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 religious institutions, beliefs, and practices.
Ancient Mesopotamia: Examination of the origins of religion in Mesopotamia, including Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian beliefs.
Ancient Egypt: Study of the religious beliefs, practices, and rituals of Ancient Egyptians.
Ancient Greece: Exploration of the religious beliefs and practices of Ancient Greeks, including Olympian mythology and philosophical schools.
Ancient Rome: Analysis of the religious beliefs, practices, and ceremonies of Ancient Rome, including the influence of Hellenistic religion.
Judaism: Study of the beliefs and practices of Judaism, including the Hebrew Bible and Talmud.
Christianity: In-depth examination of the historical development of Christianity, including the New Testament, early Christian communities, and the Eastern and Western Churches.
Islam: Analysis of the formation of Islam, including its beliefs, practices, and cultural aspects.
Hinduism: Exploration of the religious, philosophical, and cultural traditions and practices of Hinduism, including the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita.
Buddhism: Study of the origins and beliefs of Buddhism, including the life of the Buddha, the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path.
Taoism: Analysis of the foundational texts, beliefs, and practices of Taoism, including the Tao Te Ching and the I Ching.
Confucianism: Examination of the ethical, political, and philosophical teachings of Confucianism, including the Analects and Mencius.
Mythology: Study of the myths and legends of various cultures and religions, exploring their history, significance, and interpretation.
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.