Contains church documents and information on the liturgical year including activities to enhance family life. The Site Reviews section is a directory arranged by topic and includes ratings and reviews of Catholic websites. It would be an excellent place to start if you were looking for additional resources on Catholicism on the web.
From Creighton University, a Jesuit Catholic University. Includes reflections on the daily readings (with links to the readings themselves from the USCCB), an online retreat, audio retreats, stations of the cross, and special seasonal resources.
For Thrall cardholders only. Fifteen volumes, second edition. "Among the 12,000 entries in the encyclopedia are articles on theology, philosophy, history, literary figures, saints, musicians and much more."
"This channel offers news coverage of the main activities of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI and of relevant Vatican events. It is updated daily." Adobe Flash required to watch videos.
"The member bodies of the National Council of Churches encompass a wide spectrum of American Christianity - representing traditions as varied as Protestant, Orthodox, Evangelical, Anglican, and African-American, historic peace churches and ethnic-language immigrant churches. They include more than 100,000 local congregations and 45 million persons in the United States." This website contains news, educational resources, as well as a directory of links to the member bodies' websites.
Fourteen standard versions of the Bible can be fully searched by keyword, verse or phrase from BLB. Includes a drop down menu if you are unsure of how to enter a verse or spell a book title. Includes concordances, commentaries, devotionals, and a bible dictionary.
The complete text digitized and made available on the web. "Codex Sinaiticus is one of the most important books in the world. Handwritten well over 1600 years ago, the manuscript contains the Christian Bible in Greek, including the oldest complete copy of the New Testament. Its heavily corrected text is of outstanding importance for the history of the Bible and the manuscript - the oldest substantial book to survive Antiquity - is of supreme importance for the history of the book." Provided by The British Library, the National Library of Russia, St. Catherines Monastery, and Leipzig University Library.
PBS website on Christianity. Includes history, testimony from theologians, maps, archaeological discoveries, a chronology, and an anthology of primary sources.
Includes The Gnostic Society Library, online texts from the Nag Hammadi Library ("a collection of thirteen ancient codices containing over fifty texts", meditations, an introduction to Ecclesia Gnostica, and more.
The online global journal of Hindu Dharma. "Hinduism Today was created to strengthen all the many diverse expressions of Hindu spirituality, to give them a single, combined voice because everywhere else their voices were individualized." Published quarterly and archived on site, the journal contains many informative articles.
"Al-Islam.org is created and maintained by the Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project (DILP), a registered Non Profit Organisation that operates through the collaborative effort of volunteers based in many countries around the world. Our objectives are to digitize and present on the Internet quality Islamic resources, related to the history, law, practice, and society of the Islamic religion and the Muslim peoples, with particular emphasis on Twelver Shia Islamic school of thought. The purpose is to facilitate dissemination of knowledge through this global medium to locations where such resources are not commonly or easily accessible. In addition, we aim to encourage research and enquiry which the use of technology facilitates. With Al-Islam.org, we attempt to present a balanced and accurate picture of Islam as it has been taught and practiced by the Most Noble Messenger Muhammad (s) and his family, the Ahlul Bayt (a). All reasonable attempts have been made to prevent inauthentic information from being carried on this site. However, we in no way can guarantee the absolute authenticity of all of the data and should not be held responsible for any errors herein. Furthermore, we do not necessarily endorse all external links from this site."
From MSA West, an organization comprised of Muslim Student Associations (MSAs) representing campuses across the west coast, and is a council of MSA National.
An extensive Internet directory for Muslims and Non Muslims who wish to learn about the faith. It also includes links to translations of and commentaries on the Holy Qur'an.
For Thrall cardholders only. "Updated edition of this lauded work on Judaism features more than 21,000 entries on Jewish life, culture, history, and religion, written by Israeli, American and European subject specialists." Part of the Gale Virtual Reference Library.
The Personal Gateway to Jewish Understanding. "MyJewishLearning.com is a trans-denominational website of Jewish information and education geared toward learners of all ages and educational backgrounds."
A portal for information on Sikhism including links to holy scriptures, an encyclopedia, news, and information on the Sikh way of life, prayers, disciplines, ethics and history.
"A growing collection of over 43,870 adherent statistics and religious geography citations: references to published membership/adherent statistics and congregation statistics for over 4,200 religions, churches, denominations, religious bodies, faith groups, tribes, cultures, movements, ultimate concerns, etc."
"The Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) strives to democratize access to the best data on religion. Founded as the American Religion Data Archive in 1997 and going online in 1998, the initial archive was targeted at researchers interested in American religion. The targeted audience and the data collection have both greatly expanded since 1998, now including American and international collections and developing features for educators, journalists, religious congregations, and researchers. Data included in the ARDA are submitted by the foremost religion scholars and research centers in the world." Provided by Pennsylvania State University.
For Thrall cardholders only. "The second edition of this highly regarded encyclopedia, intended to reflect both changes in academia and in the world since 1987, includes almost all of the 2,750 original entries -- many heavily updated -- as well as approximately 600 entirely new articles. Preserving the best of the first edition's cross-cultural approach, while emphasizing religion's role within everyday life and as a unique experience from culture to culture, this new edition is the definitive work in the field for the 21st century. An international team of scholars and contributors have reviewed, revised and added to every word of the classic work, making it relevant to the questions and interests of all researchers." Part of the Gale Virtual Reference Library.
Sections include: Articles & Essays, Audio & Video, Prayers & Reflections, Sacred Texts, Magazine Corner, Featured Books, Quick Facts, Rites & Rituals, Holiday Guide. Also includes a "Faith Library," which is described as a "growing collection of articles, texts, and prayers from spiritual teachings around the world."
This study, published on April 27, 2009, by The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, focuses on major religious denominations and changes affiliations in America. An overview, interactive section, and complete PDF document are available (view PDF with Adobe Reader).
From Bartleby.com, which describes this work as "a study in comparative folklore, magic and religion" demonstrating parallels between rites, superstitions, beliefs, and taboos of early civilizations.
"Patheos connects seekers, students, and believers to faith communities, scholars, and resources for deeper exploration and greater understanding of faith practices, wisdom traditions, and spirituality." This portal also allows users to create side by side comparisons on background and beliefs of one hundred faith traditions and denominations.
"The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, launched in 2001, seeks to promote a deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. The Forum pursues its mission by delivering timely, impartial information to national opinion leaders, including government officials and journalists. As a nonpartisan, non-advocacy organization, the Forum does not take positions on policy debates." Sections include: Religion and Politics, Religion and Public Schools, Religion and Social Welfare, Religion and the Law, Religion and World Affairs.
"The Annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom describes the status of religious freedom in each foreign country, government policies violating religious belief and practices of groups, religious denominations, and individuals, and U.S. policies to promote religious freedom around the world. It is submitted in compliance with the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998."
Virtual Religion Index - from Rutgers University, said to "analyze & highlight important content of religion-related websites to speed research"
"The Israel Museum welcomes you to the Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Project, allowing users to examine and explore these most ancient manuscripts from Second Temple times at a level of detail never before possible. Developed in partnership with Google, the new website gives users access to searchable, fast-loading, high-resolution images of the scrolls, as well as short explanatory videos and background information on the texts and their history. The Dead Sea Scrolls, which include the oldest known biblical manuscripts in existence, offer critical insight into Jewish society in the Land of Israel during the Second Temple Period, the time of the birth of Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism. Five complete scrolls from the Israel Museum have been digitized for the project at this stage and are now accessible online."
"This site is a freely available archive of electronic texts about religion, mythology, legends and folklore, and occult and esoteric topics. Texts are presented in English translation and, where possible, in the original language. This site has no particular agenda other than promoting religious tolerance and scholarship."
Access to virtual reference works for Middletown Thrall Library cardholders. Includes DK Eyewitness Companion: Religions, Encyclopaedia Judaica, Encyclopedia of Religion, Global Viewpoints: Religion, New Catholic Encyclopedia.
Includes: EIKON Image Database for Biblical Studies as well as the AdHoc Image and Text Database on the History of Christianity. Search or browse. Some images are unavailable online due to Yale restrictions.
Special reports from PBS Frontline including: Apocalypse, Dreams of Tibet: Tibetan Buddhism, Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero, From Jesus to Christ, Muslims, Pope John Paul II: The Millennial Pope.
Includes: An Overview of Religion and Science in the United States, Public Opinion on Religion and Science in the U.S., Scientists and Belief, How Our Brains Are Wired for Belief, The Debate Over Evolution. From The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
This website subtitled "Spiritual guidance for anyone seeking God" provides information on Christian spiritual practices like meditation, daily devotions, praying the hours, and guided journaling.
"The official website of the Meditation Society of America. Whether you're a beginner, expert, or somewhere in between, you will find valuable information on meditation techniques and concepts from all traditions throughout the world."
Created by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, this website outlines thirty-seven spiritual practices that are recognized by all major religions. Practices include gratitude, hospitality, listening, enthusiasm, and kindness. All of these practices will help to "connect with the Divine, our true selves, our neighbors, and the whole Creation." Each entry includes basic information on the practice, why this practice may be for you, a bibliography including excerpts of books on the practice, art, music, poetry, and teaching stories about the practice, as well as exercises, prayers and cues to help you in this practice.
"The objective of this website is to gather the great prayers written by the spiritual visionaries of our planet into an online database representing all life affirming traditions. Many of these prayers have been used for hundreds if not thousands of years. Others are from spiritual contemporaries in today's intricate global fabric. Though these sacred verses arise from divergent paths, voices, languages, cultures and heritages, they all carry within them the same burning flame - the same impassioned love for life and the divine mysteries."
