Discovering the Diversity of World Religions

A Complete Survey World Religions

Diversity of World Religions. the diversity of world religiosity is complex and colourful, rich in its cultural, historical and spiritual aspects interwoven. There are more than 4000 religions in the world and each with its own dogmas, ceremonies, practice. Among these are the major world religions, such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism to small indigenous and folk traditions that are alive almost everywhere. They may be contemporary or historical in origin, yet these religions have greatly influenced societies, cultures, and humanity. We will take a look at the main deities and religions in this article from around the globe, showing you what’s so notable.

Christianity is a worldwide religion of redemption and love.

With over 2.3 billion members worldwide, Christianity is the largest religion on earth. Christianity is founded on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and centers on belief in one God and in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of the Holy Trinity and in soteriology of salvation. Christians look forward to eternal life through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Christianity is divided into three principal divisions:

Roman Catholicism: The largest Christian tradition, led by the Pope, that is most concerned with sacraments, tradition, and supremacy of the Pope.

Protestantism: A collection of a wide range of denominations such as Baptists, Lutherans, and Methodists that are traced to the Reformation of the 16th century.

Eastern Orthodoxy: Consists of Orthodox churches in Eastern Europe, in the Middle East, and in parts of Africa with a rich liturgical tradition.

All these branches share similar belief systems yet differ in theology, practice and church structure. Christianity has left an indelible impression on global history and has made a profound influence on Western culture, philosophy and moral values.

Submission to Allah’s will is Islam.

Islam is a religion that has approximately 1.8 billion members and is ranked as being the second largest religion in the world. Islam is a religion of total submission to Allah’s will as expressed through Prophet Muhammad. The last and final prophet is regarded by Muslims as being Muhammad and Islam’s scripture is believed to be the literal word of God as revealed to him.

The religion of Islam is founded on Islam’s Five Pillars and includes the Shahada (faith), Salat (worship prayer), Zakat (charity or alms-giving), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). They are formulated to instill a deep sense of piety and community.

Islam is divided into two major divisions:

Sunni Islam: is the largest group with approximately 85-90% of Muslims globally based on consensus among members of the community regarding religious matters.

Shia Islam: In Iran and Iraq primarily, Shia Muslims have a belief that leadership is to be restricted to members of the Prophet’s family and that it is to be through his son-in-law and cousin Ali.

The Subcontinent is a religion based on Hinduism.

As one of humanity’s most complex and venerable religious systems, Hinduism has over 1 billion adherents in India and Nepal. Hinduism is not a religion alone, however, but a manner of life that is inextricably entwined in South Asia’s social and cultural life. Hinduism is characterized by diversity of belief and practice and of its numerous gods and goddesses and by having no founder and no central scripture and dogma.

The fundamental belief in Hinduism is in Brahman, Supreme Cosmic Spirit, and in samsara (reincarnation) based on the law of karma (action). The ultimate desire of a Hindu is moksha, liberation from samsara’s cycle of birth and death and rebirth through self-realization and union with Brahman.

The Upanishads and Vedas and Bhagavad Gita are only a few of Hinduism’s most sacred texts and include a wide range of spiritual, ethical, and philosophical teachings. Hinduism has numerous more deities as well. A few of the most revered among them are Vishnu, Shiva, and Durga. Yoga, meditation, and devotion or bhakti are central in Hindu practice as well.

Buddhism: The Path to Enlightenment

The 5th century BCE religious tradition interested in enlightenment (nirvana) through the practice of wisdom, ethics conduct, and developing mastery over the mind is so called Buddhism, The Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) and so on.

There are approximately 500 million Buddhists in the world, nearly all from East and South-eastern Asia have followed countries such as China, Japan Thailand or Sri Lanka, but the religion has followers all over the globe. The Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path constitute the basis of Buddhism. Four Noble Truths are the essence of human suffering dukkha and the way out. The Eightfold Path includes right view/right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood; right effort, mindfulness and Concentration.

There are three main branches of Buddhism as follows: ·

Theravada is the predominant form of Buddhism in Southeast Asia emphasizes following earliest traditions and practice of monasticism.

Mahayana Buddhism in Japan, Korea and China, followed by the enlightened ones bodhisattvas who stays in our world to help lead everyone else to Enlightenment.

Vajrayana Buddhism: It is focused mainly in Tibet, with endorsements of unique mantras and ceremonies from the lama.

Monotheism: originate from the bible, in this case, the Jewish.

With some 14 million members and a history of over 4.000 years in region of Near East, Judaism is a monotheistic religion. Judaism holds to the monotheism of one God and the covenant between God and Israel(s) as specified in the first five books (the Torah) of Hebrew scripture.

The Ten Commandments are the backbone of Jewish morals intertwined in one thread of justice and mercy to God. These are added to by numerous other commandments and practices observed by Jews as well, such as the kosher laws, Shabbat (Sabbath rest on Saturday) and various religious holidays Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur etc…

Judaism has several denominations:

Orthodox — Orthodox Judaism: Strong emphasis on observance to Jewish tradition and law.

Conservative Judaism: Working to meld tradition and modernity by saving quite a great deal of tradition with contemporary adaptations yes

Progressive in orientation with individualism and contemporary approaches to Jewish tradition, Reform Judaism.

In addition to the major religion/philosophies other is

Baha

As most among global society practice Christianity, Islam and Hinduism / Buddhism / Judaism but with a huge cultural and spiritual footprint there are many more other religions.

The true religion of Punjab: Sikhism was created by Guru Nanak in the 15th century Sikhism teaches one God, brotherhood for all human beings and service of people.

Japan: Shintoism, which is Japan’s indigenous monotheistic religion. Based on the nature, spirits(kami) and spirits (or gods and goddess) worship known as Shintoism.

Taoism: Eric soon came to China Eri who was influenced by the Tao, the principle that underlies and through which all is conditioned in order to stay in accordance with.

Indigenous Religions: nearly always there is an indigenous or tribal religion that hinges on a relationship with nature, and many times animism.

The Plurality of World Religions

Human religion is a profound, intricate and diversified tissue of faith and conduct that continue to color most people and societies. From the Abrahamic monotheisms (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism with their predisposition for monotheistic life/moral order), the polytheistic philosophic systems (Hinduism and Buddhism) despite all else—even innate can provide knowledge of.

I mean these are not only a power of the global tolerance and respect (source, but also give the knowledge to one type).

As global community continues to evolve further, these religious traditions will be at the very centre of billions’ identity and will guide both personal and communal journey towards meaning, purpose and spiritual fulfillment.