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Polytheistic Religions of the World
The world is full of many different religions. People practice religion for several reasons. Many people throughout the world follow a religion simply because it is part of the heritage of their culture, tribe, or family. Religion gives many people a feeling of security because they believe that a divine power watches over them. These people often ask the power for help or protection. Many people follow a religion because it promises them salvation, a hope in life after death, or sense of fulfillment and meaning in life. In addition, religion provides the enjoyment of a sense of connection with fellow believers.

Religion is an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and practices that center on belief in one God or gods deserving obedience and worship. The essential qualities of a religion are maintained and passed from generation to generation by sources given by some authority that the followers accept as sacred and are usually canonized into writings known as scriptures. There are eight major religions in the world: Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Shinto, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The first five listed are all polytheistic religions and the last three, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all monotheistic. Each of these major religions of the world bases its faith on the life or teachings of specific individuals.

Hinduism began around 1500 BC. The oldest Hindu scriptures were a collection of hymns and texts to the gods and handed down orally in what is known today as the Vedas or “Knowledge.”

Buddhism was partly a rebellion against certain features of Hinduism. Buddhism opposed the Hindu worship of many deities. Buddha taught that people should devote themselves to finding release from the suffering of life by practicing extreme self-discipline and denying all sorts of pleasure.

Confucius became the most influential philosopher of the Chinese during his lifetime between 551-479 BC. Because he developed his teaching during a time of political and social unrest, his primary concern was the improvement of society. Rather than look to the gods or spirits for help, he believed that it was more important to know the duties of man living in society.

Shintoism developed in early Japanese society as a faith in the simple worship of natural forces and family spirits. Around the 4th century BC the Yamato clan emerged as the ruling power in Kyushu and extended its conquests into eastern Japan by the first few centuries AD.

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