Factors That Affect the Growth of Religion in the West
Several factors have influenced the growth of religion in the West. These include, changes in belief among people who identify with a particular religion, and how religion affects the political system of many western countries.
Baha’i faith
Founded in 1844, the Baha’i Faith is a new religion with a global reach in over 236 countries. It has a unique status in that it has practical autonomy from the parent religion of Islam. It is a monotheistic religion that teaches that the soul of a human being is closer to God when he/she practices regular prayer and spiritual activities. Baha’i communities work with friends of all backgrounds and carry out various grassroots efforts for social transformation.
Christianity
During the last century, Christianity has spread around the world. It is now the world’s largest religion, with over 2 billion adherents. Although Christianity is a global religion, it is still predominantly practiced in Europe and the Americas. However, the number of Christians in the Global South has exploded, with sub-Saharan Africa and Asia experiencing the fastest growth.
Islam
Historically, the word Islam refers to a religion brought by Prophet Muhammad. It is one of three Abrahamic religions. The first two are Christianity and Judaism.
The religion teaches that one God created the universe and sent several prophets to reveal his law. Muhammad was the last of these messengers. The Qur’an is considered the most important holy book among Muslims. The Qur’an is a compilation of revelations that were given to Muhammad. Earlier prophets include Adam, Abraham, Moses and Noah.
Hinduism
Known as the world’s oldest religion, Hinduism is a diverse religion with a vast array of beliefs and practices. It originated from ancient India, and has had a lasting influence on many other religions. It has also been a guiding force in society.
Hinduism is often considered to be a polytheistic religion, but there are also many Hindu deities that are worshiped separately. The most popular deities include Shiva and Vishnu. They are considered manifestations of one supreme god.
Superstition
Historically, religion has had a problem with superstition. Superstitions can be cultural or religious. A person without religion will likely think of all religious practices as superstitious, but this is not necessarily the case.
Some people believe in irrational beliefs for healing or to ward off ill health. They also use superstitions to predict the future. Some people also believe in extraterrestrials and conspiracy theories.
Changes in religious belief among people who identify with a religion
Increasing and decreasing religious belief among people who identify with a religion are common phenomena. Research has shown that older adults are more religious than younger adults. Various studies have also examined the relationship between religious beliefs and intellectuality. While some studies have shown a negative relationship, others have shown a positive relationship.
Religion affects political system in many western countries
Several studies on how religion affects political systems have uncovered differences across countries. These differences are not limited to religion itself, but may also be attributed to other factors such as language, social class, or the availability of certain forms of media.
The effect of religion on political systems is most evident in countries that have multiparty systems with religious parties. While the effect is not as significant in countries with more traditional forms of government, the effect is still highly relevant.