Religious traditions have accompanied humans from the earliest times. It is no coincidence that there are so many different religions in the world, over 10.000 according to the statistics.
But what are the most widespread ones? Actually, it is impossible to know the exact number of adherents to each religion, since in many countries of the world there is no religious classification in official censuses.
Therefore, the ranking below is the result of a combination of censuses and surveys, the results of which provide an idea of the spread of the various cults.
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The 4 most widely spread religions worldwide in 2023
Of all the world’s cults, which is the religion most practiced by the world’s population? Buddhism, Chinese traditional religion, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are in list for the nomination as the predominant religion.
Christianity, the most spread among religions
The most widely practiced religion in the world is Christianity, with an estimated 2.4 billion followers. This represents about a third of the world’s population and makes Christianity the largest religion in the world.
Islam, the second most spread among religions
Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with an estimated 1.9 billion followers. This represents about a quarter of the world’s population and makes Islam the world’s second most widely practiced religion.
Hinduism
Hinduism is the third-largest religion in the world, with an estimated 1.2 billion followers. This represents about 15% of the world’s population and makes Hinduism the third most widely practiced religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is the fourth-largest in the world, with an estimated 500 million followers. This represents about 7% of the world’s population and makes Buddhism the fourth most widely practiced religion globally.
The other most widespread religions worldwide
There are many other religions that are practiced around the world, including Sikhism, Judaism, and Taoism, among others.
It’s worth noting that many people worldwide do not practice any religion and are either agnostic or atheist. This is true in countries with high levels of education and economic development, where religion plays a less important role in people’s lives.
In addition to the four major religions (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism), many other religions are practiced around the world. Some of the notable ones include:
Sikhism
This monotheistic religion was founded in the 14th century in the Punjab region of India. It has an estimated 28 million followers, most of whom live in the Punjab region of Pakistan and India. Sikhism emphasizes the concept of one God and the equality of all people.
Judaism
Judaism is an Abrahamic religion that originated in the ancient Near East. It has an estimated 14 million followers, most of whom live in Israel and the United States. Judaism is based on the belief in one God and the importance of following the commandments and laws outlined in the Torah.
Taoism
Taoism is a Chinese religion that originated in the 6th century BCE. It has an estimated 20 million followers, most of whom live in China and Taiwan. Taoism is based on the belief in a universal force called the Tao and the importance of living in harmony with this force.
Shinto
Shinto is a Japanese religion with no founder or central doctrine. It has an estimated 4 million followers, most of whom live in Japan. Shinto has a belief system based on kami, spirits that inhabit natural objects and phenomena.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is an ancient religion that originated in ancient Persia. It has an estimated 190,000 followers, most of whom live in India and Iran. Zoroastrianism is based on the belief in one God and the importance of living a life guided by truth and righteousness.
Baha’i
The Baha’i faith is a monotheistic religion founded in the 19th century in Iran. It has an estimated 7 million followers, most of whom live in India, the United States, and Africa. The Baha’i faith emphasizes the spiritual unity of all humankind and the equality of all people.
Jainism
Jainism is an ancient religion that originated in ancient India. It has an estimated 4.5 million followers, most of whom live in India. Jainism emphasizes the importance of non-violence and the concept of ahimsa, or non-harm, to all living beings.
There is great diversity of religions around the world
There are many other religions that are practiced around the world, and this list is by no means exhaustive. However, these are some of the notable ones with significant followers.
In conclusion, Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in the world, followed by Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. However, it’s important to recognize that there is great diversity in terms of religious beliefs and practices around the world and that many people do not practice any religion at all.
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