Why Study World Religions

Is it important to study world religions? It is probably true that most Americans

know very little about other religions and that is probably true for believers of
other faiths around the world. Global religious doctrine involves a replacement
understanding of theology within a philosophy spiritual world within which
theology should speak to quite one spiritual tradition and be capable of
dialogue with several alternative a new systems.
Historical Comprehension
It's impossible to wander through any of the major art museums in the world
and fail to recognize that the sculptures, paintings, figurines, pottery, and
statues beg an understanding of world religions. The stories, beliefs, hopes,
dreams, fears, and deepest convictions of peoples throughout history have been
captured visually in art and intellectually in sacred texts. These faith traditions
have shaped human history in multiple ways - political, military, social, cultural,
and intellectual.
Interdisciplinary Understanding
Studying world religions enables the student to integrate the accumulated
knowledge of the centuries into a holistic understanding of human societies.
Sociology, literature, history, political science, anthropology, and art all draw on
religious contexts to give a fuller dimension to their own disciplines.
Global Preparedness
In generations past, foreign cultures and religions were rarely encountered.
They remained two-dimensional descriptions in textbooks. Today we may sit in
class next to a Muslim, work with a Baha'i, and travel through India; the woman
in line next to you at the grocery store may be a Buddhist or a Wiccan. In a
world where technology has made multicultural and interreligious contact
commonplace, we all need to be prepared to live as neighbors with those of
different faiths. Integrated markets and cultures demand the sensitivity and
mutual respect that comes with understanding of belief systems.
Social Vision
Students of world religions are prepared to work side-by-side with people of
different faith traditions in the larger efforts shared by all faiths. Every religion
instructs its faithful in ethics of compassion, personal integrity, and social
responsibility. Finding common ground and working together toward the
needs of the community is made possible through a fuller vision of world
religions.

So how do we go about learning about global faiths? We can certainly read
books about it or go online to research the various faiths or we can take
courses that cover world religions, either individually or collectively. The
ultimate goals may even be to earn a Master of Theology Online degree in
world religions. However, we choose to explore different religions, it seems
to be a very worthwhile endeavor to know about other faiths.