World of Religion

WORLD OF RELIGION There's no escaping religion. It has enormous societal, cultural, political and historical implications. It's been blamed for wars and praised for bringing people together. But it is practised in some form across the world by billions of people every day. So chat are the world's major believing and non-believing constituencies? Below are estimates of the world religions based on the best data available. Unitarian Universalism 630,000 Wicca 1,000,000 Yaridi 700,000 Gabars 20,000 Indigenous 500,000,000 Cheondolsm Zoroastrian 110,00 Rastafarianism 700,000 2,500,000 These are religions originally practised by indigenous peoples around the world. Estimated amounts by continent are hard to find for most of the world. Iranian religions 830,0o0: Religions that have originated in Greater Iran, the region including mainly Afghanistan, Turkmenistan Tajikistan and parts of trag. Pakistan, Armenia and Uzbekistan. Chinese folk New religious movements 5,130,000: Religious or philosophical communities of modern origin, either entirely new or offshoots of existing denominations religions 500,000,000 Africa 100,000,000 East Asian S16,700,000 Japanese Shinto 10,700,000 Mahayana 185,000,000 These religions or philoso- phies focus on the concept of Tao or Dao, a Chinese word that translates to "the path" or the way. nasis is on Vietnamese religions 6,000,000 Lamaism 20,000,000 branch of Buddhism mat originated in lndia nd whose name stands or walking the path of eeking enlightenment. acting in harmony with Tao. which is done by behaving morally or ethically. All the people in the world 2003 est 6,358,315,000 Buddhism 329,000,000 Buddhism is based on teachings of Gautama. They consider Rama to be an enlightened being. The beliefs and practices of the Yoruba people of southwester Nigeria and neighbouring parts of Benin and Togo. Theravada 124,000,000 Yoruba Tereoa 10,000,000 he oldest surviving ranch of Buddhism, alse riginating in India, which neans "the teaching of he elders" or "the ncient teaching". Secular/Irreligious/ Agnostic/Atheit 1,100,000,000 Eastern (Dharmic) religions 1,196,905,000 Secular: The belief that government institutions should be separate or free from the influence or intervention of religious sinism 900,000 institutions and authorities. vinism sees ama as the erfect human eng. These faiths share certain common rituals such as cremation of the dead and marital rituals. Some see Rama as a heroic figure. Atheist 146,241,000 Atheists essentially reject belief in any Irreligious: Includes people who do not have any religious belief or feel indifference or hostility towards it. Agnostic: They believe that it is impossible to know the truth of religious and metaphysical claims, particularly those of the existence of a deity. thanakavasis 50,000 kind of deity. Ayyavarhi L000,000 igambaras 50,000 O vetambara 000,000 Baha'i Faiths 6,000,000 Founded by Baha'u'lah in Iran in the 19th century, an independent world religion whose main teaching is the unity of all races and Tengions under one God. Sikhism 23.000.000 Hinduism Sikhism originated in the 15th century in Punjab, between india and Pakistan, and teaches beliet in equality, universal brother- hood and one supreme God. d 832,000,000 An assemblage of beliefs and traditions, Hinduism has no particular founder. It is often called the oldest living religion. Its texts are sometimes divided into Sruti or "revealed" and Smriti or "remem- bered" texts, including scriptures such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. They consider Rama to be God incarnate. Catholic 1,050.000.000 Abrahamic 3,048.521.000 Catholics believe in the institution of the papacy, an uninterrupted line of successors to Saint Peter (the first head of Jesus' church), and that the Pope can make infallible statements on doctrine. Veerashaivas 10,000,000 The Abrahamic religions believe in one God and originate with Abraham. Christians and Muslims believe that Jesus and Muhammad were both descended from Abraham. The Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible describes a covenant between Abraham and God, and the Koran has Mandeans 70,000 Neo-Hindus & Reform Hindus 2,000,000 Samaritans 745 similar stories about him and his children. He is seen as the forefather of many tribes and a descendant of Noah. Shaivites 220,000,000 The oldest sect of Hinduism considers the deity Shiva as the supreme being. Vaishnavites 580,000,000 Conservative Protestant 200,000,000 Vaishnavites consider Lord Vishnu as the supreme deity who appears in the world in 10 Christianity 1,957,100,000 different incarnations. Their beliefs are largely based on the Upanishads. Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible. Jesus is the Son of God, sent to Earth by God to save humanity from its sins by giving his life on the cross. Christians believe in one God, but with three elements - God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit. Their holy book is the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. Druze 450,000 Islam 1,070,450,000 Liberal Protestant 160,000.000 The word Islam means "submission to the will of God." Followers are called Muslims and believe in one God, who sent a number of prophets to teach humanity how to live according to His will. Muslims recognize Jesus, Moses and Abraham as prophets of God and believe that Muhammad is the final prophet. Their holy book is the Koran. Quakers 300.000 Ahmadiyya 10,000,000 New Thought r 1,500,000 Protestantism devolved from a 16th century Mormoss 12,500,000 movement in protest at Catholic theology. Sunni 940,000,000 Jehoval's Witnesses 14,800,000 Sunnis believe that after Muham- mad died, his successor should be elected, and recognize the first Caliph Abu Bakr. Judaism 14,900,000 Anglican 73,000,000 Orthodox 240,000,000 Shite 120,000,000 Conservative 4,500,000 Reconstructionist Pentecostal 105,000,000 Atrican sects 150,000 100.000,000 Secular 4,500,000 Orthodox 2,000,000 Shites follow a line of Imams appointed by Muhammad, starting with his son-in-law and cousin Ali. The Orthodox church split from the Catholic church in the 11th century over theological and political issues, but adherents believe in a similar doctrine. Reform 3,750,000 Founded by Moses, Judaism teaches there is one God who has established a covenant with his followers. Judaism's main scripture is the Torah. ABRAHAMIC AND DHARMIC RELIGIONS GLOBAL RELIGIOUS FERVOUR 2006-2008 "ERCENTAGE OF COUNTRY FOLLOWING THAT DOCTRINE COUNTRIES AND THEIR RELIGIOSITY FROM A PEW SURVEY Abrahamic . 100% Most religious More religious Average Less religious Least religious INo data 50% 100% Eastern (Dharmic) INo data