Should universities have theology departments?

Question

Richard Dawkins suggests that theology is not an academic subject and compares it to the study of leprechauns. He says, "But as for theology itself, defined as 'the organised body of knowledge dealing with the nature, attributes, and governance of God', a positive case now needs to be made that it has any real content at all, and that it has any place in today's universities."

Is he right?

Source: http://richarddawkins.net/article,1698,n,n

The role of religion in establishing universities in the first place is irrelevant as are people's feelings about Dawkins' views of religion. The question is about whether it is legitimate to consider theology as an academic subject and if it isn't, should it be taught to degree level?

I do know people who've studied it at degree level and who lost their faith as a result. I also know people who've said it better equipped them to challenge religious belief. To me these, represent points in its favour.

I find the suggestion someone makes that "you cannot have a worthwhile degree without some study of theology" totally bizarre.

Answer 1

Several of the answers are correct: religions started universities. However, this was because they wanted to control education and society for their own greedy ends. It was only when thinking men started to think for themselves that they were able to break free from the stranglehold of the churches, allowing universities to become what they are today.

Answer 2

Has theology had any impact at all on the history, philosophy, or science of mankind? Richard Dawkins would do well to remember that academia only exists because of the contributions of religions throughout western history. Scholars were originally clergymen and the greatest minds of every era have proclaimed a relationship with God on some level or another. Even the great scientific minds who are debated within religion forums proclaim some impact of spirituality in their lives. To forgo the study of theology would be to deny an essential component of human nature. Atheist, Buddist, Christian, Muslim, all have been impacted intheir lives by theology. Our governing system was established by followers of a theology. Our curent events are rife with conflicts that come about because people do not understand theology. Study does not coherse beleif, but it merely encourages understanding. Peace will require understanding. I submit that you cannot have a worthwhile degree without some study of theology.

Answer 3

He is not right at all!

Religion explores the Supernatural (causes and
purposes of existanace).

The universe did not "just appear" - that is silly.
We would not be able to ask such questions if
there was not something beyond physical life.

It could be argued that we could not ask ANY
questions at all if we did not have a soul
with which to contemplate it (a soul that is
not merely physical).

Science can not explain the whole of life -
it can observe, but not explain!
Science has it's purpose and is limited, our
reasoning/logic is also limited, as is physical
existance.

Science is practical, but spirituality is priceless!
Evidence for the supernatural is one's experience
with it.

Religion is about the supernatural, not natural.
The ideas of love and autonomy can not be explained via science, for example!

Life is SO much more than mere scientific
explaination.

Sure, science has disproven things that were
mere superstition.
Superstition can be compared to scientific
hypothosis (disproven).
Real spirituality HAS substance.

God is revealed to those who are sincere and
willing to put down their limited logic that can
only go so far (and their pride),
yet believing in God IS logical
at the same time, for we did not come from
mere matter and mere matter did not generate
out of thin air somehow (nor did conscience)!

People like this author think they are so smart
and their confidence makes it look so convincing,
yet they miss the point completely (focus on details
that they use as excuses).
They are illogical and small of heart as well.

Answer 4

If theology is taught from a strictly neutral perspective, then it should be allowed. It's when theology is taught as fact that I have a problem. Theology is a valid subject in that if taught properly can entice the student to pursue their own views from what they learn. A theology professor should be able to teach theology from all perspectives, focussing on the writings, interpretations, and facts related to the selection of published writings. Alternative writings from the same period of time should also be taught so as to open the student to more information about where, when and by whom they were written.

Answer 5

As the purpose of a university is to educate people on a wide variety of subjects, I see no problem with a theology department. No different in my mind from a university offering dance classes, art appreciation or bowling, which were all offered at the University I attended.

If Mr. Dawkins feels university should be kept only to "academic" subjects, he should try a trade school for his educational requirements.

Answer 6

Well here in the UK one university offered a course on star trek so we can hardly talk - except it was probably mostly a publicity stunt. Too often cultural studies like those represent a certain amount of dumbing down. A university degree does not symbolise the learning it once did.

You should be able to study religion in a course, maybe entitled 'modern mythology'.

Answer 7

This is why Jefferson did not want a theology department when he founded the University of Virginia.

Theology is rationalization of already held belief, not a rational pursuit of what is actual, and is therefor a waste of university resources.

But, many universities do have mythology departments, and they do sometimes study leprechauns, so...

Answer 8

I would tend to disagree with Mr. Dawkins on this. Theology is a type of Philosophy and as such belongs in the realm of Social Sciences with Anthropology and Sociology.

Answer 9

I have two hypotheses for this: 1) They have religious donors who would find the lack of such a department a cause to cease donating. 2) They want to attract a larger variety of students, and particularly those who will graduate and end up being donors. Edit: And, we atheists might want to take a class or two to try and understand the cultists we will encounter in our lives.

Answer 10

Well, we all know that Richard Dawkins is a reliable source to consult in matters of religion, don't we?

Just because some guy says that theology is irrelevant doesn't make it so.