When
we are talking about religions then a wave of thoughts like beliefs, view about
the whole world in humanity, system of the followed religion culture and
spirituality comes in our mind. In accordance with the Guinness Book of World
Records, Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion by number of conversions
every year so far.
Following
is the list of most practiced religions in the world, probably Top Ten Religions in the World
(with most population):
1. CHRISTIANITY
·
FOUNDED:-
Christianity began about 2000 years ago in what is now Israel.
·
FOUNDER:-Jesus
of Nazareth, or Jesus Christ, “the Anointed One”, “The Messiah”.
·
WRITING HOME:-The
Bible – Old and New Testaments. Adherents :: is estimated at about 2 billion.
·
CULTS:-
Christianity is divided into three main sects: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox
and Protestant. Among Protestants there are over 20,000 denominations.
·
Currently Christianity is at the top
practiced religion in the world
2. ISLAM
·
FOUNDED:-
Islam began about 1400 years ago in what is now Saudi Arabia.
·
FOUNDER:-THE
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
·
KEY SCRIPTURE:- THE
QURAAN, the revealed scripture of Islam, and the Hadith, the teachings, sayings
and life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
·
ADHERENTS:- One
billion, mostly in the Middle East, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh,Africa,
China and Eastern Europe. According to Guiness
3. HINDUISM
·
FOUNDED:- Hinduism,
the world’s oldest religion, has no beginning –predates written history.
·
FOUNDER:-
Hinduism has no single founder.
·
MAJOR SCRIPTURES:- The
Gita, Vedas, the Agamas and more.
·
ADHERENTS:- Almost
one billion, mostly in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Indian Ocean, Africa, Europe and North and South.
·
CULTS:-
There are four major denominations: Saivism, Saktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism.
4. BUDDHISM
·
FOUNDED:-
Buddhism began about 2500 years ago in India.
·
FOUNDER:-
Gautama Siddhartha, the Buddha, or “Enlightened One.”
·
MAJOR SCRIPTURES:- The
Tripitaka, Anguttara-Nikaya, Fhammapada, Sutta-Nipata, Samyutta-Nikaya and many
others.
·
ADHERENTS:- More
than 300 million.
·
CULTS:-
Buddhism today is divided into three main sects: Theravada, or Hinayana
(SriLanka, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia), Mahayana (China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea),
and Vajrayana (Tibet, Mongolia and Japan).
5. TAOISM
·
FOUNDED:-
Taoism began about 2500 years ago in China.
·
FOUNDER:-
Lao-Tzu, whom Confucius described as a dragon riding the wind and clouds.
·
KEY SCRIPTURE:- The
Tao-te-Ching, or “Book of Reason and Virtue”, is among the shortest of all
scriptures, containing only 5000 words. Also important are the sacred writings
of Chiang-tsu.
·
ADHERENTS:-
Estimated at 50 million, mostly in China and elsewhere in Asia.
·
CULTS:-
Taoism is a highly mystical tradition, so there have been various
interpretations and sects are many.
6. CONFUCIANISM
·
FOUNDED:- Confucianism
began about 2500 years ago in China.
·
FOUNDER:- The
Supreme Sage K’ung-fu-tsu (Confucius) and Second Sage Meng-tsu (Mencius).
·
KEY SCRIPTURE:- The
Philosophical Reviews, Doctrine of the Mean, Great Learning and Mencius book.
·
ADHERENTS:- Approximately
350 million, mostly in China, Japan, Burma and Thailand.
·
CULTS:-
There are no formal sects Confucianism. The followers are free to profess other
religions and still be Confucianists.
7. JAINISM
·
FOUNDED:- THE
Jainism began about 2500 years ago in India.
·
FOUNDER:-
Nataputra Vardhamana, known as Mahavira “Great Hero”.
·
PRICIPALES SCRIPTURES:- The
Jain Agamas and Siddhantas.
·
ADHARENTES:-
About 600 million, almost exclusively in Central and South India, especially in
Mumbai.
·
CULTS:-
There are two sects. The sect Digambara (“sky clad”) argues that a saint should
own nothing, not even clothes, hence the practice of wearing only a loincloth.
They believe that salvation in this birth is not possible for women. The sect
Svetambara (“white robes”) disagree on that point.
8. SHINTOISM
·
FOUNDED:-
Shintoism in Japan began around 2500-3000 years ago.
·
FOUNDER :-
Each of the thirteen ancient sects has its own founder.
·
KEY SCRIPTURE:-Kojiki
(Record of Ancient Things), Nikongi (Chronicles of Japan), a later work,
Yangishiki (Institutes Yengi period), and the Collection of 10,000 Leaves are
the main works, but are not considered revealed scripture.
·
ADHERENTS:-
About 30 million, mostly in Japan. Most are also Buddhists.
9. JUDAISM
·
FOUNDED:- Judaism
began about 3700 years ago in the Near East, mainly Canaan (now Israel) and
Egypt.
·
FOUNDERS:- Abraham,
who began the lineage, and Moses, who emancipated the enslaved Jewish tribes
from Egypt.
·
HOME WRITING:- The
Torah (the Old Testament and the Talmud).
·
ADHERENTS:- About
12 million worldwide, more than half in the United States.
·
CULTS :- The
Jews are divided into sects: Orthodox, Conservative and Reform, with other
regional and ethnic divisions.
10. SIKHISM
·
FOUNDED: - THE
Sikhism began about 500 years ago in North India, today the nation of Pakistan.
·
FOUNDER:-
Guru Nanak.
·
KEY SCRIPTURE:- The
Adi Granth, revered as the present guru of belief.
·
ADHERENTS:-
Estimated as nine million, primarily in the state of Punjab in India.
·
CULTS:- Khalsa
Besides, there are Ram Raiyas in Uttar Pradesh and two groups with gurus in
life – the Mandharis and Nirankaris.
These were the most preached and
practiced Top Ten Religions in the World. Below is table showing population and
percentage of each religion.
TOP TEN RELIGION IN THE WORLD BY POPULATION
Religion
|
Members
|
Percentage
|
Christianity
|
2.1 billion
|
33.0%
|
Islam
|
1.5 billion
|
21
|
Hinduism
|
900 million
|
14
|
Buddhism
|
376 million
|
6
|
Sikhism
|
23 million
|
0.36
|
Judaism
|
14 million
|
0.22
|
Bahaism
|
7 million
|
0.1
|
Confucianism
|
6.3 million
|
0.1
|
Jainism
|
4.2 million
|
0.1
|
Shintoism
|
4 million
|
0.0
|
