The Foundations of Living Faiths

Book excerpt: This book was originally delivered as the Stephanos Nirmalendu Ghosh lectures in 1933-34 and later published by the University of Calcutta. This work by Prof. Haridas Bhattacharyya may be considered a landmark in the study of Comparative Religion. The author has created a brilliantly authoritative and comprehensive work on five major religions, viz., Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Zoroastrianism. The scholar has also attempted a calm and critical examination of five principal living faiths, including the faith he personally professes. His criticisms have proceeded from a genuine conviction that all living religions possess value-based tenets of which their adherents may be legitimately proud of. However, none of them is perfect and thus beyond criticism. All sincere faiths are capable of development in diverse degrees and directions. The author guides the reader through the fascinating account of God with confidence and clarity of presentation.