First , religious traditions have a long past and pervade every human culture, shaping political and social institutions. In the name of religion people have been and still are ready to sacrifice their lives, e.g., religious motivations keep conflicts in Northern Ireland, the Middle East, and India alive.
Religion involves ultimate values.
The study of religion overlaps with other academic disciplines because religion permeates, without boundaries, the manifold forms of human expression. As such, the study of religion explains many human activities which makes it an eminently practical subject. Third , on the personal level the study of religion facilitates self-reflection which leads to a recognition and sympathetic understanding of others in an increasingly diverse world. In a supposedly secular world, people identifying with religion are increasing exponentially. They are starting revolutions at the same time others are engaged in religious healing.