Over 40 religions and belief systems are currently listed. If a group does not appear, it doesn't mean it's not a religion or doesn't matter; This account is not comprehensive but is intended to give you a sense of the scope of these religions. There are over 4200 religious beliefs, but these are the major ones by size.
1 million
Various prophet-healing churches founded since c.1918, West Nigeria.
Generally monotheistic; a mix of Anglican, Pentecostal and traditional African beliefs.
Strong emphasis on healing and salvation in this life.
Not emphasized; views vary.
Spiritual healing is central. Mix of Anglican and African rituals; a prophet plays a prominent role.
none
Revival of Norse and Germanic paganism, 1970s Scandinavia and USA.
Polytheistic, Norse gods and goddesses, Norse creation myths.
Salvation or redemption not emphasized. Fatalistic outlook.
Valhalla (heaven) for death in battle; Hel (peaceful place) for most; Hifhel (hell) for the very evil.
Sacrifice of food or drink, toast to the gods, shamanism (less frequently), celebration of solstice holidays. Nine Noble Virtues is moral code.
Eddas (Norse epics); the Havamal (proverbs attributed to Odin)
7.4 million self-identified atheists; 1.1 billion are religiously "unaffiliated"
Appears throughout history (including ancient Greek philosophy), but especially after the Enlightenment (19th cent).
There is no God or divine beings.
Many atheists believe that since there is no afterlife, this one life is of great importance. Only humans can help themselves and each other solve the world's problems.
Influential works include those by Marx, Freud, Feuerbach, Voltaire, and Mark Twain. Notable modern authors include Richard Dawkins and Carl Sagan.
5-7 million
Founded by Bahá'u'lláh, 1863, Tehran, Iran.
One God, who has revealed himself progressively through major world religions.
The soul is eternal and essentially good. Purpose of life is to develop spiritually and draw closer to God.
Soul separates from the body and begins a journey towards or away from God. Heaven and hell are states of being.
Daily prayer, avoidance of intoxicants, scripture reading, hard work, education, work for social justice and equality.
Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and other Bahá'í leaders.
100,000
11th-century Tibet
Nontheistic Buddhism, but meditation on peaceful and wrathful deities.
Gain enlightenment.
Reincarnation until gain enlightenment
Meditation on mandalas and Tibetan deities, astrology, monastic life.
500 million
Based on teachings of Siddharta Gautama (the Buddha) in c. 520 BC, NE India.
Buddhist gods include buddhas, bodhisattvas, arhats and deities; such as Tara, Kuan Yin, and Amida Buddha.
Escape the cycle of rebirth and attain nirvana (Theravada Buddhism). Become a boddhisatva then help others attain enlightenment (Mahayana Buddhism).
The Meaning of Life in Buddhism
Rebirth or nirvana. Nirvana is seen simply as the cessation of suffering by some and as a heavenly paradise by others.
Meditation, mantras, devotion to deities (in some sects), mandalas (Tibetan)
Tripitaka (Pali Canon); Mahayana sutras like the Lotus Sutra; others.
4-6 million
Founded in 1926, Vietnam by Ngo Van Chieu and others based on a séance.
God represented by Divine Eye. Founders of Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity venerated, and saints including Victor Hugo.
Goal is peace and harmony in each person and in the world. Salvation by "cultivating self and finding God in self."
reincarnation until Nirvana/Heaven
Hierarchy similar to Roman Catholicism. Daily prayer. Meditation. Communication with spirit world (now outlawed in Vietnam).
394 million
Indigenous folk religion of China.
Dualistic yin and yang; mythological beings and folk deities.
Chinese Traditional Religion Theism
A favorable life and peaceful afterlife, attained through rituals and honoring of ancestors.
judgment, then paradise or punishment and reincarnation
Ancestor worship, prayer, longevity practices, divination, prophecy and astrology, feng shui.
400,000
Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879, Massachusetts.
One God. No Trinity (in traditional sense). Matter and evil do not exist.
"Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all; sin, sickness and death destroyed."
Heaven is "not a locality, but a divine state of Mind in which all the manifestations of Mind are harmonious and immortal."
Spiritual healing through prayer and knowledge, Sunday services, daily Bible and Science & Health reading.
Christian Bible, Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures
2.2 billion
Life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth (born c. 4 BCE), a Jew from Palestine under Roman rule
One God, who is a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit; angels; demons; saints
God & Spiritual Beings in Christianity
All have sinned and are thereby separated from God. Salvation is through faith in Christ and, for some, sacraments and good works.
Resurrection of body and soul; eternal heaven or hell (most denominations); temporary purgatory (Catholicism)
Prayer, Bible study, baptism, Eucharist (Communion), church on Sundays, numerous holidays.
Bible (Hebrew Bible + New Testament)
5-6 million
Based on the teachings of Confucius (551–479 BCE, China)
To fulfill one's role in society with propriety, honor, and loyalty.
Analects
Especially popularized in the 18th-cent. Enlightenment under Kant, Voltaire, Paine, Jefferson, and others
One Creator God who is uninterested in the world. Reason is basis for all knowledge.some deists practiced prayer,
500,000
Founded by Al-Darazi in 11th century, Cairo, Egypt. Roots in the Isma'iliyya sect of Shia Islam.
Universal Intelligence (al-Aql al-Kulli) or Divine Essence (akin to Neoplatonism), of which al-Hakim is believed to be an incarnation.
Live a good life for a favorable reincarnation. Await the re-appearance of al-Hakim (a Fatimid caliph who disappeared in 1021), who will usher in a Golden Age for true believers.
Reincarnation. Heaven is a spiritual existence when one has escaped reincarnation. Hell is distance from God in lifetime after lifetime.
Modest lifestyles, fasting before Eid al-Adha. Beliefs and practices are hidden for protection from persecution. Special group of initiates called uqqal.
50,000-500,000
Founded by Paul Twitchell in Las Vegas, 1965
The Divine Spirit, called "ECK."
"Each of us is Soul, a spark of God sent to this world to gain spiritual experience." Salvation is liberation and God-realization.
Reincarnation. The Soul is eternal by nature and on a spiritual journey. Liberation possible in a single lifetime.
Spiritual Exercises of ECK: mantras, meditation, and dreams. These enable Soul travel and spiritual growth.
Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad and books by Harold Klemp.
Based on the teachings of Epicurus, c. 300 BCE, Athens.
Polytheism, but the gods take no notice of humans.
Pursue the highest pleasures (friendship and tranquility) and avoid pain.
No afterlife. The soul dissolves when the body dies.
3 million
Li Hongzhi in 1992 in China
Countless gods and spiritual beings. Demonic aliens.
Good health and spritual transcendence, achieved by practicing Falun Gong.
Five exercises to strengthen the Falun. Cultivation of truthfulness, benevolence and forbearance. Meat eating discouraged.
Zhuan Falun and other writings by Master Li
Ancient form extinct; small modern revival groups
Various teachers including Valentinus, 1st-2nd cents. AD
The supreme God is unknowable; the creator god is evil and matter is evil.
Humans can return to the spiritual world through secret knowledge of the universe.
Return to the spiritual world.
Asceticism, celibacy
Gnostic scriptures including various Gospels and Acts attributed to apostles.
Ancient form extinct; various modern revivals
Indigenous religion of the ancient Greeks, c. 500 BCE to 400 CE.
Olympic pantheon (Zeus, etc.) mixed with eastern deities like Isis and Cybele.
Human life is subject to the whim of the gods and to Fate; these can be partially controlled through sacrifice and divination.
Beliefs varied from no afterlife to shadowy existence in the underworld to a paradise-like afterlife (mainly in mystery religions).
Animal sacrifice, harvest offerings, festivals, games, processions, dance, plays, in honor of the gods. Secret initiations and rituals in mystery religions.
Epic poems of Homer and Hesiod.
250,000-1 million
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, 1966, USA (with roots in 15th-century Hindu movement)
Krishna is the Supreme God.
Salvation from this Age of Kali is by a return to Godhead, accomplished through Krishna-Consciousness.
Reincarnation until unite with the Godhead.
Chanting, dancing, evangelism, vegetarianism, temple worship, monastic-style living the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is
1 billion
Indigenous religion of India as developed to present day. Earliest forms (Vedic religion) date to 1500 BCE or earlier; major developments 1st-9th centuries CE.
One Supreme Reality (Brahman) manifested in many gods and goddesses
Humans are in bondage to ignorance and illusion, but are able to escape. Purpose is to gain release from rebirth, or at least a better rebirth.
Reincarnation until gain enlightenment.
Yoga, meditation, worship (puja), devotion to a god or goddess, pilgrimage to holy cities, live according to one's dharma (purpose/ role).
Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, etc.
1.6 billion
Based on teachings of the Prophet Muhammad; founded 622 CE in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
One God (Allah in Arabic); the same God revealed (imperfectly) in the Jewish and Christian Bibles
Submit (islam) to the will of God to gain Paradise after death.
eternal Paradise or eternal Hell
Islamic Beliefs About the Afterlife
Five Pillars: Faith, Prayer, Alms, Pilgrimage, Fasting. Mosque services on Fridays. Ablutions before prayer. No alcohol or pork. Holidays related to the pilgrimage and fast of Ramadan.
Qur'an (sacred text); Hadith (tradition)
4 million
Founded by Mahavira, c. 550 BCE, eastern India
Polytheism and pantheism. The universe is eternal; many gods exist. Gods, humans and all living things are classified in a complex hierarchy.
Gain liberation from cycle of rebirth, by avoiding all bad karma, especially by causing no harm to any sentient being.
Reincarnation until liberation.
Monasticism under the Five Great Vows (Non-Violence, Truth, Celibacy, Non-Stealing, Non-Possessiveness); worship at temples and at home. Meditation and mantras.
The teachings of Mahavira in various collections.
6.5 million
Founded by Charles Taze Russell, 1879, Pittsburgh
History of the Jehovah's Witnesses
One God: Jehovah. No Trinity. Christ is the first creation of God; the Holy Spirit is a force.
Salvation is through faith in Christ and obeying Jehovah's laws. The End of the World is soon.
Heaven for 144,000 chosen Witnesses, eternity on new earth for other Witnesses. All others annihilated. No hell.
No blood transfusions, no celebration of holidays, no use of crosses or religious images. Baptism, Sunday service at Kingdom Hall, strong emphasis on evangelism.
New World Translation of the Scriptures
14 million
The religion of Abraham (c. 1800 BCE) and the Hebrews, especially after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.
One God: Yahweh (YHVH)
Obey God's commandments, live ethically. Focus is more on this life than the next.
Not emphasized; views vary: no afterlife, shadowy existence, World to Come (similar to heaven), Gehenna (similar to hell), reincarnation
Circumcision at birth, bar/bat mitzvah at adulthood, observing Sabbath, wearing tallit and tefilin, prayer services
Hebrew Bible (Tanakh); Talmud
Several million Maya practice a Catholicism that retains many elements of traditional Mayan religion.
Began c.250 CE (rise of the Mayan civilization)
Many gods, including Itzamná, Kukulcán, Bolon Tzacab, and Chac
Appease and nourish the gods; determine luckiest dates for various activities.
The soul journeys through dark and threatening underworld; but sacrificial victims and women who die in childbirth go to heaven.
Astronomy, divination, human sacrifice, elaborate burial for royalty, worship in stone pyramid-temples
Dresden Codex; Madrid Codex; Paris Codex; Books of Chilam Balam; Popol Vuh; The Ritual of the Bacabs
12.2 million
Revelations to Joseph Smith, 1830, New York.
God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate individual beings
Return to God by faith in Christ, good works, ordinances, and evangelism.
All return to spirit world instruction before resurrection. Then Mormons to heaven with God and families; others rewarded apart from God; hell for those who still reject God.
Abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea; baptism for the dead; eternal marriage; temple garments under daily clothes; active evangelism.
Christian Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price
10,000-100,000
Founded by Wallace Fard Muhammad, 1930, Detroit, USA.
"One God whose proper name is Allah." Wallace Fard Muhammad became the divine messiah and incarnation of Allah in 1930.
"The Blackman is the original man." Live righteously and worship Allah.
Mental resurrection of the righteous. Black people will be mentally resurrected first.
Prayer five times a day. Work for the equality of the African race. Respect laws of the land, don't carry arms, don't make war. Healthy living and abstinence from alcohol, smoking and substance abuse. Modest dress.
Qur'an and "Scriptures of all the Prophets of God" are holy texts. Influential writings include Elijah Muhammad's Message to the Blackman in America (1965)
5 million
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Annie Besant in the 19th C, Alice A. Bailey (1880-1949), flourished in 1970s and 80s
The Divine is an impersonal life force that pervades all things
Dawning of a New Age of heightened consciousness and international peace. Individuals can obtain a foretaste of the New Age through spiritual transformation ("Ascension"). More emphasis on the latter now. Evil comes from ignorance.
Reincarnation
Astrology; mysticism; use of crystals; yoga; tarot readings; holistic medicine; psychic abilities; angelic communications; channeling; amulets; fortune-telling
Works of a variety of New Age writers
160,000
Phineas Parkhurst Quimby (1802-66) and others, late 19th century, USA.
Generally monism (all is One), but members might be theists, pantheists or panentheists. God is immanent; the universe is essentially spiritual.
Man is divine, essentially spirit, and has infinite possibility. Mind can control the body. Sin and sickness caused by incorrect thinking. Man can live in oneness with God in love, truth, peace, health, and prosperity.
"Life is eternal in the invisible kingdom of God."
Emphasis on spiritual and mental healing, but without rejection of modern medicine. Worship services; prayer for the sick; discussion of New Thought authors and ideas.
Writings of Quimby (such as the The Quimby Manuscripts) and other New Thought authors
Extinct in original form
Indigenous religion of the Olmecs, Guatemala and Mexico, c. 1500-400 BCE
Mostly unknown due to lack of written records. Many gods represented in art, including the Olmec Dragon, Maize Deity, Bird Monster, and Were-Jaguar.
unknown, but art indicates importance of fertility (rain, corn, etc.)
sacrifices, large sculptures of human heads, cave rituals, pilgrimages, ball-courts, pyramids
1 million
Founded by Marcus Garvey in the slums of Jamaica in the 1920s and 30s
God is Jah, who became incarnate in Jesus (who was black); Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I was messiah.
Humans are temples of Jah. Salvation is primarily in this world and consists of liberation from oppression and return to Africa.
Some Rastas will experience "everliving" (physical immortality). Heaven is a return to Eden, which is in Africa.
Many practices based on Jewish biblical Law. Abstinence from most or all meat, artificial foods, and alcohol. Use of marijuana in religious rituals and for medicine. Wearing of dreadlocks.
Holy Piby (the "Blackman's Bible"). The Ethiopian epic Kebra Negast also revered.
The Church of Satan was founded in 1966 by Anton LaVey
70,000 or several million, depending on the source
Founded by L. Ron Hubbard, 1954, California
God(s) not specified; reality explained in the Eight Dynamics
Human consists of body, mind and thetan; capable of great things. Gain spiritual freedom by ridding mind of engrams.
Reincarnation
Auditing, progressing up various levels until "clear". Focus on education and drug recovery programs.
Writings of Hubbard, such as Dianetics and Scientology
25 million
Rooted in Millerite movement; founded 1863 in New England; early leaders: Ellen White, Hiram Edson and Joseph Bates
Trinitarian monotheism
Live in accordance with the Bible, including the Old Testament. The Second Coming will happen soon.
A "peaceful pause" after death until the coming of Christ, then resurrection to judgment, followed by eternity in heaven or nonexistence. No hell.
24-hour Sabbath observance starting Friday at sunset; adult baptism by immersion; church services emphasizing sermon
Christian Bible; writings of Ellen G. White as helpful supplement
3-4 million
Indigenous religion of Japan
kami: ancient gods or spirits
Humans are pure by nature and can keep away evil through purification rituals and attain good things by calling on the kami.
Death is bad and impure. Some humans become kami after death.
Worship and offerings to kami at shrines and at home. Purification rituals.
Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters); Nihon-gi (Chronicles of Japan)
23 million
Founded by Guru Nanak, c. 1500, Punjab, India.
one God: Ik Onkar
Overcome the self, align life with will of God, and become a "saint soldier," fighting for good.
Reincarnation until resolve karma and merge with God.
Prayer and meditation on God's name, services at temple (gurdwara), turban and five Ks. Balance work, worship, and charity. No monasticism or asceticism.
Adi Granth (Sri Guru Granth Sahib)
11 million
c.1850, USA, UK, France
Generally accepts the Christian God
Body and spirit are separate entities. Morality and contact with spirits affect afterlife.
A spiritual existence with access to the living. Condition depends on morality of life and advancement is possible.
Sunday services. Seances and other communication with departed spirits. Spirit healing.
No authoritative texts. Doctrine learned from spirit guides (advanced departed spirits).
Zeno in c.313 BC, Athens.
Pantheism: the logos pervades the universe.
Happiness, which is achieved by living reasonably.
Possible continued existence of the Soul, but not a personal existence.
Ethical and philosophical training, self-reflection, careful judgment and inner calm.
writings of Zeno, Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius
20 million specifically of Taoism (Chinese religion contains Taoist elements)
Based on teachings of Lao-Tzu, c. 550 BC, China.
Pantheism - the Tao pervades all.
Inner harmony, peace, and longevity. Acheived by living in accordance with the Tao.
Revert back to state of non-being, which is simply the other side of being.
General attitude of detachment and non-struggle, "go with the flow" of the Tao. Tai-chi, acupuncture, and alchemy to help longevity.
Tao-te Ching; Chuang-tzu
over 1 million
Founded by Sun Myung Moon, 1954, South Korea.
Monotheism, with the duality of God (esp. masculine and feminine) emphasized. No Trinity.
True love and world peace instead of selfish love. True love and the kingdom of God on earth will be restored by the creation of "true families."
Eternal life in a spirit world.
Blessing Ceremony
The Divine Principle (1954) by Rev. Moon.
800,000
Formal merger of Unitarians and Universalists in 1961, USA.
History of Unitarian-Universalism
Has no set beliefs, which is its defining characteristic.
Salvation is "spiritual health or wholeness." Members seek "inner and outer peace," insight, health, compassion and strength.
Not specified. Some believe in an afterlife, some do not. Very few believe in hell - "Universalism" indicates the belief that all will be saved.
Ceremonies for marriages, funerals, etc. Church services have elements from various religions. Emphasis on civil rights, social justice, equality and environment. Most UUs are anti-death penalty and pro-gay rights.
Unitarian Universalist practices
Many sacred texts are revered by various members; some none at all. The Bible is the most commonly used text.
1-3 million
Based on ancient pagan beliefs, but modern form founded early 1900s. Founder generally said to be Gerald Gardner.
Polytheism, centered on the Goddess and God, each in various forms; also a belief in a Supreme Being over all
"If it harms none, do what you will."
reincarnation until reach the Summerland
Prayer, casting a circle, Drawing Down the Moon, reciting spells, dancing, singing, sharing cakes and wine or beer
No sacred text; foundational texts include The Witch Cult in Western Europe and The God of the Witches
200,000
Based on teachings of Zoroaster in 6th cent. BCE Persia. Official religion of ancient Persia. May have influenced Judaism and Vedic religion.
One God, Ahura Mazda, but a dualistic worldview in which an evil spirit, Angra Mainyu, is almost as powerful.
Humans are free to do good or evil, must choose the side of good.
Judgment followed by heaven or hell. Hell is temporary until final purgation and return to Ahura Mazda.
prayers; tending the sacred fire; coming of age rituals; burial by exposure in the Tower of Silence
Zoroastrian rituals and practices
Zend Avesta