Academic Study of Religions in Secular Age – The Case of Czech Republic

Abstract

Lately, the Study of Religions as an academic field has become highly attractive for many students. Globalization, among other impacts it has on society, certainly implements principles of multicultural education and religious tolerance into the frames of educational systems. Nevertheless, wide definition of these principles must be given concrete forms, which would reflect the socio-cultural and religious situation in different countries. It is on the scope of this paper to share experiences related to preparation of Study of Religions Curriculum in Czech Republic, a country often apprehended as one of the most secularized countries.When implementing the education of Study of Religions we are confronted with two general problems. Firstly, believers sometimes reject an academic Study of Religions which is by them apprehended as unable to understand the reality of their religious experience. Furthermore they strive to reach a religiously caused (social) progress. Secondly, there is a wide underestimation of social impacts of religion among non-believing population according to which to deal with the topic of religion is of no use at all. In our paper, we intend to show elementary principles inherent to Study of Religions that need to be respected when educating at the academic level.