Comparative Religion

Probably the major figure in the study of comparative religions has been Huston Smith. His writings - particularly his book on world religions - have been extremely popular and influential. His most well known book (see Amazon) has been widely used in college courses on the topic and is readily available.When I was in college, he gave a lecture series at my school, and it was a life-changing event for me.

 Smith was raised as a Methodist and in mid-life became particularly interested in Vedanta Buddhism. He has also personally explored many other religions and religious experiences, including those induced by various psychodelics. He has been an influential witness in court testimony on affirming the legality of peyote, mushrooms, and other natural psychodelics among Native Americans. Most recently he has taken issue with those in the so-called "New Atheism" movement. Smith argues that all or most world religions, despite their differences, provide paths to higher consciousness and to God. He has engaged in debates with many nonbelievers in England and the U.S., particularly biologist Richard Dawkins, the most famous atheist in the world.

Although well into his nineties, Smith continues as a professor at the University of California. He has a web page. Check him out!