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In the study of [[human geography]], a '''universalizing religion''' is a religion that attempts to operate on a global scale and to appeal to all people wherever they reside, compared to an [[ethnic religion]] which primarily attracts one group of people living in one place. Most universalizing religions are divided into ''branches'', ''denominations'', and ''sects''. By far the most practiced universalizing religion is [[Christianity]]. [[Islam]] and [[Buddhism]] are other large universalizing religions. About 62% of the world's population identify with a universalizing religion, with about 24% adhering to an ethnic religion and 14% to no religion in particular.

In the study of [[human geography]], a '''universalizing religion''' is a religion that attempts to operate on a global scale and to appeal to all people wherever they reside, compared to an [[ethnic religion]] which primarily attracts one group of people living in one place. Most universalizing religions are divided into ''branches'', ''denominations'', and ''sects''. By far the most practiced universalizing religion is [[Christianity]]. [[Islam]] and [[Buddhism]] are other large universalizing religions.<ref>{{cite book |last= Rubenstein |first= James M. |coauthors=  |title= The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography |publisher= Pearson Prentice Hall |year= 2008 |month= |isbn= 0-13-134681-4}}</ref> About 62% of the world's population identify with a universalizing religion, with about 24% adhering to an ethnic religion and 14% to no religion in particular.

==Characteristics==

==Characteristics==

Universalizing religions can usually be traced to a single founder, a result of the fact that most universalizing religions are younger than ethnic religions. For example, Christianity can be traced to [[Christ]], Islam can be traced to [[Muhammad]], and Buddhism can be traced to [[Siddhartha Gautama]] ("the Buddha"). These religions can be traced back to their founders because they were established within recorded history, a characteristic of all universalizing religions. In fact, almost all universalizing religions were founded ''[[Anno Domini]]'', with the notable exception being Buddhism.

Universalizing religions can usually be traced to a single founder, a result of the fact that most universalizing religions are younger than ethnic religions. For example, Christianity can be traced to [[Christ]], Islam can be traced to [[Muhammad]], and Buddhism can be traced to [[Siddhartha Gautama]] ("the Buddha"). These religions can be traced back to their founders because they were established within recorded history, a characteristic of all universalizing religions. In fact, almost all universalizing religions were founded ''[[Anno Domini]]'', with the notable exception being Buddhism.

Another notable characteristic of universalizing religions that stems from their having known founders is the nature of their ceremonies. Most universalizing religions' holidays and ceremonies correspond to events in the lives of their founders. For example, the major Christian holidays of [[Easter]] and [[Christmas]] correspond to significant events in the life of Christ, with several minor holidays corresponding to the lives of [[saints]].

Another notable characteristic of universalizing religions that stems from their having known founders is the nature of their ceremonies.<ref>{{cite book |last= Rubenstein |first= James M. |coauthors=  |title= The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography |publisher= Pearson Prentice Hall |year= 2008 |month= |isbn= 0-13-134681-4}}</ref> Most universalizing religions' holidays and ceremonies correspond to events in the lives of their founders. For example, the major Christian holidays of [[Easter]] and [[Christmas]] correspond to significant events in the life of Christ, with several minor holidays corresponding to the lives of [[saints]].

===Conversion===

===Conversion===

==List of Universalizing Religions==

==List of Universalizing Religions==

This list may be impartial, but these are by far the most notable and largest universalizing religions.

This list may be impartial, but these are by far the most notable and largest universalizing religions.<ref>{{cite book |last= Rubenstein |first= James M. |coauthors=  |title= The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography |publisher= Pearson Prentice Hall |year= 2008 |month= |isbn= 0-13-134681-4}}</ref>

*[[Christianity]]

*[[Christianity]]

*[[Bahá'í]]

*[[Bahá'í]]

[[Category:Religion]]

[[Category:Religion]]