Major World
Religions
Presently,
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism are the leading religions
of the world.
Christianity is the religious faith which is based on the
teachings of Jesus Christ. After the death of Jesus. Christianity spread slowly
as it had to face stiff opposition from the Romans. However, in 313, Emperor
Constantine decreed toleration for Christianity. Consequently, by the end of
the century, this religion became the official faith of the empire. Around 1054,
Christianity divided into two factions: the Orthodox Church and the Western
Church. In the 16th century, a religious movement called Reformation
resulted in the establishment of Protestantism as a reformed shape of Roman
Catholic Church. Later on, European colonial expansion carried Christianity to
every nook and corner of Asia, Africa, Oceania, North America and South
America. The belief of the Christians is based on New Testament. Its central
doctrines are the Trinity, Incarnation of Christ and the Resurrection. By the
number of its adherers, Christianity is currently the leading religion of the
world.
2.
Islam
Islam is the second largest religion of the world. It
originated in the 7th century with the teachings of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH). The teachings of Islam are based on the Holy Quran (revealed
by God) and the traditions. The Muslim believe in the oneness of God and that
Muhammad (PBUH) is His Prophet. They offer prayers, observe fasting, pay Zakat,
perform pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj) and take part in Holy War (Jehad). There
are two important sects of Islam namely Sunnites and Shiites. Currently, there
are more than 60 Muslim countries in the world.
Hinduism is not a religion with a formal creed but the
complex result of 5,000 years of continuous cultural development. The
scriptures of Hinduism include four Vedas, Rigveda1, Samaveda,
Yajurveda and Athervaveda. Hinduism is polytheistic and recognizes thousands of
Gods and deities like Brahma, Vishnu, Siva and Durga (Kali). Hindus worship cow
and believe in reincarnation.
Buddhism is a non-theistic religion. It was founded by
Gautama Buddha in the 6th century B.C, in reaction to Brahmanical
despotism and rigidity of the caste system. Buddhism seeks to emulate Buddha’s
example of perfect morality, wisdom and compassion culminating in a
transformation of consciousness known as enlightenment. The central beliefs of
Buddhism are based on “Four Noble Truths”. By 700 A.D, Buddhism had spread to
China, Japan, Tibet, Korea and Sri Lanka. However, it lost its following in
India, the place of its origin.
Judaism developed among the
wandering tribes of Hebrews, Israelites and Jews which flourished three
millenniums before Christ. Abraham is the traditional patriarch of the Jewish
people. Later on, Moses received God Commandments at Mount Sinai, collectively
known as “Turait”. The Judaism reached its height of glory and power under
Kings David and Solomon. Turait is the sacred text of Jews. Jews believe in
single eternal and invisible God Who created the world. There are three main
sects of modern Judaism viz. Orthodox Judaism, Reform Judaism and Conservative
Judaism. Majority of the Jews lives in USA and Israel.
1Rigveda,
the religious book of Hindus is the earliest religious book of the world. It
was compiled around 1500 B.C.
Religious
Population of the World (2010)
Religion
|
Total
|
Percentage
|
Countries
|
Christianity
|
2.1 billion
|
32
|
239
|
Islam
|
1.5 billion
|
23
|
210
|
Hinduism
|
900 million
|
14
|
126
|
Buddhism
|
376 million
|
7
|
136
|
Sikhism
|
23 million
|
0.3
|
44
|
Judaism
|
14 million
|
0.2
|
135
|
