World Faiths and Religions

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when He held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for He was looking ahead and including them in what He would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate His righteousness, for He Himself is fair and just, and He declares sinners to be right in His sight when they believe in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26 NLT)

FAITH OR RELIGION	BELIEVERS WORLDWIDE	DOCTRINE
Christianity (Christian)	2 – 2.2 billion people (33.32% or world population)	God/Word/Holy Spirit – Bible – collection of 66 books, written by inspiration, the breath of God, the Creator of all, and by the hand of 40 different men over a span of 1,500 years, all of which clearly and harmoniously tell of God’s plan to deliver men from sin, through the birth, death and resurrection of His Only Begotten Son, Christ Jesus
Islam (Muslim)	1.5 – 1.7 billion people (21.01% of world population)	God/Muhammad – Qur’an - follows the words written by Muhammad, who they believe is the last prophet of God, or Allah, and they follow the letter of the law, without exception, believing that by their works they are accepted by God
Hinduism	800 million – 1 billion people (13.26% of world population)	Individual/tradition/philosphy - Rig Veda - does not clearly define who god is, nor encourages a belief in god, but each person to seek and discover their own answers in the quest of life, however believing that each person has an eternal spirit or soul and that the universe is an effect and ought to have a creator, to which they create shrines for the purpose of meditation and prayer
Buddhism	400 – 500 million people (5.84% of world population)	Sidhartha Gautama (Buddha) - The Three Jewels/Four Noble Truths/Three Marks of Existence - traditions, beliefs and practices based on Buddha teachings, including self-denial, meditation, study of scriptures, and higher level of mental understanding, which lead to various stages of nirvana, karma and rebirth
Folk religions	100’s of millions of people	Cultural views and practices - Folk rituals in combination with religious practices - do not believe in a particular creed or make a formal profession of faith in any belief, but do practice religious rituals and ceremonies
Shinto	27 – 65 million people	Gods (Kami) - set practices - purpose is for Japanese to reconnect with their ancient past, where the spirit engages in philosophical study and various rituals, which they believe has a direct effect on life and after-life events
Sikhism	24 – 28 million people	God/Guru Nanak Dev - Guru Granth Sahib Ji - believers must embody the qualities of s saint-solider, having control over internal vices and the ability to constantly immerse in virtues clarified in their holy scriptures, believing that by their own will they can attain the highest truth and overcome all temptations, which will lead to salvation and unity with God in the afterlife
Judaism	14 – 18 million people	God/Moses/Abraham/Priests - Tanakh/Torah/Talmud/Tenets -Jews are to believe in God and obey and follow all 613 commandments as outlined in the first five books of the Hebrew bible, along with following strict instruction regarding ethical practices, prayer, religious clothing, Sabbath observation, Jewish holidays and festivals, diet, rituals, etc.
Jainism	8 – 12 million people	Individual/soul - Triple Gems of Jainism - spiritual development through one's own personal wisdom and reliance of self-control through vows, in order to achieve complete liberation and nirvana, while not believing in a creator deity but many demi-gods, and that the universe is self regulated by the laws of nature
Baha’i Faith	7.6 – 7.9 million people	God/Messengers - Baha'i literature - belief that originated in Iran, believing that God has sent various messengers to establish religions that suited the needs of the people at the time, but that ultimately humanity is in a process of collective evolution, and that there will be the unity of God, religion and mankind, through man's obedience to God's messengers, service to humanity and regular prayer and spiritual practice
various others	100’s of thousands to 3 million people	gods or no gods - various beliefs, rituals, practices, customs
Folk through various combined	(12.48% of world population)
Agnosticism	100’s of thousands to 1 million people	Agnostics are uncertain about whether God exists or not.
Atheism	100’s of thousands to 1 million people	Atheists do not believe there is a God, but if there is a God, they do not believe in Him.
Non-believers combined	(14.09% of world population)

Whether people choose to believe the Truth or not does not stop it from being the Truth! As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (Psalm 18:30) Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. (Proverb 30:5-6)

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus [God's Only Begotten Son] every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(Phillipians 2:5-11 KJV) AMEN

Unbiased resources: http://www.religioustolerance.org/; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_religious_groups