Religious Studies

'Religious studies' is one of the academics in which the curriculum is based upon the beliefs, precepts and cultural perspectives of different religions. Religious studies often are multidisciplinary field which cover most of the worlds popular religions deal with their origins, teachings, views on life and death and so on. Whereas theology commonly refers to becoming expertise in one of the religions where the course is intense and the scripts are explained and interpreted with much detail.

Origin and importance

Religious studies seem have to gained significance during the nineteenth century where studies on the holy bible were undertaken more to understand the religion by the clergy. Sometimes later the scripts of Hindus’ and Buddhists’ were translated into European languages for the first time and subsequently studies were undertaken based on these materials.  Often religious studies are viewed from outside the religion and this is an interdisciplinary of anthropology, philosophy, sociology and psychology.

The term or the word religion is derived from the Latin word ‘religio’ which means respect for gods and ritual observation. And the word religious meant someone who aspired to become a monk and joined a monastery. Leaving their family and friends these will lead a secular life learning their religion and preaching the same to the people.

The early scholars of religious studies

The interest to study religion dates back to as early as 550 BC when Hecateaus of Miletaus and Herdotus made their passion to study most of the world religions by getting deep into their scripts. Afterwards Islamic scholars started to explore into the religions of Hindus, Christians, Persians and Jewish. And Muhammad al sharastani became the first person to write a history of the religion in the book called “Treatise on the religious and philosophical sects”.

Interest for the field

During the end of nineteenth century they used science to study religion and Max Muller is known to be the first professor of comparative religion in Oxford University who wrote the book “Introduction to science of the religion” in 1873.  During the twentieth century the interest for the religious studies as the field had developed as many people showed passion to take up the studies. Subsequently new departments were established and curriculum was given thrust into more religious outlook using the scripts of various religions as text and materials for the study.

At present the interest in religious studies seem to have come down as the result of modernization and globalization where faiths in religion and devotional practices are not in the lifestyle of the youngsters. At the same time certain movements of each religion assist this field in existence.

Questions:

• What are religious studies?
• State the importance of the religious studies?