Hoax religions

Switchy · 10-21-2008

Here's a list of religions and their number of followers:-

Christianity: 2.1 billion
Islam: 1.5 billion
Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion
Hinduism: 900 million
Chinese traditional religion: 394 million
Buddhism: 376 million
primal-indigenous: 300 million
African Traditional & Diasporic: 100 million
Sikhism: 23 million
Juche: 19 million
Spiritism: 15 million
Judaism: 14 million
Baha'i: 7 million
Jainism: 4.2 million
Shinto: 4 million
Cao Dai: 4 million
Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million
Tenrikyo: 2 million
Neo-Paganism: 1 million
Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand
Rastafarianism: 600 thousand
Scientology: 500 thousand

Do you think all but one religion are hoaxes?
Or are all religions hoaxes?

Switchy

pamela · 10-21-2008

hi switchy,
I am not sure exactly what you mean by hoaxes but this I will say. Mankind has often sought to give an explanation to the how and why of everything. People will choose to believe that a power greater than themselves has orchestrated life, the universe, etc. No one can prove the existence of gods or god. It is a matter of each individuals beliefs or faith as it were. Only you can decide if one of these religions is real for you.

Turtle · 10-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchy

Or are all religions hoaxes?

Switchy

Religion, being:

Quote:

Originally Posted by dictionary

1.
a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion

religion - definition of religion by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

I can only conclude that in sense 3 it is part delusion (see biotheology ) and in the rest, the following or perpetration of hoax.

Moontanman · 10-21-2008

You've left out the most important religion of all, Moontanmanism, our numbers are small (1) but we are open to all who want to join.

Now is Moontanmanism a Hoax? In what way? To be a Hoax something would have to intentionally faked or lied about. I am sure the vast majority of the people in these religions actually believe and are not lying or faking when they say they do. having said that I am also sure a great many fakers and hoaxers do indeed populate the worlds religions but as much as i hate to admit it you cannot call them all hoaxes due the actions of a few. Now if factual evidence is your criteria then all of them are hoaxes.