Are there any colleges that offer religious studys but are non-denominational in the United States?

Question

I want to study religion both Western and Eastern, mythology, and the nature of religion. But not for religious reasons, I myself dont attend church nor have any particular faith. I would like to study the sociological and psychological side, and also take some courses on the history of religion, and religions effect on the monarchies of England.
My only problem is that I cant find any Colleges in the US that have these courses. I live in NY and would like a school in or close to NY. The only college I have found so far is the University of Calgary, and thats in Canada.

Answer 1

Not all of the answers above have given you good advice.

I am a religious studies professor and there are TONS of colleges and universities that offer religious studies as a major. Generally, the best undergraduate programs are located at private liberal arts colleges (Amherst, Williams, Vassar, Oberlin, Pomona, Carleton, Haverford, etc.). There are also some larger universities with absolutely top-notch undergrad and grad programs, like University of Chicago, Harvard, Princeton, and Syracuse. However, some state universities also have excellent undergrad (and sometimes grad) programs (Miami U in Ohio, U Wisconsin, U Michigan, U Iowa, Cal State Berkeley and Santa Barbara and Chico, Florida State U, etc.)

In NY, the best programs are at Vassar, Syracuse, and Columbia/Barnard. They are powerhouses of religious studies, and rank among the top programs in the nation.

Check out these websites:
http://www.studyreligion.org
http://aarweb.org
http://www.aarweb.org/department/acadreldocs/surveydata-20040309.pdf

Answer 2

at Harvard> The Center for the Study of World Religions "is a world-renowned research center for the comparative, historical, and cultural study of the world's major religions and spiritual traditions. Centered in Harvard Divinity School, drawing on the unparalleled resources of Harvard University, and serving a worldwide constituency of scholars, religious leaders, policy makers, and concerned individuals, the center aspires to:
encourage interreligious understanding;
strengthen scholarship and teaching in both individual traditions and the comparative endeavor;
enhance the awareness and appreciation of the theological, ethical, aesthetic, and historical aspects of the world's major religious and spiritual traditions within the global intellectual community; and strengthen understanding of all belief systems among leaders and adherents of all the world's religious and spiritual traditions. " (see reference 1)

The University of Chicago Divinity school (reference 2) is mostly Judeo-Christian but has other courses. Check it out.

Department of Religious Studies, at California State University - Chico (see reference 3)

Pace University, department of Philosophy and Religious Studies (see reference 4)

The Divinity School at Vanderbilt University (check out the faculty in Reference 5)

Western Michigan University, Department of Comparative Religion (see reference 6)

California State University, Fullerton, Department of Comparative Religion (see reference 7)

There might be more. I have to go now. Sorry. If you google under "comparative religion" and check out the universities you can get some leads. Just check on the department of "religion" or "comparative religion". I'm not sure if you're a graduate sutdent or undergraduate. Anyway, it all sounds very interesting and worthwhile. Best regards to you.

Answer 3

Look mostly at public universities, since they will not have denominational affiliations. Are you looking at a bachelor's program or graduate program? A lot of schools have religious studies as a undergrad degree (NYU and SUNY- Stony Brook are some NY examples), and many also have master's programs (NYU does). There aren't as many that go to the Ph.D. level, but I know that Indiana University and University of North Carolina do, and I'm sure there are others as well. Given your interests in the history of religion and the English monarchy, you could also look at history programs, since at some schools the study of religion is covered by history departments.

Answer 4

University of Metaphysics in Pasadena CA

Answer 5

With the endowment that biological process have attributed you, .........


Check out the St. Thomas Aquinas Theological Seminary in Missouri

Answer 6

This first link is in Illinois, second is theology in NY.

Answer 7

you look hot!