The author presents a "working definition" of Religionswissenschaft that positions itself between Theology and anthropological, reductionistic approaches to religion(s). Against leading opinions in the field of Religious Studies the author does not accept the bracketing of the "religious" element. He presents arguments for taking the religious seriously as a constituent element of religion. The objects of Religionswissenschaft are the individual religions of the past and present as well as man. The author gives a short description of the most important approaches to the Study of Religion. Against the phalanx of the critics of the German "Religionswissenschaft des Verstehens" (G. Mensching) he pleads for the critical re-lecture of their main works, which are characterized by fairly numerous differences. The relationship between Theology and Religionswissenschaft is one of the topics discussed at length. One of the important tasks is seen in the analysis of the prejudicial structure of the relationship between both disciplines. The author presents arguments for breaking down some taboos of Religionswissenschaft. The author holds the opinion that 1. being religious is not necessarily an argument against doing Religionswissenschaft. 2. It is possible to deduce "Orientierungsaussagen" from the Study of Religion; 3. the interreligious dialogue is a legitimate perspective of Religionswissenschaft.

Enthalten in:
Theologische Literaturzeitung; 2001/Nr.2 Monatsschrift für das gesamte Gebiet der Theologie und Religionswissenschaft (2001)

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Serie / Reihe: Theologische Literaturzeitung

Personen: Tworuschka, Udo

Schlagwörter: Selbstverständnis Theologie Methode Religionswissenschaft