Today we will move on to religions that we might know a little more about. The more common ones you could say. It is safe to say that over the last two thousand years, mainly two religious thoughts dominated the world’s religious landscape. Indian religions, which include Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, etc., and the Abrahamic religions, such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. In addition, people in many countries practice various folk or traditional religions, including African traditional religions, Chinese folk religions, Native American religions, and Australian aboriginal religions. Worldwide, more than 84% of people identify with a religious group.
Would you agree with this? Why or why not?
As of 2023, according to worldometer:
Christianity was by far the world’s largest religion, 2,173,180,000 Christians (31% of world population), of which 50% are Catholic, 37% Protestant, 12% Orthodox, and 1% other.
Would you agree with this? Why or why not?
Islam 1,598,510,000 (23%), of which 87-90% are Sunnis, 10-13% Shia.
The unaffiliated population in the world is 1,126,500,000 (16%): atheists, agnostics and people who do not identify with any particular religion. One-in-five people (20%) in the United States are religiously unaffiliated.
Hinduism, with 1,033,080,000 (15%), the overwhelming majority (94%) of which live in India.
Buddhists with 487,540,000 (7%), of which half live in China.
Adherents of various folk religions – 405,120,000 (6%): faiths that are closely associated with a particular group of people, ethnicity or tribe.
Other Religions 58,110,000 (1%): Baha’i faith, Taoism, Jainism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Tenrikyo, Wicca, Zoroastrianism and many others.
Jews 13,850,000 (0.2%), four-fifths of whom live in two countries: the United States (41%) and Israel (41%).
What stands out to you looking at these numbers?
Religion in the UNITED STATES
In the United States according to an average of all the 2021 Gallup polling, about three in four Americans said they identify with a specific religious faith.
TYPE
2021/Percentage
1971/Percentage
Christian
69%
90%
Protestant
35%
Catholic
22%
Christian
12%
Non-Christian
7%
6%
Jewish
2%
Muslim
1%
Buddhist
1%
No Religious Preference
21%
4%
Did Not Respond
3%
What stands out to you looking at these numbers?
Religion in the MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi is the most religious U.S. state, and is one of eight states where Gallup classifies at least half of the residents as “very religious.” According to Pew Research this is how.
Christian - 69.4%
Non-Christian - 4.5%
Other Faiths - 2.1%
Unaffiliated- 24%
Evangelical Protestant - 41%
Mormon - 1%
Unitarians - 1%
Atheist 1%
Mainline Protestant - 12%
Orthodox- <1%
New Age <1%
Agnostic 3%
Black Protestant - 24%
Jehovah’s Witness- <1%
Native American <1%
Nothing 19%
Catholic - 4%
Jewish <1%
Don’t Know 1%
Other - .4%
Muslim <1%
Buddust <1%
Hindu <1%
Other World Religions <1%
What stands out to you looking at these numbers?
Religion in Yalobusha County, Mississippi
Yalobusha County, Mississippi is home to many religious congregations. These churches provide a variety of services, such as worship services, weddings, funerals, youth programs and recreational activities for the community. Each church has its own unique history and culture as they continue to serve their local parishioners. A number of churches in Yalobusha County are affiliated with the Methodist and Baptist denominations as well as other Christian denominations. There are also nondenominational churches in the county that cater to a variety of religious denominations. In addition to providing spiritual guidance for their members, each church in Yalobusha County also serves as an important social hub in the community offering fellowship and support. As the population continues to grow in Yalobusha County, these local churches will remain an integral part of this vibrant community.
59.2% of the people in Yalobusha County are religious:
- 46.5% are Baptist
- 0.0% are Episcopalian
- 0.0% are Catholic
- 0.0% are Lutheran
- 8.3% are Methodist
- 1.1% are Pentecostal
- 0.5% are Presbyterian
- 0.0% are Church of Jesus Christ
- 2.8% are another Christian faith
- 0.0% are Judaism
- 0.0% are an eastern faith
- 0.0% affiliated with Islam
- 40.8% have no religion preference
What stands out to you looking at these numbers?
Religion in Water Valley, Mississippi
Water Valley, MS is a small town located in the northern part of the state. On Sundays, area families worship in some 40 churches and give thanks for their homes, community, and way of life. The most prominent of these are the Methodist and Baptist churches which both have strong roots in the community and a long history of providing spiritual guidance and support for local families. Other denominations represented in Water Valley include Presbyterians, Pentecostals, and Episcopalians who each contribute to the diverse worship experience offered to the citizens of this small town. All of these churches provide an important service to their congregations by offering a place for fellowship and spiritual growth as well as providing an avenue for social connections within the community.
59.2% of the people in Water Valley are religious:
- 46.5% are Baptist
- 0.0% are Episcopalian
- 0.0% are Catholic
- 0.0% are Lutheran
- 8.3% are Methodist
- 1.1% are Pentecostal
- 0.5% are Presbyterian
- 0.0% are Church of Jesus Christ
- 2.8% are another Christian faith
- 0.0% are Judaism
- 0.0% are an eastern faith
- 0.0% affiliated with Islam
- 40.8% have no religion preference
What stands out to you looking at these numbers?
Religion in Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford, Mississippi is home to a diverse range of religious congregations. The city boasts congregations from many Christian denominations, including Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Catholic Churches. Additionally, there are several non-Christian congregations in Oxford, including Jewish synagogues and Islamic centers. Each congregation provides spiritual guidance and community support for its members. An important part of the Oxford community is the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service which brings together members of all religious backgrounds to celebrate their faith and give thanks for their blessings. This service has become an integral part of the community’s cultural identity and has been held each year since 2008. With so many opportunities for worshipful engagement within the city limits, Oxford is a wonderful place for people of any faith background to feel connected and supported within their spiritual practice.
41.7% of the people in Oxford are religious:
- 19.3% are Baptist
- 1.6% are Episcopalian
- 2.4% are Catholic
- 0.1% are Lutheran
- 10.4% are Methodist
- 0.4% are Pentecostal
- 2.7% are Presbyterian
- 1.0% are Church of Jesus Christ
- 2.9% are another Christian faith
- 0.0% are Judaism
- 0.0% are an eastern faith
- 0.7% affiliated with Islam
- 58.3% have no religion preference
What stands out to you looking at these numbers?
We will continue to look more in depth at these religions as we go through them region by region.