Religion: Getting Started
Welcome!
Use the tabs of this guide for research about world religions:
- Books and Videos -- links to great resources available through PCC Library.
- World Religions in Portland -- suggested temples, mosques, churches and other sites that you can visit in Portland
- Bible - resources for Old Testament/Hebrew scriptures and New Testament studies
- Article Databases - find published magazine and journal articles
- Websites - recommended web resources, plus a Google Custom Search tool that searches only sites recommended by PCC faculty
- Get Help - resources on creating citations, finding writing and other tutors, and more.
Religion Encyclopedias
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Specialized encyclopedias are an excellent place to start your research.
- Gale Ebooks (formerly GVRL) This link opens in a new windowGVRL has over 200 encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research, including: Encyclopedia Judaica; Encyclopedia of American Religious History; Encyclopedia of Buddhism; Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World; Encyclopedia of Philosophy; Encyclopedia of Religion: New Catholic Encyclopedia; Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices; and Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices.
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new windowProvides online versions of 500 published reference works, including general and specialized dictionaries and encyclopedias
Religion Streaming Videos
Watch high quality videos about the world's religions available in the library collection.
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Browse World Religions titles in the Films on Demand database: Collections - Religion and Philosophy
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Search by topic for e-videos in the library catalog
Religion and Culture
Religion influences not only spirituality, but also everyday activities. In a given context, religion may have an effect on interpersonal relationships; food and drink; eating rituals and patterns; clothing; shelter; the arrangement of public and private space; commerce; medicine and health practices; the measurement and use of time, particularly around the practice of religious ritual; pilgrimages; the political and justice systems; and/or practices at the time of major life transitions (birth, adulthood, marriage, death, etc.).
Some resources for researching how a religion is expressed in the culture of a particular country:
- Countries and Their Cultures (an encyclopedia in the Gale eBook database)
- Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religion Practices (an encyclopedia in the Gale eBook database; "provides information on current religious practices around the world with an emphasis on how religions impact the daily lives of their followers.")
Web search strategy
Limit your web search to a results from a particular country by using the country code top-level domain. For example, by adding site:uk to a search, your results should mostly come from websites originating in England.
- Find the domain for a particular country: Internet country domain list
- Examples:
Religion in the news - recent articles from the Religion News Service
- Praying for the presidentThis link opens in a new window (RNS) — Praying for the President does not mean that you endorse everything he says and does. The post Praying for the president appeared first on RNS. Jan 21, 2025
- Gloo announces investment in software product powerhouse MidwesternThis link opens in a new window Gloo The post Gloo announces investment in software product powerhouse Midwestern appeared first on RNS. Jan 21, 2025
- In sermon to Trump, Bishop Budde pleads for immigrants, transgender rightsThis link opens in a new window WASHINGTON (RNS) — The inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday morning featured a number of interfaith leaders, including the Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, who delivered the homily. The post In sermon to Trump, Bishop Budde pleads for immigrants, transgender rights appeared first on RNS. Jan 21, 2025
- Faith-based aid agencies challenge Trump’s order ‘realigning’ refugee programThis link opens in a new window WASHINGTON (RNS) — An executive order signed by President Donald Trump appears to keep all but a few refugees from entering the country, saying that the United States lacks the resources to absorb them. The post Faith-based aid agencies challenge Trump’s order ‘realigning’ refugee program appeared first on RNS. Jan 21, 2025
- Warm weather threatens Epiphany ice water plunges for Russia’s Orthodox ChristiansThis link opens in a new window MOSCOW (AP) — Temperatures across Russia have been increasing over the past quarter of a century in line with global warming, says meteorologist Leonid Starkov. The post Warm weather threatens Epiphany ice water plunges for Russia’s Orthodox Christians appeared first on RNS. Jan 21, 2025
The Five Major World Religions (11 minute TED-Ed video)
Introduces the intertwined histories and cultures of the major religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.
Contact your class librarian!
Contact librarian Roberta Richards
- rrichard@pcc.edu
- Southeast LIB 206
- 971-722-4962
Roberta's appointment calendar:
- Online Monday mornings
- In-person Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at the Southeast Campus Libra