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The Big Chart

The ReligionFacts "Big Religion Chart" is an attempt to summarize all the complexities of and systems into tiny little boxes on a single, quick-reference comparison chart. Yes, this is impossible. As we always warn with our comparison charts, this is no substitute for reading about religions in greater detail, talking with religious adherents, etc. But this religion comparison chart can (hopefully) be a useful and accessible way to "get the gist" of some unfamiliar groups and compare basic beliefs and practices of the world's religions and belief systems.

Despite the chart's simplistic title, we have been very inclusive with what is regarded as a "religion" for purposes of this comparison chart. Basically, the grounds for a group's inclusion are that it provides a set of teachings and/or that deal with the traditionally "religious" issues of ultimate reality, the meaning of life, and/or how to find fulfillment, spiritual health or salvation. Also, all the groups listed below can be found in dictionaries of religion.

Inclusion of a group on this list does not mean that the group is a "religion" per se (note that is listed) or a "true religion" or that "[one listed group] is just as much a religion as [another listed group]." Similarly, if a group does not appear on this chart it doesn't mean it's not a religion or doesn't matter; the chart is not comprehensive and is continually growing. In addition, listing groups separately does not mean they are mutually exclusive, nor does grouping them together mean that they are basically the same thing. This is not an authoritative list of religions, simply a resource on some and ways of life that hopefully some will find useful.

Links in the left column go to ReligionFacts articles where available (see also the A-Z Religion Index). For more information on numbers of adherents, please see Adherents.com, from which most of the stats are taken. Last updated: 2/10/07. Please maximize your browser window to make this chart easier to read.

Religion// Origins & History Adherents (s) and Human Situation Practices Texts More Info Belief System Worldwide Universe and Life's Purpose (approx.) Various prophet- 1 million Generally Strong emphasis on Not emphasized; Spiritual healing is None ReligionFacts healing churches monotheistic; a mix healing and salvation views vary. central. Mix of Anglican article founded since of Anglican, in this life through and African rituals; a c.1918, West Pentecostal and , fasting and prophet plays a Nigeria. traditional African other rituals. prominent role. beliefs. Asatru Revival of Norse unknown Polytheistic, Norse Salvation or () for of food or Eddas (Norse ReligionFacts and Germanic and , redemption not death in battle; drink, toast to the gods, epics); the article , 1970s Norse creation emphasized. (peaceful place) for (less Havamal (proverbs Scandinavia and . Fatalistic view of most; Hifhel () frequently), celebration attributed to Odin) Asatru USA. universe. for the very . of holidays. Nine Alliance Noble is moral code. Wikipedia Atheism Appears in history, 1.1 billion There is no God or Only humans can none none Influential works The Secular but especially after (this figure divine being. Beliefs help themselves and include those by Web the Enlightenment includes about the universe each other solve the Marx, Freud, (19th cent). agnostic and generally based on world's problems. Feuerbach, and BBC Religion non- latest scientific Voltaire. religious, findings. Wikipedia which tend to be grouped on surveys) Baha'i Founded by 5-7 million One God, who has The is eternal Soul separates from Daily prayer, avoidance Writings of ReligionFacts Bahá'u'lláh, 1863, revealed himself and essentially good. the body and begins of intoxicants, scripture Bahá'u'lláh and section Tehran, Iran. progressively Purpose of life is to a journey towards or reading, hard work, other Bahá'í through major world develop spiritually away from God. education, work for leaders The Baha'i religions. and draw closer to Heaven and hell are social justice and World God. states of being. equality. Bön 100,000 Nontheistic Purpose is to gain until on mandalas Bonpo canon ReligionFacts of Tibet. , but enlightenment. gain enlightenment and Tibetan , article meditation on , monastic life. peaceful and Tibet.com wrathful deities. Buddhism Founded by 360 million Varies: Purpose is to avoid Reincarnation Meditation, mantras, Tripitaka (Pali ReligionFacts Siddharta Gautama atheistic; suffering and gain (understood devotion to deities (in Canon); Mahayana section (the Buddha) in c. more polytheistic. enlightenment and differently than in some ), mandalas sutras like the 520 BC, NE India. Buddha taught release from cycle of , with no (Tibetan) Lotus Sutra; BuddhaNet nothing is rebirth, or at least surviving soul) until others. permanent. attain a better rebirth gain enlightenment by gaining merit. Religion/Sect/ Origins & History Adherents God(s) and Human Situation Afterlife Practices Texts More Info Belief System Worldwide Universe and Life's Purpose (approx.) Cao Dai Founded in 1926, 4-6 million God represented by Goal is peace and Reincarnation. Bad Hierarchy similar to Caodai canon ReligionFacts Vietnam by Ngo Divine Eye. harmony in each can lead to Roman Catholicism. article Van Chieu and Founders of person and in the rebirth on a darker Daily prayer. Meditation. others based on a Buddhism, , world. Salvation by planet; good karma Communication with CaoDai.org séance. Hinduism, , and "cultivating self and to better life on spirit world (now finding God in self." earth. Eventual outlawed in Vietnam). venerated, and saints attainment of nirvana including Victor or heaven. Hugo. Chinese Religion Indigenous folk 394 million Dualistic yin and Purpose is a Judgment, then Ancestor , None ReligionFacts religion of China. yang; mythological favorable life and reincarnation or prayer, section beings and folk peaceful afterlife, temporary hell until longevity practices deities. attained through gain a Buddhist-type , , Chinese rituals and honoring . and astrology, . Cultural of ancestors. Studies Chopra Center Founded by unknown - God or Humans have Reincarnation , meditation, 's ReligionFacts Deepak Chopra in Supreme Reality limitless potential, massage, nutrition, many books, such article 1991, California pervades all things; but do not recognize , detox as the Seven all is unity this. Health and sessions, positive Spiritual Laws of Official success can be had thinking. Success Website by focusing on whole self (, body, spirit).

Christianity Founded by 2 billion One God who is a All have sinned and Eternal heaven or Prayer, study, The Holy Bible ReligionFacts (Catholic, Christ in c. 30 AD, Trinity of Father, are thereby separated hell (or temporary baptism, Eucharist, (Old and New section Protestant, Israel. Son, and from God. Salvation purgatory). church on Sundays, Testaments) Orthodox) is through faith in numerous holidays. Wikipedia Christ and, for some, sacraments and good BBC Religion works.

Christian Science Founded by Mary 150,000 - One God. No Trinity Salvation is "Life, Heaven is "not a Spiritual healing through Christian Bible, ReligionFacts Baker Eddy in 400,000 (in traditional sense). Truth, and Love locality, but a divine prayer and knowledge, Science & Health article 1879, Matter and evil do understood and state of Mind in Sunday services, daily with Key to the Massachusetts. not exist. demonstrated as which all the Bible and Science & Scriptures Official supreme over all; sin, manifestations of Health reading. Website sickness and death Mind are harmonious destroyed." and immortal." Founded by 5-6 million Not addressed Purpose of life is to Not addressed Honesty, politeness, Analects ReligionFacts Confucius (551– fulfill one's role in propriety, humaneness, article 479 BC), China society with perform correct role in propriety, honor, and society, loyalty to Wikipedia loyalty. family, nation Religion/Sect/ Belief Origins & History Adherents God(s) and Human Situation Afterlife Practices Texts More Info System Worldwide Universe and Life's Purpose (approx.) Especially unknown One Creator God Not addressed Not addressed None prescribed, Thomas Paine's World Union popularized in the who is uninterested although some deists The Age of Reason of Deists 18th-cent. in the world. Reason practice prayer. and similar texts Enlightenment is basis for all Wikipedia under Kant, knowledge. Voltaire, Paine, Jefferson, and others Al-Darazi in 11th 500,000 Universal Live a good life for a Reincarnation. Modest lifestyles, fasting Al-Naqd al-Khafi Wikipedia century, Cairo, Intelligence (al-Aql favorable Heaven is a spiritual before Eid al-Adha. (Copy of the Egypt. Roots in the al-Kulli) or Divine reincarnation. Await existence when one Beliefs and practices are Secret); Al-Juz'al- Lexicorient Isma'iliyya sect of Essence (akin to the re-appearance of has escaped hidden for protection Awwal (Essence of . ), of al-Hakim (a Fatimid reincarnation. Hell is from persecution. the First) which al-Hakim is caliph who distance from God in Special group of initiates believed to be an disappeared in lifetime after called uqqal. incarnation. 1021), who will lifetime. usher in a for true believers. John Paul 50-500,000 The Divine Spirit, "Each of us is Soul, a Reincarnation. The Spiritual Exercises of Shariyat-Ki- ReligionFacts Twitchell in 1965, called "ECK" spark of God sent to Soul is eternal by ECK: mantras, Sugmad and books article Las Vegas. this world to gain nature and on a meditation, and dreams. by Harold Klemp spiritual experience." spiritual journey. These enable Soul travel Official Salvation is Liberation possible and spiritual growth. Website liberation and God- in a single lifetime. realization. Epicureanism Epicurus in c.300 unknown A deistic sort of Materialism: No afterlife. The soul Pursue the highest Letters and ReligionFacts BC, Athens. : the gods everything is made dissolves when the pleasures (friendship and Principal article exist, but take no of atoms, including body dies. tranquility) and avoid of notice of humans. gods and the soul. pain. Epicurus Epicurus.net

Falun Gong in 10 million Countless gods and The Falun (wheel) is Not addressed Five exercises to Zhuan Falun and ReligionFacts 1992 in China spiritual beings. an source strengthen the Falun. other writings by article Demonic aliens. located in the navel. Cultivation of Master Li Goal is spritual truthfulness, Falundafa.org , benevolence and achieved by forbearance. Meat eating practicing Falun discouraged. Gong. Various teachers ancient form The supreme God is Humans can return Return to the Asceticism, celibacy Gnostic scriptures Wikipedia including extinct; small unknowable; the to the spiritual world spiritual world. including various Valentinus, 1st-2nd modern creator god is evil through secret and Acts Gnosis.org cents. AD revival and matter is evil. knowledge of the attributed to groups universe. apostles.

Greek Religion Variety of religions ancient form Olympic Human life is subject Beliefs varied from , harvest Epic poems of ReligionFacts of ancient Greeks extinct (Zeus, etc.) mixed to the whim of the no afterlife to offerings, festivals, Homer and Hesiod. section with eastern deities gods and to Fate; shadowy existence in games, processions, like Isis and these can be the underworld to a dance, plays, in honor of Wikipedia controlled through paradise-like afterlife the gods. Secret sacrifice and (mainly in mystery and rituals in Ancient Greek divination. religions). mystery religions. Religion Religion/Sect/ Belief Origins & History Adherents God(s) and Human Situation Afterlife Practices Texts More Info System Worldwide Universe and Life's Purpose (approx.) Hare Krishna Bhaktivedanta 250,000-1 Krishna is the Salvation from this Reincarnation until Chanting, dancing, The Bhagavad- ReligionFacts Swami million Supreme God. Age of is by a unite with the , Gita As It Is article Prabhupada, 1966, return to Godhead, Godhead. vegetarianism, temple USA (with roots in accomplished worship, monastic-style ISKCON.com 15th-century through Krishna- living. Hindu movement) Consciousness. Krishna.com Hinduism Indigenous religion 900 million One Supreme Reality Humans are in Reincarnation until Yoga, meditation, The , ReligionFacts of India as (Brahman) bondage to ignorance gain enlightenment. worship (puja), devotion Upanishads, section developed to manifested in many and illusion, but are to a god or , , present day. gods and goddesses able to escape. pilgrimage to holy cities, Ramayana, etc. BBC Religion Purpose is to gain live according to one's release from rebirth, dharma (purpose/ role). or at least a better rebirth. Islam Muhammad, 622 1.3 billion One God (Allah in Humans must submit Paradise or Hell. Five Pillars: Faith, Qur'an (Scripture); ReligionFacts AD, Saudi Arabia (Sunni: 940 Arabic) (islam) to the will of Prayer, Alms, Hadith (tradition) section million) God to gain Paradise Pilgrimage, Fasting. after death. Mosque services on BBC Religion Fridays. Ablutions before prayer. No IslamiCity alcohol or pork. Holidays related to the pilgrimage and fast of Ramadan. Mahavira, c. 550 4 million The universe is The soul is uncreated Reincarnation until under the The teachings of ReligionFacts BC, eastern India eternal; many gods and eternal and can liberation. Five Great Vows (Non- Mahavira in section exist. Gods, humans attain perfect Violence, Truth, various collections. and all living things . Purpose is Celibacy, Non-Stealing, BBC Religion are classified in a to gain liberation Non-Possessiveness); complex hierarchy. from cycle of rebirth, worship at temples and Jainworld.com by avoiding all bad at home. Meditation and karma, especially by mantras. causing no harm to any sentient being. Jehovah's Charles Taze 6.5 million One God, Jehovah. Salvation is through Heaven for 144,000 No blood transfusions, New World ReligionFacts Witnesses Russell, 1879, No Trinity - Christ is faith in Christ and chosen Witnesses, no celebration of Translation of the section Pittsburgh the first creation of obeying Jehovah's eternity on new earth holidays, no use of Scriptures God; the Holy Spirit laws. The End of the for other Witnesses. crosses or religious Official is a force. World is soon. All others images. Baptism, Sunday Website annihilated. No hell. service at Kingdom Hall, strong emphasis on BBC Religion evangelism. Religion/Sect/ Belief Origins & History Adherents God(s) and Human Situation Afterlife Practices Texts More Info System Worldwide Universe and Life's Purpose (approx.) The religion of the 14 million One God, . Obey God's Not historically Circumcision at birth, Bible (Tanakh), ReligionFacts Hebrews (c. 1300 commandments, live emphasized. Beliefs bar/bat mitzvah at Talmud section BC), especially ethically. Focus is vary from no adulthood. Synagogue after the more on this life than afterlife to shadowy services on Saturdays. Judaism 101 destruction of the the next. existence to the No pork or other non- Second Temple in World to Come kosher foods. Holidays BBC Religion 70 AD. (similar to heaven). related to historical events. Mayan Religion c.250 AD (rise of Historically, Many gods, Appease and nourish The soul journeys Astronomy, divination, Dresden, Madrid, ReligionFacts the Mayan up to 2 including Itzamná, the gods; determine through dark and , and Paris codices; article civilization) million. Kukulcán, Bolon luckiest dates for threatening elaborate burial for Books of Chilam Some Tzacab, and Chac various activities. underworld; but royalty, worship in stone Balam; Popol Vuh; survival sacrificial victims pyramid-temples The of the today. and women who die Bacabs in childbirth go to heaven. (LDS) , 12.2 million God the Father, the Humans existed as All return to spirit Abstinence from alcohol, Christian Bible, ReligionFacts 1830, New York Son Jesus Christ, and spirits before this world for period of tobacco, coffee and tea; , section the Holy Ghost are life, salvation is instruction before baptism for the dead; and three separate returning to God. resurrection. eternal marriage; temple Covenants, and Official individual beings Salvation by faith in Mormons to heaven garments under daily Pearl of Great Website Christ, good works, with God and clothes; active Price ordinances, and families; others evangelism. BBC Religion evangelism. rewarded but not with God; hell for those who reject God after death. Helena Petrovna 5 million The Divine is an Dawning of a New Reincarnation based Astrology; ; Works of a variety Beliefnet Blavatsky and (very impersonal life force Age of heightened on karma use of crystals; yoga; of New Age Annie Besant in approximate) that pervades all consciousness and tarot readings; holistic writers Religious the 19th C, Alice things international peace. medicine; psychic Movements A. Bailey (1880- Individuals can abilities; angelic Homepage 1949), flourished obtain a foretaste of communications; in 1970s and 80s the New Age channeling; ; through spiritual fortune-telling transformation ("Ascension"). More emphasis on the latter now. Evil comes from ignorance. Phineas Parkhurst 160,000 Generally monism Man is divine, "Life is eternal in the Emphasis on spiritual Writings of ReligionFacts Quimby (1802-66) (all is One), but essentially spirit, and invisible kingdom of and mental healing, but Quimby (such as article and others, late members might be has infinite God." without rejection of the The Quimby 19th century, USA. theists, pantheists or possibility. Mind can modern medicine. Manuscripts) and International panentheists. God is control the body. Sin Worship services; prayer other New Thought New Thought immanent; the and sickness caused for the sick; discussion authors Alliance universe is by incorrect of New Thought authors essentially spiritual. thinking. Man can and ideas. Religious live in oneness with Movements God in love, truth, Homepage peace, health, and prosperity. Religion/Sect/ Belief Origins & History Adherents God(s) and Human Situation Afterlife Practices Texts More Info System Worldwide Universe and Life's Purpose (approx.) Teachings of 1 million God is Jah, who Humans are temples Some Rastas will Many practices based on Holy Piby (the ReligionFacts Marcus Garvey became incarnate in of Jah. Salvation is experience Jewish biblical Law. "Blackman's article (1920s, Jamaica) Jesus (who was primarily in this "everliving" Abstinence from most or Bible). The and coronation of ) and Haile world and consists of (physical all meat, artificial foods, Ethiopian epic The Haile Selassie Selassie. liberation from immortality). Heaven and alcohol. Use of Kebra Negast also Afrocentric (1930, Ethiopia) oppression and is a return to Eden, marijuana in religious revered. Experience return to Africa. which is in Africa. rituals and for medicine. Wearing of dreadlocks. Jamaicans.com L. Ron Hubbard, 70,000 or God(s) not specified; Human consists of Reincarnation Auditing, progressing up Writings of ReligionFacts 1954, California several reality explained in body, mind and various levels until Hubbard, such as section million, the Eight Dynamics thetan; capable of "clear". Focus on Dianetics and depending on great things. education and drug Scientology Official the source Gain spiritual recovery programs. Website freedom by ridding mind of engrams. Beliefnet Seventh-day Rooted in Millerite 10 million One God who is a Second Coming of A "peaceful pause" observance on Bible only; but ReligionFacts Adventists movement; Ellen [source] Trinity of Father, Christ is imminent; after death until the Saturdays; healthful later prophets like article White was main Son, and Holy Spirit salvation is by faith coming of Christ, lifestyle; baptism by Ellen White are leader; founded in Christ; emphasis then resurrection to immersion authoritative when Official 1863 in New on quality of life judgment and tested against Website

England both now and in eternity in heaven or Scriptures afterlife hell Beliefnet Indigenous religion 3-4 million Polytheism based on Humans are pure by Death is bad and Worship and offerings to Important texts are ReligionFacts of Japan. the kami, ancient nature and can keep impure. Some kami at shrines and at Kojiki or 'Records article gods or spirits. away evil through humans become home. Purification of Ancient Matters' purification rituals kami after death. rituals. and Nihon-gi or Wikipedia and attain good 'Chronicles of things by calling on Japan' Japan Guide the kami. BBC Religion Religion/Sect/ Belief Origins & History Adherents God(s) and Human Situation Afterlife Practices Texts More Info System Worldwide Universe and Life's Purpose (approx.) Guru Nanak, c. 23 million One God (Ik Onkar, Overcome the self, Reincarnation until Prayer and meditation on Adi Granth (Sri ReligionFacts 1500 AD, Punjab, Nam) align life with will of resolve karma and God's name, services at Guru Granth section India. God, and become a merge with God. temple (gurdwara), Sahib) "saint soldier," turban and five Ks. Sikhs.org fighting for good. Balance work, worship, and charity. No SikhNet.com monasticism or asceticism. Stoicism Zeno in c.313 BC, unknown : the logos Purpose is , Possible continued Ethical and philosophical Fragments of ReligionFacts Athens. pervades the achieved by , existence of the Soul, training, self-reflection, founders plus later article universe. i.e., living but not a personal careful judgment and writers like reasonably. existence. inner calm. Seneca, Epictetus, Encyclopedia Marcus Aurelius. of Taoism Lao-Tzu, c. 550 20 million Pantheism - the Tao Purpose is inner Revert back to state General attitude of Tao Te Ching, ReligionFacts BC, China. (394 million pervades all. Yin- harmony, peace, and of non-being, which detachment and non- Chuang-Tzu section adherents of yang - opposites longevity. Acheived is simply the other struggle, "go with the Chinese make up a unity. by living in side of being. flow" of the Tao. Tai- Taopage.org religion) accordance with the chi, acupuncture, and Tao. alchemy to help Beliefnet longevity. Myung Moon, Over 1 , with Purpose is true love Eternal life in a spirit Blessing Ceremony The Divine ReligionFacts 1954, South Korea. million (3 the duality of God and world peace world. Principle (1954) article million acc. (esp. masculine and instead of selfish by Rev. Moon. to official feminine) love. True love and Official sources) emphasized. No the kingdom of God website Trinity doctrine. on earth will be restored by the creation of "true families." Unitarian Formal merger of 800,000 Not specified. Salvation is "spiritual Not specified. Some Ceremonies for Many sacred texts ReligionFacts Unitarians and Members might health or wholeness." believe in an marriages, funerals, etc. are revered by article Universalists in believe in one God, Members seek "inner afterlife, some do Church services have various members; 1961, USA. many gods, or no and outer peace," not. Very few elements from various some none at all. UUA.org God. insight, health, believe in hell - religions. Emphasis on The Bible is the compassion and "Universalism" civil rights, social most commonly strength. indicates the belief justice, equality and used text. that all will be saved. environment. Most UUs are anti-death penalty and pro-gay rights. Based on ancient 1-3 million Polytheism, centered "If it harms none, do Reincarnation until Prayer, casting a circle, No sacred text; ReligionFacts pagan beliefs, but on the Goddess and what you will." reach the Drawing Down the foundational texts article modern form God, each in various Summerland Moon, reciting spells, include The founded early forms; also a belief dancing, singing, sharing in Western Wicca.org 1900s. Founder in a Supreme Being cakes and wine or beer and The generally said to be over all God of the Wikipedia . Zoroaster in c.6th c. 200,000 One God, Ahura Humans are free to Judgement followed Good deeds, charity, Zend Avesta ReligionFacts cent. BC, Persia. Mazda, but a do good or evil, must by heaven or hell. equality, hard work. article Official religion of dualistic choose the side of Hell is temporary ancient Persia. in which an evil good. until final purgation BBC Religion May have spirit, Angra and return to Ahura influenced Judaism Mainyu, is almost as Mazda. WZO and Vedic religion. powerful. Religion/Sect/ Origins & History Adherents God(s) and Human Situation Afterlife Practices Texts More Info Belief System Worldwide Universe and Life's Purpose (approx.)