The Five World Religions

Image Shiva courtesy Nick Indian. Arabic calligraphy courtesy Ezuru.

Religion plays a large role in world history. When religions spread and come into contact with existing beliefs, other aspects of society are changed as well, including politics, economics, and law.

As you study recent world history, it is important to have a working knowledge of the five world religions and where the majority of their followers are located. Recognizing the dominant religion in an area can be an important part of understanding current and past events. It can also help you understand why there are differences in legal and political structures from country to country.

In this topic, you will explore the beliefs and founders of the five world religions, and learn about the past and present geographic distribution of their followers. As you compare and contrast the major characteristics of these religions, you will also see how some religions share beliefs, and how new religions have developed from older ones.

Essential Questions

• Where were the five world religions located around 1500 A.D.?
• What are some major characteristics of the five major world religions?
• Where are the current followers of the five world religions concentrated?