Worldwide Religious Populations

[linwood]

If I recall correctly this census was last done in 2002.
The non-religious category was #4 behind Hinduism.

http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html

 

[Ody]

Interesting not that i really see how it matters...

 

[linwood]

Interesting not that i really see how it matters...

It matters a great deal to me.

 

[Ody]

i don't really care what other believe as long as the follow natural law

 

[linwood]

i don't really care what other believe as long as the follow natural law

What do you mean by natural law?

 

[Ody]

Its a roman/greek philosophical concept... common you atleast know what that is..

 

[Ody]

Its the idea that every society has the same basic rules that allow humanity and society to remain stable and alive, the basic rules are called the natural law

 

[Buttercup]

Well, I think it's interesting linwood. I am surprised by the numbers in fact. I would have thought Hinduism and Buddhism would have had higher numbers.

 

[Valjean]

I think Buddhism was way up there before the Maoist revolution.

 

[ChrisP]

I think Buddhism was way up there before the Maoist revolution.

Nothing like good old tyrannical Oppression. Probably where all the traditional Taoist's went (unless they're Chinese Traditional of course).

 

[mormonman]

What are we debating???

 

[michel]

It matters a great deal to me.

What was the purpose of your post ? for what reason did you post the char ?

 

[Green Gaia]

They list Unitarian Universalism has having 800,000 members... while I wish that were true, it simply isn't.

 

[linwood]

What was the purpose of your post ? for what reason did you post the char ?

I thought it might be interesting.
I also planned on posting the last poll they did in 2002 to show how religious sects change but I am unable to find it.
You`d think they`d leave past studies up just to make those comparisons.

If memory serves me the only two belief systems that have gained on this chart are Non-religious and Islam.
I`m certain Hinduism and Non-religious have exchanged places.

They list Unitarian Universalism has having 800,000 members... while I wish that were true, it simply isn't.

I`d think UU`s were at least of that number since they`ve been around and have filled a void for many people for a long time.
Do you know how many UU churchgoers there are Maize?

 

[Green Gaia]

Do you know how many UU churchgoers there are Maize?

The last number I heard was 250,000. Again, I would love if that 800,000 number was correct, but just believing as UUs do, does not make one a UU. There's a commitment involved there that many seem to gloss over when calling themselves UU when it's possible they've never set foot into a UU church.

 

[linwood]

The last number I heard was 250,000. Again, I would love if that 800,000 number was correct, but just believing as UUs do, does not make one a UU. There's a commitment involved there that many seem to gloss over when calling themselves UU when it's possible they've never set foot into a UU church.

For that reason I tend to take any survey on religious denominations with a large grain of salt.

That is surprising to me though, I really would have thought there were many more UU`s around.
Maybe that is just wishful thinking.

 

[linwood]

It would appear I was wrong.
The only change I see in this survey from the last they did is the switch between Hinduism and Non-Religious.
Here`s the old chart.

It`s not from the same site but the survey is said to be from the same site last time around.
http://www.teachingreligion.com/numbers.html

 

[Green Gaia]

For that reason I tend to take any survey on religious denominations with a large grain of salt.

That is surprising to me though, I really would have thought there were many more UU`s around.
Maybe that is just wishful thinking.

Well, we have a problem within UU.... we are so against proselytizing that we don't do anything that might even seem as promoting our religion over another. I disagree with this stance... and so do many others, and the attitude is changing. I still don't like proselytizing, but letting people know we are here and what we believe is a good thing, imo.

 

[linwood]

Well, we have a problem within UU.... we are so against proselytizing that we don't do anything that might even seem as promoting our religion over another. I disagree with this stance... and so do many others, and the attitude is changing. I still don't like proselytizing, but letting people know we are here and what we believe is a good thing, imo.

I would agree with with the anti-proselytizing policy but as you say there should be other ways, even beneficial ways to let people know you`re there and what you`re about.

Do you remember the commercial awhile back that caused a bit of controversy.
I can`t quite recall the church, Church of Christ?
They had the bouncers and a velvet rope in front of a Church turning certain people away as if it were a posh night club and then stated that their church wasn`t like that.
That they accepted all who were curious.

That commercial did two things.
It brought the name of the church to my mind (Which is apparently gone now
And it told me something about the church in a simple manner that interested me.

I thought it was good PR without going overboard.

 

[Green Gaia]

I would agree with with the anti-proselytizing policy but as you say there should be other ways, even beneficial ways to let people know you`re there and what you`re about.

Do you remember the commercial awhile back that caused a bit of controversy.
I can`t quite recall the church, Church of Christ?
They had the bouncers and a velvet rope in front of a Church turning certain people away as if it were a posh night club and then stated that their church wasn`t like that.
That they accepted all who were curious.

That commercial did two things.
It brought the name of the church to my mind (Which is apparently gone now
And it told me something about the church in a simple manner that interested me.

I thought it was good PR without going overboard.

It was the United Christ of Christ (which is VERY different than the Church of Christ). I remember those commericals very well. The UUA was very supportive of the UCC on that issue. They got a of flack for them.

Some areas do have the ability do commericals and the like. I think the best thing we can do though is talk about our beliefs and how we differ, which is what I try to do everyday on this site. Not to say that we are better or have the only right way... just to say, we are different, if you're looking for something different, we're here and open to you.