By:SyifaSalsabila D*

Religious Studies is one of the study programs at the Faculty ofUshuluddinand Islamic Thought,SunanKalijagaState Islamic University,Yogyakarta. This study program is one of the first majors atUINSunanKalijaga, and even became the first study program in Indonesia. In the past, this study program had the name Comparative Religion Science, which was later changed to a new regulation from the Ministry of Religion to Study Religions.

The Study Program of Religions, introduced and developed for the first time by Prof. Dr. H. A.MuktiAli. His educational background was at McGill University, Montreal, where he metWilfedCantwell Smith, who was more or less influenced by JoachimWach's thinking when it came to the grip on the Study of Religion.MuktiAli's experiences and encounters with various thinkers when she was in Canada, had influenced her thinking until when she returned home, she founded the Study Program of Religions.

In the Science of Comparative Religion or the Study of Religions, scholars who pursue these sciences are not required to explicitly compare religions with one another, or by looking for similarities between these religions or looking for differences. The term "comparative" is used to mean that the knowledge isstudiedwhich directly or indirectly implies a comparison or difference of each religion. So, broadly this scientific study studies religions, especially religions that are different from what is believed, in order to understand these religions and their importance for human life to create a peaceful and prosperous human life.

This scientific study covers various sub-disciplines to support the understanding of a religion. Such as Sociology of Religion, Psychology of Religion, Anthropology of Religion, History of Religion, Comparative Religion, Phenomenology of Religion, and so on depending on the application of the principles of the Study of Religions.

According to Prof. Dr. H.Djam'annuri, M.A. in his book entitled "The Study of Religions: History and Thought" it is concluded that in studying the Study of Religions, the following elements must be met:

1. The study of religions is aimed primarily at religions that are different from the religion they believe in.
2. The study of religions is based on the urge to gain a correct understanding of religions.
3.The study of religions is based on primary and secondary sources of religion studied, both written and unwritten.
4. The descriptions in the Study of Religionsare compiledand organized into a logical systematic.
5. The study of religions must be based on a scientific and objective attitude.
6. The study of religions is not only aimed at the external aspects of religion, but also at its adherents.
7. The results of the study of Studies of Religions about a religion must be accepted and acknowledged by the adherents of the religion concerned.

*Students of 2019 Religious Studies