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What is a religion and what is it for?

Definition of religion differs with the faith and common beliefs in a society.  However, a more acceptable and common explanation of Religion is a system of beliefs and practices by means of which a group of people struggle with the ultimate problem of human life. Religion is that system of activities and beliefs directed toward that which is perceived to be of sacred value and transforming power.

There are over 7.6 billion people on the planet earth.  Most of them would declare that they are religious in some way.  Rough estimates are made that place people in the various traditions.

Christianity: 2.3 billion

Islam: 1.8 billion

Hinduism: 1.2 billion

Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 850 million

Buddhism: 500 million

Chinese traditional religion: 225 million

primal-indigenous: 190 million

Sikhism: 23 million

Yoruba religion: 20 million

Juche: 19 million

Spiritism: 14 million

Judaism: 14 million

Baha'i: 6 million

Jainism: 4 million

Shinto: 4 million

Cao Dai: 3 million

Tenrikyo: 2.4 million

Neo-Paganism: 1 million

Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand

Scientology: 750 thousand

Rastafarianism: 700 thousand

Zoroastrianism: 150 thousand

The three religions that are preaching religions, seeking more members actively are: Christianity, Islam and Buddhism.  Islam is the fastest growing of the traditions and will most likely have the most adherents in the world by 2025.

Some of these religions have no belief in a god.  Some have no belief in the survival of a soul.  Some believe in more than one god. 

Religious practices may include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration (of deities and/or saints), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service, or other aspects of human culture. Religions have sacred histories and narratives, which may be preserved in sacred scriptures, and symbols and holy places that aim mostly to give a meaning to life. Religions may contain symbolic stories, which are sometimes said by followers to be true, that have the side purpose of explaining the origin of life, the universe, and other things. Traditionally, faith, in addition to reason, has been considered a source of religious beliefs.

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