Final answer:
The nonjudgmental approach to the study of religion is academic study, which utilizes a variety of methods, including sociology, to understand religious phenomena without passing judgment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The approach that emphasizes a nonjudgmental study of religion is C. academic study. The goal of academic study of religion is to understand religious phenomena objectively, without endorsing or critiquing the beliefs and practices being studied. It generally employs a combination of methodologies, including sociology, history, literary criticism, and anthropology, to examine religions in their complexity and cultural contexts. In contrast, literary criticism focuses on the interpretation of texts, sociology studies society and social behavior, and history focuses on the past events and processes.
The Sociological Approach to Religion
When it comes to the sociological approach, scholars use sociological tools and methods, such as surveys, polls, interviews, and analysis of historical data, to study religion. This approach can help us better understand the role religion plays in people's lives and the way it influences society, endorsing religious tolerance and facilitating cultural understanding.