Shamanism is a term used by cultural geographers to refer to a specific form of local religion that exists in many different parts of the world and has been a part of human society for countless thousands of years. In religious that fit under the umbrella of Shamanism a member of a local community, or sometimes all members of that community, can actively convene with the spiritual world; can ask the spirits for guidance or assistance or approval. Often rituals in Shamanism take the form of the inhalation or ingestion of hallucinogenic drugs that are assumed to be a conduit to the Gods by the community.

Animism is one of the oldest forms of religious expression in human history. It also actively persists in many indigenous and localized communities in several different parts of the world. Animism is based on the belief that the nonhuman world is spiritual and that everything - from animals, to rocks, to plants, to rivers- can have a spiritual essence and sometimes a soul.

The term Baptists is applied to several very similar denominations of Christianity that believe that only an adult can profess complete faith in Christ and thus be baptized in his name. Baptists also believe in complete immersion for baptism, rather than through the sprinkling of holy water on the forehead of an infant. The majority of American Baptists are found in the region generally known as “the Deep South.”

The Islamic observance of Ramadan requires a month of fasting during the day. The fast can be broken after sunset. It is one of the five pillars of Islam that all Muslims are expected to adhere to. Ramadan falls in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is not consistent with the western calendar, so it generally falls about ten days earlier each year. In 2015 it occurred from the middle of June until the middle of July.

Adherence to the rituals of Shinto is the most widespread religious practice in Japan. Unlike several other major religions, there is no core sacred text in Shinto. The religion is centered on a set of religious rituals, often performed at public shrines.

The combined followers of two largest religions, Christianity (a third of the world's population) and Islam (a fifth of the world's population), account for about half of the world's population.

Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population, accounting for more than \(\displaystyle 12\%\) of the world's total Muslim population. Saudi Arabia, while almost entirely Muslim, has just over \(\displaystyle \textup{28 million}\). Pakistan is home to approximately \(\displaystyle \textup{178 million}\) Muslims, or 11% of the world's Muslim population. Egypt is home to over \(\displaystyle \textup{80 million}\) believers. India, while primarily a Hindu nation, is still home to over \(\displaystyle \textup{175 million}\) Muslims.

Geographers divide all religions based on who they are trying to appeal to and accept as a believer. Universalizing religions attempt to be global and to appeal to all people wherever they may live and whomever they may be. Ethnic religions appeal primarily to one group of people living in one specific place or region.

The three most popular Universalizing Religions based on number of adherents are Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. There are more than 2 billion self-identifying Christians in the world today. There are 1.3 billion Muslims spread throughout the world according to the latest data collected. There are almost 400 million adherents to Buddhism today.

The most popular Ethnic Religion based on number of adherents is Hinduism, having more than 97% of its adherents residing in India alone. The majority of the remaining 3% of adherents outside of India are in the neighboring country of Nepal. This religion has remained regional and has not put effort into expanding beyond its region. The majority of global spread of Hinduism has only come from practicing Hindus moving somewhere else in the world and maintaining their religious practice.

Iran is one of only a very few predominantly Shia Muslim country in the world. All other Islamic countries are predominantly Sunni.

The Mormon Church is organized under a hierarchical priesthood run by men, with the Prophet (or President of the Church) serving as the "spokesman on Earth," not unlike the position of Pope in Catholicism. While Islam and Buddhism both revere respected and even martyred prophets in the form of Muhammed and Buddha, respectively, they do not anoint a spokesperson to oversee and approve all workings of the church internationally and domestically. Hinduism is more accurately described a principled way of life, with a broad range of influencing philosophies and featuring a choice few outspoken practicers rather than religious leaders.