A DISCOURSE ON INTERDISCIPLINARITY IN THE STUDY OF RELIGION

Abstract

Religion remains a social phenomenon. It is axiomatic that religion permeates all aspects of man’s activities hence, it is a social reality especially in this age of interdisciplinary studies. There have been doubts on the relevance of religion as a course of study. Such doubts would have emanated from the ‘insider’s’ study of religion which in most cases remains subjective instead of objective which is the guiding principle of an ‘outsider’s’ (academic) study of religion. The ‘absolute faith truth’ mentality becomes obvious when religion is studied subjectively which creates a vacuum in the study of religion. Religion becomes a course that is relevant to humanity when objective study is carried out and hence, the interdisciplinarity study of the subject matter-religion. The present research bearing in mind, the pivotal place of religion in human affairs discusses the ‘why’ it is important to study religion interdisciplinarily in institutions of higher learning and even in the lower levels of education. This work finds out how religion is studied in line with other disciplines with more interest on the importance of such studies. It is clear that religion in its study stretches its tentacles to philosophy, psychology, anthropology, sociology and soon. Various disciplines borrow from religion in the development of literature. This work concludes that as religion is studied interdisciplinarily, such study makes religion more relevant among human beings who are in dire need of answers to their various problems in life. Religion in line with other disciplines provides answers to those problems which in turn translate to societal development. Using phenomenological approach in the study of religion, the present work presents the interdisciplinarity in the study of religion. Data were collected using secondary source of information.