Major world religions have been distinguished from minor religions using a variety of methods, though any such division naturally reflects a particular bias, since many adherents of a religion are likely to consider their own faith "major". Two methods are mentioned in this article, number of adherents and the definitions used by classical scholars of religions. For a list of all religions, please see the article list of religions. For a discussion of the relationships between religions, see Religious pluralism Including:

Major world religions - Defined by population
Major world religions - All religions or belief systems by number of adherents Major world religions - Organized religions by population ranking
Major world religions - Historic classic view

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See also:

Major world religions, Major world religions - Defined by population, Major world religions - All religions or belief systems by number of adherents, Major world religions - Organized religions by population ranking, Major world religions - Historic classic view

Read more here: » Major world religions: Encyclopedia II - Major world religions - Defined by population

Adherents of particular religions deal with the differing doctrines and practices espoused by other religions in a variety ways. All strains of thought appear in different segments of all major world religions. Religion - Exclusivism. People with exclusivist beliefs sometimes typically explain other religions as either in error, or as corruptions or counterfeits of the true faith. Examples include: Christian scripture states that Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes ...

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Religion, Religion - Etymology, Religion - Religion and science, Religion - Philosophy and metaphysics, Religion - Esotericism and mysticism, Religion - Spirituality, Religion - Myth, Religion - Approaches to the study of individual religions, Religion - Methods of studying religion subjectively in relation to one's own beliefs, Religion - Methods of studying religion objectively in a scientific and religiously neutral fashion, Religion - Development of religion, Religion - Religion today, Religion - Approaches to relating to the beliefs of others, Religion - Exclusivism, Religion - Inclusivism, Religion - Pluralism, Religion - Syncretism, Religion - Universalism, Religion - Systemization, Religion - Religion and other approaches to forming beliefs about the nature of the universe, Religion - Related philosophical stances, Religion - Compare with

Read more here: » Religion: Encyclopedia II - Religion - Approaches to relating to the beliefs of others

Religion (see etymology below) —sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system—is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine; and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with such belief. In its broadest sense some have defined it as the sum total of answers given to explain humankind's relationship with the universe. In the course of the development of religion, it has taken ...

Including:

Religion - Etymology
Religion - Religion and science Religion - Philosophy and metaphysics Religion - Esotericism and mysticism Religion - Spirituality Religion - Myth
Religion - Approaches to the study of individual religions
Religion - Methods of studying religion subjectively in relation to one's own beliefs Religion - Methods of studying religion objectively in a scientific and religiously neutral fashion
Religion - Development of religion
Religion - Religion today
Religion - Approaches to relating to the beliefs of others
Religion - Exclusivism Religion - Inclusivism Religion - Pluralism Religion - Syncretism Religion - Universalism Religion - Systemization
Religion - Religion and other approaches to forming beliefs about the nature of the universe
Religion - Related philosophical stances
Religion - Compare with

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Christianity and world religions appear to share some elements. In a look at Christianity's relationship with other world religions, this article investigates the differences and similiarities of Christianity to other religions. Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Judaism. See also Comparing and contrasting Judaism and Christianity and Judeo-Christian Historically, the relationship between Judaism and Christianity has been strained, to say the least. In the past, ...

Including:

Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Judaism Christianity and world religions - Possible relationship with Zoroastrianism through Judaism Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Paganism Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Mithraism Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Islam Christianity and world religions - Relationship with the Bahá'í Faith Christianity and world religions - Relations with other faiths Christianity and world religions - Sociological Aspects
Christianity and world religions - Syncretism
Christianity and world religions - Notes

Read more here: » Christianity and world religions: Encyclopedia - Christianity and world religions

Where is your brother, God asked, at the beginning of Biblical history. The original context was that of bloodshed: Brother killing brother, which is what every murder really is. Within the vision of vasudaiva kutumbakam , can anyone, even the most abhorred enemy, be less than a brother?

The Cain-Abel story provides deep insight into religion-related tensions: First, it is in the context of religion that brother kills brother. The very purpose of religion is being largely misunderstood. The purpose of religion is to enable us to be keepers rather than killers of each other, protectors rather than predators of life and nature. The ascendancy of vested interests in religion, however, degrades it into a licence for murder and mayhem, as has happened in the history of all religions.

(See also: Religion, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Religion: The Spiritual Sword Of Self-denial

Dharma and Religion - Many Paths to One

A four-line verse of wisdom in Sanskrit - Subhashit - pronounces the commonness among animals and men of certain primal appetites and urges, and proclaims the supremacy of Dharma in man's actions and life, without which he would be no different from animals. Here, Dharma is to be understood as encompassing man's entire life, including all his thoughts and deeds, and is not to be confused with any religion.

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Humans have many different methods which attempt to answer fundamental questions about the nature of the universe and our place in it (cosmology). What is reality? How can we know? Who are we? Why we are here? How should we live? What happens after we die? Religion is only one of the methods for trying to answer one or more of these questions. Other methods include science, philosophy, metaphysics, esotericism, and mysticism. Many people use more than one of these methods. Christianity is the religion with the largest number o ...

See also:

Religion, Religion - Etymology, Religion - Religion and science, Religion - Philosophy and metaphysics, Religion - Esotericism and mysticism, Religion - Spirituality, Religion - Myth, Religion - Approaches to the study of individual religions, Religion - Methods of studying religion subjectively in relation to one's own beliefs, Religion - Methods of studying religion objectively in a scientific and religiously neutral fashion, Religion - Development of religion, Religion - Religion today, Religion - Approaches to relating to the beliefs of others, Religion - Exclusivism, Religion - Inclusivism, Religion - Pluralism, Religion - Syncretism, Religion - Universalism, Religion - Systemization, Religion - Religion and other approaches to forming beliefs about the nature of the universe, Religion - Related philosophical stances, Religion - Compare with

Read more here: » Religion: Encyclopedia II - Religion - Religion and other approaches to forming beliefs about the nature of the universe

Religion and Dharma Are Not Synonymous

Dharma and religion are not the same thing. The terms are used interchangeably for want of an appropriate English word. The Oxford Dictionary defines religion as "A system of faith, especially personal God entitled to obedience".

Performing rituals alone is not dharma . Worship or upasana is the method. The mind gets purified by worshipping the Supreme Lord, Bhagwan. It will yield love for the Lord and all living beings. There will be no violence. Therefore, love for the Supreme Lord is the best dharma .

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Hinduism is neither asceticism nor illusionism, neither polytheism nor pantheism. It is the synthesis of all types of religious experiences. It is a whole and complete view of life. It is characterised by wide toleration, deep humanity and high spiritual purpose. It is free from fanaticism. That is the reason why it has survived the attacks of the followers of some of the other great religions of the world.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

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Buddhist Quotes: Love is Essential to All Religions

Forming a new world religion is difficult and not particularly desirable. However, in that love is essential to all religions, one could speak of the universal religion of love.

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(See also: Buddhism Archives, Buddhist Quotes, Inspirational Quotes, Love Quotes, Friendship Quotes, Life Quotes)

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“All religions are ancient monuments to superstition, ignorance and ferocity,” said the French materialist phi-losopher Baron d’Holbach. Religion has been described as the root of human misery and conflict - that more people have been killed in the name of God than in any other cause.

Religion has never been the root of man’s miseries. The problem with man has been man. Religion is but an instrument; man its wielder. Like any instrument or organisation, religion can be misused. But, with religion there exists an agonising and eternal irony: it is the only path to transform the materialists who abuse it.

(See also: Religion, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Religion: Clash of the Titans: Faith vs Reason  

Hinduism is the religion of the Hindus, a name given to the Universal Religion which hailed supreme in India. It is the oldest of all living religions. This is not founded by any prophet. Buddhism, Christianity and Mohammedanism owe their origin to the prophets. Their dates are fixed. But no such date can be fixed for Hinduism. Hinduism is not born of the teachings of particular prophets. It is not based on a set of dogmas preached by a particular set of teachers. It is free from religious fanaticism.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

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There are several models for understanding how religions develop. Models which view religion as untrue include: The "Dogma Selection Model," which holds that religions, although untrue in themselves, encode instructions or habits useful for survival, that these ideas "mutate" periodically as they are passed on, and they spread or die out in accord with their effectiveness at improving chances for survival. The "Opium of the Masses Model," in which "Religion in any shape or form is regarded as pernicious and del ...

See also:

Religion, Religion - Etymology, Religion - Religion and science, Religion - Philosophy and metaphysics, Religion - Esotericism and mysticism, Religion - Spirituality, Religion - Myth, Religion - Approaches to the study of individual religions, Religion - Methods of studying religion subjectively in relation to one's own beliefs, Religion - Methods of studying religion objectively in a scientific and religiously neutral fashion, Religion - Development of religion, Religion - Religion today, Religion - Approaches to relating to the beliefs of others, Religion - Exclusivism, Religion - Inclusivism, Religion - Pluralism, Religion - Syncretism, Religion - Universalism, Religion - Systemization, Religion - Religion and other approaches to forming beliefs about the nature of the universe, Religion - Related philosophical stances, Religion - Compare with

Read more here: » Religion: Encyclopedia II - Religion - Development of religion

Philosophy of religion - Positions. The second question, "Do we have any good reason to think that God does (or does not) exists?", is equally important in the philosophy of religion. There are four main positions with regard to the existence of God that one might take: Theism - the belief that God exists. Weak atheism - the lack of belief in any deity. Strong atheism - the belief that no deity exist ...

See also:

Philosophy of religion, Philosophy of religion - Philosophy of religion as a part of metaphysics, Philosophy of religion - Questions asked in philosophy of religion, Philosophy of religion - What is God?, Philosophy of religion - Monotheistic definitions, Philosophy of religion - Polytheistic definitions, Philosophy of religion - Pantheistic definitions, Philosophy of religion - Rationality of belief, Philosophy of religion - Positions, Philosophy of religion - Natural theology, Philosophy of religion - Major philosophers of religion

Read more here: » Philosophy of religion: Encyclopedia II - Philosophy of religion - Rationality of belief

The following is a list of religions. Note that the classification hereunder is only one of several possible. This system uses a filter system for categorization. A group will be listed in a category as close to the top of the page as the definitions for the category allow. Even if multiple definitions are applicable a religion will only be listed once. The definition of religion for this page is fairly liberal. A discussion of the ways in which "major religions" have historically been separated from the list of all religions c ...

Including:

List of religions - Fictional religions List of religions - Forms of religion or alternative beliefs List of religions - Nonsectarian and trans-sectarian religious movements and practices
List of religions - Esotericism List of religions - Mysticism List of religions - Magic religion List of religions - Ritualism List of religions - Organizations promoting Ecumenism

Read more here: » List of religions: Encyclopedia - List of religions

Philosophy of religion is the rational study of the meaning and justification of fundamental religious claims, particularly about the nature and existence of God (or gods, or the divine). Philosophy of religion - Philosophy of religion as a part of metaphysics. Philosophy of religion was classically regarded as a part of metaphysics, after Aristotle, among whose writings was a piece that later editors identified as The Metaphysics. Aristotle there described first causes as one of the subjects ...

Including:

Philosophy of religion - Philosophy of religion as a part of metaphysics Philosophy of religion - Questions asked in philosophy of religion Philosophy of religion - What is God?
Philosophy of religion - Monotheistic definitions Philosophy of religion - Polytheistic definitions Philosophy of religion - Pantheistic definitions
Philosophy of religion - Rationality of belief
Philosophy of religion - Positions Philosophy of religion - Natural theology
Philosophy of religion - Major philosophers of religion

Read more here: » Philosophy of religion: Encyclopedia - Philosophy of religion

Life in the People's Republic of China A wide variety of religions have been practiced in China since the beginning of its history. Temples of many different religions dot the landscape of China, including Taoism, Buddhism, and Chinese folk religion. The study of religion in China is complicated by several issues. Because many Chinese belief systems have concepts of a sacred and sometimes spiritual world yet do not invoke a concept of God, classifying a Chinese belief system as either a religion or a philosophy can ...

Including:

Religion in China - Buddhism Religion in China - Taoism Religion in China - Islam Religion in China - Christianity Religion in China - Judaism Religion in China - Recent sects
Religion in China - Falun Gong Religion in China - Way of Former Heaven
Religion in China - Mainland China Religion in China - External link

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The Báb · Abdu'l-Bahá Kitáb-i-Aqdas · Kitáb-i-Íqán The Hidden Words Administrative Order The Guardian Universal House of Justice Continental Counsellors Spiritual Assembly Haifa · Akká Shiraz · Baghdad Bahá'í History · Timeline Bábís · Shaykh Ahmad Táhirih · Quddús · Badí' Shoghi Effendi Rúhíyyih Khanum Unity of humanity Unity of religion Gender equality Universal education Science and religion Auxilliary language Symbols · H ...

Including:

Bahá'í Faith and world religions - Bahá'í Faith and Comparative Theology
Bahá'í Faith and world religions - Judaism Bahá'í Faith and world religions - Christianity Bahá'í Faith and world religions - Islam Bahá'í Faith and world religions - Hinduism Bahá'í Faith and world religions - Buddhism
Bahá'í Faith and world religions - Bahá'í Faith and Religious Studies

Read more here: » Bahá'í Faith and world religions: Encyclopedia - Bahá'í Faith and world religions

All the Abrahamic religions are derived to some extent from Judaism as practiced in ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah prior to the Babylonian Exile, at the beginning of the 1st millennium BCE. Many believe that Judaism in Biblical Israel was renovated and reformed to some extent in the 6th century BCE by Ezra and other priests returning to Israel from the exile. Samaritanism separated from Judaism in the next few centuries. Christianity originated in Judea, at the end of the 1st century, as a radically reformed branch of Judaism; i ...

Including:

Abrahamic religion - Overview Abrahamic religion - Origins Abrahamic religion - Patriarchs Abrahamic religion - The Supreme Deity
Abrahamic religion - Judaism Abrahamic religion - Christianity Abrahamic religion - Islam
Abrahamic religion - Inclusivity Abrahamic religion - Religious scriptures
Abrahamic religion - Judaism Abrahamic religion - Christianity Abrahamic religion - Islam Abrahamic religion - Rastafari movement
Abrahamic religion - The coming Abrahamic religion - Afterlife
Abrahamic religion - Judaism Abrahamic religion - Christianity Abrahamic religion - Islam
Abrahamic religion - Worship Abrahamic religion - Circumcision Abrahamic religion - Food restrictions Abrahamic religion - Evangelism

Read more here: » Abrahamic religion: Encyclopedia - Abrahamic religion