Why Study Religion?

Why Study Religion?

By Kenzee Roberts

Ever since the beginning of human consciousness, religion has proved to be a fundamental part of human life. Although religion has a diverse history and is still diverse today, many people get stuck in an egocentric way of thinking about religion. It is important to study religion in order to adopt perspectives different from your own and to create a more tolerant society.

Christianity is and has been the majority religion in the United States. Because of this, many laws had been made in favor of Christian views. Gay marriage was illegal. Abortion is still an ongoing debate. Even for the Pledge of allegiance, we say “One nation, under God.” This is not fair to those that do not have the same beliefs. If America is a melting pot, then why does it not always accommodate people of different religious backgrounds?

To be egocentric, basically means to be self-centered around your own beliefs while refusing to acknowledge other perspectives. As a whole, the United States is very egocentric and completely unaware of it. After coming to the College of Charleston and taking my first religious studies course, I started to realize that I was never given the opportunity to study or understand any religion other than Christianity. Growing up in a small town with one stoplight in the middle of West Virginia, other religions were never really talked about. When other religions were mentioned, it was with the sense that they were wrong and that “we” were right. However, I always questioned this notion, but I know that the majority of the population did not. I have always

Wondered how the Christians that I knew felt so confident in what they believed in that they thought it was wrong to believe in anything else. This is because of the lack of resources and education, likely due to it not being seen to be as important as other subjects like math and science.

Taking religious studies courses at CofC only made me question things more, but I do not see that as a bad thing. Even my history courses opened my eyes to religion throughout time. Because the College of Charleston is a liberal arts college that requires a certain amount of courses in humanities in order to graduate, it provides a well-rounded education. Taking classes in humanities is one way that CofC offers the opportunity to learn about different religions/beliefs/practices. The professors have always been very enthusiastic and informative too, which helps.

I hope that opportunities for studying other religions become more prevalent and accessible. It does not take much to learn about other religions, or, at least, to see other perspectives. If informative religious documentaries were more popularized, courses in religious studies were mandatory, and other opportunities to learn more about different religions were mandatory then we as a nation would be more tolerable and accepting, allowing us to truly become a melting pot.

We as a society cannot become more cooperative with other religions if we do not educate ourselves. It is very easy to become accustomed to seeing things a certain way, making it hard for some to open their mind on their own. With easier access and popularization of religious studies, comes the emphasis on the importance of understanding religions different from one’s own; this is important knowledge that every welcoming society must have.