1. Major Religions of the World

3. 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

5. Temple Mount Jerusalem

6. 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

8. Church of the Holy Sepulchre Jerusalem

9. 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

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

12. Dome of the Rock Jerusalem

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

17. 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

18. 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).

19. Ganges River Varanasi, India

20. 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

22. Shwedogon Pagoda Yangon, Myanmar

23. 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

25. Kasuga Grand Shrine Japan

26. 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

27. 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.

28. Louguantai Temple Tayu, China

29. 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)

31. Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) Punjab, India

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

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

36. World religion Timeline