This chapter introduces inter-religious studies as a sub-discipline related to both theology and religious studies. In a multi-cultural context, conventional theological approaches based merely on a particular religious tradition would not be adequate. At the same time, religious studies disconnected from a real faith community would also contribute too little to societal life. Inter-religious studies have the potentials to enrich both theology and religious studies in order for them to be more relevant to the contemporary situation.

The article describes the connections and differences between the concepts of religious studies and religious education. It has been analyzed that religious studies and religious education are separate forms of approach to the study of religion and the methods used in this regard. The views of representatives of the field of religious studies and religious education on the understanding of universe are interpreted through mental and artistic examples.

‘Theology and Religious Studies’ has become, in the UK, a catch-all phrase for the academic study of religion. Several universities have a ‘Department of Theology and Religious Studies’ (Kings College London, Nottingham, Leeds, Chester, Glasgow, and several others), advocacy for the field is carried out by a body called ‘Theology and Religious Studies UK’ (TRS UK, formerly the Association of University Departments of Theology and Religious Studies, or AUDTRS), and in 2000 representatives of British university departments of divinity, theology, religion, religious studies, biblical studies and various combinations of those terms met under the auspices of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and agreed on a ‘benchmarking statement’ for the field using the phrase ‘Theology and Religious Studies’ as their heading.

With the publication of a book by a well-known Polish religious scholar, associate professor at the Jagiellonian University Institute of Religious Studies (Cracow), Henrik Hoffmann, "History of Polish Studies in Religious Studies 1873-1939", it can be argued that Polish religious studies and scholars have become more sophisticated. religious studies. For the first time in Polish historiography, various information was collected about basic ideas developed by Polish religious scholars, one of the most complete bibliographies of their works was submitted (more than 25% of the volume of the book is devoted to bibliography). This attention to the bibliography has its explanation: G. Hoffmann is one of the authors of the unique and worthy imitation of the project on the computer registry of all books and articles that have been published in Poland on religious issues.

So far, there have been many studies on the dynamics and development of the religious studies in Indonesia. In general, the study covers at least two major themes, namely historical development studies and methodological studies. Generally, the existing studies are dominantly based on the development and reflection of the Religious Studies in Yogyakarta, Jakarta and Bandung. However, it is not common to discuss religious studies in other areas such as West Sumatra and Aceh, which are sharia regions in Indonesia. This paper aims to find out how the existence of the Department of Religious Studies at UIN Imam Bonjol Padang and UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh. Using a case study qualitative research method, this article shows that the Department of Religious Studies, both UIN Imam Bonjol Padang and UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh, still exist in their respective regions. Although the two Department are still not well known by the public, the contribution of the two Department to religious life has provided a place to balance the religious life of the people of West Sumatra and Aceh. The real contributions that have been made to the Department of Religious Studies at UIN Imam Bonjol Padang and UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh in West Sumatra and Aceh are, first, increasing religious inclusiveness; second, the driving force of religious moderation; third, activists of the discourse of tolerance; fourth, increasing inter-religious dialogue.

In A. Kolodny's article "Current Problems and Perspectives of Religious Studies of Ukraine" the achievements of the Department of Religious Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine for 25 years of its scientific activity are mentioned. The problems on which academic scholars work, and the prospect of the development of religious studies in Ukraine is predicted.

At the scientific base of the Ukrainian Association of Religious Studies, a Center for religious scholarly consultations and expertise was formed.