Human Rights and the World's Major Religions

Covering a wide span of history, this set includes volumes on Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Each volume touches on such issues as the right to life, the rights of women, punishment for crimes, war and peace, slavery, violence, and other topics related to human rights. They provide primary sources to document the history of thought on the subject within each religion. Biographical sketches and annotated bibliographies offer excellent resources for further study. Together, these volumes provide a comprehensive and unique approach to major religious views on human rights.

Throughout history, the peoples of the world have struggled with the idea of human rights. Indeed, at times, the definition of what constituted a human being was variable, and some people were granted better protection under the law than others. Still, even where rights were outlined and protected, atrocities against the human race abounded, and continue to occur even now. The major faiths of the world have much to contribute to the discussion of human rights, and have grappled with the issues for centuries. In this important five-volume set, human rights are examined within the context of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism from ancient times to the present. Authors track the development of ideas, opinions, and issues, providing readers with a fuller understanding of how each faith views human rights, and what each has to offer for our better understanding today. Primary sources, biographical sketches, and annotated bibliographies are included in each volume.

Volume I: The Christian Tradition

Volume II: The Jewish Tradition

Volume III: The Islamic Tradition

Volume IV: The Buddhist Tradition

Volume V: The Hindu Tradition