The Big Religion Chart The ReligionFacts "Big Religion Chart" is an attempt to summarize all the complexities of religions and belief 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 rituals 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 atheism 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 worldviews 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/Sect/ Origins & History Adherents God(s) and Human Situation Afterlife Practices Texts More Info Belief System Worldwide Universe and Life's Purpose (approx.) Aladura 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 prayer, fasting and prophet plays a Nigeria. traditional African other rituals. prominent role. beliefs. Asatru Revival of Norse unknown Polytheistic, Norse Salvation or Valhalla (heaven) for Sacrifice of food or Eddas (Norse ReligionFacts and Germanic gods and goddesses, redemption not death in battle; Hel drink, toast to the gods, epics); the article paganism, 1970s Norse creation emphasized. (peaceful place) for shamanism (less Havamal (proverbs Scandinavia and myths. Fatalistic view of most; Hifhel (hell) frequently), celebration attributed to Odin) Asatru USA. universe. for the very evil. of solstice holidays. Nine Alliance Noble Virtues 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 Faith Founded by 5-7 million One God, who has The soul 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 Indigenous religion 100,000 Nontheistic Purpose is to gain Reincarnation until Meditation on mandalas Bonpo canon ReligionFacts of Tibet. Buddhism, but enlightenment. gain enlightenment and Tibetan deities, article meditation on astrology, monastic life. peaceful and Tibet.com wrathful deities. Buddhism Founded by 360 million Varies: Theravada Purpose is to avoid Reincarnation Meditation, mantras, Tripitaka (Pali ReligionFacts Siddharta Gautama atheistic; Mahayana suffering and gain (understood devotion to deities (in Canon); Mahayana section (the Buddha) in c. more polytheistic. enlightenment and differently than in some sects), mandalas sutras like the 520 BC, NE India. Buddha taught release from cycle of Hinduism, 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 karma 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, Taoism, world. Salvation by planet; good karma Communication with CaoDai.org séance. Hinduism, Islam, and "cultivating self and to better life on spirit world (now Christianity 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 worship, 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 , divination, prophecy Chinese rituals and honoring paradise. and astrology, feng shui. Cultural of ancestors. Studies Chopra Center Founded by unknown monism - God or Humans have Reincarnation Yoga, meditation, Deepak Chopra's ReligionFacts Deepak Chopra in Supreme Reality limitless potential, massage, nutrition, many books, such article 1991, California pervades all things; but do not recognize mindfulness, 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 (mind, body, spirit). Christianity Founded by Jesus 2 billion One God who is a All have sinned and Eternal heaven or Prayer, Bible 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 Holy Spirit 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." Confucianism 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.) Deism 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 Druze 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 Shia Islam. Neoplatonism), 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 Golden Age for true believers. Eckankar 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.