Oct. 28, 2023 (Binng) -- The world’s religions are diverse and complex phenomena that reflect the beliefs, practices, and histories of billions of people around the globe.
There is no definitive or universally agreed-upon definition of what constitutes a religion, but one common way of categorizing them is by their size and geographic distribution. According to this approach, there are four or five major world religions that have the largest number of followers and the widest global presence.
These are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and sometimes Judaism. There are also many other religions that have smaller or more localized followings, such as Sikhism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, and the Baháʼí Faith.
Christianity is the largest religion in the world, with about 2.4 billion adherents as of 20201. It is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, a Jewish preacher who lived in the first century CE and claimed to be the Son of God.
Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of humanity and rose from the dead, offering salvation and eternal life to those who believe in him. Christianity is divided into three main branches: Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodoxy, each with its own doctrines, rituals, and traditions.
Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with about 1.9 billion adherents as of 20201. It is a monotheistic religion that follows the teachings of Muhammad, a prophet who received revelations from God (Allah) in the seventh century CE. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the final and most authoritative messenger of God, and that the Quran is the word of God revealed to him. Islam is divided into two main sects: Sunni and Shia, which differ on matters of theology, law, and leadership.
Hinduism is the third-largest religion in the world, with about 1.2 billion adherents as of 20201. It is a diverse and ancient religion that originated in India and has no single founder or creed. Hindus believe in a supreme reality called Brahman, which manifests itself in various gods and goddesses. Hindus also believe in reincarnation, karma, dharma, and moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). Hinduism has many schools of thought, sects, and traditions that vary widely in their beliefs and practices.
Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world, with about 506 million adherents as of 20201. It is a non-theistic religion that follows the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha (the enlightened one), who lived in India in the fifth century BCE. Buddhists believe that life is suffering caused by ignorance and attachment and that the way to end suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path of wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. Buddhism has two main branches: Theravada and Mahayana, which differ on matters of doctrine, practice, and canon.
Judaism is sometimes considered the fifth major world religion, with about 14 million adherents as of 20201. It is also a monotheistic religion that traces its origins to Abraham, a patriarch who made a covenant with God in ancient Mesopotamia. Jews believe that they are the chosen people of God and that God gave them the Torah (the law) through Moses at Mount Sinai. Judaism has four main movements: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist, which differ on matters of interpretation, observance, and modernity.
These are only brief summaries of some of the world’s religions. There is much more to learn about each of them, as well as about other religions that are not mentioned here. If you are interested in exploring more about this topic, you can use Bing to search for more information or visit some of these websites: