Classifications of Religions

In looking at beliefs and practices of religion, there are several ways to categorize religions.

• Looking at the number of gods there is differentiation between monotheistic religions, beliefs that have only one god and polytheistic religions, beliefs with multiple gods.

• In examining how religions gain followers, we can distinguish between ethnic and universalizing religions. Ethnic religions, such as Hinduism and Judaism, are historically linked to specific ethnic groups and are often passed down through generations within these communities. Although migration has spread these religions worldwide, they remain closely associated with their respective ethnic groups. Tribal or traditional religions, meanwhile, maintain deep connections to nature and have limited interaction with modern society.

  Universalizing religions, on the other hand, aim to expand their reach by actively seeking converts. In some cases, adherents are expected to engage in missionary work, dedicating part of their lives to sharing their faith with others.

• Looking at the purity of a faith there is differentiation between orthodox and syncretic religions. Voodoo, or Vodou, is a syncretic religion that originated in Haiti, blending West African spiritual traditions with Roman Catholicism and indigenous beliefs. Entities that had previously represented African gods are recast as Catholic saints, who themselves are semidivine in Catholic cosmology. Combining two religions to create a new religion is known as syncretism.