Bruce & Stan's Guide to Cults Religions & Spiritual Beliefs

This book is excellent for anyone who wants to learn more about the differences of the different beliefs there are out there. The writers put enough information in, but not so much that it became overwhelming. Excellent read!

Let me start off by saying that I study world religions, and this book is a must. It covers Christianty, Judaism, and Islam the best. Mormonism, Jehovah's witrnesses, and the Mind Sciences were OK. Hinduism, Buddism, and Eastern Pholisophys were good, although somewhat basic. New Age and Atheism, were probably handled the most masterfully in the book. It isn't TOO biased, although there were passages in Hinduism that made me think that itr was in favour of Christianty. Which is fine, because I'm a Christian! It is UNBIASED, but also, seemed to be targeted toward Christian audiences.

One thing they are biased even though they say at the beginning they won't be. They are basically saying Christianity correct everything else no. But they are Christians and this book is sold quite a bit in Christian stores.Even though they make Christianity sound the best and most truthful they do provide books and websites for you to read on the religon they are discussing, so you can see for yourself what they have to say.They seemed to tear up Mormonism the most. They make it sound totally ridiculous, but when you go to Mormon sites they refute much of what these guys say. Bruce and Stan also tell you the Mormons will say that. So who do you believe?I did like this book though they did not tear up every religon or belief they did make some sound pretty good which surprised me actually.So, even though I got a biased view on other religons I do have the tools to "dig deeper" myself and see what the other side of the story is.

This book provides a very simple approach to understanding the various world religions. To some who may have difficulty comprehending Bruce & Stan's simplicity, on page 1 they disclose that they have written their book from a Christian perspective. Nevertheless, they succintly describe the essential doctrines of various world religions and allow the reader to make his/her own assessment of the validity of that religion. They take things further by providing the reader with a bibliography if he or she chooses to research a particular religion further. I strongly recommend Bruce & Stan's Guide to Cults, Religions, & Spiritual Beliefs. Unlike an earlier reviewer, I vigorously recommend that you avoid anything written by John Shelby Spong.

Like all Bruce & Stan books, this one is a basic primer for beginners. If you're looking for in-depth theological debate, you're barking up the wrong tree. Great for beginning Christians.