Geoffrey Simmins

Sacred Spaces and Sacred Places: a Comparative Approach Geoffrey Simmins

This book explores the different ways that peoplethroughout history have defined particular places andspaces as ?sacred.? All religious traditions sharethe goal of defining sacred places and sacred spaces. Yet very little literature exists that compares andcontrasts the way the world?s religions define sacredspaces and sacred places. Adopting a comparativeapproach informed by history and by recent writings, this book sheds new light on these issues. Considering both western and non-western traditions(including aboriginal peoples?), this book explores scriptural definitions of thesacred, as well as discussing selected literarydescriptions of Heaven and Hell. The book also considers the ?sacred space? of musicand addresses such topics as sacred-spacetourism. Finally, the book invites readers to explorethe sacred in their own lives. A glossary of termsand extensive reading list complement the text. Aimed at a general reader or armchair traveler, yetalso suited forreligious education courses, this book will be ofinterest to all those interested in multi-faith andinterfaith perspectives on sacred spaces and sacredplaces.