The world is full of people following different religions and beliefs and from which some religions came into existence only a few years ago while on the other hand, some popular religions have existed for the thousands of years. According to an estimate, there are 21 formal religions around the globe with their followers living in the different countries around the globe. Some people follow all the beliefs while some followers believe only in God. Have a look into complete detail of 10 largest religions in the world in 2024 and their background history.
For many believers, religion plays an essential role in influencing all aspects of daily life. You can find different religions around the world, although the largest religions in the world generally belong to one of the two main subgroups. These are the Abrahamic religions (Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Baha’i, etc.) and the Indian religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, etc.). Based on the Pew Research Institute and other international demographic databases, below is the list of most followed religions and, subsequently, the most influential in our world.
List of Top 10 Major Religions of the World 2024
- Christianity
- Islam
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Shintoism
- Taoism
- Sikhism
- Judaism
- Muism
- Cao Dai
Also See: Top 10 most Muslim populated countries in the world
1. Christianity
Christianity is one the first rank in the list of most popular religions around the globe with more than 2.22 billion followers which is more than 31.5% of world’s entire population. It was founded about 2000 years ago in Israel. Bible is the holy book followed by Christians. Christianity is divided into three major Sects named Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant.
Also Read: History of Christianity, Beliefs and more
Christianity began two thousand years ago and is a faith based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. From its humble beginnings as a small sub-group of Judaism, Christianity has become the most popular religion in the world, with followers worldwide. Christians believe in the existence of the One God, who sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to save them from their evil and hell.
Believers believe that the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross, His death and His resurrection were all intended to provide eternal life and forgiveness to all who accept Christ as their personal Savior. Even in our modern society, Christianity plays an important and powerful role, not only in terms of religious practices, but also on a larger scale. To some extent, this is also the case with the formulation of the social and political policies of Christian countries.
Also see: Top 10 Countries with Most Hindu Population
2. Islam
Islam is given the second rank in the list of major religions of the world having more than 1.5 billion followers as per 2024 list of largest religions in the world. It is one of the fastest growing religions and was founded about 1400 years before in Saudi Arabia which is considered to be the largest oil-producing country.
Quran is the Holy book and acted by the Muslims living in the different countries of the world. Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are the major countries having the largest Muslim population. Continue reading Top 10 Biggest Religions in the World 2024.
Also Read: Islam Religion History, Facts, Origin
Islam began in Mecca in the seventh century. Followers of religion believe that there is only one God (Allah), written and shaped in the Holy Book of the Qur’an, which always acts as the central spiritual book in the faith. The Prophet Muhammad lived from 570 to 632 among the historical figures who needed to understand the Muslim tradition.
The followers of Islam believe that this man is the ultimate prophet of God. Islamic religious law establishes the five pillars of Islam and imposes rules and regulations on almost every aspect of the disciple’s life. There are two main groups of Muslims, the Sunnis (the largest in the world, including 80% of the Muslims) and the Shia (~ 15% of the Muslims), among them a few minor names such as Ibadi, Ahmadi and many others.
Muslims also follow a set of moral and ethical guidelines known as the Sharia, which governs all aspects of life. Islam is currently the second-largest religion in the world 2024, with over 1.8 billion followers.
3. Hinduism
Hinduism in one of the most major religions of the world with 1.05 billion worshipers living in the different countries of the world. It is considered the world’s oldest religion. The Gita, Agamas, and Vedas are the major scriptures of Hindus. India has the third strongest army around the globe, and it is the top country having the largest Hindu population while on the other hand, it is the second largest country for the Muslim population. Hinduism is the 3rd most following religion in the world 2024 list.
Also Read: Hinduism Origin History and more facts
Most Hindus live in South Asian countries such as India, Nepal and Indonesia. In India alone, it is estimated that 80% of the population is Hindu. Although very little is known about the foundation of Hinduism, it is generally believed that the faith developed over 4,000 years. Due to its status as an ancient belief system, Hinduism is deeply rooted in Indian society.
In recent years, many forms of Hinduism have become popular in the West as well. Examples of this include participation in yoga, as well as interest in information related to the Chakra organism. System (energy points throughout the human body that are used to heal and improve health both spiritually and physically).
Hinduism is a diverse religion with a vast collection of scriptures, beliefs, practices, and customs. One of the central beliefs of Hinduism is the idea of Brahman, the ultimate reality and supreme power in the universe, which is expressed through various deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi.
Hindus believe in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (reincarnation) and the law of karma, which states that a person’s actions in this life will determine their future lives. Hinduism also emphasizes the importance of self-realization and spiritual liberation (moksha) through various practices such as yoga, meditation, and devotion to a chosen deity. The Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita are some of the most important scriptures in Hinduism.
Also Read: Countries that Celebrates Christmas
4. Buddhism
Buddhism is also considered a leading religion around the globe with more than 488 million followers. It was founded by Gautama Siddhartha 2500 years before in India. Its followers are acting the son of a warrior Prince who had a wealthy background in the history of a world. Buddhism is divided into three major sects like named Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
Also Interesting: Buddhism History Beliefs and Facts
Buddhism was founded in India 2,500 years ago and is based on the teachings of the Buddha, also known as Gautama Buddha or Siddhartha Gautama. There are two main branches of religion. They are Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. In Tibet, adherents subscribe to a form of Buddhism known as Vajrayana, Zen Buddhism is the most practiced in Japan. The basic principles of the Buddhist belief system include non-violence, as well as moral purity and moral conduct.
Meditation, ritual and non-violence play an important role in the daily life of Buddhists. The most recognizable figure in the Buddhist world is undoubtedly the Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th and current Dalai Lama. This former monk is not only the current (and exiled) spiritual leader of Tibet, but also a proclaimed peace activist.
5. Shintoism
Shintoism is based in Japan, with 104 million followers worldwide. Shintoism is a special belief system from Japan. People in Japan have followed it for a very long time. In Shintoism, they believe in something called “kami,” which are like special spirits or gods. These kami are in things like nature, objects, ancestors, and even parts of people.
Shintoism has many rituals, like cleaning ceremonies and giving food and prayers to the kami to ask for their blessings and protection. They also have special places to worship called shrines. These shrines look unique and have red gates called “torii.” People go to shrines to connect with the kami.
Shintoism is all about being in harmony with nature, respecting their ancestors, and keeping Japanese traditions alive. It’s one of the important parts of Japanese culture and continues to be a part of their life. They use Shinto ceremonies in important life events like weddings and funerals. So, Shintoism is a special mix of beliefs, stories, and traditions that are a big part of how Japanese people live and think.
6. Daoism
Daoism, or Taoism, is an ancient way of thinking and living that comes from China. It’s centered around a big idea called “Dao,” which means “the way” or “the path.” Daoism teaches that this “Dao” is like a natural force that guides everything in the world.
In Daoism, people are encouraged to keep things simple, be humble, and live in harmony with the natural way of things. They believe in finding balance in life and that everything is connected.
One famous book in Daoism is the “Tao Te Ching,” written by someone named Laozi. It’s full of wisdom about how to live a good and meaningful life by following the Dao.
Daoism also includes practices like meditation, qigong, and tai chi, which help people find inner peace, stay healthy, and gain spiritual insight. It’s not just a philosophy; it’s also a way of living and has influenced many parts of Chinese culture.
7. Sikhism
Sikhism is the world’s fifth largest religion having more than 28 million worshipers. They are living in the different countries of the world. It came into existence 500 years before by the Guru Nanak. This religion combined the beliefs from Islam and Hinduism. The majority of its followers is living in the Indian province Punjab.
When it comes to world religions, Sikhism is a relatively new faith. It originated in India and relied on the teachings of Guru Nanak and his ten successors. Historically, the Sikhs played a major role in regional policy and in the 1947 partition of India. At the heart of the Sikh faith are the basic principles of service and Simran, which are respectively related to community service and the memory of God. Although most of the Sikhs live in North India, many worshipers have flocked to many foreign countries, including Canada, the United States, South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom.
8. Judaism
Judaism has a long and rich history, and its history dates back to the eighth century BC. It has 13 million of followers. This monotheistic religion originated in the Middle East and has three major branches. These include Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism and Reformed Judaism (from the most traditional to the less conservative). Although each of them is rooted in a common belief system, they differ in terms of scriptural interpretation and specific practices.
Read more about Judaism: Judaism History Origin Facts Interesting Info
Synagogues serve as centers of Jewish worship and religious service presided over by each rabbi. They are also used as a form of community centers. There, followers can meet regularly to socialize and celebrate (dictates of faith).
9. Muism / Sinisme / Shingyo
Muism, also called Korean Shamanism, is a traditional belief system from Korea. It has approximately 10 millions followers around the word. It’s all about honoring and connecting with different kinds of spirits, like gods, ancestors, and nature’s powerful beings.
In Muism, special people called “mudang” or “shamans” act as messengers between our world and the spirit world. They perform rituals with music, dance, offerings, and chanting to talk to these spirits and ask for their guidance and blessings.
Nature is super important in Muism. Koreans believe that mountains, rivers, and other natural things have spirits living in them, so they treat them with respect and have special ceremonies for them.
Even though Buddhism and Confucianism have influenced Korea, Muism has held on as a significant part of Korean culture. People often practice it alongside other religions, showing how it’s still essential in Korean society. Muism is a unique mix of beliefs that focus on spirits, ancestors, and nature, and it’s a big part of what makes Korean culture special.
10. Cao Dai (6.7 million followers)
Cao Dai is a unique religious movement that started in Vietnam during the early 20th century. It’s a bit different from other religions because it combines ideas from Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and even Islam.
In Cao Dai, they believe in something called the “Cao Dai,” which is like their version of the highest God. But they also respect and look up to different important figures from history and religion, such as Buddha, Jesus Christ, and Confucius, thinking of them as special spirits or saints.
When Cao Dai followers practice their religion, they have special ceremonies. These ceremonies involve colorful robes, rituals, and symbols. They also have a big and beautiful temple in Tay Ninh called the Holy See, where they gather for their religious activities.
Cao Dai might not be very old, but it has gained quite a following in Vietnam and some other places. People are drawn to it because it combines different beliefs and emphasizes peace, tolerance, and good values.
Which is the most popular religion in the world in 2024?
Ans: At present Christianity is the largest followed religion than other religions around the globe. It having more than 2.1 billion worshipers.
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