Quote: "Religious studies, also known as the study of religion, is an academic field devoted to research into religious beliefs, behaviors, and institutions. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing systematic, historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives."
The study of the role of religion in shaping individual and collective identity, social relations, and cultural systems.
Theoretical Frameworks in Religious Studies: Introduction to various theoretical frameworks used in Religious Studies, including the social constructivist approach, the functionalist approach, and the interpretive approach.
Religious Texts: Overview of the major religious texts, including the Bible, Quran, Bhagavad Gita, and Tipitaka.
Religious Practices: Introduction to religious practices, including rituals, meditation, prayer, and fasting.
Histories of Major World Religions: Overview of the histories of major world religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
Philosophy of Religion: Introduction to philosophical questions related to religion, including the existence of God, the nature of religious experience, and the problem of evil.
Religion and Society: Examination of the relationship between religion and society, including the influence of religion on politics, economics, and social issues, and the role of religion in promoting social change.
Comparative Religion: Comparison of the beliefs, practices, and histories of different religious traditions.
Religion in Popular Culture: Analysis of the representation of religion in popular culture, including films, television, and music.
Gender and Religion: Examination of the role of gender in religious practices and beliefs.
Religion and Ethics: Exploration of the relationship between religion and ethical principles and values.
Quote: "While theology attempts to understand the transcendent or supernatural according to traditional religious accounts, religious studies takes a more scientific and objective approach, independent of any particular religious viewpoint."
Quote: "Religious studies thus draws upon multiple academic disciplines and methodologies including anthropology, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and history of religion."
Quote: "Religious studies originated in 19th-century Europe when scholarly and historical analysis of the Bible had flourished, as Hindu and Buddhist sacred texts were first being translated into European languages."
Quote: "Early influential scholars included Friedrich Max Müller in England and Cornelis Petrus Tiele in the Netherlands."
Quote: "In the United States, there are those who today also know the field as the 'History of religion'."
Quote: "The religious studies scholar Walter Capps described the purpose of the discipline as to provide 'training and practice ... in directing and conducting inquiry regarding the subject of religion'."
Quote: "Religious studies scholar Robert A. Segal characterised the discipline as 'a subject matter' that is 'open to many approaches', and thus it 'does not require either a distinctive method or a distinctive explanation to be worthy of disciplinary status'."
Quote: "Different scholars operating in the field have different interests and intentions; some for instance seek to defend religion, while others seek to explain it away, and others wish to use religion as an example with which to prove a theory of their own."
Quote: "Some scholars of religious studies are interested in primarily studying the religion to which they belong."
Quote: "Scholars of religion have argued that a study of the subject is useful for individuals because it will provide them with knowledge that is pertinent in inter-personal and professional contexts within an increasingly globalized world."
Quote: "It has also been argued that studying religion is useful in appreciating and understanding sectarian tensions and religious violence." Note: Due to space constraints, only 12 questions and their corresponding quotes have been provided.