Recently I’ve been taking this course on Religious Studies and I’ve come to realize that I’ve been blinded to the religiosity of my upbringing and morals that have influenced my perspective and expectations out of life. I’ve been drilled with gender roles, racism, homophobia, and even strong patriotism without question or doubt (because if you also were raised in a religious household, you’d know that any kind of doubt would deem as sinful or a wrong way of thinking). Now, I have begun my own research and study of the different types of religion (since it has now caught my interest) and the effects it has on the environment, economy, and culture. 

I am approaching it in a sociological manner, with a neutral standpoint, and not come at it in a theological attitude because then that would defeat the purpose of my research, right?