Studying Islam

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[quote]Perspectives of Religious Analysis: Theology, Comparative religion and Philosophy.

The study of religion is undertaken through any of the aforementioned disciplines. However in discussions outside academic circles these spheres are often confused and cause confusion. It is therefore necessary to distinguish the differences between these subjects for better understanding:

Theology is the internal study of any particular religion, in order to explain its doctrines in a systematic way as well as study its rites and rituals with particular emphasis to their worth and meaning. Theology takes the position of the advocate of the particular religion under study and offers arguments for the understanding, justification and validation of its concepts.

Comparative religion takes a systematic and sympathetic approach towards religions in an effort to study and decipher religions academically and objectively without judgment and without upholding any particular religious doctrine over another but with the purpose to examine religions as their followers understand and practice them.

Philosophy of religion takes up the basic metaphysical questions pertaining to all religions and attempts them using the method of pure logic; it does not accept the answers given through religious authority and even goes to challenge the sources of religious authority. Thus it approaches matters such as "the afterlife", "existence and nature of God", "position of good and evil" solely through the use of rational argumentation in an attempt to formulate a consistent understanding.[/quote]

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