Why Study Religion? - Contingent Magazine

Undergraduate students often enter classes on the Bible or ancient Mediterranean religions with trepidation, questioning the motivations of those who dedicate their careers to studying religious history. Concerns about conversion or de-conversion, as well as the perception of peers, contribute to this anxiety. In American culture, religion is often viewed as a deeply personal matter that should not be discussed publicly, and the separation of church and state suggests that religious identity should remain private.

Students and the public frequently make assumptions about the religious identities of their professors in an attempt to understand their motivations. This can lead to skepticism regarding the objectivity of scholars affiliated with specific religious traditions. For instance, Dan McClellan, a prominent scholar of religion, faces scrutiny due to his affiliation with the Latter Day Saints, while Bart Ehrman, known for his non-religious stance, is critiqued for the perceived discrepancy between his research and his identity.

Despite these critiques, scholars of religion argue for the importance of studying religious history beyond identity-based motivations. Understanding the history and academic analysis of religion is relevant for everyone, not just those who identify as religious or aspire to be religious leaders. This distinction is often made between theology, which focuses on systematic analysis within specific traditions, and religious studies, which examines the historical and sociocultural development of religions.

Megan Goodwin and Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst emphasize that religion is not done with us, highlighting its pervasive influence on various aspects of life. A background in religious history is essential for comprehending the political and racial categories that shape our world. Scholars have shown that the definition of "religion" in the United States has been contested based on race since the nation’s founding. For example, white European settlers grappled with the implications of enslaved Africans converting to Christianity, often barring such conversions to maintain an association between Christianity and whiteness.

The legal recognition of what constitutes "religion" in the U.S. has also been a subject of ongoing debate. Indigenous communities have historically had to advocate for their ceremonies and practices to be recognized as legitimate forms of religion. Contemporary legal questions continue to arise, such as those concerning religious exemptions related to generative AI use in workplaces.

The heavily Christian-influenced definition of "religion" complicates legal contexts, often requiring practices to resemble or be legible to Christian norms. This ongoing negotiation of what counts as religion underscores the necessity of studying religious history, as it reveals the intricate ways in which religion intersects with societal structures and individual identities.