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Line 4: [[Image:Religious syms.svg|thumb|Various [[religious symbols]] representing the [[World religions|world's largest religions]] (from left to right): {{Bulleted list|1st row: [[Christianity]], [[Judaism]], [[Hinduism]]|2nd row: [[Islam]], [[Buddhism]], [[Shinto]]|3rd row: [[Sikhism]], the [[Baháʼí Faith]], [[Jainism]]}}]] '''Religious studies''', also known as the '''study of religion''', is the scientific study of [[religion]]. There is no consensus on what qualifies as religion and its [[definition of religion|definition]] is highly contested. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing [[empirical]], historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives. While [[theology]] attempts to understand the [[Transcendence (religion)|transcendent]] or [[supernatural]] according to traditional religious accounts, religious studies takes a more scientific and objective approach, independent of any particular religious viewpoint. Religious studies thus draws upon multiple academic disciplines and methodologies including [[Anthropology of religion|anthropology]], [[Sociology of religion|sociology]], [[Psychology of religion|psychology]], [[Philosophy of religion|philosophy]], and [[history of religion]]. | |||