Week 20: Critical Theory and the Study of Religion: Debates & Future Directions
What in your view is the relationship between the critical theories we have studied over the year and the study of religions? What do you think the future might hold for the field?
For the most part, I feel that the critical theories we have studied have only the most tenuous link to the Study of Religions. Yet as revolutionary aspects of the modern academic world, with all of their thoughts geared towards changing the way in which we think, if any field were to ignore such developments it would run the risk of being left behind. An evolutionary dinosaur in the contemporary world.
I am cynical enough to believe whole-heartedly, that the field of Study of Religions, as all other fields of discourse will basically continue, manufacturing new topics of discussion if necessary and looking back and revising old ones, purely to keep the wheels of debate and of educational institutions turning. But I hope that at some stage, those studying religion will get around to finally resolving the many misconceptions held in the wider world about the field and about religions in particular (as in different traditions) and in general (as in general). I am fed up of continuously reading piss-poor and ignorant descriptions in newspapers.
And finally, how has this course affected your own understanding of religion/ religions? How has it affected your sense of self?
In all honesty the course has not had much effect on my understandings of religion or my sense of self. It have given me multiple new questions to ask, but when it comes to my own accepted sense of being, I remain as ignorant as I have always been. This has been a long and wild ride, and I can't deny that I've enjoyed it, but I am so glad its all over.