10 Most Widely Practiced Religions in the World

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - There are a number of religions adhered to by the world's population. According to a research in 2022, there are several religions in the world with a massive number of followers. These popular religions are the beliefs of billions of people on earth and occupy the top position among 4,300 other religions.

According to the KBBI (Big Indonesian Dictionary), religion is a system or a teaching that regulates human beliefs (faith). Including the procedures for worshiping Almighty God. As well as rules relating to the interaction of living things and their environment. A person who has a particular religion is called a believer or adherent of a religion.

The 10 Largest Religions in the World

In some religions, their teachings also collaborate the habits and customs of a region. Religion greatly influences the formation of a person's ethical and moral beliefs. Based on World Population Review data, the following are the largest religions in the world:

1. Christian

The first largest religion in the world is Christianity. The total number of adherents reaches 2.38 billion or around 32% of the 8 billion human population. Christianity itself has several sects, including Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox. The teachings of Jesus Christ were born in 27 AD. The Vatican is a city with 100% of the population being Roman Catholic. Followed by the Pitcairn Islands with the Adventist sect.

2. Islam

The second largest religion in the world is Islam. The number of followers is known to be around 1.91 billion people. Countries with 100 percent Muslim populations are Saudi Arabia, Maldives and Mauritania. Meanwhile, 99% of people in Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan choose Islam as their guide for life. In total there are 50 Muslim-majority countries throughout the world, including Indonesia. The sect of Islam itself consists of Sunni and Shia.

3. Hinduism

The next largest religion is Hinduism. which has several sects, it is also on the list of the 10 largest religions in the world in 2022. Hinduism has around 1.16 billion followers. The country with the largest number of Hindus is India, then Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Hinduism includes Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism.

4. Buddha

The next largest religion is Buddhism. So far, people know that Buddha came from India. However, it turns out that the largest number of followers of religious teachings comes from China, namely around 254.7 million people. Meanwhile, the total number of Buddhist followers reaches 507 million people. In second place, there is Thailand with 66.1 million Buddhists, followed by Myanmar and Japan.

5. Local Chinese Religion

This traditional religion, which is predominantly believed by the Han tribe, has 384 million followers or 5.5 percent of the total human population on earth. Chinese religion does not officially release holy books. Its adherents are known to have great respect for their ancestors and gods and goddesses.

6. Shinto

The 6th largest religion in the world in 2022 is Shinto. This religion developed in Japan starting in the 8th century AD. To date, there are 104 million Shinto followers. Shinto teaches humans to worship and serve regional leaders, namely kings. They have culturally based spiritual practices. All natural phenomena, including animate and inanimate objects, are believed to carry spirits.

7. Sikhism

As one of the largest countries in the world, India also develops several religious teachings. Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak and ten of his followers. This religion is first known to have appeared in Punjab, North India in 1469. This religion with 30 million followers is oriented towards the oneness of God.

8. Judaism

This religion was pioneered by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Middle East around the 8th century BC. There are three branches of sect taught, namely Conservative Judaism, Orthodox Judaism, and Reform Judaism. There are 14 million people willing to study Judaism. They only believe in one God, but interpret the scriptures and their practices differently.

9. Taoism

Taoism is the 9th largest religion in the world. This religion found in the Chinese plains has existed since 2,000 years ago. There are recorded to be around 12 million adherents of Taoism. Taoism or also known as Daoism, focuses on the balance of life with the ups and downs of natural turmoil. The initiator was Laozi who lived in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

10. Muism

The last largest religion in the world is Muism. Korean Muism or Shamanism is followed by 10 million followers. Their lives are closely related to Korean history and traditional culture. His beliefs are heavily influenced by Buddhism and Taoism. Muism points to Mudang, a figure who will make contact with the gods.

MELYNDA DWI PUSPITA

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