World religions shape cultures and societies worldwide. This overview covers major faiths like Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, as well as philosophical traditions like Taoism and Confucianism.

The notes highlight key beliefs, origins, and practices of each religion. They also touch on different views of deities, from monotheism to atheism, giving a broad picture of global religious diversity.

Major World Religions

Abrahamic Religions

• Christianity is the world's largest religion, with over 2 billion followers, and is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe to be the Son of God and the savior of humanity
• Islam is the second-largest religion, with over 1.8 billion followers, and is based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, who Muslims believe to be the final prophet of God (Allah)
• Judaism is the oldest of the Abrahamic religions, with around 14 million followers, and is based on the belief in one God and the importance of following the teachings of the Torah

Indian Religions

• Hinduism is the world's third-largest religion, with over 1 billion followers, and is a diverse set of beliefs and practices that originated in India, including the belief in multiple gods and goddesses, the concept of karma, and the goal of achieving moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth)
• Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in India, with over 500 million followers, and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), who taught the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as a way to end suffering and achieve enlightenment
• Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region of India, with around 30 million followers, and is based on the teachings of the Ten Gurus, who emphasized the importance of devotion to God, equality, and service to others

Eastern Philosophical Traditions

Chinese Philosophical Traditions

• Taoism is a philosophical and religious tradition that originated in China, emphasizing living in harmony with the Tao (the way or path), which is seen as the source and essence of all things, and includes practices such as meditation, martial arts (Tai Chi), and traditional Chinese medicine
• Confucianism is a philosophical and ethical system that originated in China, based on the teachings of Confucius, which emphasizes the importance of virtues such as benevolence, righteousness, and filial piety, as well as the importance of education and self-cultivation

Japanese Philosophical Tradition

• Shintoism is the indigenous religion of Japan, which involves the worship of kami (spirits or deities) that are believed to inhabit nature, and includes practices such as shrine visits, festivals (Matsuri), and rituals to maintain harmony between humans, nature, and the kami

Religious Beliefs

Belief in Deities

• Monotheism is the belief in a single, all-powerful God, as found in religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism
• Polytheism is the belief in multiple gods and goddesses, as found in religions such as Hinduism, ancient Greek religion (Olympian gods), and ancient Egyptian religion (Osiris, Isis, Ra)

Belief in the Existence of Deities

• Atheism is the lack of belief in the existence of any deities or gods
• Agnosticism is the belief that the existence of deities or gods cannot be known with certainty, and that one should maintain an open and questioning approach to religious claims