Should the study of religion be left to religeous people

Religious Studies (Essay) Should the study of religion be left to religious people? Write an essay of not more than 1200 words. Assuming that “religion” here has the same meaning as one of the definitions referred to in O U Block 4 Unit 14 (and in particular is an activity caught by Ninian Smart’s The Nature of Religion, A5 Resource Book 3) we still need to know what is meant by “religious people” before we can properly answer …

…they carry these attributes into their study of religion then surely their work on religion will be all the more worthwhile and respected. With faith in their own religion in particular, and understanding of religious concepts in general, not only can they better study and appreciate their own religion but will bring to the study of other religions an insight and perception that might not be the case with a non religious person studying religion.