(LibraryThing Early Reviewers February 2015)

Detailing objects throughout history that hold significance in ritual ceremonies such as bread, drums, incense, and other things.

There is a comparison being done here between several religious doctrines. Some people who are looking for an academic book with limited bias might enjoy but those who are looking for affirmation of their religion being "better" or "right" will not find it in this book.

A short reference NF that may be useful for those who are interested in learning about sacred objects that complete rituals but aren't teaching.

**All thoughts and opinions are my own.** ( )

This was a LibraryThing giveaway. It was an interesting read with its backgounds on stone, incense, bread, drums, and crosses with their histories in various religions and while I learned from this book it was one easily put down. Nor did it keep me awake at night in need of knowing what the next page held in store. ( )

A good book to start your journey into understanding world religions.

S. Brent Plate's Religion in 5 1/2 Objects discusses five easily recognizable objects that are important elements in many of the world's major religions. Stone, incense, cross, drums & bread have a long history in religion, and play an important part in a large majority of the world's religious traditions. Plate's text reveals the role and symbolism that each object has played in the history of various religions. An interesting story about simple, often overlooked, items that make up a huge part of our spiritual awareness. Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in religion or history. ( )

This is an excellent book on religions with a deep look at its various practices symbolized by five objects. Plate takes each object and weaves histories and stories around each one, showing the history and many cases their widespread use, even if the meaning is different. In many cases these objects only tell half the story or only reflect half of the human need to understand the natural and spiritual world and to integrate the two in some way. At the end, there is at the end a discussion on soul and spirit, on binding and loosing, so there are no real absolutes. But along the way there is thrill of the chase to know what is going on.

For stones, we have the sense of the foundation stone, stone altars, religious sculptures, stones helping to create a sacred garden, and some stones having a great symbolic value for some people (e.g. the Oneida Stone).

The burning of incense is important in many religions, including the offering of kadosh. The burning away of incense can be a time marker in religious rituals. Even mosques have been known to be scented as part of the worship environment.

Drums create the most basic sound we hear, and can establish a rhythm in some forms of worship. Sometimes drums are associated with darkness and demonic possession. But Ethiopian Christian have a sacred kabaro (drum) used at particular places in worship, particular on significant hold days like Epiphany. Drums are significant in Native American religious traditions, including the emergence of the "Big Drum" over the last two centuries.

The cross is a particularly Christian symbol, with its image and remembrance of the suffering and death of Jesus. But there is a sense of the use of cross to symbolize quadrants, which further evolved in Eastern tradition with a fifth center.

Bread is used in both Christianity and Judaism (Challah bread and matzo both have significance). Bread is a creation and carries life with it. Navajo fry bread symbolizes their history, even when it not the healthiest food for you.

This is well woven tale, it shows ways, but not answers, but helps us see the connections between what we see and what we experience. ( )