Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Introduction / Anna Lannstrom -- Hinduphobia and Hinduphilia in U.S. culture / Stephen Prothero -- Christianity, Judaism, and Islam and the restoration of justice in South Africa / John W. de Gruchy -- Mahatma Gandhi and Osama bin Laden : an imaginary dialogue / Bhikhu Parekh -- Other peoples' religions, other peoples' Kama and Karma / Wendy Doniger -- Holy otherness : religious differences revisited / Eliot Deutsch -- Toward a theology of world religions : the existential threats / Robert Cummings Neville -- When Hindus become Christian : religious conversion and spiritual ambiguity / John B. Carman -- Christian-ish and Jew-ish : childhood on a religious shuttle / Werner Gundersheimer -- The convert - stranger in our midst : crossing borders in two worlds / Pravrajika Vrajaprana.

"This book brings together distinguished scholars who reflect on the fascination and fear that humans inevitably experience when confronted with diverse religious beliefs and practices. Contributors argue that fear of the "stranger" and his or her religion can only be overcome through education, and they suggest ways in which we can better understand one another and the world in which we live."--BOOK JACKET.