Should religious people study more history and theology?

Absolutely. But probably not the history books you would recommend. I also wish evolutionists would study it more, so they could be a bit more skeptical. They accept what people tell them about evolutionism, but not what they say about christianity. I have always wondered why that is.

Absolutely. Just take the Rapture. It is not at all biblical. It originated in the 19th century in Scotland and was snapped up by mostly US fundamentalists, who now argue over the finer points of "Pre-Rapture" vs. "Post-Rapture". These people simply have no idea where the idea came from in the first place. The list of disagreements and misunderstanding is very long and growing because most religions do NOT understand their own history and where their dogmas came from.

The bible is the accumulated written record of a few thousands of years of oral history, so the social context is pretty much lost except to bible scholars. But the majority of people do not even attempt to grasp the social context or the ways in which society evolves.

Blessings on your Journey!

The past has everything to do with present society. The present is built upon the past.

That said, you don't need to understand the history of your religion to be a follower of that religion. A Christian is someone who believes in one God and his son Jesus Christ, who is the savior. I am a historian, so I certainly find lots of value in history, but not knowing Christianity's history doesn't magically make you not a Christian.

And to return to your original question, I think someone interested in a subject should study multiple aspects of that subject, but one aspect isn't necessarily more important than another.

Like you I am suprised how many of the religious seem to be very ignorant of their own religion and its role in history. the relevant saying here is that "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it". I don't think you are right that it has no bearing on how society currently thinks and behaves. This is certainlhy not true in Europe where many conflicts are fueled by hatreds centuries old and founded in religion. e.g. the problems in Northern Ireland.

historic previous is of each usa or usa. faith is a cultural element. there are various yet basically one G-d. We call G-d a he yet G-d is Spirit. The Universe is amazingly huge. The solar is a star which will advance and burn us up if we don't do it first with radiation from weapons. Then basically cockroaches will stay to tell the story. Theology is a learn of the countless religions. some you're born into and one you %. or you are able to convert to alter is your government facilitates it.

Yes, one should know everything possible about our own religion. Actually, spiritualism(religion) is a science, it is not end of knowledge, is a great mystery, a great secret and great education. Unfortunate, the most popular religions(like Christianity) and religious leaders are not following even the most basic religious principles.

You make a valid point.

Problem is we're dealing with egos here.

Folks who've been told (for example) Catholics are <insert a variety of biased misinformation> fail to know HOW their personal christian sect moved from the Middle East, through Turkey to Europe. So denouncing Catholicism as "non-Christian" is severing the very historical connection between themselves and their Christ.

& it's pointless trying to point this out - here they'll just report you as being insulting.

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Yes they should study history and theology. How can a person proclaim themselves to be a Doctor when they don't know Medicine. It seems as if Atheists know more of Theology than Christians. See a pattern?

The problem with studying theology is explaining all the contradictions in every holy book, specifically the bible.

It is difficult for people to have to remember to say "That is a fact" and "That is just a metaphor".

It is difficult to have to explain how "Yes, I know how this contradicts what was written earlier, but, you have to be a believer otherwise you cannot understand it."

You're exactly right neighbor, except for perhaps one small point. The "he said, she said" back and forth banter and discussion is actually quite relevant and helpful, if it were done in the proper, civilized way. Our problem is that we let it divide us into "camps" where one side thinks they are better than the other, or have more of God's favor.

Good point, thanks for sharing.