Just how familiar are people with the historical scholarship about religion?

Question

Or with the sociology and psychology of the same?

Answer 1

I really have no idea.

My impression is that most religious people don't have a clue about the development of religious thought, or even of the development of their own religion in the context of the times and other religions.

It has been my impression that this is discouraged in some cases. But generally, I think that there is an astonishing lack of curiosity about this - which blows my mind, because the religion that one follows has an enormous impact on one's life.

I think that some people think that if they study the sociological and psychological aspects of belief, that their own belief will be eroded.

I have not, personally, found that to be true in my case.

And of course, people who cling to the idea that theirs is the only true way will not be interested in finding out that there is validity in other religions, or that the message of most religions is the same.

Answer 2

That's a really broad question. The historical scholarship of Christianity is different than that of Judaism or Islam, etc. And there's different interpretations. For example, Jesus never claimed to be God but many Christians believe him to be God. Many people believe in the trinity yet it is not a scriptural belief, and so on.

Answer 3

Not familiar at all judging by some of the answers & questions in here.

Answer 4

i personally study tangs before i make an opinion so I've studied allot of religions so I'm pretty familiar

Answer 5

Not very, I am certainly not systematic about it. I do read a lot and have a bit of understanding though.