Scholarly Study of Religion (Research Paper Sample)

Scholarly study of religion
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Religion
Religion is the belief in and worship of a supreme or superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods (Bergunder, 2014). In the world of the generation we are in, there are many different types of religion. The main types include Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, as well as Judaism. Therefore, each has his or her religion in place concerning his or her beliefs. There have been cases of people shifting from one religion to another because, in the process, their beliefs change thus, changing their religion. It is not a crime to shift from one religion to another because the individual often has his or her reasons to change religions.
Different Approaches to Religion
With the different religions we have, there also arises different approaches to these beliefs. The way one individual approach a religion may be way too different from the way another person approaches that religion (Bergholm, & Ritari, 2008). The different approaches arise especially when we study other religions that are different from ours. There are three approaches to the study of religion that are most common in the generation we are living in today. Many criticize; others uphold religion while there are others who disaggregate religion. Therefore, the individual’s perception of the study of a religion determines how he or she approaches that religion.
Those who criticize religion do not really look down upon the beliefs or practices of the religion but rather, they criticize the concept of religion as a scholarly category. They argue out that at some point, religion is not what people think about it. Skepticism in religion arises when individuals find out that religion has served to define the western idea of the secular. Therefore, they point out that religion remains deeply entangled with the western idea of secular. Hence, these bring a lot of criticism and controversies in the understanding of religion (Von Stuckrad, 2013).
The upholding approach of religion is the type of approach where people object those that criticize religion. Therefore, the implications of the criticizing approach often lead to the upholding approach. Those who defend religion differ from those that criticize it. Therefore, their ideologies concerning religion are far much different (Von Stuckrad, 2013). In the upholding approach, the individuals here object the people who tend to link religion with things that took place many years ago. Religion should be respected and seen as moral for all individuals rather than criticizing it.
Moreover, we have the disaggregating approach where answers to the critiques are found. This approach clearly helps us to gain the knowledge of what religion is and what it teaches about. Those that criticize religion for their different reasons are advised that religion should be disaggregated more or so, into a number of different values. These values should relate to the laws and norms of different states, as well as communities (Von Stuckrad, 2013).
Important figures in religion
Jesus Christ of Nazareth is one of the important figures in religion. The Christians believe that He was a great prophet who was sent by God to save the Earth from sins. Many of the Christians eagerly await the return of Jesus which He had promised. However, it is pointed out that the ministry of Jesus Christ lasted for less than three years but yet, many people follow His teachings today. Therefore, Christians do see Jesus as an important figure in religion (Hermans & Sterkens, 2014).
Moreover, Mohammed of Mecca is another important figure in religion. In religion, he is important because it is said that he is the one who penned the Koran that is widely used by Muslims today. He is said to be the father of Islam which has rapidly spread in the world today. He was a merchant who turned into a religious leader. Today, Muslims believe in what Mohammed wrote in his book that is the Koran. Also, Buddha spent many years of his life teaching his philosophy of enlightenment. Therefore, because of this, he led to the creation of Buddhism making him an important figure in religion (Hermans & Sterkens, 2014).
Contributions of religion
Religion has been of great contribution to the world today. Religion has enhanced ethical guidance to individuals, a...