What is Ninian Smart known for?

The writer, raconteur and world educator Ninian Smart, has died aged 73. He was an inspirational professor of religious studies over more than four decades, and a powerful advocate of the study of religion for the enrichment of common humanity. From beginning to end, he enjoyed a high academic profile.

What are the 5 most influential world religions?

Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism are always included in the list, being known as the “Big Five”.

Which religion is the best religion in world?

Adherents in 2020

Religion Adherents Percentage
Christianity 2.382 billion 31.11%
Islam 1.907 billion 24.9%
Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist 1.193 billion 15.58%
Hinduism 1.161 billion 15.16%

What are the 6 key world religions?

The major religions of the world (Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, Christianity, Taoism, and Judaism) differ in many respects, including how each religion is organized and the belief system each upholds.

What does philosophy say about religion?

For philosophers there are no ideas to be accepted on faith. Philosophy of Religion is rational thought about religious issues and concerns without a presumption of the existence of a deity or reliance on acts of faith. Philosophers examine the nature of religion and religious beliefs.

Which religion is the most powerful?

Largest religious groups

Religion Followers (billions) Founded
Christianity 2.4 Middle East
Islam 1.9 Arabia (Middle East), 7th century
Hinduism 1.2 Indian subcontinent
Buddhism 0.5 Indian subcontinent

What are the dimensions of religion according to Ninian Smart?

Ninian Smart’s Seven Dimensions of Religion and Why is it Helpful 1 The Practical and Ritual Dimension 2 The Experiential and Emotional Dimension 3 The Mythic or Narrative Dimension 4 The Doctrinal and Philosophical Dimension 5 The Ethical and Legal Dimension 6 The Social and Institutional Dimension 7 The Material Dimension

Who is the best scholar of World Religions?

Outside of Mircea Eliade, Smart is the one academic I would highly recommend for a very good overview of world faiths. He covers this area thoroughly, with respect, and with a detailed academic fervour. Having Met Professor Smart at a Seminar in the 80s, I found him to be an amazingly knowledgeable fellow.

What did Ninian Smart say about van der Leeuw?

Smart found van der Leeuw’s categories to be too static and permanent. Instead, theorists and scholars of religion have realized that religious realities are far from fixed but lively and contested. Referring to Christianity as an example, Smart writes that,

Who is the most comprehensive comparison of religious traditions in the world?

Walter Capps (1934-1997) says that Smart provided the most “comprehensive and systematic” comparison of the religious traditions in the world via the criteria of phenomenology (2).