started around : 1500 bc believers : almost 1 billion (about 1.4 million in us) popular in : south...
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Major Religions of the World
Started around: 1500 BC
Believers: Almost 1 billion(About 1.4 million in US)
Popular in: South Asia (mostly India)House of worship: mandir
Religious leaders: Brahmins, gurus
pandits, swamisReligious text: The Vedas
Hinduism
Holy sites: Sapta Puri (Seven holy cities), Brihadeeswara Temple, Ganges RiverHolidays: Diwali, Dassehra, Holi
Sacred symbols: Om
Hinduism
Core BeliefsThere is only one divine principle;
the many gods (thousands of them) are only aspects of that unity. Life in
all its forms is an aspect of the divine. The meaningless cycle of
birth and rebirth (reincarnation) is determined by the purity of impurity
of past deeds (karma). To improve one’s karma by pure acts and deeds
is the aim of all Hindus.
BuddhismStarted around: 525 BC
Believers: About 450 million(About 3 million in US)
Popular in: Southern and Eastern AsiaHouse of worship: Temple
Religious leaders: Monks, LamasReligious text: The Tripitaka
Holy sites: Bodh Gaya (Where Buddha attained enlightenment), Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal
Holidays: Vesakha (Buddha’s birthday), Dhamma Day, Uposatha
Sacred symbols: Dharmachakra
Buddhism
Core BeliefsLife is suffering, and there is no ultimate reality behind it. The
cycle of birth and rebirth (reincarnation) continues
because of someone’s desire and attachment to their unreal self. Meditation (time spent in quiet thought) and good deeds will end this cycle and achieve
nirvana (enlightenment).
Started around: 500-300 BCBelievers: 450 million
Popular in: China, Chinese communities in other countriesHouse of worship: Miao (temple)Religious leaders: Laozi
Religious text: The Laozi, others
Taoism & Chinese folk religions
Taoism & Other
Chinese folk religions
Holy sites: Mount Tai & Dia Miao temple, Temple of Heaven
Holidays: New Year Festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon
Festival
Sacred symbols: Taijitu (Ying-Yang)
More a philsophy (a way of thinking) than a religion, Taoists believe in
following the “Tao” or “The Way” – this is described as the right path one must
follow in life in harmony with the natural harmony of the world. This
includes the characteristics of compassion, moderation, and humility.
Associated with Taoism, Chinese folk religions include worship of a multitude
of gods and spirits, physical features, and one’s ancestors.
Core Beliefs
Started around: 2000 BC
Believers: About 15 million(About 7 million in
US)Popular in: Israel, United States House of worship:SynagogueReligious leaders: Rabbi
Religious text: The Torah
Judaism
Holy sites: Jerusalem, the Western (or Wailing) Wall
Holidays: Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah,
Hanukkah, Passover
Sacred symbols: Star of David
Judaism
There is only one God, and He is the creator and ruler of the
universe. The Jewish people believe they have a special
relationship/agreement with God (covenant): by obeying a divine law
God gave them, they would be special witnesses to His mercy and
justice. The Jewish people are awaiting their messiah (a savior or
liberator of people).
Core Beliefs
ChristianityStarted around: 1st Century ADBelievers: About 2.2 billion
(250 million in US)
Popular in: Europe, North and South America,
Southern AfricaHouse of worship: Church,
Cathedral
Religious leaders: Priests, ministers, bishops
Religious text: The Bible
Holy sites: Church of the Nativity, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, St. Peter’s Basilica, many othersHolidays: Easter, Christmas, Good
Friday, Saint feast days (depending on
branch)
Sacred symbols: Cross
Christianity
Core BeliefsJesus is the Son of God, fully divine (of, or like, a God) and fully human
and the savior of humanity (and therefore referred to as “Christ”).
Jesus' ministry, sacrificial death, and subsequent resurrection (rising
from the dead) are often referred to as the Gospel. Christians believe in
God the Father's eternal victory over evil, and the promise of salvation
and eternal life for all people.
Started around: 600s ADBelievers: About 1.6 billion
(2.6 million in US)
Popular in: North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia
House of worship: Mosque
Religious leaders: Mullah, Imam
Religious text: The Quran
Islam
Holy sites: Mecca, Medina, Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem
Holidays: Eid Al-Fitr, Ramadan, Eid Al-Adha
Sacred symbols: Star and Crescent
Islam
There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger. It
recognizes previous Jewish and Christian holy messengers (prophets), but
Muhammad was the final one. Muslims follow the “Five Pillars” of Islam: Stating one’s faith (the top sentence), praying 5
times each day, giving money to the poor, fasting during the month of Ramadan,
and making a pilgrimage (religious journey) to Mecca (hajj).
Core Beliefs
Jainism – About 5 million followers, mostly in India
Sikhism – About 30 million followers, mostly in India
Baha’iism – About 6 million followers worldwide
Shintoism – About 5 million, mostly in Japan
No religion – 1.1 billion worldwide
Tribal religions – Perhaps 100 million, on most continents