Major Religions

Christianity

2.2 billion largest in the world

Call themselves- Christians

Located- in Europe, the Americas, Southern Africa

Founder- Jesus Christ

Holy book- The Bible, especially the New Testament

Beliefs- Jesus is both human and divine- the Son Of God; he led a virtuous life; he was crucified, died, buried and resurrected

Clergy- the pope is head of the church, priests are local authorities

Islam

1.5 billion (second largest)

Call themselves- Muslims

Located- in Indonesia, Middle East, North Africa

Founder- Muhammad (570-632)

Holy Book- Qur'an

Beliefs- monotheistic, Abrahamic Five Pillars (testimony, prayer, alms-giving, fasting, pilgrimage) ; Muslims see their purpose in life as serving and submitting to Allah(God), and observing Islamic law

 

Hinduism

1.1 billion (third largest)

Call themselves- Hindus

Located- in India or Nepal

Holy Book- The Vedas- eternal truth revealed to ancient sages; memorized and composed in verse form 

Founder- no district founder--- it is a series of intellectual or philosophical points of view, also believe in Recantation

Buddhism

500 million to 1.5 billion (vary)

Call themselves- Buddhist

Located- south Asia, china, Nepal, Japan, (there are 1.2 million in the U.S

Founder- Siddhartha Gautama

Denomination- Tibetan, Zen, Theravada, Amidst