Religious Studies In New Zealand: A Wrong Direction?

Abstract

The three pioneers, Albert Moore, Colin Brown and Lloyd Geering, played a national role in changing the appreciations of religion in New Zealand. The chapter traces the growth of the New Zealand university programmes in Religious Studies and the different approaches they have taken to the academic study of religion (with some comparative observations on the situation in Australia). The success of Religious Studies in New Zealand has led to a dramatic increase in staff and student numbers and areas of specialist teaching and research. Topics explored include the future of the 'discipline' in New Zealand; the nature of the area of study; the contribution of New Zealanders to the international field; the public role of Religious Studies academics; the relationship of Religious Studies and Theology; and the post-September 11 context of the academic study of religion. Keywords: Albert Moore; Colin Brown; Lloyd Geering; New Zealand; religious studies; theological studies