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World Religions

Databases for Religious Studies

Programs of Study

Christian Ministries and Religion

Welcome to the Southeastern University's College of Christian Ministries and Religion. Use these links to find information on your major course of study.

Need more help?

Circulation

circ@seu.edu
863.667.5059

Reference

863.667.5089

Visit our Library Faculty & Staff Contact page

Spelling Variations

In searching databases you need to be aware of variations in the spelling of words, especially those transliterated from other writing systems. Here are a few examples:

  • koran or quran
  • vishnu or visnu
  • moslem or muslim

This is where it will really help to use the Boolean connector OR to group sets of words. Combining OR with AND in searches can maximize both the focus and the quality of your search results.

Databases for Religious Studies

Ten Things to Know about Research

  1. Don’t wait till the last moment to start your research!
    Research is long and quarters are short: if we don’t have something you need, we can probably get it for you elsewhere, but not instantly.
  2. Research is a word game.
    Try various techniques to improve the accuracy of your searches: use AND and OR to combine groups of search terms, truncation (wild card searching), phrase searching, search limiters, etc.
  3. Google doesn’t have everything.
    Hard to imagine, but Google only provides access to a fraction of 1% of what’s “out there” on the web. Learn to use other tools to find information that’s “invisible” to Google.
  4. Use Advanced Search features.
    Many databases include “Advanced Searching.” By using it, you can quickly and easily improve the accuracy of your searches—and have fewer but higher quality search results.
  5. A lot of things aren’t online at all.
    Alden Library alone—to say nothing of other libraries in Ohio and elsewhere—has millions of books, articles, documents, videos, etc. that aren’t online. Anywhere. Visit us; we’ll help you find ‘em.
  6. Use Wikipedia—and other encyclopedias—carefully.
    Encyclopedias can be great places to get beginning background info, and for references to major books, articles, etc. on a topic. But they’re usually not something you can use as one of your sources for a paper or other project.
  7. Evaluate! Evaluate! Evaluate!
    Don’t believe everything you read. Or see. Or hear. It’s up to you to determine if the information you are using is reliable or not. Librarians can help with this, too!
  8. Research is not a straight line.
    It's a process, a spiral, an evolution. One piece of new info can take you back to places you've already been. You may need to change course, even reverse direction from time to time.
  9. Find more sources than you think you’ll need.
    Some sources that you’ll find just won’t work for your research needs. But, if you collect “extra” sources at the beginning, you probably won’t have to backtrack and re-do your searches later.
  10. Ask a Librarian!
    Don’t let the frustration level build up too much before you ask for help: In person. Online chat. Phone. Email. Skype. Instant messaging. Make an appointment. Ask us!

Possible Topics

  • Humankind’s Relationship to God Compare humankind’s relationship to God as seen by various religions.
  • Martyrdom The meaning of the word martyrdom as it comes from the word “martyr” in its original Greek form which meant “witness.”
  • What is Sin? What is sin and what do different societies consider sin.

Creationism

  • Creation in Buddhism In the religious practice of Buddhism, creation is dramatically different than in other common belief systems.
  • Creation in Confucianism Confucianism is a moral and social framework developed by the Chinese philosopher and government official, Confucius.
  • Creation Myths Thus, despite dramatic differences in cultures, common elements are often at the heart of various cultures’ creation stories.
  • Creation in the Shinto Religion The Japanese religion of Shintoism supports a creation story that revolves around the activities of the kami.
  • Creationists Creationist research papers may examine recent trends in creationism ideology.

Eastern Religions

  • Ahimsa A form of Indian religion which is called Jainism, and concepts of this religion.
  • Bhakti Yoga Explore this as an aspect of the Hindu Religion.
  • Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva Hinduism has a trinity of gods, all of whom, however, are separate gods, as well as separate persons.
  • Buddha Go into the life of Buddha and his formation of Buddhism.
  • Buddhism Explore the religion and the Dalai Lama.
  • Buddhism in China Investigate the spread of Buddhist teachings in a country where Confucianism rules.
  • Buddhist Monks More than 2500 years ago, the historical Gautama Buddha embarked on his spiritual journey by searching out and following the many popular gurus of India and Nepal.
  • Comparing Hinduism and Buddhism Delve into their similarities and differences.
  • The Four Noble Truths The core of the Buddhist philosophy.
  • Four Paths The Four Paths of Hinduism are becoming closer to God through knowledge, love, work, and psychophysical exercises (yoga).
  • Hinduism Look at this complex practice.
  • Hinduism and Buddhism Explore Buddhist beliefs and Hindu traditions.
  • Hinduism and God Examine the Hindu teaching that all paths are acceptable to reach God.
  • Hinduism and Reincarnation To Hindus, the soul, or jiva, comes into the world through God’s power and passes through a series of higher life forms.
  • English Language Imperialism in the Islamic World English Language Imperialism in the Islamic World.
  • Islam and Democracy Explore if the modern political institutions in Islamic nations contain a strong element of democracy that is manifested according to local conditions and the boundaries of the existing nation-state system.
  • Karma Look at it from Buddhism and Hinduism aspects.
  • Philosophy of the Kama Sutra Examine one of the most important readings of the Buddhist Religions.
  • Rinzai – Zen The Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism was founded by Rinzai Gigen, whose death is recorded on January 10, 866 A.D.
  • Taoism The study of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu and how it incorporates religion, aesthetics, etc.
  • Zen Buddhism Dissect the sector of teaching by the Buddha that looks for enlightenment.

Judaism

  • Female Rabbis Discusses the different movements in religions, and their point of view about having women in different roles in the church.
  • Hasidism Research this Jewish religious movement as one of the most influential since the beginning.
  • Jesus as Rabbi Explain how Jesus could be considered a Rabbi in a Synagogue.
  • Jews of the Diaspora Delves into the Jewish immigration to a different region.
  • Judaism and Islam Examine the naming rituals and funeral practices of the two religions.
  • The Maccabees The “Maccabees” was the name given to a Jewish family in Israel who led a revolution and died heroically for the right to worship God, as opposed to the pagan gods, during a thirty-year period before the birth of Christ.

Major Religious Figures

  • Augustine St. Augustine of Hippo is one of the most important philosophers in the history of mankind.
  • Biography of Muhammad Biography of Muhammed term papers report on the life of the most famous Prophet of Islam.
  • Buddha Buddha research papers go into the life of Buddha and his formation of Buddhism.
  • Cardinal Newman Cardinal Newman was an essential figure in the Oxford Movement and the battle against Martin Luther.
  • Dalai Lama Dalai Lama term papers give a biography of the religious and political leader who follows in the steps of Buddha.
  • Jesus Christ Research his life and the influence on Christianity all over the world.
  • Julian of Norwich Julian of Norwich Research Paper looks at a woman who was a 14th-century English mystic, and author of Sixteen revelations of divine love.
  • Leadership and the Dalai Lama Study the leader of Buddhism and his leadership traits.

Religious Issues

  • Anamism Delves into the religious beliefs that everything is spiritual. This dates back to the Paleolithic Era.
  • Islam and Christianity Discuss that these religions are two of the three “Religious Giants” of the world.
  • Islam in the Modern World Discuss the animosity between the East and West with respect to Islam in the modern world.
  • Islam in Syria An overall evaluation of the current practice and role of Islam in Syria.
  • Islamic Fundamentalism Explore the motivations behind militant Islamic fundamentalism.
  • Quran and the Bible The major difference between Islam and Christianity lies in their religious texts.
  • Reincarnation Versus Resurrection Compare and contrast the Hindu beliefs versus Christian beliefs of life after death.
  • Religious Place of Worship Compare places of worship in different religions.
  • Shamanism Explore the duties and roles of the medicine men and women, and how to become a shaman.
  • System of Beliefs or Practices Compare beliefs or practices of other religions.
  • Women in Islamic Society The traditional role of women in Islamic society.

Interlibrary Loan

When you can't access an article or book, remember to request it from ILL at no cost.

Click this icon in a database, or use the Request Library Materials link below.

Request Library Materials Form
Request (books, chapters, journal articles)
Contact ILL at ill@seu.edu

  • You can request books and articles not available at SEU or other local libraries through Interlibrary Loan.
  • Articles will be emailed to you whenever possible.
  • Books must be picked up from the Steelman Library.
  • Use links from resources to make requests, or use the Interlibrary Loan Request Form.

Additional Info

Additional information on Chicago/Turabian style may be found at the websites below.  Please be aware that websites may refer to Author-Date or In-Text styles that are used by some colleges/departments, but the notes (usually footnotes) and bibliography styles are used in most situations at Southeastern:

Zotero-Citation Management

It is a free, easy-to-use Firefox extension to help you collect, manage, and cite your research sources.

Zotero works with Microsoft Word to create your bibliography for you.

Zotero, Turabian, & Word in 3 Minutes

Turabian Documents

Cover Art

Need more help?

Circulation

circ@seu.edu
863.667.5059

Reference

863.667.5089

Visit our Library Faculty & Staff Contact page

Web Pages on World Religions

  • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC): Religion & Ethics: Religions 

    Information on the history, customs, beliefs, and holidays of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and a dozen other religions. Includes links to related content from the BBC.

  • Spenta University Links To Zoroastrian Sites 

    As a part of the Spenta University's website, the page includes links to information sites about Zoroastrian religion and relevant association sites around the world.

  • Religious Tolerance 

    The Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, a group of four lay volunteers, has as its stated purpose to "disseminate accurate religious information," and "expose religious fraud, hatred and misinformation." Over 500 informative, well-researched...

  • African Traditional Religion 

    Includes a bibliography on African Traditional Religion, major elements in African Traditional Religion, country by country statistics, a map of Africa showing the spread of African Traditional Religions, other articles, and links to other sites.

  • Multifaith Information Gateway 

    This site covers a broad range of multiple religions from India and the east.

  • Hartford Institute for Religion Research 

    This site provides "quality, social scientific religion research information that is helpful for religious leaders and the general public." Features many articles, reports, and statistics. Research areas include women and religion, church a ...

  • Religion & Ethics Newsweekly 

    This site is a companion to an ongoing Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) "program devoted entirely to the news of religion and spirituality, and major ethical issues" from around the nation and the world. The site includes audio clips from ...

  • Religion and Public Schools 

    This Department of Education site presents current and prior administration policy about religion and prayer in public schools. It features the Feb. 7, 2003, letter that provides "guidance on constitutionally protected prayer in public elementar ...