10 facts about 12 major religions

This page last updated April 1st, 2020

These pages summarise the main features of the 12 largest world religions, which together are followed by almost 80% of the world’s population. These beliefs are described without passing any judgment on their truth or otherwise. Not included here are so-called “tribal” and African religions (6%), spiritism, the Eastern religions Cao Dai and Juche (less than 1% in total) and non religious (16%). Source for numbers is www.adherents.com.

Baha’i, Buddhism and Christianity

Baha’iBuddhismChristianity
FounderBaha’u’llahThe BuddhaJesus (Yeshua)
Place & timeMiddle East (Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Syria), 1860s CENepal, 500 BCEPalestine, 30 CE
Local religion at the timeIslamHinduismJudaism & Roman polytheism
Written sourcesWritings of Baha’u’llah & others – principally Kitab-l-AqdasTeachings of the Buddha written down much later & not treated as revelationBible, especially the New Testament
No. of adherents worldwide2 million376 million2,100 million
Nature of religionMonotheism with revealed teachings – fulfils Judaism, Christianity and IslamDharmic. Way of life to achieve enlightenmentMonotheism with revealed teachings – fulfils Judaism
Nature of God(s)Monotheistic, ethicalDistant, unclearMonotheistic, ethical, personal
How to please God(s)Ethical livingEightfold Path between extremes of asceticism & materialismRepentance & faith in Jesus + loving God and loving neighbour
Rewards & punishmentsLife is a preparation for the next life (does this mean everyone enters afterlife?)Life of acceptance & NirvanaLife with God in this world and the next (or not)
PracticesPrayer & meditation leading to action – little emphasis on ritual (no churches or priests). Informal meeting every 19 days + festivalsMeditation, disciplined living to reduce suffering (recognising “impermanence, suffering & no-self”)Weekly meetings, sharing faith & serving others
Distinctive ethicsRational behaviour, peace, equality, tolerance, justiceDetachment, acceptance, meditationLove your neighbour, humility, peace, justice

Confucianism, Hinduism and Islam

ConfucianismHinduismIslam
FounderK’ung Fu-tzu (Confucius)Brahmins – the priestly class of the invading AryansMuhammed
Place & timeChina 500 BCEIndia, about 1500 BCEArabia, 620 CE
Local religion at the timeEvolved from more primitive beliefsTribal polytheism
Written sourcesK’ung Fu-tzu’s writingsMany writings, mainly the Vedas (1000 BCE) & Upanishads (500 BCE)Qur’an, written down by Muhammed
No. of adherents worldwide400 million (combined with Taoism)850 million1,200 million
Nature of religionTaoic.
Social & political ethics
Dharmic.
Devotional rituals & tradition to achieve release from cycle of rebirth. 
Monotheism
with revealed beliefs – mixture of corporate & personal worship and ethics
Nature of God(s)Pantheistic & impersonal – life force (Brahmin) and many gods/aspectsMonotheistic, personal, ethical
How to please God(s)Devotion, good works, knowledge & yoga to reduce karma (caused by bad behaviour) & maya (illusion)Five Pillars – profession of faith, prayer/worshp, alms, fasting, pilgrimage to Mecca
Rewards & punishmentsSocial harmonyCycle of rebirth until karma dissolved & released.Paradise for believers
PracticesRespect for ancestorsTemples as homes to deities & shrines,
priests & rituals, individual holy men
Five Pillars, Friday prayers at mosque, ritual washing and prayers
Distinctive ethicsCohesion of society. Living in harmony with environmentDo right, acquire wealth, enjoy pleasure, achieve releaseFive Pillars, Jihad (holy struggle)

Jainism, Judaism, and Parsees/Zoroastrianism

JainismJudaismZoroastrianism
FounderMahavira (“great hero”)Abraham & MosesZarathustra (not sure if he was a real person)
Place & timeIndia, 550 BCEIraq, 2000 BCEIran, date unclear,  1200 or 600 BCE?
Local religion at the timeHinduismPolytheismLocal
Written sourcesScriptures, written 100 years after MahaviraThe Law (Torah given by God) & the prophets. The TalmudAvesta (Zarathustra’s teachings, written centuries later)
No. of adherents worldwide3 million14 million2.6 million
Nature of religionDharmic. Soul is imprisoned in matter – cycle of rebirth until achieve release, at length, by intense discipline.Monotheism with revealed beliefs – mixture of corporate & personal worship and ethicsMonotheism but dualistic. Ethical, personal.
Nature of God(s)Distant, unclear – close to atheismMonotheistic, personal, ethicalAhura Mazda (all powerful God)  is oposed by Angra Mainyu & supported by 7 created immortals.
How to please God(s)Ascetic life as a monk. Lay people can only hope to achieve being a monk in the next lifeObey Law – sacrifices for forgiveness of sinsEthical living
Rewards & punishmentsSalvation = release from karma & cycle, then union with one’s true selfPleasing or displeasing GodLife after death
PracticesFasting & extreme asceticism. Temples & images to assist meditation.Worship & sacrifices in temple (but not since temple destroyed in 70 CE) & meetings in SynagoguesRitual prayer & washings, fire ceremonies (fire is the symbol of God’s truth)
Distinctive ethicsDo no harm (non violent & vegetarian), abstain from sex & worldly goods10 Commandments, plus many detailed laws in Law and writingsEducation, devotion, righteousness, non-violence, cleanliness

Shinto, Sikhism and Taoism

ShintoSikhismTaoism
FounderEvolvedGuru NanakLao-Tzu (& Chuang Tzu)
Place & timeJapan, 0-1000 CEIndia, 1500 CEChina 300-600 BCE
Local religion at the timeHinduism & IslamLess refined version of same ideas
Written sourcesGuru Granth Sahib (Nanak’s & other Gurus’ teachings, written down later)Writings of Lao-Tzu (Tao Te Ching) & Chuang Tzu
No. of adherents worldwide4 million23 million400 million (combined with Confucianism)
Nature of religionTaoic. Shinto = “the way of the gods”.  Mixture of polytheistic mythology & practical living. Little dogma. Co-exists happily with BuddhismDharmic. Practical religion about living in this world (not ascetic like some other eastern religions).  Cycle of rebirth.Taoic. Tao = “the way”. Mythical religion with strong ethical component, yin & yang. A way to live with little dogma.
Nature of God(s)Spiritual force manifested in “Kami” (nature, many gods or spirits, or ancestors)Present everywhere in creation, unknowable, without form, beyond dogma, found in the heart. merciful.Spiritual force (there is some polytheism in popular Taoism)
How to please God(s)Worship at shrinesGrace enables recognition of God’s word & hence ability to live ethically & devotionally and so earn salvation.
Rewards & punishmentsA peaceful pure life?Mystical union with God (on earth and in afterlife?)Personal peace?
PracticesWorship, prayer & offerings at shrines to various KamiEgalitarian, respect for other religionsMeditation, exercise (tai chi & Kung fu), detachment, festivals
Distinctive ethicsPurity & cleanlinessLove your neighbour, humility, peace, justiceSensitivity, peacefulness, live in harmony with nature.

Baha’i and Buddhism

Baha’iBuddhism
FounderBaha’u’llahThe Buddha
Place & timeMiddle East (Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Syria), 1860s CENepal, 500 BCE
Local religion at the timeIslamHinduism
Written sourcesWritings of Baha’u’llah & others – principally Kitab-l-AqdasTeachings of the Buddha written down much later & not treated as revelation
No. of adherents worldwide2 million376 million
Nature of religionMonotheism with revealed teachings – fulfils Judaism, Christianity and IslamDharmic. Way of life to achieve enlightenment
Nature of God(s)Monotheistic, ethicalDistant, unclear
How to please God(s)Ethical livingEightfold Path between extremes of asceticism & materialism
Rewards & punishmentsLife is a preparation for the next life (does this mean everyone enters afterlife?)Life of acceptance & Nirvana
PracticesPrayer & meditation leading to action – little emphasis on ritual (no churches or priests). Informal meeting every 19 days + festivalsMeditation, disciplined living to reduce suffering (recognising “impermanence, suffering & no-self”)
Distinctive ethicsRational behaviour, peace, equality, tolerance, justiceDetachment, acceptance, meditation

Christianity and Confucianism

ChristianityConfucianism
FounderJesus (Yeshua)K’ung Fu-tzu (Confucius)
Place & timePalestine, 30 CEChina 500 BCE
Local religion at the timeJudaism & Roman polytheism
Written sourcesBible, especially the New TestamentK’ung Fu-tzu’s writings
No. of adherents worldwide2,100 million400 million (combined with Taoism)
Nature of religionMonotheism with revealed teachings – fulfils JudaismTaoic.
Social & political ethics
Nature of God(s)Monotheistic, ethical, personal
How to please God(s)Repentance & faith in Jesus + loving God and loving neighbour
Rewards & punishmentsLife with God in this world and the next (or not)Social harmony
PracticesWeekly meetings, sharing faith & serving othersRespect for ancestors
Distinctive ethicsLove your neighbour, humility, peace, justiceCohesion of society. Living in harmony with environment

Hinduism and Islam

HinduismIslam
FounderBrahmins – the priestly class of the invading AryansMuhammed
Place & timeIndia, about 1500 BCEArabia, 620 CE
Local religion at the timeEvolved from more primitive beliefsTribal polytheism
Written sourcesMany writings, mainly the Vedas (1000 BCE) & Upanishads (500 BCE)Qur’an, written down by Muhammed
No. of adherents worldwide850 million1,200 million
Nature of religionDharmic.
Devotional rituals & tradition to achieve release from cycle of rebirth. 
Monotheism
with revealed beliefs – mixture of corporate & personal worship and ethics
Nature of God(s)Pantheistic & impersonal – life force (Brahmin) and many gods/aspectsMonotheistic, personal, ethical
How to please God(s)Devotion, good works, knowledge & yoga to reduce karma (caused by bad behaviour) & maya (illusion)Five Pillars – profession of faith, prayer/worshp, alms, fasting, pilgrimage to Mecca
Rewards & punishmentsCycle of rebirth until karma dissolved & released.Paradise for believers
PracticesTemples as homes to deities & shrines,
priests & rituals, individual holy men
Five Pillars, Friday prayers at mosque, ritual washing and prayers
Distinctive ethicsDo right, acquire wealth, enjoy pleasure, achieve releaseFive Pillars, Jihad (holy struggle)

Jainism and Judaism

JainismJudaism
FounderMahavira (“great hero”)Abraham & Moses
Place & timeIndia, 550 BCEIraq, 2000 BCE
Local religion at the timeHinduismPolytheism
Written sourcesScriptures, written 100 years after MahaviraThe Law (Torah given by God) & the prophets. The Talmud
No. of adherents worldwide3 million14 million
Nature of religionDharmic. Soul is imprisoned in matter – cycle of rebirth until achieve release, at length, by intense discipline.Monotheism with revealed beliefs – mixture of corporate & personal worship and ethics
Nature of God(s)Distant, unclear – close to atheismMonotheistic, personal, ethical
How to please God(s)Ascetic life as a monk. Lay people can only hope to achieve being a monk in the next lifeObey Law – sacrifices for forgiveness of sins
Rewards & punishmentsSalvation = release from karma & cycle, then union with one’s true selfPleasing or displeasing God
PracticesFasting & extreme asceticism. Temples & images to assist meditation.Worship & sacrifices in temple (but not since temple destroyed in 70 CE) & meetings in Synagogues
Distinctive ethicsDo no harm (non violent & vegetarian), abstain from sex & worldly goods10 Commandments, plus many detailed laws in Law and writings

Parsees/Zoroastrianism and Shinto

ZoroastrianismShinto
FounderZarathustra (not sure if he was a real person)Evolved
Place & timeIran, date unclear,  1200 or 600 BCE?Japan, 0-1000 CE
Local religion at the timeLocal
Written sourcesAvesta (Zarathustra’s teachings, written centuries later)
No. of adherents worldwide2.6 million4 million
Nature of religionMonotheism but dualistic. Ethical, personal.Taoic. Shinto = “the way of the gods”.  Mixture of polytheistic mythology & practical living. Little dogma. Co-exists happily with Buddhism
Nature of God(s)Ahura Mazda (all powerful God)  is oposed by Angra Mainyu & supported by 7 created immortals.Spiritual force manifested in “Kami” (nature, many gods or spirits, or ancestors)
How to please God(s)Ethical livingWorship at shrines
Rewards & punishmentsLife after deathA peaceful pure life?
PracticesRitual prayer & washings, fire ceremonies (fire is the symbol of God’s truth)Worship, prayer & offerings at shrines to various Kami
Distinctive ethicsEducation, devotion, righteousness, non-violence, cleanlinessPurity & cleanliness

Sikhism and Taoism

SikhismTaoism
FounderGuru NanakLao-Tzu (& Chuang Tzu)
Place & timeIndia, 1500 CEChina 300-600 BCE
Local religion at the timeHinduism & IslamLess refined version of same ideas
Written sourcesGuru Granth Sahib (Nanak’s & other Gurus’ teachings, written down later)Writings of Lao-Tzu (Tao Te Ching) & Chuang Tzu
No. of adherents worldwide23 million400 million (combined with Confucianism)
Nature of religionDharmic. Practical religion about living in this world (not ascetic like some other eastern religions).  Cycle of rebirth.Taoic. Tao = “the way”. Mythical religion with strong ethical component, yin & yang. A way to live with little dogma.
Nature of God(s)Present everywhere in creation, unknowable, without form, beyond dogma, found in the heart. merciful.Spiritual force (there is some polytheism in popular Taoism)
How to please God(s)Grace enables recognition of God’s word & hence ability to live ethically & devotionally and so earn salvation.
Rewards & punishmentsMystical union with God (on earth and in afterlife?)Personal peace?
PracticesEgalitarian, respect for other religionsMeditation, exercise (tai chi & Kung fu), detachment, festivals
Distinctive ethicsLove your neighbour, humility, peace, justiceSensitivity, peacefulness, live in harmony with nature.

For more information on the terms “monotheistic”, “darmic” and “taoic”, see the different types of religions.

All photos from MorgueFile: Buddha, Sikh women, Wailing Wall Jerusalem, prayer banners, mosque, priest, lanterns.

Feedback on this page

Was this page helpful to you? little

Comment on this topic or leave a note on the Guest book to let me know you’ve visited.