<P> Religious studies originated in the 19th century , when scholarly and historical analysis of the Bible had flourished , and Hindu and Buddhist texts were first being translated into European languages . Early influential scholars included Friedrich Max Müller , in England , and Cornelius P. Tiele , in the Netherlands . Today religious studies is practiced by scholars worldwide . In its early years , it was known as Comparative Religion or the Science of Religion and , in the USA , there are those who today also know the field as the History of religion ( associated with methodological traditions traced to the University of Chicago in general , and in particular Mircea Eliade , from the late 1950s through to the late 1980s ) . The field is known as Religionswissenschaft in Germany and Sciences des religions in the French - speaking world . </P>
<P> Religious studies originated in the 19th century , when scholarly and historical analysis of the Bible had flourished , and Hindu and Buddhist texts were first being translated into European languages . Early influential scholars included Friedrich Max Müller , in England , and Cornelius P. Tiele , in the Netherlands . Today religious studies is practiced by scholars worldwide . In its early years , it was known as Comparative Religion or the Science of Religion and , in the USA , there are those who today also know the field as the History of religion ( associated with methodological traditions traced to the University of Chicago in general , and in particular Mircea Eliade , from the late 1950s through to the late 1980s ) . The field is known as Religionswissenschaft in Germany and Sciences des religions in the French - speaking world . </P>
who began the modern academic study of religion in the nineteenth century
who began the modern academic study of religion in the nineteenth century
Friedrich Max Müller , in England Cornelius P. Tiele , in the Netherlands
Friedrich Max Müller , in England Cornelius P. Tiele , in the Netherlands