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Major religious groups

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"World religions" redirects here. For other uses, see World religions (disambiguation). For a breakdown by religion List of religions and spiritual traditions

Worldwide percentage of Adherents by Religion, 2010[1]

  Christianity (31.5%)
  Islam (23.2%)
  Irreligion (16.3%)
  Hinduism (15.0%)
  Buddhism (7.1%)
  Folk religion (5.9%)
  Other religions (1%)

The world's principal religions and spiritual traditions may be classified into a small number of major groups, although this is by no means a uniform practice. This theory began in the 18th century with the goal of recognizing the relative levels of civility in societies.[2]

History of religious categories

An 1821 map of the world, where "Christians, Mahometans, and Pagans" correspond to levels of civilization (The map makes no distinction between Buddhism and Hinduism).
An 1883 map of the world divided into colors representing "Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Mohammedans and Pagans".

In world cultures, there have traditionally been many different groupings of religious belief. In Indian culture, different religious philosophies were traditionally respected as academic differences in pursuit of the same truth. In Islam, the Quran mentions three different categories: Muslims, the People of the Book, and idol worshipers. Initially, Christians had a simple dichotomy of world beliefs: Christian civility versus foreign heresy or barbarity. In the 18th century, "heresy" was clarified to mean Judaism and Islam;[citation needed][3] along with paganism, this created a fourfold classification which spawned such works as John Toland's Nazarenus, or Jewish, Gentile, and Mahometan Christianity,[4] which represented the three Abrahamic religions as different "nations" or sects within religion itself, the "true monotheism."

Daniel Defoe described the original definition as follows: "Religion is properly the Worship given to God, but 'tis also applied to the Worship of Idols and false Deities."[5] At the turn of the 19th century, in between 1780 and 1810, the language dramatically changed: instead of "religion" being synonymous with spirituality, authors began using the plural, "religions," to refer to both Christianity and other forms of worship. Therefore, Hannah Adams's early encyclopedia, for example, had its name changed from An Alphabetical Compendium of the Various Sects... to A Dictionary of All Religions and Religious Denominations.[6][7]

In 1838, the four-way division of Christianity, Judaism, Mahommedanism (archaic terminology for Islam) and Paganism was multiplied considerably by Josiah Conder's Analytical and Comparative View of All Religions Now Extant among Mankind. Conder's work still adhered to the four-way classification, but in his eye for detail he puts together much historical work to create something resembling our modern Western image: he includes Druze, Yezidis, Mandeans, and Elamites[clarification needed] [8] under a list of possibly monotheistic groups, and under the final category, of "polytheism and pantheism," he listed Zoroastrianism, "Vedas, Puranas, Tantras, Reformed sects" of India as well as "Brahminical idolatry," Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Lamaism, "religion of China and Japan," and "illiterate superstitions" as others.[9][10]

The modern meaning of the phrase "world religion," putting non-Christians at the same level as Christians, began with the 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago. The Parliament spurred the creation of a dozen privately funded lectures with the intent of informing people of the diversity of religious experience: these lectures funded researchers such as William James, D. T. Suzuki, and Alan Watts, who greatly influenced the public conception of world religions.[11]

In the latter half of the 20th century, the category of "world religion" fell into serious question, especially for drawing parallels between vastly different cultures, and thereby creating an arbitrary separation between the religious and the secular.[12] Even history professors have now taken note of these complications and advise against teaching "world religions" in schools.[13] Others see the shaping of religions in the context of the nation-state as the "invention of traditions."

Classification

Further information: Comparative religion and Sociological classifications of religious movements

Religious traditions fall into super-groups in comparative religion, arranged by historical origin and mutual influence. Abrahamic religions originate in West Asia,[14][15] Indian religions in the Indian subcontinent (South Asia)[16] and East Asian religions in East Asia.[17] Another group with supra-regional influence are Afro-American religion,[18] which have their origins in Central and West Africa.

Religious demographics

Further information: List of religious populations
Main category: Religious demographics

One way to define a major religion is by the number of current adherents. The population numbers by religion are computed by a combination of census reports and population surveys (in countries where religion data is not collected in census, for example the United States or France), but results can vary widely depending on the way questions are phrased, the definitions of religion used and the bias of the agencies or organizations conducting the survey. Informal or unorganized religions are especially difficult to count.

There is no consensus among researchers as to the best methodology for determining the religiosity profile of the world's population. A number of fundamental aspects are unresolved:

  • Whether to count "historically predominant religious culture[s]"[24]
  • Whether to count only those who actively "practice" a particular religion[25]
  • Whether to count based on a concept of "adherence"[26]
  • Whether to count only those who expressly self-identify with a particular denomination[27]
  • Whether to count only adults, or to include children as well.
  • Whether to rely only on official government-provided statistics[28]
  • Whether to use multiple sources and ranges or single "best source(s)"

Largest religions

The table below lists religions classified by philosophy; however, religious philosophy is not always the determining factor in local practice. Please note that this table includes heterodox movements as adherents to their larger philosophical category, although this may be disputed by others within that category. For example, Christianity and Islam include those are culturally Christian and Muslim as well as indigenous people combining folk religions or shamanism with either.

The population numbers below are computed by a combination of census reports, random surveys (in countries where religion data is not collected in census, for example the United States or France), and self-reported attendance numbers, but results can vary widely depending on the way questions are phrased, the definitions of religion used and the bias of the agencies or organizations conducting the survey. Informal or unorganized religions are especially difficult to count. Some organizations may wildly inflate their numbers.

Religion Number of followers
(in millions)		 Cultural tradition Founded References
Christianity 2,200 Abrahamic religions Levant [1]
Islam 1,600 Abrahamic religions Arabian Peninsula [1]
Hinduism 1,100 Indian religions (Dharmic) Indian subcontinent [1]
Buddhism 488 Indian religions (Dharmic) Indian subcontinent [1]
Folk religion 400 Organized religion Asia [29]

Medium-sized religions

The following are medium-sized world religions:

Religion Number of followers
(in millions)		 Cultural tradition Founded References
Taoism 12–173 Chinese religions China [30]
Shinto 100[nb 1] Japanese religions Japan [31][32]
Falun Gong 80-100 Chinese religions China, 20th century [33]
Sikhism 28 Indian religions (Dharmic) Punjab region of the Delhi Sultanate, 15th century [34]
Judaism 17 Abrahamic religions Levant (Asia) [1]
Korean shamanism 5–15 Korean religions Korea [35]
Caodaism 5–9 Vietnamese religions Vietnam, 20th century [36]
Bahá'í Faith 5–7.3 Abrahamic religions Iran, 19th century [37][38][nb 2]
Tenriism 5 Japanese religions Japan, 19th century [39]
Jainism 4.2 Indian religions (Dharmic) Indian subcontinent, 7th to 9th century BC [40]
Cheondoism 3–4 Korean religions Korea, 19th century [41]
Hoahaoism 1.5–3 Vietnamese religions Vietnam, 20th century [42]

By region

Further information: Religions by country
Further information: Growth of religion

Since the late 19th century, the demographics of religion have changed a great deal. On the one hand, since the 19th century, large areas of Sub-Saharan Africa have been converted to Christianity, and this area of the world has the highest population growth rate. On the other hand, some countries with a historically large Christian population have experienced a significant decline in the numbers of professed active Christians: see demographics of atheism. Symptoms of the decline in active participation in Christian religious life include declining recruitment for the priesthood and monastic life, as well as diminishing attendance at church. In the realm of Western culture, there has been an increase in the number of people who identify themselves as secular humanists. In many countries, such as the People's Republic of China, communist governments have discouraged religion, making it difficult to count the actual number of believers. However, after the collapse of communism in numerous countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, religious life has been experiencing resurgence there, both in the form of traditional Eastern Christianity and particularly in the forms of Neopaganism and East Asian religions.[citation needed]

World Christian Encyclopedia

Following is some available data based on the work of the World Christian Encyclopedia:[44]

Trends in annual growth of adherence
1970–1985[45] 1990–2000[46][47] 2000–2005[48] % change 1970–2010 (40 yrs)[38]
3.65%: Bahá'í Faith 2.65%: Zoroastrianism 1.84%: Islam 9.85%: Daoism
2.74%: Islam 2.28%: Bahá'í Faith 1.70%: Bahá'í Faith 4.26%: Bahá'í Faith
2.34%: Hinduism 2.13%: Islam 1.62%: Sikhism 4.23%: Islam
1.67%: Buddhism 1.87%: Sikhism 1.57%: Hinduism 3.08%: Sikhism
1.64%: Christianity 1.69%: Hinduism 1.32%: Christianity 2.76%: Buddhism
1.09%: Judaism 1.36%: Christianity 2.62%: Hinduism
1.09%: Buddhism 2.60%: Jainism
2.50%: Zoroastrianism
across 40 yrs, world total 2.16%
2.10%: Christianity
0.83%: Confucianism
0.37%: unaffiliated (inc. atheists, agnostics, religious but not affiliated)
-0.03%: Judaism
-0.83%: Shintoism

Maps of self-reported adherence

  • Map showing self-reported religiosity by country. Based on a 2006–2008 worldwide survey by Gallup.
    Map showing self-reported religiosity by country. Based on a 2006–2008 worldwide survey by Gallup.
  • World map showing the percentages of people who regard religion as "non-important" according to a 2002 Pew survey
    World map showing the percentages of people who regard religion as "non-important" according to a 2002 Pew survey
  • Religions of the world, mapped by distribution.
    Religions of the world, mapped by distribution.
  • Predominant religions of the world, mapped by state
    Predominant religions of the world, mapped by state
  • Map showing the prevalence of "Abrahamic religion" (purple), and "Indian religion" (yellow) religions in each country.
    Map showing the prevalence of "Abrahamic religion" (purple), and "Indian religion" (yellow) religions in each country.
  • Map showing the relative proportion of Christianity (red) and Islam (green) in each country as of 2006
    Map showing the relative proportion of Christianity (red) and Islam (green) in each country as of 2006
  • Map showing the distribution of world religions by country/state, and by smaller administrative regions for the largest countries (China, India, Russia, United States), according to the most recent data available (2012).   Christianity   Islam   Buddhism, Chinese religions, Hinduism, indigenous religions
    Map showing the distribution of world religions by country/state, and by smaller administrative regions for the largest countries (China, India, Russia, United States), according to the most recent data available (2012).
      Christianity
      Islam
      Buddhism, Chinese religions, Hinduism, indigenous religions

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Controversial, see the references.
  2. ^ Historically, the Bahá'í Faith arose in 19th century Persia, in the context of Shia Islam, and thus may be classed on this basis as a divergent strand of Islam, placing it in the Abrahamic tradition. However, the Bahá'í Faith considers itself an independent religious tradition, which draws from Islam but also other traditions. The Bahá'í Faith may also be classed as a new religious movement, due to its comparatively recent origin, or may be considered sufficiently old and established for such classification to not be applicable.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "The Global Religious Landscape". The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Pew Research center. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  2. ^ Masuzawa, Tomoko (2005). The Invention of World Religions. Chicago University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-50989-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ Glaser, Daryl; Walker, David M. (12 September 2007). Twentieth-Century Marxism: A Global Introduction. Routledge. ISBN 9781135979744.
  4. ^ Toland, John; La Monnoye, Bernard de (1 January 1718). Nazarenus, or, Jewish, gentile, and Mahometan Christianity : containing the history of the antient Gospel of Barnabas, and the modern Gospel of the Mahometans ... also the original plan of Christianity explain'd in the history of the Nazarens ... with the relation of an Irish manuscript of the four Gospels, as likewise a summary of the antient Irish Christianity. London : J. Brotherton, J. Roberts and A. Dodd.
  5. ^ Masuzawa, Tomoko (26 April 2012). The Invention of World Religions: Or, How European Universalism Was Preserved in the Language of Pluralism. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226922621.
  6. ^ Masuzawa 2005. pp. 49–61
  7. ^ Masuzawa, Tomoko (26 April 2012). The Invention of World Religions: Or, How European Universalism Was Preserved in the Language of Pluralism. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226922621.
  8. ^ Masuzawa, Tomoko (26 April 2012). The Invention of World Religions: Or, How European Universalism Was Preserved in the Language of Pluralism. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226922621.
  9. ^ Masuzawa 2005, pp. 65–6
  10. ^ Masuzawa, Tomoko (26 April 2012). The Invention of World Religions: Or, How European Universalism Was Preserved in the Language of Pluralism. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226922621.
  11. ^ Masuzawa 2005, 270–281
  12. ^ Stephen R. L. Clark. "World Religions and World Orders". Religious studies 26.1 (1990).
  13. ^ Joel E. Tishken. "Ethnic vs. Evangelical Religions: Beyond Teaching the World Religion Approach". The History Teacher 33.3 (2000).
  14. ^ Spirituality and Psychiatry - Page 236, Chris Cook, Andrew Powell, A. C. P. Sims - 2009
  15. ^ "Abraham, Father of the Middle East". www.dangoor.com. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  16. ^ "The Religions of the Indian Subcontinent Stretch Back for Millennia". About.com Education. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  17. ^ Neusner, Jacob (7 October 2009). World Religions in America, Fourth Edition: An Introduction. Westminster John Knox Press. ISBN 9781611640472.
  18. ^ Neusner, Jacob (7 October 2009). World Religions in America, Fourth Edition: An Introduction. Westminster John Knox Press. ISBN 9781611640472.
  19. ^ a b c Charles Joseph Adams, Classification of religions: geographical, Encyclopedia Britannica
  20. ^ Statistician, Howard Steven Friedman; Teacher, health economist for the United Nations;; University, Columbia (25 April 2011). "5 Religions With The Most Followers | Huffington Post". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 8 November 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Brodd, Jefferey (2003). World Religions. Winona, Minnesota: Saint Mary's Press. ISBN 978-0-88489-725-5.
  22. ^ Samuel 2010.
  23. ^ Anthony 2007.
  24. ^ Pippa Norris; Ronald Inglehart (6 January 2007), Sacred and Secular, Religion and Politics Worldwide, Cambridge University Press, pp. 43–44, retrieved 29 December 2006
  25. ^ Pew Research Center (19 December 2002). "Among Wealthy Nations U.S. Stands Alone in its Embrace of Religion". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 12 October 2006.
  26. ^ adherents.com (28 August 2005). "Major Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents". adherents.com. Retrieved 12 October 2006.
  27. ^ worldvaluessurvey.org (28 June 2005). "World Values Survey". worldvaluessurvey.org. Retrieved 12 October 2006.
  28. ^ unstats.un.org (6 January 2007). "United Nations Statistics Division - Demographic and Social Statistics". United Nations Statistics Division. Retrieved 6 January 2007.
  29. ^ "Folk Religionists". Pew Research Center. December 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  30. ^ 2010 Chinese Spiritual Life Survey conducted by the Purdue University's Center on Religion and Chinese Society. Statistics published in: Katharina Wenzel-Teuber, David Strait. People's Republic of China: Religions and Churches Statistical Overview 2011. On: Religions & Christianity in Today's China, Vol. II, 2012, No. 3, pp. 29-54, ISSN 2192-9289.
  31. ^ "Major Religions Ranked by Size". Adherents.com. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  32. ^ Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (15 September 2006). "Japan: International Religious Freedom Report 2006". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 24 June 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ Jessica Gelt, "Falun Gong, banned in China, finds a loud protest voice in the U.S. through Shen Yun dance troupe", Los Angeles Times, 9 April 2016.
  34. ^ Indian Registrar General & Census Commissioner. "Religious Composition". Census of India, 2001
  35. ^ Self-reported figures from 1999; North Korea only (South Korean followers are minimal according to census). In The A to Z of New Religious Movements by George D. Chryssides. ISBN 0-8108-5588-7
  36. ^ Sergei Blagov. "Caodaism in Vietnam : Religion vs Restrictions and Persecution". IARF World Congress, Vancouver, Canada, July 31, 1999.
  37. ^ Other Religions. Pew Forum report.
  38. ^ a b Grim, Brian J (2012). "Rising restrictions on religion" (PDF). International Journal of Religious Freedom. 5 (1): 17–33. ISSN 2070-5484. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  39. ^ Self-reported figures printed in Japanese Ministry of Education's 宗教年間 Shuukyou Nenkan, 2003
  40. ^ 2001 Census of India data on religions. Government of India.
  41. ^ Self-reported figures from North Korea (South Korean followers are minimal according to census): "Religious Intelligence UK report". Religious Intelligence. Religious Intelligence. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  42. ^ Janet Alison Hoskins. What Are Vietnam's Indigenous Religions?. Center for Southeast Asian Studies Kyoto University.
  43. ^ "The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  44. ^ The results have been studied and found "highly correlated with other sources of data", but "consistently gave a higher estimate for percent Christian in comparison to other cross-national data sets." Hsu, Becky; Reynolds, Amy; Hackett, Conrad; Gibbon, James (9 July 2008). "Estimating the Religious Composition of All Nations" (PDF). Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. doi:10.1111/j.1468-5906.2008.00435.x. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010.
  45. ^ International Community, Bahá'í (1992). "How many Bahá'ís are there?". The Bahá'ís. p. 14..
  46. ^ Barrett, David A. (2001). World Christian Encyclopedia. p. 4. ISBN 0-19-507963-9.
  47. ^ Barrett, David; Johnson, Todd (2001). "Global adherents of the World's 19 distinct major religions" (PDF). William Carey Library. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 February 2008. Retrieved 12 October 2006.
  48. ^ Staff (May 2007). "The List: The World's Fastest-Growing Religions". Foreign Policy. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 25 December 2013.

Sources

  • Anthony, David W. (2007), The Horse The Wheel And Language. How Bronze-Age Riders From the Eurasian Steppes Shaped The Modern World, Princeton University Press
  • Samuel, Geoffrey (2010), The Origins of Yoga and Tantra. Indic Religions to the Thirteenth Century, Cambridge University Press
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