Different Religion in the World

What is a Religion?

“Religion is a system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, persuasive, and long lasting moods and motivations…. by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.” – definition by Clifford Geertz

What are the basic characteristics of religion?

Cultic Practices, Cosmology, Feasts, Prayer, Epistemology, Salvation, Ethics, Vision, Sacred Literature

What is the predominant (Top 10) religions in the world?

CHRISTIANITY

Also known as most researched and most documented religion
Adherents / followers: apx 2 billion people
Based on: teachings of Jesus of Nazareth (as per Holy Bible)
Holy Books: Holy Bible
Worship of: Jesus (Son of God)
People follow Christianity: are called Christians
Important Places: Vatican
Prayer Place: Church
Major Christen countries: USA, Brazil, Mexico, Russia
Important festivals and days: Epiphany on January 6; Easter Day in April; Ascension Day in May; Pentecost Day in June; Trinity Sunday in June; All Saints Day on November 1; Christmas Day on December 25

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ISLAM

Fastest growing Religion in the World
Adherents / followers: apx 1.5 to 1.6 billion people
Meaning of Islam: submission
Worship of: Allah and Muhammad (messenger of Allah)
People follow Islam: are called Muslims
Based on: Five Pillars of Islam
Meaning of Muslim: One who submits to God
Prayer Place: Masjid
Holy Places: Mecca
Major Islam countries: Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh
Important festivals and days: Eid ul-Fitr; Eid ul-Adha; The Day of Hijrah; Meelaclun-Nabi; Lailatul-Irs’ and Mi’raj; Ramadan; Lailatul-Qadr; Martyrdom of Husain the son of Ali
Holy Book: Qur’an

Related: Islam religion quiz

HINDUISM

Originally known as Sanatan Dharma and considered oldest of all religions
Adherents / followers: apx 1 billion people
Worship of: Shiva, Vishnu, Bhrama, Durga and their other forms
Based on: Dharma (ethics and duties), Karma (law of cause and effect), Samsara (the ongoing reincarnation cycle of life, death and rebirth) and Moksha (the release from Samsara)
Prayer Place: Mandir
Major Hindu countries: India, Nepal, Mauritius
Important festivals: Holi in February / March; Dussera in September / October; Diwali in October / November
Holy Book: Bhagwat Geeta, Four Vedas, Ramayana, Upanishads, Puranas

ATHEISM

Adherents / followers: apx 1 billion people
Worship of: does not believe in any deity or spiritual beings or deity are unknown
Followers are also called Agnostic / Secular or non-religious as their idea of either no existence of God or God is unknown is very similar.

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BUDDHISM

Adherents / followers: apx 400 to 500 million people
Worship of: Siddhartha Gautama (Lord Buddha)
Based on: Dharmic (the opportunity to act virtuously), Five Panchasila
Prayer Place: Monastery
Major Buddhist countries: Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan
Important festivals and days: Dharma-Vijaya/Poson on full moon of April; New Year in mid of April; Vesak/Wisakha Puja on full moon of May; Dharma-chakka/Asalha Puja on full moon of July
Holy Book: Pāli Canon, Mahayana Sutras, Dhammapada

CHINESE TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS

Also known as Chinese folk religion and Chinese popular religion
Adherents / followers: apx 400 to 500 million people
Worship of: Tian, Doumu, Yudi, Pangu, Xiwangmu
Major Chinese Fold Religion countries: China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam
Important festivals: Qixi Festival; Zhongyuan Festival; Miaohui; Moon Festival; Nine Emperor Gods Festival; Qingming Festival
Holy Book: Guodian texts, Taiyi Shengshui, Mozi, Interactions Between Heaven and Mankind

SIKHISM

Adherents / followers: apx 25 to 30 million people
Worship of: Guru Nanak and nine other gurus
Based on: Seva (idea of Serving the world)
Prayer Place: Gurudwara
Major Sikhism countries: India, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, USA
Important festivals and days: Birth of all Ten Gurus; death day of all Ten Gurus; Baiskhi in April; Birthday of Khalsa in April
Holy Book: Guru Granth Sahib

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JUDAISM

Adherents / followers: apx 15 to 20 million people
Worship of: Yahweh
Based on: Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Tzedakah (charity), peace, family, community, justice, and living life in a holy manner
Prayer Place: Synagogue
Major Judaism countries: Israel, USA, India
Holy Books: Tanakh, Talmud, Shabbat, Nive’im, Ketuvim
Important festivals and days: Rosh Hashanah; Yom Kippur; Succoth; Shemini Atzeres; Simchat Torah; Pesach; Shavuot; Chanukah; Purim; Lag B’Omer; Tisha B’Av

Baha’i Faith

Adherents / followers: apx 6 to 8 million people
Worship of: no formal creed
Based on: Manifestations of God and Baha’i Prayers
Major Baha’i Faith countries: India, USA, Vietnam, Kenya, Philippines
Prayer Place: Bahá’í temple
Holy Book: Baha’i Prayers; Al-Bayan; ; The Seven Valleys; Kitabi-Agdas; The Hidden Words; The Kitabi-Igan
Important festivals and days: First Day of Baha’i Fast on March 2; Final Day of the Baha’i Fast on March 20; Declaration of Bahaullah on April 20; Declaration of Bab on May 23; Ascension of the Bahaullah on May 29; Martyrdom of the Bab on July 9; Birth of the Bab on October 20; Birth of the Bahaullah on November 12; Day of the Covenant on November 26; Ascension of the Abdula-Baha on November 28

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JAINISM

Adherents / followers: apx 8 to 10 million people
Worship of: Mahavira
Based on: 5 mahavratas (non-violence, non-attachment to possessions, not lying, not stealing, sexual restraint)
Prayer Place: Derasar
Major Jainism countries: India, USA, UK, Kenya
Important festivals and days: Paryushana, Mahavir Jayanti, Diwali, Maun Agiyara, Varshi Tapa, Mahamastakabhisheka
Holy Book: Prathmanuyoga, Padmapuran, 24tirthankar puran, Bharatesh vaibhav