The Study of Religion in Denmark : History, Methods, and Social Roles of the Scholars

This paper clarifies the history and current states of the study of religion in Denmark, focusing on its organizational, methodological, and social aspects. Although Danish study of religion has a long and unique tradition, little has been known about it. There are three departments of the study of religion in Denmark: The University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and the University of Southern Denmark. Although the first chair was established in 1900, its scale of study expanded greatly in the 1980s. Edvard Lehmann, who occupied the first chair, founded the discipline by introducing Dutch phenomenology of religion. Vilhelm Grønbech, his successor, not only established historical and philological research methods, but also educated several scholars who played an important role in the academic circles in Denmark. Phenomenology of religion is an important characteristic of the study of religion in Denmark. Phenomenology of religions has been understood as a method that compares religions cross-culturally and elaborates religious concepts systematically. Moreover, scholars at Aarhus University are known for their methods of the cognitive science of religion. They introduced this novel discipline by researching cognitive theories of religion and collaborating with centers of cognitive science. As a result of combination of phenomenology of religion and the cognitive science of religion, a “new phenomenology of religion” is proposed. Danish study of religion is also connected with public education. The scholars try to promote non-confessional education of religion at folkeskole (primary and lower secondary education), while training teachers of religion at gymnasia (upper secondary education). Scholars of religion, furthermore, play a role in underscoring perspectives of minority religions, by criticizing the excesses of majority religions.論文/Article