RELI 100 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Upanishads, Popular Alternative, Early Christianity

• School: George Mason University
• Department: Religious Studies
• Course: RELI 100
• Professor: sparks

Document Summary

Short answer: name two similarities and two differences between theology and religious studies as approaches to analyzing the world"s religions. Religious studies is usually secular and it focuses on social aspects of the religion. Theology, on the other hand, is usually done from the perspective of a particular religious tradition. Theology assumes the existence of god but religious studies does not assume the existence of god. Both take an internal point of view toward the tradition of which they are a part of. Secularization is taking place in which modern society people are moving away from traditional religious patterns. Greater mobility, with people moving from place to place in search of better work, has the effect of making us less traditional and more individualistic. Also, since the secular worldview rejects the existence of god, human beings get to decide on standards and values.