World Religion Comparison Charts

Exploring the world’s religions using the comparison charts below offers fascinating insights into cultures and beliefs. It opens doors to understanding human history, values, and connections.

Whether you’re curious about the world or an academic explorer, studying world religions offers a wealth of knowledge.

Understanding different faiths reveals the core values that guide entire societies, explains long-standing traditions, and provides insights into human nature and the universal quest for meaning.

Explore 25 world religions using the comparison charts below in areas like origins, beliefs, practices, size, location, sacred texts, and more.

The aim of the comparison charts is to offer readers a helpful starting point toward understanding the religions of the world.

Also, see What’s the Difference Between Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox? to learn more.

How the World Religions Started: Time and Place

Discovering how world religions started is a captivating journey through time and culture. Uncover the roots of beliefs that have shaped societies, inspired art, and guided morals.

Learning the origins of these faiths offers unique insights into human history and a deeper connection to our shared global heritage.

Religion	Origins
African Tribal Religions	Originated prehistorically with each tribe’s unique spiritual development.
Asatru	Revived in the 20th century, based on ancient Norse practices.
Bahai	Founded in mid-19th century Persia by Bahá’u’lláh.
Buddhism, Mahayana	Emerged 1st century BC, a development from earlier Buddhism.
Buddhism, Theravada	Began 5th century BC, a continuation of Early Buddhism.
Chinese Religion	Evolved over centuries; Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC) earliest records.
Confucianism	Established in the late Zhou Dynasty, China, around 500 BC.
Christianity, Catholic	Originated in the 1st century AD from early Christianity.
Christianity, Protestant	Started with the Reformation in Europe in the 16th century AD.
Christianity, Orthodox	Solidified post-Great Schism from Catholicism, 1054 AD.

Also, see Christian Denominations Comparison Chart to learn more.

Hinduism	Roots are traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization, 2000 BC.
Islam, Shia	Began after Prophet Muhammad’s death, 632 AD.
Islam, Sunni	Originated after Prophet Muhammad’s death, 632 AD, majority sect.
Jehovah’s Witness	Began in the USA, late 19th century (1870s).
Judaism	Dates back to Abraham, approximately 2100 BC, in Middle East.
Mormonism	Founded by Joseph Smith in the USA, 1830.
New Age	Emerged in the late 20th century, integrating various beliefs.
Rastafari	Started in Jamaica in the 1930s, post-coronation of Haile Selassie.
Scientology	Established by L. Ron Hubbard in the USA, 1953.
Sikhism	Founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region, 15th century.

Shinto	Indigenous faith of Japan, originating in prehistoric times.
Taoism	Developed in China, late Zhou Dynasty, around 4th century BC.
Unitarian Universalism	Emerged in the USA, 1961, combining two Christian denominations.
Wiccan (modern)	Founded in the UK, mid-20th century, by Gerald Gardner.
Zoroastrianism	Originated in ancient Persia, approx. 5th century BC or earlier.

Also, see Christianity vs. Islam: What’s the Difference? to learn more.

Religious Beliefs: Similarities and Differences

Understanding what people hold sacred, including their moral codes and spiritual aspirations, fosters cultural awareness.

Exploring religious beliefs enriches personal perspectives and invites a shared appreciation for the complexities of human values and convictions.

Religion	Beliefs
African Tribal Religions	Ancestor reverence, spirit belief, tribal community emphasis, oral traditions.
Asatru	Honors old Norse gods, nature, and ancestry with modern perspectives.
Bahai	Unity of religions, equality, peace, and human purpose to know God.
Buddhism, Mahayana	The path to becoming a Buddha involves following the bodhisattva ideal.
Buddhism, Theravada	Enlightenment through self-discipline, wisdom, and meditation; follows Buddha’s original teachings.
Chinese Religion	Mix of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism; ancestral veneration, harmony balance.
Confucianism	Moral integrity, family loyalty, respect for hierarchy, and ancestor veneration.
Christianity, Catholic	Jesus as Savior, sacraments, Pope’s authority, Virgin Mary’s significance.
Christianity, Protestant	Salvation through faith in Jesus, Bible as the ultimate authority.
Christianity, Orthodox	Holy Trinity, sacraments, Apostolic tradition, divinization through God’s grace.

Also, see Christianity vs. Judaism: What’s the Difference? to learn more.

Hinduism	Dharma (duty), Karma (cause-effect), Moksha (liberation), diverse deities, and reincarnation.
Islam, Shia	Allah’s unity, Prophethood, Ali’s rightful succession, Day of Judgement.
Islam, Sunni	One God (Allah), Muhammad’s Prophethood, Five Pillars, community consensus.
Jehovah’s Witness	Strict Bible interpretation, Jesus as God’s son, not Trinity.
Judaism	Monotheism, covenant relationship with God, Torah adherence, ethical living.
Mormonism	Jesus Christ’s gospel, latter-day revelation, additional scriptures, eternal progression.
New Age	Personal spirituality, reincarnation, holistic health, psychic phenomena, universal truth.
Rastafari	African redemption, Emperor Selassie divinity, rejection of Western oppression.
Scientology	Humans as spiritual beings (thetans), self-knowledge, spiritual rehabilitation.
Sikhism	One God, equality, truthful living, community service, meditating on God.

Shinto	Kami (spiritual beings) reverence, purification rituals, love of nature.
Taoism	Balance of Yin-Yang, harmony with Tao (universal principle), simplicity.
Unitarian Universalism	Open-minded search for spiritual growth, all are welcomed.
Wiccan (modern)	Dual deity worship, nature reverence, magic use, seasonal celebrations.
Zoroastrianism	Monotheism with Ahura Mazda, good thoughts/words/deeds, cosmic dualism.

Also, see Christianity vs. Buddhism: What’s the Difference? to learn more.

The Size of World Religions Compared

Learning about the size of world religions offers a glimpse into their influence and reach. Understanding the number of followers helps to recognize the impact these faiths have on politics, culture, and society.

Religion	Size
African Tribal Religions	Millions practice, mostly in Africa, highly localized and varied.
Asatru	Thousands globally, primarily in Northern Europe and North America.
Bahai	Over 5 million worldwide, with no centralized geographical concentration.
Buddhism, Mahayana	Approximately half of global Buddhists, primarily in East Asia.
Buddhism, Theravada	Majority in Southeast Asia, about 40% of global Buddhists.
Chinese Religion	Hundreds of millions in China, mixture of several philosophies.
Confucianism	Millions, mainly in China, influences more through cultural assimilation.
Christianity, Catholic	Over a billion followers, widespread globally.
Christianity, Protestant	Estimated 800 million to 1 billion worldwide, many denominations.
Christianity, Orthodox	Over 200 million, mainly Eastern Europe and Russia.

Also, see Christianity vs. Hinduism: What’s the Difference? to learn more.

Hinduism	Over a billion, largely in India and Nepal.
Islam, Shia	Approximately 10-15% of Muslims, especially in Iran and Iraq.
Islam, Sunni	Constitutes 85-90% of about 1.8 billion Muslims globally.
Jehovah’s Witness	Over 8 million worldwide, most active in evangelism.
Judaism	Around 14 million globally, largest populations in Israel and USA.
Mormonism	Over 16 million, mostly in USA, rapidly growing globally.
New Age	Hard to quantify, millions globally following various individual practices.
Rastafari	Estimated at a million, mainly in Jamaica and diaspora.
Scientology	Hundreds of thousands globally, concentrated in the USA.
Sikhism	About 25 million globally, majority in Punjab, India.

Shinto	Majority in Japan, roughly 100 million practitioners.
Taoism	Tens of millions in China, globally influenced by Taoist philosophy.
Unitarian Universalism	Several hundred thousand, mostly in USA and Canada.
Wiccan (modern)	Hundreds of thousands to a few million, mainly in English-speaking countries.
Zoroastrianism	Approximately 100,000-200,000, mostly in India and Iran.

Also, see Conservative vs. Liberal Christianity: Comparison to learn more.

Contrasting the Practices of Religions

Learning about the practices of religions illuminates the rituals and traditions of people groups around the world. From daily prayers to seasonal festivals, these practices are rich in symbolism and purpose.

Religion	Practices
African Tribal Religions	Ancestor worship, divination, initiation rites, and spirit propitiation.
Asatru	Blot (sacrifice), Sumbel (ritual toasting), honoring gods, ancestors, and nature.
Bahai	Prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, communal worship, working towards social justice.
Buddhism, Mahayana	Meditation, sutra study, devotion to bodhisattvas, mindfulness of Buddha nature.
Buddhism, Theravada	Buddhism, Theravada
Chinese Religion	Ancestral worship, divination, Taoist and Buddhist practices, festivals.
Confucianism	Filial piety, ancestor veneration, ritual propriety, cultivation of personal character.
Christianity, Catholic	Mass, sacraments like Baptism and Eucharist, prayer, confession.
Christianity, Protestant	Bible study, prayer, communion, baptism, congregational worship.
Christianity, Orthodox	Sacraments, Divine Liturgy, prayer, fasting, icon veneration.

Also, see Christianity vs. Confucianism: Comparison to learn more.

Hinduism	Puja (worship), yoga, meditation, festival observance, pilgrimage, life-cycle rites.
Islam, Shia	Prayer, fasting, Hajj, Khums (tax), belief in Imam’s leadership.
Islam, Sunni	Five Pillars – Faith, Prayer, Fasting, Alms-giving, Pilgrimage (Hajj).
Jehovah’s Witness	Evangelism, Kingdom Hall meetings, Bible study, rejecting blood transfusions.
Judaism	Shabbat observance, Torah study, prayer, dietary laws, holiday rituals.
Mormonism	Baptism, temple rituals, tithing, proselytizing mission, Word of Wisdom adherence.
New Age	Meditation, channeling, crystal healing, reincarnation exploration, self-help practices.
Rastafari	Ital diet, dreadlocks, ganja for religious rituals, Bible reading.
Scientology	Auditing (counseling), training routines, ethical codes, Sunday services.
Sikhism	Prayer, community kitchen (Langar), wearing five articles of faith.

Shinto	Shrine rituals, nature veneration, purification rites, festival participation.
Taoism	Meditation, feng shui, reading Tao Te Ching, ritual ceremonies.
Unitarian Universalism	Open discussion, group worship, social justice work, covenant affirmation.
Wiccan (modern)	Ritual magic, celebrating Sabbats and Esbats, nature veneration, divination.
Zoroastrianism	Fire temple worship, ethical living, Navjote initiation, Farvardin rites.

Also, see Christianity vs. Taoism: Comparison to learn more.

Divisions within World Religions

Examining the divisions within world religions reveals the complex nuances that shape beliefs and traditions.

Religion	Divisions
African Tribal Religions	Varies by tribe and region, many unique belief systems.
Asatru	Some divergence between universalist and folkish views, different national groups.
Bahai	Largely unified, though some division over leadership succession.
Buddhism, Mahayana	Diverse schools including Zen, Pure Land, and Nichiren.
Buddhism, Theravada	Generally unified, with minor regional and monastic variations.
Chinese Religion	Blends of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and folk religion.
Confucianism	Divided into classical texts and Neo-Confucian philosophy interpretations.
Christianity, Catholic	Differences in practice and emphasis, but unified by papal authority.
Christianity, Protestant	Many denominations such as Lutheran, Baptist, and Methodist.
Christianity, Orthodox	Divisions by national churches like Russian and Greek Orthodox.

Also, see Christianity vs. Rastafari: Comparison to learn more.

Hinduism	Diversity of sects like Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism.
Islam, Shia	Main divisions are Twelvers, Ismailis, and Zaidis.
Islam, Sunni	Four main schools of jurisprudence: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali.
Jehovah’s Witness	Generally unified, though minor splinter groups have been formed.
Judaism	Divided into Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist movements.
Mormonism	Main split between LDS Church and Community of Christ, plus polygamous sects.
New Age	Broad and diverse with no central authority, individual paths vary.
Rastafari	Mansions include Bobo Shanti, Twelve Tribes of Israel, and Nyabinghi.
Scientology	Main church and Independent Scientologists (“Freezoners”) following L. Ron Hubbard.
Sikhism	Divided into sects like Khalsa, Sahajdhari, and various deras.

Shinto	Divisions include Shrine Shinto, Sect Shinto, and Folk Shinto.
Taoism	Primarily divided into philosophical Taoism (Daojia) and religious Taoism (Daojiao).
Unitarian Universalism	Largely unified, differences more in individual belief than doctrine.
Wiccan (modern)	Various traditions, including Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, and solitary practitioners.
Zoroastrianism	Primarily divided into Iranian Zoroastrians and Indian Parsis.

Also, see Christianity vs. Scientology: Comparison to learn more.

The Central Locations of Major Religions

Studying the locations of world religions unlocks a geographical understanding of faith. See how beliefs have spread, mingled, or remained rooted in specific regions.

Religion	Locations
African Tribal Religions	Mainly practiced in sub-Saharan Africa, differing by region/tribe.
Asatru	Predominantly in Scandinavia, USA, UK, and other Northern European countries.
Bahai	Distributed worldwide, significant communities in India, Iran, and USA.
Buddhism, Mahayana	Predominant in East Asia – China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
Buddhism, Theravada	Prominent in Southeast Asia – Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia.
Chinese Religion	Practiced largely in China, Taiwan, and Chinese diaspora globally.
Confucianism	Central in East Asian societies, especially China, Korea, Japan.
Christianity, Catholic	Strong presence globally, especially in Europe, Latin America, and Africa.
Christianity, Protestant	Predominant in North America, Northern Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Christianity, Orthodox	Primarily in Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Middle East.

Also, see Christianity vs. Bahai: Comparison to learn more.

Hinduism	Mostly in India and Nepal, large diaspora worldwide.
Islam, Shia	Concentrated in Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and parts of South Asia.
Islam, Sunni	Most prevalent globally, particularly in Middle East, Africa, and Indonesia.
Jehovah’s Witness	Global presence, most significant in USA, Mexico, and Brazil.
Judaism	Primarily in Israel and USA, sizable populations in France and Canada.
Mormonism	Predominantly in the USA, especially Utah, with international growth.
New Age	Diffuse globally, often individual practices, prevalent in Western countries.
Rastafari	Predominantly in Jamaica, with smaller populations worldwide.
Scientology	Notably in USA, but claims members in many countries.
Sikhism	Primarily in Punjab, India, with significant diaspora worldwide.

Shinto	Practiced mainly in Japan, with small groups internationally.
Taoism	Predominantly in China, Taiwan, and among Chinese communities globally.
Unitarian Universalism	Largely in North America and Western Europe, particularly USA.
Wiccan (modern)	Primarily in English-speaking countries, especially USA, UK, and Australia.
Zoroastrianism	Mainly in India (Parsis) and Iran, with global diaspora.

Also, see Christianity vs. Satanism: Comparison to learn more.

Comparing the Sacred Texts of World Religions

Exploring the sacred texts of world religions unveils the profound wisdom, stories, and teachings that have guided generations.

These writings are the heart of many faiths, offering insights into ethics, philosophy, and the human condition.

Religion	Sacred Texts
African Tribal Religions	Oral traditions and symbols vary widely among different tribes.
Asatru	“Eddas” and “Sagas” are key texts, preserving Norse myths and poems.
Bahai	Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, notably the “Kitáb-i-Aqdas.”
Buddhism, Mahayana	Various Sutras, like the “Lotus Sutra.”
Buddhism, Theravada	“Pali Canon,” foundational Theravadin text.
Chinese Religion	Includes “I Ching,” “Tao Te Ching,” and Confucian texts.
Confucianism	“Five Classics” and “Four Books” central to thought.
Christianity, Catholic	The Bible, including Old and New Testaments and Deuterocanonical books.
Christianity, Protestant	The Bible, Old and New Testaments.
Christianity, Orthodox	The Bible, including additional Old Testament texts.

Also, see Christianity vs. Mormonism: Comparison to learn more.

Hinduism	“Vedas,” “Upanishads,” “Bhagavad Gita,” and other scriptures.
Islam, Shia	The Quran and Hadith, with emphasis on the Imams’ teachings.
Islam, Sunni	The Quran and Hadith, focusing on the Prophet’s practices.
Jehovah’s Witness	Their own translation of the Bible called the “New World Translation.”
Judaism	The “Tanakh,” “Talmud,” and various rabbinical commentaries.
Mormonism	“The Book of Mormon,” “Doctrine and Covenants,” and “Pearl of Great Price.”
New Age	No specific text; draws from various spiritual and philosophical sources.
Rastafari	The Bible, especially the King James Version, with unique interpretations.
Scientology	“Dianetics” by L. Ron Hubbard, along with his other writings.
Sikhism	The “Guru Granth Sahib,” central scripture of Sikhism.

Shinto	“Kojiki” and “Nihon Shoki,” ancient texts recording Japanese myths.
Taoism	“Tao Te Ching” and other texts focusing on Taoist philosophy.
Unitarian Universalism	Draws inspiration from various religious and secular texts.
Wiccan (modern)	“Book of Shadows,” containing rituals and lore, often personalized.
Zoroastrianism	“Avesta,” including “Gathas,” ancient hymns attributed to Zoroaster.

Also, see Christianity vs. Jehovah’s Witnesses: Comparison to learn more.

Sources:
[1] Wikipedia – Religion
[2] Britannica – Religion
[3] Standford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Religion
Also see: Religion Statistics by Country