1. Major Religions of the World

2. Hinduism Started around: 1500 BC Believers: Almost 1 billion
(About 1.4 million in US)
Popular in: South Asia (mostly India)
House of worship: mandir
Religious leaders: Brahmins, gurus
pandits, swamis
Religious text: The Vedas

3. Hinduism
Holy sites: Sapta Puri (Seven holy cities), Brihadeeswara Temple, Ganges River
Holidays: Diwali, Dassehra, Holi
Sacred symbols: Om

4. Core Beliefs
There is only one divine principle; the many gods (thousands of them) are only aspects of that unity. Life in all its forms is an aspect of the divine. The meaningless cycle of birth and rebirth (reincarnation) is determined by the purity or impurity of past deeds (karma). To improve one’s karma by pure acts and deeds is the aim of all Hindus.

6. Buddhism Started around: 525 BC Believers: About 450 million
(About 3 million in US)
Popular in: Southern and Eastern Asia
House of worship: Temple
Religious leaders: Monks, Lamas
Religious text: The Tripitaka

7. Buddhism
Holy sites: Bodh Gaya (Where Buddha attained enlightenment), Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal
Holidays: Vesakha (Buddha’s birthday), Dhamma Day, Uposatha
Sacred symbols: Dharmachakra

8. Core Beliefs
Life is suffering, and there is no ultimate reality behind it. The cycle of birth and rebirth (reincarnation) continues because of someone’s desire and attachment to their unreal self. Meditation (time spent in quiet thought) and good deeds will end this cycle and achieve nirvana (enlightenment).

10. And Chinese folk religions
Taoism
And Chinese folk religions
Started around: BC
Believers: million
Popular in: China, Chinese communities in other countries
House of worship: Miao (temple)
Religious leaders: Laozi
Religious text: The Laozi, others

11. Taoism & Other Chinese folk religions
Holy sites: Mount Tai & Dia Miao
temple, Temple of Heaven
Holidays: New Year Festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon Festival
Sacred symbols: Taijitu (Ying-Yang)

12. Core Beliefs
More a philosophy (a way of thinking) than a religion, Taoists believe in following the “Tao” or “The Way” – this is described as the right path one must follow in life in harmony with the natural harmony of the world. This includes the characteristics of compassion, moderation, and humility.
Associated with Taoism, Chinese folk religions include worship of a multitude of gods and spirits, physical features, and one’s ancestors.

14. Judaism Started around: 2000 BC Believers: About 15 million
(About 7 million in US)
Popular in: Israel, United States
House of worship: Synagogue
Religious leaders: Rabbi
Religious text: The Torah

15. Judaism Holy sites: Jerusalem, the Western (or Wailing) Wall
Holidays: Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, Passover
Sacred symbols: Star of David

16. There is only one God, and
Core Beliefs
There is only one God, and
He is the creator and ruler of the universe. The Jewish people believe they have a special relationship/agreement with God (covenant): by obeying a divine law God gave them, they would be special witnesses to His mercy and justice. The Jewish people are awaiting their messiah (a savior or liberator of people).

18. Christianity Started around: 1st Century AD
Believers: About 2.2 billion
(250 million in US)
Popular in: Europe, North and South America, Southern Africa
House of worship: Church,
Cathedral
Religious leaders: Priests, ministers, bishops
Religious text: The Bible

19. Christianity
Holy sites: Church of the Nativity, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, St. Peter’s Basilica, many others
Holidays: Easter, Christmas, Good Friday, Saint feast days (depending on branch)
Sacred symbols: Cross

20. Core Beliefs
Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine (of, or like, a God) and fully human and the savior of humanity (and therefore referred to as “Christ”). Jesus' ministry, sacrificial death, and subsequent resurrection (rising from the dead) are often referred to as the Gospel. Christians believe in God the Father's eternal victory over evil, and the promise of salvation and eternal life for all people.

22. Islam Started around: 600s AD Believers: About 1.6 billion
(2.6 million in US)
Popular in: North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia
House of worship: Mosque
Religious leaders: Mullah, Imam
Religious text: The Quran

23. Islam Holy sites: Mecca, Medina, Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem
Holidays: Eid Al-Fitr, Ramadan,
Eid Al-Adha
Sacred symbols: Star and Crescent

24. Core Beliefs
There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger. It recognizes previous Jewish and Christian holy messengers (prophets), but Muhammad was the final one. Muslims follow the “Five Pillars” of Islam: Stating one’s faith (the top sentence), praying 5 times each day, giving money to the poor, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and making a pilgrimage (religious journey) to Mecca (hajj).

26. Jainism – About 5 million followers, mostly in India
Sikhism – About 30 million followers, mostly in India

27. Baha’iism – About 6 million followers worldwide
Shintoism – About 5 million, mostly in Japan

28. No religion – 1.1 billion worldwide
Tribal religions – Perhaps 100 million, on most continents
No religion – 1.1 billion worldwide