Religious studies: history and main fields
Answers are for parents and teachers.
1
List the five fields of religious studies and give your own example for each.
History, sociology, psychology, philosophy, phenomenology; examples are checked in class (e.g. sociology – the role of religious festivals in society).
2
In 3–4 sentences, explain why al-Biruni’s works are an important source for our region.
They described the beliefs of various peoples with a degree of impartiality for their time and give unique information on ancient cultures.
3
Find information on Article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and state its content in your own words.
Everyone has freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to change religion and to manifest it alone or with others.
4
In your own words, write 2 differences between “scientific atheism” and present religious studies.
Differences in aim (criticism versus impartial description), place in universities and approach.
5
Put Herodotus, al-Biruni and Max Müller in chronological order.
Herodotus (5th century BC) → al-Biruni (973–c. 1048) → Max Müller (1823–1900).