How Can We Study Religions
Discuss the following questions “Questions for Analysis”, on p. 18. You do not have to answer every question yourself, but all three questions must be discussed. 1. Briefly describe the following approaches to the academic study of religion and how each can contribute to the development of an objective and empathetic attitude toward the subject. Historical approach, Comparative approach, Phenomenological approach. 2. Describe what is meant by the Sacramental, Prophetic, and Mystical emphases in religion and how is the understanding of the Sacred different in each? 3. Why are the questions we ask in a worldview analysis significant and how is this a helpful tool for studying religions? PAGE 18 BELOW…. 1. Write your definition of religion and compare it with what the book says. 2. What challenge does science pose to religion? In your opinion is this an insurmountable challenge? Why or why not? 3. Briefly describe the following approaches to the academic study of religion and how each can contrib-ute to the development of an objective and empathetic attitude toward the subject. a) Historical approach b) Comparative approach c) Phenomenological approach 4. Describe what is meant by the Sacramental, Prophetic, and Mystical emphases in religion and how is the understanding of the Sacred diff erent in each? 5. Why are the questions we ask in a worldview analysis significant and why is this a helpful tool for studying religions?
