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

Read more here: » Major world religions: Encyclopedia - Major world religions

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

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

Read more here: » Religion: Encyclopedia - Religion

Buddhism is a very important religion in China and one of the three major schools of thought along with Confucianism and Taoism. It has affected and been affected by Chinese culture, politics, literature and philosophy for almost two millennia. For a more generalized discussion of Chinese religion, see religion in China. Buddhism in China - History of Buddhism in China. The arrival of Buddhism in China followed the first contacts between China and Central Asia which occurred with the opening of the Silk Ro ...

Including:

• Buddhism in China - History of Buddhism in China
• Buddhism in China - Relation to Confucianism and Daoism
• Buddhism in China - Local interpretation of Indian texts
• Buddhism in China - Buddhism gains political traction in the north
• Buddhism in China - Monks and rulers join forces
• Buddhism in China - Modern Chinese Buddhism
• Buddhism in China - Reference

Read more here: » Buddhism in China

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 · Humor · Laws C ...

Including:

• Bahá'í Faith - Relation to other religions
• Bahá'í Faith - Distinction
• Bahá'í Faith - Persecution
• Bahá'í Faith - The Covenant
• Bahá'í Faith - Demographics
• Bahá'í Faith - Teachings
• Bahá'í Faith - Summary
• Bahá'í Faith - Social principles
• Bahá'í Faith - Mystical teachings
• Bahá'í Faith - Study and worship
• Bahá'í Faith - History
• Bahá'í Faith - The Báb
• Bahá'í Faith - Bahá'u'lláh
• Bahá'í Faith - `Abdu'l-Bahá
• Bahá'í Faith - Bahá'í administration
• Bahá'í Faith - Current plans and focus
• Bahá'í Faith - Laws
• Bahá'í Faith - Places of worship
• Bahá'í Faith - Calendar
• Bahá'í Faith - Symbols
• Bahá'í Faith - Involvement in society

Read more here: » Bahá'í Faith: Encyclopedia - Bahá'í Faith

See also Religion in the United States The religious history of the United States is a complex narrative that begins more than a century before the former British colonies became the United States of America in 1776. Many of the original settlers were men and women of deep religious convictions. That the religious intensity of the original settlers would diminish to some extent over time was perhaps to be expected, but new waves of eighteenth century immigrants brought their own religiou ...

Including:

• Religious history of the United States - America as a Religious Refuge: The Seventeenth Century
• Religious history of the United States - European Persecution
• Religious history of the United States - The Puritans
• Religious history of the United States - Bible commonwealths
• Religious history of the United States - Persecution in America
• Religious history of the United States - Jewish refuge in America
• Religious history of the United States - The Quakers
• Religious history of the United States - Pennsylvania Germans
• Religious history of the United States - Roman Catholics in Maryland
• Religious history of the United States - Virginia and the Church of England
• Religious history of the United States - Religion in Eighteenth-Century America
• Religious history of the United States - 18th Century Churches
• Religious history of the United States - Religion and the American Revolution
• Religious history of the United States - American Anglicans
• Religious history of the United States - Religion and the Congress of the Confederation
• Religious history of the United States - Religion and state governments
• Religious history of the United States - Nursing Fathers
• Religious history of the United States - Church and state debate: Massachusetts
• Religious history of the United States - Church and state debate: Virginia
• Religious history of the United States - Religion and the federal government
• Religious history of the United States - Religion and the Constitution
• Religious history of the United States - Religion in the Bill of Rights
• Religious history of the United States - Early presidential support for religion
• Religious history of the United States - The state becomes the church
• Religious history of the United States - Religion and the New Republic
• Religious history of the United States - The camp meeting
• Religious history of the United States - Emergence of African American churches
• Religious history of the United States - Mormonism
• Religious history of the United States - Benevolent societies
• Religious history of the United States - External link

Read more here: » Religious history of the United States: Encyclopedia - Religious history of the United States

Taoism (sometimes written as Daoism) is the English name for (a) the Chinese folk religion; (b) a family of organized Chinese religious movements such as the Zhengyi ("Orthodox One") or Quanzhen ("Complete Reality") sects, which collectively trace back to Zhang Daoling in the late Han dynasty; and/or (c) academic philosophies or belles lettres based on the texts Daodejing (a ...

Including:

• Taoism - History
• Taoism - Warring States Period 403-222 BCE
• Taoism - Han Dynasty 206 BCE - 220
• Taoism - Three Kingdoms Period 220-265
• Taoism - Six Dynasties 316-589
• Taoism - Tang Dynasty 618-907
• Taoism - Song Dynasty 960-1279
• Taoism - Yuan Dynasty 1279-1367
• Taoism - Nationalist Period 1912-1949
• Taoism - People's Republic of China 1949-present
• Taoism - Adherents
• Taoism - Beliefs
• Taoism - Religious Taoism
• Taoism - Philosophical Taoism
• Taoism - Deities
• Taoism - Religious Taoism
• Taoism - Philosophical Taoism
• Taoism - Practices
• Taoism - Religious Taoism
• Taoism - Philosophical Taoism
• Taoism - Scriptures
• Taoism - Religious Taoism
• Taoism - Philosophical Taoism
• Taoism - Symbols
• Taoism - Relations With Other Religions and Philosophies

Read more here: » Taoism: Encyclopedia - Taoism

Buddhism is a very important religion in China and one of the three major schools of thought along with Confucianism and Taoism. It has affected and been affected by Chinese culture, politics, literature and philosophy for almost two millennia. For a more generalized discussion of Chinese religion, see religion in China. Buddhism in China - History of Buddhism in China. Buddhism in China - Arrival along the Silk Road. The arrival of Buddhism in China followed the first contacts between ...

Including:

• Buddhism in China - History of Buddhism in China
• Buddhism in China - Arrival along the Silk Road
• Buddhism in China - Relation to Confucianism and Daoism
• Buddhism in China - Local interpretation of Indian texts
• Buddhism in China - Buddhism gains political traction in the north
• Buddhism in China - Monks and rulers join forces
• Buddhism in China - Modern Chinese Buddhism
• Buddhism in China - Reference

Read more here: » Buddhism in China: Encyclopedia - Buddhism in China

Neopaganism (sometimes Neo-Paganism) describes a heterogeneous group of new religious movements, particularly those influenced by ancient, mainly pre-Christian and sometimes pre-Judaic religions. Often these are Indo-European in origin, but with a growing component inspired by other religions indigenous to Europe, such as Finno-Ugric, as well as those of other parts of the world. As th ...

Including:

• Neopaganism - History
• Neopaganism - Historical sources
• Neopaganism - Ecological and mystical currents
• Neopaganism - Pantheon
• Neopaganism - Worship and Ritual
• Neopaganism - Number of adherents
• Neopaganism - Concepts of divinity
• Neopaganism - Neopagan views of gods and gender
• Neopaganism - Traditions
• Neopaganism - Reconstructionist
• Neopaganism - Syncretist and eclectic
• Neopaganism - Related theological concepts
• Neopaganism - Usage of the term 'Neopagan'
• Neopaganism - Sources

Read more here: » Neopaganism: Encyclopedia - Neopaganism

Manichaeism was one of the major ancient religions. Though its organized form is mostly extinct today, a revival has been attempted under the name of Neo-Manichaeism. However, most of the writings of the founding prophet Mani have been lost. Some scholars and anti-Catholic polemicists argue that its influence subtly continues in Western Christian thought via Saint Augustine of Hippo, who converted to Christianity from Manichaeism and whose writing continues to be enormously influential among Catholic and Protestant theologians. ...

Including:

• Manichaeism - Origins
• Manichaeism - Theology
• Manichaeism - Expansion
• Manichaeism - Manichaeism and orthodox Christianity
• Manichaeism - Criticisms

Read more here: » Manichaeism: Encyclopedia - Manichaeism

Scientology was presented by L. Ron Hubbard at a lecture in 1952. His definition included, "Scientology would be a study of knowledge." In 1954 today's Church of Scientology (often abbreviated CoS) was established. It presents itself as an "applied religious philosophy," and has been established as a recognized religion in more than 100 countries. The term Scientology is a trademark of the Religious Technology Center, which licenses its use and use of the copyrighted works of Hubbard to the Church of Scientology. The Chu ...

Including:

• Scientology - Beliefs and practices
• Scientology - Auditing
• Scientology - The ARC Triangle
• Scientology - The tone scale
• Scientology - Past lives
• Scientology - Operating Thetan levels and the Xenu incident
• Scientology - Scientology and other religions
• Scientology - Origins
• Scientology - The Church of Scientology
• Scientology - Independent Scientology groups
• Scientology - Controversy and criticism
• Scientology - Official Status as a Religion
• Scientology - Scientology and psychiatry
• Scientology - Scientology Versus The Internet
• Scientology - Scientology in popular culture
• Scientology - Celebrity practitioners

Read more here: » Scientology: Encyclopedia - Scientology

The Church of Scientology is an organisation founded by the late author L. Ron Hubbard. Its stated aim is to widen the practice of Scientology, which it presents as an "applied religious philosophy." From its earliest days, the Church has been a focus of controversy wherever it appeared, with critics charging the actual methods and goals of the Church sharply contradict Hubbard's stated aims of "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to ...

Including:

• Church of Scientology - Churches missions and major Scientology centers
• Church of Scientology - Saint Hill Sussex England
• Church of Scientology - Flag Land Base Clearwater Florida
• Church of Scientology - PAC Base Hollywood California
• Church of Scientology - Gold Base Gilman Hot Springs California
• Church of Scientology - Flag ship Freewinds
• Church of Scientology - Sea Org
• Church of Scientology - Volunteer Ministers
• Church of Scientology - Religious Technology Center RTC
• Church of Scientology - Legal waivers
• Church of Scientology - Church or business?
• Church of Scientology - World View of Scientology
• Church of Scientology - Finances
• Church of Scientology - Membership statistics
• Church of Scientology - Scientology splinter groups
• Church of Scientology - Affiliated organizations
• Church of Scientology - A.B.L.E.
• Church of Scientology - CCHR
• Church of Scientology - WISE
• Church of Scientology - Internet Sites
• Church of Scientology - Church of Scientology
• Church of Scientology - Other Sites
• Church of Scientology - Critical Sites

Read more here: » Church of Scientology: Encyclopedia - Church of Scientology

Dianic Wicca, also known as Women's Spirituality, Feminist Spirituality, Feminist Witchcraft, and Feminist Wicca. Dianic Wicca - Beliefs and practices. Dianic Wicca, Dianic Witchcraft, and Feminist Dianic Witchcraft are all common titles for the Neopagan Feminist Dianic tradition. While some Dianics self-identify as Wiccans, some prefer the term Witch or priestess of the Goddess. Dianic Wicca can be very similar to traditional Wicca in practice (see section below for a discussion ...

Including:

• Dianic Wicca - Beliefs and practices
• Dianic Wicca - History
• Dianic Wicca - Important figures
• Dianic Wicca - Differences between Dianic Feminist Wicca and Mainstream Wicca

Read more here: » Dianic Wicca: Encyclopedia - Dianic Wicca

Humans or human beings define themselves in biological, social, and spiritual terms. Biologically, humans are classified as the mammalian species Homo sapiens (Latin for "wise man" or "thinking man"): a bipedal primate of the superfamily Hominoidea, together with the other apes: chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons. Humans have an erect body carriage that frees their upper limbs for manipulating objects and a highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, speech, language, and ...

Including:

• Human - Terminology
• Human - Biology
• Human - Anatomy and physiology
• Human - Life cycle
• Human - Genetics
• Human - Race and ethnicity
• Human - Habitat
• Human - Population
• Human - Human evolution
• Human - Intelligence
• Human - Culture
• Human - Origins
• Human - Language
• Human - Music
• Human - Emotion and sexuality
• Human - Body image
• Human - Trade and economics
• Human - Artifacts technology and science
• Human - Mind
• Human - Psychology and human ethology
• Human - Philosophy
• Human - Motivation
• Human - Self-reflection and humanism
• Human - Spirit

Read more here: » Human: Encyclopedia - Human

The Yuuzhan Vong are a race of sentient beings from the fictional Star Wars Expanded Universe that rise as a threat to the New Republic in the New Jedi Order series of novels. The Yuuzhan Vong, and their Chazrach slaves, are the only known alien species in the Star Wars universe to have originated outside the Star Wars galaxy. They are a race of religious zealot masochists. They genetically engineer and grow all of their organic technology and view mechanical technology as blasphemy. The Yuuzhan Vong endeavor to i ...

Including:

• Yuuzhan Vong - Society Description
• Yuuzhan Vong - The Supreme Overlord Caste
• Yuuzhan Vong - The Shaper Caste
• Yuuzhan Vong - The Priest Caste
• Yuuzhan Vong - The Warrior Caste
• Yuuzhan Vong - The Intendant Caste
• Yuuzhan Vong - The Worker Caste
• Yuuzhan Vong - History
• Yuuzhan Vong - Technology
• Yuuzhan Vong - Deities
• Yuuzhan Vong - Yun-Yuuzhan
• Yuuzhan Vong - Yun-Harla
• Yuuzhan Vong - Yun-Yammka
• Yuuzhan Vong - Yun-Ne'Shel
• Yuuzhan Vong - The Lover Gods
• Yuuzhan Vong - Yun-Shuno

Read more here: » Yuuzhan Vong: Encyclopedia - Yuuzhan Vong

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a major Muslim organization in North America. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, funded in a significant part by Middle Eastern sources such as the Al Maktoum Foundation, which is headed by the crown prince of Dubai and which owns the deed to CAIR's headquarters in Washington, D.C. [1] and Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal who donated $500,000 to CAIR to support a program that s ...

Including:

• Council on American-Islamic Relations - CAIR's Projects
• Council on American-Islamic Relations - Criticism of CAIR
• Council on American-Islamic Relations - CAIR's alleged support of terrorism
• Council on American-Islamic Relations - Convicted Members of CAIR
• Council on American-Islamic Relations - CAIR named as defendant in 9/11 terror lawsuit
• Council on American-Islamic Relations - CAIR's disputes with critics
• Council on American-Islamic Relations - Muslim population statistics
• Council on American-Islamic Relations - Photo doctoring in a press release
• Council on American-Islamic Relations - CAIR’s response to critics

Read more here: » Council on American-Islamic Relations: Encyclopedia - Council on American-Islamic Relations

Constitution  • Completed  • Ratified  • Effective September 17, 1787 May 23, 1788 March 4, 1789 The United States of America is a federal democratic republic situated primarily in North America. It comprises 50 states and one federal district, and has several territories with differing degrees of affiliation. It is also referred to, with varying formality, as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., the StatesIncluding:

• United States - History
• United States - Prehistory
• United States - European settlement
• United States - Nationhood
• United States - Civil War
• United States - Expansion
• United States - The 20th Century
• United States - Government
• United States - Republic and suffrage
• United States - Federal government
• United States - State and local governments
• United States - Political divisions
• United States - Foreign relations and military
• United States - Geography and climate
• United States - Largest cities
• United States - Economy
• United States - Transportation
• United States - Society
• United States - Demographics
• United States - Population
• United States - Education
• United States - Language
• United States - Culture
• United States - Sports
• United States - International rankings
• United States - Notes

Read more here: » United States: Encyclopedia - United States

Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. Southeast Asia - Name and definition. Brunei Cambodia East Timor Indonesia Laos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam The name for the region was first coined in the 20th century. It was previously known as Further India (as opposed to the Indian subcontinent). The subreg ...

Including:

• Southeast Asia - Name and definition
• Southeast Asia - Topography of the subregion
• Southeast Asia - Population
• Southeast Asia - Ethnic groups in the subregion
• Southeast Asia - Religions in the subregion
• Southeast Asia - Languages in the subregion
• Southeast Asia - Environment
• Southeast Asia - Economy
• Southeast Asia - Culture
• Southeast Asia - Peranakans
• Southeast Asia - History
• Southeast Asia - Historical ties with the rest of the world
• Southeast Asia - Relationship to Australasia
• Southeast Asia - Literature of Southeast Asia

Read more here: » Southeast Asia: Encyclopedia - Southeast Asia

The Union of Myanmar, (also known as the Union of Burma), is the largest country (in geographical area) in mainland Southeast Asia. It is bordered by the People's Republic of China on the north, Laos on the east, Thailand on the south east, Bangladesh on the west, and India on the north west, with the Andaman Sea to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the south west. There are over 2,000 kilometers (1,243 mi) of coast line. The country was ruled by a military junta led by General Ne Win from 1962 to 1988, and its political syst ...

Including:

• Myanmar - Origin and history of the name
• Myanmar - History
• Myanmar - Politics
• Myanmar - Administrative divisions
• Myanmar - Geography
• Myanmar - Economy
• Myanmar - Demographics
• Myanmar - Culture
• Myanmar - Miscellaneous topics
• Myanmar - International rankings
• Myanmar - Footnotes
• Myanmar - Special characters

Read more here: » Myanmar: Encyclopedia - Myanmar

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Urdu: اسلامی جمہوریۂ پاکستان, islāmī jamhūriya i pākistān), or Pakistan (Urdu: پاکستان, pākistān) is a country located in South Asia that overlaps onto the Greater Middle East and Central Asia. The country borders Iran (Persia), Afghanistan, China, India and the Arabian Sea. The name of the country "Pakistan" in Urdu and Persian means Land of the Pure. With around 163 million inhabitants, it is the sixth most populous country with the secon ...

Including:

• Pakistan - History
• Pakistan - Ancient History
• Pakistan - Arrival of Islam
• Pakistan - Pre-colonial History
• Pakistan - British rule
• Pakistan - Independence and After
• Pakistan - Politics
• Pakistan - Domestic Politics
• Pakistan - Foreign Relations
• Pakistan - Political History
• Pakistan - Geography
• Pakistan - Economy
• Pakistan - Overview
• Pakistan - Macroeconomic Reform and Prospects
• Pakistan - Tourism
• Pakistan - Demographics
• Pakistan - Population Statistics
• Pakistan - Religion
• Pakistan - Languages
• Pakistan - Ethnic Groups
• Pakistan - Subdivisions
• Pakistan - Society and Culture
• Pakistan - Roots
• Pakistan - Film Television & Music
• Pakistan - Globalization
• Pakistan - Sports
• Pakistan - Mercantile Culture

Read more here: » Pakistan: Encyclopedia - Pakistan