Religion

Penguin's yearly offering of outstanding essays and poetry on faith and spirituality. Every year, the acclaimed Best Spiritual Writing series offers readers the opportunity to explore the most intriguing work on spirituality published in the past year. Featuring a splendid and varied selection, "The Best Spiritual Writing 2012" is an elegant collection that gathers intimate, thought-provoking work by some of the nation's most esteemed writers, including Philip Yancey, Richard Rodriguez, and Robert Bly. Culled from a wide range of ... read more

Britain's greatest religious historian chronicles the rise and rise of fundamentalism.

A raw, intensely personal memoir of spiritual exploration from one of the world's great commentators on religion. After seven years in a convent, which she left, dismayed by its restrictions Karen Armstrong struggled to establish herself in a new way of life, and became entrapped in a downwards spiral, haunted by despair, anorexia and suicidal feelings. Despite her departure from the convent she remained within the Catholic Church until the God she believed in 'died on me', and she entered a 'wild and Godless period of crazy ... read more

A timeless collection of prayers, quotes, poems and speeches for every occasion. Complete with a brief introduction to each piece and its author, this book features words and prayers from 300BC to the present day. It provides a great source of inspiration when planning a speech or ceremonial occasion or can be used for personal devotions. This carefully chosen selection of the best loved prayers and words of wisdom is a staple for any bookshelf. The many contributors include C. S. Lewis, Florence Nightingale, St Francis of Assisi,... read more

An attractive and great value new edition of the world's fastest-growing Bible translation This new TruTone edition of the English Standard Version is fantastic value at GBP12.99. The new anglicised thinline typesetting offers a superb readable font size. The soft-touch binding is both attractive and highly durable.

A fascinating, lively account of the making of the King James Bible. James VI of Scotland -- now James I of England -- came into his new kingdom in 1603. Trained almost from birth to manage rival political factions, he was determined not only to hold his throne, but to avoid the strife caused by religious groups that was bedevilling most European countries. He would hold his God-appointed position and unify his kingdom. Out of these circumstances, and involving the very people who were engaged in the bitterest controversies, a boo... read more

The idea of a single divine being - God, Yahweh, Allah- has existed for over 4000 years. In this account of the evolution of belief Armstrong examines Western society's unerring fidelity to this idea of one God and the many conflicting convictions it engenders. Originally published in 1993 by William Heinemann.

Christianity, one of the world's great religions, has had an incalculable impact on human history. This book, now the most comprehensive and up to date single volume work in English, describes not only the main ideas and personalities of Christian history, its organisation and spirituality, but how it has changed politics, sex, and human society. Diarmaid MacCulloch ranges from Palestine in the first century to India in the third, from Damascus to China in the seventh century and from San Francisco to Korea in the twentieth. He is ... read more

Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins ignited a worldwide debate about the validity of religion through their recent bestsellers. In the aftermath, Sam Harris discovered that most people, from secular scientists to religious fundamentalists, agree on one point: Science has nothing to say on the subject of human values. Indeed, science's failure to address questions of meaning and morality has become the primary justification for religious faith. Now, in this controversial new book, Harris tears down the wall between ... read more

Suppose you could ask God the most puzzling questions about existence - questions about love and faith, life and death, good and evil. Suppose God provided clear, understandable answers. It happened to Neale Donald Walsch. It can happen to you. You are about to have a conversation... I have heard the crying of your heart. I have seen the searching of your soul. I know how deeply you have desired the Truth. In pain have you called out for it, and in joy. Unendingly have you beseeched Me. Show Myself. Explain Myself. Reveal Myself. I... read more

Religion posits one characteristic as an absolute: faith. Compared to faith, all other social distinctions and sources of conflict are insignificant. The New Testament says: ‘We are all equal in the sight of God'. To be sure, this equality applies only to those who acknowledge God's existence. What this means is that alongside the abolition of class and nation within the community of believers, religion introduces a new fundamental distinction into the world the distinction between the right kind of believers and the wrong ki... read more

A 'lightning tour' of the Bible in words and cartoon pictures for those who want an accessible and lighthearted introduction; For all who find the Bible a bit formidable, a bit too difficult to get into, The Bible from Scratch could be just what's needed. It offers a lightning sketch of the Bible using easy-to-follow graphics and explains clearly and simply the essential meaning of every Bible book. It provides helpful hints for understanding what each biblical writer was aiming to get across to his readers. And it introduces all t... read more

The treasured stories of the Bible make one great story about God and God's people. In this retelling, each memorable episode can be enjoyed in its own right or read and understood as part of the unfolding story. Christina Balit's stunning illustrations underline the power and drama of the narrative. Starting with the beauty of creation and the tragedy of humankind turning its back on Paradise, the story continues with the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses...Then come the struggles of the nation during the time of Joshu... read more

This handsome little book featuring descriptions and art for more than 90 of the most beloved saints is the perfect gift for newly-confirmed or baptized children. Each saint is represented with a short biography-many of which are extraordinary legends-and a piece of artwork that will appeal to Christians of all ages.

The King James Bible has often been called the Book of Books both in itself and in what it stands for. Since its publication in 1611 it has been the best selling book in the world, and many believe, had the greatest impact. The King James Bible has spread the Protestant faith. It has also been the greatest influence on the enrichment of the English language and its literature. It has been the Bible of wars from the British Civil War in the seventeenth century to the American Civil War two centuries later and it has been carried int... read more

Happily, we do not have to remain trapped by the past. His Holiness reveals how life-enhancing Buddhist practices, as relevant today as they have ever been, can help us break free from the cycles of suffering that ensnare us. He encourages us to broaden our outlook and to adjust our personal values. And he gives us the tools to deal with any negative emotions we may experience in the process. Practical, step-by-step exercises, steeped in wisdom, show how to make the most of each moment; how to undo the negative effects of past deed... read more

For over 2000 years, Buddhist psychology has offered invaluable insights into the nature of the heart and mind, and transformed the way many people around the world handle life's challenges. But the ancient texts on which these remarkable teachings are based can be difficult to penetrate for modern seekers. Now, drawing on his experience as a monk trained in Thailand, Burma and India, as well as his expert psychology practice, Jack Kornfield provides an accessible, definitive guide for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. This impor... read more

Drawing on a wide range of material - ranging from the spiritual character of the world religions to the findings of contemporary neuroscience - Karen Armstrong argues that compassion is hardwired into our brains, yet is constantly pushed back by our more primitive instincts for selfishness and survival. Since time immemorial religion has enhanced our altruistic tendencies: all faiths insist that the Golden Rule is the test of true spirituality - 'Always treat others as you wish to be treated yourself'. Taking as her starting point... read more

The Bible is full of narratives about sexual encounters, and modern day readers have shown a widespread interest in what, exactly, it says about the subject. Scholars have turned their attention to the rigorous examination of biblical texts from historical, theological, and ethical perspectives. Still, many clergy and lay people continue to look upon these words (even the most cryptic, confusing, and bizarre ones) as authoritative literal statements. In addition, these misinterpreted texts are constantly used to 'legislate morality... read more

Catholic popes have been powerful spiritual leaders for nearly two millennia. In an acclaimed series of BBC radio broadcasts, the author enthralled listeners with vivid stories of the ten popes he judges 'the most influential in history'. In this book, he offers readers his portraits of the ten exceptional men who shook the world.