NaveedThis chart compares the largest world religions on the points people most often ask about: their concept of God, founder, scripture, and size. Figures are approximate and drawn from Pew Research Center estimates.
| Religion | View of God | Founder | Main scripture | Followers (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christianity | One God, Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) | Jesus of Nazareth | The Bible | 2.4 billion |
| Islam | One God (Allah), strictly indivisible | Prophet Muhammad | The Qur’an | 1.9 billion |
| Hinduism | One ultimate reality (Brahman) expressed through many deities | No single founder | Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads | 1.2 billion |
| Buddhism | Non-theistic; no creator God | Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) | Tripitaka, Mahayana sutras | 500 million |
| Judaism | One God, indivisible; covenant with Israel | Abraham; Moses received the Torah | Torah / Hebrew Bible; Talmud | 15 million |
| Sikhism | One God, formless (Ik Onkar) | Guru Nanak | Guru Granth Sahib | 25 million |
Key differences at a glance
- Monotheistic: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and (in its own way) Hinduism’s concept of Brahman.
- Non-theistic: Buddhism does not centre on a creator God.
- Abrahamic family: Judaism, Christianity and Islam share the figure of Abraham and much scripture.
- Dharmic family: Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism share concepts such as karma and rebirth.
FAQ
What is the world’s largest religion?
Christianity, with about 2.4 billion followers, followed by Islam.
Which religions believe in one God?
Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism are strictly monotheistic; Hinduism sees one ultimate reality behind many deities.
Which major religion has no God?
Buddhism is non-theistic – it has no creator God, though many Buddhists venerate spiritual beings.
