African Methodist Episcopal (AME)
Origin
The African Methodist Episcopal Church was established formally in 1816 by the Reverend Richard Allen. The church’s roots are of the family of Methodist churches organized by people of African descent and heritage.
Population
World Adherents: 2.5 – 3.5 million
American adherents: Not available
Diet/Fasting
The AMEC practices the spiritual discipline of fasting.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
The AMEC regularly sends aid/charitable contributions to Africa, the Nations of the Caribbean, Europe, South America, India and various American entities.
Sacred Text
The primary text of the AME church is the Christian Bible – old and new testaments
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
The denomination was created by people of African descent as a response to discrimination.
Beliefs of the AME Church are in common with other Methodist congregations.
Their motto reflects the basic beliefs of the church – G-d our Father, Christ our Redeemer, Holy Spirit our comforter, Humankind our Family.
Baha’i (B)
Origin
Founded in 1844 in Persia (now known as Iran) by the Prophet Baha’u’llah. There are no sects or subsets in the Baha’i religion.
Population
World adherents: 7 million American adherents: 150,000
Diet/Fasting
No consumption of mind-altering drugs or alcohol
Clothing
Modest dress encouraged
Medical
Adherents should seek the assistance of competent physicians for medical treatment. Since the Faith teaches that true science and religion cannot contradict each other, the application of medical and technological advances does not contradict Bahai beliefs.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah: “Charity is pleasing and praiseworthy in the sight of God and is regarded as a prince among goodly deeds.” Followers are enjoined to provide for the poor and needy, the sick and elderly, orphans, the oppressed and all others that could be uplifted in some way through acts of generosity and loving-kindness.
Sacred Text
Most well-known revealed scriptures of Baha’u’llah:
Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), Kitab-i-Iqan (The Book of Certitude), The Hidden Words, Gems of Divine Mysteries, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, Prayers and Meditations, Proclamation of Baha’u’llah, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, Summons of the Lord of Hosts, Tabernacle of Unity, Tablets of Baha’u’llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Prayers each morning and evening, including reciting one of the three obligatory prayers a day.
The Bahá’í calendar consists of nineteen months of nineteen days each year. One the first day of each Bahá’í month there is a Nineteen-Day Feast which includes devotional prayers, administrative discussion and social interaction. This basic pattern of the Nineteen Day Feast can be adapted around the world to accommodate cultural differences.
Adherents gather once a year during the Bahá’í holy day of Ridván (April 21) where nine members are elected to a Local Spiritual Assembly, which acts as an intermediate between the National Spiritual Assembly and local communities. There is one National Spiritual Assembly for the continental USA and one each for Hawaii and Alaska, it is the main channel of communication between the Bahá’ís in its area and the Bahá’í World Centre.
Baptist (Ba)
Origin
Although Christianity was founded in the 1st century, the first Baptist church was founded in Amsterdam, Netherlands in1609. Baptists began as a group that sought to baptize their members by immersion and gain congregational autonomy through separation from the Church of England. After coming to the US in 1638, Roger Williams established the First Baptist Church in Providence, RI with the ideals of religious freedom, autonomy of the local church, separation of church and state, and equity in congregational policy.
Subsects or sects of the Baptist include, but are not limited to Mainline, Southern Baptist Convention, Independent, Evangelical, and Historically Black Baptist.
Population
World adherents: 170 million
American adherents: 51 million
Diet/Fasting
Some fast and pray or sacrifice certain foods or actions during the Lenten Season.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
Baptists typically tithe (give) 10% of their income to the local church. Baptist churches also give to local, national, and worldwide Baptist organizations to accomplish charitable actions.
Sacred Text
The Christian Bible consisting of the Old and New Testaments. Some Christian traditions utilize the Apocrypha.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Autonomy of individual churches. Also, the four freedoms: Bible freedom, soul freedom of the individual, church freedom and autonomy of the local church, and religious freedom. Ordinances, meaning “obedience” to Christ, are shown in the Lord’s Supper (Communion) and believer’s baptism.
Buddhist (Bu)
Origin
Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha) was born approximately between 623-563 BCE in Kapilvastu, in present day Nepal. He became enlightened at age 35 and Buddhism was founded in 588 BCE.
Subsets of the religion include Theravada Buddhism (mainly practiced in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar), Mahayana Buddhism (mainly practiced in China, Japan, and South Korea) of which Tibetan Buddhism is a subset, and Pure Land Buddhism (mainly practiced in Japan, China, and Taiwan.
Population
World adherents: 500 million
American adherents: 3 to 4 million
Diet/Fasting
May be vegetarians daily or just during holy days.
Clothing
Spiritual wrist mala may be worn. Monastics shave heads as sign of dedication.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
Limited interest rates, charity encouraged. Simplicity is the guide.
Sacred Text
Sacred text is called the Tripitaka
Scriptures are known as sutras. Some important sutras include The Lotus Sutra, The Flower Adornment Sutra, and The Three Treasures.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Preferably limited physical greetings such as hugs or handshakes. Special prayers for 49 days after the death of a loved one. A variety of Buddhist lineages are present in the U.S. including Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan. Languages include English, Pali, Sanskrit and native Asian languages.
Buddhist calendar is lunisolar in which months are based on lunar months and years are based on solar years.
Catholic (C)
Origin
The origins of Catholicism date back to the life of Jesus Christ around 30 CE.
Catholicism was founded in Roman Palestine.
Population
World adherents: Approximately 1.3 billion people
American adherents: 70 million
Diet/Fasting
Some Catholics refrain from certain foods during Lent. Fasting may also occur during the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter.
Roman Catholics are also expected to fast from solid or liquid food for one hour before receiving communion unless there is a medical reason not to.
Clothing
Modest dress encouraged, some wear religious medals. Ashes placed on foreheads on Ash Wednesday.
Medical
People who have medical issues may receive a dispensation (relaxation) of Church law in particular cases.
Financial
Roman Catholics are not bound by tithing, but offering some sort of material support to the Church is obligatory for all adults who are able.
Sacred Text
The sacred text is the Christian Bible.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Sign of the cross before an undertaking or meals. Prayers are differentiated between Solemnity and Memorials.
Sunday Cycle in Year C: November 28, 2021- Nov 20, 2022.
Sunday Cycle in Year A: Nov 27, 2022-Nov 26, 2023.
Weekday Cycle: January 10, 2022 – March 1, 2022 and June 6, 2022 – Nov 26, 2022.
Christian Scientist (CS)
Origin
The first Church of Christ, Science was founded in 1879 in Boston, MA by Mary Baker Eddy. The church was founded “to commemorate the word and works of Christ Jesus and reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing”. It is a Christian denomination and worldwide movement of spiritual healers.
There are no sects or subsets of this religion.
Population
World adherents: 100,000 to 400,000
American adherents: Not available
Medical
Adherents believe that prayer has a central role to play in meeting human needs, including physical healing. There are no church-based restrictions on how Christian Scientists make their own personal healthcare decisions.
Financial & Charitable Traditions
Helpful and basic guides for personal finance include: “Love God. Love your neighbor” and “do unto others as we would have them do unto us.”
Sacred Text
The central texts are the Christian Bible, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Daily prayer is part of the practice of Christian Science, and there are specific teachings on prayers to be made daily. Services are free of religious icons and symbols.
Sunday services are held throughout the year and weekly testimony meetings are held on Wednesday evenings where those in attendance are invited to give testimonies of healing brought about through Christian Science prayer.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJC)
Origin
The church was founded in the United States in 1830.
Population
World adherents: 16.5 million
American adherents: 6.7 million
Diet/Fasting
No alcohol, coffee, tea or anything thought to be addictive.
Clothing
Modest dress encouraged.
Sacred Text
Foundational texts are the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Language of prayer varies by native tongue.
Jesus Christ is central to the beliefs and lives of its members who believe that He is the Savior of the world and the Son of our Heavenly Father; that His Atonement allows humankind to be saved from their sins and return to live with God and their families forever; and that Christ’s original Church as described in the New Testament has been restored in modern times.
Confucianism (Co)
Origin
6th-5th Century, BC, in China.
The founder was Confucius, nee Kong Qiu who lived 551-479 BC.
There are no subsets in Confucianism
Population
World adherents: Almost all Han Chinese all over the world, 6.1 million.
American adherents: Not available
Clothing
Traditional style clothing only required for sacrificial ceremonies in commemoration of Confucius.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
Charity for the poor is encouraged
Sacred Text
The Analects of Confucius, Four books and Five Classics
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Prayer is not required, but elaborate traditional rituals including the Eight-Square Formation Dance is performed. A grand ceremony of Confucius is performed annually. Language choice is Chinese. The Confucian symbol is a bronze bell which symbolizes correct behavior. A bow or holding the right hand in the left hand is the greeting gesture.
DRUZE (D)
Origin
The Druze faith was founded in Egypt in 1009 based on the teachings of al-Hakim bi-Amrih Alla, who declared himself to be an earthly incarnation of G-d.
Population
World adherents: 1 million primarily in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel.
American adherents: 30,000 to 40,000 with largest concentration in California.
Diet/Fasting
There is no fasting.
Optional choice to eat pork, smoke, or drink alcohol
Clothing
Druze living in America typically wear western dress.
In the Middle East, some women still wear the traditional black or blue long dress with a white head covering, called a Mandeel, but most wear modest clothing.
Very few Druze men may wear a white Laffa or Aamana (a fez wrapped in white cloth).
Sacred Text
Canon includes some of the New and Old Testament of the Bible, the Quran, and other philosophical works. Epistles of Wisdom is the foundational text.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Druze are Unitarians and do not identify as Muslims.
Conversion into or out of the religion is not permitted. Marriage outside the Druze faith is rare and is strongly discouraged.
Many religious practices are kept secret, even from the community as a whole and only an elite of initiates, known as “uqqal (knowers)”, participate fully in their religious services and have access to the secret teachings of the scriptures.
The Druze faith uses the Islamic Lunar calendar.
Eastern Orthodox (EO)
Origin
The church’s lineage dates back to the time of Jesus Christ and the founding of the Roman Catholic Church. The two churches split during the East-West Schism in 1054.
Population
World adherents: 1.9 billion
American adherents: 3.45 million
Diet/Fasting
Fasts may occur on Wednesdays and Fridays or on certain Feast Days.
Clothing
Head covering is optional for women.
Sacred Text
Orthodoxy proclaimed that its sources of faith are from the Old and New Testament.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Liturgical languages include Greek and Russian but Parish language may vary by location.
Permitted greetings include hugs, handshakes and cheek kisses.
Hindu (H)
Origin
The religion emerged in India between 2300 and 1500 BCE with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. Vedic Rituals began around 500 BCE.
Population
World adherents: 1.25 billion
American adherents: Approximately 2.51 million
Diet/Fasting
Many follow a vegetarian diet. Fasting varies by individual and festivals.
Clothing
Forehead markings may include bhindis, sacred ash or powder.
Male and Female adornments include piercings. Some women use head coverings.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
Financial rules vary by individual but may be based on the Hindu almanac.
Sacred Text
Major scriptures include the Vedas, Upanisshads, Puranas, Mahabharata, Bhagvad Gita, the Ramayana, and the Agamas.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Worship is conducted at home or at Hindu temples. The focus may be on Vishnu, Devi, or Shiva.
Humanism (Hu)
Origin
Late 14th century, in Italy and is believed to have spread through the rest of Europe in the latter half of the 15th century. Humanism was the major intellectual movement of the Renaissance. The term humanism was coined in the 1800s although the philosophy has existed for much longer. The first Humanist Manifesto was released in 1933 and the American Humanist Association was founded in 1941.
Population
World adherents: 4-5 million self-identified Humanists
American adherents: 34,000
Medical Issues
Science provides the only reliable source of knowledge about the universe.
Sacred Text
Humanist Manifesto is the title of three manifestos laying out a humanist worldview. The central theme of these writings is the elaboration of a philosophy and value system which does not necessarily include belief in any personal deity or “higher power.” The manifestos refer to Humanism as a religious movement to transcend and replace previous religions that were based on allegations of supernatural revelation
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Humanism is not deistic in its belief, it is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism or other supernatural beliefs, affirms one’s ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good.
Islam (I)
Sunni (I-Su)
Origin
The religion was founded almost 1,455 years ago in the region of Hijaz, currently known as Saudi Arabia.
Population
World adherents: 1.8 billion (includes both Sunni & Shia)
American adherents: 3 million + (It is unknown how many of these Sunni & Shia)
Diet/Fasting
No pork or alcohol is permitted, fasting on certain holy days
Clothing
Females may choose to wear hijab or other head covering. Modest dress is important.
Medical Issues
Muslims can donate blood, plasma, even bone marrow, and specific organs during one’s lifetime.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
Loans discouraged, paying interest is not allowed. Charity is an essential practice.
Sacred Text
The holy text is the Holy Quran.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
The language of prayer is Arabic, but many languages are used for worship and translation.
Timing of prayer during the day varies based on seasons. Excused time for leave for designated prayer.
An image of the Prophet Muhammed is not allowed.
Multiple faith structures exist under Islam.
Some members of the opposite sex may refrain from shaking hands or hugging.
Islam (I)
Shia (I-Sh)
Origin
The religion originated in the 7th century CE in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and Yemen. There are many subsets, the major ones are 1) The Twelver Shi’isam (also known as Athnā‘ashariyyah) 2) Zaidiyyah (known as Zaydi), 3) Ismailis.
Population
World adherents: 230 million
American adherents: 400,000
Sacred Text
The Holy Qur’an
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
The language of prayer is Arabic, but many languages are used for worship and translation.
Jainism (Ja)
Origin
Believed to be one of the oldest world religions, Jainism was founded in ancient India in the 7th to 5th century BCE. The last of the 24 omniscient Tirthankars, Mahariva, revived or reestablished the religion in about 500 BCE.
The two main subsets of the Jain faith are Shwetambar and Digambar. Shwetambar has its own two subgroups, largely consisting of Deravasi and Sthanakwasi/Terapanthi.
Population
World adherents: 6 million +
American adherents: 150,000 – 200,000
Diet/Fasting
Most are vegetarian or vegan. Some abstain from root vegetables such as potatoes, onions, etc. Animal products are strictly prohibited; including eggs, meat, seafood, etc.
No alcoholic beverages or mind-altering drugs.
Clothing
Modest clothing is encouraged. No garments or accessories made of animal hides are permitted in place of worship.
Medical Issues
Some refuse food, liquid or medicine near the end of life.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
Householders are expected to earn only adequate amount through job and/or business. Activities should align with the main tenets of Jainism: namely nonviolence, compassion, and non-exploitation. Ascetics (mainly sadhus and sadhvis) are not to have “any personal belongings, earnings or financial holdings.”
Appropriate Charity (daan) such as food, medicine, clothing etc. to needy is one of the four most important personal religious duties and activities.
Sacred Text
Holy scriptures include a set of many Agams from an original count of 12 (also known as Dwadashangi).
Other widely recognized scriptures are Tattvartha Sutra and a more recent text called Saman Suttam (compiled in 1974)
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Symbol of faith is an upright swastika, not to be confused with the Nazi swastika.
Prayers are usually in Sanskrit, Gujarati or Hindi.
Jains greet each other with palms together.
Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW)
Origin
Founded in 1870 in Pittsburg, PA based on biblical interpretation of Charles Taze Russel, founder of the Bible Student movement.
Population
World adherents: 8.7 million
American adherents: 1.3 million
Diet/Fasting
Smoking, consuming alcohol and drugs are not permitted.
Clothing
Women are supposed to dress modestly.
Men and women should not dress in sloppy, ill-fitting clothes or any clothes that draw attention
Medical Issues
No blood transfusions; abortion and suicide not permitted.
Sacred Text
Holy Book is the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate most holidays including birthdays, Mothers Day, Valentines Day, National Independence days, Christmas, and Easter.
No participation in military, national pledge, flag bearing or any other national/cultural rituals.
Members are expected to regularly participate in Evangelizing work.
Major annual holiday is the Memorial of Christ’s death, which is celebrated around the time of the Jewish Passover in the Spring.
Adherence to a strict moral code is required.
Judaism (Ju)
Origin
Judaism was founded in the time of Abraham and Sarah, approximately 4,000 years ago.
Israel is the country of origin for Judaism.
Subsets or sects within Judaism, which vary on levels of observance, include Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Hasidic, Renewal, and Reconstructionist.
Population
World adherents: 15 million
American adherents: 6 million
Diet/Fasting
Varying levels of kosher diet restrictions. Some adherents separate meals that contain meat or milk products. Some observe these on a daily basis and others only during holidays. Fasting on some holy days.
Clothing
Modest dress by some. Most strictly observant married women wear head coverings in public. Men often wear a skullcap.
Medical Issues
Life is valued above all other commandments. Breaking other commandments such as Shabbat and holiday, food and fasting restrictions, if required to preserve life, are allowed.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
Just giving, Tzedakah, is an important obligation of Jewish life. Adherents should strive to donate 10% of income to bring about justice, healing, dignity and support of individuals and communities in need.
Sacred Text
The sacred text for Jews is the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) which includes the Torah or Five Books of Moses, Nevi’im (The Prophets), K’tuvim (The Writings) and the Talmud.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Prayers in multiple languages including Hebrew. Early afternoon prayers may be observed. Reform, conservative and Orthodox vary on observance. The latter may refer disputes to a Beit Din or Rabbinic Tribunal.
Some restrictions on physical contact between members of the opposite sex.
Judaism is based on a lunar calendar.
Lutheran (L)
Origin
The Lutheran religion is a Christian faith that originated on October 31, 1517 in Wittenberg, Germany. This is the anniversary of the day that Martin Luther nailed 95 theses on the church door. The theses challenged the teachings of the Catholic Church on the nature of penance, the authority of the pope and the usefulness of indulgences.
The US has roughly 40 different Lutheran denominations. Of these – three synods – the Evangelical Lutheran Church, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod have the largest followings. The Evangelical Lutheran Church In America (ELCA) was formed in 1988.
Population
World adherents: 80 million
American adherents: 6.5 million, 3.14 million are baptized members of ELCA
Diet/Fasting
Some adherents fast or sacrifice certain foods or actions during the Lenten Season.
Sacred Text
The sacred text is the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Churches vary times of worship. Prayers may include crossing oneself. Ash Wednesday includes the marking of ashes on one’s forehead.
Methodist (M)
Origin
The Methodist movement was started by John Wesley in the mid-1700’s in England and was introduced to the US in the 1760’s. United Methodism started in 1968 in downtown Dallas.
As United Methodists, there are no subsets, but Methodism includes United Methodist, Free Methodists, Wesleyan Church, American Methodist Episcopal Church and more
Population
World adherents: 12 million
American adherents: 6 million +
Diet/Fasting
In the early twentieth century, Methodists were advocates for alcohol prohibition, which remains for local church property and many clergy. Some Methodists observe a fast, sacrifice of certain foods or actions, on a regular basis and, especially, during the Lenten Season.
Medical Issues
There are no special faith restrictions or accommodations on medical or health care. Of note is that Methodists have been on the forefront of healthcare in every place Methodism has traveled. In the United States, health care systems in many large cities are aligned with local churches and judicatories or affiliated by name. Globally, Methodists are working to end malaria and mother /infant mortality.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
Tithes are encouraged. To that end, each individual and every congregation offers ten percent of their income and ten percent of the local church budget to service of the Church in the world, respectively. Methodists are mostly known for their “vital piety and social witness.” Adherents have been activated to educate children, feed the hungry, visit the prisoner, heal the sick and transform the world.
Sacred Text
The sacred text is the “Christian Bible” (made up of Hebrew Scripture and Christian testaments).
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Methodists recognize two sacraments (special rites of the Church): holy communion for all and baptism of infants and adults. In some worship services, a ritual of “Passing of the Peace” involving handshakes and hugs is celebrated.
Native American (NA)
Origin
Undetermined in North America
Population
American adherents: There are an estimated 4-6 million Native Americans in the US.
There are 574 federally recognized Indian Nations in the US, 229 of those in Alaska.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Most of the ceremonies/ religious holidays are not open to the public. With many tribal nations in North America, many will return to their homeland for observances. Students’ practices are derived from their tribes. From January until December, 2022, with the exception of October, ceremonies include but are not limited to the Hopi Powamu Festival, Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony, Kwakiutl Midwinter Ceremony, Athabascan Stick dance, Navajo Mountain Chant, the Yaqui Easter Ceremony, the Ute Bear Dance, Green Corn Dance, Sun Dance, the Niman Kachina, Apache Girls Sunrise Ceremony, World Eskimo Winter Olympics, Eagle Dance, Hopi Flute Ceremony and Hopi Snake Dance, Miwok Acorn Festival, Navajo Night Chance, Shalako Ceremony, Wuwuchim Ceremony, the Hopi Sayaluna Ceremony.
Some Native Americans also practice non-native religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, or Humanism to name a few.
Presbyterian (Pre)
Origin
The roots of Presbyterianism trace back to the Protestant Reformation in Geneva in the 16th Century CE and was established in Scotland in the late 17th Century.
Population
World adherents: 17 million
American adherents: 1.6 million
Diet/Fasting
Some fast or sacrifice certain foods or actions during the Lenten Season.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
Tithes are encouraged.
Sacred Text
The Holy Bible, Confessions
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
The liturgical year, known as the Christian year, marks the cycle of the seasons and determines days of celebration. It begins with the season of Advent in anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us.
Seventh-day Adventist (SDA)
Origin
Founded in 1863 in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Population
World adherents:18 million
American adherents: 1.2 million
Diet/Fasting
Advocate vegetarianism and kosher diet laws (no pork or shellfish).
Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, caffeine are discouraged.
Clothing
Opposed to body modification (tattoos, piercings).
Opposed to wearing jewelry.
Sacred Text
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
There are no specific holy days observed. But Saturday, the seventh day of every week is considered God’s Holy Sabbath day, when adherents will abstain from work.
Sikh (S)
Origin
Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith was born in 1469.
The faith originated in India’s Punjab region.
Population
World adherents: Approximately 30 million
American adherents: 500,000 +
Diet/Fasting
Some are vegetarians.
Clothing
Males traditionally have long hair, unshorn beards, and wear a turban.
Sacred Text
The sacred text is Adi Granth (Sri Guru Granth Sahib)
Shinto (Sh)
Origin
Shintoism was founded in Japan around 300 BCE to 300 CE
Population
World adherents:3 million
American adherents: Not available
Diet/Fasting
No dietary restrictions. Sometimes food is presented at shrines to a given Kami or god.
Sacred Text
Kamidana is a minature shrine, the center of daily worship in a household or shop.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Cleanse hands before entering shrine to pray.
Taoism (T)
Origin
4th Century BCE, in China
Population
World adherents: 12 million +
American adherents: 40,000 self-identified Taoists, but many more practice.
Diet/Fasting
Some religious Taoists may engage in fasts, vegetarianism, or avoiding grains and alliums (onion, garlic etc.)
Medical Issues
Some Taoists use traditional Chinese medicinal practices such acupuncture
Sacred Text
The main text of Taoism is Tao Te Ching.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Many adherents consider this Faith to be a secular philosophy.
Unitarian Universalist (UU)
Origin
Begun in 1568 in Transylvania, Romania.
In 1961 the Universalist Church of America consolidated with the Unitarian Association to become the new religion of Unitarian Universalism.
Population
World adherents: 250,000
American adherents: 200,000
Sacred Text
Unitarians sometimes refer to life as their scripture, they utilize many different texts for learning.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
It is traditional that there is more than one way to be faithful.
Urantia Book (UB)
Origin
A group in Chicago called the Forum reviewed the text as it emerged between the 1920’s through the early 1940’s. The Urantia Book was first published in 1955, and has been translated into over 17 languages.
Population
World adherents: 60,000
American adherents: 20,000
Clothing
Clothing is based on personal preference.
Medical Issues
The Urantia Book provides no specific directives regarding medicine and medical treatment, though it respects and encourages scientific inquiry. Adherents make their own medical decisions.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
Service to others is core to the teachings of The Urantia Book. Adherents engage in charitable giving and services based on their personal choices. Some Urantia Book groups have organized efforts with homeless shelters, free clinics, food pantries, and raising funds for individuals in crisis. The Urantia Book has been donated to thousands of libraries and institutions of learning worldwide.
Sacred Text
The Urantia Book.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Adherents connect through study groups, national events, and international conferences. Many adherents are active in other religious traditions. There is no priesthood or ordination. While there are three major Urantia Book-based organizations (Urantia Foundation, Urantia Book Fellowship, and Urantia Association International) there is no official interpretation of the Urantia Book. Adherents choose their own methods of prayer, worship, and service based on the book’s teachings.
Vedanta (V)
Origin
The tradition’s origins are in the ancient Vedas – systematized by Shankaracharya, in the 7th c. CE, in India, as one of the six systems of philosophy in Hinduism. It was revitalized by Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) in India.
Population
World adherents: Not available
American adherents: Not Available
Diet/Fasting
No beef or pork. Some followers are vegetarian or vegan.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
In India Swami Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission, in order incorporate and organize selfless service in the form of “worship the living God” as one of its main tenets: “For one’s own salvation and for the good of the world.” The Ramakrishna Order was the first Shankara Order to establish educational institutions, orphanages, hospitals, and organize disaster relief as selfless service – an act of worship.
Sacred Text
The 10 major Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras are the three primary texts.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Sanskrit and English.
Wiccan (W)
Origin
The religion developed in England around the first half of the 20th century
Population
World adherents: Not available
American adherents: Over a million
Diet/Fasting
Dietary restrictions vary by tradition and may include fasting.
Clothing
Clothing and head coverings vary by tradition.
Medical Issues
Natural healing methods are recommended, but not codified.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
While there are no official guidelines, people are encouraged to help others.
Sacred Text
Some central liturgical texts are The Charge of the Goddess, and The Book of Shadows.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Certain traditions worship on the eve of a full or new moon starting at sundown.
Members are organized into individual traditions that could form a coven, each governed by a High Priestess or Priest.
Zoroastrian (Z)
Origin
The religion was founded by Prophet Zarathushtra around 1400-1200 BCE in Central Asia, probably in northeastern Iran.
Today the subsets of the faith are Shehenshahi, Kadmi, and Fasli. Ethnic groups like Parsis and Iranis are also identified.
Population
World adherents: About 200,000
American adherents: About 11,000
Diet/Fasting
Fasting is not recommended as it weakens the body.
Clothing
Male and female adherents wear a special white undershirt (sudreh) with a waist cord (kusti). The head is covered during all worship ceremonies.
Financial and Charitable Traditions
Doing good deeds without the expectation of a reward is a central tenet of the faith. Helping the needy and doing charitable acts is a daily promise in all prayers.
Sacred Text
The Zend Avesta, the Gathas and the Yasna.
Language of Prayer and Religious Practices
Prayers are in Avesta, Pazend and Pahlavi languages but prayer books are transcribed in Farsi, Gujarati or English.
A wood-burning fire in an urn is used in most religious ceremonies. Fire is venerated as a symbol of light and energy and therefore life. It also represents inner light and is a physical representation of the illuminated mind.