A comprehensive analysis of every belief from the oldest tribal ceremonies to modern cults. Each faith is covered with analysis of the origins, practices, rituals and variations which make up each of the world's religions. The scope of the book is from the every earliest beliefs in the ancient world, worship of the Mother Goddess, prehistoric rites, through the 4000 years since classical civilization to the most contemporary world of cults and the self-styled Messiahs. It aims to put into context belief structures from the earliest times to the present day.