1. The World Religions (1)

A Politically Incorrect Conclusion

Earlier chapters have presented compelling evidence to demonstrate that a Creator God exists, that the Bible is historically reliable and trustworthy, and that Jesus is indeed God in human form. Additionally, the previous section set forth evidence that the Bible also contains numerous evidences that point to a divine source of inspiration and knowledge. Logically, this had led us to the unavoidable conclusion that Biblical Christianity (Christianity based on the Word of God as revealed in the Bible) is founded on fact and truth. Therefore, the Biblical Christian worldview, as far as it is based on the teachings of the Bible, is true.

This leads to a disturbing conclusion: All religions of the world cannot be equally true. Truth does not contradict itself. So, if our evidence for Christianity is based on truth, other worldviews must rest upon error, whatever its source. Quite a bold, somewhat arrogant and definitively politically incorrect conclusion. In order to test this statement we need to survey the several Christian variants and the other major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Because of its recent growth, most attention will be directed to Islam.

What Do People Believe?

Let’s start with some numbers:[1] Of the estimated 2006/2007 world population of 6.5 billion people, 2.1 billion people call themselves Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox and so on: in general “followers of and believers in Jesus Christ” (more about this later). That is about 32% of the world population. For the US , according to a 2001 study,[2] this percentage is near 80%. Needless to say, not all denominations are considered fully Christian by others and not all Christians are equally committed to their faith.

An Overview of the World Religions

The worldwide number of Christians grows about 2.2% per year, almost equal or slightly less than the estimated annual growth of the world population at 2.3%; so the percentage of Christians of the world’s population has been slightly falling during the last few decades.

These numbers indicate Christianity is, by far, the largest religion worldwide.  However this is challenged by the growth of Islam, currently with 1.3 billion followers.  Islam currently has a following of around 20% of the world population, but is growing at a rate of an estimated 2.9%  per year in absolute numbers. Therefore, Islam as a percentage of world population grows about 0.7%  per year. If this trend continues, in the lifetime of most readers, Islam will outgrow Christianity as the most “popular” religion. Since Islam is more than just a faith, including also a social and legal system, its continued growth is having and will continue to have even more a major geo-political effect worldwide.

Traditional Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism have followings of an estimated 950 million people and 375 million people respectively. Both religions are fairly stable in “market share.”

Looking at these numbers, do not forget Muslims, just like Christians and Jews, believe in the existence of God. About 90% of the worldwide population believes in some kind of God. This number is well above 95% in the USA . In history, more than 90% of people have believed in God.

What Do Americans Believe?

These are quite serious numbers. They indicate a strong conviction in the average human being that “we are not here by accident.”