world religion day

Religion can be a controversial topic, especially when people aren't educated on the topic. So, since it's World Religion Day this month I decided to write an article with some information on not only the mainstream religions, but some less common ones too. I believe everyone should have at least some knowledge on religion as its such a big part of our lives, even if we're not religious ourselves.


Christianity
* Population: Christianity is the largest religion with 31.5% (2.1 billion) of the worlds population following the faith.
* Gods: Christians believe that there is only one God and they follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
* Practices: Prayer, attending Church on Sundays, baptism, holidays (Easter, Christmas, etc..)
* Aferlife: Along with Heaven and Hell, Christians believe in resurrection - which means to rise again.
* Texts: The Bible
Catholicism


Catholics generally believe in the same thing as Christians, however there are a few little changes.
* Population: 1.2 billion
* Gods: They believe in one God and that Jesus is the son of God. Unlike Christians, they believe that God speaks through the Pope and the Catholic Church as well as the Bible.
* Practices: Prayer, mass, baptism, confessions, contemplation
* Afterlife: Catholics believe in tempoary purgatory - reffering to a place between Heaven and Hell where the fate of someone's soul is decided.
* Texts: The Bible


Mormonism
The Mormon faith also centres around Jesus Christ, but there are significant differences to Christianity and Catholicism.
* Population: There are over 12 million Mormons in the world, most of which are in America.
* Gods: Mormons believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. They believe that to return to God, they must follow the teachings of Jesus.
* Practices: Absinence (from alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea), baptism, eternal marriage, active evangelism
* Aferlife: After going to the spirit world, Mormons go to Heaven to be with God and family wheras those who reject God will go to Hell.
* Texts: The Bible


Amish
Like Catholics and Mormons, Amish people are a part of the Christian comminuty. However they have some differences to the other faiths.
* Population: 308,030
* Gods: Jesus and the Holy Trinity (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit)
* Practices: Baptism, the Bible, communion, evangelism, seperation from society and modern appliances, worship service
* Afterlife: Heaven and Hell
* Texts: The Bible


Agnosticism
Agnostics believe that nothing is, or can be, known about the existence of God. They are also known as doubters or questioners.
* Population: Unknown
* Gods: None. They believe that unless there is scientific proof, there is no God.
* Practices: They do not have set rules. Agnostics do not have set Holidays but will celebrate holidays to do with their cultures or families.
* Afterlife: Opinions and theories differ between indivuduals
* Texts: None


Atheism
Atheism is defined as the lack in belief of existance of God. This can either be by choice, or by lack of knowledge.
* Population: Between 850 million to 1.1 billion
* Gods: None
* Practices: Atheists do not have any traditons or rituals as they are not technically religious. However, like Agnostics, they celebrate certain holidays to do with their cultures and family.
* Afterlife: Generally atheists believe there is no afterlife, however opinions are different for each individual.
* Texts: None

Spiritualism
Spiritualism is the belief that the spirits of the dead can communicate with the living.
* Population: 11 million
* Gods: Generally believes in the Christian God, but this isn't a requirement and beliefs can differ between people.
* Practices: Seances, spirit healing, communicating with the dead
* Afterlife: Spirits have access to the living
* Texts: Spirit guides

Jehovahs Witnesses
They believe that Jesus is the exact representation of God, but is seperate and not a part of a trinity. They also believe that Christ was the first creation by God.
* Population: 6.5 million
* Gods: Jehovah
* Practices:
* Afterlife: Heaven for those who are a part of their faith. All others are annihiliated and there is no hell.
* Texts: New World Translation of the Scriptures

Judaism
Judaism is an ancient monotheistic religion and Jews were the first to believe that there is only one God.
* Population: 14 million
* Gods: Yahwah
* Practices: Circumcision at birth, bar mitzvah at adulthood, observing Sabbath, prayer
* Afterlife: Views can vary from no afterlife, reincarnation, world to come (similar to heaven) and gehanna (similar to hell).
* Texts: Hebrew Bible, Talmund

Islam
The word Islam means 'submission to the will of God'
* Population: 1.6 billion - Islam is the second largest religion in the world.
* Gods: Allah - Muslims believe that there is only one God.
* Practices: Mosque servies on Fridays, ablutions before prayer, no alcohol or pork, the fast of Ramadan, pilgrimage
* Afterlife: Eternal paradise and eternal hell
* Texts: Qur'an, Hadith

Hinduism
Hinduism has been called the oldest religion on Earth. Some people call it "the eternal law" and that it is beyond human origins.
* Population: 1 billion
* Gods: One Supreme Reality (Brahman) manifested in several Gods and Goddesses.
* Practices: Yoga, meditation, worship, devotion to a God/Goddess, pilgrimage to holy cities, live according to one's dharma (purpose)
* Afterlife: Reincarnation until you gain enlightenment.
* Texts: Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana

Sikhism
Sihkism originated in the Punjab region of India during the 15th century, making it one of the youngest of the major world religions.
* Population: 23 million
* Gods: Ik Onkar
* Practices: Prayer, mediation, sevices at the temple (Gurdwara), having unshorn body hair, the five K's (Kesh, Kanga, Kara, Kachera, Kirpan)
* Afterlife: Reincarnation until you resolve karma.
* Texts: Adi Granth

Buddhism
Buddhists focus on personal spiritual development. They strive for a deep insight into the true nature of life.
* Population: 495 million
* Gods: There are several Buddhist Gods, however the most known is Buddha.
* Practices: Meditation, mantras, devotion to deities, mandalas, prayers, vegetarianism
* Afterlife: Rebirth. They also believe in Nirvana which is seen in two different ways: either cessation of suffering or heavenly paradise.
* Texts: Tripkata, Mahayana Sutras

Satanism
Satanism is misconcepted as the worship of Satan, however this isnt always the case. Most Satanists are atheists who consider the Devil as a symbol for individualism and freedom.
* Population: Unknown
* Gods: None.
* Practices: the nine satanic statements and the eleven satanic rules of Earth.
* Afterlife: None. Satanists try to enjoy life as it is as they believe that death is the end.
* Texts: The Satanic Bible

Taoism
Taoism the the acceptance of life. The aim is to live life, discover who you are and have inner harmony and peace.
* Population: 20 million
* Gods: None. Some Taoists believe in God(s) but it is not a requirement of the religion.
* Practices: General attitude of deatachment and non-struggle (to just go with the flow)
* Afterlife: Revert back to the state of non-being.
* Texts: Kojiki, Nihon-gi


And there we go! There's my little overview on not only the major world religions, but also some of the
lesser known ones.
I would just like to remind everyone that every single person matters, regarldess of gender, race, sexual orientation or even religion. We should all aim to be the best we can be. There is no need to judge and discriminate others for things they cannot change. You never know what someone is going through.
So, please, do something nice for a stranger today. You may just make them smile.

I hope you all have a wonderful week.
Stay smiling!
-Riley