Defining Religion Religion is a universal institution or phenomenon in human history. It is a system or a way of life found in all societies from early days of human appearance on earth. The term Religion is very complex and requires extensive research. Western scholars of Religion do not agree in one definition of the term. These Religion scholars offered definitions but either too broad or too narrow to fit the different traditions, beliefs and practices of the world community. Scholars came with many interpretations of Religion but none can be considered the one correct definition of Religion. In this globalized world mankind can’t understand or relate to another without
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Although the understanding Religion is important, there is no one common way of studying it. Religion affects all aspects of life all throughout history. John Hinnels also argues that is involved of the politics, economics and even daily lives of all people. In politics, Religion plays a major in conflicts in many different parts of the World currently and historically. Christianity was driving force in Crusaders invasion of the holy land in the Middle East. The Israeli- Palestinian conflict is deeply rooted in Religion. Each side claims Religious rights to the holy city of Jerusalem. The sub-continent of India was divided in 1947 into Hindu and Muslim states also on religious grounds. Furthermore the civil war of the former Yugoslavia in 1990s was also religious. The Christian Serbians massacred of thousands of Muslim Bosnians right in back of Europe. This massacre is considered the biggest since World War …show more content…
The scholars or students of Religion need to have a clear motive and method to examine the materials objectively. Religion has a long history in fact it’s as old as mankind and studying that posses a major challenge for students of Religion. The ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia and old Greek cultures involved Religious beliefs and practices throughout history. When the Western colonization spread around the world, Europeans encounter relatively unknown Religions and cultures. They discovered the major differences between their Christian culture and other fairly advanced civilizations. In this mixed world even the meaning of the world Religion was the same non western people. Schools for Religious studies became necessary to sort out the massive information of the field of Religion. Since the Western Enlightenment the study of Religion improved considerably. Scholars such as James Hasting who put together the Encyclopaedia of Religion and ethics was a milestone work in study of Religion. As Jonathan Smith argues in his article Religion, Religions, Religious that Religion has dimensions or different terms and methods to study it. Some of the questions we should be asking ourselves are about the nature, the origin, universality or even truthfulness of the Religion. Religion deals with aspect of the human life, faith and morality for instance are major
Although the understanding Religion is important, there is no one common way of studying it. Religion affects all aspects of life all throughout history. John Hinnels also argues that is involved of the politics, economics and even daily lives of all people. In politics, Religion plays a major in conflicts in many different parts of the World currently and historically. Christianity was driving force in Crusaders invasion of the holy land in the Middle East. The Israeli- Palestinian conflict is deeply rooted in Religion. Each side claims Religious rights to the holy city of Jerusalem. The sub-continent of India was divided in 1947 into Hindu and Muslim states also on religious grounds. Furthermore the civil war of the former Yugoslavia in 1990s was also religious. The Christian Serbians massacred of thousands of Muslim Bosnians right in back of Europe. This massacre is considered the biggest since World War …show more content…
The scholars or students of Religion need to have a clear motive and method to examine the materials objectively. Religion has a long history in fact it’s as old as mankind and studying that posses a major challenge for students of Religion. The ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia and old Greek cultures involved Religious beliefs and practices throughout history. When the Western colonization spread around the world, Europeans encounter relatively unknown Religions and cultures. They discovered the major differences between their Christian culture and other fairly advanced civilizations. In this mixed world even the meaning of the world Religion was the same non western people. Schools for Religious studies became necessary to sort out the massive information of the field of Religion. Since the Western Enlightenment the study of Religion improved considerably. Scholars such as James Hasting who put together the Encyclopaedia of Religion and ethics was a milestone work in study of Religion. As Jonathan Smith argues in his article Religion, Religions, Religious that Religion has dimensions or different terms and methods to study it. Some of the questions we should be asking ourselves are about the nature, the origin, universality or even truthfulness of the Religion. Religion deals with aspect of the human life, faith and morality for instance are major