A rich, fascinating intellectual odyssey, this book places religion in a wide historical and politico-economic context to reveal its dynamics and entanglements with multifarious forces that have impacted its development over the centuries. Respectful in tone, vast in scope, thrilling in detail and replete with instructive case studies, it is a journey that challenges common conceptions about human identity, spirituality and purpose. --Alamin Mazrui, Professor of Sociolinguistics and Cultural Studies, Rutgers University

This astonishingly wide-ranging and generous work explores the role of religion in societies through time and across the world, and its relationship to politics and economics, art and culture. It is a book about humanity's search for truth, both in the physical and metaphysical spheres, a search often corrupted by power and greed, but with the potential for showing us how to live well together on our beautiful but threatened planet.-- Elizabeth Jones, MA, Teacher, Quaker, Former Co-editor of Christian Today, UK,

This is a fact-based book that genuinely expresses things as they are. Some will criticize it, others will praise it, openly or privately. In the end I believe that the world will be a better place due to the tolerance that it will inject into the society.--Mahmood Hameer, MBChB, MMed (Pediatrics)

This brilliant empathetic exploration of religion encompasses Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism together with folk religions, some smaller religions, Confucianism and secularism. Hirji convincingly argues that whatever the originating theology, which frequently challenged existing power structures, in practice religions are colored by the social, economic, political and cultural context and tend to serve power. And yet, the original theological message also becomes a vehicle for continued resistance to power. Besides summarizing the beliefs and structures of religions, this book pays particular attention to the role of women in religion and the relationship between religion and neo-liberalism. --Abdul Paliwala