Religious studies
Religious studies is explored to the Humanities or Cultural Studies, religion empirically, historically and systematically. She deals with all specific religions, religious communities, and (religious) beliefs and ideologies of the past and present.
Among its sub-disciplines include, for example, the history of religion, phenomenology of religion, sociology of religion, psychology of religion, anthropology of religion, religion, economics, religion, geography, inter alia, to university theology consist of contact points in all theological areas: church history, exegesis, systematic and practical. The theologies of various religions is also made objects of religious studies. Established has now called by some "applied " (Wolfgang Gantke ) and " Practical Religion Science " ( Udo Tworuschka ).
What exactly is a religion or an act intended as a clear religious, has so far been determined only provisionally (see definition of religion ). Religious studies usually works with tailored to their respective issues working definitions.
In German-speaking countries the subject is " comparative " determined closer often by attributes such as " general" or, often associated with the art history of religion. For example, the umbrella organization of religious studies in Germany for 50 years called " German Association for the History of Religion " and was renamed the German Association for Religious Studies in 2005.
Religion Scientific research levels
A study of beliefs on the factual level, so a search for transcendent truth, the science of religion does not take before. It classifies, classifies, compares and analyzes the forms and elements of different religions. The history of scientific work ( history of religion ) and the field research ( Anthropology of Religion ) for this purpose are essential basics.
Subsequent comparisons and analyzes are carried out using methods that are borrowed from other disciplines; arise as cultural theory, sociology of religion, psychology of religion, etc. Access to the material. In contrast, the philosophy of religion and theology of religion are explicitly not part of the religion, as they contain normative elements.
An important role in the philology of languages in which sacred writings are written in, or where religious life takes place; example Gräzistik, Latin Language, Semitic, Arabic, Chinese Studies, cuneiform research, Indology. In addition, subjects of importance, who specialize in one religion or a particular culture (often identical to the corresponding philologies ): Celtic Studies, Jewish Studies, Buddhist Studies, Islamic Studies, African Studies, Oriental Studies, Tibetology.
Other subjects that are related to the science of religion in interdisciplinary exchange, history, archeology, ethnography, anthropology / ethnology, anthropology and other cultural studies. Against the background of religious conflict there are also relations with the Peace and Conflict Studies and Political Science. Since the 1990s, also disciplines of neuroscience play a role.
Theologies are basically part of the object, not the method of religious studies. In the context of controversial within the field approaches such as Practical or Applied or intercultural religious studies theologies play a role as a dialogue partner. As well as many other disciplines - - At the same time the Christian religion theologies use of scientific methods, as far as the study of their historical foundations. As far as religion, science is settled at theological faculties, it is often considered in terms of mission science, religion, history, or in the service of a universal theology as an auxiliary discipline.
History of the subject
It is a young science with " precursors " in enlightened times of crisis ( antiquity, humanism ). In the strict sense, it emerged during the modern Enlightenment, particularly in England, the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia. It was not until the early 20th century, she established herself as a subject at the universities; in Germany for the first time in 1912 with the founding of the Religious Studies Institute Leipzig. First, she was taught and practiced at theological faculties. This was due to the Rector's Address Adolf von Harnack in 1901. The first chair holder was the future archbishop of Sweden and Nobel Peace Nathan Soderblom.
In recent decades, however, the religious studies developed in most universities to a body independent of the theologies science, what an entrance in the philosophical and cultural faculties meant. This is and was primarily a discussion of the methodology of the subject as the real reason the development of an independent discipline responsible.
Method of Religious Studies
In general, can be within the existing religious studies more traditional lines make up. Hamid Reza Yousefi they divided into two lines, in principle, give different answers to the question, what religion is science or not. A phenomenological and a philological direction. While Religionsphänomenologen not disclose the category of the sacred and operate a de facto religion science of understanding, is philologically oriented religious scholars distance themselves from these methodological activity form and stick to the science of religion as a 'pure' science. In order to reconcile these lines together, Yousefi developed the concept of a cross-cultural study of religion. He is concerned " about the social mission of the Religious Sciences " and the answer to the question, " what ever religious studies. " He suggests a pluralistic combination of methods before, engage in the hermeneutic and empirical orientations into each other and build on each other.
Study of Religious Studies
Germany
In recent years, several centers created for interdisciplinary research on religion in Germany. Currently Religious Studies can be studied as a separate discipline, inter alia, at the Universities of Bayreuth, Berlin, Bochum, Bremen, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Göttingen, Hamburg, Hannover, Heidelberg, Jena, Leipzig, Marburg, Münster, Munich, Potsdam and Tübingen. Here there are the following statements of the subject:
- Master of Arts ( currently most commonly completion, discontinued)
- Diploma (only in Bremen, discontinued)
- B. A. " Religious Studies " or various courses in religious studies with emphasis, about BA " Cultural and Religious Studies " or " cultural studies with a focus on religion"
- M. A. " Religious Studies " (sets typically a BA advance)
- Dr. phil. (requires a master's degree or MA degree or diploma advance)
Austria
In Austria Religious Studies in Vienna and Graz can be studied. In Graz, it is possible since the winter semester 2006/ 07, to pursue a Master degree (Master of Arts) Religious Studies. In Vienna, this offers the Catholic Theological Faculty of the University in cooperation with the Evangelical Theological Faculty and other faculties since the winter semester 2008/ 09.
Switzerland
Currently, the Religious Studies at the Swiss universities will be significantly increased. Religious Studies with German or French-speaking bachelor's or master's degree can be studied in Basel (German ), Bern (German ), Freiburg ( Ger. / Frz. ), Geneva (in French ), Lausanne (French ), Lucerne (German ) and Zurich (German ).