Comparative Theology and Religious Studies in a Non-religious Environment
Author(s)
Jacques ScheuerKeywords
comparative theologyEurope
religio
comparative method
historicity
intra-religious dialogue
Buddhism
non-belief
authority
Western reception
Religion (General)
BL1-50
Religions. Mythology. Rationalism
BL1-2790
Philosophy. Psychology. Religion
B
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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.Date
2012-10-01Type
ArticleIdentifier
oai:doaj.org/article:0d2380f612344c5ca37534c1634f363d2077-1444
10.3390/rel3040973
https://doaj.org/article/0d2380f612344c5ca37534c1634f363d