Academic study of religions involve the examination and fine studying of religious dogma, practices, rituals and the structure of religions. The study involves seeking to understand the history religion and the circumstances that led to the formation the beliefs and the changes religions face overtime (Moltmann, 2011). Religions are analyzed academically in comparison to other religions too finding the similarities and disparities in context theoretically. On the other hand, religious practice involves the active participation in the behavior, practices and rituals of the religion one identifies with which involves the service and worship God or a supernatural through commitment to the faith observance and devotion. Unlike the academic study of religion, religious practice engages one to commit to the religion in dogma, doctrines, practices and rituals. Academic study of religion is passive and is done for the purpose of acquiring knowledge but practice is done for the purpose of gaining religious momentum towards the rituals and doctrines (Dubler, 2011).
Characteristics of religions include the aspect of believing in a supernatural being be it spirits, gods or God or the belief in an ultimate phenomena beyond the usual at the same time a connection is maintained for instance monotheistic and polytheistic religions (Moltmann, 2011). Religions tend to differentiate among sacrilege, sacred or the ordinary guided by time, objects and human beings for instance Mecca is sacred to Islam. Religions also encourage or prompt the followers to participate in ritual activities to build their faith. This is described by having rituals connected to lifecycle of human beings and sacred events and ceremonies. In addition, religions generally encourage a moral code or disciplined principles to guide the followers for instance ten commandments for Christians. Religions also give a sense of wonder to supernatural existence a sense of wonder, sacred stories, organized life like unique dress code and a promise of inner peace.
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Religions try to find a common ground of belief by incorporating various rituals and practices to assist in getting to comprehend life. The common practices in religion include reincarnation which is practiced by various denominations for instance Buddhists and the Hindu. Most religions also base their doctrines on a specific book or sacred text for instance the Bible for Christians and Quran for Islam. The writings are said to be sacred since they are presumed to come directly from a god or a special phenomenon mainly through a miraculous revelation (Dubler, 2011). Indigenous religions share common concerns with the mainstream religions with the only difference being their beliefs are rooted from the nature and surrounding physical features.
There are various concerns raised on the academic study of religion. The controversy exists between the fine line between study of religion for sake of knowledge or for the sake of being religious in nature (Moltmann, 2011). Issues raised on religion include the fact that the contemporary times have dynamic view towards religion such that the learning of religion studies nowadays contradicts the upcoming trends e.g., homosexuality and dressing.
Religion draws its ethics from various places, subjects and situations. Generally, the human nature is to do good which forms the fundamental source of ethics. Furthermore, religious ethics can be drawn from cultural values, morals and traditions (Dubler, 2011). For the indigenous religions, they tend to have a common ground of their sacred practices and traditions. Religion can thus draw its ethical and moral code from traditions, values and culture. The significance of ethics in religion is to ensure strict following of the teachings and preserve unity of character among the followers.
References
Dubler, J. (2011). Religion and the Practices of Popular Constitutionalism: Sarah Gordon's The
Spirit of the Law. Law & Social Inquiry, 36(4), 1062-1088. doi: 10.1111/j.1747-4469.2011.01261.x
Moltmann, J. (2011). A Common Earth Religion: World Religions from an Ecological
Perspective. The Ecumenical Review, 63(1), 16-24. doi: 10.1111/j.1758-6623.2010.00089.x
