of scripture," such as Afrocentric biblical interpretation, archaeology and biblical studies, cultural studies, evangelical interpretation, feminist interpretation, gay/lesbian interpretation, Hispanic American biblical interpretation, etc. There is no index to this set.

Encyclopedia of the Vatican and Papacy. Ed. Frank J. Coppa. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999.
 (REF BX955.2 .E53 1999)
"This volume... focuses on the historical, political, diplomatic, social, cultural, and religious role of the Vatican and the papacy in the modern world." Along with the Popes, the breadth of topics is substantial and includes the usual suspects (abortion, birth control, communism, etc.), as well as items on education, the Inquisition, euthanasia, Hitler and more. Use the index for easiest access.

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Islam

Biographical Encyclopedia of Islamic Philosophy. Ed. Oliver Leaman. New York: Thoemmes Continuum, 2006.
 (REF B741 .B56 2006)
This two volume set has entries "on approximately 300 important thinkers and key concepts in Islamic philosophy." Entries are brief, but contain information on a thinker's life and their contributions to Islamic Philosophy. Bibliographies and further reading lists follow each entry.

The Concise Encyclopedia of Islam. Cyril Glassé. San Francisco, CA: Harper & Row, 1989.
 (REF BP40 .G42 1989)
Detailed entries of persons, terms and traditions of the Islamic faith are found in this encyclopedia. A chronology and bibliography is included with each entry.

Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World. Ed. Richard c. Martin. New York: Macmillan Reference, 2004.
 (REF BP40 .E525 2004)
Articles in this encyclopedia were written and signed by scholars and vary in length from 200 to 5,000 words. Entries include a bibliography. There is also a glossary, genealogies and timelines.

Historical Atlas of Islam. Ed. Hugh Kennedy. Boston, MA: Brill, 2002.
 (REF G1786 .S1 H6 2002)
A collection of maps detail the development of Islam throughout the world.

The Muslim Almanac: A Reference Work on the History, Faith, Culture and Peoples of Islam. Ed. Azim A. Nanji. Detroit, MI: Gale Research, 1996.
 (REF BP40 .M83 1996)
Divided into chapters, this almanac has essays on the history of Islam in different countries; development of the Muslim community; spiritual traditions; law, order and society in Islam; women in Islam and contemporary developments in Islam. Each section contains a references list, and there is a glossary.

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Judaism

American Jewish Desk Reference: The Ultimate One-Volume Reference to the Jewish Experience in America. American Jewish Historical Society. New York: Random House, 1999.
 (REF E184.35 .A44 1999)
Divided into fourteen thematic parts, this reference book has brief entries on people, places, arts and other aspects of American Jewish history and culture. There are sections on history, law, government, business, sports, art, radio, books and more.

Essential Judaism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs, Customs and Rituals. George Robinson. New York: Pocket Books, 2000.
 (REF BM561 .R58 2000)
This guide is divided into chapters covering various aspects of the Jewish faith. There are chapters on "Prayer and Ritual," "the Jewish Year," "Jewish Life Cycle," "Living a Jewish Life," "the Hebrew Bible," "the Talmud and other Rabbinical Writings," "Jewish Mysticism," "the Philosophers," and "How Judaism Got Where It is Today." Each chapter is divided into short sections and essays detailing the topical aspects of the chapter. There is a glossary and a bibliography.

Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion. Eds. R.J. Zwi Werblowsky & Geoffrey Wigoder. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.
 (REF BM50 .O94 1997)
This dictionary was designed "to be a scholarly, accessible, reference to the whole of Jewish religion." Entries include a bibliography.

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Mythology

Cassell's Encyclopedia of Queer Myth, Symbol, and Spirit: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Lore. Herndon, VA: Cassell, 1997.
 (REF BL795 .H6 C65 1997)
This encyclopedia has brief, biographical entries on persons of importance to queer myth, symbol and spirit. The encyclopedia begins with brief entries on spiritual traditions.

Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. Charles Russell Coulter and Patricia Turner. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2000.
 (REF BL782 .C67 2000)
There are entries included not only for ancient deities, but spirits, places, festivals, sacred objects, heroes, monsters, demigods and mythical beasts as well. There is a bibliography and a subject index.

Legends of the Earth, Sea, and Sky: An Encyclopedia of Nature Myths. Tamra Andrews. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 1998.
 (REF BL435 .A53 1998)
"The types of entries in the encyclopedia include natural forces, gods and goddesses of natural forces, terms relating to the myths of natural forces and broad geography areas." There is also a guide to primary sources and a bibliography.

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Miscellany

Encyclopedia of American Women and Religion. June Melby Benowitz. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 1998.
 (REF BL2525 .B45 1998)
"This encyclopedia covers religious dominations, with their positions on the roles of women; women's religious-based organizations... and individual women who have managed to overcome many obstacles and attain positions within church hierarchies." References are included with entries and there is a chronology.

Encyclopedia of Fundamentalism. Ed. Brenda E. Brasher. New York: Routledge, 2001.
 (REF BL238 .E63 2001)
Many types of fundamentalist thought can be found here as well as how various religious concepts have been used by fundamentalists. Although Islamic fundamentalism is addressed, words such as "jihad" and "al-Qaeda" are not seen largely due to the publication date (2001), which most likely took place before September 11th.

Encyclopedia of Native American Religions: An Introduction. Arlene Hirschfelder & Paulette Molin. New York: Facts on File, 2000.
 (REF E98 .R3 H73 2000)
"The entries in this book cover the spiritual traditions of Native peoples in the United States and Canada before contact with Europeans and Americans, the consequences of this contact on sacred traditions, and contemporary religious forms." There is a further reading list and a subject index.

Freedom of Religion Decisions of the United States Supreme Court. Ed. Maureen Harrison & Steve Gilbert. San Diego, CA: Excellent Books, 1996.
 (REF KF4783 .A7 F74 1996)
Eighteen cases presented before the Supreme Court dealing with freedom of religion are included in this book. Each chapter has brief background information on the case, the list of judges presiding over the case and excerpts from the majority opinion. The introduction covers how the Supreme Court works, the Constitution is included and there is a bibliography.

Encyclopedia of Sacred Places. Norbert C. Brockman. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 1997.
 (REF BL580 .B76 1997)
This volume includes bibliographical references and index. There is a list of sacred sites by religious tradition, but main entries are organized by country.

Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Eds. Lawrence H. Schiffman, James C. VanderKam. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2000.
 (REF BM487 .E53 2000)
This encyclopedia covers the research and information made available since the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, including places and archaeological sites, material remains, written materials discovered in the Judean Desert, related ancient texts, history, beliefs, figures and scrolls research. Entries range from a single page to several pages, are signed and include a bibliography.

Historical Dictionary of Buddhism. Charles S. Prebish. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1993.
 (REF BQ130 .P74 1993)
This dictionary has explicative entries for events, persons, places of historic significance, religious institutions, ritual practices, doctrines, heresies, and missionary movements relating to Buddhism. An overview of Buddhist scriptures in Indian, Chinese and Tibetan traditions are provided with a chronology. There is also a bibliography.

The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions. James R. Lewis. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 1998.
 (REF BL2525 .L49 1998)
This encyclopedia has brief entries that cover the histories, founders and beliefs of approximately 1,000 religious organizations from around the world. A bibliography is included.

Peculiar Prophets: A Biographical Dictionary of New Religions. James R. Lewis. St. Paul, MN: Paragon House, 1999.
 (REF BL72 .L48 1999)
Biographical information on the leaders and/or founders of spiritual and religious groups and a bibliography are included in this dictionary.

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Databases: Indexes, Abstracts and Bibliographies Use to locate journal articles as well as published and unpublished research.

Ely Library Catalog. Use the catalog to search for items that the Ely Library owns, including books, journals, newspapers, music, maps, films, etc.
 (Internet Site: http://catalog.lib.wsc.ma.edu//cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First)

The following is an example of subject headings relevant to religion for use in the Ely Library Catalog. Do not limit yourself to this list! See Database Searching Guides for more help.

Sociological Abstracts     Limited to WSC community
 (Internet Site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#Soc_Abs)
A subject specific database for sociology and social work that provides access to abstracts for journal articles and books. Use this database to find articles on religion and society, religions and culture, religious behavior, sociology of religion and more. See Database Searching Guides for more help.

Academic Search Premier     Limited to WSC community
 (Internet Site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#Academic_Search)
This is a multi-disciplinary full text database containing full text for nearly 4,650 serials, including more than 3,600 peer-reviewed publications. See Database Searching Guides for more help.

Academic OneFile      Limited to WSC community
 (Internet Site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/dbalpha.htm#Academic_OneFile)
Contains more than 3,000 full text journals, including peer-reviewed journals and reference sources with extensive coverage of the physical sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology, literature and other subjects.

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Web Sites

WWW Resources by Subject: Religion  [Ely Library at Westfield State College]
 (Internet Site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/religion.htm)
A directory of religion Internet links selected by Librarians.

Try also the list of Internet Search Engines And Subject Directories
 (Internet Site: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/engines.htm)
Be careful as you create your search. Refer to the tutorial: Searching the World Wide Web for information on the Internet, Netscape and the World Wide Web, as well as for instructions on using web search engines, evaluating Internet Sites and using subject specific search guides.

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URL: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/guidrel.htm
Page maintained by Teri Shiel
Last updated January 11, 2008