Several approaches to studying religion will be discussed: exclusivism, inclusivism, pluralism, and empathetic interest in other people. Exclusivism is the belief that only one religion is true and all the others are false (Wood, 2021). Exclusivism aims to exclude foreign and alien elements that invade it from its religion to preserve certain principles of its faith in purity. Inclusivism is the reverse of exclusivism, which is the ability of one religious tradition to include and adapt foreign myths, cults, and even deities of other religions (Wood, 2021). Pluralism is a state of the religious situation in society in which there is a coexistence of many religious associations of different faiths, independent of each other, separated from the state, and equal before the law. Empathy implies understanding and emotional insight into the shape of another person (Wood, 2021). Empathic interest in other people in religion includes a tolerant attitude towards other faiths.
In everyday life, I use the approach of empathic interest because I believe that there is no main religion in the world and that everyone has the right to believe in what they want. Each religion is good in its way, so it is necessary to treat different faiths with respect and tolerance. Every religion has its unique history that needs to be preserved and multiplied, so I treat any religion from the point of view of empathy.
I have a friend who uses an exclusivist approach when it comes to religion. Given our different methods, I would treat his point of view with understanding and patience since he has the right to such an approach. I believe that the academic study of religion should not require me to adjust my approach if I attend college classes on religious traditions. I can study various methods for the academic study of religion and find something interesting for myself in each of them. Still, I should not change my beliefs because of this.
Reference
Wood, W. (2021). Analytic theology and the academic study of religion. Oxford University Press, USA.