CHRISTIANITY IN GENERAL
Harvard University’s Pluralism Project has for more than twenty years been systematically collecting and collating information and resources about various faith traditions. Whether you’re seeking a quick overview, an in-depth analysis or a varied collection of items about Christianity, this is a good place to start. http://pluralism.org/resources/tradition/index.php?trad=4
BBC on Christianity. The BBC religion website has an excellent, simple, compact, easy-to-read overview of Christianity. After looking at the religion “at a glance,” you can peruse succinct material about beliefs; Christmas; ethics; history; holy days; people; places; the pope; prayer and study; priest, monks, nuns; rites, rituals; saints; subdivisions; symbols, texts; women. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/.
The Patheos Religious Library provides a well-organized, well-presented, comprehensive overview of various faith traditions and the subsections within the faith traditions. For a good introduction to Christianity’s origins, history, beliefs rituals and worship, and ethics and community, check out http://www.patheos.com/Library/Christianity.html
The Harmony Project website contains a section called “Sacred Paths,” which examines some fourteen faith traditions. The presentation of each faith includes an overview essay, written by someone familiar with that faith tradition but not necessarily an adherent. It also includes interviews with adherents, who talk candidly about their faith journey. There also are recommended books for further study. For Christianity, go to http://www.theharmonyproject.org/christianity.html.
ProgressiveChristianity.org “provides guiding ideas, networking opportunities, and resources for progressive churches, organizations, small groups, and individuals with connections to Christianity. We promote an understanding of Christian practice and teaching that leads to a greater concern for the way people treat each other than for the way people express their beliefs, the acceptance of all people, and a respect for other religious traditions. We affirm the variety and depth of human experience and the richness of each persons’ search for meaning, and we encourage the use of sound scholarship, critical inquiry, and all intellectual powers to understand the presence of God in human life.” http://progressivechristianity.org
ROMAN CATHOLICISM
The Patheos Religious Library provides a well-organized, well-presented, comprehensive overview of various faith traditions and the subsections within the faith traditions. For a good introduction to Roman Catholicism’ s origins, history, beliefs rituals and worship, and ethics and community, check out http://www.patheos.com/Library/Roman-Catholicism.html
National Catholic Reporter. The website states: “Established in 1964, National Catholic Reporter (NCR) began as a newspaper and is now a print and web news source that stands as one of the few, if not the only truly independent, journalistic outlet for Catholics and others who struggle with the complex moral and societal issues of the day. . . . NCR is the only significant alternative Catholic voice that provides avenues for expression of diverse perspectives, promoting tolerance and respect for differing ideas. . . . We are concerned for all people and we are committed to shaping a world that recognizes the dignity of every human being, regardless of religious belief, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other characteristic.” http://ncronline.org/