[{"ROR":"B","ROR3":"B","RlgnBs":"Buddhism","ROR4":"B","RlgnDiv":"Buddhism","IMBdesc":"Buddhism, a system of beliefs and practices based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha.","RORdesc":"Followers of the Buddha, including: (a) Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) or Northern Buddhism; (b) Theravada (Teaching of the Elders) or Southern Buddhism, stigmatized by Mahayanists as Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle, i.e. available to fewer people), actually the older, purer form of Buddhism; (c) Vajrayana, Mantrayana, Guhyamantrayana, or Tantrayana (Esoteric Vehicle), known as Tantrism, Shingon or Lamaism; and (d) traditional Buddhist sects, but excluding neo-Buddhist new religions or religious movements."},{"ROR":"BOF","ROR3":"B","RlgnBs":"Buddhism","ROR4":"BOF","RlgnDiv":"Folk Buddhism","IMBdesc":"folk Buddhism, a syncretistic blend of traditional Buddhist practices with elements of magic and superstition.","RORdesc":"Folk Buddhism is a syncretistic dimension of the Buddhist tradition characterized by beliefs and practices dominated by magical intent and fashioned with the purpose of helping people cope with the uncertainties and exigencies of life. "},{"ROR":"BMA","ROR3":"B","RlgnBs":"Buddhism","ROR4":"BMA","RlgnDiv":"Mahayana Buddhism","IMBdesc":"Mahayana Buddhism, the largest major tradition of Buddhism today.","RORdesc":"Mahayana is a branch of Buddhism chiefly found in China and Japan, characterized by eclecticism and a general belief in a common search for salvation, sometimes thought to be attainable through faith alone."},{"ROR":"BTH","ROR3":"B","RlgnBs":"Buddhism","ROR4":"BTH","RlgnDiv":"Theravada Buddhism","IMBdesc":"Theravada Buddhism, the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism.","RORdesc":"Theravada is the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism. the name Theravada means \"teaching of the elders\" and is closer to early Buddhsim than other existing Buddhist traditions."},{"ROR":"BLA","ROR3":"B","RlgnBs":"Buddhism","ROR4":"BLA","RlgnDiv":"Tibetan Buddhism","IMBdesc":"Tibetan Buddhism, a branch of Buddhism characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas.","RORdesc":"Tibetan Buddhism or Lamaism is the Buddhism of Tibet and Mongolia, a Mahayana form including non-Buddhist Indian elements of the preexisting Bön shamanism."},{"ROR":"C","ROR3":"C","RlgnBs":"Christianity","ROR4":"C","RlgnDiv":"Christianity","IMBdesc":"Christianity, an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.","RORdesc":"Followers of Jesus Christ of all kinds: all traditions and confessions, and all degrees of commitment."},{"ROR":"CAN","ROR3":"C","RlgnBs":"Christianity","ROR4":"CAN","RlgnDiv":"Anglicanism","IMBdesc":"Anglicanism, a tradition within Christianity comprising the Church of England and churches historically tied to it or holding similar beliefs, worship practices, and patterns of church administration.","RORdesc":"Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising the Church of England and churches historically tied to it or holding similar beliefs, worship practices, and patterns of church administration."},{"ROR":"CEP","ROR3":"C","RlgnBs":"Christianity","ROR4":"CEP","RlgnDiv":"Evangelical Protestantism","IMBdesc":"Evangelical Protestantism, a worldwide trans-denominational movement within Protestant Christianity that believes the essence of the Gospel consists of the doctrine of salvation by grace alone, solely through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ.","RORdesc":"Evangelical Protestantism is a worldwide trans-denominational movement within Protestant Christianity that maintains the belief that the essence of the Gospel consists of the doctrine of salvation by grace alone, solely through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ."},{"ROR":"CFC","ROR3":"C","RlgnBs":"Christianity","ROR4":"CFC","RlgnDiv":"Folk Catholicism","IMBdesc":"folk Catholicism, characterized by local expressions of faith that combine Catholic traditions with local animistic rituals, resulting in syncretized forms of Catholicism that diverge from official church doctrine and practice. ","RORdesc":"Folk Catholicism is characterized by local expressions of faith that combine Catholic traditions with local animistic rituals, resulting in syncretized forms of Catholicism that diverge from official church doctrine and practice."},{"ROR":"COF","ROR3":"C","RlgnBs":"Christianity","ROR4":"COF","RlgnDiv":"Folk Christianity","IMBdesc":"folk Christianity, characterized by local expressions of Christian faith that blend Christian elements with indigenous cultural beliefs, resulting in syncretized forms of Christianity that diverge from official church practices and Biblical doctrine.","RORdesc":"Folk Christianity is characterized by local expressions of Christian faith that blend Christian elements with indigenous cultural beliefs, resulting in syncretized forms of Christianity that diverge from official church practices and Biblical doctrine."},{"ROR":"CIN","ROR3":"C","RlgnBs":"Christianity","ROR4":"CIN","RlgnDiv":"Independent Christianity","IMBdesc":"Independent Christianity, churches and Christian institutions not formally aligned with an established religious denomination. Historically these groups emerged from within Protestantism and many retain historically Protestant doctrine and practice while r","RORdesc":"Independent Christianity refers to those churches and Christian institutions not formally aligned with an established religious denomination. Historically these groups emerged from within Protestantism and many retain historically Protestant doctrine and practice while rejecting the idea of a formalized denominational structure as a matter of principle, holding that each congregation is better off being autonomous."},{"ROR":"CNP","ROR3":"C","RlgnBs":"Christianity","ROR4":"CNP","RlgnDiv":"Neo-Pentecostalism","IMBdesc":"Neo-Pentecostalism, a movement characterized by manifestations in non-Pentecostal churches of what have been traditionally categorized as Pentecostal experiences, frequently combined with prosperity gospel theology.","RORdesc":"Neo-Pentecostalism is a movement within Christianity that emphasizes expression of spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues and faith healing, frequently combined with prosperity gospel theology."},{"ROR":"CNE","ROR3":"C","RlgnBs":"Christianity","ROR4":"CNE","RlgnDiv":"Non-Evangelical Protestantism","IMBdesc":"Non-Evangelical Protestantism, a collection of denominations typically more focused on issues of social justice than personal salvation.","RORdesc":"Non-Evangelical Protestantism is a collection of denominations typically more focused on issues of social justice than personal salvation.  Non-evangelicals view the Bible as a historical document containing God's words rather than as a source of absolute truth and emphasize tolerance and acceptance, sometimes even recognizing the possibility of salvation in non-Christian religions."},{"ROR":"COR","ROR3":"C","RlgnBs":"Christianity","ROR4":"COR","RlgnDiv":"Orthodox Christianity","IMBdesc":"Orthodox Christianity, a branch of Christianity that includes Copts, the Assyrian Church of the East, Eastern Orthodox Churches and Oriental Orthodox Churches.","RORdesc":"Orthodox Christianity includes Copts, the Assyrian Church of the East, Eastern Orthodox Churches and Oriental Orthodox Churches. These traditions split from the Roman Catholic Church over doctrinal, cultural and linguistic differences. The Orthodox Church considers itself the present-day continuation of the theology and practice established by Jesus Christ through his Apostles."},{"ROR":"CPR","ROR3":"C","RlgnBs":"Christianity","ROR4":"CPR","RlgnDiv":"Protestantism","IMBdesc":"Protestant Christianity, a tradition that emerged from the Protestant Reformation. Protestants reject the idea of papal supremacy, instead stressing the authority of scripture alone, justification by faith alone, and salvation through Christ alone.","RORdesc":"Protestantism is the form of Christian faith and practice which originated with the Protestant Reformation, a movement against what Protestants considered to be doctrinal errors in the Roman Catholic Church. Protestants reject the idea of papal supremacy, instead stressing the authority of scripture alone, justification by faith alone, and salvation through Christ alone."},{"ROR":"CRC","ROR3":"C","RlgnBs":"Christianity","ROR4":"CRC","RlgnDiv":"Roman Catholicism","IMBdesc":"Roman Catholicism, the largest branch of the Christian church and one of the oldest religious institutions in the world. Roman Catholicism teaches that it is the one true Church founded by Jesus Christ and that its bishops are the successors of Christ.","RORdesc":"Roman Catholicism is the largest branch of the Christian church and is among the oldest religious institutions in the world. The Catholic Church teaches that it is the one true Church founded by Jesus Christ and that its bishops are the successors of Christ."},{"ROR":"T","ROR3":"T","RlgnBs":"Cult of Christianity","ROR4":"T","RlgnDiv":"Cult of Christianity","IMBdesc":"a cult or offshoot of Christianity, that while claiming to be Christian embraces a doctrinal system that denies one or more of the central doctrines of the Christian faith as taught in the Bible.","RORdesc":"A cult of Christianity is a group of people, which claiming to be Christian, embraces a particular doctrinal system taught by an individual leader, group of leaders, or organization, which denies (either explicitly or implicitly) one or more of the central doctrines of the Christian faith as taught in the Bible."},{"ROR":"TJW","ROR3":"T","RlgnBs":"Cult of Christianity","ROR4":"TJW","RlgnDiv":"Jehovah's Witnesses","IMBdesc":"Jehovah's Witness, a millenarian Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs outside the mainstream of Christianity.","RORdesc":"Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs outside the mainstream of Christianity."},{"ROR":"TMO","ROR3":"T","RlgnBs":"Cult of Christianity","ROR4":"TMO","RlgnDiv":"Mormonism","IMBdesc":"Mormonism, a movement started by Joseph Smith in New York during the 1820s with beliefs outside the maintstream of Christianity.","RORdesc":"Mormonism - officially, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint - considers itself not just a Christian denomination, but rather the only true expression of Christianity. However, the history, theology and practices of Mormonism show this religious movement to be outside the mainstream of Christianity."},{"ROR":"E","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"E","RlgnDiv":"Ethnoreligion","IMBdesc":"ethnoreligion, consisting of practices deeply rooted in this groups ethnic identity.","RORdesc":"Ethnoreligion is a broad category of religious beliefs and practices linked with the adherents' ethnicity. Conversion typically equates to cultural assimilation to the ethnic group. Widely held ethnic religions include Chinese Universalism, Shintoism, and Judaism."},{"ROR":"EAF","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"EAF","RlgnDiv":"African Traditional Religion","IMBdesc":"African Traditional Religion, a collection of beliefs and practices unique to various African ethnic groups.","RORdesc":" African Traditional Religion encompasses the traditional beliefs and practices of African ethnic groups.   There are as many African traditional religions as peoples or tribes, notably: Akan, Dogon, Fon, Igbo, Mende and Yoruba in west Africa, and Zande in central Africa; Dinka, Nuer and Shilluk among the Nilotics; Ganda, Lovedu, Shona and Zulu among Bantu."},{"ROR":"EAW","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"EAW","RlgnDiv":"Ancestor Worship","IMBdesc":"ancestor worship, based on the belief that the deceased have a continued existence and possess the ability to influence the fortune of the living.","RORdesc":"Ancestor Worship is the custom of venerating deceased ancestors who are considered still a part of the family and whose spirits are believed to have the power to intervene in the affairs of the living offering either help or harm, often depending upon the level or quality of veneration offered on their behalf."},{"ROR":"EAN","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"EAN","RlgnDiv":"Animism","IMBdesc":"animism, a religious worldview that natural physical entities--including animals, plants, and even inanimate objects--possess a spiritual essence.","RORdesc":"Animism is the belief system or worldview that non-human entities (animals, plants, inanimate objects) possess a spiritual essence or soul. Animism encompasses the belief that there is no separation between the spiritual and physical world and that spirits exist not only in physical objects but also in phenomena such as thunder, wind and shadows."},{"ROR":"ECF","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"ECF","RlgnDiv":"Chinese Folk Religion","IMBdesc":"Chinese folk religion, a complex mix of beliefs and practices that includes elements of Buddhism, Taoism and ancestor veneration.","RORdesc":"Chinese Folk Religion refers to a unique complex of beliefs and practices that include: yin/yang cosmology with dualities earth/heaven, evil/good, darkness/light; ancestor cults; Confucian ethics; household gods / local deities; mediums, shamans, spirit-writing; and folk Buddhist elements."},{"ROR":"ECO","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"ECO","RlgnDiv":"Confucianism","IMBdesc":"Confucianism, a Chinese ethical and philosophical system linked to the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius.","RORdesc":"Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius.Confucianism focuses on proper respect of the gods, with particular emphasis on the importance of the family over and above any particular divine being. Confucian thought stresses cultivation of virtue and ethics."},{"ROR":"EDA","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"EDA","RlgnDiv":"Daoism","IMBdesc":"Daoism, one of three major religions with historical roots in China, regarded as part of Chinese folk religion.","RORdesc":"Daoism (Taoism) is a philosophical, ethical, and religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao. Tao literally means \"way\", but can also be interpreted as road, path, or doctrine. Daoists focus on understanding the nature of reality, increasing their longevity, ordering life morally, and regulating consciousness and diet."},{"ROR":"ENA","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"ENA","RlgnDiv":"Native American religions","IMBdesc":"Native American religions, an umbrella term that encompasses widely varied spiritual practices unique to the culture and location of individual nations.","RORdesc":"Native American religions refers to the spiritual practices of indigenous North American communities. Ceremonial practices vary widely and are based on the history, geography, and beliefs of individual nations."},{"ROR":"EPO","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"EPO","RlgnDiv":"Polytheism","IMBdesc":"polytheism, a belief in multiple deities that are often arranged as pantheons of gods or goddeses.","RORdesc":"Polytheism is the belief in many gods."},{"ROR":"ESA","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"ESA","RlgnDiv":"Samaritanism","IMBdesc":"Samaritanism, an Abrahamic religion closely related to Judaism.","RORdesc":"Samaritanism is an Abrahamic religion closely related to Judaism. Samaritans say that their worship is the true religion of the ancient Israelites prior to the Babylonian Exile, preserved by those who remained in the Land of Israel, as opposed to Judaism, which they say is a related but altered and amended religion, brought back by those returning from the Babylonian exile."},{"ROR":"ESM","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"ESM","RlgnDiv":"Shamanism","IMBdesc":"shamanism, a practice that involves reaching an altered state of consciousness in order to interact with the spirit world.","RORdesc":"Shamanism is a practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness in order to encounter and interact with the spirit world and channel these transcendental energies into this world."},{"ROR":"EJF","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"EJF","RlgnDiv":"Shinbutsu-Shugo","IMBdesc":"Shinbutsu-shugo, a syncretized mixture of Shinto and Buddhism that forms a unique Japanese Folk Religion practiced by Japanese worldwide.","RORdesc":"Shinbutsu-shugo (神仏習合) is the local expression given to a unique Japanese Folk Religion that mixes elements of Shinto and Buddhism. Though Shinto and Buddhism were formally separated by the 'shinbutsu bunri' policy enacted in 1868, temples and shrines that do not separate them are common and most Japanese people practice a mix of Shinto and Buddhism without seeing any contradiction."},{"ROR":"ESH","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"ESH","RlgnDiv":"Shintoism","IMBdesc":"Shintoism, an indigenous Japanese religion that stresses the need for ritual cleansing.","RORdesc":" Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan. The word Shinto means \"way of the gods.\" The essence of Shinto is the Japanese devotion to invisible spiritual beings and powers, shrines, and rituals. Practitioners believe Shinto rituals enable human beings to communicate with the spirit world."},{"ROR":"EYZ","ROR3":"E","RlgnBs":"Ethnoreligion","ROR4":"EYZ","RlgnDiv":"Yazidism","IMBdesc":"Yazidism, a monotheistic, syncretic ethnic religion practiced by the Yazidi (Yezidi) people that fuses elements of Zoroastrianism, Sufism, and Nestorian Christianity. It teaches belief in one supreme God, Xwedê, who created the universe and entrusted its c","RORdesc":"Yazidism is a monotheistic, syncretic ethnic religion practiced by the Yazidi (Yezidi) people that fuses elements of Zoroastrianism, Sufism, and Nestorian Christianity. It teaches belief in one supreme God, Xwedê, who created the universe and entrusted its care to Seven Holy Beings (the Heptad). "},{"ROR":"H","ROR3":"H","RlgnBs":"Hinduism","ROR4":"H","RlgnDiv":"Hinduism","IMBdesc":"Hinduism, the predominant religious tradition of the Indian subcontinent. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.","RORdesc":"Hinduism is a conglomeration of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideas that originated in India. It is characterized by a belief in reincarnation and the pursuit of liberation from the cycle of reincarnation. "},{"ROR":"HOF","ROR3":"H","RlgnBs":"Hinduism","ROR4":"HOF","RlgnDiv":"Folk Hinduism","IMBdesc":"folk Hinduism, characterized by local traditions and cults of local deities worshiped at the community level.","RORdesc":"Folk Hinduism encompasses mediums and trance sessions, village deities, festivals and other ritual events that help followers manage the uncertainties of daily life. Rituals enable followers to feel close to deities or display devotion to deities through offerings of non vegetarian items or the practice of self mortification."},{"ROR":"HSH","ROR3":"H","RlgnBs":"Hinduism","ROR4":"HSH","RlgnDiv":"Shaivaism","IMBdesc":"Shivaism, one of the most widely followed sects of Hinduism. It refers to organized worship of the Indian god Shiva. Shaivism includes such diverse movements as the highly philosophical Shaiva-siddhanta, the socially distinctive Lingayat, ascetic orders su","RORdesc":"Shivaism is one of the four most widely followed sects of Hinduism. It refers to organized worship of the Indian god Shiva. Shaivism includes such diverse movements as the highly philosophical Shaiva-siddhanta, the socially distinctive Lingayat, ascetic orders such as the dashnami sannyasins, and innumerable folk variants. "},{"ROR":"HAS","ROR3":"H","RlgnBs":"Hinduism","ROR4":"HAS","RlgnDiv":"Shaktism","IMBdesc":"Shaktism, a major sect of Hinduism that centers on the worship of the divine feminine, known as Shakti—the cosmic energy and supreme power that animates the universe. Shaktism is especially prominent in Bengal, Assam, and South India.","RORdesc":"Shaktism is a Hindu sect built around worship of Shakti, the Hindu Divine Mother goddess. In philosophy and practice, Saktism resembles Shivaism, however Saktis focus most or all worship on Shakti as the dynamic feminine aspect of the Supreme Divine."},{"ROR":"HVA","ROR3":"H","RlgnBs":"Hinduism","ROR4":"HVA","RlgnDiv":"Vaishnavaism","IMBdesc":"Vaishnavaism, the largest community within the family of Hinduism, focused on the veneration of Vishnu (\"one who is all-pervading\") and his incarnations (avatars), the most popular of which are Rama and Krishna. A devotee of Vishnu is called a Vaishnava. ","RORdesc":"Vaishnavaism is the largest community within the family of Hinduism, focused on the veneration of Vishnu (\"one who is all-pervading\") and his incarnations (avatars), the most popular of which are Rama and Krishna. A devotee of Vishnu is called a Vaishnava. "},{"ROR":"M","ROR3":"M","RlgnBs":"Islam","ROR4":"M","RlgnDiv":"Islam","IMBdesc":"Islam, a monotheistic religion built around the teachings of the Qur'an and of the prophet Muhammad.","RORdesc":"Followers of Islam, in its two main branches (with schools of law, rites or sects): Sunnis or Sunnites (Hanafite, Hanbalite, Malikite, Shafiite), and Shias or Shiites (Ithna-Ashari, Ismaili, Alawite and Zaydi versions); also Kharijite and other orthodox sects; reform movements (Wahhabi, Sanusi, Mahdiya), also heterodox sects (Ahmadiya, Druzes, Yazidis), but excluding syncretistic religions with Muslim elements, and partially-islamized tribal religionists."},{"ROR":"MLV","ROR3":"M","RlgnBs":"Islam","ROR4":"MLV","RlgnDiv":"Alevism","IMBdesc":"Alevism, a unique, heterodox branch of Islam that emerged in 13th-century Anatolia, with deep mystical and cultural roots. Alevism is primarily found in Turkey and among diaspora communities.","RORdesc":"Alevism is a unique, heterodox branch of Islam that emerged in 13th-century Anatolia, with deep mystical and cultural roots. Alevism is primarily found in Turkey and among diaspora communities."},{"ROR":"MOF","ROR3":"M","RlgnBs":"Islam","ROR4":"MOF","RlgnDiv":"Folk Islam","IMBdesc":"folk Islam, a syncretistic belief system that blends traditional elements of Islam with superstitious practices such as warding off spirits with incantations and magic amulets, and reciting verses of the Qur'an to bring about miraculous healings.","RORdesc":"Folk Islam is a syncretistic belief system that blends traditional monotheistic religion and animistic pagan superstition. Adherents of folk Islam will observe various superstitious practices such as warding off spirits with incantations and magic amulets, and reciting verses of the Qur'an to bring about miraculous healings."},{"ROR":"MSH","ROR3":"M","RlgnBs":"Islam","ROR4":"MSH","RlgnDiv":"Shia Islam","IMBdesc":"Shia Islam, one of two major denominations of Islam. The followers of Shia Islam are called 'Shi'as' or 'Shiites'.","RORdesc":"Shia and Sunni Muslims share many fundamental Islamic beliefs but differ over the question of leadership. Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his counsin/son-in-law, Ali bin Abu Talib. Throughout history, Shia Muslims have rejected the authority of elected Muslim leaders."},{"ROR":"MIS","ROR3":"M","RlgnBs":"Islam","ROR4":"MIS","RlgnDiv":"Shia Imami Ismaili Islam","IMBdesc":"Ismailism, the second largest branch of Shia Islam.","RORdesc":"Ismailism is the second largest branch of Shia Islam after the Twelvers. The Ismaili get their name from their acceptance of Ismail ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor (Imam) to Jafar a-adiq, wherein they differ from the Twelvers, who accept Musà al-Kazim, younger brother of Ismail, as the true Imam."},{"ROR":"MSU","ROR3":"M","RlgnBs":"Islam","ROR4":"MSU","RlgnDiv":"Sufi Islam","IMBdesc":"Sufism, defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam.","RORdesc":"Sufism is defined by some Muslims as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. Practitioners, known as Sufis, believe they are following the path of ihsan (perfection of worship) as revealed by Gabriel to Muhammad."},{"ROR":"MSN","ROR3":"M","RlgnBs":"Islam","ROR4":"MSN","RlgnDiv":"Sunni Islam","IMBdesc":"Sunni Islam, the largest branch of Islam. Sunni Muslims follow the teachings of the Qur'an and consider the first four caliphs to be the rightful successors of Muhammad.","RORdesc":"Sunni and Shia Muslims share many fundamental Islamic beliefs but differ over the question of leadership. Sunni Muslims are those who, at Muhammad's death, agreed that the new leader should be chosen from among the Prophet's followers. Abu Bakr, Muhammad's close friend and advisor was chosen as the first Caliph of the Islamic nation. The word \"Sunni\" in Arabic means \"one who follows the traditions of the Prophet\"."},{"ROR":"J","ROR3":"J","RlgnBs":"Judaism","ROR4":"J","RlgnDiv":"Judaism","IMBdesc":"Judaism, a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews and characterized by belief in one transcendent God who has revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions.","RORdesc":"Judaism is the original of the three Abrahamic faiths (along with Christianity and Islam). Jews trace their history back to Abraham and believe there is only one God with whom they have a unique covenant. Their central religious document is the Torah (first five books of the Bible). There are multiple branches of Judaism including Orthodox, Reformed, Ashkenazi, Oriental, and Sefardii, as well as those who identify themselves as Jewish without necessarily believing in or observing Jewish law. "},{"ROR":"OBH","ROR3":"O","RlgnBs":"Other","ROR4":"OBH","RlgnDiv":"Baha'i","IMBdesc":"Baha'I, a universalist religion that stresses the essential unity of all faiths.","RORdesc":"Followers of the Baha’i World Faith, founded by Baha’u’llah, since 1844. In government censuses Baha’is are usually counted as Muslims or Hindus and not shown separately."},{"ROR":"OHI","ROR3":"O","RlgnBs":"Other","ROR4":"OHI","RlgnDiv":"Black Hebrew Israelitism","IMBdesc":"Black Hebrew Israelitism, a new religious movement that began in the late 19th century. Black Hebrew israelites believe they are descendants of the ancient Israelites, follow biblical laws (especially the Old Testament), reject mainstream Judaism and Chris","RORdesc":"Black Hebrew Israelites believe they are descendants of the ancient Israelites, follow biblical laws (especially the Old Testament), reject mainstream Judaism and Christianity, and emphasize identity, heritage, and spiritual restoration."},{"ROR":"ODZ","ROR3":"O","RlgnBs":"Other","ROR4":"ODZ","RlgnDiv":"Druze","IMBdesc":"Druze, a small Middle Eastern religious sect characterized by secret religious practices and close social cohesion. The Druze do not permit outsiders to convert to their religion.","RORdesc":"The Druze faith originated in Egypt as an offshoot of Ismaili Shiism during the reign of the sixth Fatimid caliph (996-1021). Even though the faith developed out of Isma'ilism, the Druze are no longer considered Muslims."},{"ROR":"OJA","ROR3":"O","RlgnBs":"Other","ROR4":"OJA","RlgnDiv":"Jainism","IMBdesc":"Jainism, an Indian religion that promotes non-violence towards all living beings and emphasizes the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation.","RORdesc":"Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of nonviolence towards all living beings and emphasizes spiritual independenace and equality between all forms of life. Followers of Jainism believe that nonviolence and self-control are the means by which they can obtain liberation."},{"ROR":"OKI","ROR3":"O","RlgnBs":"Other","ROR4":"OKI","RlgnDiv":"Kirati","IMBdesc":"Kirati, a form of Shamanism practiced primarily by the Kirat or Kiranti people of the Himilayas.","RORdesc":"Kirati is a form of Shamanism practiced primarily by the Kirat or Kiranti people of the Himilayas. The Kirati holy text is the Mundhum, also known as the Kirat Veda. Followers of Kirati worship nature and their ancestors and believe in a supreme god called Tagera Ningwaphuma."},{"ROR":"OMA","ROR3":"O","RlgnBs":"Other","ROR4":"OMA","RlgnDiv":"Mandaeism","IMBdesc":"Mandaeism, a gnostic religion practiced primarily by the Mandaean people. Mandaeans settled in northern Mesopotamia and are still found in parts of Iraq and Iran.","RORdesc":"Mandaeism is a gnostic religion practiced primarily by the Mandaean people. Mandaeans settled in northern Mesopotamia and are still found in parts of Iraq and Iran."},{"ROR":"ONA","ROR3":"O","RlgnBs":"Other","ROR4":"ONA","RlgnDiv":"New Age","IMBdesc":"New Age, an umbrella term applied to a vast network of individuals or groups with a wide range of beliefs and orientations that include elements of Neo-Paganism, Occultism, and Shamanism mixed with aspects of Buddhist and Hindu philosophy from the East. Ka","RORdesc":"New Age is an umbrella term applied to a vast network of individuals or groups with a wide range of beliefs and orientations that include elements of New-Paganism, Occultism, and Shamanism mixed with aspects of Buddhist and Hindu philosophy from the East. Karma and reincarnation are popular beliefs among New Agers."},{"ROR":"OSP","ROR3":"O","RlgnBs":"Other","ROR4":"OSP","RlgnDiv":"Spiritism","IMBdesc":"spiritism, a belief in the capacity to communicate with the spirits of the dead who reside in the spirit world  and can be contacted by 'mediums'. Followers of Spiritism believe these spirits can provide information about the afterlife.","RORdesc":"Spiritism is a belief in the existence of nonphysical beings or spirits that inhabit a spirit world. Within spiritism people often try and contact the spirits of those who have died in order to learn about the future or to influence the outcome of future events. Mediums are used in such attempted contacts."},{"ROR":"OZR","ROR3":"O","RlgnBs":"Other","ROR4":"OZR","RlgnDiv":"Zoroastrianism","IMBdesc":"Zoroastrianism, a religion and philosphy based on the teachings of the Persian prophet Zoroaster. Zoroastrians believe there is one universal and transcendent God, Ahura Mazda.","RORdesc":"Zoroastrianism , also called Mazdaism, is a monotheistic religion founded in Persia in BC 1200 by the prophet Zoroaster teaching the worship of Ahura Mazda. In the 6th century BC it was one of the world's most powerful religions but today is one of the smallest. Zoroastrians are not fire-worshippers, as some suggest, but believe that fire represents God's light or wisdom."},{"ROR":"S","ROR3":"S","RlgnBs":"Sikhism","ROR4":"S","RlgnDiv":"Sikhism","IMBdesc":"Sikhism, a monotheistic religion founded in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century. Sikhs value truth as the highest ideal and pursue truthful living, rejecting the Indian caste system in favor of the equality of all humans.","RORdesc":"Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century as a reform movement out of Hinduism. Based on the teachings of Guru Nanak and his successors, Sikhs value truth as the highest ideal and pursue truthful living, rejecting the Indian caste system in favor of the equality of all humans. "},{"ROR":"N","ROR3":"N","RlgnBs":"Unaffiliated","ROR4":"N","RlgnDiv":"Unaffiliated","IMBdesc":"unaffiliated, a category that includes atheists, agnostics, and others who do not identify with a particular world religion.","RORdesc":"The religiously unaffiliated include atheists, agnostics, and others who do not identify with a particular religious tradition. However, many of the religiously unaffiliated hold some religious beliefs and engage in certain kinds of religious practices. "},{"ROR":"NAG","ROR3":"N","RlgnBs":"Unaffiliated","ROR4":"NAG","RlgnDiv":"Agnosticism","IMBdesc":"agnosticism, a philosophical view that humans can never be certain in matters of so-called religious knowledge as to whether God exists or not.","RORdesc":"Agnosticism is the belief that the existence of God or the supernatural is unknowable. "},{"ROR":"NAT","ROR3":"N","RlgnBs":"Unaffiliated","ROR4":"NAT","RlgnDiv":"Atheism","IMBdesc":"atheism, which is best described as the rejection of belief that any deities exist.","RORdesc":"Atheism is a term that comes from the Greek word meaning godless. An athiest has no religious belief system, rejects the concept of the supernatural, and accepts only that which is scientifically verifiable. "},{"ROR":"NSE","ROR3":"N","RlgnBs":"Unaffiliated","ROR4":"NSE","RlgnDiv":"Secularism","IMBdesc":"secularism, a non-theistic philosphy that elevates human reason above the supernatural.","RORdesc":"Secularism is a term that comes from the Latin for \"of this world\" and refers to a philosophy that values the naturalistic and materialistic over the supernatural. Secularism promotes the separation of religion and state and seeks to ensure that the right of individuals to freedom of religion is always balanced by the right to be free from religion."},{"ROR":"U","ROR3":"U","RlgnBs":"Unknown","ROR4":"U","RlgnDiv":"Unknown","IMBdesc":"unknown.","RORdesc":"There are still some small people groups about which so little is known that their religious beliefs cannot be classified. "}]