World Religions Overview: Core Beliefs of 15 Major Faiths & Philosophies

A respectful, factual overview of the world's major religions and belief systems — founder, sacred text, and core beliefs for each, from Christianity and Islam to Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Built for world history and comparative religion classes.

15 cards Public deck
Question Answer
Christianity
Founded by followers of Jesus Christ; sacred text is the Bible; believes in one God (the Trinity); the largest religion by followers worldwide
Islam
Founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century; sacred text is the Quran; believes in one God (Allah); guided by the Five Pillars
Hinduism
One of the oldest religions, originating in India; sacred texts include the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita; centers on karma, dharma, and reincarnation
Buddhism
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in India; teaches the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path; seeks liberation from suffering (nirvana)
Judaism
One of the oldest monotheistic religions; sacred text is the Torah; believes in one God and a covenant with the Jewish people
Sikhism
Founded by Guru Nanak in 15th-century Punjab; sacred text is the Guru Granth Sahib; believes in one God and the equality of all people
Confucianism
A philosophy and tradition founded by Confucius in ancient China; emphasizes morality, family loyalty, and social harmony
Taoism (Daoism)
A Chinese philosophy and religion founded by Lao Tzu; emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, the natural way of the universe
Shinto
The indigenous religion of Japan; focuses on kami (spirits) and rituals honoring nature and ancestors
Jainism
An ancient Indian religion emphasizing nonviolence (ahimsa) toward all living things
Bahá'í Faith
Founded in 19th-century Persia by Bahá'u'lláh; teaches the unity of all religions and of humanity
Zoroastrianism
One of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, founded in ancient Persia by Zoroaster; centers on the struggle between good and evil
Atheism
The absence of belief in any deity or deities
Agnosticism
The belief that the existence of a deity is unknown or unknowable
Animism
The belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence