This book is a brief, simplified presentation of eleven major world religions active today. It is an objective study of the history, beliefs, sacred scripture, festivals, and population. It is intended to supply knowledge without comparing the religions or attempting to convert anyone to any of them. It is a book to further knowledge for understanding living religions and their cultures. The contents are described according to the locations of their origins, the Middle, Far, and Near East. The book is readable for youths and adults. The book is very useful for students taking beginning courses in religion and religions. This book is quickly readable without distracting references. The importance of the eleven religions described in this book is noted in that they claim the membership of five of the seven billion people in our world. "Drawing on a wealth of teaching experience, Dr. Lyda has provided a concise overview of many of the world's major religions that addresses their rich histories, distinctive features, and fundamental values, while remaining accessible to the average reader. This book should serve as a helpful introduction to anyone interested in gaining insight into the faiths that guide so many across the world today." --Jeremy Byrd, Professor of Philosophy, Tarrant County College Hap C. S. Lyda has been a college professor of religion and philosophy for nearly a half-century at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas. He draws on his education from Bushnell University, Texas Christian University, and Vanderbilt University. He holds three graduate degrees, the latest a PhD from Vanderbilt University. He is now retired but continues researching and writing on all of the eleven great religions treated in this book.