FREE The Theology of Religion Essay (original) (raw)

Some form of religion is something every culture has in common. Although we all share the general idea of religion, our religious beliefs differ drastically. We maintain peace with others that have different beliefs through an academic understanding. The key for this academic understanding, at least from a Catholic point of view, is through Christian interreligious dialogue and the Catholic Theology of Religion. The academic study of religion seems like a very cut and dry topic, but in entails a great deal of detail and understanding to comprehend. I can speak from personal experience that after 12 years of Catholic teachings in primary and high school and even physically visiting and studying in the Vatican, that I continue to struggle with the topic of studying merely Catholicism. The essence of the academic approach is broken into four main parts according to scholars: to define, to compare, to analyze, and to explain. Giving generalized definitions and comparing and contrasting isn't necessarily the difficult task. The problem arises in analyzing and explaining religion from an unbiased point of view. In order to articulate from an unbiased point of view as a Christian, or any religion for that matter, you must be able to utilize interreligious dialogue to its fullest extent. The essential points of interreligious dialogue are to be true and open-minded to the beliefs and religions of other cultures. Another key point is to not judge or avoid taboo topics that may conflict with your beliefs. You must fully envelop yourself in the other person's perspective, just as you would want them to do. Although it may seem like a difficult task to undergo, not utilizing interreligious dialogue to understand other's beliefs is like putting together a puzzle in the dark with no edge pieces. .
Aside from utilizing inter-religious dialogue, as Catholic it is important to consider the Catholic Theology of Religion when opening our minds to the idea of other religions.

1. God In Christian Theology

God In Christian Theology Experts have studied religions throughout the world for ages, digging through each one and trying to figure out what is contained within each religions teachings. ... And since God is the basis of the Christian religion therefore God is the basis of Christian theology. ... The First thing to point out is that the bond between God and Christian Theology is a strong one, without a belief in God there would be no religion, and with no religion there would be no theology to study. ... These differences in beliefs leads to confusion between religions, one religion bel...

2. Religion and Theology (Catholic)

The commonly used word "religion" really refers to faith, which itself has a meaning. ... Theology, the "science of faith" (Rahner), comes in four flavors: Historical theology, Systematic theology, Moral theology, and Pastoral theology. ... Historical theology is not an example of the study of religion, because it seeks historical truths which may differ from the accepted modern beliefs. The student author understands "religion" to refer to something in which one believes. This is not technically accurate, as religion is more that just a belief; it is a dedication to a belief....

3. Concepts of Minjung Theology

Minjung Theology, literally translating into theology of the people and masses, is a Korean Christian theology inspired by Western theologies but with its own indigenous fervor. ... By placing the origin of Minjung theology at this juncture, it captures a major impetus behind Minjung Theology movement: the desire to translate the urgency of a passive, premillenial theology under a foreign subjugation into an activist, postmillenial theology under a domestic subjugation. ... In the trial stage, Minjung theologians presented their theology to the rest of the world and applied their theology to ...

4. Islam and Religions in Western Europe

Education was directly connected to the Church and taught only Roman Catholic theologies and only other theologies that corresponded with them accordingly. ... Islam also developed in large urban areas which contributed to it's role as a cosmopolitan religion. ... Rulers found unity through the harmonious combination of religion, culture, and politics. By instilling a sense of purpose, unity, and religion, Islam created a religion that was intellectually and economically progressive. ... Western Catholicism promoted practices that were limiting and disallowed experimentation with intell...

5. Dynamics of Conversion - Fundamental Theology

In his book "The Craft of Theology," Avery Dulles (1992) starts chapter four; "Fundamental Theology and the Dynamics of Conversion," by making reference to one of the best known essays by Bernard Lonergan where he states that, Theology is entering a new age it is changing from a deductive science into an altogether empirical discipline. This new Theology if is not to deceived every fashion, needs a new foundation. ... Methodologically speaking he points out that today empirical theology is a reflection of religion. ... The subject of the Theology, then, is the person undergoing conversion to ...

6. The Black Liberation Theology

One of the most interesting topics that we have touched on is the Black Liberation Theology. "The Black Liberation Theology" discusses numerous topics and periods that surround the black experience. Honestly, "The Black Liberation Theology" is one of the most informative topics we have discussed from our African American studies class. ... In this paper I will focus on the most important concepts discussed throughout the Theology. ... Religion and churches coincide with each other ever since the teaching of religion was brought to life. ...

7. Power and Religion - Dr. Faustus

In the end, the play illustrates how Faustus was led to his own doom by his own hubris and because he chose power over religion. As Scene 1 opens, Faustus' opening soliloquy essentially announces to the world that all the worldly types of knowledge, including the study of religion and theology, are not worthy of Faustus' time. ... Religion was there to save him but personal hubris took salvation away....

8. Theology of the Trinity

Religion, which comes from the Latin word religio means reconnection. ... Western Theology sees the connection between the Son and the Holy Spirit as a bond of Love. ... The Theology of the Trinity is very important to Christianity, especially in this day and age. With the rise of other religions, and the morals of society weakening, people are looking for answers. People nowadays accept that the gods of different religions and the God of Christianity are the same. ...

9. Religions

So begins the basis of Zoroaster's theology. ... That is why Zoroaster has based his theology on good reflection, good word and good deed. ... Several attempts were made by opposing religions to uproot the new theology. ... The accusations not only damaged the theological basis, but also put holes in followers faith. ... After Zoroaster's death, priests of other religions incorperated Ahur Mazda to their own religions in hopes of winning Zoroaster's people and money. ...

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