Al,
That's like asking what the difference is between Religious Studies and
Sociology as discipline.
Theology is just one of the other disciplines that Religious Studies
borrows methods from and engages in conversation with. It is, albeit,
one of the more controversial ones. I think you have a position in
banning theology from the religious studies feast, but you should
realize that in taking that position you are just one side of the
debate. Which means you actually have to make the argument for why
theology should be excluded, not simply assert that it is not part of
the academic study of religion (if you feel that way).
I tend to find disciplinary definitions and whether someone is coming
from an "insider" or "outsider" perspective less important than the
rigor with which one presents one's positions and whether that position
is presented in categories that are publicly debatable. Theology can
certainly act this way, even if it doesn't always do so.
Regards,
Grant
Al Billings wrote:
> Well, I'll bow to the practitioners of theology here. I've certainly
> never seen a theology program that wasn't attached to a school run by
> a religious organization (such as the Jesuits that I'm used to) but if
> people say that the discipline has moved beyond such things, I'll take
> your word for it.
>
> What is the primary difference between Religious Studies and Theology
> as a discipline then? :-)
>
> Al
>
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