This is a groundbreaking work of religious history, tracing the evolution of religious ideas from ancient times to the modern era. The author shows how different religions have influenced and interacted with each other, creating a complex tapestry of beliefs and practices. She also explores the ways in which religious ideas have been used to justify oppression and exploitation, as well as the ways in which they have inspired liberation and social justice. Drawing on a wide variety of sources, from sacred texts to archaeological discoveries, this book offers a fascinating and thought-provoking perspective on the history of religion. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.