What are the major world religions in existence today?

TL;DR:

The world’s population predominantly adheres to seven major religious traditions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Baha’i. Each religion has unique beliefs, practices, and cultural impacts, shaping civilizations and influencing global history.

what does the bible say?

The Bible acknowledges the existence of many beliefs and religious traditions, yet it consistently points to God as the only true God. In Acts 17:22–31, Paul addresses the Athenians, recognizing their religious diversity while proclaiming the one true God, who "does not live in temples made by man" (Acts 17:24). This passage highlights the coexistence of multiple belief systems but emphasizes God’s call for all people to turn to Him.

The Bible also warns of the spiritual dangers of idolatry, which often accompanies non-biblical faiths. Isaiah 44:9–20 critiques the futility of worshiping man-made objects, pointing to the Lord as the only true God. Similarly, Jesus’s statement in John 14:6—"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"—reinforces the exclusivity of salvation through Christ alone.

While Scripture commands believers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), it also encourages respect and engagement with those of different faiths, promoting dialogue and understanding, rather than conflict (1 Peter 3:15), so all would know that He is God and calls them to come to Him.

from the old testament

Isaiah 45:5: "I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God." Monotheism is central to biblical faith.
Exodus 20:3–5: The Ten Commandments explicitly warn against worshiping other gods or idols.

from the new testament

Acts 4:12: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Christianity’s central claim of salvation through Christ distinguishes it from other religions.
First Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." This verse affirms that there is only one God and reveals His uniqueness in desiring a relationship with humanity, which comes through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

implications for today

Understanding the world’s major religions equips believers for effective evangelism and meaningful dialogue. Each faith system reflects humanity’s search for meaning and connection with the divine, often rooted in rich cultural contexts. Recognizing this shows our desire to respect and understand others’ perspectives while trying to share God with them. Despite other religions’ rich and deep ties to cultural contexts, the Bible teaches that true peace and salvation come only through Jesus Christ.

Christians are called to engage respectfully with others in our highly pluralistic world, sharing the gospel with both clarity and compassion. This includes addressing misconceptions about Christianity while learning about others’ beliefs to find common ground for discussion. As we engage with people of other religions, believers must rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and boldness in sharing their faith. By seeing the similarities and distinctions between Christianity and other faiths, Christians can better articulate why Jesus alone fulfills humanity’s deepest spiritual needs.

understand

There are seven major world religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Baha’i.
The Bible emphasizes that there is one true God, and salvation is through Jesus Christ alone.
Christians are called to engage respectfully with other faiths, sharing the gospel with truth and compassion.

reflect

How do you personally engage with the diversity of world religions while maintaining your faith in Christ?
How has your understanding of other faiths shaped your approach to sharing the gospel?
How can you cultivate respect for others’ beliefs without compromising the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ?

engage

What challenges do we face as Christians when engaging with people from different religious backgrounds?
What does it look like, practically speaking, to share the gospel while showing respect and compassion for people of other faiths?
What are some practical ways we can build bridges with those who follow different religions while staying faithful to the message of salvation through Jesus?