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The [[Theories_of_religion#Rational_choice_theory|rational choice theory]]  has been applied to religions, among others by the sociologists [[Rodney Stark]] and [[William Sims Bainbridge]]. They asserted that religion is able to function as compensators for unobtained rewards.

The [[Theories_of_religion#Rational_choice_theory|rational choice theory]]  has been applied to religions, among others by the sociologists [[Rodney Stark]] and [[William Sims Bainbridge]]. They asserted that religion is able to function as compensators for unobtained rewards.

[[:wikt:prescientific|Pre-scientific]] theories have been proposed since [[pre-socratic]] times. <ref>[[Robert A. Segal|Segal, Robert A.]] ''Theories of Religion'', page 49 in [[John R. Hinnells|Hinnells, John R. (editor)]], ''The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion'' (Routledge 2005)</ref>[[Herodotus]] (484 – 425 [[Common Era|BCE]]) stated that the gods of Greece were the same as the gods of Egypt.<ref>Pals, page 4</ref>[[Euhemerus]] (appr. 330– 264 [[Common Era|BCE]]) wrote that gods were excellent historical persons who eventually became worshipped.<ref>Pals, page 4</ref>

[[:wikt:prescientific|Pre-scientific]] theories have been proposed since [[pre-socratic]] times. <ref>[[Robert A. Segal|Segal, Robert A.]] ''Theories of Religion'', page 49 in [[John R. Hinnells|Hinnells, John R. (editor)]], ''The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion'' (Routledge 2005)</ref>[[Herodotus]] (484 – 425 [[B.C.]]) stated that the gods of Greece were the same as the gods of Egypt.<ref>Pals, page 4</ref>[[Euhemerus]] (appr. 330– 264 [[B.C.]]) wrote that gods were excellent historical persons who eventually became worshipped.<ref>Pals, page 4</ref>

Theorizing beyond mere speculation became possible after data from tribes and peoples all over the world became available in Europe and the United States in the 18th and 19th century. <ref>[[Robert A. Segal|Segal, Robert A.]] ''Theories of Religion'', page 49 in [[John R. Hinnells|Hinnells, John R. (editor)]], ''The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion'' (Routledge 2005)</ref>The founder of the scientific study of religion is generally considered to be [[Max Müller]]  (1823 – 1900), who advocated [[comparative religion]].<ref>Pals, page 3</ref>Later serious doubts were raised about the question whether it possible to provide a general theory of all religions.<ref>Pals, page 9</ref>

Theorizing beyond mere speculation became possible after data from tribes and peoples all over the world became available in Europe and the United States in the 18th and 19th century. <ref>[[Robert A. Segal|Segal, Robert A.]] ''Theories of Religion'', page 49 in [[John R. Hinnells|Hinnells, John R. (editor)]], ''The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion'' (Routledge 2005)</ref>The founder of the scientific study of religion is generally considered to be [[Max Müller]]  (1823 – 1900), who advocated [[comparative religion]].<ref>Pals, page 3</ref>Later serious doubts were raised about the question whether it possible to provide a general theory of all religions.<ref>Pals, page 9</ref>