This book guides students to complete the revised (2023–2027) Victorian Certificate of Education study of Religion and Society Unit 1. Its teaching and learning sequence is developed around the areas of study and outcomes of the Study Design with a focus on three key study areas: the nature and purpose of religion; religion through the ages; religion in Australia. Students are provided with a wide range of learning activities and assessment tasks through which they may engage critically with the content, and demonstrate key knowledge and skills in the outcomes. As the title suggests, it is intended to introduce students to the diverse world of religions, past and present, and the role religions have played in the development of society. Students will encounter evidence of religions found in archeological remains, and study religions of prehistory revealing the earliest forms of human spirituality and religious literacy. These site studies include, Gobekli Tepe, Lascaux cave paintings, and Stonehenge. There is an extensive study of the ancient religions of Sumer, Greece and Rome. An examination of the religious expression of Hinduism and Buddhism and the Abrahamic religions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam is thoroughly presented. In addition, the book will inspect the collective identity and personal meaning expressed by the religions of the first Australians through the relevant aspects of religions, as well as a study of the religions that have made Australia a multireligious nation. Various Government policies that have influenced and impacted the religious composition in Australia will also be explored. As students use this book it is hoped that they not only successfully complete the unit Religion and Society Unit 1 but they may also grow in their recognition and appreciation of the diversity of religions in their schools, neighbourhood and global societies. It is also hoped that students will appreciate the role of religion in shaping and giving meaning to individuals and communities, and recognise how religions provide answers to questions about the nature and purpose of existence.