The textbook on religious studies was written by a team of teachers and scientists collaborating with the Department of Philosophy of Religion and Religious Studies of St. Petersburg State University. The manual examines in an intelligible form the features of the doctrine and cult practice of the religions of the world, as well as the main provisions of the modern science of religion: history, anthropology, sociology, psychology and phenomenology of religion. Particular attention is paid to the study of world religions - Buddhism, Christianity, Islam. At the end of each chapter there are review questions and lists of recommended readings. The manual complies with the new State educational standard for the subject and is certified as UMO. The book can be used as an additional manual in courses on the history of world culture, cultural studies, sociology and anthropology.