Resource Database

A database of web resources to accompany "Exploring World Religions: The Canadian Perspective"

Exploring World Religions: A Canadian Perspective

About this Website

Welcome to our World Religions resource page! The list of traditions on the right corresponds with the table of contents of World Religions: The Canadian Perspective (Oxford University Press), the course textbook for World Religions 3101 and 3106 in the Newfoundland and Labrador High School Curriculum. Click on any chapter title, then click on "Expand all" for a view of all related items for that chapter, which are listed under the headings and sub-headings used in the course textbook.

"Details" (on the right margin) gives you just that, details about an individual website we have selected for teachers and students of the World Religions courses:

  • For each resource, we give an abstract, a synopsis of the contents and merits of each website. The URL appears next, giving the web address of the site.
  • Website created and last updated are given whenever these could be found either on the website itself, or from the webmaster.
  • Student Resource refers to the course textbook and the pages indicated (if any) contain discussion of the same topic as the website.
  • Teacher Resource refers to the teachers' manual that accompanies the course textbook and the page number indicated (if any) contain discussion of the same topic as the website.

A note about our abstracts: Depending on the site's content and perspective, we have typically noted whether the authors have taken an “insider” or religious perspective, an “outsider” perspective, and whether the perspective is an academic one. Why? It is important to know an author’s perspective so that as readers, you can assess how that perspective might shape the information and interpretations an author presents.

An “insider” (or emic perspective) view is that of the practitioners or the people who are engaged and more or less committed to the religion about which they write. Generally speaking, the insider holds the same views on the world and the nature and purpose of human being as the religion about which they write or speak. Some claim that only insiders' views about their religion are true or truly authentic while others would counter this claim by pointing out that insiders are likely to biased in favor of their own religion.

An “outsider” (or etic perspective) view is that of those who do not belong to the religion they are describing, who do not share the religion's worldview, or its views on the nature and purpose of human life. Some claim that only an outsider can be a dispassionate or neutral observer whose observation does not influence the observed. But this claim does not go unchallenged. Some claim it is impossible to have a “neutral” position and that an outsider might be biased against the religion they describe.

In our abstracts, we describe a website as academic when its content upholds the standards of scholarship: it is clear about its data, its sources, and its method of interpretation. We are not presented with an attempt to prove or disprove the truth of a religion's beliefs. The author does not blindly praise nor blindly criticize the religion or religions discussed. Instead, we are presented with information or discussion where verifiable facts are the basis for logically argued interpretations. Often a site we call academic is written or produced by a university or college professor, or by a university or college department or program.

In our view, the study of religion is most effective when it considers a variety of perspectives. Insider, outsider, and academic perspectives all have value. Each can teach us something quite different about a religion. But, each also has its limitations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Dr. Patricia Dold, Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies
Dr. Jennifer Selby, Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies

For more discussion of the difference between the insider and outsider perspectives as well as an introduction to debates within Religious Studies on the value and use of different perspectives in scholarship and university or college education, see:

  • Knott, Kim. 2005. “Insider/Outsider Perspectives.” In The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion. Ed. John R. Hinnells. London and New York: Routledge, 243-258.
  • McCutcheon, Russell T., editor. 1999. The Insider/Outsider Problem in the Study of Religion. London and New York: Cassell.