INSEAD Library

Includes bibliographical references and index

Digitized

Mapping Contemporary Challenges and Beliefs Contents Acknowledgements Introduction 8 9 12 The Atlas of Religion Part One BEGINNINGS Popular Religions Allegiance to a single religion is professed by at least two-thirds of the population in more than 80% of the world's states. Arrivals The rise of the missionary religions and seaborne trade has greatly influenced the religious map of the world. Roots and Branches Yesterday's revolution can be today's orthodoxy. Some new movements have grown to become the most popular religion in a state. 14 16 18 Part Two BELIEFS Christianity Christianity is the world's largest religion, with more than 2.1 billion adherents worldwide, and more than 33,000 denominations. 20 22 Islam 24 There are 1.34 billion Muslims worldwide, 20% of the world's population. Islam is the state religion of 25 countries. Hinduism 26 Hinduism is the world's third largest religion, with over 950 million Hindus worldwide. Almost all live in South Asia, with the majority in India, where over 80% of people are Hindu. Buddhism 28 More than half the world's population live in countries where Buddhism is now, or has been, dominant. During the 20th century, Buddhism was subject to greater suppression than at any time in its history. Judaism 30 There are over 13 million Jews worldwide, more than 5 million of whom live in Israel. Sikhism There are 24 million Sikhs worldwide. Over 90% live in India, mainly in the Punjab. 32 Traditional Beliefs 34 There are more than 250 million adherents of traditional beliefs worldwide. There are also many who belong to a major world religion while continuing to hold traditional local beliefs. Catholicism 36 There are more than 1 billion Roman Catholics worldwide. 200,000 schools, serving more than 52 million students, operate under Catholic Church auspices. New Religious Movements 38 The migration of people and ideas fosters new religious movements. Most, but not all, have their origin in a major world religion. Many are very localized, while a few are now international. New Departures 40 As indigenous religions have spread, they have blended with traditions encountered en route or at their destination. The revival of other traditions has created new identities. Non-Believers 42 Over 10% of people claim no allegiance to a religion. Many of these are undecided, but some are atheists, who deny the existence of God. Part Three STRUCTURES State Attitudes to Religion 44 46 Nearly a quarter of the world's states have formal links with a religion. Some have links with more than one. A few actively discriminate against all. Christian Finance 48 The world's 2.1 billion Christians donate more than $297 billion a year to support Christian and non-Christian causes. Religious Education 50 The relationship between State and religion is often revealed by a country's attitude to religious education. Christian Missionaries 52 The majority of Christian missionary work is among existing Christians. Most missionaries work in their country of origin. The Word 54 The Bible is the most printed and widely distributed book in the world. In 2005 there were over 1.5 billion bibles in circulation. Christian Broadcasting 56 Nearly 2 billion people listen to radio or television broadcasts on a Christian theme at least once a month. Aid and Development 58 Religious organizations make a substantial and growing contribution to aid and development work throughout the world. Islamic Law 60 Shari'ah sets out for Muslims the basic legal and ethical codes upon which all relationships and institutions are founded and by which they are guided. Part Four CONFLICTS AND TENSIONS Faultlines 62 64 Historical feuds and struggles between religions still shape many contemporary events around the world. Emerging from Persecution 66 Despite a century of more intense persecution than ever before, the major religions have survived and are growing again, where once they were attacked. Part Five CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES 68 Shared World Ecumenical Christian and interfaith movements are growing stronger. They are increasingly addressing social, health, environmental and human rights issues. 70 Equal Rites 72 Within some religious organizations women have equal status with men when it comes to administering religious rites. Other religions are firmly opposed to women fulfilling this role. Environmental Protection 74 Religious organizations are the largest social network in the world. In recent years they have turned their attention to caring for the environment. Ethical Investment 76 Worldwide, the major religions are moving their financial assets into socially responsible investments -- ranging from Islamic banking to ethical investment portfolios. The Future Religion will respond in a diversity of ways to both the opportunities and challenges raised by an increasingly free market world. 78 Part Six THE HEARTLANDS 80 Origins 82 Places associated with the origins of a religion, or where major new expressions came to life, are often centres of pilgrimage and veneration. Holy Natural 84 For many religions, nature offers a place of encounter with the Divine, helping to conserve some of the most beautiful places in the world. Fundamentals of the Faiths 86 Part Seven SOCIAL CONTEXT World Data Table Notes and Sources Index 90 92 100 126