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The Major religious groups of the world. In summary, religious adherence of the world's population is as follows: "Abrahamic": 53.5%, "Indian": 19.7%, irreligious: 14.3%, "Taoic": 6.5%, tribal religions: 4.0%, new religious movements: 2.0%.
The Major religious groups of the world. The world's principal Religions and spiritual traditions may be classified into a small number of major groups or world religions'. In summary, religious adherence of the world's population is as follows: "Abrahamic": 53. 5%, "Indian": 19. Indian religions, also called Dharmic religions, are the related religious traditions that originated in the Indian subcontinent, namely Hinduism, 7%, irreligious: 14. Irreligion is a lack of religion indifference to religion or hostility to religion 3%, "Taoic": 6. In the study of Comparative religion, the East Asian religions (also known as Far Eastern religions, Chinese religions, or Taoic religions) form 5%, tribal religions: 4. Ethnic religions may include officially sanctioned and organized Civil religions with an organized Clergy, but they are characterized in that adherents generally are 0%, new religious movements: 2. A new religious movement or NRM is a term used to refer to a religious faith or an ethical spiritual or philosophical movement of recent origin that is not part 0%.
Map showing the prevalence of "Abrahamic" (purple), "Indian" (dark yellow), and "Taoic" (light yellow) religions in each country.
Map showing the prevalence of "Abrahamic" (purple), "Indian" (dark yellow), and "Taoic" (light yellow) religions in each country. Indian religions, also called Dharmic religions, are the related religious traditions that originated in the Indian subcontinent, namely Hinduism, In the study of Comparative religion, the East Asian religions (also known as Far Eastern religions, Chinese religions, or Taoic religions) form

Comparative religion is a field of religious study that analyzes the similarities and differences of themes, myths, rituals and concepts among the world's religions. Religious studies, or Religious education, is the academic field of multi-disciplinary Secular study of religious beliefs behaviors and institutions The following is a list of Religions and spiritual traditions, however it excludes modern religions which can be found in List of new religious movements. Religion can be defined as "Human beings' relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, spiritual, or divine". A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos [1]

In the field of comparative religion, the main world religions are generally classified as either Abrahamic, Indian or Taoic. The world's principal Religions and spiritual traditions may be classified into a small number of major groups or world religions'. Indian religions, also called Dharmic religions, are the related religious traditions that originated in the Indian subcontinent, namely Hinduism, In the study of Comparative religion, the East Asian religions (also known as Far Eastern religions, Chinese religions, or Taoic religions) form Areas of study also include creation myths and Humanism. A creation myth is a supernatural mytho-[[religion religious]] story or explanation that describes the beginnings of humanity, Earth, life, and Humanism is a broad category of ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appealing to universal

Contents

Abrahamic religions

Main article: Abrahamic religion

In the study of comparative religion, the category of Abrahamic religions consists of the three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism, which claim Abraham (Hebrew Avraham אַבְרָהָם ; Arabic Ibrahim ابراهيم ) as a part of their sacred history. For the Celtic Frost album see Monotheist (album In Theology, monotheism (from Greek grc [[wiktμόνος μόνος]] Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut Abraham ( Ashkenazi   Avrohom or Avruhom; ابراهيم, {{Unicode|Ibrāhīm}}; Ge'ez: Other religions (such as the Bahá'í Faith) that fit this description are sometimes included but also often omitted. The Bahá'í Faith is a Religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in nineteenth-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind [2]

The original belief in the One God of Abraham eventually became present-day Judaism. For the Celtic Frost album see Monotheist (album In Theology, monotheism (from Greek grc [[wiktμόνος μόνος]] Christians believe that Christianity is the fulfillment and continuation of the Jewish Old Testament, with Jesus as the Son of God. Supersessionism ( British English: supercessionism) and replacement theology are particular interpretations of New Testament claims viewing In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) Son of God is a phrase found in the Hebrew Bible, various other Jewish texts and the New Testament. Islam believes the present Christian and Jewish scriptures have been modified over time and are no longer the original divine revelations as given to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets. Tahrif ( Arabic: ar تحريف "corruption forgery" the stem-II verbal noun of the consonantal root, "to make oblique" Moses ( Latin: Moyses,; Greek: grc Mωυσής in both the Septuagint and the New Testament; Arabic: ar موسىٰ Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) For Muslims the Qur'an is the final revelation from God, with Muhammad as his messenger for its transmission. The Qur’an ( القرآن, literally "the recitation" also sometimes transliterated as Qur’ān, Koran, Alcoran God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity. IMPORTANT PLEASE READ ##### For all questions relating to the addition of (pbuh peace be upon him or other honorifics

Comparing Abrahamic religions

The "Tomb of Abraham," cenotaph above the cave traditionally considered to be the burial place of Abraham in the Cave of the Patriarchs.
The "Tomb of Abraham," cenotaph above the cave traditionally considered to be the burial place of Abraham in the Cave of the Patriarchs. A cenotaph is a tomb or a Monument erected in honour of a person or group of persons whose remains are elsewhere Abraham ( Ashkenazi   Avrohom or Avruhom; ابراهيم, {{Unicode|Ibrāhīm}}; Ge'ez: The Cave of the Patriarchs ( Hebrew: מערת המכפלה Me'arat HaMachpela, Trans

Christianity and Judaism are two closely related Abrahamic religions that in some ways parallel each other and in other ways fundamentally diverge in theology and practice. The article on Judeo-Christian tradition emphasizes continuities and convergences between the two religions. Judeo-Christian (or Judaeo-Christian, sometimes written as Judæo-Christian) is a term used to describe the body of concepts and values which are thought to be held The article on Christianity and Judaism compares the different views held by both religions. This article discusses the traditional views of the two religions and may not be applicable all adherents of each

Main article: Christianity and Judaism
Further information: Judeo-Christian and Supersessionism

The historical interaction of Islam and Judaism started in the 7th century CE with the origin and spread of Islam. This article discusses the traditional views of the two religions and may not be applicable all adherents of each Judeo-Christian (or Judaeo-Christian, sometimes written as Judæo-Christian) is a term used to describe the body of concepts and values which are thought to be held Supersessionism ( British English: supercessionism) and replacement theology are particular interpretations of New Testament claims viewing For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. There are many common aspects between Islam and Judaism, and as Islam developed it gradually became the major religion closest to Judaism. Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut Muslim history began in Arabia with the Muhammad 's first recitations of the Qur'an in the 7th century As opposed to Christianity which originated from interaction between ancient Greek and Hebrew cultures, Judaism is very similar to Islam in its fundamental religious outlook, structure, jurisprudence and practice. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings The term ancient Greece refers to the period of Greek history lasting from the Greek Dark Ages ca [3] There are many traditions within Islam originating from traditions within the Hebrew Bible or from postbiblical Jewish traditions. The term Hebrew Bible is a generic reference to those books of the Bible originally written in Biblical Hebrew (and the related Biblical Aramaic These practices are known collectively as the Isra'iliyat. In the Science of hadith in Islamic Theology Isra'iliyat اسرائیلیات (of Isra'il is the body of Hadith originating [4]

Main article: Islam and Judaism
Further information: People of the Book, Tahrif, Biblical narratives and the Qur'an, and Judeo-Islamic philosophies (800 - 1400)

The historical interaction between Christianity and Islam connects fundamental ideas in Christianity with similar ones in Islam. The historical interaction of Judaism and Islam started in the 7th century CE with the origin and spread of Islam in the Arabian peninsula. This article is about the theological concept in Islam. For the novel by Geraldine Brooks see People of the Book (novel. Tahrif ( Arabic: ar تحريف "corruption forgery" the stem-II verbal noun of the consonantal root, "to make oblique" The Qur'an, the central religious text of Islam, contains references to over fifty people also found in the Bible, typically in the same or similar This article covers the influence of Jewish and Islamic philosophy on each other focusing especially on the period from 800-1400 CE Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Islam and Christianity share their origins in the Abrahamic tradition, although Christianity predates Islam by centuries. Islam accepts many aspects of Christianity as part of its faith - with some differences in interpretation - and rejects other aspects. Islam believes the Qur'an is the final revelation from God and a completion of all previous revelations, including the Bible. The Qur’an ( القرآن, literally "the recitation" also sometimes transliterated as Qur’ān, Koran, Alcoran God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity. Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin

Main article: Christianity and Islam
Further information: Biblical narratives and the Qur'an, People of the Book and Tahrif

Indian religions

Main article: Indian religions

There are a number of religions that have originated on the Indian subcontinent. The historical interaction between Christianity and Islam, in the field of Comparative religion, connects fundamental ideas in Christianity with similar ones in Islam The Qur'an, the central religious text of Islam, contains references to over fifty people also found in the Bible, typically in the same or similar This article is about the theological concept in Islam. For the novel by Geraldine Brooks see People of the Book (novel. Tahrif ( Arabic: ar تحريف "corruption forgery" the stem-II verbal noun of the consonantal root, "to make oblique" Indian religions, also called Dharmic religions, are the related religious traditions that originated in the Indian subcontinent, namely Hinduism, This article deals with the geophysical region in Asia For geopolitical treatments see South Asia. They encompass Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma / Shraman Dharma (जैन धर्म is an ancient religion of India. Sikhism ( IPA: or; ਸਿੱਖੀ sikkhī, IPA:) founded on the teachings of Nanak and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century

The religion of the Vedic period is the historical predecessor of the Hindu religion. This article discusses the historical religious practices in the Vedic time period see Hinduism and Indian religions for details The Vedic and the Sramana tradition co-existed and influenced each other since pre-historic times. A Shramana ( Sanskrit sa श्रमण śramaṇa, Pāli pi शमण samaṇa) is a wandering monk in certain Ascetic Jainism and Buddhism are a continuation of the Sramana tradition. Buddhism further diversified, into Chinese and Japanese schools. Chinese Buddhism ( Pinyin fójiào refers collectively to the various schools of Buddhism that have flourished in China proper since ancient times The history of Buddhism in Japan can be roughly divided into three periods namely the Nara period (up to 784 the Heian period (794–1185 and the post-Heian period

Comparing "Dharmic" religions

The Rig Veda is one of the oldest Vedic texts. Shown here is a Rig Veda manuscript in Devanagari, early nineteenth century.
The Rig Veda is one of the oldest Vedic texts. The Rigveda ( Sanskrit sa ऋग्वेद ṛgveda, a compound of ṛc "praise verse" and veda "knowledge" "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation. Shown here is a Rig Veda manuscript in Devanagari, early nineteenth century.
Main article: Buddhism and Hinduism
Further information: Buddha as an Avatar of Vishnu and God in Buddhism

Buddhism and Hinduism are both post-Vedic religions. Buddhism and Hinduism are two closely related religions that are in some ways parallel each other and in other ways are divergent in theory and practice Gautama Buddha in Hinduism is viewed as an Avatar of Vishnu. In the Puranic text Bhagavata Purana, he is twenty fourth Since the time of the Buddha the refutation of the existence of a creator has been seen as a key point in distinguishing Buddhist from non-Buddhist views Buddhism and Hinduism are two closely related religions that are in some ways parallel each other and in other ways are divergent in theory and practice Gautama Buddha is mentioned as an Avatar of Vishnu in the Puranic texts of Hinduism. Siddhārtha Gautama ( Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual Teacher from Ancient India and the founder Avatar or Avatara (अवतार IAST Avatāra) is often inaccurately translated into English as incarnation For other meanings see Vishnu (disambiguation. Vishnu ( IAST viṣṇu Devanagari विष्णु (honorific For other meanings see Purana (disambiguation. The Puranas ( Sanskrit: sa पुराण purāṇa, "of ancient times" Some Hindus believe the Buddha accepted and incorporated many tenets of Hinduism in his doctrine, however, Buddhists disagree and state there was no such thing as Hinduism at the time of Buddha and in fact, "Indeed, it absorbed so many Buddhist traits that it is virtually impossible to distinguish the latter in medieval and later Hinduism. Siddhārtha Gautama ( Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual Teacher from Ancient India and the founder "[5] Prominent Hindu reformers such as Gandhi[6] and Vivekananda[7] acknowledge Buddhist influence. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ( Gujarati: મોહનદાસ કરમચંદ ગાંધી moɦən̪d̪äs kəɾəmʧən̪d̪ gän̪d̪ʱi (2 October 1869 – 30 January Swami Vivekananda (স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ Shami Bibekānondo; स्वामी विवेकानन्द Svāmi Vivekānanda) (

Main article: Buddhism and Jainism
Further information: Shramana

Buddhism and Jainism are the two branches of the Shramana tradition that still exist today. Buddhism and Jainism are the two branches of the Shramana tradition that still exist today A Shramana ( Sanskrit sa श्रमण śramaṇa, Pāli pi शमण samaṇa) is a wandering monk in certain Ascetic Buddhism and Jainism are the two branches of the Shramana tradition that still exist today A Shramana ( Sanskrit sa श्रमण śramaṇa, Pāli pi शमण samaṇa) is a wandering monk in certain Ascetic Until recently Jainism was largely confined to India, while Buddhism has largely flourished outside of India. Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma / Shraman Dharma (जैन धर्म is an ancient religion of India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices However the two traditions share remarkable similarities. In his life, the Buddha undertook many fasts, penances and austerities, the descriptions of which are elsewhere found only in the Jain tradition. Siddhārtha Gautama ( Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual Teacher from Ancient India and the founder Ultimately Buddha abandoned these methods on his discovery of the Middle Way or Magga. In general the Middle Way or Middle Path ( madhyamā-pratipad; ṭṭipadā) is the Buddhist practice of non-extremism To this day, many Buddhist teachings, principles, and terms used in Buddhism are identical to those of Jainism, but they may hold very different meanings for each.

Hinduism and Sikhism have had a long and complex relationship. Hinduism and Sikhism, both religions from India, have had a complex relationship Views range from Sikhism being a distinct faith in itself to Sikhism being a sect of Hinduism. Sikhism ( IPA: or; ਸਿੱਖੀ sikkhī, IPA:) founded on the teachings of Nanak and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. A vast majority of Sikhs oppose the notion that Sikhism is a sect of Hinduism, while others stress the similarities, but recognise that the religions are distinct.

Main article: Hinduism and Sikh Panth

Jainism and Sikhism have both originated in South Asia and are Eastern philosophical faiths. Hinduism and Sikhism, both religions from India, have had a complex relationship Both Jainism and Sikhism have originated in South Asia and are Eastern philosophical faiths Jainism, like Buddhism, rejected the authority of the Vedas and created independent textual traditions based on the words and examples of their early teachers. Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma / Shraman Dharma (जैन धर्म is an ancient religion of India. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation.

Taoic religions

Main article: Taoic religion
Further information: Tao and De
The Chinese character depicting Tao, the central concept in Taoism.
The Chinese character depicting Tao, the central concept in Taoism. In the study of Comparative religion, the East Asian religions (also known as Far Eastern religions, Chinese religions, or Taoic religions) form Tao ( 道, Pinyin Dào) is a metaphysical concept found in Taoism, Confucianism, and more generally in ancient Chinese philosophy De ( is a key concept in Chinese philosophy, usually translated "inherent character inner power integrity" in Taoism, "moral character virtue morality" A Chinese character, also known as a Han character ( is a Logogram used in writing Chinese (hanzi Japanese ( Tao ( 道, Pinyin Dào) is a metaphysical concept found in Taoism, Confucianism, and more generally in ancient Chinese philosophy

A Taoic religion is a religion, or religious philosophy, that focuses on the East Asian concept of Tao ("The Way"). Tao ( 道, Pinyin Dào) is a metaphysical concept found in Taoism, Confucianism, and more generally in ancient Chinese philosophy This forms a large group of religions including Taoism, Confucianism, Jeung San Do, Shinto, Yiguandao, Chondogyo, Chen Tao and Caodaism. Taoism (pronounced /ˈdaʊɪzəm/ or /ˈtaʊɪzəm/ also spelled '''Daoism''') refers to a variety of related Philosophical and Religious traditions Confucianism ( is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system originally developed from the teachings of the fifth century B Jeung San Do or Jeungism (in Korean Hangul 증산도 "teaching of the mountain maturity" "teaching of maturity" is a new is the native religion of Japan and was once its State religion. I-Kuan Tao, also Yi Guan Dao, or usually initialized as IKT (一貫道 translated as the "The pervasive Truth" is a New religious movement that Cheondoism or Chondoism (in Korean Hangul 천도교 Cheondogyo, " Religion of the Heavenly Way" is a 20th-century Chen Tao or "True Way" was a UFO based religious group that originated in Taiwan. Cao Đài ( Vietnamese:) is a relatively new syncretist, Monotheistic Religion, officially established in Tây Ninh, In large parts of East Asia, Buddhism has taken on some taoic features. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices

Tao can be roughly stated to be the flow of the universe, or the force behind the natural order. Tao ( 道, Pinyin Dào) is a metaphysical concept found in Taoism, Confucianism, and more generally in ancient Chinese philosophy It is believed to be the influence that keeps the universe balanced and ordered and is associated with nature, due to a belief that nature demonstrates the Tao. The flow of Chi, as the essential energy of action and existence, is compared to the universal order of Tao. Following the Tao is also associated with a "proper" attitude, morality and lifestyle. This is intimately tied to the complex concept of De, or literally "virtue". De ( is a key concept in Chinese philosophy, usually translated "inherent character inner power integrity" in Taoism, "moral character virtue morality" De is the active expression of Tao.

Taoism and Ch'an Buddhism for centuries had a mutual influence on each other in China, Korea and Vietnam. These influences were inherited by Zen-Buddhism when Ch'an Buddhism arrived in Japan and adapted as Zen-Buddhism.

Comparing Taoic religions

Comparing between traditions

Main article: Comparing Eastern and Western religious traditions
Further information: prehistoric religion, religions of the Ancient Near East, Proto-Indo-Iranian religion and Proto-Indo-European religion

Buddhism

Christianity

Confucianism

Hinduism

Islam

Jainism

Taoism

Zoroastrianism

Mysticism and Esotericism

See also

References

  1. ^ What is Religion? Definitions and Quotes.
  2. ^ Why Abrahamic? Lubar Institute for the Study of the Abrahamic Religions at the University of Wisconsin
  3. ^ Rabbi David Rosen, Jewish-Muslim Relations, Past and Present, November 2003
  4. ^ Rabbi Justin Jaron Lewis, Islam and Judaism, October 2001
  5. ^ MLA style: "monasticism. Thelema is a philosophy of life based on the rule or law "Do what thou wilt Comparative mythology is the comparison of Myths from different cultures in an attempt to identify shared themes and characteristics Inclusivism, one of several approaches to understanding the relationship between Religions asserts that while one set of Beliefs is absolutely True, other Institute for Interreligious Dialogue is a non-governmental organization devoted to dialog among religions throughout the world The following is a list of Religions and spiritual traditions, however it excludes modern religions which can be found in List of new religious movements. A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos Religious pluralism (rel Comparative religion) is a loosely defined expression concerning acceptance of different Religions and is used in a number of related The Traditionalist School of thought also known as Integral Traditionalism (in the sense of Integralism) or Perennialism (in the sense of Perennial " Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 14 Aug. 2007 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-38700>.
  6. ^ “owes on eternal debt of gratitude to that great teacher,”Mahatma Gandhi and Buddhism Y. P. Anand An Encounter with Buddhism http://www.iop.or.jp/0414/anand.pdf
  7. ^ He is the ideal Karma-Yogi, acting entirely without motive, and the history of humanity shows him to have been the greatest man ever born; beyond compare the greatest combination of heart and brain that ever existed, the greatest soul-power that has ever been manifested. Essay, Ideal Karma Yogi http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/5208/karmayoga/ideal.html

Further reading

External links

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