Comparative Theology and Religious Studies in a Non-religious Environment
The intellectual landscape of Europe bears the marks of a long history of cultural perceptions of, and scientific approaches to, religions. The sciences of religions had to establish their autonomy from churches and theologies. However, the cultural context and the institutional set-up of ‘laïcité’...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2012-10-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/3/4/973 |
| _version_ | 1831838081155596288 |
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| author | Jacques Scheuer |
| author_facet | Jacques Scheuer |
| author_sort | Jacques Scheuer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The intellectual landscape of Europe bears the marks of a long history of cultural perceptions of, and scientific approaches to, religions. The sciences of religions had to establish their autonomy from churches and theologies. However, the cultural context and the institutional set-up of ‘laïcité’ did not foster the development of comparative religion, much less comparative theology. However, this situation may have an advantage: it should discourage the exercise of comparative theology as a sectarian endeavour apart from broader anthropological perspectives and concerns. Comparative theology should not become the last refuge for religious nostalgia. In Europe, interreligious relationships (and hence comparative theologies) should not be isolated from simple or more sophisticated forms of indifference, agnosticism, or atheism. The active presence of a non-religious environment as well as the growing interest in Buddhism, are challenges to comparative theology: its contents, its approach, its intended audience. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T05:27:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0d2380f612344c5ca37534c1634f363d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T05:27:41Z |
| publishDate | 2012-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-0d2380f612344c5ca37534c1634f363d2022-12-21T17:58:33ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442012-10-013497398210.3390/rel3040973rel3040973Comparative Theology and Religious Studies in a Non-religious EnvironmentJacques Scheuer0Faculté de Théologie, Université Catholique de Louvain, Grand Place 45, bte L3.01.02, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, BelgiumThe intellectual landscape of Europe bears the marks of a long history of cultural perceptions of, and scientific approaches to, religions. The sciences of religions had to establish their autonomy from churches and theologies. However, the cultural context and the institutional set-up of ‘laïcité’ did not foster the development of comparative religion, much less comparative theology. However, this situation may have an advantage: it should discourage the exercise of comparative theology as a sectarian endeavour apart from broader anthropological perspectives and concerns. Comparative theology should not become the last refuge for religious nostalgia. In Europe, interreligious relationships (and hence comparative theologies) should not be isolated from simple or more sophisticated forms of indifference, agnosticism, or atheism. The active presence of a non-religious environment as well as the growing interest in Buddhism, are challenges to comparative theology: its contents, its approach, its intended audience.http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/3/4/973comparative theologyEuropereligiocomparative methodhistoricityintra-religious dialogueBuddhismnon-beliefauthorityWestern reception |
| spellingShingle | Jacques Scheuer Comparative Theology and Religious Studies in a Non-religious Environment Religions comparative theology Europe religio comparative method historicity intra-religious dialogue Buddhism non-belief authority Western reception |
| title | Comparative Theology and Religious Studies in a Non-religious Environment |
| title_full | Comparative Theology and Religious Studies in a Non-religious Environment |
| title_fullStr | Comparative Theology and Religious Studies in a Non-religious Environment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative Theology and Religious Studies in a Non-religious Environment |
| title_short | Comparative Theology and Religious Studies in a Non-religious Environment |
| title_sort | comparative theology and religious studies in a non religious environment |
| topic | comparative theology Europe religio comparative method historicity intra-religious dialogue Buddhism non-belief authority Western reception |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/3/4/973 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jacquesscheuer comparativetheologyandreligiousstudiesinanonreligiousenvironment |