This article gives a brief overview of the major religions in the world and their distribution around the globe. This article covers their Origins. Characteristics. Influence. Distribution. It also addresses the major conflicts and beliefs that have shaped their development. There is an abundance of information on the various world religions.
Origin
The origin of all religions is a complicated question. There are many 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. Others claim that religions originated from hedonism.
Characteristics
While there are many similarities between the world's religions, there are also some key 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. Many aspects of life reflect the influence of religions. This includes how people view climate change as well as how they consume and pay for their health care.
Distribution
The majority of religions in the world are geographically distributed, with Christianity having the highest concentration of believers. Next is Islam, representing nearly one-fifth world population, followed by Hinduism. The remaining religious groups are more diffusely distributed, and include folk religions such as traditional African faiths and Native American and Australian aboriginal religions. Sikhism is one example of a number of smaller, informal faiths. Jainism is another. With an estimated 1.2 million non-religious people, the rest of the world is not religious.
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 quite different moral outlooks. We can all share our personal preferences and justify them on the basis of neutral criteria. However, one moral outlook cannot be considered superior to the other. Some people believe some moralities are better suited to particular societies or communities than others.
Engagement in environmental issues
Religions have historically and currently played a variety of roles in shaping the way people think about and engage with environmental issues. They can bring their experience, wisdom, and long-lasting social networks to the conversation.