Religious Studies was first introduced as a new discipline in universities and colleges around the world in the 1960s. This discipline brought about a reorientation of the study of religion, created new perspectives and influenced all sectors of education. The essays presented in this volume provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the history of Religious Studies as an academic discipline, the turning points it faces and the directions it might take in the future. The work is organised in three sections. The first presents a succinct case study of the historical development of Religious Studies in Britain. The second considers the development of Religious Studies throughout the world in its major constituents, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, 'traditional' African religions, Christianity, Islam and new religious movements in Africa, the study of truth and dialogue in religion, science and the rediscovery of religious experience, mysticism. The third section looks to developments in Religious Studies, in particular at religion in relation to the arts, gender, information technology and to Religious Studies in a global perspective.

Foreword Tributes to Professor Geoffrey ParrinderA Personal Tribute to an Outstanding Career John R. HinnellsSome Personal Recollections of a Colleague Maurice WilesA Personal Tribute - An Unfinished Piece John FergusonEssays o Turning Points in Religious StudiesGeneral Introduction Ursula KingPart I: Historical Development in Britain1. Religious Studies in the Universities- England Adrian Cunningham- Scotland Andrew F. Walls - Wales Cyril Williams- The Open University Terence Thomas- British Academic Journals in Religious Studies Stewart R. Sutherland, Glyn Richards, Adrian Hastings, Stuart Mews 2. Religious Studies in Polytechnics and Colleges of Higher Education Brian E. Gates3. Religious Studies in Adult and Continuing Education Michael Combermere4. Religious Studies and Developments in Religious Education in England and Wales Robert Jackson5. The New Education Reform Act and Worship in County Schools in England and Wales W. Owen Cole6. Religious Studies and Interfaith Developments Marcus BraybrookePart II: Turning Points in the Developments of Some Academic Subjects and ThemesThe Study of Indian Religions7. Hinduism Friedhelm Hardy8. Buddhism Paul Williams9. Sikhism Eleanor NesbittThe Study of African Religions10. 'Traditional' African Religions Rosalind Shaw11. African New Religious Movements Rosalind Hackett12. Christianity in Africa Adrian Hastings13. Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa Peter ClarkeThe Study of Significant Themes 14. The Study of Truth and Dialogue in Religion Keith Ward15. Scientists and the Rediscovery or Religious Experience David Hay16. Mysticism Peter MoorePart III: Pointers to New Directions17. Religion and the Arts John Hinnells18. Religion and Gender Ursula King19. Religion and Information Technology Kim KnottConcluding Reflections: Religious Studies in Global Perspective Ninian SmartBibliography of Geoffrey Parrinder's PublicationsNotes on ContributorsIndex