Career Profiles

Career Profiles

Religious Studies

The majority of human beings on this planet believe in God. Some believe in many gods and/or goddesses. What is most important about these beliefs is that they create extremely powerful motivations. Religions impel people to make war and peace, to kill and heal, to exclude and love, and to be inspired to produce literary, artistic and musical works of great beauty. Religion can drive families and nations apart, and bring strangers and enemies together.

Arguably the deepest and most enduring of all human passions is religious passion. Why do we develop these passions? How are they important in contemporary world affairs, especially in such political hotspots as the Middle East, South Asia, the United States, and Northern Ireland? How are religious ideals and values altering the social and political landscape in New Zealand? What are the religious traditions and values of the native peoples in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands? Does religion provide resources for combatting long standing social inequalities and the environmental degradation that is threatening our planet? How do religious values inform the arts, music, and culture? How have religions influenced world history and the rise of western and non-western civilizations and political economies? How is religion covered inthe media? Is modern democratic secularism a kind of religion? How do the world's great religious traditions relate to contemporary and popular spirituality?

Students of religion ask these and related questions of the world around us. They inquire into the passions, ideals, and values that stand at the core of many human societies, that impinge on our own, and will decisively shape the social, political and environmental landscape in the upcoming decades.

The Advantage of Religious Studies

A degree in Religious Studies focuses on issues that involve values, ethics, power and morality, and their institutional and individual expression around the world. Some jobs, for example, policy adviser, require balancing such value-laden considerations. On a larger scale, issues like genetic engineering tend to be argued out according to the values and beliefs of different individuals and interest groups, all of whom think they are right. In the midst of such dilemmas, Religious Studies graduates have an advantage. They are trained to grapple with the problems of colliding belief systems, and are wise to the ways in which conflict and good intentions can serve the interests of powerful institutions. In particular, Religious Studies teaches the critical evaluation of competing claims and methods of resolving these. Stimulating argument is a key characteristic of Religious Studies papers and graduates typically describe their study experience as enjoyable, as well as intellectually and personally challenging.

Want to read more? Download a complete copy of Career View on Religion.

Career View on Religion is part of the Career View series produced by Career Development and Employmentat Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. While the booklet was originally developed for a New Zealand audience, we believe that graduates in Australia will also find the information within it relevant and useful.