This article will provide a brief introduction of the world's major religions as well as their distribution throughout the world. This article covers their Origins. Characteristics. Influence. Distribution. It also addresses the main conflicts and beliefs that influenced their growth. There is a wealth of information available about world religions.
Origin
The origin of the world's religions is complex. There are many possible theories. Many believe the origins of religions are cults. Others claim religions were born out of myths. Some of the earliest theories focused on the concept of animism or fetishism. Some also claim religions arose from hedonism.
Characteristics
There are many similarities across the various religions around the globe, but also some important differences. One example is that the early Christians were much more prosocial than their pagan counterparts. This was due to the prominence of the golden principle in early Christianity, and has served as a distinction between it and paganism.
Influence
Religion is a significant marker of identity. It has the potential to influence many environmentally responsible behaviors. This influence is crucial to address transnational environmental issues. The influence of religions can be seen in many areas of life, including how people view climate change, how they consume resources, and how much they pay to receive health care.
Distribution
The world's religions are distributed geographically, with the largest concentration of believers in Christianity. This is followed by Islam, with nearly one-fifth of the world's population, and Hinduism. Other religious groups include folk religions like the traditional African faiths, Native American and Australian aboriginal faiths. Many smaller, unorganized faiths exist such as Sikhism or Jainism. Rest of the world's population, which is estimated to be 1.2 billion, is nonreligious.
Moral outlook
Moral outlook is an important factor in determining the religious practices of a society. Different cultures have different moral beliefs. This means that the outlooks of individuals can be very different. The modern West and modern Asia have different moral outlooks. While we all can express our preferences and justify these preferences based on neutral criteria we cannot claim that one moral outlook is better than another. Some people believe some moralities are better suited to particular societies or communities than others.
Engagement in environmental issues
Religious leaders have played many roles in shaping attitudes and actions towards environmental issues. They bring a wealth knowledge, long-lasting social networks, and extensive experience to the discussion.