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Religious Studies Online

If you're fascinated by complex rituals, intense experiences, and challenging statements about who we are and where we come from, then religious studies is perfect for you. The Online Centre for Religious Studies exists to help facilitate the academic study of religion - that means we're here to teach, not preach!

Think that religion is just beliefs and books? Think again...

Explore religious ideas

and ideas about religion!

Our online courses are convenient and insightful ways to learn about religious traditions from around the world. You'll get a first-class introduction to complex ideas in easy-to-understand language.
Not sure? Start for free!
Explore religious ideas

All courses

What are people saying?

Ruth McCready

Excellent way to access religion... even if you're not religious

Ruth McCready

Easy and informed way to learn about religions in a general sense. Would be great for anyone who wants to gain perspective on how religion works in the real world. Could be great for businesses who want a short course to help employees understand other religions and cultures.
Christine Stone

Easily accessible

Christine Stone

[How to Study Religion] is an excellent introductory course before tackling [Introduction to Religious Studies]! I heard about the course on Facebook and found it easily accessible.
Rajeev Ranjan

Interesting and amazing

Rajeev Ranjan

All I have to say is that this course module [How to Study Religion] is interesting and amazing.
Lucian Stiopu

Brilliant!

Lucian Stiopu

5/5 - Brilliant!
William Northam

An interesting course

William Northam

[How to Study Religion] was an interesting course. I would like to learn more.
Safaa El-Zeftawy

A beneficial course

Safaa El-Zeftawy

[How to Study Religion] was beneficial... I need to study more about the common things in big world religions, and take the benefits from that to set peace around the world.

Your Tutor

  • Luke Burns

    Director, OCRS

    Luke Burns

    I have a keen interest in religion, spirituality, and the critical investigation of religious traditions from around the world. In 2016 I founded the Online Centre for Religious Studies, an organisation that aims to make religious studies accessible for a wide audience, without hiding anything behind specialist language. I was in part inspired by the way that open source programming documentation is often written in a clear, open, and friendly style, without sacrificing detail or meaning. I am currently an undergraduate student at the Open University, working towards a BA in Humanities with a focus on Religious Studies.

About the OCRS

We're dedicated to improving religious literacy and understanding. Want to find out more?

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