This document provides an overview of world religions. It begins by listing the 12 major world religions: Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shinto, Sikhism, Daoism, and Zoroastrianism. It notes there are approximately 4,200 religions total. The document then discusses what religion seeks to answer, including questions about God, the afterlife, and salvation. It defines religion as an organized system of beliefs and practices centered around gods, and distinguishes between monotheistic and polytheistic religions. The document concludes by outlining a group project where students will create a web presenting the key aspects of one

1. Introduction to
World Religion

2. Name as many
religions as you can,
you have two
minutes.

3. How many religions are there?
o According to theologicalstudies.org:
 The exact number of religions in the world is unknown.
Best estimates place the number around 4,200. Of this
number, a dozen have been classified as “major world
religions.”
 The following list mentions the twelve major world
religions in alphabetical order:
•Baha’I (7 million adherents)
•Buddhism (360 million)
•Christianity (2 billion)
•Confucianism (6 million)
•Hinduism (900 million)
•Islam (1.3 billion)
•Jainism (4 million)
•Judaism (14 million)
•Shinto (4 million)
•Sikhism (23 million)
•Daoism (2.7 million)
• Zoroastrianism (150,000)

4. What is religion?
(cont.)
 Religion seeks to answer the following questions:
 What is God?
 What form is God?
 How is the universe created?
 What happens after death?
 Why is there evil?
 How do you attain salvation?
 Why is there suffering?
 Guidance on current issues…(abortion, capital punishment,
etc…)

5. What is religion?
 According to your book:
 Religion is an organized system of beliefs and practices, often
centered on one of more gods.
 One or more gods?
 Monotheism:
 Mono = one
 Theism = God or Deity
 Polytheism:
 Poly = Many
 Theism = God or Deity

6. Monotheistic Religions
 Christianity
 God, The Trinity
 Islam
 Allah
 Judaism
 Jehovah, Yahweh
 Sikhism
 God, many names

7. Polytheistic/Other Religions
 Hinduism
 Over 2,000 gods, but many worship Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesh,
and Lakshimi
 Buddhism
 No one god or major emphasis on a Deity, however, Buddha is
a highly revered figure.

8. Group Project
 Each group of 4-5 will be assigned one of the world’s
major religions, and will complete to following task:
 Create a web of the religion, include the following:
 Basic Ideas & Beliefs
 Symbols
 Holy Books
 Prophets
 Clergy
 Sects
 Holidays/Religious Ceremonies
 Funeral Practices
 Places of Worship
 Holy Sites & Places

9. For Example:
Confucianism
Beliefs
Prophets
Funeral
Practices
Symbols
Place of
Worship
Holy
Book(s)
Holidays &
Ceremonies
Holy Sites
Sects
Clergy

10. Group Project (cont.)
 Assign a group member to each of the areas you will need
information on about the assigned religion.
 Your web must include all of these areas! (This may mean writing:
This religion does not have ______.)
 Your group must include at least 5 pictures somewhere on/around
your web. These may be hand drawn or computer printed/created.
 You will have two class periods to do your research and complete
your web.
 Each group member will share the information they found during
group presentations.
 Be creative, this project should be fun!