Using Indexes in ATLA Religion Database

Indexes

Using the Indexes is a very helpful way to select the correct terms for your search, especially when you are searching on a topic or an author. The database allows you to browse through the indexes for nearly all the fields. The link to Indexes is on the blue bar at the top of the each page in ATLA Religion Database.

Once you select this link, you will be taken to the Indexes page where you need to select the appropriate index to browse from the Browse an Index dropdown. Then type in the beginning letters of what you think is the appropriate search term in the Browse for box and select the Browse button.

You will be taken to a page with an alphabetical list beginning with your browse term (or the term closest to it, if your term does not match the terms in the particular index). Select the check box next to all terms that correspond to your search. Note that for some author names there may be varying spellings (for example, the author Jürgen Moltmann's name appears in the index as "Moltman, Jurgen", "Moltmann, J." and "Moltmann, Jurgen"); likewise, there may be more than one subject term related to your topic. Make sure you click to select all the possible spellings or terms for your search. You can move throughout the index by using the Previous | Next links located near the top of each page.

Once you have selected all your desired index terms, select the "Add" button. This will place your selected terms in the Find box, separated by "or" (meaning that if any of the selected terms are in a record, it will be retrieved, but not all the terms have to be in the record). Select "Search" to execute your search.

Scriptures

To use the Scripture Index to find items on a particular passage of Scripture, see our Finding Articles on Passages of Scripture Web page.