major world religions€¦ · ... and these consist mainly of christianity, islam, judaism and ......

Major World Religions Introduction to faith

August 20, 2010

Christianity Key Concepts Overview August 2010

Major World Religions Overview

With close to 7 billion people in the world, it is surprising to know that nearly 5-6 billion of these in some way, shape, or form profess they belong to a religious group. The groups shown below make up about 99% of the current world religious follower populations. This presentation will focus on the largest 6 religions and includes a subset slide on Shintoism, Sikhism, and Judaism.

1 Source: www.wikipedia.com.; estimated: 2005

Largest World Religions by Population: Many of the religions listed above and to the right fall into “super-groups” for comparative purposes, each with differing origins and location influence

• Christianity (2,100) • Islam (1,100) • Buddhism (500) • Folk Religions (457) • Chinese Folk Religions (400) • Shinto (25) • Sikhism (20) • Judaism (14) • Bah ai Faith (8) • Jainism (6)

Followers (in millions)

List of Major World Religions and Followers (in millions)

2010 Christian Church Denominations

and Followers (in millions)*

Christianity

2,100

38.5%

Shinto

25

0.5%

Folk Religions

457

8.4%

Chinese Folk

Religions

400

7.3%

Buddhism

500

9.2%

Hinduism

828

15.2% Islam

1,100

20.2%

Bah á'¡ Faith

8

0.1%

Jainism

6

0.1%

Judaism

14

0.3%

Sikhism

20

0.4%

Major World Religions Overview

Religious traditions fall into super-groups in comparative religion, arranged by historical origin and mutual influence. Abrahamic religions originate in the Middle East, Indian regions in India and Far Eastern riligions in East Asia. Another group with supra-regional influence are African diasporic religions, which have their origins in Central and West Africa.

• Abrahamic religions are the largest group, and these consist mainly of Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Bahá'í Faith. They are named for the patriarch Abraham, and are unified by the practice of monotheism. Today, around 3.4 billion people are followers of Abrahamic religions and are spread widely around the world apart from the regions around South-East Asia. Several Abrahamic organizations are vigorous proselytizers.

• Indian religions originated in Greater India and tend to share a number of key concepts, such as dharma and karma. They are of the most influence across the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, South East Asia, as well as isolated parts of Russia. The main Indian religions are Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Indian religions mutually influenced each other. Sikhism was also influenced by the Abrahamic tradition of Sufism.

• East Asian religions consist of several East Asian religions which make use of the concept of Tao (in Chinese) or Do (in Japanese or Korean), namely Taoism and Confucianism, both of which are asserted by some scholars to be non-religious in nature.

• African diasporic religions practiced in the Americas, imported as a result of the Atlantic slave trade of the 16th to 18th centuries, building of traditional religions of Central and West Africa.

• Indigenous tribal religions, formerly found on every continent, now marginalized by the major organized faiths, but persisting as undercurrents of folk religion. Includes African traditional religions, Asian Shamanism, Native American religions, Austronesian and Australian Aboriginal traditions, Chinese folk religion, and postwar Shinto. Under more traditional listings, this has been referred to as "Paganism" along with historical polytheism.

• Iranic religions originated in Iran and include Zoroastrianism, Yazdanism, Ahl-e Haqq and historical traditions of Gnosticism (Mandaeanism, Manichaeism). It has significant overlaps with Abrahamic traditions, e.g. in Sufism and in recent movements such as Bábísm and the Bahá'í Faith.

• New religious movement is the term applied to any religious faith which has emerged since the 19th century, often syncretizing, re-interpreting or reviving aspects of older traditions: Hindu revivalism, Ayyavazhi, Pentecostalism, polytheistic reconstructionism, and so forth.



Religion

% of World

Christianity

38%

Islam

20%

Hinduism

15%

Buddhism

9%

Atheists

14%

Followers 2.1 billion 1.1 billion 828 million 500 million 800 million

Date of Origin

1st Century 7th Century Varies by Tradition

c. 500 BCE -

Main World

Regions Worldwide

Middle East, Africa, Asia,

Europe, China

India subcontinent

India subcontinent

Worldwide

Sub-set Major World Religion Comparison

1

Key Shared Belief Areas of Christians:



Christianity

2,100

38.5%

Shinto

25

0.5%

Folk Religions

457

8.4%

Chinese Folk

Religions

400

7.3%

Buddhism

500

9.2%

Hinduism

828

15.2% Islam

1,100

20.2%

Bah á'¡ Faith

8

0.1%

Jainism

6

0.1%

Judaism

14

0.3%

Sikhism

20

0.4%

Christianity

1 Source: www.wikipedia.com; estimated: 2005

With more than 2.1 billion adherents, Christianity is by far the largest world religion A monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament of the Bible. Comprised of three major branches: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox (split with Catholicism in 1054), Protestantism (came into existence from Catholicism in 16th century) Christians believe Jesus is the son of God, God having become human and savior of humanity. Christians therefore commonly refer to Jesus as Christ or Messiah.

• Salvation • Trinity (ex-non) • Scriptures • Afterlife and Eschaton

• Certain Creeds • One God • Jesus Christ

• Catholicism (53%) • Protestantism (30%) • Eastern Orthodoxy (9%) • Anglicanism (4%) • Oriental Orthodoxy (3%) • Non-Trinitarinism (1%)


Major Christian Sub-Groups:

Christianity began as a Jewish sect and is classified as a Abrahamic religion. Originating in the Mediterranean, it quickly grew in size and influence over a few decades, and by the 4th century was the dominant religion in Roman Empire During the Middle Ages, most of Europe was Christianized, and following the Age of Discovery, through missionary work and colonization, Christianity spread to the Americas, Australasia, and the rest of the world; therefore a major influence in shaping Western civilization

Christianity comes from the Greek for Christ, meaning: “Anointed One”



Sikhism

20

0.4%

Judaism

14

0.3%

Jainism

6

0.1%

Bah á'¡ Faith

8

0.1%

Islam

1,100

20.2%

Hinduism

828

15.2%

Buddhism

500

9.2%

Chinese Folk

Religions

400

7.3%

Folk Religions

457

8.4%

Shinto

25

0.5%

Christianity

2,100

38.5%

Largest Areas of Islam Adherents:

Islam


With more than 1.1 billion adherents (or Muslims), Islam is the 2nd largest world religion & arguably the fastest growing A monotheistic religion articulated by the Qur’an, a text considered by its followers to be the verbatim word of God, and by the Prophet of Islam Muhammad’s teachings and normative example. Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable and that the purpose of life is to worship God. They regard their religion as the completed and universal version of a primordial, monotheistic faith revealed at many times and places before, including, notably, to the prophets: Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Islamic tradition holds that previous messages and revelations (ie. Judaism and Christianity) have been changed and distorted over time. Islamic law and practices, (including the 5 Pillars) touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, encompassing everything from banking and warfare to welfare and the environment. The majority of Muslims belong to one of two denominations: the Sunni and the Shi’a.

• “Shahadah” (Foundational Creed) • “Salah” (Ritual Prayer 5 times a day) • “Sawm” (Fasting during Ramadan) • “Zakat” (Alms-giving to poor/needy) • “Hajj” (Mecca pilgramage)


Major Christian Sub-Groups: Islam literally means: “Submission (to God)”

Muslim, the word for an adherent of Islam, is the active participle of the same verb of which Islam is the infinitive

5 Pillars of Islam: (Obligatory acts of worship)

• Indonesia (13%) • Indian Subcontinent (31%)

• Middle East (20%) • Sub-saharan Africa (15%)



Christianity

2,100

38.5%

Shinto

25

0.5%

Folk Religions

457

8.4%

Chinese Folk

Religions

400

7.3%

Buddhism

500

9.2%

Hinduism

828

15.2% Islam

1,100

20.2%

Bah á'¡ Faith

8

0.1%

Jainism

6

0.1%

Judaism

14

0.3%

Sikhism

20

0.4%

Main divisions today:

Hinduism


Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religion of South Asia with more than 800 million followers. It is often referred to as Sanatana Dharma (meaning “the eternal law” in Sanskrit) Generic “types” of Hinduism that attempt to accommodate a variety of complex views span folk and Vedic traditions, including yogic, and a wide spectrum of “daily morality” based on the notion of karma and societal norms With diverse traditions, Hinduism has no single founder. Among its roots is the historic Vedic religion of India, and as such it is often called the “oldest living religion” A large majority (close to 90%) of the adherents live in the Republic of India with small portions who reside in Nepal, Bangladesh and the Indonesian island of Bali A large body of texts are classified as Hindu, divided into Sruti “revealed” and Smriti “remembered”. These texts discuss theology, philosophy, mythology, and provide information on the practice of religious living (dharma) Believes world is a single family that deifies one truth, and aims to reach self-realization identity with “Supreme Being”


4 Stages of Life:

• Vaishnavism • Shaivism

• Dharma (ethics/duties) • Samsara (cycle of birth, death, re-birth) • Karma (actions/reactions) • Moksha (final liberation from samsara) • Yogas (paths or practices)

• Brahmacharya (student, celibacy, contemplation of God) • Grihastha (household, marriage, professional life) • Vanaprastha (retirement,pilgrimages, fewer duties) • Sannyasa (asceticism, detachment from worldly life)

• Smarism • Shaktism

Major Themes Present in Sects of Hinduism:



Sikhism

20

0.4%Judaism

14

0.3%

Jainism

6

0.1%

Bah á'¡ Faith

8

0.1%

Islam

1,100

20.2%

Hinduism

828

15.2%

Buddhism

500

9.2%

Chinese Folk

Religions

400

7.3%

Folk Religions

457

8.4%

Shinto

25

0.5%

Christianity

2,100

38.5%

2 Major branches today:

Buddhism


Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy encompassing a wide variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based upon teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama (“Budda”) Budda (“the awakened one”) lived and taught in the northeastern part of modern day India around 4-6 BCE sharing insights to end suffering and achieved “Nirvana” (an enlightened state; end to re-birth cycle) Buddhist schools vary significantly on the exact nature/path to liberation, the importance and canonicity of various teachings and scriptures, and especially their respective practices It is estimated this world religion has at least 500 million followers. Higher estimates may show double this number as other sources point to the fact many combine Buddhism with other beliefs such as: Hinduism in Nepal, Jainism in India, Taoism in Chinese populations, and even Shintoism in Japan Important practices include, but are not limited to: support of monastic community, renouncing conventional living, meditation, cultivation of higher wisdom/discernment, study of scriptures, devotional practices, and the invocation of “buddhas” and “bodhisattvas”


Foundational Practices & Traditions (3 Jewels):

• Theravada

• Life as we know it leads to suffering/uneasiness • Suffering is caused by craving/sense of existence • Suffering ends when craving ends/realizing (“bodhi”) • This liberated state is achieved following path of Budda

• Budda (Belief, reverence of teacher/God) • Dharma (the teachings) • Sangha (the community) Essence of Budda’s Teachings (4 Noble Truths):

•Mahayana

Buddhism rejects the concept of permanent self, or eternal soul as in Hinduism and Christianity; Karma directs ever-changing

Folk Religions, Shinto, Sikhism

• Can be dimension of folk culture or different stage of formal expression • Folk Christianity, folk hinduism, and folk islam are examples of folk religion associated with major religions • Term is used (especially by clergy) to describe desire of people who otherwise infrequently attend religious worship, do not belong to a church or church society, and who have not made a formal profession of faith to a particular creed, etc. • There is emphasis in particular within this sect to protective objects (voodoo pouches, crucifix, etc), magic, and faith healing

Folk Religions: (450 million)

Chinese Folk Religions: (ie. Folk Taoism or Shenism) (400 million)

Sikhism: (20 million)

Shinto: (25 million)

Consist of ethnic or regional religious customs under the umbrella of organized religion, but outside doctrine and practices

Collective label given to various folkloric beliefs that draw heavily from Chinese mythology

• Comprises religion practiced in China for thousands of years which includes ancestor worship • Syncretistic combination of Confucianist ceremonies, Buddhism, Taoism, and veneration/communication with sun, moon, earth, various stars, as well as animals • Marked distinctions exist compared to other East Asian identities and religions, however it is very common adherents do not require exclusive tradition identification

Indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people, set o practices carried out that connect past and present Japan nation

• Everything contains “kami” (spiritual essence); and Shinto is connection between power & beauty of nature and Japanese people • Refers to disorganized folklore, history, and mythology; applies to public shrines with various purposes: war memorials, harvest festivals, romance, historical monuments, as well as sectarian organizations • Many who practice Shinto rituals also practice Buddhist ancestor worship; however due to syncretic nature of Shinto and Buddhism: “life” events are handled by the former and “death” events the latter

Monotheistic religion founded in 15th century Punjab on teachings of Guru Nanak Dev and 10 successive Sikh Gurus

• A system of religious philosophy and expression (known as Gurmat) with principal belief in waheguru (the universal God) • Advocates pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on name and message of God (interpreted as universe) • Sikhism’s traditions, writings, scriptures are distinctly associated with the history, society and culture of the Punjab (in India)



Christianity

2,100

38.5%

Shinto

25

0.5%

Folk Religions

457

8.4%

Chinese Folk

Religions

400

7.3%

Buddhism

500

9.2%

Hinduism

828

15.2% Islam

1,100

20.2%

Bah á'¡ Faith

8

0.1%

Jainism

6

0.1%

Judaism

14

0.3%

Sikhism

20

0.4%

• Comprises religion practiced in China for thousands of years which includes ancestor worship

Judaism


Religion, philosophy and way of life of the Jewish people. It is estimated there are about 14 million adherents with 40% who currently reside in Israel and 40% in the United States Originating in the Hebrew Bible (known as Tanakh) and explored in later texts (ex: Talmud) is considered by Jews to be the expression of the covenantal relationship between God and Children of Israel Claims historical continuity spanning over 3000 years and it is one of the oldest monotheistic religions. Its’ texts, traditions, and values are what Christianity, Islam and the Baha’i Faith draw influence from. In addition, many aspects of Judaism have directly or indirectly influenced secular Western ethics and civil law. Historically special courts enforced Jewish law; today, these courts still exist but practices are voluntary. Authority on theological and legal matters is not in an organization or person, but in the sacred texts and rabbis/scholars who interpret these texts


Foundational Texts:

• Orthodox (Strict adherence to Jewish law, practices & texts) • Conservative (“Modern” interpretation of law & practices) • Reformed (Most liberal “laws are guidelines”)

• Tanakh (Hebrew Bible, contains 24 books & laws of Jews) • Talmud (central text of exegesis on Tanakh & oral interpretation of the scriptures by Rabbi’s) • Midrash (Homelitic method of biblical exegesis)

Largest Jewish Religious Movements:

God’s existence is taken for granted within this faith and He is the creator and caretaker of all things

Known For: • Synagogues and religious buildings • Dietary laws: Kashrut / Holy holidays • Laws of ritual purity; family laws • Priesthood and specialized roles for male/female

Conclusions?

• Do you believe in a God?

• How did the world and universe get created?

• Who are these important prophets, people, or leaders which started each tradition?

• How do we know the beliefs we have are valid compared to others?

• Can all of these religions be true and compatible with one another?

As you can see the world is full of diverse histories, cultural backgrounds, and traditions. It is

important to take a deep look into the religion you are practicing and ask yourself a few key

questions and you’ll learn what may prove to be your greatest discovery yet. Below are a few

questions that may help you get started:

All of these religions cannot be both true at the same time, because they teach many things that are completely opposite from one another.

For example: both Christianity and Islam cannot both be true, as neither can Mormonism and Buddhism both be correct simultaneously, nor can Roman Catholicism and Christian Science.

They may all be wrong, but certainly they cannot all be right for the claims of one exclude claims of the other.

Even though many religions seem to be the same on the surface, the closer one gets to the central teachings of each, the more apparent the differences become. It is totally incorrect to say all religions are the same or that they all work

major world religions€¦ · ... and these consist mainly of christianity, islam, judaism and ......

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