1. World Religions

2. Animism

3. Indigenous religion of pre-historic peoples from all over the world
Founder, Origins & History
Indigenous religion of pre-historic peoples from all over the world

4. Adherents Worldwide
unknown

5. God(s) & Universe Multitude of gods and goddesses
Represented in all forms of nature
ALL THINGS HAVE A SPIRIT AND ALL SPIRITS MUST BE APPEASED

6. Human Situation and Life Purposes
The basis for animism is acknowledgment that there is a spiritual realm which humans share the universe with.
The concepts that humans possess souls and that souls have life apart from human bodies before and after death are central to animism, along with the ideas that animals, plants, and celestial bodies have spirits.

7. Afterlife
None addressed

8. Practices
gods often are immortalized by mythology explaining the creation of fire, wind, water, man, animals, and other natural earthly things.
Although specific beliefs of animism vary widely, similarities between the characteristics of gods and goddesses and rituals practiced by animistic societies exist.

9. Texts
none

10. Judaism

11. Founder, Origin, History
Abraham
“Hebrews”
Circa 1500 BCE

12. Adherents Worldwide Approx. 14-15 million 3 Branches or Sects Orthodox
Conservative
Reformed

13. God(s) & Universe
One God
Yahweh

14. Human Situation & Life’s Purpose
Obey God’s commandments
Live ethically
Focus is more on this life than the next

15. Not historically emphasized
Afterlife
Not historically emphasized
Beliefs vary from no afterlife to shadowy existence to the World to Come (similar to Christian Heaven)

16. Practices Male circumcision at birth Bar/bat mitzvah at adulthood (13)
Synagogue services on Saturdays
No pork or other non-Kosher foods
Holidays related to historical events

17. Texts
Bible (Old Testament)
Talmud
Torah

18. Christianity

19. Founder, Origin, & History
Jesus Christ
Circa 30 AD
Jerusalem area
Modern day Israel

20. Adherents Worldwide 2 billion 3 Main Branches or Sects Roman Catholic
Orthodox
Protestant

21. One God who is a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Ghost
God(s) & Universe
One God who is a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Ghost

22. Human Situation & Life’s Purpose
All have sinned and are thereby separated from God
Salvation is through faith in Christ
For some sacraments and good works

23. Afterlife
Eternal Heaven or hell
Temporary purgatory

24. Practices Prayer Bible study Baptism Eucharist Church on Sundays
Numerous holidays

25. Texts
Bible
Old Testament
New Testament

26. Islam

27. Founder, Origin & History
Muhammad
622 AD
Saudi Arabia

28. Adherents Worldwide
1.3 Billion
2 Main Branches
Sunni
Shi'a

29. Muhammad is the last true Prophet
God(s) & Universe
One God
Allah
Muhammad is the last true Prophet

30. Human Situation and Life’s Purpose
Humans must submit to the will of God to gain admittance to paradise after death

31. Afterlife
Paradise
Hell

32. Practices Five Pillars Mosque services on Fridays
Faith
Prayer
Alms
Pilgrimage -- Hajj
Fasting
Mosque services on Fridays
Ablutions before prayer
No alcohol or pork
Holidays related to the pilgrimage
Fast of Ramadan

33. Texts
Qur’an (scripture)
Hadith (tradition)

34. Hinduism

35. Founder, Origins & History
Indigenous Religion of India
Developed to present day

36. Adherents Worldwide
900 Million
Many different Sects

37. One supreme Reality (Brahman) manifested in many gods and goddesses
God(s) & Universe
One supreme Reality (Brahman) manifested in many gods and goddesses
Trimurti statue of Brahma, Shiva & Vishnu symbolizing the supreme being.
Ganesh

38. Human Situation & Life’s Purpose
Humans are in bondage to ignorance and illusion
But are able to escape
Purpose is to gain release from rebirth, or at least a better rebirth
Reincarnation

39. Reincarnation until enlightenment is gained
Afterlife
Reincarnation until enlightenment is gained
Moksha

40. Practices Yoga Meditation Devotion to a god or goddess
Pilgrimage to holy cities
Live according to one’s dharma (purpose or role in life)

41. Texts
The Vedas
Upanishads
Bhagavad-Gita
Ramayana

42. Buddhism
Dharma Wheels

43. Founder, Origins & History
Siddharta Gautama (the Buddha)
Circa. 520 BC
North East India

44. Adherents Worldwide 360 Million 3 Main Branches Theraveda Mayhaya
Tibetan

45. Buddha taught that nothing is permanent
God(s) & Universe
Varies
Theravada – atheistic
Mayana – polytheistic
Buddha taught that nothing is permanent

46. Human Situation & Life’s Purpose
The purpose is to avoid suffering
Gain enlightenment and release from cycle of rebirth
Or at least attain a better rebirth by gaining merit
Reincarnation

47. Human Situation & Life’s Purpose, con’t
Four Noble Truths    1. Suffering exists    2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires    3. Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases    4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path

48. Human Situation & Life’s Purpose, con’t
Eightfold Path: 
Right View  
Right Thought  
Right Speech  
Right Action  
Right Livelihood  
Right Effort  
Right Mindfulness  
Right Contemplation

49. Reincarnation until enlightenment is gained
Afterlife
Reincarnation until enlightenment is gained
Nirvana

50. Practices
Meditation
Mantras
Devotion to deities (in some sects)

51. Texts
Tripitaka

52. Jainism

53. Founder, Origin & History
Mahavira
420 BC
A blend of
Hinduism and Buddhism

54. Adherents Worldwide
4 million
India

55. Similar to both Buddhism and Hinduism
God(s) & Universe
Polytheistic
Similar to both Buddhism and Hinduism
Both heavens and hells
Moksha

56. Human Situation & Life’s Purpose
Using karma to fulfill one’s dharma

57. Reincarnation to obtain Moksha
Afterlife
Reincarnation to obtain Moksha

58. Practices
Ahimsa – non-violence in all parts of a person – physical, mental, & verbal
Poverty
Truthfulness
Monogamous living
Vegetarian

59. Texts
Akaranga Sutra
Kalpa Sutra

60. Sikhism

61. Founder, Origin & History
Guru Nanak
1500 AD
Punjab, India

62. Adherents Worldwide
23 Million

63. God(s) and Universe
One God
Ik Onkar, Nam

64. Human Situation and Life’s Purpose
Overcome the self
Align life with the will of God,
Become a “saint soldier”
Fight for good

65. Reincarnation until karma is resolved and merge with God
Afterlife
Reincarnation until karma is resolved and merge with God

66. Practices Prayer Meditation on God’s name Services at temple Turban
Balance work, worship and charity

67. Texts
Adi Granth

68. Confucianism

69. Founder, Origin & History
Confucius
Circa BC
China

70. God(s) & Universe
none

71. Human Situation & Life’s Purpose
Purpose of life is to fulfill one’s role in society with propriety, honor and loyalty
Five Relationships
Subject to Ruler
Son to Father
Younger Brother to Elder Brother
Wife to Husband
Friend to Friend

72. Afterlife
Not addressed

73. Practices Perform correct role in society Loyalty to family and nation
Filial Piety
Ancestor Veneration

74. Texts
Analects

75. Taoism

76. Founder, Origin & History
Lao-Tzu
Circa 550 BC
China

77. Adherents Worldwide
20 million

78. Yin-yang – opposites make up a unity
God(s) & Universe
Pantheism –
The Tao pervades all
Yin-yang – opposites make up a unity

79. Human Situation & Life’s Purpose
Inner harmony, peace and longevity
Achieved by living in accordance with the Tao (Way)

80. Afterlife Revert back to state of non-being
Simply the other side of being

81. Practices General attitude of detachment and non-struggle
“go with the flow” of the Tao
Tai chi
Acupuncture

82. Texts
Tao Te Ching
Chuang-Tzu

83. Shinto

84. Founder, Origin,& History
Indigenous religion of Japan

85. Adherents Worldwide
3-4 Million

86. Based on kami, ancient spirits or gods
God(s) & Universe
Polytheistic
Based on kami, ancient spirits or gods

87. Human Situation & Life’s Purpose
Followers desire Peace
Believe all human life is sacred
Revere the kami’s creative and harmonizing powers

88. “Matsuri” Festival which honors the spirits
Practices
Four Affirmations
Tradition and family
Love of nature
Physical cleanliness
“Matsuri” Festival which honors the spirits

89. Texts
None

90. Zoroastrianism

91. Founder, Origin & History
Zoroaster
Circa 6th cent. BC
Persia

92. Adherents Worldwide
200,000

93. God(s) & Universe One God, with two sides Ahura Mazda -- Good
Angra Mainyu -- Evil

94. Human Situation & Life’s Purpose
Humans are free to do good or evil
Must choose the side of good

95. Afterlife Judgment followed by heaven or hell
Hell is temporary until final purgation and return to Ahura Mazda

96. Practices
Good deeds
Charity
Equality
Hard work
Fire ritual

97. Texts
Zend Avesta