types of religions

• There is no one universal definition of what constitutes religion due to the diversity of global belief systems
• Definitions of religion


  • Substantive
  • Functional
  • Social constructionist
• Theistic religions


  Religions that focus on the sacred powers, belief in a singular or multiple gods or deities
• Types of theistic religions

  • Monotheistic
  • Polytheistic
• Monotheistic religions


  Religions based on the belief in one god
• Polytheistic religions


  Religions that believe in multiple deities
• Christianity is the most popular religion with over 2 billion followers or approximately 30 percent of the world's population
• Christianity


  • Monotheistic religion based upon the teachings of Jesus Christ
  • Main denominations: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox
• Islam is the second most popular world religion with approximately 1.8 billion followers around about 25 of the world's population
• Islam


  • Based on the teachings of Allah and the prophet Muhammad
  • Main denomination: Sunni Islam (85% of followers)
• Hinduism


  • Can be seen as either polytheistic or monotheistic
  • Belief in a supreme existence or Brahman
  • Includes many deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesh, Devi, Surya
  • No ecclesiastical order, unquestionable religious authorities, governing bodies, prophets or binding holy book
• Buddhism


  • Based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha
  • Focuses on a path to release clinging and craving to the material world and escape the cycle of birth and rebirth
  • Teaches the three universal truths and four noble truths
• Taoism


  • One of the traditional Chinese religions
  • Based on the principles of living at one with the Tao, the source of all existence
  • Polytheistic beliefs and open to interpretation
• Judaism


  • Monotheistic religion based upon the covenant between God and the children of Israel
  • Sacred texts include the Torah and oral traditions
  • Different denominations include Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform