1. Religions Of the World (2012-2013) Census Alden B. Patria 8-Earth

2. Christianity FOUNDED : Christianity began about 2000 years ago in what is now Israel. FOUNDER :: Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, The Messiah. WRITING HOME: The Bible Old and New Testaments. Adherents :: is estimated at about 2 billion. CULTS: Christianity is divided into three main sects: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant. Among Protestants there are over 20,000 denominations. Currently Christianity is at the top practiced religion in the world 3. Islam FOUNDED: Islam began about 1400 years ago in what is now Saudi Arabia. Started by: THE Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). KEY SCRIPTURE: THE QURAAN, the revealed scripture of Islam, and the Hadith, the teachings, sayings and life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Adherents: One billion, mostly in the Middle East, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Africa, China and Eastern Europe. According to Guiness 4. Hinduism FOUNDED: Hinduism, the worlds oldest religion, has no beginning predates written history. FOUNDER: Hinduism has no single founder. MAJOR SCRIPTURES: The Gita, Vedas, the Agamas and more. Adherents: Almost one billion, mostly in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Indian Ocean, Africa, Europe and North and South. CULTS: There are four major denominations: Saivism, Saktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism. 5. Buddhism FOUNDED: Buddhism began about 2500 years ago in India. FOUNDER: Gautama Siddhartha, the Buddha, or Enlightened One. Major Scriptures: The Tripitaka, Anguttara-Nikaya, Fhammapada, Sutta-Nipata, Samyutta-Nikaya and many others. Adherents: More than 300 million. Cults: Buddhism today is divided into three main sects: Theravada, or Hinayana (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia), Mahayana (China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea), and Vajrayana (Tibet, Mongolia and Japan). 6. Taoism FOUNDED: Taoism began about 2500 years ago in China. FOUNDER: Lao-Tzu, whom Confucius described as a dragon riding the wind and clouds. KEY SCRIPTURE: The Tao-te-Ching, or Book of Reason and Virtue, is among the shortest of all scriptures, containing only 5000 words. Also important are the sacred writings of Chiang-tsu. Adherents: Estimated at 50 million, mostly in China and elsewhere in Asia. CULTS: Taoism is a highly mystical tradition, so there have been various interpretations and sects are many. 7. Confucianism FOUNDED: Confucianism began about 2500 years ago in China. FOUNDER: The Supreme Sage Kung-fu-tsu (Confucius) and Second Sage Meng-tsu (Mencius). KEY SCRIPTURE: The Philosophical Reviews, Doctrine of the Mean, Great Learning and Mencius book. Adherents: Approximately 350 million, mostly in China, Japan, Burma and Thailand. CULTS: There are no formal sects Confucianism. The followers are free to profess other religions and still be Confucianists. 8. Jainsim FOUNDED: THE Jainism began about 2500 years ago in India. FOUNDER: Nataputra Vardhamana, known as Mahavira Great Hero. Pricipales Scriptures: The Jain Agamas and Siddhantas. ADHARENTES: About 600 million, almost exclusively in Central and South India, especially in Mumbai. CULTS: There are two sects. The sect Digambara (sky clad) argues that a saint should own nothing, not even clothes, hence the practice of wearing only a loincloth. They believe that salvation in this birth is not possible for women. The sect Svetambara (white robes) disagree on that point. 9. Shintoism FOUNDED: Shintoism in Japan began around 2500-3000 years ago. FOUNDER :: Each of the thirteen ancient sects has its own founder. KEY SCRIPTURE: Kojiki (Record of Ancient Things), Nikongi (Chronicles of Japan), a later work, Yangishiki (Institutes Yengi period), and the Collection of 10,000 Leaves are the main works, but are not considered revealed scripture. Adherents: About 30 million, mostly in Japan. Most are also Buddhists. 10. Judaism FOUNDED: Judaism began about 3700 years ago in the Near East, mainly Canaan (now Israel) and Egypt. FOUNDERS: Abraham, who began the lineage, and Moses, who emancipated the enslaved Jewish tribes from Egypt. HOME WRITING: The Torah (the Old Testament and the Talmud). Adherents: About 12 million worldwide, more than half in the United States. CULTS :: The Jews are divided into sects: Orthodox, Conservative and Reform, with other regional and ethnic divisions. 11. Sikhism FOUNDED: THE Sikhism began about 500 years ago in North India, today the nation of Pakistan. FOUNDER: Guru Nanak. KEY SCRIPTURE: The Adi Granth, revered as the present guru of belief. Adherents: Estimated as nine million, primarily in the state of Punjab in India. CULTS: Khalsa Besides, there are Ram Raiyas in Uttar Pradesh and two groups with gurus in life the Mandharis and Nirankaris. 12. Zoroastrianism FOUNDED: Zoroastrianism began 2600 years ago in ancient Iran. FOUNDER: Spenta Zarathustra (Zoroaster). KEY SCRIPTURE: Lots of Zend-Avesta (Persian). Adherents: 125,000, mostly near Mumbai, where they are called Parsis. Cults: Cults today are three: Shagenshai, Kadmi and Fassali. These were the most preached and practiced Top Ten Religions in the World. Below is table showing population and percentage of each religion.