FIND OUT MORE. Southern Asia 266–267 • Universe 26
Society and Beliefs^281
DO RELIGIONS HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS?
As people grow up, they start to ask all sorts of
questions: “What is the meaning of life?”; “Why do
people suffer?”; “Does God exist?” The world’s
religions have all sought in different ways to
provide answers to these questions. Where Western
religions tend to focus on obedience to God and
salvation from sin, Eastern religions tend to focus on
self-knowledge and release from the cycle of rebirth.BELIEFS NUMBER OF FOLLOWERS
Christianity 2.1 billion
Islam 1.5 billion
Non-religious 920 million
Hinduism 900 million
Confucianism/Taoism 540 million
Buddhism 330 million
Shintoism 119 million
Sikhism 26 million
Judaism 14 million
Zoroastrianism 150,000DO RELIGIONS BELIEVE IN EVERLASTING LIFE?
Most religions follow their own calendar. The Mayan
calendar of Central America predicts that the current
epoch will end in 2012. Hindus and Buddhists believe
that time is cyclical, so everything is reborn over and
over again, including the world. Christians and
Muslims believe that time is linear and that the world
will end with a Day of Judgement.
Many religions have their own story about
the origins of the Universe and of
humankind. Called creation stories, these
often pass on ancient insights about
humanity and its relation to the natural
world. Some view the scientific Big Bang
theory as another creation story.
HOW DID THE WORLD BEGIN?
Some religions have complex stories about the gods
who gave birth to the world. Australian Aboriginal
beliefs recount a Dreamtime when mythic ancestors
roamed the Earth, creating the landscape by their
actions. Judaism and Christianity describe a world
that was created in seven days by God’s command.
WHY DO PEOPLE BECOME RELIGIOUS?
The mysteries of the natural world and the Universe
have inspired religious feelings throughout time.
Today, science can explain much but not everything,
and people still use religion to help them explain
events and their place in the world.WHO DOES NOT HAVE FAITH?
Atheists reject all belief in supernatural beings.
Agnostics argue that it is impossible to know if
God exists. Humanists replace faith with human
reason. Many people are non-religious, but may
describe themselves as having spiritual beliefs.HOW DO WE LEARN A RELIGION?
Young people usually learn a religion by following
the same beliefs and rituals as their parents. Most
religions use teachings and stories to inform children
about, for example,. CREATION. Some religions
also try to convince other people to join their faith.1 NAVAHO YEI RUG
The Yei figures in this American Indian rug were originally only shown
during the healing Night Chant ritual, when medicine men (healer-
priests) created their images on the ground with coloured sand.1 RELIGIOUS UNITY
These religious leaders are
marching for peace in the world.
They include a Jewish rabbi, a
Muslim sheikh, a Christian bishop,
and a Japanese Buddhist monk,
showing how universal goals can
rise above religious differences.CREATION
Yei are sacred beings,
possibly ancestors,
worshipped by the NavahoFAITHS AND FOLLOWERS (A ROUGH GUIDE BASED ON CENSUSES)religion