Overview of Major World Religions

See the Religions page for detailed info.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Major World Religions

• Christianity - 2.7 Billion (all denominations)

• Islam - 1.8 Billion (Sunni, Shiite and others, Middle East, Afica and Asia)

• Hindu - 1.2 Billion (India)

• Chinese Folk Religions - 0.4 Billion

• Buddhism - 0.5 Billion (East and Southeast Asia)

• Indigenous Religions - 0.4 Billion (all types)

• Judaism - 16 Million (low due to 6 Million killed in 1940s holocaust, and loss of their descendants) (USA and Israel)

• (0.8 Billion are in small Religions)

• Atheist - 0.4 Billion (China and world)

• Total ~ 8.3 Billion - World population ~ 8.3 Billion

Medium / Minor World Religions

• Shinto - 4 Million (Japan)

• Taoism - 15 Million (China)

• Sikhism - - 28 Million (India)

• Bahá'í Faith - 6 Million (worldwide)

• Zoroastrianism - 0.1 Million (Middle East)

• Many more

Major Christianity Groups

• Roman Catholicism - 1.4 Billion

• Protestantism - 1 Billion

• Eastern Orthodoxy - 300 Million (Greece .. - Russia)

• Oriental Orthodoxy - 260 Million (Africa, Middle East - India)

• Church of the East - .5 Million (Middle East - India)

• Messianic Jews - .4 Million (USA and Israel)

• Christian Cults:

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) - 15 Million

• Jehovah’s Witnesses - 9 million

Christianity Classification
From Biblical Point of View

• Biblical, Orthodox, Traditional: Trinity, Grace, Biblical. Follows Creeds

• Orthodox but with some aberrant theology: (Aberrant theology doctrines that stray from established Biblical standards, yet are not as severe as outright heresy.)

• Catholicism (transubstantiation, purgatory, praying to Saints…)

• 7th Day Adventist (Sat. only - later day prophet?) Cult in past, not now

• King James Bible Only fellowships

• More

• Cult:

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons)

• Jehovah's Witnesses

• New Age (many types)

• More

Islam

• Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion outlined in their Holy Book, Quran. Originating in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, by Muhammad (570 to 632 AD) and his followers. It is the fastest-growing major religion in the world, with over 1.7 billion followers at 23% of the global population. Followers are called Muslims. Muslims believe that Islam is the only true faith as revealed to Muhammad by God (Allāh) through Gabriel, and to the prophets: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.

• Islam translated means "submission“ (harmony - peace )

• A Muslim is one who submits (to God)`

• The Quran, (Koran), in Arabic, claims to be the verbatim word of God (Allāh). Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable. The purpose of existence is to worship and submit to God. Nearly all Muslims consider Muhammad to be the last prophet of God. Muslims also consider the Quran to be both the unaltered and the final revelation of God.

Muhammad

• The Prophet Muhammad was born in 570 AD in Mecca. After learning about Judaism and Christianity in about 610 he received the first of a series of troubling revelations that convinced him that he had been chosen as God's messenger. He began to preach the message given to him: that there is but one God (Allāh), to whom all humankind must commit themselves.

Islam’s religious concepts and practices include the five pillars of Islam, which are:

1) Reciting the Muslim profession of faith.

2) Ritual prayers, five times each day.

3) Paying an alms (or charity) tax.

4) Fasting during the month of Ramadan.

5) Pilgrimage to Mecca. (once in their life)

• Most Muslims are of one of two major branches:

• Sunni (~85%) [also called orthodox Islam]

• "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet.

• Shia (~15%) Shiites (Iran and some of Iraq)

• “Party of Ali” or "People of the Household” Muhammad Family.

• Ali is Muhammad’s cousin
  
  

Islam Leadership

• Sunni branch of Islam states that the head of each state should be elected by Muslims or their representatives.

• Shia Islam states that head of each state should be an Imam chosen by God from the "Family of the House", that is Muhammad's direct descendants.

Shia

• Shia Muslims hold that an Imam is sinless by nature, and that his authority is infallible because it comes directly from God.

• Shia Muslims often hold the Imams as saints and perform pilgrimages to their tombs and shrines in the hopes of divine intercession. Iran is 83% Shia.

• Looking for Twelve Imam. End times.

Sunni

• Sunni Muslims hold there is no need for Imams as privileged spiritual leaders.

• Sunni Muslims hold that leadership of the community is not a birthright handed down, but should be a trust that is earned and may be taken away or given by the people.

Conflict

• Violence has widened the divide between the two major groups of Islam: Sunni and Shia. Thus persecution of the Shia minority has grown.

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• Some Terrorist Groups:

• Sunni ISIS believes that the Shias are apostates and must die.

• Sunni Al-Qaeda sees liberal Muslims & Shias, as heretics.

• Sunni Afghanistan Taliban

• Sunni Boko Haram in Nigeria

• Palestinian Sunni Hamas are backed by both Sunni and Shias.

• Lebanon Shia Hezbollah, backed by Iran.

Arabic Tradition

• What is written in the Koran about Allah is not completely reflected in the spiritual experience of the average Muslim. Islamic faith is a mix of the Koran and the cultural Arabic traditions . Some strong Arabic traditions:

• Shame culture.

• Elaborate rules of manners.

• Patriarchal and hierarchy: Fathers/elders dominate.

• Family is more important the individual.

Islam

• A single God above all others (Oneness of Allah)

• Scriptures: Torah, Psalms and Quran

• Prophets: Mohammed, Torah Prophets, Jesus

• Angels (messengers of God: Torah, and Quran)

• Predestination (no free will)

• Last Day, Judgment

• Rules for spiritual lives, social/political matters and personal relationships.

Holy Day

• Holy day of the Muslims is Friday.

• For some full-day Friday others a half-day.

• Commemorates the creation of Adam on the sixth day.

• Congregational Sermon and prayer in mosques.

Major Holidays

• Ramadan, month long, no food or drink from sunrise to sunset. (~May or June)

• Festival of Breaking the Fast, one day (Eid al-Fitr) (~June or July)

• Festival of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) - Honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, as an act of submission to God. Animal sacrifices done. (~Aug.-Sept.)

• Pilgrimage to Mecca – (Hajj) - week long ceremonies (~Oct., Sept., Nov.)

• Dates are found on the Islamic lunar calendar.

Allāh - God

• Allāh is the Greater (Allāh Akbar) - Unique

• One - strict monotheism

• Creator (Mostly old earth)

• Eternal and Everlasting

• Just - judge of everything (Paradise and Hell)

• Almighty - Sustainer of the Universe

• Omniscience – all knowing.

• All powerful

• Most Merciful (different meaning than Bible)

• Most Compassionate (different meaning than Bible)

• (Rejects the Trinity)

View of Man in Islam

• Born in a state of purity, imperfect but capable of seeking God and doing good.

• Sin is acts not human nature.

• Will be judged by his works

• Resurrection of body and soul followed by eternal paradise or hell.

• Garden of Eden as being somewhere other than earth. Adam and his spouse were sent to earth after their transgression.

Jesus of Islam

• Good Prophet and a messenger

• Not God’s son - Son of Mary

• Not God, but did perform many miracles.

• Will return in end time, (to kill Jews and Christians)

• Name is in the Quran 93 times.

• Rejects death on the cross.

• Not Resurrected - Ascended to Heaven.

• Islam claim the Jews and Christians corrupted the Bible. Islam is very anti-Israel-Zion, also sees all of western culture as evil. The message of the Koran is the ultimate truth and shows Muslims as true believers, while those who reject it prove themselves to be unbelievers

Islam Women

• Women are typically subordinate to men in their societies. The amount varies by country. The most restrictive conditions exist on the Arabian Peninsula, and the most relaxed conditions exist in the urban areas of Egypt, Syria and Lebanon.

• Typically men stand when women enter a room.

• There are different living areas for men and women. Women normally do not eat or socialize in the same room as men.

• Many arranged marriages.

Sharia Law

• Sharia law is Islamic law, means "way" or "path“. It is a legal framework that regulates Islamic legal system.

• Sharia deals with all aspects of day-to-day life, including politics, economics, banking, business law, contract law, sexuality, and social issues.

• No pork, blood or alcohol. Maximum of 4 wives.

• There is no one set of laws. Rather it is a system of several laws. It is based on the Quran and centuries of debates, interpretations and precedents.

• Harsh punishments.

• Sharia law is modified by each country using it.
  
  

Hinduism - Hindu

• Hinduism is a religion found mostly in India and Nepal. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions. It is made up of many Indian cultures and traditions. Hinduism has no founder.

• Although Hinduism contains a broad range of beliefs, they share many of the same concepts, rituals, cosmology and texts.

• Third largest religion, 1.1 billion Hindus and is 15% of the global population.

• Dates before 5500 BC.

• Major scriptures:

• The Vedas ("knowledge") ~500 BC

• Upanishads (last chapters of the Veda) ~ 200AD

• Bhagavad Gita (Song of the Lord [Krishna]) ~ 100BC

• Agamas. (that which has come down) ~ 100AD to 400BC

• Tradition is just as important as the scriptures.

Hinduism

• Hinduism is diverse. Has no headquarters, no governing body, no main prophet, nor any binding holy book.

• Hindus can choose to be polytheistic (many gods), pantheistic (everything is god) or a combination of any worldviews.

• Brahman is the main “god”.

• Many gods and goddesses.

Hindu Beliefs

• Goals or aims of human life:

• Dharma (ethics and duties)

• Artha (prosperity and work)

• Kama (desires and passions)

• Samsara (cycle of rebirth) – reincarnation

• karma (action and consequences)

• Moksha (liberation and nirvana)-enlightenment

• Yogas (paths to attain Freedom)

Hindu Reincarnation

• Reincarnation or cycle of rebirth is common to all Hindus.

• Beings incarnates into a new existence after death, in endless cycles (after 49 days).

• Ones state (good or bad) is determined by karma. Good realms after good karma and bad - evil realms after bad karma.

• For many the best realm is a Cow.

• Humans and animals

• Humans, animals and plants

• Human to human (mostly in new age exports)

• Thus the need for various types of vegetarianism, so you do not eat others.

Hindu Karma

• Karma or actions is the Hindu spiritual principle of cause and effect. An individual’s actions (cause) will influence the future (current and next life) of that individual (the effect). Good karma = better next life. Bad karma = future suffering next life.

• Those suffering are not to be helped as they must work off their bad Karma. No compassion in Hinduism.

• Any problems you have are always your fault.

Hindu Caste System

• Social classes in India’s society:

• Brahmins: Priests and teachers ~5% of India*

• Kshatriyas: Ruling, land owner and military elite ~10%

• Vaishyas: Agriculture, cattle and traders ~20%

• Shudras: Artisans and laborers. ~25%

• Adivasi: Nepal population ~9%

• Dalits - untouchables - 20% of India

• % are debated, does not equal 100%

Hindu Practices

• Puja (worship): things, gods, persons ….

• Recitations – Hindu Chants

• Meditation

• Family-oriented rites of passage

• -(Birth, manhood, Marriage, death)

• Annual Festivals – On Hindu lunar calendar

• Pilgrimages (many different sites)

Hindu Guru

• Guru is a Hindu teacher, guide, expert, or master.

• A reverential figure and counselor.

• Found in temples, monastery, hermit or un-kept hermit.

• May or may not be worshipped.

Hindu Creation
(not the newer washed versions, or we do not know.)

• The god Brahma is self-born, or from other gods. The universe is from a drop of his sweat or a golden egg, and reincarnates. Shiva end the universe. The are many versions, some involve gods battling in the sky, sacrifice of Purusa becomes universe.

Hindu Women

• The position of women in Hinduism has always been ambiguous; they are, on the one hand, viewed as a symbol of the divine, on the other, viewed and treated as inferior beings. Women were traditionally expected to serve their husbands and to have no independent interests.

• Selective abortion has India at an imbalance, too few women.

• Many arranged marriages.

• Red dot represents the “universe”.

Buddhism

Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, the Budda in northern India from 560 to 480 BC. Buddha did not like parts of Hinduism, such as the Caste System.

• The original teaching of the Buddha is debated. There are no eyewitness records of his life and the writings of him are mystic. Followers later deified him.

BuddhismStrong pantheism (everything is god).

• Some polytheistic (many gods)

• Goal of life is to end suffering through enlightenment.

• Encompasses much of Hindu beliefs

Buddhism Ideals

• Duhkha: suffering - unsatisfactory state of live

• Samsara: Cycle of rebirth – reincarnation

• Karma: action = consequences, its your fault

• Ethics and duties

• Artha: Prosperity and work

• Desires and passions

• Dharma: Cosmic law and order to nirvana-enlightenment

• Eightfold Path: Paths to attain Freedom

Buddhism Eightfold Path

• right view: Karma - Rebirth

• right resolve: Commit to poverty – no house

• right speech: Honesty and politeness

• right conduct: No killing and stealing

• right livelihood: Commit to poverty - food

• right effort: Commit to purity

• right mindfulness: Do not be absent minded

• right meditation: Commit to enlightenment

• Buddhism has two main branches:

• The Mahayana, or "Great Vehicle” found in most of China and some of Japan. Many gods.

• Zen is part of this branch with goal Buddhahood.

• The Theravada, or "Way of the Elders - Monks," is the more conservative. Found in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Goal Nirvana.

Buddhism Origin of Cosmos

• All branches use cycles of rebirth and rebirth

• Interdependence of matter with consciousness, the two having co-existed for all times.

• Water, fire and wind are the beginning in every universe.

• Some: Existence is an illusion

• Some use Hindu origins, Brahma

• Cosmic egg creation.

• (Many claim origin is unknowable)

Buddhism Wheel of Life

• Wheel of Life states of reincarnation in the Buddhist universe is held by Yama, the Lord of Death.

Buddhism Reincarnation

• Human to Heaven (devas) [good]

• Human to human on earth [good]

• Humans, animals and plants

• To Realm of the hungry ghosts (pretas)

• Humans to realm of the angry gods (asuras)

• Human to Hell

• Karma determines place.

• Some are vegetarianism, so you do not eat others.

Chinese Folk Religion

• Chinese Folk Religion is a loose set of religious practices and beliefs, including: Respect of nature and ancestors. Keeping away evil spirits. Concern about order of nature which can be influenced by humans and rulers. Worship of many gods and immortals. By 1000 AD these mythology and practices were mixed with Buddhism; added were ideas of karma and rebirth.

• Chinese Folk Religion core:

• Heaven: (Tian) - source of moral meaning

• Worship of the ancestors (jìngzǔ)

• All living things (Qi) breath - energy

• Fate (like karma) (Bao ying)

• Life and circumstance (Ming yun) destiny

• Yin and yang, opposite forces [light-dark]

• Polytheistic – Creatin cosmic egg

Confucianism and Taoism

• Confucianism and Taoism can be considered both part of Chinese religion, or as separate religions, as they both overlap and yet have separate parts.

• Confucius (551–479 BC) Core importance of the family and social harmony. Short on theology.

• Taoism (300BC) Ethics, Cosmology and Theology.