What does the term "eschatology" refer to in religious studies?

The term "eschatology" within religious studies specifically refers to the study of end times and ultimate destiny. This encompasses various beliefs about what happens at the end of the world, human history, or the fate of individual souls. Different religions have distinctive eschatological views that can include the final judgment, resurrection, and the establishment of an afterlife or a new order of existence.

For instance, in Christianity, eschatology deals with themes such as the Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment. In Islam, eschatological beliefs involve the Day of Judgment, where individuals are held accountable for their deeds. These concepts reflect a culmination of spiritual and moral narratives that guide adherents' understanding of their faith and existence.

The incorrect options focus on other aspects of religious practice or belief. The study of festival traditions pertains to the rituals and celebrations within a religious context, dietary restrictions classify dietary laws specific to various faiths, and the study of ancient mythologies explores the stories and characters that shaped early cultural and religious identities. None of these pertain directly to the concepts of endings or destinies that eschatology covers. Thus, the understanding of eschatology as focusing on the end times and ultimate destin