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RELIGION: GENERAL RESOURCES 

These sites are primarily concerned with the following: Gateways to religious studies, academic resources for researching religion, comparison of issues of concern between religions, religious freedom, tolerance, and sacred texts/scripture.  See also Religion in America.


Academic Info: Religion Gateway

•  Compiled by Mike Madin
•  Links to 26 topics on religion, including overviews by country (Canada, China, US), specific religions, law and religion, tolerance, women and religion
•  Also links to the following: comprehensive and general sites, digital resources, libraries/archives, academic programs, professional associations/organizations
•  Excellent annotations accompany most links
•  In keeping with the Academic Info tradition, this is an excellent site for beginning research


Adherents.com

•  Maintained by Preston Hunter
•   “Adherents.com is a growing collection of over 41,000 adherent statistics and religious geography citations,” with links to “statistics for over 4,200 religions, churches, denominations, religious bodies, faith groups, tribes, cultures, movements, ultimate concerns, etc.”
•  “Not affiliated with any religious, political, educational, or commercial organizations”
•  International in scope
•  Provides ranking statistics for the world’s major religions, churches (religious bodies), “Top Ten” lists
•   “Religion by Name Index” and “Religion by Location Index” are the primary tools for locating statistics
•  Also includes information on religious affiliations of presidents, members of Congress, founders of religions
•  There is no filtering/interpretation of statistics; some statistical data will differ (all statistics on a topic are given); occasionally data will be contradictory
•  Comprehensive but “not exhaustive”; like many statistical meta-sites, statistics are not uniformly up-to-date
•  Excellent FAQ explains the methodology utilized in creating the site; also includes tips on constructing the most productive searches (reading this is highly recommended)
•  Outstanding; one of the best – if not the best – resources for statistical data on religions (especially little-known religions)


Beliefnet

•  This site is self-designated as a “… multi-faith e-community” dedicated to exploring “… a wide variety of faiths and traditions”
•  Not affiliated with any specific religions or spiritual movements
•   “Community Discussion” groups discuss such topics as morality, prayer, inquiry into specific faiths
•   “Religions” links to information about 25 faith (each of which provides “Tools” for better understanding of their faiths), houses of worship, sacred texts
•  Includes “Religious Etiquette,” guidelines for 14 topics dealing with appropriate conduct when interacting with members of other religions
•  Free subscriptions to 11 online newsletters
•   “Expert Q&A” allows users to ask scholars of different faiths questions about their religion, ethics, related topics
•  Great site for interactive dialogues on religions and spiritual movements


Different Approaches to Death, Funerals and Mourning

•  Based on excerpts from the book How to Be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People’s Religious Ceremonies (edited by Arthur J. Magider)
•  Provides short summaries of funeral protocol and mourning customs for several of the major world religions
•  How to Be a Perfect Stranger is an excellent guide to the practices/ceremonial customs of 37 religions
•  Each religion’s profile includes a short synopsis of its history and beliefs, basic worship service, life cycle ceremonies (birth, marriage, funeral/mourning), holidays and festivals, additional observances (if any)
•  The site is quite useful for what it covers; the book’s outstanding!


Exploring Religions

•  Sponsored by the Religious Studies Program, University of Wyoming; maintained by Paul Flesher, Keith Kanbe, Michael Hanson
•  Provides an in-depth profile for the following world religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism
•  Each faith’s profile adheres to the following format: “Cosmos” (basic beliefs), “Organization” (historical development structure), “Time & Worship” (calendar, worship cycle), “Texts & Tales” (scripture, holy books), “Timeline,” “Religious Life (practices for proper observations of the faith’s teachings), “Glossary,” “Maps,” “Life Stages” (important events of religious significance during the development of one’s life)
•  Within each faith, there is a discussion or examination of various branches within the faith, how they came about and their subsequent development
•  This excellent site is a balanced, well-designed, easy-to-navigate resource for learning the “basics” of these world religions, especially for anyone with little or no familiarity with them


Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero

•  Sponsored by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
•  This site is the online companion to the 2002 PBS documentary of the same name
•  Discusses “Questions of Faith and Doubt,” regarding the events of September 11th, 2001 – “What did America see on September 11? And how did it affect our notions of God, of evil, and of the potential for darkness within religion itself?”
•  Includes analysis/commentary on the dialogue between different faiths, including interviews with Jewish, Christian and Islamic scholars, a Middle East scholar, a psychoanalyst, others from the academic community
•  Also includes “Readings and Links” and information on “Tapes and Transcripts”
•  Excellent, thought-provoking examination of the theological and philosophical issues concerning this national tragedy


Faith and Reason

•  Sponsored by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
•  This site is the online companion to the 1998 PBS documentary of the same name
•  Discusses the historical and contemporary relationship between science and religion, through the investigation of cosmology, evolution, genetics, history, technology, “the future”
•  Includes interviews, a glossary, “further reading,” biographical information, “Related Topics”
•  Excellent overview and discussion of this controversial subject


Finding God in Cyberspace (FGC)

•  Compiled and maintained by John L. Gresham, library director of the Fontbonne University Library
•  FGC “… provides a selective list of the best Internet resources of interest to religious studies scholars and students of religion; selectively points to the best gateways to specific types of religious information”
•   “Selective” is the operative word for this site, which offers annotated links to print and online sources for digital resources, academic disciplines, world religions and the impact of cyberspace on religion
•  While not extensive, this site’s choice of resources is among the best currently available (especially “digital” links); this is an excellent place for beginning researchers as well as those who are familiar with religion-oriented resources on the Web


Hartford Institute for Religion Research (HIRR)

•  Sponsored by the Hartford Seminary
•   “We are committed to providing quality, social scientific religion research information that is helpful for religious leaders and the general public”
•   “Research Areas” link to “Current Projects” sponsored by HIRR, including such topics as “Religion and the Family,” “Faith Based Social Service/Charitable Choice,” and “Church Growth/Decline”
•   “Research Areas” also links to reports/articles and includes resources produced within the Institute as well as outside sources
•   “Sociology of Religion” links to resources for professional organizations, statistics, online syllabi, articles, surveys, census information, bibliographies
•  HIRR provides consulting services (“Congregational Resources”), which include “Church Assessment Inventories,” “Clergy Leadership Resources,” “… from the storefront to the megachurch”
•  Links to over 200 denominational homepages
•  Also searchable
•  Outstanding; one of the foremost research centers for the study of the sociology of religion, with a wide variety of resources designed to provide relevant analysis and data of use to both researchers and other interested parties


Interfaith Calendar: Primary Sacred Times for World Religions

•  Sponsored by Morgen Krueger Ltd.
•  Provides calendars for religious events/observations “Day by Day, Month by Month, Year by Year” through 2008
•  Includes a glossary, the “Interfaith Calendar Definition of Terms,” which provides concise descriptions for over 200 religious events/observations listed in the calendar
•  Links to “Selected Sites That Use Interfaithcalendar.org” and “Religion News Desk,” which links to Internet sources which are “… usually reliable sources for news about and involving world religions”
•  Available in Spanish
•  Constantly revised, this resource is one of the best of its kind; inclusion of a glossary and an excellent selection of links to other resources make this a great site for up-to-date information about the celebration of religious events around the world


Interfaith Working Group Online (IWGO)

•  Sponsored by the Interfaith Work Group, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization located in Pennsylvania
•  IWGO “… is designed to provide you with news, opinion, links and opportunities for action related to religious diversity and social issues: equal rights for sexual minorities, reproductive freedom, and separation of church and state”
•   “By Subject” links to topical sites for the issues mentioned above; types of sites includes documents, periodicals, ministries, advocacy organizations, indexes
•   “By Traditions” links to specific faiths (29 currently) and their individual stances on relevant social issues
•  Also includes links to “Interfaith Organizations”
•  Provides information on IWGO’s initiatives/projects, volunteering (“Opportunities for Action,” “What You Can Do”), news, additional services
•  This excellent site not only allows one to identify what specific religions’ positions are on diversity/social issues, but provides the opportunity to participate in furthering interfaith dialogue and action on these issues


International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF)

•   “The International Association for Religious Freedom is a registered charity based in the United Kingdom which has the aim of working for freedom of religion and belief at a global level” via “interfaith dialogue and tolerance”
•  Currently, IARF includes 90 affiliated groups in 25 countries and includes participation from Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Shinto, Hinduism and Sikhism
•  Issues reports on status of religious freedom in 30 countries
•   “Summary List of Recent & Current IARF International Religious Freedom Projects” includes programs for young adults, constitutional/international law issues, United Nations initiatives, education/training
•   “General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations”
•  Links to religious liberty (but not general human rights) sites, U.S. sites, news updates
•  Excellent site for religious freedom initiatives and issues on the international level


International Religious Freedom Report 2001 (IRFR)

•  Compiled by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
•  This annual report, which examines the issue of religious freedom in 195 countries, seeks to “… establish a baseline of fact about religious freedom worldwide”
•  Reports for each country examine the following: “Religious Demography,” “Status of Religious Freedom,” “Societal Attitudes,” “U.S. Government Policy”
•  These reports give an excellent overview of the religious situation in a country; especially useful for statistical information
•  The entire IRFR 2001 report – 677 pages – may be downloaded in .pdf format
•  Comprehensive and well-designed, this site is one of the best – if not the best – for information on the status of religious freedom throughout the world


Internet Sacred Text Archive

•  Maintained by John B. Hare
•  This archive’s mission is to provide “… a freely available, non-profit archive of electronic texts about religion, mythology, legends and folklore, and occult and esoteric topics”
•  Promotes tolerance and does not favor any particular religions or spiritual movements
•  Provides links to primary texts of faiths/religions; when primary text material is not available, secondary texts have been substituted
•  Includes a “… comprehensive bibliography of the texts scanned”
•  Includes an excellent FAQ feature
•  Excellent resource for primary sources; especially useful for little-known religions


Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance

•  Sponsored by a multi-faith agency of lay volunteers
•  Mission of this site is “… disseminating accurate religious information, … exposing religious fraud, hatred and misinformation, …disseminating information on dozens of ‘hot’ religious topics”
•  Provides balanced appraisals of over 60 faiths
•  In addition to profiles of religions, provides topical links on morality, intolerance and conflict, science vs. religion, cults, religious laws, holy days
•  Provides contact and e-mail information
•  This is an outstanding site which provides comprehensive, well-researched and impartial information; while belief systems are not criticized, harmful actions which are perpetrated in the name of a religion are criticized


Religion and Philosophy

•  Maintained by Margaret Vail Anderson, the “Digital Librarian”
•  Alphabetized directory of over 220 religion and philosophy websites (approximately 75% are religion-oriented)
•  Includes links to associations, specific topics, denominational sites, centers/institutes; international in scope
•  Brief annotations accompany many links
•  Links to “Digital Librarian” pages on Islam, Judaism
•  Not comprehensive, but very useful for an overview of religion sites; great place to begin research


Religion and Theology

•  Sponsored by the Internet Public Library
•  Links to a representative variety of some of the most popular religion-oriented sites online
•  Excellent annotations accompany each link
•  Also links to related IPL pages for professional associations, journals
•  Also links to sub-pages for “Faith & Denominations,” “Leading Figures,” “Sacred & Other Religious Texts”
•  In keeping with IPL’s tradition, this is a very useful place for beginning researchers


Religion-Online (RO)

•  Maintained by William F. Fore, United Theological College (Bangalore, India)
•   “Designed to assist teachers, scholars and ‘general seekers’ who are interested in exploring religious issues,” the focus of this site is “… to develop an extensive library of resources, representing many different points of view”
•  RO includes “More than 4,700 chapters, monographs, speeches and articles online;” created by “recognized scholars”
•  Topically organized into 10 broad categories and over 100 sub-categories covering theological, social, ethical, and historical issues/topics
•  Each issue/topic link is full-text; authors are identified (short biographical note), and if the link is a republication, the source is noted
•  Most links are accompanied by annotations
•  Currently, many links reflect a Christian perspective, but increasing attention is being given to other world religions
•  Also searchable
•  Excellent; well-organized, extensive with insightful commentary; easy-to-navigate


Religious Movements Page (RMP)

•  Created by Jeffrey K. Hadden, University of Virginia
•   “This Religious Movements site provides a foundation for understanding how religious groups emerge, grow, stagnate, reinvigorate themselves, and sometimes die”
•   “Religious Group Profiles” provides profiles for over 200 well-established and little-known religions; also profiles “quasi religious” movements (organizations which are not strictly religious in nature, but whose structure and motivating concerns are similar to religion)
•  Also provides an index with links to “hundreds of religious groups” not profiled
•  A profile includes information on the following: group name, biographical information about the founder(s), sacred/revered texts, membership statistics, historical development, current controversies (if any); links to group’s “official site,” or relevant documents
•   “Religious Freedom” includes analysis/commentary and links to religious freedom in the US (Constitution, court decisions, organizations concerned with religious freedom/the role of religion in American public life, the status of religious freedom globally, “Universal Principles”)
•   “Religious Broadcasting” includes analysis/commentary, links to televangelism, radio broadcasting, organizations, “Para-church” organizations, religion and the media; also includes a bibliography
•   “Cult Group Controversies” include analysis/commentary on “brainwashing, cults as a concept, anti-cult movements”
•  Welcomes suggestions (“feedback” link, e-mail)
•  Outstanding; comprehensive, well-written, relies on primary sources wherever possible; one of the best sites for information on little-known religions


Religious Resources on the Web (RRW)

•  Sponsored by the Iowa State University Library
•  This site is a subject directory of religion-oriented websites which “… represent some of the best current sources for Religion and Religious Studies on the Internet”
•  Links to sites for the following topics: indexes/abstracts, “general sources,” e-journals, Bible study guides, theological resources, research/data centers, “Other Sources” (mythology, secularism, et. al.)
•   “Religions of the World” links to sites for major world religions
•  All links are accompanied by annotations
•  While not extensive, this site’s excellent choice of websites and user-friendly navigation make this a great place for both the novice and the experienced researcher


Religious Studies Web Guide

•  Created by Saundra Lipton (University of Calgary Library, Canada) and Cheryl Adams (Library of Congress); currently maintained by Saundra Lipton
•   “This website focuses on free internet resources of use to researchers involved in the academic study of religion”
•   “Resources Arranged by Format” is an annotated directory linking to 19 resources, including bibliographies, journals, reference tools (guides, handbooks), professional organizations
•   “Resources Organized by Religion Group/Selected Topics” links to sites for 13 world religions and a limited number of topics; many links are annotated
•  Also links to gateways which are not primarily religious, but which contain significant religious content
•  Searchable
•  One of the best sites for academic and professional resources; while not comprehensive, this site does an excellent job for the topics which it covers


Virtual Religion Index (VRI)

•  Maintained by Mahlon H. Smith, Department of Religion, Rutgers University
•  This site is a subject directory of religion-oriented websites “… designed to advance research in matters of religion”
•  Organized into 18 topics (which subdivide into over 130 sub-topics), VRI links to the following topics: major world religions; religion and its connections with art and psychology; area studies (“Ancient Near East,” “Greco-Roman Studies,” “East Asia”)
•  Also links to academic/research sites (libraries, research institutes, professional associations, libraries)
•  Many sites are annotated
•  E-mail site update notification available
•  A well-organized, user-friendly resource, this site offers extensive coverage of many of the primary issues/topics (including historical ones) in religious studies


World Religion on the Web

•  Created by John Jaeger, Union University Library
•  Published in the June 2002 edition of “College & Research Library News”
•   “This web guide covers several main areas: world religion sites, specific religion sites, religious text sites, historical research sites, reference source sites, and electronic journals”
•  Each link to a site is accompanied by an excellent annotation which discusses the scope of the site and highlights its distinctive features
•  Updated May 2007
•  Although not extensive, this site does an outstanding job in selecting some of the best, most representative sites for an overview of world religion; a great place to begin research


World Religion Resources

•  Sponsored by refdesk.com
•  Directory of 129 religion-oriented websites, many of which are annotated
•  Primary emphasis is on denominational sites, gateways, research centers; international in scope
•  Not comprehensive, but very useful for an overview, especially the links to denominations


World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology to Sacred Texts

•   “A project of the International Religions Foundation;” edited by Andrew Wilson, archived by Bruce Schuman
•  “Contains over 4,000 scriptural passages from 286 sacred texts and 55 oral traditions”
•  Scriptural passages are organized into 21 topical “chapters” (purpose of life, life after death, “the human condition,” etc.); these subdivide into 164 subordinate themes
•  Outstanding; the best site for comparing and contrasting viewpoints on faith-related topics from a wide variety of religions and ethical belief systems


Websites represented on this page are for informational purposes only. Johnson & Wales University Library is not responsible for the accuracy, content or stability of any website linked to this page

Compiled by Rick Keogh, 7/03; links last checked 9/07

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