
Our world has always been one of
many religions, but in the twentieth century improved communications
increased our awareness of each other and there were vast movements
of people, which means that many countries are now multi-religious.
The question for the twenty first
century is whether we can learn to live together harmoniously
in local and national communities and work together for a more
just and peaceful world.
You may find it helpful to have
some idea how many people belong to the various religions and
denominations.
|
|

| World
population by Religion: mid-1998 |
| Christian |
1,965,993,000
|
| Muslim |
1,179,326,000
|
| Hindu |
767,424,000
|
| Non-religious |
766,672,000
|
| Buddhist |
356,875,000
|
| Tribal
Religion |
244,164,000
|
| Atheist |
146,406,000
|
| New
Religions |
99,191,000
|
| Sikh |
22,874,000
|
| Daoist |
20,050,000
|
| Jewish |
15,050,000
|
| Baha'i |
6,251,000
|
| Confucian |
5,067,000
|
| Jain |
4,152,000
|
| Shinto |
3,571,000
|
Parsi
(Zoroastrian)
|
479,000
|
| Source: Atlas of the World's
Religions Edited by Ninian Smart |
|