- "Religion is a range of social-cultural systems, including designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relate humanity to supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements."
The study of religious and spiritual practices and beliefs in different cultures, often with an emphasis on their significance in shaping culture and social practices.
Mythology: The study of myths and religious stories used to explain the creation of the world and the nature of humanity.
Culture: Understanding the ways in which culture influences religion and spirituality, and the ways in which religion and spirituality shape culture.
Philosophy of Religion: The study of the nature of religion, including the existence of God, the role of belief, and the relationship between religion and morality.
Religious Traditions: The study of major world religions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and their beliefs and practices.
Anthropology of Religion: The study of how religion shapes the social and cultural lives of people around the world.
Comparative Religion: The study of similarities and differences between various religious traditions.
Spirituality and Mysticism: The study of the ways in which people experience the divine or spiritual reality beyond the physical world.
Shamanism and Healing: The study of traditional forms of healing and spiritual practices used by indigenous cultures.
Ethics and Values: The study of moral beliefs and values within various religions and spiritual traditions.
Theology: The study of the nature of God, religious beliefs, and the ways in which they are expressed in different religions and spiritual traditions.
Christianity: This is a monotheistic religion that follows the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity is based on the belief that Jesus died for the sins of humanity and rose from the dead, offering eternal life to those who believe in him.
Islam: This is a monotheistic religion that follows the teachings of the prophet Muhammad. Islam is based on the belief in one God, Allah, and the importance of following the Five Pillars of Islam, including prayer, charity, pilgrimage, fasting, and belief in God.
Hinduism: This is a polytheistic religion that originated in India. Hinduism is based on the belief in one supreme being, Brahman, who is represented by countless gods and goddesses. Hinduism also emphasizes the importance of karma and reincarnation.
Buddhism: This is a non-theistic religion that originated in India. Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha. Buddhism emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, compassion, and the attainment of enlightenment.
Judaism: This is a monotheistic religion that follows the teachings of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. Judaism is based on the belief in one God and the importance of following the Ten Commandments and other Jewish laws.
Taoism: This is a philosophy and religion that originated in China. Taoism is based on the belief in the Tao, which refers to the natural order of the universe. Taoism emphasizes the importance of harmony, simplicity, and living in balance with nature.
Confucianism: This is a philosophy and religion that originated in China. Confucianism is based on the teachings of Confucius, who emphasized the importance of morality, education, and social order.
Shintoism: This is a religion that originated in Japan. Shintoism is based on the belief in numerous gods and goddesses, as well as the importance of nature and ancestors.
Sikhism: This is a monotheistic religion that originated in India. Sikhism is based on the teachings of ten gurus, with the most important being Guru Nanak. Sikhism emphasizes the importance of serving others and living a virtuous life.
Indigenous religions: There are countless indigenous religions around the world, each based on the beliefs and customs of a specific group of people. These religions often emphasize the importance of nature, community, and ancestors.
- "Although there is no scholarly consensus over what precisely constitutes a religion."
- "Religious practices may include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration (of deities or saints), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, matrimonial and funerary services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, or public service."
- "Religions have sacred histories and narratives, which may be preserved in sacred texts, symbols, and holy places, that primarily aim to give life meaning."
- "Religions may contain symbolic tales that may attempt to explain the origin of life, the universe, and other phenomena; some followers believe these to be true stories."
- "Four religions—Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism—account for over 77% of the world's population."
- "92% of the world either follows one of those four religions or identifies as nonreligious."
- "The religiously unaffiliated demographic includes those who do not identify with any particular religion, atheists, and agnostics, although many in the demographic still have various religious beliefs."
- "A portion of the world's population, mostly located in Africa and Asia, are members of new religious movements."
- "The study of religion comprises a wide variety of academic disciplines, including theology, philosophy of religion, comparative religion, and social scientific studies."
- "Most definitively including the Abrahamic religions Christianity, Islam, and Judaism."
- "Nearly all of them have regionally based, relatively small followings."
- "Traditionally, both faith and reason have been considered sources of religious beliefs."
- "Scholars have indicated that global religiosity may be increasing due to religious countries having generally higher birth rates."
- "Both faith and reason have been considered sources of religious beliefs."
- "Religious practices may include rituals, commemorations or veneration (of deities or saints), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, matrimonial and funerary services..."
- "Although there is an estimated 10,000 distinct religions worldwide, nearly all of them have regionally based, relatively small followings."
- "Religion is a range of social-cultural systems that generally relate humanity to supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements."
- "Different religions may or may not contain various elements ranging from the divine, sacredness, faith, and a supernatural being or beings."
- "Religions have sacred histories and narratives, which may be preserved in sacred texts, symbols, and holy places."