Religious of the world... (FAITH)
|
Religion/Sect/
Belief System |
Origins & History
|
Adherents Worldwide (approx.)
|
God(s) and Universe
|
Human Situation and Life's Purpose
|
Afterlife
|
Practices
|
Texts
|
More Info
|
|
Various prophet-healing churches
founded since c.1918, West Nigeria.
|
1 million
|
Generally monotheistic; a mix of
Anglican, Pentecostal and traditional African beliefs.
|
Strong emphasis on healing and
salvation in this life through prayer, fasting and other rituals.
|
Not emphasized; views vary.
|
Spiritual healing is central. Mix
of Anglican and African rituals; a prophet plays a prominent role.
|
None
|
Best-Selling Aladura books
 (from Amazon) |
|
|
Revival of Norse and Germanic
paganism, 1970s Scandinavia and USA.
|
unknown
|
Polytheistic, Norse gods and goddesses,
Norse creation myths.
|
Salvation or redemption not
emphasized. Fatalistic view of universe.
|
Valhalla (heaven) for death in
battle; Hel (peaceful place) for most; Hifhel (hell) for the very evil.
|
Sacrifice of food or drink, toast
to the gods, shamanism (less frequently), celebration of solstice holidays.
Nine Noble Virtues is moral code.
|
Eddas (Norse epics); the Havamal (proverbs attributed to Odin)
|
Best-Selling Asatru books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Atheism
|
Appears throughout history
(including ancient Greek philosophy), but especially after the Enlightenment
(19th cent).
|
1.1 billion (this figure includes agnostic
and non-religious, which tend to be grouped on surveys)
|
There is no God or divine being.
Beliefs about the universe usually based on latest scientific findings.
|
Since there is no afterlife, this
one life is of great importance. Only humans can help themselves and each
other solve the world's problems.
|
none
|
none
|
Influential works include those by
Marx, Freud, Feuerbach, and Voltaire. Notable modern authors include Richard
Dawkins and Carl Sagan.
|
Best-Selling Atheism books
(from Amazon) |
|
Founded by Bahá'u'lláh, 1863,
Tehran, Iran.
|
5-7 million
|
One God, who has revealed himself
progressively through major world religions.
|
The soul is eternal and essentially
good. Purpose of life is to develop spiritually and draw closer to God.
|
Soul separates from the body and
begins a journey towards or away from God. Heaven and hell are states of
being.
|
Daily prayer, avoidance of
intoxicants, scripture reading, hard work, education, work for social justice
and equality.
|
Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and other
Bahá'à leaders
|
Best-Selling Bahai books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Indigenous religion of Tibet.
|
100,000
|
Nontheistic Buddhism, but
meditation on peaceful and wrathful deities.
|
Purpose is to gain enlightenment.
|
Reincarnation until gain
enlightenment
|
Meditation on mandalas and Tibetan
deities, astrology, monastic life.
|
Bonpo canon
|
Best-Selling Bon books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Founded by Siddharta Gautama (the
Buddha) in c. 520 BC, NE India.
|
360 million
|
Varies: Theravada atheistic;
Mahayana more polytheistic. Buddha taught nothing is permanent.
|
Purpose is to avoid suffering and
gain enlightenment and release from cycle of rebirth, or at least attain a
better rebirth by gaining merit.
|
Reincarnation (understood
differently than in Hinduism, with no surviving soul) until gain
enlightenment
|
Meditation, mantras, devotion to
deities (in some sects), mandalas (Tibetan)
|
Tripitaka (Pali Canon); Mahayana
sutras like the Lotus Sutra; others.
|
Best-Selling Buddhism books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Religion/Sect/
Belief System |
Origins & History
|
Adherents Worldwide (approx.)
|
God(s) and Universe
|
Human Situation and Life's Purpose
|
Afterlife
|
Practices
|
Texts
|
More Info
|
|
Founded in 1926, Vietnam by Ngo
Van Chieu and others based on a séance.
|
4-6 million
|
God represented by Divine Eye.
Founders of Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity venerated,
and saints including Victor Hugo.
|
Goal is peace and harmony in each
person and in the world. Salvation by "cultivating self and finding God
in self."
|
Reincarnation. Bad karma can lead
to rebirth on a darker planet; good karma to better life on earth. Eventual
attainment of nirvana or heaven.
|
Hierarchy similar to Roman
Catholicism. Daily prayer. Meditation. Communication with spirit world (now
outlawed in Vietnam).
|
Caodai canon
|
Best-Selling Cao Dai books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Indigenous folk religion of China.
|
394 million
|
Dualistic yin and yang;
mythological beings and folk deities.
|
Purpose is a favorable life and
peaceful afterlife, attained through rituals and honoring of ancestors.
|
Judgment, then reincarnation or
temporary hell until gain a Buddhist-type paradise.
|
Ancestor worship, prayer,
longevity practices
, divination, prophecy and
astrology, feng shui.
|
None
|
Best-Selling Chinese Religion books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Founded by Deepak Chopra in 1991,
California
|
unknown
|
monism - God or Supreme Reality
pervades all things; all is unity
|
Humans have limitless potential,
but do not recognize this. Health and success can be had by focusing on whole
self (mind, body, spirit).
|
Reincarnation
|
Yoga, meditation, massage,
nutrition, mindfulness, detox sessions, positive thinking.
|
Deepak Chopra's many books, such
as the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
|
Best-Selling Deepak Chopra books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Founded by Jesus Christ in c. 30
AD, Israel.
|
2 billion
|
One God who is a Trinity of
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
|
All have sinned and are thereby
separated from God. Salvation is through faith in Christ and, for some,
sacraments and good works.
|
Eternal heaven or hell (or
temporary purgatory).
|
Prayer, Bible study, baptism,
Eucharist (Communion), church on Sundays, numerous holidays.
|
The Bible
(Old and New Testaments) |
Best-Selling Christian books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in
1879, Massachusetts.
|
150,000 - 400,000
|
One God. No Trinity (in
traditional sense). Matter and evil do not exist.
|
Salvation is "Life, Truth,
and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all; sin, sickness and
death destroyed."
|
Heaven is "not a locality,
but a divine state of Mind in which all the manifestations of Mind are
harmonious and immortal."
|
Spiritual healing through prayer
and knowledge, Sunday services, daily Bible and Science & Health
reading.
|
Christian Bible, Science &
Health with Key to the Scriptures
|
Best-Selling Christian Science books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Founded by Confucius (551–479 BC),
China
|
5-6 million
|
Not addressed
|
Purpose of life is to fulfill
one's role in society with propriety, honor, and loyalty.
|
Not addressed
|
Honesty, politeness, propriety,
humaneness, perform correct role in society, loyalty to family, nation
|
Analects
|
Best-Selling Confucianism books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Religion/Sect/
Belief System |
Origins & History
|
Adherents Worldwide (approx.)
|
God(s) and Universe
|
Human Situation and Life's Purpose
|
Afterlife
|
Practices
|
Texts
|
More Info
|
|
Deism
 |
Especially popularized in the
18th-cent. Enlightenment under Kant, Voltaire, Paine, Jefferson, and others
|
unknown
|
One Creator God who is
uninterested in the world. Reason is basis for all knowledge.
|
Not addressed
|
Not addressed
|
None prescribed, although some
deists practice prayer.
|
Thomas Paine's The Age of
Reason and similar texts
|
Best-Selling Deism books
(from Amazon) |
|
Druze
 |
Al-Darazi in 11th century, Cairo,
Egypt. Roots in the Isma'iliyya sect of Shia Islam.
|
500,000
|
Universal Intelligence (al-Aql
al-Kulli) or Divine Essence (akin to Neoplatonism), of which al-Hakim is
believed to be an incarnation.
|
Live a good life for a favorable
reincarnation. Await the re-appearance of al-Hakim (a Fatimid caliph who
disappeared in 1021), who will usher in a Golden Age for true believers.
|
Reincarnation. Heaven is a
spiritual existence when one has escaped reincarnation. Hell is distance from
God in lifetime after lifetime.
|
Modest lifestyles, fasting before
Eid al-Adha. Beliefs and practices are hidden for protection from
persecution. Special group of initiates called uqqal.
|
Al-Naqd al-Khafi (Copy of the Secret); Al-Juz'al-Awwal (Essence of
the First)
|
Best-Selling Druze books
(from Amazon) |
|
John Paul Twitchell in 1965, Las
Vegas.
|
50-500,000
|
The Divine Spirit, called
"ECK"
|
"Each of us is Soul, a spark
of God sent to this world to gain spiritual experience." Salvation is
liberation and God-realization.
|
Reincarnation. The Soul is eternal
by nature and on a spiritual journey. Liberation possible in a single
lifetime.
|
Spiritual Exercises of ECK:
mantras, meditation, and dreams. These enable Soul travel and spiritual
growth.
|
Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad and books by Harold Klemp
|
Best-Selling Eckankar books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Epicurus in c.300 BC, Athens.
|
unknown
|
A deistic sort of polytheism: the
gods exist, but take no notice of humans.
|
Materialism: everything is made of
atoms, including gods and the soul.
|
No afterlife. The soul dissolves
when the body dies.
|
Pursue the highest pleasures
(friendship and tranquility) and avoid pain.
|
Letters and Principal Doctrines
of Epicurus
|
Best-Selling Epicureanism books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Li Hongzhi in 1992 in China
|
10 million
|
Countless gods and spiritual
beings. Demonic aliens.
|
The Falun (wheel) is an energy
source located in the navel. Goal is spritual transcendence, achieved by
practicing Falun Gong.
|
Not addressed
|
Five exercises to strengthen the
Falun. Cultivation of truthfulness, benevolence and forbearance. Meat eating
discouraged.
|
Zhuan Falun and other writings by Master Li
|
Best-Selling Falun Gong books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Gnosticism
 |
Various teachers including
Valentinus, 1st-2nd cents. AD
|
ancient form extinct; small modern
revival groups
|
The supreme God is unknowable; the
creator god is evil and matter is evil.
|
Humans can return to the spiritual
world through secret knowledge of the universe.
|
Return to the spiritual world.
|
Asceticism, celibacy
|
Gnostic scriptures including
various Gospels and Acts attributed to apostles.
|
Best-Selling Gnosticism books
(from Amazon) |
|
Variety of religions of ancient
Greeks
|
ancient form extinct
|
Olympic pantheon (Zeus, etc.)
mixed with eastern deities like Isis and Cybele
|
Human life is subject to the whim
of the gods and to Fate; these can be controlled through sacrifice and
divination.
|
Beliefs varied from no afterlife
to shadowy existence in the underworld to a paradise-like afterlife (mainly
in mystery religions).
|
Animal sacrifice, harvest
offerings, festivals, games, processions, dance, plays, in honor of the gods.
Secret initiations and rituals in mystery religions.
|
Epic poems of Homer and Hesiod.
|
Best-Selling Greek Religion books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Religion/Sect/
Belief System |
Origins & History
|
Adherents Worldwide (approx.)
|
God(s) and Universe
|
Human Situation and Life's Purpose
|
Afterlife
|
Practices
|
Texts
|
More Info
|
 |
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,
1966, USA (with roots in 15th-century Hindu movement)
|
250,000-1 million
|
Krishna is the Supreme God.
|
Salvation from this Age of Kali is
by a return to Godhead, accomplished through Krishna-Consciousness.
|
Reincarnation until unite with the
Godhead.
|
Chanting, dancing, evangelism,
vegetarianism, temple worship, monastic-style living.
|
The Bhagavad-Gita As It Is
|
Best-Selling Hare Krishna books (from Amazon) |
|
Indigenous religion of India as
developed to present day.
|
900 million
|
One Supreme Reality (Brahman)
manifested in many gods and goddesses
|
Humans are in bondage to ignorance
and illusion, but are able to escape. Purpose is to gain release from
rebirth, or at least a better rebirth.
|
Reincarnation until gain
enlightenment.
|
Yoga, meditation, worship (puja),
devotion to a god or goddess, pilgrimage to holy cities, live according to
one's dharma (purpose/ role).
|
The Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad
Gita, Ramayana, etc.
|
Best-Selling Hinduism books (from Amazon |
|
|
Muhammad, 622 AD, Saudi Arabia
|
1.3 billion (Sunni: 940 million)
|
One God (Allah in Arabic)
|
Humans must submit (islam)
to the will of God to gain Paradise after death.
|
Paradise or Hell.
|
Five Pillars: Faith, Prayer, Alms,
Pilgrimage, Fasting. Mosque services on Fridays. Ablutions before prayer. No
alcohol or pork. Holidays related to the pilgrimage and fast of Ramadan.
|
Qur'an (Scripture); Hadith (tradition)
|
Best-Selling Islam books from Amazon |
|
|
Mahavira, c. 550 BC, eastern India
|
4 million
|
The universe is eternal; many gods
exist. Gods, humans and all living things are classified in a complex
hierarchy.
|
The soul is uncreated and eternal
and can attain perfect divinity. Purpose is to gain liberation from cycle of
rebirth, by avoiding all bad karma, especially by causing no harm to any
sentient being.
|
Reincarnation until liberation.
|
Monasticism under the Five Great
Vows (Non-Violence, Truth, Celibacy, Non-Stealing, Non-Possessiveness);
worship at temples and at home. Meditation and mantras.
|
The teachings of Mahavira in
various collections.
|
Best-Selling Jainism books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Charles Taze Russell, 1879,
Pittsburgh
|
6.5 million
|
One God, Jehovah. No Trinity -
Christ is the first creation of God; the Holy Spirit is a force.
|
Salvation is through faith in
Christ and obeying Jehovah's laws. The End of the World is soon.
|
Heaven for 144,000 chosen
Witnesses, eternity on new earth for other Witnesses. All others annihilated.
No hell.
|
No blood transfusions, no
celebration of holidays, no use of crosses or religious images. Baptism,
Sunday service at Kingdom Hall, strong emphasis on evangelism.
|
New World Translation of the
Scriptures
|
Best-Selling Jehovah's Witnesses books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Religion/Sect/
Belief System |
Origins & History
|
Adherents Worldwide (approx.)
|
God(s) and Universe
|
Human Situation and Life's Purpose
|
Afterlife
|
Practices
|
Texts
|
More Info
|
|
The religion of the Hebrews (c.
1300 BC), especially after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD.
|
14 million
|
One God, Yahweh (YHVH).
|
Obey God's commandments, live
ethically. Focus is more on this life than the next.
|
Not historically emphasized.
Beliefs vary from no afterlife to shadowy existence to the World to Come
(similar to heaven).
|
Circumcision at birth, bar/bat
mitzvah at adulthood. Synagogue services on Saturdays. No pork or other
non-kosher foods. Holidays related to historical events.
|
Bible (Tanakh), Talmud
|
Best-Selling Judaism books (from Amazon) |
|
 |
c.250 AD (rise of the Mayan
civilization)
|
Historically, up to 2 million.
Some survival today.
|
Many gods, including Itzamná,
Kukulcán, Bolon Tzacab, and Chac
|
Appease and nourish the gods;
determine luckiest dates for various activities.
|
The soul journeys through dark and
threatening underworld; but sacrificial victims and women who die in
childbirth go to heaven.
|
Astronomy, divination, human
sacrifice, elaborate burial for royalty, worship in stone pyramid-temples
|
Dresden, Madrid, and Paris
codices; Books of Chilam Balam; Popol Vuh; The Ritual of the
Bacabs
|
Best-Selling books on Mayan Religion (from Amazon) |
|
Joseph Smith, 1830, New York, USA
|
12.2 million
|
God the Father, the Son Jesus
Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate individual beings
|
Humans existed as spirits before
this life, salvation is returning to God. Salvation by faith in Christ, good
works, ordinances, and evangelism.
|
All return to spirit world for
period of instruction before resurrection. Mormons to heaven with God and
families; others rewarded but not with God; hell for those who reject God
after death.
|
Abstinence from alcohol, tobacco,
coffee and tea; baptism for the dead; eternal marriage; temple garments under
daily clothes; active evangelism.
|
Christian Bible, Book of Mormon,
Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price
|
ReligionFacts section
Best-Selling Mormonism books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Nation of Islam
 |
Wallace Fard Muhammad, 1930,
Detroit, USA
« The letters stand for "Justice, Equality, Freedom, Islam" |
Estimates range from 10,000 to
100,000
|
"One God whose proper name is
Allah." Wallace Fard Muhammad became the divine messiah and incarnation
of Allah in 1930. The Earth is over 76 trillion years old and all land was
once called "Asia."
|
"The Blackman is the original
man" (Message to the Blackman). Live righteously and worship
Allah.
|
Mental resurrection of the
righteous. Black people will be mentally resurrected first.
|
Prayer five times a day. Work for
the equality of the African race. Respect laws of the land, don't carry arms,
don't make war. Healthy living and abstinence from alcohol, smoking and
substance abuse. Modest dress.
|
Qur'an and "Scriptures of all
the Prophets of God" are holy texts. Influential writings include Elijah
Muhammad's Message to the Blackman in America (1965)
|
Best-Selling Nation of Islam books
(from Amazon) |
|
New Age
|
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and
Annie Besant in the 19th C, Alice A. Bailey (1880-1949), flourished in 1970s
and 80s
|
5 million (very approximate)
|
The Divine is an impersonal life
force that pervades all things
|
Dawning of a New Age of heightened
consciousness and international peace. Individuals can obtain a foretaste of
the New Age through spiritual transformation ("Ascension"). More
emphasis on the latter now. Evil comes from ignorance.
|
Reincarnation based on karma
|
Astrology; mysticism; use of
crystals; yoga; tarot readings; holistic medicine; psychic abilities; angelic
communications; channeling; amulets; fortune-telling
|
Works of a variety of New Age
writers
|
Best-Selling New Age books
(from Amazon) |
|
Phineas Parkhurst Quimby (1802-66)
and others, late 19th century, USA.
|
160,000
|
Generally monism (all is One), but
members might be theists, pantheists or panentheists. God is immanent; the
universe is essentially spiritual.
|
Man is divine, essentially spirit,
and has infinite possibility. Mind can control the body. Sin and sickness
caused by incorrect thinking. Man can live in oneness with God in love,
truth, peace, health, and prosperity.
|
"Life is eternal in the
invisible kingdom of God."
|
Emphasis on spiritual and mental
healing, but without rejection of modern medicine. Worship services; prayer
for the sick; discussion of New Thought authors and ideas.
|
Writings of Quimby (such as the The
Quimby Manuscripts) and other New Thought authors
|
ReligionFacts article
Best-Selling New Thought books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Religion/Sect/
Belief System |
Origins & History
|
Adherents Worldwide (approx.)
|
God(s) and Universe
|
Human Situation and Life's Purpose
|
Afterlife
|
Practices
|
Texts
|
More Info
|
|
Teachings of Marcus Garvey (1920s,
Jamaica) and coronation of Haile Selassie (1930, Ethiopia)
|
1 million
|
God is Jah, who became incarnate
in Jesus (who was black) and Haile Selassie.
|
Humans are temples of Jah.
Salvation is primarily in this world and consists of liberation from
oppression and return to Africa.
|
Some Rastas will experience
"everliving" (physical immortality). Heaven is a return to Eden,
which is in Africa.
|
Many practices based on Jewish
biblical Law. Abstinence from most or all meat, artificial foods, and
alcohol. Use of marijuana in religious rituals and for medicine. Wearing of
dreadlocks.
|
Holy Piby (the "Blackman's
Bible). The Ethiopian epic Kebra Negast also revered.
|
Best-Selling Rastafari books (from Amazon) |
|
 |
The Church of Satan was founded in
1966 by Anton LaVey
|
The Church of Satan doesn't make
membership numbers public
|
Atheistic and/or agnostic
|
Nine Satanic Statements
|
N/A
|
Rituals, church meetings,
questioning authority
|
The Satanic Bible
|
Best-Selling Satanism books (from Amazon) |
|
L. Ron Hubbard, 1954, California
|
70,000 or several million,
depending on the source
|
God(s) not specified; reality
explained in the Eight Dynamics
|
Human consists of body, mind and
thetan; capable of great things.
Gain spiritual freedom by ridding mind of engrams. |
Reincarnation
|
Auditing, progressing up various
levels until "clear". Focus on education and drug recovery programs.
|
Writings of Hubbard, such as Dianetics
and Scientology
|
Best-Selling Scientology books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Rooted in Millerite movement;
founded 1863 in New England; early leaders: Ellen White, Hiram Edson and
Joseph Bates
|
10 million [source]
|
One God who is a Trinity of
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
|
Second Coming of Christ is imminent;
salvation is by faith in Christ; emphasis on quality of life both now and in
afterlife
|
A "peaceful pause" after
death until the coming of Christ, then resurrection to judgment, followed by
eternity in heaven or nonexistence. No hell.
|
Sabbath observance on Saturdays;
healthful lifestyle; baptism by immersion
|
Christian Bible; later prophets
like Ellen White are inspired and authoritative when tested against
Scriptures
|
Best-Selling Seventh-Day Adventist books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Indigenous religion of Japan.
|
3-4 million
|
Polytheism based on the kami,
ancient gods or spirits.
|
Humans are pure by nature and can
keep away evil through purification rituals and attain good things by calling
on the kami.
|
Death is bad and impure. Some
humans become kami after death.
|
Worship and offerings to kami at
shrines and at home. Purification rituals.
|
Important texts are Kojiki
or 'Records of Ancient Matters' and Nihon-gi or 'Chronicles of Japan'
|
Best-Selling Shinto books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Religion/Sect/ Belief System
|
Origins & History
|
Adherents Worldwide (approx.)
|
God(s) and Universe
|
Human Situation and Life's Purpose
|
Afterlife
|
Practices
|
Texts
|
More Info
|
|
Guru Nanak, c. 1500 AD, Punjab,
India.
|
23 million
|
One God (Ik Onkar, Nam)
|
Overcome the self, align life with
will of God, and become a "saint soldier," fighting for good.
|
Reincarnation until resolve karma
and merge with God.
|
Prayer and meditation on God's
name, services at temple (gurdwara), turban and five Ks. Balance work,
worship, and charity. No monasticism or asceticism.
|
Adi Granth (Sri Guru Granth Sahib)
|
Best-Selling Sikhism books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Spiritualism, a.k.a. Spiritism
|
Modern movement: c.1850, USA, UK,
France
|
11 million
|
Beliefs vary, but generally based
in a Christian worldview.
|
Body and spirit are separate
entities. Morality and contact with spirits affect afterlife.
|
A spiritual existence with access
to the living. Condition depends on morality of life and advancement is
possible.
|
Sunday services. Seances and other
communication with departed spirits. Spirit healing.
|
No authoritative texts. Doctrine
learned from spirit guides (advanced departed spirits).
|
Best-Selling Spiritism books
(from Amazon) |
|
Zeno in c.313 BC, Athens.
|
unknown
|
Pantheism: the logos pervades the universe.
|
Purpose is happiness, achieved by
virtue, i.e., living reasonably.
|
Possible continued existence of
the Soul, but not a personal existence.
|
Ethical and philosophical
training, self-reflection, careful judgment and inner calm.
|
Fragments of founders plus later
writers like Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius.
|
Best-Selling Stoicism books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Lao-Tzu, c. 550 BC, China.
|
20 million
(394 million adherents of Chinese religion) |
Pantheism - the Tao pervades all.
Yin-yang - opposites make up a unity.
|
Purpose is inner harmony, peace,
and longevity. Acheived by living in accordance with the Tao.
|
Revert back to state of non-being,
which is simply the other side of being.
|
General attitude of detachment and
non-struggle, "go with the flow" of the Tao. Tai-chi, acupuncture,
and alchemy to help longevity.
|
Tao Te Ching, Chuang-Tzu
|
Best-Selling Taoism books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Sun Myung Moon, 1954, South Korea.
|
Over 1 million (3 million acc. to
official sources)
|
Monotheism, with the duality of
God (esp. masculine and feminine) emphasized. No Trinity doctrine.
|
Purpose is true love and world
peace instead of selfish love. True love and the kingdom of God on earth will
be restored by the creation of "true families."
|
Eternal life in a spirit world.
|
Blessing Ceremony
|
The Divine Principle (1954) by Rev. Moon.
|
Best-Selling Unification Church books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Formal merger of Unitarians and
Universalists in 1961, USA.
|
800,000
|
Not specified. Members might
believe in one God, many gods, or no God.
|
Salvation is "spiritual
health or wholeness." Members seek "inner and outer peace,"
insight, health, compassion and strength.
|
Not specified. Some believe in an
afterlife, some do not. Very few believe in hell - "Universalism"
indicates the belief that all will be saved.
|
Ceremonies for marriages,
funerals, etc. Church services have elements from various religions. Emphasis
on civil rights, social justice, equality and environment. Most UUs are
anti-death penalty and pro-gay rights.
|
Many sacred texts are revered by
various members; some none at all. The Bible is the most commonly used text.
|
Best-Selling Unitarian Universalism books (from Amazon) |
|
|
Based on ancient pagan beliefs,
but modern form founded early 1900s. Founder generally said to be Gerald
Gardner.
|
1-3 million
|
Polytheism, centered on the
Goddess and God, each in various forms; also a belief in a Supreme Being over
all
|
"If it harms none, do what
you will."
|
Reincarnation until reach the
Summerland
|
Prayer, casting a circle, Drawing
Down the Moon, reciting spells, dancing, singing, sharing cakes and wine or
beer
|
No sacred text; foundational texts
include The Witch Cult in Western Europe and The God of the Witches
|
Best-Selling Wicca books from Amazon |
|
|
Zoroaster in c.6th cent. BC,
Persia. Official religion of ancient Persia. May have influenced Judaism and
Vedic religion.
|
c. 200,000
|
One God, Ahura Mazda, but a
dualistic worldview in which an evil spirit, Angra Mainyu, is almost as
powerful.
|
Humans are free to do good or
evil, must choose the side of good.
|
Judgment followed by heaven or
hell. Hell is temporary until final purgation and return to Ahura Mazda.
|
Good deeds, charity, equality,
hard work.
|
Zend Avesta
|
Best-Selling Zoroastrianism books (from Amazon) |
|
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment
Leave a comment here.