Theories of religion generally attempt to answer at least two interrelated questions: what is the origin of religion and what is its function. This article is about social-scientific theories of religion which, for the most part, attempt to explain certain universal characteristics of religious belief and practice. It does not address theological explanations of religion nor the histories of specific religions or religion generally.

Prescientific theories have been proposed since presocratic times.Herodotus (484 – 425 BCE) stated that the gods of Greece were the same as the gods of Egypt.Euhemerus (appr. 330– 264 BCE) wrote that gods were excellent historical persons who eventually became worshiped.

Theorizing beyond mere speculation became possible after data from tribes and peoples all over the world became available in Europe and the United States in the 18th and 19th century. The founder of the scientific study of religion is generally considered to be Max Müller (1823–1900), who advocated comparative religion. Later serious doubts were raised by Geertz among others, about the question of whether it is possible to provide a general theory of all religions.