http://www.adherents.com/adh_branches.html
| Branch | Religion | Number of Adherents |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic | Christianity | 1,050,000,000 |
| Sunni | Islam | 940,000,000 |
| Vaishnavites | Hinduism | 580,000,000 |
| Orthodox/Eastern Christian | Christianity | 240,000,000 |
| Shaivites | Hinduism | 220,000,000 |
| Conservative Protestant | Christianity | 200,000,000 |
| Mahayana | Buddhism | 185,000,000 |
| Liberal Protestant | Christianity | 150,000,000 |
| Theravada | Buddhism | 124,000,000 |
| Shiite | Islam | 120,000,000 |
| African indigenous sects (AICs) | Christianity | 110,000,000 |
| Pentecostal | Christianity | 105,000,000 |
| Anglican | Christianity | 73,000,000 |
| Sikhism | Sikhism | 23,000,000 |
| neo-Hindus and reform Hindus | Hinduism | 22,000,000 |
| Lamaism (Vajrayana/Tibetan, etc.) | Buddhism | 20,000,000 |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | Christianity | 14,800,000 |
| Latter Day Saints | Christianity | 12,500,000 |
| Ahmadiyya | Islam | 10,000,000 |
| Veerashaivas (Lingayats) | Hinduism | 10,000,000 |
| Baha'i World Faith | Baha'i Faiths | 6,000,000 |
| Conservative | Judaism | 4,500,000 |
| Unaffiliated and Secular | Judaism | 4,500,000 |
| Svetambara | Jainism | 4,000,000 |
| Reform | Judaism | 3,750,000 |
| Seicho-No-Ie | New Japanese | 3,200,000 |
| Shinto all branches | Shinto | 3,000,000 |
| Tenrikyo | New Japanese | 2,800,000 |
| PL Kyodan | New Japanese | 2,600,000 |
| Orthodox | Judaism | 2,000,000 |
| New Thought (Unity, Christian Science, etc.) | Christianity | 1,500,000 |
| Sekai Kyuseikyo | New Japanese | 800,000 |
| Sthanakavasis | Jainism | 750,000 |
| Zenrinkai | New Japanese | 600,000 |
| Druze | Islam | 450,000 |
| Tensho Kotai Jingukyo | New Japanese | 400,000 |
| Friends (Quakers) | Christianity | 300,000 |
| Ennokyo | New Japanese | 300,000 |
| Digambaras | Jainism | 155,000 |
| Reconstructionist | Judaism | 150,000 |
| Parsis | Zoroastrianism | 110,000 |
| Gabars | Zoroastrianism | 20,000 |
The source site list the last update as of 28 October 2005, and so these are 2005 statistics. Please see my notes in comments.
I reason that these types of charts are good to ponder on from time to time. Unfortunately the statistics are from 2005 and not 2007, but they are still fairly recent.
ReplyDeleteNotes:
I would place myself in the Conservative Protestant category. My theology would mainly be in line with moderate conservative protestants of the Reformed tradition. I would also be in theological agreement on several points with conservative Catholics, Orthodox/Eastern Christians, moderate liberal protestants, not those liberals who deny Biblical essentials in regard to the nature of God and salvation, Pentecostals, and Anglicans. With the secondary groups mentioned there would be areas of disagreement, and some of these theological topics have been discussed on satire and theology and the kingpin68, but I reason that there are a significant numbers of Bible believing Christians within all these groups. Concerning the African indigenous sects (AICs) and Friends (Quakers), I am not familiar with the African group, and know little concerning the Quakers. Earle E. Cairns mentions that in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries pietism expressed itself in the Quaker movement in England. Cairns (1981: 26). The group in its foundation was based in Biblical Christianity. Priestland (1999: 222).
Concerning the Roman Catholic Church, I have a similar view to John H. Gerstner who writes that although the church incorrectly denies the doctrine of justification by faith, it does teach various doctrines, such as the deity of Christ, the atonement, and saving faith on which justification is based. A Catholic can be saved by accepting these doctrines. Gerstner (1960: 16). I reason that Gerstner means justification by faith alone. A Roman Catholic can be a Christian in my mind, as long as he/she understands that one is saved through the atoning and resurrection work of Christ alone, and not by the sacraments of any church. A Christian church is a means of communicating the gospel, but not a means of salvation. The same can be said in a Presbyterian or Baptist church that accepts justification by faith alone, in that sacraments and works do not save, but only the work of Christ through grace in faith provides salvation. Romans 5:1-2 explains that we have been justified by faith and justified by this faith into grace in which we stand. God provides grace to believe and grace to follow.
I am not on this blog going to attempt to break down the views of the other religions mentioned. This blog is designed for shorter articles than thekingpin68, and I am not an expert of non-Christian religions. The other three groups listed as Christian on the chart, deny essential doctrines concerning the nature of God and salvation, and have views in these areas not compatible with historical Christianity, as can be seen in the books by Gerstner and Martin, both listed below in the Bibliography.
CAIRNS, EARLE E. (1981) Christianity Through The Centuries, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
GERSTNER, JOHN H. (1960) The Theology of the Major Sects, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
MARTIN, WALTER (1985) The Kingdom of The Cults, Minneapolis, Bethany House Publishers.
PRIESTLAND, GERALD (1999) ‘Friends, Religious Society of’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, p. 288. Kent, SCM Press Ltd.
Great reading. There is so much and so many areas that you will be able to relate to others in the coming years with all of the research and learning that you have done and are still doing. Your blogs will be great reference material as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks, anon! There is always more to learn than I know.
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Some interesting inclusions in Christianity on this chart. Thanks for sharing, as you said it is good to ponder these type of statisitics. In seeing the number of adherants to Islam, it would appear that Protestants and Roman Catholics may need a cohesive approach as to what it means to be a Christian. Are there not some significant items on which we are in agreement?
ReplyDeleteThanks, very much.
ReplyDeleteYes, Protestants, Roman Catholics, Orthodox, and many non-denominational groups can agree on Christian basics such as the atonement, the resurrection, and the need for salvation provided by God through Christ, that must be accepted in faith. I think that Christians should work together where possible and respectfully discuss differences.
Who knew there were so many Catholics?
ReplyDeleteI would have guessed that Islam was the largest religion in terms of number of adherents.
Thanks, Ruthie.
ReplyDeleteI reason that by these estimates the number of Roman Catholics in comparison to Muslims in the world must be very close.
Catholic Christianity 1,050,000,000
Sunni Islam 940,000,000
Shiite Islam 120,000,000
Ahmadiyya Islam 10,000,000
Druze Islam 450,000
Whats really sad is this, All these false Religions, plus all the other false religions not listed, plus all the Athiests that deny God will all go to hell for ever, thats a lot of people heading to eternal destruction. Rick b
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Biblical point, Rick. We are in agreement. In John 14:6, Jesus states that the only way to the Father is through him. A person must know the Biblical Christ, and be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. (John 20: 22-23) (Acts 2). For those outside of Christ, the lake of fire is sadly the ultimate destiny. (Revelation 20). This lake of fire represents everlasting separation from God. These Biblical concepts should provide motivation for Christian bloggers to continue writing and to share the gospel face to face with persons as well. Prayer is of course vital, as God does work his determined will through people. In some moderate liberal theological circles, annihilationism is accepted, since Revelation uses figurative hell language. I hold to everlasting punishment as is described in Revelation 20:10, 14, but even if human beings are annihilated and only satan and demonic being are punished forever, the life of the non-believer is still terminated. The beast and false prophet are likely human beings and in Revelation 20:10 they are explained to be punished forever, and so I reason that other human beings outside of Christ will not escape everlasting existence apart from God, and will very likely not be annihilated.
ReplyDelete