Here is the list of top 5 religions around the world

Religion has played a major role in shaping world history and remains a powerful force. The first religions were based on the worship of natural forces, such as air, fire and wind, or animals, mountains and rivers. Today, some religion has many gods, other has only one god and there was some that has no god at all. Although they differ in many ways, they all teach their followers to live by a moral code. Here is the list of top 5 religions around the world.

5. SIKHISM

Sikhism was founded in India in the late 1400s by Guru Nanak, who had been a Hindu. The Sikhs believe in only one God who is the true guru. Sikh men have five”k” symbols that that they wear. They are kesh (uncut hair), kangha (comb), kara (bracelet), kaccha (breeches) and kirpan (dagger). There are about 25 million followers of this religion.

4. BUDDHISM

Buddhism is based on the teachings of an Indian prince, Gautama Siddhartha, who was born in 563 B.C. He became known as Buddha, which means Enlightened One. Buddhists share the Hindu belief in rebirth and aim to achieve nirvana (absolute peace). Meditation is used to achieve enlightenment (complete understanding). There are about 500 million Buddhist around the world.

3. HINDUISM

Hinduism is the major religion of India. It began in about 1500 B.C. although nobody knows who founded the religion. Hindus worship many gods. The three most important are called Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. They believe in reincarnation (rebirth) of the soul after death and are born into castes (rank in society). There are about 1 billion followers of Hinduism around the world.

2. ISLAM

Islam was founded in Arabia by the prophet Muhammad in about 622 A.D. The Muslim’s (followers of Islam) most sacred book is the Qu’ran, which is the direct word of the one God, Allah. Islamic life is based on a set of rules called the five pillars of Islam. By following these rules, Muslims believe they will reach heaven. A total of 1.5 billion Muslims are identified around the world.

1. CHRISTIANITY

Christianity is based on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, who was born in Palestine (now Israel). Christian believes that Jesus is the Son of God and that he rose from the dead after being crucified on a cross. The Christian Bible includes the Jewish Old Testaments and Christ’s teachings, as recorded in the New Testaments. It is estimated to have 2 billion of Christian today making it the largest known religion in the world.