study of religion

religious approach

attempts to access the truth and utility of other religions through POV of their own. conducted in an effort to refute the claims of other religions

philosophical approach

assess the rational warrant of various religious claims. examining the coherence and intelligibility of religious beliefs

historical approach

attempts to describe the historical development of a religious tradition, including description of the development of its rituals, doctrines, etc

functional approach

attempts to determine the role that religion plays in other human contexts

comparative approach

interested in discerning the common core of religions, looking for similar patterns of experience, belief, and action

phenomenological approach

primarily descriptive, seeks to describe the beliefs, rituals, and norms of various religions. interested in the study of religions in and themselves, intent on understanding a religion for its own sake, interested in a systematic study of the beliefs rather than a chronological one