World Religions: An Overview

Our Experiences What is your personal experience with other faiths? What is your personal experience with other faiths? Have you experienced worship in a Synagogue? Mosque? Hindu Temple? Buddhist Temple/Shrine? Have you experienced worship in a Synagogue? Mosque? Hindu Temple? Buddhist Temple/Shrine? Do you have friends or acquaintances who are of another faith? Do you have friends or acquaintances who are of another faith? Have you traveled to a country with a predominantly different religion than your own? Have you traveled to a country with a predominantly different religion than your own?

Religious Maps from the Past Map #1: “Moral and Political Chart of the Inhabited World “ from 1821 Map #1: “Moral and Political Chart of the Inhabited World “ from 1821 “Entered according to act of Congress the 28th day of Sept by Wm. C. Woodbridge of the state of Connecticut” “Entered according to act of Congress the 28th day of Sept by Wm. C. Woodbridge of the state of Connecticut”

Religious Map From the Past Map #2: An 1883 Religious Map of the world Map #2: An 1883 Religious Map of the world Divided into colors representing "Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Mohammedans and Pagans". Divided into colors representing "Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Mohammedans and Pagans".

Our Religious World Today Map # 3: Religions of the world, mapped by distribution. Map # 3: Religions of the world, mapped by distribution. Map as of 2008 survey Map as of 2008 survey

Religious Populations ReligionBeliever s % of World Population Christianity2.2 Billion32% Islam1.6 Billion23% Hinduism1 Billion15% Buddhism500 Million7% Judaism14 Million0.2% Folk or Traditional Religions (African, Chinese, Native American, Australian Aboriginal Religions) 400 Million6% Other Religions (Baha’I, Jainism, Sikhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Wicca, Zoroastrianism, etc) 58 Million<1%

Religious Groups

Majority or Minority? Nearly three-quarters (73%) of the world’s people live in countries in which their religious group makes up a majority of the population. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of the world’s people live in countries in which their religious group makes up a majority of the population. Only about a quarter (27%) of all people live as religious minorities. (This does not include subgroups, such as Shia Muslims living in Sunni-majority countries or Catholics living in Protestant-majority countries.) Only about a quarter (27%) of all people live as religious minorities. (This does not include subgroups, such as Shia Muslims living in Sunni-majority countries or Catholics living in Protestant-majority countries.) Overwhelmingly, Hindus and Christians tend to live in countries where they are in the majority. Fully 97% of all Hindus live in the world’s three Hindu-majority countries (India, Mauritius and Nepal), and nearly 9/10 Christians (87%) are found in the world’s 157 Christian-majority countries. Overwhelmingly, Hindus and Christians tend to live in countries where they are in the majority. Fully 97% of all Hindus live in the world’s three Hindu-majority countries (India, Mauritius and Nepal), and nearly 9/10 Christians (87%) are found in the world’s 157 Christian-majority countries.

Christianity in the World

Judaism in the World

Islam in the World

Hinduism in the World

Buddhism in the World

Importance of Religion