Download Major Religions of the World

Religions & Philosophies
The Order of Adherents:
(notes are grouped by region)
Christianity
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism
Animism
Sikhism
Judaism
Christianity
Map of Islam, Hinduism,
& Buddhism Concentrations
CHRISTIANITY
• Followers are Christians
• Believe in one God
• Central/Sacred Figures:
God & Jesus
• Sacred Site: Jerusalem,
Bethlehem
Areas of concentration:
North & South America,
Europe
Russia
Australia
New Zealand
the Philippines
Sub-Saharan Africa
ISLAM
• Followers are Muslims
• Believe in one God
• Sacred/Central Figures: Allah
(God) & the Prophet Muhammad
• Sacred Site: Jerusalem, Mecca
• Areas of Concentration: The
Middle East, Africa & Europe, as
well as the US, and both Central &
South Asia, China
JUDAISM
•
•
•
•
Followers are Jews
Believe in one God
Central/Sacred Figure: God
Sacred Site: Jerusalem
Areas of concentration: widely
scattered, however, an
overwhelming majority are
located in the US & Israel
HINDUISM
• Followers are Hindu.
• Belief in many (1000’s) gods:
polytheism.
• Areas of Concentration: India
& Nepal
• Central Figure is the highest
Caste Member, the Brahmin as
well as the many gods.
• The Caste System: Although
the practice has been banned
in India, many still follow the
traditions of the caste system
which states that you can not
marry outside of the class you
were born into.
• Sacred Site: Ganges River in
India. For Hindus is a sacred
duty to bathe in the holy
waters at least once in your
lifetime. It is believed that it
cleanses the bathers mind
and spirit.
Sikhism
• Followers: Sikh
• Believe in one God
• Sacred/Central Figures: God &
the founder Guru Nanak
• Sacred Places: The Golden
Temple in Punjab, India
• Areas of Concentration: India , SE
Asia, Pakistan, UK, Europe.
Animism
Followers: animists
• Indigenous peoples
including Shinto, &
some forms of Islam
Hinduism, Buddhism,
Pantheism, Christianity,
& Neopaganism.
Central Beliefs:
• Spirits exist in everything,
animals, plants & people.
• Non-human entities are spiritual
beings, or at least embody some
kind of life-principle.
The following are mostly
considered Philosophies rather
than religions
Shintoism
•
•
•
•
•
•
Followers: Shinto
Polytheistic
More of a way of life than a religion
Native Religion in Japan (not an “official” religion of Japan)
Creation story: Spirits created & then lived on the Japanese islands
Kami = supernatural force inclusive of gods, spirit figures, & human
ancestors.
• Followers go to shrines to worship kami
Confucianism
• Confucius = Politician, advisor to the king.
• Way of life taught by Confucius.
• Was so successful that the king gave him his
own province.
• Others were jealous and convinced the king
to throw Confucius out.
• Once Confucius dies, people began to write
down many of his thougths.
• Philosophy goes well with communism
because a major premise is “obey your
government” & “humans are teachable”
BUDDHISM
• Followers: Buddhists
• A philosophy, Buddhism does not believe in a “God”
• Sacred Figure: Indian prince named Buddha
(Siddhartha Guatama) AKA “The Enlightened One”
• Buddhism: Concentrated in China, Tibet, & Japan,
Australia, Russia.
• Spread throughout Asia in various forms:
(Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism)
• The Dalai Lama - Buddhist monk, leader of the
Tibetans (more about the Dalai Lama and the
struggles in Tibet soon).
Taoism (Daoism)
• Emphasis on living in
harmony with Tao
• Prefers little (govt
involvement) anarchism &
laissez-faire government.
• Emphasize: compassion,
moderation & humility
• Largely influences Chinese
culture.
• Not truly a religion, has
some religious aspects.