Religions of the World

Narrated by Academy Award-winner Ben Kingsley, this series objectively documents religions worldwide with interviews from experts. Travel to exotic locations around the world and see how such religions as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Protestantism and Catholicism have shaped cultures, changed history and left their mark on humanity.

• Ep 1

  1.Judaism

  01-01-199847m

  One of the world's oldest surviving religions, Judaism is both a theology and a way of life for over 12 million followers in the world today. The first religion to be founded upon...

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• Ep 2

  2.Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christianity

  01-01-199847m

  From the public ministry of Jesus to the legendary battles of the Crusades, examine the interwoven histories of these two distinct branches of Christianity. Although its followers...

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• Ep 3

  3.Protestant Christianity

  01-01-199847m

  Political, religious and social events of 16th-century Europe changed the course of history. These factors sparked the birth of Protestant Christianity, whose new doctrines were fo...

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• Ep 4

  4.Islam

  01-01-199847m

  Islam is one of the great monotheistic world religions practiced today. Discover the Islamic culture through the daily life and rituals of Muslims around the world. Viewers will le...

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• Ep 5

  5.Hinduism

  01-01-199847m

  Learn how and why Hinduism has survived to be one of the oldest and largest world religions with nearly one billion followers located mostly in India. Hinduism encompasses wide pra...

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• Ep 6

  6.Buddhism

  01-01-199847m

  Discover the history behind the philosophy that has led millions of followers on a quest for spiritual enlightenment. Through the epic story of Siddhartha Gotama, learn why Buddhis...

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• Ep 7

  7.Shinto

  01-01-199847m

  Explore the rituals and ceremonies of Japan's Shinto through interviews, archival and on-location footage. Shinto or "the way of the Kami" which loosely translated, means "god" or...

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• Ep 8

  8.Confucianism and Taoism

  01-01-199847m

  While the major religions of the Western world affirm a belief in a single God, Confucianism and Taoism focus inward on human behavior and thought. Learn how the philosophy and doc...

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• Ep 9

  9.Religions of Small Societies

  01-01-199847m

  Examine the religious rituals and myths of the many small groups of indigenous people living around the world. From the Ainu of northern Japan to the Indians of North America, disc...

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• Ep 10

  10.Ancient Religions of the Mediterranean

  01-01-199847m

  As the world's largest sea, the Mediterranean has nourished various civilizations for centuries. Trace the spiritual history of the Mediterranean Basin, examining the ancient cultu...

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• Ep 11

  11.African and African American Religions

  01-01-199847m

  Learn about the cultural diversity of Africa through its many religions -- traditional and neo-traditional African, Christianity and Islam. See how shared elements of various custo...

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• Ep 12

  12.Native American Spirituality

  01-01-199847m

  Through archival footage, artifacts and interviews, viewers will gain a broad understanding of Native American spirituality featuring Aztec and Maya religions as well as that of Es...

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• Ep 13

  13.Skepticism and Religious Relativism

  01-01-199847m

  Examine the role of philosophy and science in the universal quest to understand the "cosmic order" or purpose to life, and survey major Western thinkers, beginning with the Greek p...

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