Comparative Religion Questions
1. Introduction
The term “major world religions” refers to religious traditions with substantial global influence, historical depth, and significant numbers of adherents. These religions have shaped civilisations, cultural identities, and moral systems across history.
This analysis outlines:
- The major world religions
- Their core beliefs, geographic distributions, and historical significance
2. Criteria for “Major World Religions”
2.1 Demographic Size
Religions with large numbers of adherents globally.
2.2 Historical and Cultural Influence
Religions shaping civilisations, law, ethics, literature, and art.
2.3 Global Presence
Religions with followers across multiple continents and nations.
3. The Major World Religions
3.1 Christianity
Overview
- Adherents: ~2.3 billion (Pew Research, 2021)
- Founder: Jesus Christ (c. 4 BCE – 30 CE)
- Core Beliefs:
- Monotheism: One God in Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
- Jesus as divine Son of God, saviour through death and resurrection
- Salvation by grace through faith
- Scriptures: Bible (Old and New Testaments)
- Major Branches: Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Protestantism
- Global Distribution: Americas, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, growing in Asia-Pacific
3.2 Islam
Overview
- Adherents: ~1.9 billion
- Founder: Prophet Muhammad (570–632 CE)
- Core Beliefs:
- Monotheism: Allah as the only God (Tawhid)
- Muhammad as final prophet
- Five Pillars: Shahada (creed), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting Ramadan), Hajj (pilgrimage)
- Scripture: Qur’an
- Major Branches: Sunni (85–90%), Shia (10–15%)
- Global Distribution: Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, growing minority in Europe and North America
3.3 Hinduism
Overview
- Adherents: ~1.2 billion
- Origins: Indus Valley and Vedic traditions (~1500 BCE onwards)
- Core Beliefs:
- Brahman as ultimate reality
- Atman (self) and its unity with Brahman
- Karma, samsara (rebirth), moksha (liberation)
- Dharma (righteous duty)
- Scriptures: Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Puranas
- Major Branches: Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Smartism
- Global Distribution: Primarily India and Nepal, diaspora communities globally
3.4 Buddhism
Overview
- Adherents: ~500 million
- Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), 5th century BCE
- Core Beliefs:
- Four Noble Truths: dukkha (suffering), origin, cessation, Eightfold Path
- Anatta (no-self), anicca (impermanence), karma, samsara
- Nirvana as liberation
- Scriptures: Pali Canon (Theravada), Mahayana Sutras
- Major Branches: Theravada, Mahayana (Zen, Pure Land), Vajrayana (Tibetan)
- Global Distribution: East and Southeast Asia, growing globally through Western converts
3.5 Sikhism
Overview
- Adherents: ~25 million
- Founder: Guru Nanak (1469–1539 CE)
- Core Beliefs:
- Monotheism (Ik Onkar – “One God”)
- Equality of humanity, rejection of caste
- Guru Granth Sahib as eternal Guru
- Scripture: Guru Granth Sahib
- Global Distribution: Punjab (India), diaspora in UK, Canada, USA, Australia
3.6 Judaism
Overview
- Adherents: ~14 million
- Founding Figure: Abraham (~2000 BCE), Moses (~1250 BCE)
- Core Beliefs:
- Monotheism: Covenant relationship with God (YHWH)
- Torah as divine law
- Messianic hope (varies by denomination)
- Scriptures: Tanakh (Torah, Prophets, Writings), Talmud
- Branches: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform
- Global Distribution: Israel, USA, Europe, diaspora communities worldwide
3.7 Chinese Traditional Religions
Includes Confucianism and Taoism (often integrated with folk practices).
Confucianism
- Founder: Confucius (551–479 BCE)
- Core Beliefs: Ethical humanism, filial piety, ritual propriety, social harmony
Taoism (Daoism)
- Founder: Laozi (6th century BCE, traditional dating)
- Core Beliefs: Dao (The Way), wu wei (effortless action), harmony with nature, yin-yang
- Adherents: ~400 million combined with Chinese folk religion
- Global Distribution: China, Taiwan, Chinese diaspora
3.8 Other Major World Religions and Traditions
| Religion | Adherents | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Baha’i Faith | ~7 million | 19th-century Persia; unity of all religions |
| Jainism | ~4.5 million | Ancient Indian religion; non-violence (ahimsa) central |
| Shinto | ~3–4 million active practitioners | Indigenous religion of Japan; kami (spirits), rituals |
| Zoroastrianism | ~110,000 | Ancient Persia; dualism of Ahura Mazda vs Angra Mainyu |
4. Comparative Summary Table
| Religion | Founder | Core Concept | Key Scripture | Geographic Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christianity | Jesus Christ | Trinity, salvation through Christ | Bible | Global |
| Islam | Muhammad | Tawhid, Five Pillars | Qur’an | Middle East, Asia, Africa |
| Hinduism | No single founder | Brahman, karma, moksha | Vedas, Gita | India, Nepal |
| Buddhism | Siddhartha Gautama | Four Noble Truths, nirvana | Pali Canon, Mahayana Sutras | Asia |
| Sikhism | Guru Nanak | One God, equality | Guru Granth Sahib | Punjab, diaspora |
| Judaism | Abraham, Moses | Covenant, Torah law | Tanakh | Israel, diaspora |
| Taoism | Laozi | Dao, wu wei | Dao De Jing | China, Taiwan |
| Confucianism | Confucius | Ethics, social harmony | Analects | China, East Asia |
5. Conclusion
What are the major world religions?
✔ They include Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Taoism, and Confucianism, with other significant traditions such as Shinto, Jainism, and Baha’i Faith.
✔ These religions:
- Shape global cultures, politics, ethics, and identities
- Offer diverse metaphysical, moral, and soteriological frameworks
- Reflect humanity’s plural quest for ultimate reality, meaning, and moral order
6. References
- Pew Research Center. (2021). The Future of World Religions.
- Durkheim, E. (1912). The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. Allen & Unwin.
- Esposito, J. L. (2005). Islam: The Straight Path. Oxford University Press.
- Flood, G. (1996). An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge University Press.
- Harvey, P. (2000). An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
- Kohn, L. (2000). Daoism and Chinese Culture. Three Pines Press.
- Mbiti, J. S. (1969). African Religions and Philosophy. Heinemann.
- Nasr, S. H. (2007). Islamic Cosmological Doctrines. Thames & Hudson.
- Smith, H. (1991). The World’s Religions. HarperOne.