Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are all monotheistic religions founded in the Middle East.

Often grouped together as Abrahamic religions,"

these three faiths share common history and traditions, a respect for the Bible, a conviction that there is one God, a belief in prophets and divine
revelation, and a holy city in Jerusalem, among other things. But Christianity, Islam and Judaism also differ significantly in matters of belief and
practice, from their understanding of God to the identity of the prophets and Jesus and the authority of various scriptures. The following chart is
intended to be a starting point for understanding these ancient religions and their relationships to one another.
Christianity

Islam

Judaism

origins

Based on life and teachings of Jesus of Based on teachings of the Prophet

Nazareth, c. 30 CE, Roman province
Muhammad; founded 622 CE in
of Palestine.
Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The religion of the Hebrews (c. 1300

BC), especially after the destruction of
the Second Temple in 70 AD.

major splits

Catholic-Orthodox (1054); CatholicProtestant (1500s)

Shia-Sunni (c. 650 CE)

Reform-Orthodox (1800s CE)

original
language

Aramaic and Greek

Arabic

Hebrew

adherents

2 billion

1.3 billion

14 million

texts

Bible (Hebrew Bible + New

Testament)

Qur'an (Scripture); Hadith (tradition)

Hebrew Bible (Tanakh); Talmud

god(s)

Holy Trinity = God the Father + God

One God (Allah in Arabic); the same

God revealed (imperfectly) in the

One God: Yahweh (YHVH)

Christianity

Islam

Judaism

the Son + God the Holy Spirit

Jewish and Christian Bibles

Jesus was

Son of God. Savior. Messiah. Second

person of the Trinity. Incarnation of
God. Word of God.

True prophet sent by God, but message false prophet

corrupted and superseded by
Muhammad.

birth of
Jesus

virgin birth

virgin birth

normal birth

death of
Jesus

normal death plus spiritual suffering

did not die; ascended into heaven

during crucifixion

normal death

house of
worship

church or chapel

mosque

synagogue or temple

main day of
worship

Sunday

Friday

Saturday

There are two main branches of Islam: Sunni and Shi'a. Sunni Islam is by far the largest group, although in some countries it is a minority.
Sunnis have their historical roots in the majority group who followed Abu Bakr, an effective leader, as the successor of Muhammad, instead of
his cousin and son-in-law Ali. Shi'ites are those who followed Ali, the closest relative of Muhammad, as Muhammad's successor.

Shi'a

Sunni

name means

"party" or "partisans" (of Ali)

"tradition"

adherents are called

Shi'ites, Shi'i

Sunnis

adherents

120 million

940 million

percentage of parent
religion

10%

90%

holy cities

Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, Najaf, Karbala

Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem

major branches

Ithna 'Ashariyah (Twelvers; the largest), Isma'iliyah and

Zaydiyah

four major schools of Muslim law are

recognized

authority after Scripture

infallible imams

ijma' (consensus) of the Muslim

community

true successor of the

prophet

'Ali ibn Abi Talib, husband of the Prophet's daughter Fatimah

(designated by the Prophet)

Abu Bakr, father of the Prophet's wife

'A'ishah (elected by people of Medina)

Shi'a

Sunni

view of imams

infallible manifestations of God and perfect interpreters of the

Qur'an

human leaders

Messiah

was born in 869, is currently the "hidden imam" who works

will come in the future; identity is known
through mujtahids to intepret Qur'an; and will return at the end of only to Allah
time

mut'ah (temporary
marriage)

still practiced

practiced in the Prophet's time, but now

rejected

taqiya (concealing faith

for self-protection)

emphasized

affirmed under certain circumstances

The Big Religion Chart: Compare World Religions

The ReligionFacts Big Religion Chart is an attempt to summarize a selection of religions as concisely as possible for
purposes of quick comparison. It is not intended to be a substitute for advanced religious study and exploration. Our hope
is that this chart simply serves as a useful starting point to compare and understand the world's religions. Currently, 45
religions and belief systems are compared in this chart. Please note that, as throughout ReligionFacts, we have been
quite inclusive. Some groups listed here may not properly be called religions. Conversely, if a group is not included in
the Big Religion Chart, it doesn't mean it's not a religion or doesn't matter - the chart is not comprehensive. Links in the
chart lead to ReligionFacts articles, where you can find more information and references for the basic data compared
here.

Origins

Adheren
ts

Aladur
a

Founded
1 million
c.1918 among
the Yoruba
people of West
Nigeria, as a
reaction
against
established
Anglicanism.

Amish

Originated in
Switzerland
with the strict

God(s)

Human Life

Generally
Strong emphasis on
monotheistic; a mix healing and salvation in
of Anglican,
this life.
Pentecostal and
traditional African
beliefs.

290,100
(see Christianity)
(Old Order
Amish)

Afterlife

Not emphasized;
views vary.

Emphasis on humility,
(see Christianity)
simplicity, submission to
God, and avoiding vanity

Practices

Texts

Spiritual healing is
central. Mix of Anglican
and African rituals; a
prophet plays a
prominent role.

none

Communion twice a
year; foot washing;
separation from the

Christian Bible

Origins

Adheren
ts

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

teachings of
Jakob Amman,
which led to a
split from
Mennonites in
1693.

Practices

Texts

world; speak German and

Pennsylvania Dutch; no
electricity; plain clothes
like 17th-century
European peasants;
"Running Around"
before baptism at age 1720; shunning

Asatru

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 outlook.

atheis
m

Appears
throughout
history
(including
ancient Greek
philosophy),
but especially
after the
Enlightenment
(19th cent).

1.1 billion
(including
agnostic
and nonreligious,
which tend
to be
grouped on
surveys)

There is no God,
not addressed
gods, or divine
being. Beliefs about
the universe and its
origins are based on
latest scientific
findings.

Valhalla (heaven) for

death in battle; Hel
(peaceful place) for
most; Hifhel (hell) for
the very evil.

Sacrifice of food or
Eddas (Norse epics);
drink, toast to the gods,
the Havamal (proverbs
shamanism (less
attributed to Odin)
frequently), celebration
of solstice holidays. Nine
Noble Virtues is moral
code.

none

none

Notable atheist works

include those of
Epicurius, Bertrand
Russell, Carl Sagan,
Richard Dawkins,
Christopher Hitchens.

Origins

Baha'i

Founded by
Bah'u'llh,
1863, Tehran,
Iran.

Origins

Adheren
ts

God(s)

5-7 million One God, who has

revealed himself
progressively
through major
world religions.

Adheren
ts

God(s)

Nontheistic
Buddhism, but
meditation on
peaceful and
wrathful deities.

Human Life

The soul is eternal and

essentially good. Purpose
of life is to develop
spiritually and draw
closer to God.

Human Life

Bon

Indigenous
religion of
Tibet.

100,000

Buddhi
sm

Based on
teachings of
Siddharta
Gautama (the
Buddha) in c.
520 BC, NE
India.

360 million Varies: Theravada

atheistic; Mahayana
more polytheistic.
Buddha taught
nothing is
permanent.

Cao

Founded in

4-6 million God represented by Goal is peace and

Afterlife

Soul separates from

the body and begins a
journey towards or
away from God.
Heaven and hell are
states of being.

Afterlife

Practices

Daily prayer, avoidance

of intoxicants, scripture
reading, hard work,
education, work for
social justice and
equality.

Practices

Texts

Writings of Bah'u'llh
and other Bah'
leaders.

Texts

Purpose is to gain
enlightenment.

Reincarnation until
gain enlightenment.

Meditation on mandalas
and Tibetan deities,
astrology, monastic life.

Bonpo canon

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.

Reincarnation. Bad

Hierarchy similar to

Caodai canon

Origins

Dai

1926, Vietnam
by Ngo Van
Chieu and
others based
on a sance.

Chopra
Center

Founded by
Deepak
Chopra in
1991,
California

Adheren
ts

unknown

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

Practices

Divine Eye.
Founders of
Buddhism, Taoism,
Hinduism, Islam,
and Christianity
venerated, and
saints including
Victor Hugo.

harmony in each person

and in the world.
Salvation by "cultivating
self and finding God in
self."

karma can lead to

rebirth on a darker
planet; good karma to
better life on earth.
Eventual attainment
of nirvana or heaven.

Roman Catholicism.
Daily prayer. Meditation.
Communication with
spirit world (now
outlawed in Vietnam).

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.

Texts

Deepak Chopra's many

books, such as the
Seven Spiritual Laws
of Success

Christa
delphia
n

Origins

Christi
an

Founded by
Mary Baker

Adheren
ts

150,000 400,000

God(s)

One God. No
Trinity (in

Human Life

Afterlife

Salvation is "Life, Truth, Heaven is "not a

and Love understood and locality, but a divine

Practices

Spiritual healing through

prayer and knowledge,

Texts

Christian Bible,
Science & Health with

Origins

Adheren
ts

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

Practices

Sunday services, daily

Bible and Science &
Health reading.

Texts

Science

Eddy in 1879,
Massachusetts.

traditional sense).
Matter and evil do
not exist.

demonstrated as supreme state of Mind in

over all; sin, sickness
which all the
and death destroyed."
manifestations of
Mind are harmonious
and immortal."

Key to the Scriptures

Christi
anity

Based on life 2 billion

and teachings
of Jesus of
Nazareth, c.
30 CE, Roman
province of
Palestine.

Holy Trinity = God

the Father + God
the Son + God the
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 Prayer, Bible study,

Bible (Hebrew Bible +
(or temporary
baptism, Eucharist
New Testament)
purgatory).
(Communion), church on
Sundays, numerous
holidays.

Church
of
Satan

Anton LaVey unknown

in San
Francisco,
California on
April 30, 1966

atheistic; neither
God nor Satan
exists; "Satan" is
not a being but a
concept

man is just another

animal; pursue
gratification

none

church membership of
The Satanic Bible
various degrees;
priesthood; no killling
animals except for
defense or food; kindness
to those who deserve it

Confuc
ianism

Based on
5-6 million Not addressed
teachings of
Confucius
(K'ung-fu-tzu)
in China, 5th

Purpose of life is to
fulfill one's role in
society with propriety,
honor, and loyalty.

Not addressed

Honesty, politeness,
Analects
propriety, humaneness,
perform correct role in
society, loyalty to family,

Origins

Adheren
ts

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

century BCE

Deism

Druze

Al-Darazi in
11th century,
Cairo, Egypt.
Roots in the
Isma'iliyya
sect of Shia
Islam.

Texts

nation

Especially
unknown
popularized in
the 18th-cent.
Enlightenment
under Kant,
Voltaire,
Paine,
Jefferson, and
others

Origins

Practices

Adheren
ts
500,000

One Creator God

who is uninterested
in the world.
Reason is basis for
all knowledge.

God(s)

Universal
Intelligence (al-Aql
al-Kulli) or Divine
Essence (akin to
Neoplatonism), of
which al-Hakim is
believed to be an
incarnation.

not addressed

Human Life

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.

not addressed

Afterlife

Reincarnation.
Heaven is a spiritual
existence when one
has escaped
reincarnation. Hell is
distance from God in
lifetime after lifetime.

None prescribed,
although some deists
practice prayer.

Practices

Modest lifestyles, fasting

before Eid al-Adha.
Beliefs and practices are
hidden for protection
from persecution. Special
group of initiates called
uqqal.

Thomas Paine's The

Age of Reason and
similar texts

Texts

Al-Naqd al-Khafi
(Copy of the Secret);
Al-Juz'al-Awwal
(Essence of the First)

Origins

Adheren
ts

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

Practices

Texts

Eckank
ar

Founded by
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 Godrealization.

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.

Epicur
eanism

Based on
teachings of
Epicurus
(c.300 BCE),
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.

None. No afterlife.
The soul dissolves
when the body dies.

Pursue the highest

Letters and Principal
pleasures (friendship and Doctrines of Epicurus
tranquility) and avoid
pain.

Falun
Gong

Founded by Li 10 million
Hongzhi in
1992 in China.

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
Zhuan Falun and other
strengthen the Falun.
writings by Master Li
Cultivation of
truthfulness, benevolence
and forbearance. Meat
eating discouraged.

Gnostic
ism

Various
teachers
including
Valentinus,
1st-2nd
centuries CE.

The supreme God

is unknowable; the
creator god is evil
and matter is evil.

Humans can return to the Return to the spiritual Asceticism, celibacy

spiritual world through
world.
secret knowledge of the
universe.

Origins

ancient
form
extinct;
small
modern
revival
groups
Adheren
ts

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

Practices

Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad
and books by Harold
Klemp.

Gnostic scriptures
including various
Gospels and Acts
attributed to apostles.

Texts

Origins

Adheren
ts

ancient
form
extinct

God(s)

GrecoRoman
Religio
n

Variety of
religions of
ancient
Greeks.

Hare
Krishn
a

Bhaktivedanta 250,000-1
Swami
million
Prabhupada,
1966, USA
(with roots in
15th-century
Hindu
movement)

Hindui
sm

Indigenous
religion of
India as
developed to
present day.

900 million One Supreme

Reality (Brahman)
manifested in many
gods and goddesses

Islam

Based on
teachings of
the Prophet
Muhammad;
founded 622
CE in Mecca,

1.3 billion

Human Life

Afterlife

Practices

Texts

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.

Krishna is the
Supreme God.

Salvation from this Age

of Kali is by a return to
Godhead, accomplished
through KrishnaConsciousness.

Reincarnation until
unite with the
Godhead.

Chanting, dancing,
evangelism,
vegetarianism, temple
worship, monastic-style
living

The Bhagavad-Gita As
It Is

Humans are in bondage Reincarnation until

to ignorance and illusion, gain enlightenment.
but are able to escape.
Purpose is to gain release
from rebirth, or at least a
better rebirth.

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.

Humans must submit

Resurrection of body
(islam) to the will of God and soul followed by
to gain Paradise after
Paradise or Hell
death.

Five Pillars: Faith,

Qur'an (Scripture);
Prayer, Alms,
Hadith (tradition)
Pilgrimage, Fasting.
Mosque services on
Fridays. Ablutions before
prayer. No alcohol or

One God (Allah in

Arabic); the same
God revealed
(imperfectly) in the
Jewish and
Christian Bibles

Origins

Adheren
ts

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

Saudi Arabia.

Jainis
m

Founded by
Mahavira, c.
550 BCE,
eastern India

Origins

Practices

Texts

pork. Holidays related to

the pilgrimage and fast of
Ramadan.
4 million

Adheren
ts

Jehova
h's
Witnes
ses

Founded by
Charles Taze
Russell, 1879,
Pittsburgh

6.5 million

Judais
m

The religion of 14 million

the Hebrews
(c. 1300 BC),
especially

The universe is
eternal; many gods
exist. Gods,
humans and all
living things are
classified in a
complex hierarchy.

God(s)

The soul is uncreated and Reincarnation until

eternal and can attain
liberation is attained
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.
Human Life

Afterlife

Monasticism under the

The teachings of
Five Great Vows (NonMahavira in various
Violence, Truth,
collections.
Celibacy, Non-Stealing,
Non-Possessiveness);
worship at temples and at
home. Meditation and
mantras.

Practices

Texts

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,
New World Translation
no celebration of
of the Scriptures
holidays, no use of
crosses or religious
images. Baptism, Sunday
service at Kingdom Hall,
strong emphasis on
evangelism.

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

Circumcision at birth,
bar/bat mitzvah at
adulthood. Synagogue
services on Saturdays.

Hebrew Bible
(Tanakh); Talmud

Origins

Adheren
ts

God(s)

Human Life

after the
destruction of
the Second
Temple in 70
AD.

Afterlife

Practices

to the World to Come

(similar to heaven).

No pork or other nonkosher foods. Holidays

related to historical
events.

Texts

Mayan
Religio
n

3rd century
CE (rise of the
Mayan
civilization);
influenced by
Olmec religion

At one
time up to
2 million.
Today,
several
million
Maya
practice a
Roman
Catholicis
m that
retains
many
elements of
traditional
Mayan
religion.

Many gods,
including Itzamn,
Kukulcn, 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 Codex;
Madrid Codex; Paris
codex; Books of
Chilam Balam; Popol
Vuh; The Ritual of the
Bacabs

Mormo
nism

Founded by
Joseph Smith,
1830, New
York.

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

All return to spirit

world for period of
instruction before
resurrection.
Mormons to heaven
with God and

Abstinence from alcohol,

tobacco, coffee and tea;
baptism for the dead;
eternal marriage; temple
garments under daily
clothes; active

Christian Bible, Book

of Mormon, Doctrine
and Covenants, and
Pearl of Great Price

Origins

Nation
of
Islam

Founded by
Wallace Fard
Muhammad,
1930, Detroit,
USA.

Origins

Neopla
tonism

Philosophy
based on the
teachings of
Plotinus,
Porphyry,
Iamblichus,

Adheren
ts

Estimates
range from
10,000 to
100,000

Adheren
ts

God(s)

"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."

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

Practices

evangelism.

families; others
evangelism.
rewarded but not with
God; hell for those
who reject God after
death.

"The Blackman is the

original man." Live
righteously and worship
Allah.

Mental resurrection of
the righteous. Black
people will be
mentally resurrected
first.

Human Life

Afterlife

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.

Practices

Texts

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)

Texts

Origins

Adheren
ts

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

Practices

Texts

and others.
Flourished
200s to 500s
CE in western
Europe;
influential on
Christian and
Jewish
theology.
New
Age

Helena
Petrovna
Blavatsky and
Annie Besant
in the 19th C,
Alice A.
Bailey (18801949),
flourished in
1970s and 80s

5 million

The Divine is an
impersonal life
force that pervades
all things

Dawning of a New Age

Reincarnation based
of heightened
on karma
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.

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

New
Thoug
ht

Founded by
Phineas
Parkhurst
Quimby
(1802-66) and
others, late
19th century,

160,000

Generally monism
(all is One), but
members might be
theists, pantheists
or panentheists.
God is immanent;
the universe is

Man is divine, essentially "Life is eternal in the

spirit, and has infinite
invisible kingdom of
possibility. Mind can
God."
control the body. Sin and
sickness caused by
incorrect thinking. Man
can live in oneness with

Emphasis on spiritual
and mental healing, but
without rejection of
modern medicine.
Worship services; prayer
for the sick; discussion of
New Thought authors

Writings of Quimby
(such as the The
Quimby Manuscripts)
and other New
Thought authors

Origins

Adheren
ts

USA.

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

essentially spiritual. God in love, truth, peace,

health, and prosperity.

Practices

Texts

and ideas.

Olmec
Religio
n

Mesoamerica
(modern
Veracruz and
Tabasco,
Mexico), c.
1200-400
BCE.
Forerunner of
Aztecs and
Maya.

mostly
extinct

Mostly unknown
unknown, but art
due to lack of
indicates importance of
written records.
fertility (rain, corn, etc.)
Many gods
represented in art,
including the
Olmec Dragon,
Maize Deity, Bird
Monster, and WereJaguar.

unknown

sacrifices, large
sculptures of human
heads, cave rituals,
pilgrimages, ball-courts,
pyramids

none

Rastafa
rianism

Founded by
Marcus
Garvey in the
slums of
Jamaica in the
1920s and 30s

1 million

God is Jah, who

became incarnate in
Jesus (who was
black); Ethiopian
Emperor Haile
Selassie I was
messiah.

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.

Origins

Sciento
logy

Founded by L.
Ron Hubbard,
1954,
California

Adheren
ts
70,000 or
several
million,
depending

God(s)

God(s) not
specified; reality
explained in the
Eight Dynamics

Humans are temples of

Jah. Salvation is
primarily in this world
and consists of liberation
from oppression and
return to Africa.

Human Life

Afterlife

Human consists of body, Reincarnation

mind and thetan; capable
of great things. Gain
spiritual freedom by

Practices

Auditing, progressing up
various levels until
"clear". Focus on
education and drug

Texts

Writings of Hubbard,
such as Dianetics and
Scientology

Origins

Adheren
ts

God(s)

on the
source
Sevent
h-Day
Advent
ist
Church

Rooted in the
Millerite
Movement of
the 1830s;
based on
teachings of
Ellen G.
White;
founded in
Battle Creek,
Michigan in
1863.

25 million

Shinto

indigenous
religion of
Japan

Sikhis
m

Founded by
Guru Nanak,
c. 1500,
Punjab, India.

Human Life

Afterlife

ridding mind of engrams.

(same as
Christianity); Ellen
G. White
considered a
prophet

Practices

Texts

recovery programs.

Live in accordance with

the Bible, including the
Old Testament. The
Second Coming will
happen soon.

The dead are in

unconscious sleep
until the Resurrection,
when believers will
enter heaven and the
wicked will be
destroyed. No hell.

24-hour Sabbath
observance starting
Friday at sunset; adult
baptism by immersion;
church services
emphasizing sermon

Christian Bible;
writings of Ellen G.
White as helpful
supplement

3-4 million 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.

Kojiki (Records of
Ancient Matters);
Nihon-gi (Chronicles
of Japan)

23 million

Overcome the self, align Reincarnation until

life with will of God, and resolve karma and
become a "saint soldier," merge with God.
fighting for good.

one God: Ik Onkar

Prayer and meditation on Adi Granth (Sri Guru

God's name, services at
Granth Sahib)
temple (gurdwara),
turban and five Ks.
Balance work, worship,
and charity. No
monasticism or

Origins

Adheren
ts

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

Practices

Texts

asceticism.
Spiritu
alism

c.1850, USA,
UK, France

Origins

11 million

Adheren
ts

Generally based in
a Christian
worldview. Main
focus is spirits of
deceased humans.

God(s)

Body and spirit are

separate entities.
Morality and contact
with spirits affect
afterlife.

Human Life

A spiritual existence
with access to the
living. Condition
depends on morality
of life and
advancement is
possible.
Afterlife

Sunday services. Seances

and other communication
with departed spirits.
Spirit healing.

Practices

No authoritative texts.
Doctrine learned from
spirit guides (advanced
departed spirits).

Texts

Stoicis
m

Based on
teachings of
Zeno in 4th
century BCE
Athens

unknown

Pantheism: the
logos pervades the
universe.

Purpose of life is
happiness, which is
achieved by living
reasonably.

Possible continued
existence of the Soul,
but not a personal
existence.

Ethical and philosophical writings of Zeno,

training, self-reflection,
Seneca, Epictetus,
careful judgment and
Marcus Aurelius
inner calm.

Taoism

based on the
teachings of
Lao-Tzu, c.
550 BCE,
China

20 million
(394
million of
Chinese
religion in
general)

Pantheism - the Tao

pervades all. Yinyang - 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
Tao Te Ching, Chuangdetachment and nonTzu
struggle, "go with the
flow" of the Tao. Tai-chi,
acupuncture, and
alchemy to help
longevity.

Unifica
tion

founded by
Sun Myung

Over 1
million (3

Monotheism, with
the duality of God

Purpose is true love and

world peace instead of

Eternal life in a spirit

world.

Blessing Ceremony

The Divine Principle

(1954) by Rev. Moon.

Origins

Adheren
ts

God(s)

Human Life

Church

Moon, 1954,
South Korea

million
acc. to
official
sources)

(esp. masculine and

feminine)
emphasized. No
Trinity.

selfish love. True love

and the kingdom of God
on earth will be restored
by the creation of "true
families."

Unitari
an
Univer
salism

Result of
800,000
merger of two
liberal
Christian
denominations
in 1961:
Unitarians
(who reject
Trinity) and
Universalists
(who reject
hell). No
longer
exclusively
Christian.

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.

Wicca

Based on
ancient pagan
beliefs, but
modern form
founded early
1900s.
Founder
generally said

1-3 million Polytheism,

"If it harms none, do
centered on the
what you will."
Goddess and God,
each in various
forms; also a belief
in a Supreme Being
over all

Afterlife

Practices

Texts

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.

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

Origins

Adheren
ts

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

Practices

God(s)

Human Life

Afterlife

Practices

Texts

to be Gerald
Gardner.

Origins

Zoroast
rianism

Adheren
ts

Based on
200,000,
teachings of
mostly in
Zoroaster in
India
6th cent. BCE
Persia.
Official
religion of
ancient Persia.
May have
influenced
Judaism and
Vedic religion.

One God, Ahura

Humans are free to do
Mazda, but a
good or evil, must
dualistic worldview choose the side of good.
in which an evil
spirit, Angra
Mainyu, is almost
as powerful.

Judgment followed by Good deeds, charity,

heaven or hell. Hell is equality, hard work.
temporary until final
purgation and return
to Ahura Mazda.

Texts

Zend Avesta