Religions are very early, successful protective systems, tied to the potentialities of the brain and body and to the necessity for survival. Once these are in place, people are set free to explore the environment of themselves and the world around them. This exploration, often known as somatic exploration (from the Greek for ‘body’) – but it may also involve the imagination of time and space on a vast scale – is usually religious in origin. It is carried out in the context of a system of sanctions and rewards, approval and disapproval, inspiration and ideation. It is embodied in ritual, scripture-reading, preaching and liturgy, and in pilgrimage.
The religious landscape is complex and ever-changing. Religions are both a source of comfort and a cause of division. It is important to understand the beliefs and practices of other cultures and faiths in order to avoid misunderstanding and conflict.
A useful tool for gaining a more in depth understanding of different religions is to attend religious services at places of worship in your area. It is also a good idea to talk with friends and neighbors who belong to different faiths. You can also use the internet to communicate with people from all over the world who are interested in learning more about their own religious beliefs and practices.
There are many ways to approach the study of Religion, from the social scientific perspectives of Durkheim and Tillich, through the anthropological and phenomenological approaches, to the psychoanalytic and psychological. Please see the tabs at the left of this page for reading suggestions for each of these approaches.