From Chruch to the Classroom

Texts about ancient Roman religions, books exploring beliefs about the afterlife, Bibles in multiple different languages; these printed works, and many more, decorate the ceiling-high shelves of Margaret Toscano’s office. Toscano is an associate professor of world languages and cultures at the University of Utah. For over 25 years, she has been teaching a plethora of topics in religious studies, ranging from Greek religious studies to immortality. 

With experience studying religion both in and outside the classroom, Toscano believes that there is much to be gained by taking a scholarly approach to religion. Her religious studies teaching focuses on understanding the roots of a particular society’s beliefs, not stereotyping those beliefs or comparing them to modern beliefs society holds.  When Toscano teaches her classes, her focus is to guide her students to grasp the idea that “these ancient people were not stupid, and that their belief in these gods had a valid underlying reason. The scholarly study of religion I try to put forth in a class is trying to get students to think deeply about things, and not on a superficial level.” Taking this type of perspective on religion creates a space for these spiritual beliefs to be examined in a way that creates understanding, and acknowledges all aspects of religion, tearing down the preconceptions people have when discussing spiritual topics.

What many people don’t realize, according to Toscano, is that religion and culture are fundamentally intertwined, with many cultures outwardly reflecting this religious influence through architecture and rituals. For example, in Oviedo, Spain, churches line the streets and crosses adorn the buildings. However, this doesn’t mean that the entire city is full of “devout Catholics.” As Toscano notes, this is simply “a part of their

culture.” This influence of religion on culture is more than just what someone believes in; its interlacement is present in the daily lives of almost everyone, even those who live in Salt Lake City. The grid system itself, which plays a key role in helping the residents of the city navigate the town, has roots and connections to Latter-day Saint history. To Toscano, this is what makes the examination of religion in a scholarly way so important, because “every culture around the world has some kind of religious tradition that is absolutely integrated with that culture.” Culture and religion have a symbiotic relationship, with each influencing the other, and this concept is a key part in understanding the roots of religion and its effect on modern society.

At the U, while examining ancient religious beliefs and their effect on culture are a large component of religious studies, there are many different disciplines students are able to choose from within the religious studies major and minor. From Hinduism to Greek mythology, students can choose to explore a variety of religious studies areas that pique their interest. Religious studies courses allow students to explore religion in the classroom and ask questions about the history of religious scholarship over the centuries, creating a space for students of varying religious and non-religious backgrounds to engage in an academic examination of faith and practice.

The religious studies program isn’t just for those who wish to pursue a career in religion, but is open to any student of any major at the U. In fact, according to Brandon Peterson, an assistant professor of religious studies, pairing religious studies classes with other fields of inquiry can be beneficial to those who intend to work in areas where human interaction occurs often.