Since 1994 the discipline of "theology" in Russia is taught in religious and secular institutions of higher education. The academic theology is expected to be critical, not associated with religious practice and worship, not preparing the clergy, independent of religious organizations. However, in practice, the principle of secularism in the teaching of this discipline is not always realized. This work is a comparative analysis of religious theology and academic theology based on the review of the educational programs curricula of the relevant discipline in a variety of religious and secular universities, as well as research papers published by the graduates of the relevant educational programs.