This article gives a brief overview of the major religions in the world and their distribution around the globe. It covers their Origins and Characteristics, Influence, Distribution, and Impact. It also covers the major conflicts and beliefs which have shaped their evolution. There is an abundance of information on the various world religions.
Origin
It is difficult to understand the origins of all world religions. There are many theories. Many theories claim that religions evolved from cults. Other theories believe that religions developed through the use 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. In particular, early Christians were more focused on prosociality than their pagan counterparts. This is due to the significance of the golden rules in early Christianity. It has also served to distinguish it form 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 is seen in many aspects of life, from the way people view climatic change to how they consume resources and how much they pay for health care.
Distribution
The majority of religions in the world are geographically distributed, with Christianity having the highest concentration of believers. This is followed by Islam, with nearly one-fifth of the world's population, and Hinduism. The remaining religious groups, which are more scattered, include folk religions like traditional African faiths or Native American or Australian aboriginal religions. Many smaller, unorganized faiths exist such as Sikhism or Jainism. There are an estimated 1.2 Billion nonreligious people in the world.
Moral outlook
Moral outlook is an important factor in determining the religious practices of a society. Different cultures have different moral beliefs. The outlook of one group may differ from the outlook of another. The modern West and modern Asia have quite different moral outlooks. Although we all have the right to express our opinions and justify them using neutral criteria, it is impossible to say that one moral outlook or another is better. Some people believe that certain moralities work better in certain communities or certain societies.
Engagement with environmental problems
The role of religions in shaping how people view and respond to environmental issues has been a multifaceted one. They bring a wealth knowledge, long-lasting social networks, and extensive experience to the discussion.