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What
is the meaning of “religion” in the 21st-century? Sigmund
Freud sought to bring religion beneath the microscope
of scientific rationality in his 1927 work The Future
of an Illusion. Religion, answering back, might quote
Mark Twain: "The reports of my death are greatly
exaggerated."
Religion has always been a prominent force in human life,
and, despite predictions to the contrary, it remains one
today. In this region, it is impossible to understand
our society or those of our neighbours without understanding
the religions that permeate them. Moreover, by virtue
of its secular state and pluralistic society, Singapore
is well positioned to take a leading role in the study
of religion.
Religious Studies at NUS will involve the scholarly exploration
both of the phenomenon of religion and of different specific
religious traditions. Religious Studies, as a scholarly
and intellectual discipline, transcends individual disciplines
to consider beliefs, practices, texts, history and social
functions of religion from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.
This programme will train students to discuss—with respect
and grace–some of the most volatile issues of our time.
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