Considering Major World Religions

This assignment is strictly an extra credit assignment.  The goal of the assignment is to expose students to a wider range of religions and to the academic-historical thinking about Christianity and the Bible.  You will be asked to follow the links and read each of the articles.  Afterwards you will log on to Beachboard and answer several content-based multiple choice questions and two evaluation/suggestion questions.  I wrote all of the articles except the article on the history of Christianity and the Bible.  I almost guarantee that everyone will find surprising information in the readings.  I learned new things in writing them.  People may also feel threatened or uncomfortable reading the articles.  Please do not feel as if you are being forced to complete this assignment.  There is an alternative assignment which will allow you to get extra credit.

Below is a table breaking down the top ten religions by estimated followers.  Such estimates are less statistical knowledge than statistical estimates.  You should click on each of the top 4 religions to view a very brief statement of their general beliefs and history.  These pages are intended only to present very basic and (hopefully) very fair-minded accounts of each religion.  For better and more complete information visit the sites listed on each religion's page or click the link below the table.

Table based upon numbers given at http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html

Data from 2002 is based upon combination of census reports and population surveys

Religions of the world