A Study of Religion

A study of religions concerns enduring question about religions, human society, and the meaning individuals and communities make in life. The study of different religions also facilitates interaction with people of other religions and their cultural, historical, intellectual, and social phenomena. This also provides a basic understanding of major religious traditions of the world, their-ethico-social and mystical approach to religion but more so a deep understanding of their fundamental principles and philosophical concerns such as ethical foundation, metaphysics and the nature and form of salvation. I also feel that studying such material is bound to give one richer and more sophisticated understanding of human beliefs and practices regarding sacred, numinous, spiritual and divine. Another reason why one should undertake study of different religions is the analysis of influential cultural definition of individual and social identity as it will contribute significantly and distinctively to our knowledge of human nature, global cultures, diversity and ethical standards and practices. This subject has assumed greater importance in the contemporary world as we are living in pluralistic societies which contain people belonging to diverse groups of religious cultures and traditions. Pluralistic societies now exist around the world which contain many different religious groups. There is constant mutual interaction between these groups in one and the same society. For maintaining civic peace, tranquillity and harmony, it has become imperative for those religious groups to tolerate each other and build relationships. Pluralism is more than mere tolerance of differences – it requires knowledge of them. Tolerance is no doubt important but it does little to remove our ignorance of one another. In order to overcome preconceived notions, constituents of the society have to be educated to know the basics of other religions. This involves understanding people with different religious beliefs and knowing the fundamentals of their religions. In the contemporary world it is impossible for anyone religion to exist in splendid isolation and ignore the others. In spite of science, technology and modernity dominated scenario religious freedom remains one of the most cherished and treasured liberates of mankind.