It occurred to me that virtually all of the world’s major religions trace their origins back to Asia: Baha’i, Buddhism, Cao Dai, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Juche, Judaism, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, Tenrikyo, Zoroastrianism.
Some offshoots of these religions, like Mormonism or Santeria, started in other continents but they’re offshoots - their origins still go back to Asia.
So what’s the largest religion that originated outside of Asia? It’s disturbing but the biggest non-Asian religion I can think of is Scientology. Is there something else that’s bigger?
Ever? Or currently practiced? Seems like the Romans had a pretty big deal going for a while. Likewise the old Egyptians, the Mayans (which still exists), the Aztecs, and a number of other peoples.
What about Voodoo/Voudun? It’s a faith or set of related faiths from West Africa, with branches in many countries of the Americas. It’s especially popular in the Caribbean, Louisiana, and to some extent Florida.
Scientology actually seems to have some significant inspirations from Buddhism. Both of them teach reincarnation and have significant psychotherapy or psychotherapy-like practices.
In reality, very few religions just come into existence out of nothing. They are to some extent inspired by existing religions. Whether or not a new religion is treated as a new religion or as an offshoot of an existing one is really a question of degree and not of nature.
What about Wicca? It’s modern form clearly comes out of 20th century Europe, but it is based on much older elements that were put together by Gerald Gardiner from various sources, including Celtic mythology, Viking mythology, and Freemasonry.
Vodou is a combination of African tribal religions and Christianity. So as Christianity is part of its foundation, I don’t feel we can say it doesn’t have some of its origins in Asia.
I’ve always suspected that Scientology was “inspired” by Gnosticism. There are a number of similarities. And the Nag Hammadi scrolls had been discovered and brought attention to Gnostic beliefs right before Hubbard founded Scientology.
That said, Scientology has no official connection to Christianity or Buddhism. Hubbard filed off the serial numbers and said Scientology was a new revelation.
The Roman/Greek religion ---- state religion in both, but more rigorously so ( and syncretic ) in the case of the Romans — had Asiatic origins. Apart from the common Aryan/Sanskrit roots stretching from the Steppes to India there were elements from Egypt/Crete. Not less with the newer cults advertised as being straight from the East, Cybele, Christianity, Mithras etc… Worked in early 20th century California just as much ---- The Temple brings peace and wisdom in it’s teachings from the Timeless Orient, plus a chance to contact the beloved dead.
You will note no-one wants to contact the hated dead.
Largest are “primal-indigenous,” which seems like a cop-out/vague, and many, many African indigenous and diasporic (Vo(o)do(o/u)(n) and Santeria are in the latter). The largest single religions in order are Spiritism (don’t think there’s a defining commonality in much of that), Neo-Paganism (again many stripes, although perhaps a lot is Celtic-influenced), U-U if you count that, Rastafarianism, and Scientology. Those last two are somewhat uniform (Rasta has sects and some Jewish influence but still unique and North American with claims to Africa).
If you consider solipsism, then it’s the largest in the world, with a population of one.
There was the native paganism of pre-christian Europe, although that might be derived from the Steppes also.
Voodoo doesn’t count since that too was derived from Christianity.
Meso-American religions are the most likely. Although archaeologists and explorers spent a lot of time linking their pyramids to those of Old Egypt. A lot of time.
And carving out living hearts and raising them to the sun is now more the private pastime of psychopaths than accepted religious practice.
Atheism is a religion to the extent that not collecting stamps is a hobby. It’s lumped in with religions for statistical purposes, but calling it one in this context is idiotic.
Not really from neolithic to classical times the default for humanity was some kind of belief in animism or polytheism. Denying the existence of gods and spirits in the face of almost universal belief otherwise is in itself taking a religious stand. Theres a strong case that, if buddhism and Confucianism are counted as religions, then Atheism should be to.
