In this enlightening and entertaining work, Charles Panati explores the origins of hundreds of religious rituals, customs, and practices in many faiths, the reasons for religious holidays and sacred symbols, and the meanings of vestments, sacraments, devotions, and prayers. Its many revelations include: * Why the Star of David became the Jewish counterpart of the Christian cross * What mortal remains of the Buddha are venerated today * How the diamond engagement ring became a standard * That the first pope was a happily married man * How Hindu thinkers arrived at their concept of reincarnation * Why Jews don't eat pork, why some Muslims don't eat certain vegetables, and how some Christians came to observe meatless Fridays Sacred Origins of Profound Things is an indispensable resource for all those interested in the history of religion and the history of ideas--and an inspiring guide to those seeking to understand their faith. Few books in the theological literature are simply fun to read and this is one of them. Panati (Panati's Parade of Fads, Follies, and Manias, HarperCollins, 1991) has written an informative and entertaining book on the origins of religious ideas, sacred items, worship practices, holy symbols, and holidays. Although he discusses wonderful puzzlements such as why Jews don't eat pork, he also explores the origins and history of more pressing, controversial, present-day concerns such as the bans on homosexuality, married priests, and birth control. His book has a few shortcomings. Although it advertises itself as a book on world religions, the emphasis is mainly on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, with only a smattering of other faiths. Also, there is a lack of footnoting, making the work unhelpful to serious scholars. But these minor complaints pale next to the wealth of information provided here. (Index not seen.) Recommended for public libraries.?Glenn Masuchika, Chaminade Univ. Lib., Honolulu Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. ... eager to raise and then to answer ... a great many ... interesting questions about world religions and why their adherents believe and behave as they do ... -- The New York Times Book Review, Tom Ferrell In this enlightening and entertaining work Charles Panati explores the origins of hundreds of religious rituals, customs, and practices in many faiths, the reasons for religious holidays and sacred symbols, and the meanings of vestments, sacraments, devotions, and prayers. Its many revelations include why the Star of David became the Jewish counterpart of the Christian cross; what mortal remains of the Buddha are venerated today; how the diamond engagement ring became a standard; that the first pope was a happily married man; how Hindu thinkers arrived at their concept of reincarnation; and why Jews don't eat pork, why some Muslims don't eat certain vegetables, and how some Christians came to observe meatless Fridays. Sacred Origins of Profound Things is an indispensable resource for all those interested in the history of religion and the history of ideas - and an inspiring guide to those seeking to understand their faith. Charles Panati , a former physicist and for six years a science editor for Newsweek , has made a career out of exploring the origins of things. He is the author of thirteen fiction and nonfiction books, including the bestselling Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things . He lives in Long Island, New York.