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The definition of religion is a controversial and complicated subject in religious studies with scholars failing to agree on any one definition. Oxford Dictionaries defines religion as the belief in and/or worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. [1] [failed verification] Others, such as Wilfred Cantwell ...
The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions is a reference work edited by John Bowker and published by Oxford University Press in the year 1997. It contains over 8,200 entries by leading authorities in the field of religious studies containing a topic index of 13,000 headings. There are over 80 contributors from 13 countries.
A page from the 1811 Worthing printing. Bodleian Library. " The Necessity of Atheism " is an essay on atheism by the English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, printed in 1811 by Charles and William Phillips in Worthing while Shelley was a student at University College, Oxford . An enigmatically signed copy of the short tract was sent to all the heads ...
Theories of religion can be classified into: [6] Substantive (or essentialist) theories that focus on the contents of religions and the meaning the contents have for people. This approach asserts that people have faith because beliefs make sense insofar as they hold value and are comprehensible. The theories by Tylor and Frazer (focusing on the ...
Religious studies. Religious studies, also known as the study of religion, is the scientific study of religion. There is no consensus on what qualifies as religion and its definition is highly contested. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing empirical, historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives.
The history of religion refers to the written record of human religious feelings, thoughts, and ideas. This period of religious history begins with the invention of writing about 5,200 years ago (3200 BCE). [ 1] The prehistory of religion involves the study of religious beliefs that existed prior to the advent of written records.
v. t. e. Theology is the study of religious belief from a religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. [1] It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the supernatural, but also deals with religious epistemology, asks and seeks to ...
Comparative religion is the branch of the study of religions with the systematic comparison of the doctrines and practices, themes and impacts (including migration) of the world's religions. In general the comparative study of religion yields a deeper understanding of the fundamental philosophical concerns of religion such as ethics ...