Religion in Asia

This information has been prepared for the DEAL Network.

India-South Asia – Sikh = 2%, and Hindu = 64 %

.

South Asia – Muslims = 29%

Japan, - Buddhist/Shinto/New religions 84%

South Asia – Christians = 2 %

South Asia – Others = 1%

China =? Ban on religion: 1980 estimates; Nonreligious 51.9; folk-religion
20.1; atheist 12.0; Buddhist 8.5; Christian 6.0; Muslim 1.4; other 0.1

Thailand – Buddhist= 92 %

Philippines – 94% Christian, (mostly Roman Catholic) 4 % Muslim, 2 % non-Western, indigenous beliefs.

Philosophical viewpoints, such as Confucianism, also influence spiritual life in Asia, for instance in China Taoist philosophy of spontaneity and surrender to nature has had a strong influence on the culture.

Also, note the religious influences in the DEAL feature Visual Arts of Asia.

The reader should note that most early Americans were Christians of European descent hence religious difference was one of the factors that contributed to the distrust of Asian immigrants.

See the links to religion related photographs below.

BUDDHIST TEMPLE , SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA

SEATED BUDDA , JAPAN

SMALL BUDDHIST SHRINE , JAPAN