# religious studies

> objective study of religion

**Wikidata**: [Q34187](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34187)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_studies)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/religious-studies

## Summary
Religious studies is the objective, academic study of religion, distinct from theological practice as it analyzes religious phenomena from a secular, scholarly perspective. It functions as both an academic major leading to degrees and a broader academic discipline within the humanities and social sciences. The field encompasses the systematic examination of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions through various methodological approaches.

## Key Facts
- **Definition**: The objective study of religion, also known as the scientific study of religion, ethnography of religion, or religiology.
- **Classification**: It is an academic major (sitelink count: 8) and an academic discipline (sitelink count: 50).
- **Parent Categories**: It is a sub-discipline of the humanities and falls under the broader umbrella of social sciences.
- **Related Fields**: Directly connected to anthropology of religion, sociology of religion, religion and geography, hierophany, Quranic studies, Jewish studies, and Buddhist studies.
- **Institutional Example**: The Higher Institute of Religious Sciences "St. Thomas Aquinas" in Kyiv, Ukraine, is a Roman Catholic religious university established in 1992 that operates within this field.
- **Key Figures**: The field includes prominent scholars such as Mircea Eliade (1907–1986), Rudolf Much (1862–1936), Robert Eisler (1882–1949), John Boswell, Åke Ohlmarks (1911–1984), Cornel West, Axel Michaels, David Gordon White, Michael Barkun, Evgeny Torchinov (1956–2003), S. G. F. Brandon (1907–1971), Juha Pentikäinen, Klaus Klostermaier, Pavel Gusterin, Ben F. Meyer, Edward Dutton, Volodymyr Shayan (1908–1974), Candida Moss, Abner of Burgos, Stanislas Julien (1799–1873), Samson Eitrem (1872–1966), Milan Balabán (1929–2019), Daniel Boyarin, Petro Kraliuk, Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke (1953–2012), Jan N. Bremmer, José Casanova, Vyacheslav Polosin, Rostislav Rybakov (1938–2019), Tom Dillehay, Patrick Olivelle, Adolf Holl (1930–2020), John Crichton-Stuart (1847–1900), Vladimir Toporov (1928–2005), Masao Abe, John Louis Esposito, Andrey Zubov, Joanna Macy (1929–2025), Andrzej Wierciński, Kingsley Barrett, Olga Vasilieva, Dimitris Michalopoulos, Norbert Bolz, Alexandra David-Néel, Jane Schaberg (1938–2012), Sergei Aleksandrovich Tokarev (1899–1985), Nikolay Nikolskiy (1877–1959), Bernard Faure, George D. Chryssides, Khanna Omarkhali, Roman Silantyev, James Davison Hunter, Ivan Odilo Štampach (1946–2026), Karen Armstrong, Arnold van Gennep (1873–1957), Moshe Halbertal, Alexander Dvorkin, Edvard Lehmann (1862–1930), Huston Smith (1919–2016), James C. Dobbins, Aleksandr Dubyansky (1941–2020), Andrzej Nowicki (1919–2011), Krzysztof Kościelniak, Werner Sundermann, Debra Majeed, Wilhelm Mannhardt (1831–1880), Helmut Gollwitzer (1908–1993), Georg Feuerstein (1947–2012), Ernest Renan (1823–1892), Marshall McLuhan (1911–1980), Al-Baydawi (died 1319), Uno Harva (1882–1949), Harvey Cox, Dimitris Kitsikis (1935–2021), Rafael Karsten (1879–1956), J. Gordon Melton, Iosif Kryvelyov (1906–1991), Halyna Lozko, Bogumił Grott, Carl W. Ernst, Judith Plaskow, Lamin Sanneh (1942–2019), M. A. Muqtedar Khan, Robert A. Kraft, Ihor Kozlovskyi (1954–2023), Abdul Hamid AbuSulayman, Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900), Theodor Piffl-Perčević (1911–1994), Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle (1657–1757), David Bentley Hart, Louis-Nicolas Ménard (1822–1901), Karl Helm (1871–1960), Panteleymon Zhuze, Aleksandr Shchipkov, Bruce Lincoln, and Aršalowys Mik̕ayeli Aršarowni.
- **Notable Works**: Includes *Moses and Monotheism* by Sigmund Freud, *Crossing the Threshold of Hope* (interview with Pope John Paul II), *The Language of God* by Francis Collins (2006), *Totem and Taboo* by Sigmund Freud, and *The Future of an Illusion* by Sigmund Freud (1927).
- **Identifiers**: Wikidata Q465011; GND 4049426-3; LCCN sh85112556; NDL 00572399; BNF 11966145; J9U 987007529425305171.
- **Aliases**: Study of religion, ethnography of religion, religion, religiology, scientific study of religion.

## FAQs
**What is the primary distinction between religious studies and theology?**
Religious studies is defined as the objective study of religion, focusing on the academic analysis of religious phenomena without necessarily adhering to a specific faith. In contrast, theology often involves the study of the nature of the divine from within a specific religious tradition, whereas religious studies scholars like Mircea Eliade or Ivan Odilo Štampach approach the subject from a secular, comparative, or historical perspective.

**Which academic disciplines are considered sub-fields or closely related to religious studies?**
The field is deeply interconnected with anthropology of religion, sociology of religion, and the study of religion and geography. It also encompasses specialized areas such as Quranic studies, Jewish studies, and Buddhist studies, while drawing methodologies from the broader humanities and social sciences.

**Who are some of the most influential scholars associated with this field?**
The discipline has been shaped by a diverse array of figures including the Romanian-American historian Mircea Eliade, the German-born British philologist Friedrich Max Müller, and the American sociologist James Davison Hunter. Other key contributors range from the Austrian art historian Robert Eisler to the British author Karen Armstrong and the Czech theologian Ivan Odilo Štampach.

**What types of institutions and organizations support the study of religion?**
Academic support comes from universities and specialized institutes such as the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences "St. Thomas Aquinas" in Kyiv, established in 1992. Additionally, organizations like the Society for the Study of Sects and New Religious Directions, chaired by Ivan Odilo Štampach since 1993, play a vital role in analyzing new religious movements.

**What are some significant literary works produced within the context of religious studies?**
Scholars have produced foundational texts such as Sigmund Freud's *Totem and Taboo* and *The Future of an Illusion* (1927), which analyze religion through psychoanalytic and historical lenses. Other notable works include *Moses and Monotheism* by Freud, *Crossing the Threshold of Hope* featuring Pope John Paul II, and *The Language of God* by Francis Collins.

## Why It Matters
Religious studies is essential for providing an objective, analytical framework to understand the complex role of religion in human history, culture, and society. By separating the academic analysis of faith from theological advocacy, the field allows for a critical examination of religious phenomena, including the rise of new religious movements and the impact of geography on belief systems. It serves as a bridge between the humanities and social sciences, fostering interdisciplinary research that informs public discourse on social justice, cultural preservation, and human rights. The work of scholars in this field helps decode the "manifestation of the sacred" (hierophany) and contextualizes religious traditions within broader societal structures, ensuring that the study of religion remains relevant to contemporary global challenges.

## Notable For
- **Objective Methodology**: Being the primary academic field dedicated to the "objective study of religion" rather than the promotion of specific doctrines.
- **Interdisciplinary Scope**: Integrating insights from history, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, and linguistics to create a holistic view of religious life.
- **Analysis of New Movements**: Pioneering the systematic study of sects and new religious directions, notably through the leadership of figures like Ivan Odilo Štampach.
- **Global Reach**: Encompassing scholars from diverse national backgrounds, including Ukraine, Russia, the US, Germany, France, and Japan, reflecting a truly global perspective.
- **Historical Depth**: Tracing the evolution of religious thought from ancient figures like Abner of Burgos (14th century) to modern thinkers like Cornel West and David Bentley Hart.
- **Institutional Diversity**: Spanning from Roman Catholic universities like the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences "St. Thomas Aquinas" to secular academic departments worldwide.

## Body

### Definition and Scope
Religious studies is the academic discipline dedicated to the objective study of religion. It is classified as both an academic major, which leads to specific degrees, and a broader academic discipline encompassing a wide range of professions and research areas. The field is distinct from theology in its secular approach, aiming to analyze religious beliefs, practices, and institutions without presupposing the truth of any specific faith. It is often referred to by aliases such as the "scientific study of religion," "ethnography of religion," or "religiology." The discipline is part of the broader category of social sciences and is closely linked to the humanities, serving as a foundational field for understanding human culture and society.

### Academic Classification and Related Fields
The field operates at the intersection of several major academic domains. It is a sub-discipline of the humanities, which includes the study of human culture, history, literature, and philosophy. Simultaneously, it is deeply integrated with social sciences, particularly through its relationship with the anthropology of religion and the sociology of religion. Specific sub-fields include the study of religion and geography, which examines how location influences belief, and the analysis of hierophany, or the manifestation of the sacred. The discipline also branches into specialized areas such as Quranic studies, Jewish studies, and Buddhist studies, allowing for deep dives into specific religious traditions while maintaining a comparative framework.

### Key Institutions and Organizations
Several institutions are central to the advancement of religious studies. A prominent example is the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences "St. Thomas Aquinas," a Roman Catholic religious university located in Kyiv, Ukraine, which was founded in 1992. This institution exemplifies the intersection of religious tradition and academic rigor. Additionally, the field is supported by various societies and research groups, such as the Society for the Study of Sects and New Religious Directions. This organization, chaired by Ivan Odilo Štampach starting in 1993, focuses on analyzing the influx of new religious movements, particularly in Central Europe following the Velvet Revolution.

### Prominent Scholars and Figures
The discipline is defined by a vast array of influential scholars from diverse backgrounds and eras.
- **Historical Figures**: Early contributors include Rudolf Much (1862–1936), an Austrian academic; Robert Eisler (1882–1949), an Austrian art historian and polymath; and Ernest Renan (1823–1892), a French philosopher and writer. Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900), a German-born British philologist and indologist, is also a foundational figure.
- **20th Century Scholars**: Mircea Eliade (1907–1986), a Romanian-American historian and professor at the University of Chicago, is a towering figure in the field. Other notable 20th-century scholars include John Boswell, an American historian; Åke Ohlmarks (1911–1984), a Swedish writer; S. G. F. Brandon (1907–1971), a British Anglican priest and scholar; and Huston Smith (1919–2016), a religious studies scholar.
- **Contemporary Scholars**: Modern figures include Cornel West, an American philosopher and political activist; Axel Michaels, a German indologist; David Gordon White, an American historian of religion; and Karen Armstrong, a British author and comparative religion scholar. The field also includes specialists like Patrick Olivelle, a Sri Lankan Indologist and Sanskrit scholar, and John Louis Esposito, an American professor of Middle Eastern studies.
- **Regional Specialists**: The discipline features experts from specific regions, such as Evgeny Torchinov (1956–2003), a Russian sinologist; Volodymyr Shayan (1908–1974), a Ukrainian linguist; and Masao Abe, a Japanese Buddhist professor.
- **Unique Profiles**: Ivan Odilo Štampach (1946–2026) represents a unique profile, serving as a Czech religionist, theologian, and university educator who was also a programmer and software engineer. He transitioned from the Roman Catholic Dominican Order to the Old Catholic Church in 1999 and chaired the Society for the Study of Sects and New Religious Directions.

### Notable Works and Publications
Significant literary contributions to the field include works by Sigmund Freud, such as *Moses and Monotheism*, *Totem and Taboo*, and *The Future of an Illusion* (1927). These texts analyze religion through psychoanalytic and historical lenses. Other notable works include *Crossing the Threshold of Hope*, a printed interview with Pope John Paul II, and *The Language of God* (2006) by Francis Collins. The field also encompasses the writings of scholars like Alexandra David-Néel, a French explorer and Buddhist, and Marshall McLuhan, a Canadian educator and philosopher who explored the intersection of media and religion.

### Methodological Approaches and Specializations
Religious studies employs a variety of methodological approaches, ranging from historical analysis to sociological and anthropological inquiry. The field addresses human behavior, societies, and cultural patterns through interdisciplinary research. Specialized areas include the study of new religious movements, the analysis of religious texts in their original languages (such as Sanskrit and Hebrew), and the examination of the impact of geography on religious belief. The discipline also engages with contemporary issues, such as the role of religion in politics, as seen in the work of Olga Vasilieva, a Russian politician and professor, and the intersection of technology and theology, exemplified by Ivan Odilo Štampach's dual career.

### Global and Cultural Impact
The study of religion has a profound global impact, fostering cross-cultural understanding and critical thinking. Scholars from diverse nationalities, including the US, Russia, Germany, France, Japan, and Ukraine, contribute to a global dialogue on religious phenomena. The field plays a crucial role in informing policies, shaping public discourse, and promoting global awareness of human diversity and cultural heritage. By examining the "manifestation of the sacred" and the evolution of religious traditions, religious studies provides valuable insights into human rights, social justice, and the preservation of cultural identity. The work of figures like J. Gordon Melton, who specializes in new religious movements, and Lamin Sanneh, an African American historian, highlights the field's commitment to understanding the full spectrum of religious experience.

### Technical and Administrative Details
The entity "religious studies" is associated with numerous identifiers across global knowledge bases. It holds the Wikidata ID Q465011 and the GND identifier 4049426-3. Other identifiers include LCCN sh85112556, NDL 00572399, BNF 11966145, and J9U 987007529425305171. The field is also linked to various topic identifiers such as topic/study-of-religion and concept/c8ffaae2-91c5-4a3a-8219-4325e2b2718d. These identifiers facilitate the organization and retrieval of information related to the discipline in academic and digital libraries. The field is recognized under various aliases, including "study of religion," "ethnography of religion," and "religiology," reflecting its multifaceted nature and global reach.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
3. FactGrid
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
5. All Science Journal Classification Codes
6. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)