Why are there so many different religions? Where did they come from? Are there many paths to God, or just one? How can anyone determine where the truth lies? The search for answers begins by going back to the basics -- how these religions began, what they teach, and the validity of their claims. Included in this volume are Roman Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Mormonism, the Jehovah's Witnesses, Wicca, Kabbalah, the New Age Movement, Agnosticism and Atheism. And for each group, readers will discover the origins and history; the key teachings and leaders; the major writings; the traditions and special observances; and how they differ from Christianity.