Religion

World Religion Site for Islam and Christianity
The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, a historical religious site for Christians and Muslims

Since prehistoric times, humans have observed religious practices around the world. Today four-fifths of the world adheres to one of twelve classical religions with unique customs, practices, and holidays. Find out about the major religions of the world, their traditions and cultures, statistics, the largest churches in the U.S. and more.

Religion Around the World

There are a dozen major religions, with several billion followers across every country. In many cases, religious belief and practices have become part of national cultures and identities. Read on to learn more about the world's biggest faiths and those who follow them (or who don't). 

Top Eight Religions of the World

Top World Religion: The Religiously Unaffiliated

Religious Affiliation by Country

Countries with the Largest Unaffiliated Population

Median Age of Religious Adherents

Major Religions of the World

The Major Faiths (concise table)

Major Religious Holidays

Selected Worldwide Religious Sites

 

Religion in the United States

Since the arrival of religious minorities in the colonial era, religion has played an important role in the history and daily life of the United States. Read more about the religions that have grown and spread throughout the U.S., and the most popular faiths today. 

Self-Described Religious Identification Among American Adults

Non-Christian Religious Adherents in the United States

Largest U.S. Churches, 2012

U.S. Religious Sects Originating in the 19th Century

Women in American Religion

 

Other Major Religions

The other major religions account for roughly one-third of the world's population, mostly concentrated in India, China, and Japan. Learn more about the classical religious traditions still prevalent in the world today. 

Hinduism

Buddhism

Jainism

Sikhism

Zoroastrianism

Confucianism1

Taoism1

Shinto

1Confucianism & Taoism, both share common elements and principles with Chinese folk religion.

The Abrahamic Religions

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam account for more than half of the world's population. Claiming a common descent from the biblical patriarch Abraham, these religions have millennia of shared history. Learn more about what they have in common, their beliefs, and what sets them apart.

Judaism Primer

Old Testament Names

Kings of Judah and Israel

Christianity Primer

Books of the Bible: Old Testament in Order

Books of the Bible: New Testament in Order

The Dead Sea Scrolls

List of Roman Pontiffs (Popes)

Choosing a New Pope

Islam Primer

 

Books of the Bible: Summaries

If you're new to reading the Bible, or if you're just looking to refresh your memory on what each book is about, summaries of the books of the Bible can be incredibly helpful. The Bible is a collection of 66 books, divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Each book has a unique message and purpose, and understanding these can help you gain a deeper understanding of the Bible as a whole.

Old Testament Summaries

The Book of Genesis

The Book of Deuteronomy

The Book of Ecclesiastes

 

New Testament Summaries

The Book of Philippians

The Book of 1 Corinthians

 

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