Religion has fascinated people for centuries. But with so many faiths practiced by so many followers, it can be difficult to understand why one religion believes one thing while another believes something entirely different.

This guide gives you everything you need to know to sort through the differences and discover the similarities among the many faiths worshipped around the world.

In it, you get:

An introduction to Judaism, its roots, the Torah, and the special holidays of this first great monotheistic religion.

The beginnings of Christianity, the denominations developed within it over the centuries, and the fundamentals that tie them all together.

The history of Islam, Muhammad’s mission, the Qur’an, and the truths behind common misperceptions about this religion practiced by millions.

The unique ideals of Hinduism, the dominant religion of India, plus the divine love and pacifism taught in Buddhism.

A discussion of other influential philosophical and spiritual traditions, including Confucian, Taoist, Shinto, and Sikh systems.

Brandon Toropov is a Massachusetts-based writer who has written a variety of non-fiction titles including The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Taoism (with Chad Hansen), and The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to the Koran (with Shaykh Muhammad Sarwar). Father Luke Buckles is a member of the Order of Preachers and an adjunct professor of theology at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Graduate Theological Union, in Berkeley, California. He completed his doctoral studies at the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, and has been teaching in the areas of Roman Catholic spirituality and interfaith dialogue since 1985.