Five major religions

Christianity:

• around 2.2 billion adherents (largest in the world)
• called Christians
• located in Europe, North America, South America, and South Africa
• founder: Jesus Christ
• holy book: The Bible
• Beliefs: Jesus is both human and divine - son of God
• Clergy: Pope is the head of the church, priests are local authorities

Islam:

• 1.5 billion adherents (second largest)
• called Muslims
• located in Indonesia, Middle East, and North Africa
• founder: Muhammad 
• holy book: Qur'an 
• Beliefs: Monotheistic, Abrahamic 
• Five pillars: testimony, prayer, alms-giving, fasting, and pilgrimage (make visit to Mecca)
• See their purpose in life as serving and submitting to Allah (God) and observing Islamic law

Hinduism:

• 1.1 billions adherents (third largest)
• called Hindus
• located in India and Nepal
• holy book: the Vedas
• founder: no distinct founder; series of intellectual or philosophical points of view 
• oldest religion
• seen as a way of life more than a religion
• believe in reincarnation

Buddhism:

• 500 million to 1.5 billion adherents
• called Buddhists
• located in Southeast Asia, China, Nepal, Japan and Japan
• 1.2 million Buddhists in the United States
• founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) 
• denominations: Tibetan, Zen, Theravada, and Amidist
• there are 4 noble truths: There is suffering, attachment to desire is the origin of suffering, there is a cessation(stop) of suffering, the eightfold path will lead to the cessation of suffering
• the eightfold path: right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right dedication

Judaism:

• 14 - 18 million adherents (ninth) 
• called Jews
• location: Israel 
• founder: Abraham 
• holy book: Talmud, and Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament)
• beliefs: ethical monotheism - God is one and concerned with the actions of humankind, 10 commandments, 13 principals of faith