Major Religions of the World

Judaism Founder: Abraham Origin: Jerusalem, Israel Mono/Poly: Monotheistic God(s): God, Yahweh Followers: Jews Holy Writings: Torah House Of Worship: Temple/Synagogue Beliefs: Follow the laws set forth by God Where?: Israel, N. America, Middle East

Temple Mount Jerusalem

Christianity Founder: Jesus Origin: Jerusalem, Israel Mono/Poly: Monotheistic God(s): God, Jesus Followers: Christians Holy Writings: Bible, Old & New Testaments House Of Worship: Church/Cathedral Beliefs: Jesus is Messiah Where?: N. & S. America, Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia

Church of the Holy Sepulchre Jerusalem

Islam Founder: Muhammed Origin: Mecca, Saudi Arabia Mono/Poly: Monotheistic God(s): Allah Followers: Muslims Holy Writings: Koran/Qu’ran House Of Worship: Mosque Beliefs: 5 Pillars of Islam Where?: Middle East, Central Asia, N. Africa

Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, or the Grand Mosque Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Dome of the Rock Jerusalem

Five Pillars of Islam Iman or Faith Salah or Prayer Zakah or the financial obligation upon Muslims. Sawm or Fasting Hajj or Pilgrimage

Hinduism Founder: None Origin: India Mono/Poly: Polytheistic God(s): Brahama, Shiva, Vishnu, Mother Shakti Followers: Hindus Holy Writings: Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gita House Of Worship: Temple or Home Shrine Beliefs: Dharma (moral duty), Karma, reincarnation Where?: India, Southwest Asia

Om (or Aum) This is the most universal of Hindu symbols and its sound is used in meditation. In Hinduism, the word “Om” is the first syllable in any prayer. More specifically, Om is used to symbolize the universe and the ultimate reality. Some people say that this symbol represents the three aspects of God: the Brahma (A), the Vishny (U) and the Shiva (M).

Ganges River Varanasi, India

Buddhism Founder: Prince Siddhartha “Buddha” Origin: India Mono/Poly: N/A God(s): Enlightenment/Nirvana—no god Followers: Buddhists Holy Writings: Tripitaka, Sangha, Pali Canon House Of Worship: Pagodas, Temples, Shrines Beliefs: 4 Noble Truths, 8-fold path Where?: India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia

Shwedogon Pagoda Yangon, Myanmar

Shintoism Founder: None Origin: Japan Mono/Poly: Polytheistic God(s): Kami—ancient gods or spirits Followers: Shintos Holy Writings: Kojiki, Nihongi Shoki House Of Worship: Shrines or Home Temples Beliefs: Man is Kami’s child, nature is sacred Where?: Mainly Japan

Kasuga Grand Shrine Japan

Taoism Founder: Lao-Tsu, (Lao-Tzu, Lao-Tze, Laozi) Origin: China Mono/Poly: Polytheistic God(s): Tao (way, path), mythical figures Followers: Taoists Holy Writings: Tao Te Ching, Chuang-tzu House Of Worship: Temple Beliefs: Attain immortality, Non-aggression Where?: China, Taiwan, Southeast Asia

Yin and Yang are ancient Chinese philosophical terms, with the Yin Yang Theory being a fundamental part of Feng Shui. It is a Chinese theory on the perspective of continuous change and balance.

Louguantai Temple Tayu, China

Sikhism Founder: Guru Nanak Origin: India Mono/Poly: Monotheistic God(s): God Followers: Sikhs Holy Writings: Guru Granth Sahib House Of Worship: Gurdwara Beliefs: All people are equal, generosity, humility Where?: India, U.S. (Queens, NY)

Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) Punjab, India

By the Numbers Christianity 2.0 Billion Islam 1.4 Billion Non-Adherent 1.1 Billion (Secular, Atheist, Agnostic) Hindu 900 million Chinese Trad. (Folk) 390 million Buddhism 360 million Sikhism 23 million Tao 20 million Judaism 14 million Mormon 12.2 million

Christianity Catholic 1.5 billion Orthodox 225 million Episcopalian 70 million Lutheran 65 million Methodist 8.5 million Presbyterian 2.5 million

World religion Timeline