traditions has created new identities. Non-Believers 42 Over 10% of people claim no allegiance to a religion. Many of these are undecided, but some are atheists, who deny the existence of God. Part Three STRUCTURES 44 State Attitudes to Religion 46 Nearly a quarter of the world’s states have formal links with a religion. Some have links with more than one. A few actively discriminate against all. Christian Finance 48 The world’s 2.1 billion Christians donate more than $297 billion a year to support Christian and non-Christian causes. Religious Education 50 The relationship between State and religion is often revealed by a country’s attitude to religious education. Christian Missionaries 52 The majority of Christian missionary work is among existing Christians. Most missionaries work in their country of origin. The Word 54 The Bible is the most printed and widely distributed book in the world. In 2005 there were over 1.5 billion bibles in circulation. Christian Broadcasting 56 Nearly 2 billion people listen to radio or television broadcasts on a Christian theme at least once a month. Aid and Development 58 Religious organizations make a substantial and growing contribution to aid and development work throughout the world. Islamic Law 60 Shari’ah sets out for Muslims the basic legal and ethical codes upon which all relationships and institutions are founded and by which they are guided. Part Four CONFLICTS AND TENSIONS 62 Faultlines 64 Historical feuds and struggles between religions still shape many contemporary events around the world. Emerging from Persecution 66 Despite a century of more intense persecution than ever before, the major religions have survived and are growing again, where once they were attacked.
Part Five CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES 68 Shared World 70 Ecumenical Christian and interfaith movements are growing stronger. They are increasingly addressing social, health, environmental and human rights issues. Equal Rites 72 Within some religious organizations women have equal status with men when it comes to administering religious rites. Other religions are firmly opposed to women fulfilling this role. Environmental Protection 74 Religious organizations are the largest social network in the world. In recent years they have turned their attention to caring for the environment. Ethical Investment 76 Worldwide, the major religions are moving their financial assets into socially responsible investments – ranging from Islamic banking to ethical investment portfolios. The Future 78 Religion will respond in a diversity of ways to both the opportunities and challenges raised by an increasingly free market world. Part Six THE HEARTLANDS 80 Origins 82 Places associated with the origins of a religion, or where major new expressions came to life, are often centres of pilgrimage and veneration. Holy Natural 84 For many religions, nature offers a place of encounter with the Divine, helping to conserve some of the most beautiful places in the world. Fundamentals of the Faiths 86–89 Part Seven SOCIAL CONTEXT 90 World Data Table 92 Notes and Sources 100 Index 126