Assistant Professor, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan
Abstract
Prevalence of simplistic notions of science among many pioneers of social sciences such as Freud has caused a large amount of atheistic and philosophical materials labeled as scientific to enter the domain of scientific study of religion and introduced as valid, unbiased cognitions. If it were possible to produce experimental knowledge about religion in a truly impartial manner, then the involvement of the believers in scientific study of religion would be relevant. If a modern believer has to inevitably involve himself in the arena of study of religion, he should critically study the principles, implications, and consequences of such an involvement. Attempts have been made in the present study to introduce and explain the condition of “apriori impartiality towards the truth of religion” to show that out of four aspects of truth, origin, meaning and function of religion, scientific research can only study the function of religion. However, even confining the scientific research to the function of religion is not devoid of some impediments in a faithful outlook. Ultimately, perhaps the best choice for the believers in this arena may be the most difficult choice, i.e. introducing a new plan of science of religion; a truly impartial science, whose impartiality is not lesser valid than natural sciences and at the same time is more credible in cognition of religion and spirituality; if the creation of such a science is possible at all.
)