Adieu, the final farewell, an exploration of death!
Religions: Forward to Six largest religions - Forward to Cemeteries – Back to Beliefs
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There are some 4,200 religions and faith groups in the world, globally some 80% of people today, when asked, say that they follow a religion. Though, to what degree their faith and observance is maintained is not established.
A 2017 survey of 66,000 people in 68 countries showed that:
- 74% believed that we have some form of soul;
- 71% believed in a God;
- 56% believed in a heaven, just 49% in a hell;
- 54% believed that there was a life after death.
Christianity, Islam and Judaism make claims that they are the only true religion, thus creating initially something of an argumentative approach towards other religions. The modern ecumenical movement seeks to reduce the argument, at least within Christianity.
China is the least religious country, where almost 7 out of 10 people claim to be atheist, more than double that of any other country. The most declared-religious countries are Thailand and Nigeria. This survey also perversely found that beliefs declined with age. This survey did confirm that religion is a relevant aspect in the lives of individuals at a worldwide level. (source: WIN/Gallup).
Hinduism is the oldest religion with its Vedas dating to c1500 BCE and its founding from even earlier, it is c4,300 years old. Judaism comes next at c3,400 years. Buddhism has existed for c2,500 years, Christianity for c2,000 years, Islam for c1,400 years and Sikhism for a little over 500 years.
The largest six of these religions account for 77% of world population, claiming over six billion adherents. These are, by reducing size:
| Christianity | 2,400,000,000 |
| Islamism | 1,900,000,000 |
| Hinduism | 1,200,000,000 |
| Buddhism | 500,000,000 |
| Sikhism | 26,000,000 |
| Judaism | 15,000,000 |
Three of these, the Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Islamism and Judaism), believe they have a covenant with their one god, and that there will be an afterlife.
The other three, the Dharmic (Indian) religions, believe in a cycle of existence, and in reincarnation.
| [FACTOID: Therefore 77% of the world’s population have faith that we survive death in some form. However, in their over 4,000 years of existence, no proof has emerged to prove this presumption – instead they require their followers to rely upon their faith.] |
But where five of them have a god – God, Allah, Paramatman, Waheguru and Jahweh – Buddhism has no god. Yet the many statues of Buddha are so omnipresent that he almost takes on many of the attributes of a god.
The Abrahamic religions bury their dead, although Christians may also use cremation. The Dharmic religions only use cremation. They all wash the deceased’s body.
Only Christianity practises embalming, but as the others are in hot climes and propose a speedy funeral there is often no time for that process. All six religions permit organ donation, today.
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Six largest religions:
– Christianity
– Islamism
– Hinduism
– Buddhism
– Sikhism
– Judaism
Religions: Forward to Six largest religions - Forward to Cemeteries – Back to Beliefs
Back to Adieu Index - Back to Bob Denton home page
